Best heating mat?

Shopping online for seed heat mat. Anyone know about redi-heat mats? Are there better quality mats? My first try at seed starting!

Studies on seed germination by Henry M. Cathey and by Dr. Norm Deno indicate that bottom heat and temperatures above 70 deg F ("room temperature") show no benefit, including for the common garden vegetables and annuals for which heat mats are usually recommended. Two situations were found where temperatures above 70 were beneficial - for fresh Gomphrena seed, where unusually high (85-95 deg F) temp was beneficial; note though that this tendency was lost with dry storage of the seed); and for Passiflora where temperatures above 70 were reported to be beneficial (Deno says that he has not tested this himself).
Unless you germinate seeds in a cold greenhouse, or very cold basement, where temperatures are much less than 70 (say down to 50), there's no need for heat mats, according to scientific study. I've started a large variety of perennials in my basement for many years now and have never used a heat mat.
So, I know that this post will likely be followed by a huge amount of anecdotal evidence from people from people who use heat mats, but unless your conditions are signficantly below 70 deg F, science says to save your money! ;-)

What seeds are you trying to start? Heat can be helpful in accelerating germination of some tropical seeds, but as altagardener pointed out for most things heat mats really not necessary.

I will be using my unheated garage to start seeds. The temps get down to 40 degrees at times,so I guess I should go ahead with the heat mat. Thanks so much for responding to my questions. I'm sure I'll have more as time goes along.

I googled and found the best price on Amazon, just under $18. Of course to get free shipping I had to buy something else to get the total up to $25... should come tomorrow. I foolishly left all my heat mats at the country house before we closed it in the fall, and in the city I start seeds on a chilly windowsill so really need one. I need them at the house too, because when we're not there during the week we leave the heat at 50 degrees. Using heat made a big difference in both places, at least in time to germination, and often in percentage of success. All mine are Hydrofarm, and I have had no trouble with them at all. I don't use a temperature regulator with them.

Good luck!

Pam

Thanks Pam, I ordered a 21"x48" with a thermostat yesterday! I've had the best fun picking out seed to start! I have massive flower beds to fill with lots of color and texture. It's fun to paint a picture in my imagination of how it will look. I'm blessed to live on a farm, so I can use up a lot of what I grow and give away the rest! Yea,spring!