The Best Bug Zapper
Choosing the best bug zapper can feel like a bit of a nightmare. There’s just so many options to choose from on the market, and in principle, they should all work fine. But, you don’t want to run the risk of getting the old fashioned hand swatter back out do you?
I know the feeling all too well because I’ve been there myself only recently. That’s why I decided to compile and share my list of 5 of the best bug zappers for you to take a closer look at. I’ll cover everything you need to know to make an informed choice, and I’ll even throw in a handy buyer’s guide to help you finding the best bug zapper!
That’s your go-to resource for everything you will ever want to know about the world of bug zappers. So, without further ado let’s make a start and take a close look at the first entry on my rundown.
Zepol Labs – Best Bug Zapper for Flies
If there’s one name that always needs to be involved in the conversation about the best bug zapper, then it’s this one.
With a long history of providing easy to use products that work straight out of the box, these guys know a thing or two about killing those little buzzing pests that annoy us all.
I was keen to learn more about their latest offering so let’s take a look at what I found…
High Lumen Output
The first thing that catches the eye about, the BL368 is just how bright it is. Not in the visible spectrum though because you don’t want to be dazzled every time you enter the room.
No, I’m talking about in the UV part of the spectrum. This is the area whose wavelengths prove irresistible to flies, and so it’s what’s commonly used to draw them into zappers.
That way you’ll be able to attract flies within its 2000 sq ft range without having to change a bulb out every other week. That makes it perfect for mounting up high and forgetting about as it zaps tirelessly in the background.
Scientific Research
So, once I got reading heavily on the subject, I discovered that there’s a lot more to creating the best bug zapper than merely using the brightest UV bulb you can find. Zepol has developed a range of proprietary pieces of technology to create a device.
- Works straight out of the box for ease of use that is hard to beat
- Long-lasting bulbs are explicitly designed for bug zapping without any downtime
- Can cover up to 2000 sq ft for unrivaled zapping capability
- As with every zapper, you will have to replace the glue trap from time to time. While this isn’t really a criticism, more of an inherent limitation, have in mind that you’ll be catching more bugs than ever before. This means you may end up changing out your glue trap a little more often than if you were using a less efficient device!
Final Verdict
A simple and effective piece of kit that delivers precisely what it says it will. I’m very impressed with the area coverage that it provides, and this is backed up well by the durability of the UV bulbs.
I mentioned the frequency, but you may find you yourself replacing the glue trap, but this is really a minor point. The replacement process looks simple and straightforward so please don’t be unduly concerned or put off by that!
All-in-all, I would say that this is a solid choice for anyone looking to mount something up high and forget about the buzzing annoyance of bugs. Highly recommended for those of you looking for a simple device you can always rely on.
Hoont – Best Outdoor Bug Zapper
A zapper that looks good is something that will always catch my eye.
When I first saw this creation by the team at Hoont I couldn’t help myself and decided to add it to my best bug zapper list straight away.
There’s always a time and a place for well-styled design in my opinion.
After all, aren’t aesthetics one of the most important things when you come to mount something in your home or work premises? That said, does it really perform at the end of the day?
Let’s dive right in and see what I found when I did a little bit more research on the matter…
Over 1 Acre of Coverage
If you’re looking for a safe and chemical free way to get rid of hundreds of pests a day, then this could be just what you’ve been waiting for! Once you plug it in straight out of the box, you don’t have a whole lot to do other than the occasional clean it!
Doping that will to make sure that its performance is never compromised.
20 W of Power
Something which can’t be said of the wall mounted variety that is increasingly popular.
This is another reason why it would be the ideal candidate for outdoor usage. All you need to do is find somewhere to hang it and then you are good to go!
Keep in mind that the power cord is 5 ft and you won’t be disappointed that you can’t plug it in when it arrives.
- 360-degree illumination makes it the ideal candidate for outdoor usage
- 20 W bulb provides an acre or more of coverage
- The chemical and pesticide-free approach that will kill endless bugs and flies outdoors
- The cord is perhaps a little on the short side at 5 ft. Granted you can add an extension cord to get around this constraint easily. However, it would be nice if it shipped with a longer cord. This is especially true if you want to use it someplace outdoors like on your back porch
Final Verdict
A fantastic option when nothing else will get the job done. In my opinion, the lantern style design has the right combination of stylish design and bug zapping efficiency to make it a valuable option for longterm outdoor use.
Make sure you either carefully measure the distance to your electrical outlet, or invest in an extension cable, before buying to avoid disappointment.
