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[Updated September 2019]
The start of Fall is here, and that means cooler weather and shorter days! You’ll notice how quickly you lose daylight when you walk your dog this time of year in the evening.
Walking your dog can suddenly become very dangerous because your dog is less visible to you and to vehicles driving by. Less visibility increases you and your dog’s chances of being hit by a motorist. A great way to make your dog be seen in the dark is by putting a light-up dog collar on your dog.
Light up dog collars, also known as LED collars, are a great way to keep your dog safe while walking at night. I personally use an LED dog collar when walking my dog at night, and have had numerous people comment on what a great idea it is.
Why Are Light Up Dog Collars Great?
Light up dog collars aren’t just a cool fashion accessory for your dog, these collars actually help to keep your dog safe! Let’s look at the reasons why you should consider getting one for your dog.
1. Lets You Keep Track Of Your Dog
Led collars are a great way of keeping track of where your dog is at night. If you let your dog out to pee you can see where your dog is.
This may not be important to you in your own backyard, but perhaps you are on a camping trip and your dog ran off into the woods. If your dog is wearing a light-up collar, then you will easily be able to spot him.
2. Makes Your Dog Visible To Others
If you are walking around at night in your neighbourhood, your dog will be visible to others.
Often times people are walking their own dogs, and like to know if there is another dog approaching so that their dog will not be startled. The same goes for people walking without a dog, they do not want to suddenly be startled by a dog that they couldn’t see.
3. Your Dog Will Be Visible To Motorists
Safety should be your first priority when walking your dog at night. If you live in a subdivision or walk anywhere along city streets or highways, then your dog is at risk of not being seen by vehicles driving by.
So many times drivers blindly turn corners in the daytime when visibility is good, just imagine how dangerous it is at nighttime!
Increase your dog’s chances of being visible to drivers, and decrease the chance of getting into an accident, by having your dog wear a light-up collar.
4. Easier To Pick Up Poop At Night
When you walk at night, or your dog is in the backyard, it is often difficult to see where your dog pooped. You usually have to carry a flashlight with you or hold your phone to find it and pick it up.
With a light-up collar, there is no need to carry a flashlight, as the glow from the collar will illuminate the area.
5. Your Dog Will Look Cool
Light up dog collars are fun and your dog will look cool wearing one. With so many colours to choose from and different flashing modes, your dog will be the talk of the neighbourhood.
What To Look For In A Light Up Dog Collar
With so many light-up dog collars on the market today, there are a few things that you should consider and look for before buying one.
Battery Type
The 2 most common types of batteries used in LED dog collars are coin batteries and rechargeable USB batteries.
Coin Batteries
Most collars that use coin batteries usually require 2 batteries, and these types of batteries can get pretty expensive. I have experience using these types of collars and find myself having to replace the batteries often.
Batteries really do not last that long, especially in cold winter weather. My nightly walks are usually 1.5 -2 hours long, and my dog wears the light-up collar. I’m usually replacing batteries every 2-3 weeks, so the expense really adds up.
USB Batteries
Light-up collars with a rechargeable USB battery are more convenient and environmentally friendly. You simply re-charge the batteries, and you are good to go. No need to buy replacement batteries.
These types of collars are charged by USB cable, meaning you can plug it into your laptop or phone charger. Charging time usually takes about 1-1.5 hours, and the glow time can last approx. 3 hours, give or take depending on the collar.
Coin batteries hold a charge much longer than USB batteries, but the expense of replacing them costs more.
Waterproof
If you are like me and walk your dog in all types of weather, rain or shine, or even wet snow, then you will want to look for a collar that is waterproof.
You are not going to get an LED collar that is completely waterproof or can survive being completely submerged in water, but you should find one that is water-resistant and can hold up to light rain or snow.
Sizing
Many of the LED collars are able to be adjusted in size just like regular collars with a buckle. The size can be adjusted to fit simply by sliding the buckle.
Other LED collars are adjusted in size by cutting the LED cord to fit the dog’s neck. With this type of collar, you need to make sure to get the fit just right, because if you cut the collar too short it will not fit.
