Grow Gadgets Thermostat Controller - Heating and Cooling Temperature Control
Best for: growers who need one controller to manage both a heater and a cooling device against a single temperature target, rather than running each on its own separate switch.
Our thoughts
Running a heater and a fan or cooler off separate manual switches means you're constantly babysitting the room temperature yourself. This controller does that job automatically, switching whichever device you've plugged in on or off to hold your target range. The wide temperature window means it's genuinely useful whether you're fighting a cold garage in winter or a hot loft in summer.
The Grow Gadgets Thermostat Controller offers both heating and cooling control from a single unit, plugging in-line between the mains and your heater or cooling device (such as a fan, extractor or AC unit). It covers a wide working range from -9°C to 50°C, so it's usable across most UK grow room, greenhouse or tent conditions, from a cold outbuilding in winter to a hot, poorly ventilated space in summer.
A detachable temperature probe gives you an accurate real-time reading of the actual grow space rather than the ambient room, and a memory function retains your settings through a power cut so you don't have to reprogram the unit after every outage. Set your target temperature once and the controller will switch your connected equipment on and off automatically to hold it.
How it compares
Dual heating/cooling thermostat controllers are a well-established category, and this sits at the budget end of it.
- The Inkbird ITC-308 is a popular dual-stage heating and cooling digital thermostat at a broadly similar price point, with a comparable probe-based setup.
- Habistat thermostats are typically single-function (heat-only or cool-only), so you'd need two units to match what this single controller does.
- Basic mechanical thermostats lack a digital display and memory function, making fine temperature control and post-power-cut recovery more fiddly.
For anyone wanting one controller that handles both heating and cooling automatically, this is a straightforward, affordable option.
Usage guidance
Setup is a case of plugging in and setting your target temperature.
Positioning the probe
Place the detachable probe where it will give the most representative reading of your grow space - near canopy height rather than tucked against a wall or vent.
Setting your target
Set the desired temperature and the controller will automatically switch your connected heater or cooler on and off to maintain it.
Choosing heat or cool mode
Select the correct mode for the equipment you've plugged in - heating mode for a heater, cooling mode for a fan or AC unit - so the controller switches it at the right side of your target temperature.
After a power cut
The memory function retains your previous settings, so you shouldn't need to reprogram the controller after a brief outage.
Technical specifications
- Function: Heating and cooling control (single controller, switchable mode)
- Temperature range: -9°C to 50°C
- Sensing: Detachable temperature probe
- Memory function: Yes - retains settings through power interruption
- Connection: In-line mains plug, connects between socket and heater/cooler
- Display: Digital readout
Who this is for
- Growers who need automatic control of both a heater and a fan/cooler from one unit
- Anyone in a space with big seasonal temperature swings between winter and summer
- Growers who want to stop manually switching equipment on and off to chase a target temperature
- Budget buyers who don't need the extra features of premium dual-stage controllers
Suits any grow space where temperature needs active, automatic management rather than a "set and forget" stable environment.
Our take
A dual heating and cooling controller at this price removes a genuine daily hassle - no more manually flicking a heater or fan on and off to chase a target temperature. The wide -9°C to 50°C range and memory function cover the practical bases most growers actually need.
Reliable performance without overpaying for features you don't need. Good option if you want equipment you can rely on to hold your grow room steady.
