Best Light-Up Dog Collars
January 15, 2021 2021-07-14 5:21As an Amazon affiliate, we earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. We only recommend products we have tried and are using for our own dogs!
Another long, dark winter prompted us to go in search of the best light-up collar for dogs. It was a challenging journey, during which we tested over 20 different products.
Although there was some close competition, the Expawlorer proved to be the best glow in the dark collar for most breeds of dogs and situations. Further digging unearthed some impressive waterproof light-up collars for those dogs who can’t resist a nighttime swim and others that are ideal for long-distance visibility. We’ll also highlight the best budget buy and the most stylish option for the fashionista.
The BEST LED/Light-Up Collar
Bright lights, heavy-duty materials, and affordability make this LED collar our top pick for 2021. Easy to adjust, it comes in a 24.5-inch length that you can cut to fit any size dog.
Waterproof and affordable, the Expawlorer rotates smoothly around your dog’s neck, making it comfortable to wear.
It’s also compatible with most types of leads and harnesses.
Another benefit of the Expawlorer LED collar is that it isn’t too bulky. The Mastrill light-up collar is a great product and one of the few that’s 100% waterproof, but its clunky design makes it unsuitable for smaller breeds. The Domi is a better option if you have a Yorkshire terrier or something similarly diminutive, while the Blazin’ Safety LED collar is the best if you’re looking for long-distance visibility.
Want to find out more about the best light-up dog collars of 2021? We’re going to highlight the benefits and drawbacks of our top LED collars and harnesses so, by the time you finish this article, you’ll be able to make an informed choice about which one will be best for your four-legged friend.
Table of Contents
Benefits of Having a Light-Up Dog Collar
We all know how frustrating it can be when your dog decides to go for a run instead of just performing his nighttime ablutions. Dark, winter nights make tracking down your adventurous pooch almost impossible, especially if he’s got a dark coat.
Wet, stormy weather can also make it hard to keep track of your dog and could jeopardize his safety. People who’ve bought LED collars say they immediately noticed “cars slowing down 100s of feet before we got to them.” They also delighted in the fact that, at intersections, they no longer had to “play that ‘Do they see me; are they gonna blow the stop sign?”’ game”.
We assessed a wide range of products, looking for the best in terms of visibility, comfort, and durability. We sought out those that offer the best value for money, superior battery life, and that are easy to adjust so you can ensure a comfortable fit for your canine companion.
Runner Ups
While the EXPAWLORER won our search for the best LED collar, we found several other options that should not go unnoticed. Here are our runner-ups for best LED and light-up collars:
Best Waterproof LED Collar
The Masbrill Light Up dog collar offers a combination of high visibility, water-resistant materials, and durability. Made of polyester webbing that’s been treated using IPX7 waterproofing technology, the Masbrill LED collar is both weatherproof and rust-proof.
High-quality optical fibers provide high visibility and lights so bright they are visible from at least 300 feet, even on the darkest of nights. This light-up collar can be charged from any device and, once fully charged, will last for up to 15 hours, making it ideal for camping trips and other outdoor adventures.
The bulky nature of the materials used, however, make this LED collar rather too cumbersome for smaller breeds. For medium-sized dogs upwards, however, it’s a reliable and durable product but, then again, with its high-end price tag, it should be! That’s almost double the price of our best overall product, the Expawlorer LED collar, which fits every size of dog and is around 99% waterproof.
High-Visibility Glow In The Dark Collar
Visible from 350 yards, the Blazin’ Safety LED Dog Collar is our top pick for long-distance visibility.
The light strip makes it easy to resize and is bright enough that owners can easily spot their dogs, even when the collar is hidden under a pile of puppy fluff.
While this light-up collar is pretty resilient and weather-resistant, it’s not designed for submersion, so it’s not ideal for water-lovers.
On the plus side, when fully charged, the Blazin’ Safety light-up collar will last for eight hours, giving you and your best friend ample time to explore. You could even get a leash to match!
More suited to small breeds than the Mastrill, the Blazin’ Safety LED dog collar comes in four sizes, with the X-small designed for miniature dogs like Shih Tzus, chihuahuas, and Yorkshire terriers. Don’t worry too much about the sizing, though – if you order the wrong one, you can always exchange it.
A little more expensive than the Mastrill, the Blazin’ Safety LED collar sports a mid-range price tag, although you can save a couple of dollars if you only need the extra-small.
Best LED Collar For Small Dogs
Some light-up collars are too bulky for toy breeds and other small dogs and can restrict their movement, and owners have complained that some LED collars, like the Mastrill, can be too bulky.
The Domi LED dog collar is one of the most adjustable. It comes as a 27.5-inch collar that can then be cut to size. It’s made of lightweight nylon and is thin enough for miniature breeds to wear comfortably.
The LED light tube illuminates the whole collar and can either flash or stay steady, depending on circumstances and your personal preference. After just two hours of charging, the Domi light-up collar will flash for up to 10 hours and last for up to three in steady glow mode.
Available in five different colors, this LED collar is both effective and affordable. It can also be used on cats.
Best Budget Light-Up Collar
BSeen produces a wide range of affordable light-up collars, including this BSeen LED dog collar which costs . Made of silicone, it’s surprisingly durable, as well as being water-resistant, and easy to fit.
It’s lightweight enough to suit smaller breeds while being robust enough to cope with rough play and sharp puppy teeth.
It comes in a 27” length, making it suitable for all sizes of dog, and can be charged from almost any device, including smartphones and tablets.