That said, this is a minor issue and one that you can quickly work around. Highly recommended when you want a zapper that looks good and provides the performance to match.
It’s certainly worth a closer look!
SereneLife – Best Electronic Bug Zapper
When you want a zapper that just gets on with the job, you can’t go wrong with a SereneLife.
With a name like that you know you’re in for a great user experience, as long as it does the name justice!
When I started to learn more about what it had to offer, I was mightily impressed by the hardware that these guys have developed over the years.
An Eco-Friendly Zapper
The manufacturer clearly worked hard at developing and manufacturing a pesticide-free way that is 100% effective. By choosing a UV bulb of just the right wavelength and luminosity to attract even the most disinterested of bugs they’ve created a solution that will work on just about anything.
The best bit for me though is that there are no harmful chemicals. With more and more people suffering from conditions such as asthma and eczema it’s never been more critical in my opinion to keep things as green as possible.
If you opt for a chemical-based approach, you just cannot legislate for what you’re breathing in. You’ll also have to reapply the solution as the seasons come and go continuously.
SereneLife has created a one and done method that works naturally from the moment you plug it in, to the moment you decide to take it down.
I was also impressed with how easy it is to clean. In hot and humid weather when you’ll attract the most bugs you really want to clean your trap or zapper daily; it’s just good hygiene.
With everything dropping down into an easy to remove tray you can do your daily housekeeping in seconds. I like that because it ensures that you’ll never be tempted to skip a day because it takes too long.
This could make the SereneLife uniquely well suited to eateries and other hygiene-critical areas.
Fully Waterproof
The whole unit looks to be very well sealed against the elements. While a number of zappers on the market do a great job when used indoors, often outdoor zappers are the most effective.
One thing you’ll need to make sure of, however, is that your zapper of choice is fit for outdoor use. It’s not just a matter of reliability, but one of health and safety.
With zappers being mains powered you need to ensure that whichever one you buy is fully waterproof to avoid causing extensive damage.
SereneLife looks to have everything covered in that regard and make explicit mention of it in their adverts which are very reassuring if you ask me. I also really like the fact that they mention other types of weather.
You don’t want to have to remember to take your device down in high winds or a sudden snowstorm. Why? Because let’s face it; we all have more pressing things to do, right?
To me, this looks like a very robustly engineered solution that you can put up, clean once a day in a matter of seconds, and other than that just forget about. Exactly what you need in my opinion!
- By covering over 5000 sq ft, you’ll be able to head most bugs off at the pass before they even make it inside
- The fully waterproof design really is a necessity if you want to be able to sleep with peace of mind
- It can also function as a lamp, as well as zapper, which is a nice touch and ideal for camping and hiking
- The removable waste trap is easy to take out and clean which makes it a strong candidate for hygiene-sensitive areas such as restaurants and bars
- One small criticism I have is regarding indoor use. The power of the light (an impressive 36 W) makes it ideal for attracting all manner of bugs and flies, but it does have one potential downside
However, you may find that you want to think a little bit about your indoor air circulation if you’re going to have one inside too. Just a thought for you to ponder…
Final Verdict
This zapper has a sensible and proven design that will stand the test of time in any weather conditions. If that’s what you’re looking for, then I suggest you look no further!
You’re going to love how well waterproofed it is, and the brightness and area coverage is certainly very impressive. That is not just me saying it, to try and steer you in a particular direction.
My advice is, add it to your shortlist but have a couple of things in mind as you do so. The first is the cord length.
It comes in at a little less than 6 ft, so if you plan on using it a distance away from your house or garage, then an extension cord is required. You may even consider one, as a sensible add-on purchase to make at the same time.
The other thing to consider is that you will want some passing air around it if you use it inside. That way you can disperse any potential smell from a fresh zap.
Highly recommended for the buyer who wants a zapper that they trust to get the job done in any environment.
Kapas – Best Bug Zapper for Gnats
Kapas isn’t a name that I’d come across before I started my research, but once I found them I felt like I’d been missing a trick for years!
Everything they make looks to be backed up by a solid foundation of robust engineering and scientific research.
That looks to have created a product that I think you’re going to find it hard to ignore when you come to choose your next piece of hardware.
Scientifically Proven
Scientists have proven that UV light attracts bugs better than anything else. What Kapas have done is taken that research to new heights by making sure they integrate it into everything they do.
Nor do you want something that lasts forever and a day but is fairly ineffective. Kapas seem to have found just the right balance between the two and created a zapper that will kill everything with minimal upkeep.
