These neon lights will add a certain aesthetic and bright glowly design to your overall living or party space when in dark. They are suitable for several occasions that include outdoor entertainments, DJ lighting, productions, sanitization, spot movement and others. If you choose to invest in black light bulbs, then we recommend considering the below options.
Type of the Bulb:
The first and foremost thing to consider while buying a backlight bulb is the type of bulb you are buying. Generally, black light bulbs are available in 3 bulb types (incandescent, fluorescence and LED) and 2 different types based on fixtures (Wall fixture and socket fixture). These bulbs are also available in a handheld format that is perfect for party usage etc.,
Size of the Space:
For body paint usage or just normal small personal parties, a short-range is okay. But if you are buying the bulb for long-range use cases for small rooms to large halls, for outdoor ranges, you would need the light range to be higher than normal. These light reaches can range from about 5 meters to 10 meters or sometimes higher as well
Light Intensity:
A self-explanatory feature, the intensity of the light need not be as high as a normal everyday bulb; but the intensity needs to be enough to be able to reflect the paint or anything that needs to glow out. The range of the light is about 385 nm to about 400 nm. Apart from the above, we recommend considering the factors mentioned in the Buying Guide. In addition to that, we have also provided the best black light bulbs in the market.
7 Best Black Light Bulbs 2023
7 Best Black Light Bulbs Reviews
1. Leciel Black Light Bulb
Best black light fixtures Best book lights Best disco ball lights Best edc flashlights
Next, up on our list is a series of handheld direct UV LED backlights. The LECIEL UV backlight is a portable backlight with a meager 10 watts power rating. Furthermore, the series design makes it great for a handheld device as well Top Features:
V-Shaped backlights in 2 rows. Premium quality bulbs used for maximum output efficiency. The total UV wavelength range for the light stands between the range of 395 nm to about 400 nm of the overall UVA level. Easily powered by a power bank as well. You can also connect the USB to a DC power adapter and plug it into an AC socket as well. Comes with a large 5.9 feets long power cord and an inline power switch for on and off. It can be switched between 2 different levels of brightness according to the occasion. Great for body paintings, glow parties, clubs, Halloween celebrations, and basic home or lab use as well. High-end optical lens used in it. These are very bright even though the size of the bulbs are small Super light in weight for handling Has a total of 120 degrees of wide-angle
Warranty: LECIEL provides you with a generous and massive 24 months of manufacturer’s warranty from the date of purchase Concerns:
None too specific to mention
2. Onforu Black Light Bulb
Next up on our list, we have yet another ONforu UV LED backlight. This Onforu UV Light has a traditional bulb format rather than having a flat modern design like the Onforu bulb mentioned above. This facilitates a better reach of the light but at the same time, the bulb is low wattage as well. Top Features:
7 Watt UV backlight bulb which is a very desirable model for its very low budget Has a very wide beam angle of 270 degrees. This allows for the backlight to cover entire rooms of paint and much more. Ample wavelength is available from 385 nm low to about 400 nm high of the UVA level. Highly reactive to almost all of the reactive paint pigments, dyes, and as such. A great pick for Christmas parties, Halloween Parties and body pain festivities as well Has an impressive 50,000 hours of long life and super high power efficiency Value for money package as there are 2 bulbs available for a low premium price
Warranty: No warranty has been specified for this Concerns:
Could have had a small warranty clause as well.
3. LeMeng Black Light Bulb
The brand LeMeng supplies the best LED lights that are not only budget-friendly but also environmentally friendly as they reduce carbon footprint while at use. Top Features:
The backlights are highly energy efficient as they consume just 9W of energy. They have 35000 hours of long lifespan and save 90% of your electricity bill. The bulbs emit highly saturated and deeply intense UV blacklight leveling at 395 to 400 nm making them an ideal choice for all prominent occasions. They come with a standard A19 shape with the most common E26/E27 medium screw base which means you can fit them in all medium screw base fixtures easily. The measurements of these lights are 60 mm diameter and 112 mm height and they don’t occupy much space while being stored away. Weighing just 6.4 ounces, the bulbs are very lightweight and easy to carry.
