Reviews
Best Light Up Dog Collar for Better, Worry-Free Walks
Updated: Febuary 4, 2024
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The days may be shorter, but your dog still needs to take care of business at night. Whether you live in a big city with street lights, or a rural farm in the middle of nowhere, a light up dog collar is one of the best ways to keep your furry friend visible and safe after sundown.
Hundreds of light-up collars can be found online, but most of them, we found, are cheaply made and flimsy. Different types of light up dog collars also serve different needs. There are collars with built-in lights; necklaces that slip over your dog’s neck; lights that clip onto a collar; and even vests that light up like Christmas. Each has its benefits and drawbacks.
After testing dozens of devices, here are our recommendations for the best device in each class. Keep in mind, this is a relatively new product category, so we’re hoping that more advanced light up dog collars will come on the market soon. If you have any products you want to suggest, please send us an email below.
What to Look For
Do you need a LED collar, a necklace or clip-on light? It depends. Where do you walk your dog at night? How do you plan to use it? Each is suited to specific situations.
Can you choose between a steady and flashing light? That not only extends battery life, but help you to distinguish between multiple dogs. Some devices can change colors, too. Also, the brighter, the better. That’s true whether you’re crossing a busy street in the city, or going off-leash on a country hike.
Look for a light that lasts six hours or longer. It should be rechargeable (or use rechargeable batteries). And it should accept a standard USB plug, not some proprietary cable you are bound to lose.
Are the buckles made of solid metal or quality plastics, or do they break easily? Is the strap soft and bendable, or rough like sandpaper? Do the LEDs create a smooth glow, or do they look like cheap dots? These details count.
The collars should come in at least three sizes to accommodate your specific pup.
1. Why LED Dog Collars?
Unlike other light-up options, such as clip-on lights or harnesses, LED dog collars are integrated into the collar itself. This makes them more comfortable for your dog to wear, and less likely to get lost or snagged on something.
Light up dog collars also offer 360 degree visibility, and can be seen whether the dog is facing you or looking the other way. They work well for both the city and the country, and are the practical choice for most users.
The main downsides are that they are bulkier and probably not as nice as your regular collar, so you’ll likely use them only after dark. That means you’ll need two collars: one for day, and one for night.
Best Light Up Dog Collar:
Nitedog® Rechargeable LED Collar
If you’re in the market for a quality light up dog collar—one made with premium components and built to last—there is only one option on the market today: the Nitedog Rechargeable LED Collar.
We’ve tested a dozen other LED collars (with names like Illumiseen, Blazin, Masbrill and PcEoTllar) that were recommended by other dog product review sites. None impressed us. Buckles are flimsy. Collars were stiff and scratchy. Non-standard USB cables were required. The LEDs looked cheap. I would be surprised if those collars lasted for more than one winter.
The Nitedog LED collar, on the other hand, is made from a high-grade nylon webbing that is soft, flexible and tough. The belt buckle and D-ring are made from solid metal, as are the belt grommets.
The light itself is bright and sleek. It takes about 80 minutes to recharge and lasts about six hours. The LEDs are housed in a hard plastic case, and transmit light using fiber-optic cables that look like stitched piping. It was also the collar that got the most compliments when walking my dog in the West Village.
Our only complaint is the belt buckle. A clasp buckle would be much easier to operate (apparently, an earlier non-rechargeable version had one). We’re not sure why Nite Ize, a Colorado-based company, ditched the clasp, but we hope they bring it back. Still, this is the light up dog collar currently hanging in our home.
Battery life: 6 hours | Size: Small (12” to 16”) , Medium (16” to 20”) and Large (20” to 24”) | Colors: Blue and lime
Pros:
- Top-quality collar
- Bright, seamless LEDs
- Solid hardware
Cons:
- Buckle vs. clasp
- Only 2 light modes
- Weather, not waterproof
If the Nitedog is sold out and you can’t wait, a decent runner-up is the Mighty Paw LED Dog Collar, made by a small family-run company in Rochester, N.Y. It is super bright, thanks to two light strips sewn inside the soft, nylon collar. The D-ring feels solid and the clasp is sturdy. And there are three lights modes—steady, slow flash, and quick flash—that lasts six hours after charging for about two hours.
It’s not as sharp looking as the Nitedog, and the creases in the collar from shipping take a while to flatten out. But it is a quality collar that should last.
Battery life: 6 hours | Size: Small (13” to 17”) , Medium (16” to 20”) and Large (19” to 24”) | Colors: Orange and green
Pros:
- Bright light
- Tough clasp and D-ring
Cons:
- LED strips are stiff
2. Why LED Dog Necklaces?
An LED necklace isn’t a dog collar in the traditional sense. There is no D-ring attachment for a leash. Instead, the LED necklace is designed to be slipped over a dog’s head and worn in addition to a regular collar.
There are benefits to this. If sized properly, the necklace is easy to put on and take off. If you live in a rural area where your dog often goes off-leash, this is all you need at night. And because these necklaces are designed for a single function—providing light—they are brighter, last longer, and more weather-resistant than LED dog collars.