Mosquito Killer
But there’s nothing like the peace of mind you get from precise targeting. That makes it well worth your consideration if you live in a hot or humid area where mosquitos will cause havoc on those long summer nights.
- Specifically targets mosquitos and is built to withstand all manner of environmental conditions
- Simple to clean and install which means you should be able to get it set up without any difficulty straight out of the box
- Comes complete with a 3-year unlimited warranty for peace of mind
- The one criticism I would voice is that it has quite an industrial look. If you want something that you can hide away in the corner, then this probably isn’t the unit for you
Final Verdict
A zapper that is well worth a closer look when you want to make sure you have everything you need to get rid of mosquitos. One thing worth bearing in mind is how large the unit is compared to others on the list.
This may make it more of an industrial or work premises choice than something you want to look at in your home every day.
Highly recommended when you want to make sure that you aren’t bothered by itchy bites in the hot summer months.
Aspectek – Best Electric Bug Zapper
Grid style zappers are contributing the last two entries on my rundown which tells you that I think they are well worth thinking about.
While they may not be to everyone’s taste because of their somewhat industrial look and feel there’s certainly still a place for them in my opinion.
Simple Cleaning
Cleaning is half the battle with zappers because let’s be honest; who wants to do it any more than they have to? If the process is overly complicated or takes too long, then most of us will start skipping it when the novelty ends.
When it comes to getting rid of dead bugs, this happens sooner than you’d think! Aspectek knows this better than anyone, so they’ve devised a simple and easy to clean tray.
Perfect for ensuring that you never miss a day when hygiene is top of your list of priorities.
Easy Mounting
One potential drawback of these grid style zappers is that because of their relatively heavy weight compared to the lantern style designs they could be harder to mount. There look to be no such issues with this zapper because the mounts on the back are simple to install and well made.
Just make sure to leave enough room around it so that you can easily remove the cleaning tray each morning.
- The no-compromise solution when nothing else will get the job done
- Large grid style zapper that covers an impressive 6000 sq ft
- Can kill anything from common household flies to mosquitos
- This variety of zapper is only suitable for indoor use because it isn’t fully weatherproofed. If you know that before you buy, then it won’t be an issue, but make sure you’re aware of it folks
Final Verdict
A well put together zapper that will undoubtedly get the job done when you use it inside. The removable cleaning tray makes it very easy to clean on a daily basis.
That is ideal for hygiene-critical environments like restaurants and cafes. Strongly recommended when you want a robust and well thought out piece of hardware that you can depend on for years.
Best Bug Zapper – Buyer’s Guide
So there you have it folks, 5 of the very best for your thoughts. Now it’s time for my handy buyer’s guide: your go-to resource for all those burning questions that will be on the tip of your tongue right about now.
Contents:
Why Would I Need a Bug Zapper?
In short, because you want to kill bugs!
The fly swatters that you see in cartoons and old movies haven’t been the tool of choice for years now; bug zappers are what you need to use!
By being able to attract all manner of bugs across large distances, they ensure that the annoying buzz is gone.
So, no longer will that irritating sound keep you awake and you will not have to swat them away from your food in the summer.
The best thing about them is that they’re entirely passive. You only have to install one and do the occasional bit of cleaning and maintenance; it will take care of the rest for you.
How Do Bug Zappers Actually Work?
The science behind them is pretty clever, and until you spend the time to read up about it, you really don’t appreciate how smart these everyday devices are.
Scientists spent years discovering that every single type of bug is attracted to UV light. UV stands for UltraViolet and refers to a part of the spectrum that we humans can’t see.
It lies above the dark blues and purples that we can see. If you choose a bright blue light like any of the zappers on my list, then it will also emit a significant amount of UV.
It won’t cause any damage to your eyes or skin, but it will prove irresistible to any bug which comes within hundreds of yards of its glow.
This provides a humane and highly effective way of removing one of the great annoyances that we all encounter at some point in our lives: the fly that just won’t go away!
Are They Safe To Have Around Children?
Absolutely! When you hear talk of high voltage and UV light you instantly think about the safety of your children and the elderly, that’s perfectly natural. One thing is for sure though: these zappers are completely safe for use at work and home.
The UV levels have been carefully calculated so that they pose zero risks to the eyes of everyone from newborns to pensioners. There are absolutely no safety concerns here that you need to worry yourself about.
Trust me, I’ve done the research, and they all check out.
Where is the Best Place to Mount One?
A general rule of thumb is that when you use one outside, you should place it near enough to the house to make an appreciable difference. Doing so will prevent/vastly reduce the number of bugs that make it inside your four walls.
