I just use a cheap finned oil filled heater I payed about $50 for at Fred Meyer. It has 2 knobs. One is Low-Med-High and the other is the thermostat knob. I don't have it hooked up to any controller. I don't know why I'd need one with the built in thermostat. It doesn't let you set an exact temperature but it's close enough. It goes off on it's own when the lights come on and start warming up the inside of the tent and it turns on by itself when the lights go out. It performs the purpose I'm using it for.