So why not get a necklace instead of a light up dog collar? Wearing a collar plus a necklace can be bulky and uncomfortable for your dog, especially if you have a smaller breed like a Dachshund or a Pomeranian. And having to put two things around your dog’s neck is twice as much work.
Best Light-Up Dog Necklace:
Leuchtie
This is the Rolls Royce of LED dog necklaces, made and sold by a German company that has been handcrafting these since 2023. Available in 10 colors, the Leuchtie has the high-quality look and utilitarian feel of a wearable smart device, and could be the last LED necklace you buy.
The Leuchtie is incredibly bright, designed to be visible from either a quarter-mile away (for the “plus” model) or half-mile away (“easy-charge” model). The battery life on the “plus” model is rated for a whopping 100 hours, long enough to last an entire season (the rechargeable model lasts up to 25 hours). In addition, the device is completely waterproof, which is great for dogs that like to swim. That may explain why dog rescue units in Germany, Austria and elsewhere use the Leuchtie.
Also neat is the power switch. Instead of an on-off button, the device turns on by either pointing the battery compartment down, or by using a magnetic sensor (depending on the model). The necklace is made to order, so it’s important to size it correctly. The device does cost more (about $50 plus shipping), but the company is so confident of its craftsmanship that it offers a five-year warranty, and sells spare parts for D.I.Y. repairs.
Battery life: Up to 100 hours (for AAA model) and 25 hours (for rechargeable model) | Size: Custom order (9.5” to 27.5” head circumference) | Colors: 10, from red to clear
Pros:
- Best-in-class
- Waterproof
- Super long-lasting battery
Cons:
- Made-to-order from Germany
- Pricier
- Not dimmable
A solid and cheaper alternative is the Nitehowl Rechargeable Led Safety Necklace, which looks a lot like a glow stick from your rave days. The Nitehowl is basically a tube of light that can be cut to size, and slipped over your dog’s head. Made by Nite Ize, it improved upon a non-rechargeable version that required hard-to-find 1154 batteries, and includes a color-changing feature.
While the Nitehowl is not as bright as the Leuchtie, it is still visible in a large backyard. The pick-a-color feature is nifty, but you have to cycle through multiple button clicks to choose your favorite color.
Battery life: Up to 5.5 hours | Sizes: Mini (9.5″ to 14.8″) and Regular (12” to 27”) | Colors: Multicolor
Pros:
- Simple design
- Color-changing feature
Cons:
- Decent battery life
- Okay brightness
3. Why Clip-on Dog Lights?
Clip-on lights offer undeniable advantages. Their portability makes them ideal for quick walks, ensuring your furry friend is always visible. You can keep one in your car, another at home, and a third clipped to the leash. Their one-size-fits-all design simplify usage. Plus, eliminating the need for a separate LED collar means less weight and fuss for your pup.
These lights do have drawbacks. Their directional illumination lacks 360-degree visibility, so you may not be able to see your dog from certain angles. Additionally, some clip-ons can swing like a clunky pendant while running, creating discomfort for smaller pooches.
Still, because these clip-on lights attach to anything, you can also them for camping, running, biking and kayaking—with or without your dog.
Best Clip-on Dog Light:
Maxy & Molly Matrix Ultra LED
Most clip-on dog lights use a carabiner-like mechanism to attach to a dog’s collar. They work well most of the time, but we were impressed by the sleek design, smart functionality and quality-build of the Maxy & Molly Matrix Ultra LED.
Designed by a German “dog lifestyle brand,” this small light attaches securely to a collar using a silicone strap, and won’t sway or swing while running, which is great for active dogs and owners. We found the process as easy and quick as a traditional clip. The white light is super bright and offers four modes: flashing, and three levels of brightness. The ability to dim is useful when you don’t need that much light, and want to conserve battery life.
The device charges quickly—just 30 minutes—and lasts up to 13 hours. It is completely waterproof, another check mark for active dogs, and only weighs 39 grams, which makes it easy to take anywhere.
Battery life: Up to 14 hours | Sizes: Fits any strap up to 1” width | Colors: Pink, orange, black, sky blue, lime green and white
Pros:
- Cool design
- No swinging
- Dimmable
Cons:
- Strap could break if pulled too hard
Easy to lose
The Spotlit may be the original collar light with a built-in carabiner. It remains the most reliable and durable in its class—now upgraded with USB rechargeable batteries and color-changing modes.
While it is bright enough for smaller backyards and dog parks, it may be challenging to see in large fields. Battery life is adequate at 5 hours, and it takes 2 hours to recharge using a standard micro-USB cable (not included). There are five color modes, and a nifty memory feature that saves the last color settings.
The Spotlit is small enough to use as an everyday keychain, which comes in handy if you often find yourself fumbling in the dark.
Battery life: Up to 5 hours | Sizes: Standard and extra large | Colors: 4 built-in colors (red, green blue and white) plus a changing “Disc-O” mode
Pros:
- Sturdy metal construction
- Tiny and light
Cons:
- 2 hours to recharge
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