Warranty: You will be receiving a 2-year warranty from the brand on the product. Concerns:
None too specific to mention
4. Onforu Black Light Bulb
First, on our list, we have the Onforu UV LED Backlight bulbs. These are a set of 15 watt normal looking light bulbs but with UV backlight for their fluorescence. They are some of the highest-rated bulbs there are on our list,. Top Features:
15-watt bulbs in a traditional design schema that can easily fit down in your average bulb socket Has a very high lifetime of operation ranging from more than 50,000 hours of life and power efficiency Can project the light in 120 degrees of the wide-angle spread of the light. This is sufficient to cover a painting room or a particular spot at a party Safelight wavelength of about 385 nm to about 400 nm. This is safe for usage for the human skin Reactive to fluorescent paints etc., the light will illuminate any reactive pigments such as body paints and dyes. This is great also for neon-colored objects as well. Great for parties, clubs, Halloween decors, Christmas, and many more occasions.
Warranty: No warranty has been specified for these bulbs Concerns:
Could have done with a warranty clause
5. Prime Black Light Bulb
Next up on our list, we have a rather need-specific and tiny UV backlight. Perfect for investigative purposes, the Double Chip UV LED Backlight fixture comes with a gooseneck that makes it a good choice for looking things closely. Top features:
30% Brighter than average backlights used for focus lighting and close looking. Maybe even for checking counterfeit currency and other such security requirements as well. Compact model and flexible in its design. The gooseneck really adds on to the overall design that makes it easier to bend it to examine minute things easily. The gooseneck goes on up to a length of 10 inches and foldable. It only needs a 5V USB based input thus it makes it compatible even with your phone or a simple power bank or the laptop computer as well. The base of the backlight is tabletop friendly and it actually even looks like a tabletop lamp as well. The cable of the lamp is 55 inches long and thus can easily work away to be placed a great distance from its power source It also has a small clip that enables you to clip it down to a surface. The clip has an opening of 1.25 inches width
Warranty: There is no mention of a warranty anywhere Concerns:
Could have had a warranty clause Not ideal for parties or large applications as such.
6. Bluex Bulbs Black Light Bulb
Bluex is a reliable and trust-worthy brand when it comes to high-quality blub and lighting solutions for both indoors and outdoors. Top Features:
These bulbs have standard e26 base which makes it compatible with most of the lighting fixtures. It comes in a package of 4 bulb pieces and each bulb can last up to 10,000 hours. Uses 75% less energy compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. It has 13-wattage CFL bulb which provides illumination equivalent to 50-watt bulb. You can use them for decorative display, arsenic investigations, holiday lighting, gemstone inspections and others.
Warranty: NA Concerns:
Some people experienced issues with durability
7. Sunlite Black Light Bulb
Finally, we have a typical CFL styled LED UV Light from Sunlite. The Sunlite 05439 SU CFL is a spiral styled backlight that easily fits into your traditional slot of the power. Furthermore, the design fits perfectly to turn any type of room into a disco or a party room. Top Features:
Highly rated and reviewed backlight bulb. 20 watts of power that emit an ultraviolet radiation UV-A of a wavelength range with a maximum limit of 463 nm. This is large and enough for lighting up most of the reactive surfaces with paints and dyes easily and refrains from lighting up other areas. Great for glow effect creation and festive/celebratory lighting Also perfect for detecting the security features on ID cards, currency or other such use cases as well The bulb has a very long life of about 8,000 hours that would translate to about 7.3 years in total (if you use it about 3 hours per day maximum) Highly tested and packed for better quality and safety Available in packs of 1,3,6 or 8
Warranty: No warranty is provided for the light bulb Concerns:
They could have added a warranty window for it as well.
How to Choose the Best Black Light Bulb
Choosing a black light bulb is similar to any other bulb types. However, the main difference is the particular features you have to look after. If you are unaware of factors you have to consider while purchasing a black light, then below is the buying guide for your reference.
1. Different Types of Black Light Bulbs
Black light bulbs are available in three different variations that include incandescent, fluorescent and LED.
Fluorescent Black Lights –
This option is completely different compared to regular fluorescent bulbs. They generate light when the power goes through glass tube that contains little mercury and some gas. Usually, white regular light is visible and the ultraviolet light generated by the mercury atoms is not visible to the naked eye. The black light visible from this bulb is available by the phosphor coating. This coating is present at the inner side of the bulb and responsible for converting the mercury energy into visible light. These lights are available in spirals and tube models.
Incandescent Black Light Bulbs
These lights work similar to ordinary incandescent bulbs. However, they have an extra component called filters which collect some light from the bulb filament. But this filter is not present in them. Usually, filter is responsible for collecting the light from bulb’s filament. But it cannot filter out the less harmful UV rays. They don’t generate too bright light level and don’t react to white or fluorescent color (which is actually the main purpose of using black lights). So, they are mostly not a preferred choice.