Best For Fashionistas
If you want your dog to stand out and make a statement, a multi-colored LED dog collar from Glowseen is just the thing. With 10 different colored light modes, you can turn your nighttime excursions into doggy discos, with your LED collar flashing its way through a spectrum of colors.
Made from silicone, this light-up collar is long-lasting and easy to wipe clean. It’s bright and colorful and, one hour of charging will last for about eight hours, so you can stroll around under star-studded skies without worrying about a fading collar.
At one-inch thick, this LED collar may be a little chunky for miniature breeds but is suitable for medium to large-sized dogs. With its mid-range price, this one-size-fits-all collar as affordable as it is eye-catching.
Best Light-Up Harness
An LED dog collar isn’t the answer for everyone. Maybe your dog has a habit of getting stuck in odd places or tends to pull on the leash, in which case, you’ve probably already replaced your standard collar with a harness.
The Noxgear LightHound Illuminated and Reflective Harness offers 360° illumination, making your dog easily visible to you and passing motorists.
Made with light, breathable fabric that ensures your dog won’t overheat, this LED harness is easy to adjust and will comfortably fit over your existing collar or harness.
What Features To Look For In A Light-Up Collar For Your Dog
There are so many different light-up collars for dogs available, finding the best one for your dog can be challenging. Of course, budget plays a significant role in your selection process, but there are a few other features you should also be looking out for.
How to Pick the Best Type of Light for your LED Dog Collar
While some LED collars have strips of light, giving more complete coverage, others have small LEDs dotted along the collar, with spaces in between.
A strip light is more effective in that it illuminates more of the dog and is, therefore, better if you live in an area without street lights. These light-up collars also make it easier for motorists to spot your dog at night. If you live in a well-lit area, however, spotlights along the collar will probably be sufficient.
Flashing or Steady?
A steady light is ideal for those looking for better visibility when taking their dog out for its nighttime ablutions. Runners often prefer a flashing or blinking light as it makes it easier to spot the dog when traveling at higher speeds.
Which Batteries Are Best for a Glow In The Dark Collar?
All LED collars use battery power of some description, with some operating on standard batteries and others relying on USB rechargeable units. Both options have their benefits and their problems. While standard batteries will usually last longer than rechargeable, and take away the problem of remembering to charge the batteries regularly, they will prove more expensive in the long run.
The NiteHowl LED Safety Necklace collar, for instance, comes with replaceable alkaline batteries, which cost around $7 for a pack of 10. On the upside, they also last for 60 hours – around four times longer than a fully charged rechargeable USB battery.
On the other hand, some rechargeable batteries will only last a maximum of three hours if you switch the collar’s LEDs to steady mode, making long walks on dark winter days somewhat challenging. You can extend the battery power by switching to flashing mode that will double your potential walk time.
How To Pick The Most Durable LED Collar
Light-up collars for dogs are made from a variety of materials, with plastic or silicone, and nylon being the most common. The plastic ones are both durable and easy to clean. They are also waterproof and stand up to a fair amount of rough dog play and wrestling.
Nylon tends to fade over time and even fray a little. It can also be more difficult to clean than a silicone LED collar and may become smelly over time. If your dog’s a bit of an adventurer and eager to rush into the undergrowth or investigate holes, a silicone collar is probably your best bet.
Combining Visibility with Water Resistance
If you live in a wet climate or have a water dog who simply can’t resist plunging into puddles, a silicone collar dries more quickly than a nylon one. The Masbrill LED dog collar, for instance, uses IPX7 waterproof technology, which means it can be completely submerged for up to 30 minutes and has a rubber guard to prevent water from entering the charging port.
Conclusion
There are a lot of high-quality LED collars to choose from but the Expawlorer light-up collar is by far the best, combining affordability with durability and high visibility. While the Mastrill is the best option for water-loving pooches, it’s a bit bulky for smaller breeds, for whom the Domi LED collar is a better fit.
Have you got a dog that’s prone to running off into the undergrowth? Then the Blazin’ Safety LED dog collar is the one for you! This light-up collar’s lights are so bright, you’ll be able to spot your dog from 350 yards away – and so will any passing motorists!
If making a fashion statement is as important to you as increasing your dog’s visibility at night, then the Glowseen light-up collar is for you. This collar has 10 different light modes and could see your pup introducing a few doggy disco dances to your nighttime excursions!
While the Expawlorer light-up collar offered excellent value for money, for those on a tight budget, BSeen has just the thing. This LED dog collar is durable, lightweight, and costs a little less than the Expawlorer but not enough to make it better value for money.
Let’s Get Your Collar!
If you’re concerned about your dog’s safety when walking at night or out and about in bad weather, you can set your mind at rest by investing in a light-up collar for your dog. You don’t have to spend a fortune and, not only will it make your dog more visible to motorists, but it will also give you peace of mind so you can enjoy a nighttime stroll without worrying.
What are you waiting for? Give your nighttime walks a new leash of life!
Author: Nicky Hoseck
Nicky lives on a small-holding on South Africa’s Wild Coast with a selection of animals, a husband, and five dogs. She spends all her waking hours with her Australian Cattle Dog, Koala, either walking, horse-riding, running, or just hanging out.
Originally from the UK, Nicky been living with dogs for over 40 years and is a passionate dog-owner.
With a Masters Degree from the University of London under her belt, Nicky has had a diverse career, training and riding horses, running safari lodges, and hosting volunteers. She’s now a full-time writer.