Also, if you want to use the same collar for multiple dogs, an adjustable buckle type might be best. Unless of course, the multiple dogs who wish to use the same collar all have the same neck size.
Style And Design
There are a few different styles and designs of LED dog collars. Some collars will have a 360-degree design of LED lights all the way around, and some will only have lights in a certain section of the collar.
Lights
In my opinion, having lights all around the collar is better because it makes your dog more visible. If the collar only has lights in a certain section, it reduces the chances of your dog being seen by motorists etc. When you are walking your dog, the collar often adjusts and moves around, and having a collar with lights all the way around will be safer.
Standalone Collars
Some USB rechargeable collars are standalone collars. Meaning they are not meant for a leash to be attached to them. They are meant to be put around your dog’s neck for visibility only, and when walking your dog you will need to also use your regular dog collar with leash.
Flashing Modes
Most light-up collars will have different flashing modes. Different modes are blinking, quick blinking, and continuous lights (no blinking).
Quality And Durability
As with any dog collar, LED collars will range in quality and durability. You want to make sure it is made of high-quality materials and can last longer than just a few walks.
When using the adjustable buckle LED collars, you will want to make sure the material is strong enough, and will not come apart. You will want to look for one made with heavy nylon material, and a strong and sturdy ring where your leash attaches too.
If you are buying a collar with electrical components, it’s better to spend a bit extra to get good quality. With any electrical stuff, if you buy cheap it usually costs you more in the long run. Cheaper collars tend to have more electrical failures and won’t last as long.
The Brightness
The brightness of the collar is important, a dull light-up collar will not be very useful.
If you have a dog with long hair, brightness will be more important to you because you will want the lights to shine through all of that fur covering the collar. Short-haired dogs don’t have that issue. Regardless, you still want a collar that is bright to increase the visibility of your dog.
Colour
Light-up dog collars come in a variety of colours. Green, blue, yellow, red, pink, and orange to name a few. Choosing a shade for your dog should be fun.
**My Tip** When choosing a colour, I would suggest picking green. In my experience green seems to be the brightest and most visible.
The Best Light Up Dog Collars [My Top 4 Picks]
The following are the best light-up dog collars based on durability, brightness, battery life and satisfaction guarantee.
1. Illumiseen LED Dog Collar by Illumiseen
Features:
- USB Rechargeable Battery.
- The USB cable included.
- 1-hour charge = 5 hours of illumination.
- 3 modes: steady, rapid flash, slow flash.
- Fully adjustable.
- 6 colours to choose from.
- 6 sizes.
- Lifetime Guarantee.
- Bright light, even on long-haired dogs.
- Water-resistant, and weatherproof.
Pros
Owners love how bright this collar is, and that it is adjustable. There are no batteries to buy or replace, you simply plug in the USB battery to recharge.
The company offers a lifetime guarantee and offers great customer service. Any issues with your collar and the company responds quickly.
Cons
Some owners have mentioned that these collars run a bit large, so make sure that you measure properly.
A common complaint is that the collar is a bit too wide for smaller dogs, it might be best for larger dogs.
Another common complaint is that this collar is not waterproof. As with any LED dog collar, you should not fully submerge it in water.
2. BSeen LED Dog Collar by BSeen
Features:
- USB Rechargeable Battery.
- The USB cable included.
- 1.5 -2.5 hour charge = 5 hours illumination (slow mode), 4 hours illumination (fast mode), 2 hours illumination (steady mode).
- 3 modes: steady, fast, slow.
- One size, cut to length.
- 6 colours to choose from.
- 360-degree lights all around.
- Lightweight.
Pros
This collar is a very affordable option. It is a one size fits all collar that can be cut to your dog’s neck size. A suggestion is to double wrap the collar, instead of cutting it, this will illuminate your dog even more.
Owners love how bright these collars are, and how long the batteries last before needing to be re-charged. This collar holds up well in the rain.
Cons
A common complaint about this collar is that it doesn’t last long. The light is bright at first but gets dimmer even after being charged.
Some owners mention that it is difficult to turn on and that it is a cheap product, and you get what you pay for.
3. Blazin’ Safety LED Dog Collar by Blazin’ Bison
Features:
- USB Rechargeable Battery.