LED Black Light Bulbs
Some of the LED (light emitting diode) bulbs are also capable of generating UV light within wavelength range between 390nm to 410nm. Compared to others, these lights generate least amount of heat and consume less amount of power.
2. Different Black Light Choices
Apart from single bulbs, black lights are available in different options to suit different lighting requirements. We have mentioned them below for your reference. You can choose any model based on your preferences.
Stage Lights
They are mostly used in night clubs or concerts. This option comes in different sizes and shapes. You can plug them up with other mixing boards through wireless or wired connections. They are usually available in pack of more than one. You may mostly need either one or two lights in a small home gathering. Some of these stage lights can also change colors as required.
Blacklight Bulbs
They are also referred to as BLBs and resemble regular bulb options in size and shapes. Compared to others they need a lot of energy to burn. However, some of the latest models are quite energy-efficient. You can simply screw them into existing bulb socket present in your home, porch, light post, lamps or patios as necessary.
Blacklight Strips
These lights are the perfect option for people who are looking to use them mostly indoors. You can simply install them over the wall or ceilings near an electrical socket. And when done, you can just roll up everything easily. They mostly come with plastic wheel for easy rolling up. You can use them outdoors as well if these lights have waterproof feature.
UV-A Flashlights
Flashlights that have backlights capability are the perfect option for finding stains, spotting insects and other similar. As UV-A lights are capable of picking up physical matter that are invisible to naked eye, you can use them for several purposes including cleaning the carpets, bed, walls, furniture and others. And you have finished the cleanup, you can check for any missed spots.
Standard UV Lights
Normal UV lights are specially made for detecting stains. They are similar to the normal backlights you have commonly seen in TVs. However, they are much brighter than normal backlights. UV lights are not built for mood lighting purposes.
Factors to Consider While Purchasing a Black Light Bulb
In addition to finding out which type of blacklights, you should also consider their features while making a decision. We have mentioned some of these features below for your reference.
1. Area Size
These lights are available in different sizes. So, check the area you want to illuminate with blacklight like outdoors, indoors, large hall or small room. For body paint usage or just normal small personal parties, a short-range is okay. But if you are buying the bulb for long-range use cases for small rooms to large halls, for outdoor ranges, you would need the light range to be higher than normal. These light reaches can range from about 5 meters to 10 meters or sometimes higher as well
2. Light spread
Analyze whether you want to illuminate a small space or fill the room with different lights. Make a choice based on it. Check out the lumen range or brightness level to see how much the light generated by the blacklights spreads. A self-explanatory feature, the intensity of the light need not be as high as a normal everyday bulb; but the intensity needs to be enough to be able to reflect the paint or anything that needs to glow out. The range of the light is about 385 nm to about 400 nm.
3. Mounting
Some black lights are wall mountable while some of them can be used independently as well. Some of them are built as normal ceiling lights which need simple drilling or nailing into the fixture. They usually have more than a single bulb which look similar to strip or rod which helps in turning the light to a certain spot as per the preference. While analyzing feature, you should also make sure the product comes with necessary hardware.
4. Length of the electric cord
Make sure the cord length is long enough to reach the electrical socket. If possible, check out if the product comes with extensible cords, especially if you have to use it for outdoors purposes.
5. Budget
Black lights are available in different price ranges. So, you can choose any option based on your budget preferences.
6. Warranty
Warranty duration represents the quality and durability of a black light. We recommend choosing a product that has longest warranty. Usually, they come with maximum duration of 1 to 2 years long.
What is a Black Light?
Black lights are similar to other lamps which emit UV (ultraviolet) light. They generate a specific type of UV wavelength (with energy from 350nm to 410nm). This range is mostly invisible to naked eye. In addition to that, it is safe to human skin. Just the name itself, they come with black coating which ensures durability compared to standard models. As the black light product UV light, they let the white objects, fluorescent paints and clothing more vibrant.
What are the Uses of Using a Black Light?
Do you like visiting night clubs, disco or Halloween decorations? Then you may have been amazed how the white color pops up be it clothing or decorations. Sometimes, this color even looks unnatural and incredible. If you want to create a fun and exciting atmosphere at home, then you can do it by replacing the black lights. This can transform the complete interior atmosphere of your house. They are used in spotlights, table light and even porches or outdoors.
