Complete bearded dragon setup: what starting budget should you plan for?
Published by Planète Pets · managing editor: Clément Lacaille · how our guides are written
For a complete bearded dragon setup, plan on a starting budget of 400 to 700 €, not including the animal itself. That covers an adult-sized terrarium, UVB lighting, thermostat-controlled heating, decor and the first consumables. The bearded dragon may be kept by private owners in France within the limits set by current regulations: check the rules before you buy.
Contents · 5 sections
What does a complete bearded dragon kit include?
The biggest line item is the terrarium of at least 120 × 60 × 60 cm, at 150 to 300 € in glass or OSB. Next comes the lighting — ideally a combined LED + UVB fixture at 80-150 € — then the basking lamp with thermostat (50-90 €), plus substrate, two hides, a branch and a food bowl (60-100 € in total).
Are all-in-one store kits a good deal?
The 200-300 € "starter kits" look economical, but they often include a terrarium too small for an adult and entry-level UVB lighting that needs replacing quickly. You are better off building your own setup around these criteria:
- Adult-sized terrarium from day one: at least 120 cm long;
- T5 UVB tube, 10.0 or 12%, covering two thirds of the length;
- Thermostat for a 40 °C basking spot and a 26-28 °C cool zone;
- Reliable thermometer and hygrometer to monitor the parameters;
- Safe decor: basking platform, warm hide and cool hide.
What monthly budget after the initial setup?
Expect 30 to 50 € per month: live insects and calcium for a juvenile, greens, electricity (around a hundred watts running 10 to 12 hours a day) and the yearly UVB tube replacement (25-40 €). A young bearded dragon eats daily, so the insect bill weighs more heavily in the first year.
Where should you never cut corners?
Never on UVB or the thermostat: a UVB deficiency causes serious metabolic bone disease, and an unregulated basking spot can burn the animal. You can, however, save on decor (foraged and disinfected branches, a painted background) and keep an eye out for second-hand terrariums. All our comparisons are on the reptile hub.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the bearded dragon itself cost?
A standard juvenile sells for 40 to 80 € in pet shops or from a breeder; colour morphs can exceed 200 €. Choose a captive-bred animal, with an invoice.
Can you start with a small terrarium and upgrade later?
It is possible, but rarely worth it: a bearded dragon reaches adult size in about a year. Buying the final terrarium straight away avoids paying twice.
In our shop, for this use: Stick-on digital thermometer for aquarium and terrarium glass (€18.90) · the whole shop
This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Reptiles universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.