- A full charge lasts over 8 hours.
- 3 modes: on, strobe, blink.
- Fully adjustable.
- It comes in 4 sizes.
- 100% Lifetime Guarantee.
- 360-degree lights all around.
- Visibility of 350 yards.
- Water-resistant.
Pros
Owners love how bright these collars are, and that they are easy to turn on and off. These collars are very durable and have lights all the way around.
Common praises for this collar are that the battery lasts a really long time. Customer service is also great with this company.
Cons
Some owners have complained that because of where the on/off button is located, their dog accidentally turned the collar on/off when playing or shaking its head or scratching.
One owner complained of the lights blinking and fading out, after just 2 months of use, it was mentioned that this owner attached a leash to the collar and because of the constant pulling and tugging, it broke the electronics. This owner suggested using this collar as a standalone, and to attach a leash to another collar.
4. Ultimate LED Dog Collar by Shine For Dogs
Features:
- USB Rechargeable Battery.
- The USB cable included.
- Up to 10 hours of glow time per charge.
- Just 30 min. to re-charge.
- Fully adjustable.
- It comes in 3 sizes.
- 3 modes: on, rapid flash, steady flash.
- Weatherproof.
- Ultra-bright.
- Fibre-optics.
- 100% satisfaction guaranteed.
- 100% of profits donated to rescue and shelter dogs.
Pros
Owners love how bright and durable this collar is. It is made using fibre optics instead of wire LED, so the collar doesn’t break when bent.
All the profits from these collars are donated to dogs in shelters and rescues. When you buy one of these collars you are giving back, and that’s great.
Cons
Some common complaints with this collar are the sizing tends to run a bit large. Make sure to measure properly to get the right fit.
Another complaint was that the pink colour looked more like red when the lights were on.
My Favourite: Blazin’ Safety LED Dog Collar
I chose the Blazin’ Safety LED Dog Collar as the winner because it is super bright, and the collar is easily adjustable. The battery life is great, the glow time lasts over 8 hours, and your dog is visible for up to 350 yards.
I am impressed with the 360 degrees light design, and this collar is really well-made. The company offers excellent customer service and will replace or refund this collar if you are unhappy with it. They offer a 100% lifetime guarantee, you can’t go wrong with this collar.
Final Thoughts
It is important to keep your dog safe and visible at night, and any of the light-up collars reviewed in this article would make a great choice.
All the collars are bright and make your dog visible, even if they have long fur. The common consensus is that green is the brightest colour among all the dog collars.
To make your collar last longer, I would suggest attaching a leash to a different collar and using the light-up collar as a standalone.
What About You?
Have you tried any of these light-up dog collars? How do you keep your dog visible at night? Share your thoughts and comments below. I would love to hear from you.
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Hi Jenny, you have recommended in great detail about Light Up Dog Collars. Your post was very useful for me and it was a pleasure reading your post.
Hi Jilly,
Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I am glad this post helped you out. Investing in a light-up dog collar is a small price to pay to make your dog visible and safe while walking at night.
Jenny.
I really love this place and you have shared detailed ideas of how to keep your dog safe while walking at night. I think light up dog collars are a great idea!
Hi Ellian,
Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
Jenny.
Awesome review! After trying lots of dog lights out there, Illumiseen LED Dog Collars are by far the best I’ve ever bought. Not only that, but this brand to me is the best I’ve found as well due to their superior quality. They may be a couple more bucks compared to some dog collars, but worth it in the long run (believe me). Thanks for the suggestion.
Regards!
Hi Jordan,
I am so happy to hear that you love the Illumiseen LED dog collar. It is true that paying a little more for quality will save you in the long run. It is a great collar and the company offers a Lifetime Guarantee, which proves that they stand behind their product.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Jenny.
Hello,
I really didn’t know light-up dog collars existed, what a great idea. I find it spectacular because I take my dog for a walk every morning and night, and I am concerned about him being visible to cars driving by.
What pleases me most is the limitlessness they have especially at night. My dog is long-haired and following your advice of using the BSeen, I could wrap the collar around twice instead of cutting it to make him more visible.
I will consult with my wife before making the purchase.
