mark wrote:

My next question is any tips on buying one. Seems to be a lot of choice
out there.
Or is getting a soil warming cable and a homemade tray a better option?

mark

Best to get one with a thermostat. Definitely get a thermostat if you make
your own. The problem with no thermostat is the overheating that can take
place on very sunny days, especially if the ventilation is a bit lacking.
If you put a thermometer inside you will be amazed at the sort of
temperatures attained in mid-afternoon after 6 hours of sunshine even in
January.

One other thing to consider is getting a timer to turn the heating off
intermittently at night. There are a number of seeds which germinate more
readily if they are exposed to differing temperatures during the day, rather
than a constant high temperature.

Your heated propagator will also prove useful in early autumn for those
cuttings which need a bit of bottom heat to encourage them to root.

--
Jeff