AC Infinity SUNCORE A7, Waterproof Seedling Heat Mat 48″ x 20.75″ MET & UL-Certified Heating Pad for Indoor Gardening, Hydroponics, Germination, Cloning

Living in Michigan, growing indoor during the cold winter months can be a challenge, especially if you use LED lights and are growing in an area that’s not well-heated (i.e. an unfinished basement). I bought these to help increase the temperature of the root zone for mature plants in five-gallon fabric Smart Pots, as well as raise the temperature in the tent overall, since an oil heater in the room outside the tent wasn’t quite cutting it. Having purchased an AC Infinity fan, I figured I’d give these a go, as the quality seemed to be good, the price was competitive (not the absolute cheapest, but not the most expensive) and the product descriptions were the most detailed.These mats hold a consistent temperature of right around 90-95 degrees Fahrenheit, but there does seem to be a slight bit of variation between the two mats I purchased (not enough to matter, for my purposes). I found that I needed to use two thin plastic saucers (the cheapest kind available) instead of one saucer, as that extra couple of millimeters of space between the mats and the pots keeps the soil from getting too hot. So, make sure to measure the temperatures of your root zone and adjust spacing between the mats and the pots accordingly, depending on the plants you’re growing and the type of pots and saucers you use. I also put two-inch foam insulation board underneath the grow tent, and this also seems to be helping keep temperatures warmer and steadier. Measuring the soil temperature with a probe, I get a reading in the mid-70’s, which is about a 15 degree increase from the temperatures I was getting without these mats—exactly as advertised.If your soil is getting too cold for ideal growth, I’d definitely recommend these—especially combined with some foam board insulation to decouple them from the floor. The only thing I wish these mats had are temperature controls (ideally with WiFi control) so you can dial up and down the temperature, as needed. Yes, controllers can be purchased separately, but still… it’d be nice. But for the price, they’re great, and do exactly as advertised.