Thank you!
Hi Claudio,
There are many people who are unaware of the light-up dog collars, but everyone who sees them really thinks they are great. They are fun, but they keep your dog safe.
The BSeen is a great choice, and wrapping it around your dog’s neck twice will make other people and vehicles see him better.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Jenny.
Hi! I have arrived at the conclusion that I need a light-up collar for my dog. Making my dog visible at night can be a game-changer, and the collar will also make my dog look cool. From these 4 collars, you have reviewed here, in my book, the best one is the one by Illumiseen. Thank you very much for helping me make a well-informed decision.
Hi Henry,
Using a light-up collar on your dog will definitely increase your dog’s safety as well as your own. The Illumiseen collar is a great choice.
Thanks for stopping by.
Jenny.
Doggies with style. What an ingenious invention. Making a dog and owner safe for all to see. I would have liked to see some battery operated options as well. This will make an excellent Christmas gift for a dog lover.
Which dog collar would you recommend using with this LED collar because you stated that they are not leash friendly?
Thank you for an informative post.
Hi Hanlie,
The reason I didn’t include any coin battery operated collars is that they simply do not compare to the rechargeable LED options in terms of how long they last and how bright they are. I find that if you were to get a coin battery collar you will constantly be replacing the batteries! This was the case for me when I used one. I was replacing batteries every 2 weeks, and that got expensive!
All of the LED collars that I have reviewed here are completely leash friendly (except for the BSeen). You can use your regular leash and attach it to these collars without issue. I did recommend the option to use these collars as a standalone in order to make them last longer. The BSeen is the only one that you cannot attach a leash to and must be used as a standalone.
Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Jenny.
This is great! I have seen light up collars advertised on facebook but have always been skeptical of many of those as the products get shipped from China and takes forever to get to you. I like your recommended one that is super bright. I feel like if I was going to get a light up collar it might as well be super bright. I am going to have to purchase one to try out when I get paid. Thanks!
Thanks for your comment Huy. Most of the collars that you see advertised on facebook are poorly made and do not last long, and they are often times not very bright. Any of the 4 Light Up Dog Collars that I have recommended in my article, are durable, well made, and are super bright, you can’t go wrong with any of them.
Hi Jenny. Thanks for sharing four of the best light up dog collars. LEDs have ways of beautifying and adding fun to any thing they are added to. I personally love these collars that you have shared. So many benefits I would get if I use any of these light up dog collars 🐕
Kudos!
Thank you for your comment. I am glad you love the collars that I have reviewed.
Great post! I love neat items for pets. Although I own a cat I can understand how an LED collar would be very useful. I like the detail you go into on the different options of collars. You did a really good product view. Looks like your doing a good job as a first time dog mom. Keep up the good work!
Hi Ruth, thank you for your comment. I am glad that you can appreciate how useful LED dog collars are, and thank you for the kind words.
the crazy thing is this popped up right when I was actually going to look for a product that lights up for my dog Jupiter a big 80lb “pit bull” type dog. I guess it is true everything happens for a reason right?
Jupiter has a dark coat it is like a dark gray (blue as some like to call the color) he has white most only on his chest and two front paws like having two tube socks on his feet. I was thinking about getting a collar for his that lit up or something that connected to his collar so I can see him while walking around our acre and a half yard. Even though he is on a leash at all times it would be nice to have something to see him you know?
So I will go with your recommendation this right here took all the researching out of trying to find the right one for me. Plus they are pretty cheap for a light up collar.
I do agree batteries can get expensive and I would rather have a usb recharable one anyway since I do take his collar off whenever we are going to sleep so that is nice to have.
Thanks for the review I really do appreciate it
Matt
Hi Matt, I am glad you came across my review. You can’t go wrong with my recommendation, the prices of all of these collars are very reasonable. They are super bright, and some offer lifetime guarantee. A dog with a dark coat like yours is harder to spot in the dark, and will greatly benefit from a light up collar. I am glad I could help you out, thank you for your comment.
I have always been huge on how my dogs are taken care of and their safety so since I had seen this one I was like yep it is my time to get one. To be honest when me and Jupiter are out and about you can’t see him unless we are close to the porch light which is never since we walk all through the yard. Also through a path that is surrounded by woods so a flash light is always need now since the days are shorter.