In my opinion, this makes the front or rear porch ideal candidates as they will be the largest entrances into the house.
If you opt for indoor mounting, then try to think not just about where bugs will be making their entry into your property. You should also consider where they will be heading towards once they make it inside.
Many catering facilities and other hygiene-critical areas will invest in a grid style zapper and use it where they are preparing food. This is the most likely place for flies to be attracted to as they go in search of sugar-rich diet that excites their senses and piques their interest.
The other scenario to consider is when you’re camping outdoors for the night. Some of the lantern style zappers on the market are aimed specifically at these scenarios and make getting a night’s sleep all the easier.
Hang one outside your tent, and you’ll be able to sleep right through and not awaken in the morning itching from head to toe with irritable mosquito bites.
As someone who found out the hard way just how persistent a mosquito can be throughout the night. I can tell you that you’ll be glad you made the investment in a camping zapper.
Are They Easy to Clean?
One of the things I’ve been very impressed by is how easy all of the zappers on my list are to clean.
This is extremely important in my opinion because zappers are a mostly static and passive device: By this I mean you don’t have to do a whole lot with them.
If the only thing you have to do to keep them up and running is tricky, difficult, and time-consuming, then the chances are that you’ll stop bothering before long.
When you do that, you’re just not getting the full use out of your investment. What’s more; the hygiene aspect of the zapper will fall off rapidly because you’re not doing anything to clean out the ever-growing pile of zapped debris.
Will They Kill All Sorts of Bugs?
Absolutely! That is the really clever part in my opinion.
While most sprays leave a nasty odor in the air and only work on certain types of bugs. A zapper has been scientifically designed so that it will kill anything that is buzzing around in its vicinity.
This makes them ideal for use in all weathers. If you want the peace of mind that your zapper will kill mosquitos then go for a zapper that explicitly mentions this application.
How Much Maintenance is Needed?
You’ll want to make sure that you have easy access to the zapper to make this process as quick and easy as possible otherwise you’ll run the risk of skipping it more and more frequently.
The other main area of maintenance will be if a light bulb fails. Most are equipped with multiple bulbs wired in parallel so that if one goes, the other will still function as usual.
Clearly though, if you run with less than optimum luminosity due to a dead bulb, then you can only reasonably expect less than optimal performance in return.
The bulbs in all of the zappers I have researched are durable and designed with a long-life in mind which means that it will be uncommon for you to have to swap out a bulb. If it does happen and it’s not clear how to do it safely according to the instructions, then please make sure you stop and ask for professional assistance.
The zappers are mains powered so that they can supply enough high voltage to kill any bug humanely instantly. So, if you’re not confident or not a professional then make sure you seek out the right person for the job.
Do They Work As Well When It’s Humid?
In this case, your zapper will certainly earn its keep and come into its own in no time at all. It also makes them the ideal bug repellent when you are camping out in the wild and want to rest up for the night ready for the adventures of tomorrow.
What’s Behind a Bug Zapper?
Bugs are attracted to UV light like nothing else on this earth. They simply cannot get enough of it which is good news for those of us that can’t stand the little critters buzzing around us day and night.
If you shine a UV light, then every bug in the room will be mesmerized and slowly fly towards it.
Zappers make a real feature of this weird insect behavior by installing a high voltage grid right in front of the light source. The bugs are so enthralled that they have no option but to fly straight into it.
The moment they do a high amp current will flow through them killing them instantly. The voltage that pushes this current is what creates the ‘zap’ sound that gives the zappers their name.
Whereas sprays leave an odor, can aggravate your chest if you have asthma, and only work for certain bugs at close range, electric bug zappers take care of everything. A true all-purpose solution to an annoying everyday problem if ever there were one.
Are They Always Mains Powered?
All the bug zappers that you see on my list, and most other places for that matter, will be powered directly off of the mains. You may wonder why there aren’t battery powered options selling like crazy.
But think a little bit about how they work, and the answer is fairly straightforward.
In no time at all the battery would be flat and you’d end up replacing it. Hopefully, you can see that this would be more hassle than its worth and you’d soon end up having a dead bug zapper that has fallen into a state of disrepair.
Mains power may sound like a fairly industrial solution, but it really isn’t. All you’re actually doing when you come to install one is plugging in a lamp that kills bugs.
There’s nothing complicated or drawn out here, all you need to do is mount it and plug it in just like you would a new flat screen TV.
If for any reason though you have concerns or doubts about what you’re doing then consult the manual or hire a professional. For the sake of a little extra money, there’s no reason to take a risk with something you’re not happy with when it comes to the world of mains electricity.
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