How to Use a Blacklight Safely?
In order to ensure safe use, it is very essential to know how to use them properly. These black lights comprise of UV-A light which is present at visible color spectrum at the far edge. As they are shorter wavelength, staring at them for a long time can potentially damage the eyes. So, while using UV light, it is better to use eye protection. However, with UV-A, it is recommended to avoid gazing through the centre of the light, especially for longer duration. In addition to that, some black light bulbs can become quite hot. So, never use them when there are materials that are flammable or easily catch fire. This means that you have avoid using them with lamps, even if they are compatible as the fabric over the lamp can get damaged.
Which one is Better UV light Bulb or Black Light?
Both UV and black light generate invisible ultraviolet energy at a specific wavelength that is invisible to the naked eyes which make certain colours glow in normal lighting conditions. The black lights literally have a black coating which make them more durable. When it comes to which one is better, black light is considered or recommended over the fluorescent ultraviolet bulbs. As they generate longer UV wavelengths which are capable of penetrating surfaces and objects which makes them glow when they are exposed to black light energy. But the fluorescent UV light is actually considered best compared LED version as the lower wavelengths cause the objects to glow more. LEDs actually consume less power and have durable lifespan.
How Many Black Lights are Optimal?
It is important to have optimal number of black lights to keep your space happening and entertaining. When you are decking for a party, you may have to consider certain factors. As blacklight bulbs emit less purple/blue glow compared to standard lighting, it comes with concentrated blacklight energy. If you are partying outdoors where blacklight has to cover across the walls and all the surface area. An ideal optimal blacklight count is considered as – approx. 1 bulb for every 100 square feet or 10 feet.
Are Blacklights Actually Safe?
Most of the people often wonder whether black lights are safe or harmful to their guests at the party. It is normal doubt for anyone considering the potential UV wavelengths. For instance, the atmosphere of earth protects us by taking out the UV radiation. To understand whether it is safe or not, you have to understand the distinction between the UV radiation spectrum.
Ultraviolet A (UVA) – 315 to 400 nm Ultraviolet B (UVB) – 280 to 315 nm Ultraviolet C (UVC) – 100 to 280 nm
Actually, among this wavelength range, UVA is considered pretty safe. But shortwave and mediumwave UV light can be damaging which are UVB and UVC. So, blacklights have wavelength range of 365nm and use glass as filter to remove anything below 320 nm. So, you can be assured that UV light from Blacklights is completely safe and you don’t have to worry about the cornea getting hurt.
Which is the Best Black Light Type?
As already explained above, black light technologies are incandescent, LED and fluorescent. For more information, you can check out the detail explanation mentioned above in the buying guide. The ideal black light mostly depends on the individual choice. Generally, LED is considered the most favored choice because of its energy-efficient feature and durability. It also doesn’t emit much heat compared to others. However, experts believe fluorescent UV lights are truer UV backlights in the whole range. They have a wavelength range around 370nm which is present in within UV blacklight territory.
Which Blacklight lets the Objects Glow?
This usually depends on the wavelength of blacklights. The wavelength range within 350nm to 400nm makes things with fluorescence glow in the dark. Some of these things include authentication markers on paper currencies, ID cards, fluorescent body paints, posters, cat or dog urine on carpets, curtains, and creatures like armyworms and scorpions. Fluorescent black lights are usually better at this because they are present at the middle to lower end of the wavelength. Some LED black lights are good but they don’t have the required effect as blacklight wavelength is near to the upper edge of UV light spectrum.
Conclusion
Back lights have become quite popular now-a-days because of its glowing effect in the dark. Apart from parties and art installations, they are also widely for cleaning and sanitizations purposes. If you want to install the black lights in your parties or homes, you can check out the guide we mentioned above for analysis purposes. We have also mentioned some of the best black light bulbs for your reference. We hope the information has helped you make the right choice. If you have any doubts or queries, write to us in the comment section below.
While it does not have a warranty clause, it has a superior design and a great enough build quality. The Onforu Black Light Bulb have great brand name to them while delivering a brilliant light quality.
These 15 watt bulbs have a great and traditional design scheme and a very large 50,000 hours of life along with good power efficiency. All of these factors make it a perfect party buy and make this the best backlight bulbs to buy online. While that was our list, we would want to learn more about your picks and choices. Did you like our list? Or do you have any queries to ask us? If so, feel free to write to us in the comments section below. We will write back to you as soon as possible. Comment * Name * Email * Website
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