I am also going to get one for my other dog Amber even though she is a Beagle and she is good at staying near since she doesn’t roam far she is off the leash it would be good to see her when we are walking around. Amber is about 10 so it would be cool to have for both of my dogs.
I will have to bookmark your site so I can get other information that could benefit both of my dogs. Thanks you for all the information I really do appreciate it keep it up.
Matt
Hi Matt, I am glad to hear that your dogs safety is one of your top priorities. These light up collars are a great way to let your dogs be seen from a distance, whether you are in your backyard, or walking in a neighbourhood. I am happy to provide you with useful information, please check my website often as I am constantly adding new posts. Thanks for commenting.
Hello Jenny, thank you for this article, I did not know that these types of dog collars exist, they would really be very useful, I have 4 dogs and I can already imagine everyone walking around with their Led light collars. Here where I live I never saw anything similar. I only have one doubt, if the light is very bright it will not bother the dogs? Is not it going to affect their eyesight?
Hi Paola, these collars are great. I have been using them for about 2 years now, and I don’t see many people using them where I live. I think a lot of people really don’t know they exist, which is too bad, because they really help to make your dog visible, keeping them safe. The LED collars are bright, but in no way will harm your dogs eyesight.
This is the coolest thing I have ever saw and had no clue they even existed. You make a great list of pros and cons. I would especially love this for camping. My biggest problem is our Lab loves to go in the water and there aint no holding him back from a good ole swim. If I dont get one this will be the only reason.
Hi Dale, so many people are not aware that LED dog collars exist. I am glad I have made you aware of them. They really are cool and keep your dog safe at night. My Golden loves the water too, and I have to take the collar off of her before she goes in. With the cooler weather now, it is not much of a problem, as she doesn’t go in the water. Thanks for commenting.
I was searching for regular dog collars but I will definitely get a LED now. I usually walk my dog at night and there are a lot of maniacs out there driving. A couple of weeks ago, someone almost hit me with his bike! Plus, sometimes, my dog, Lisa, gets out on her own.
Thank you very much for the suggestions. I’ll probably get your favourite, but I’ll look into the rest of them, too. 😀
I agree that there are a lot of maniacs out on the roads. It is dangerous to walk your dog at night. Led dog collars are so easy and great to use. Stay safe out there, keep your dog visible.
Thanks for commenting.
Hi Jenny
Great post, I haven’t heard of the light up collars. Definitely a great idea.We have a border collie kelpie cross and he can certainly move, he gets so excited at walk time. When looking at the features offered on the various collars, (all important of course), but, I think the colour, viewable distance and life time guarantee are the standout need to have, features.
The prices are reasonable as well.
Michele
Hi Michele, thanks for your comment. I couldn’t agree more that the colour, visibility and lifetime guarantee are really the standout features. All of the collars mentioned are very reasonable in terms of price, but having a lifetime guarantee is important as you don’t want to have to keep buying these collars constantly.
This is so cool. I never knew light up dog collars existed. You’re right, it’s really great for winter when it gets dark so early. And even in your own backyard, you can easily keep track of where your dog is, especially if it has a black coat of fur! Helps to illuminate the poo too, that’s an added bonus!
My personal favourite is the Ultimate LED dog collar by Shine, I love the fact that it is made of fibre optics, and that they donate to dog shelters and rescues. I will certainly be supporting their cause.
Thanks for the great review.
Light up dog collars are especially important for dogs with dark fur, as they are even harder for motorists to see. The Ultimate LED dog collar by Shine is a great choice, I love that collar too. The fact that they donate all profits to rescue and shelter dogs is great. I am glad you enjoyed my review. Take care.
Great review. I have never tried this on my dog but it looks very interesting and nice. I must say that I like all of those mentioned above and price is really cheap. I think that our cute dogs deserve such nice present so I will order two of those for my pet.
Hi Daniel, light up collars are a great idea in keeping your dog safe at night. They are fun too, the prices are very reasonable so you could get 2 different colours. Thanks for commenting.