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Are you planning a kids’ party or a camping trip? Ultra-bright, colorful, portable, and functional, glow sticks are the perfect illumination tool for any party pack or outdoor adventure scenario.
Fun and Functional Ultra-bright Glow Sticks
A glow stick is a portable handheld source of light that is specially designed for instant illumination. Its translucent plastic container holds a chemiluminescence substance that is activated when you bend, snap, and shake the container.
Glow sticks are safe for your kids to use, aged 3 years and older, as the sticks are non-flammable, cool-to-the-touch, and do not leak dangerous chemicals.
Highly functional, a glow stick can be used for lots of different indoor or outdoor uses, as well as for traffic control or signaling beacons used by the military, police, fire, or EMS operations. It can be a handy source of emergency light at the campsite, in the wilderness, or on your boat.
Fun as well as functional, these luminescent sticks are perfect for an indoor or outdoor party, New Year’s Eve celebration, or a dance party. These amazing lights will flood a room with brilliant neon lights or create a vivid magical multicolored display in your backyard.
The 8 Best Glow Sticks Sets
- Glow With Us Glow Sticks
- PartySticks Glow Sticks
- HSGUS Glow Sticks
- Cyalume SnapLight Glow Sticks (Our Top Pick)
- Glow Mind Glow Sticks
- Recon Medical BreakLights Glow Sticks
- KarberDark Glow Sticks
- BUDI Glow Sticks
Our Top Pick for the Best Glow Sticks
Our top pick for the best glow sticks is the Cyalume SnapLight Glow Sticks. Cyalume has been a world leader in chemical lighting solutions for tactical and safety applications since 1960 and its incredible glow lights are essential illumination tools for your home or survival kit.
Offering you the perfect fusion of fun and functionality, the SnapLights deliver powerfully brilliant green neon light all night long. Whether you are planning a family camping trip, a boat trip into uncharted waters, or an unforgettable New Year’s Eve Party, your reliable Cyalume glow sticks will always be ready for any lighting needs.
How to Choose the Best Glow Stick
Types of Glow Sticks
There are two types of glow sticks. Party and emergency light sticks.
– Party Glow Sticks
Party glows sticks are the best way to get any party started. These types of lighting sticks, such as the Glow With Us Glow Sticks, come in a range of cool neon colors such as aqua, blue, green, orange, pink, purple, red, white, and yellow.
A party glow stick will usually have a hanging hook so you can hook the light onto a tree branch to create a magical glow among the trees. Some come in special party packs, such as the PartySticks Glow Sticks, which have connectors that you or your kids can use to make fun multicolored glowing jewelry.
– Emergency Glow Sticks
If you are planning a family camping trip, a mountaineering expedition, or you are a survivalist prepper, an emergency light stick is tailormade for any outdoor adventure. These instant lighting sticks should always be in your camping gear or survival kit.
Emergency light sticks, such as the Cyalume SnapLight Glow Sticks or the military-style Glow Mind Glow Sticks, are extra durable and waterproof. You can also use their hanging hook to attach a lanyard cord or attach a few sticks to your tactical backpack or backpacking tent.
Pack Size
One of the great things about a glow stick is it comes in value packs, of 25, 50, 200, 500, or 600. So whichever size pack you choose, you will always have amazing super bright lighting tools ready for any emergency scenario or party action.
Glow Time
A glow stick can last up to 8 or 12 hours which is standard for most but you may find that the emergency lights last for 12 hours and even longer. It is important to remember that the amount of light the stick emits will diminish over time, with the brightest illumination taking place in the first few hours.
If you need a lot of bright light, always keep a fresh supply of glow sticks on hand.
Shelf-life
While most glow sticks have a shelf life of up to 2 years, some manufacturers offer a longer shelf life, such as the Cyalume SnapLights that last for 5 years or the Glow Mind glow sticks that have a shelf life of 4 years.
8 Best Glow Sticks – Reviews
1. Glow With Us Glow Sticks
Whether you are hosting a kid’s party or listening to your favorite band at a music festival, Glow With Us Glow Sticks deliver all-night colorful illumination.
The 6-inch, 15mm glow sticks are made from industrial-grade plastic and have a flat, wide bottom for secure positioning on a table. You can also use the included lanyard strings to wear them as cool pendants, hang them from trees, or spin them around at high speeds to create dazzling light shows. As the glow sticks are weatherproof and can be submerged in water, they will make a great addition to your survival kit.
These glow sticks are non-toxic and non-flammable, so they are safe for children aged 3 years and older. Although they have a very sturdy design, the glow sticks should not be cut open, ruptured, bent excessively, or the contents ingested.
You can party all night with your vibrant glow sticks as they can produce up to 12-14 hours of brightness, and the sticks will last up to 3 years when properly stored in the manufacturer’s foil packing.
Glow With Us offers its pretty glow sticks in a 25-pack that contains 5 vibrant neon colors, orange, blue, yellow, green, and red, and you can choose from 8 other colors: blue, green, orange, pink, purple, red, white, and yellow. The glow sticks also come in larger packs of 100, 600, and 1200.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Good price
- Ideal for parties, festivals, and emergency survival kits
- Sturdy industrial-grade plastic
- Extra thick 15mm thick design
- Flat, wide bottom
- Comes with lanyard strings
- Can be worn as necklaces or bracelets
- Long-lasting 12-14 hours of peak brightness
- Shelf life of 3 years
- Safe for children ages 3 and older
- Non-toxic and non-flammable
- Weatherproof and can be submerged in water
- 25-pack comes in 5 neon colors and 8 other colors
- Also available in packs of 100, 600, and 1200
Cons
- Not ultra-bright
- Some glow sticks in the pack can lose brightness quickly
2. PartySticks Glow Sticks
You can let your imagination run wild at your next party with the super bright and colorful PartySticks Glow Sticks.
To get the party started, just crack the tubes to activate, shake well and enjoy long-lasting neon light all night up to 8-12 hours while they last up to a year or so unused.
The 8-inch premium industrial grade flexible sticks come in 5 fabulous colors: yellow, green, blue, orange, and pink; which will add a vibrant neon glow in the dark display.
Kids aged 3 years and over and adults can get creative by using the included connectors to snap together the sticks to make bright glowing necklaces, bracelets, or decorate a room to turn it into a colorful and radiant fantasy land.
Safe to use, they are non-toxic, CPSIA compliant, environmentally friendly, and waterproof, so they are perfect for a pool party. Delight your kids by popping some into their gift bags at Christmas.
The glow sticks come in 100, 200, or 400-pack and each pack has 200 connectors.
PartySticks offers a full 100% money-back guarantee on the glow sticks.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Very good price
- 8-inch premium flexible design
- Super bright and amazingly colorful neon lights
- Five fabulous colors: yellow, green, blue, orange, and pink
- 100% non-toxic
- CPSIA compliant, environmentally friendly and waterproof
- Perfect for indoor and outdoor parties, festivals, camping events, gift bags
- 200 connectors can be used to make necklaces or bracelets
- Easy to use
- Long-lasting up to 8-12 hours
- Available in a 100 or 200 pack
- 100% money-back guarantee
Cons
- No expiration date listed
- Some colors may be brighter than others
- Some sticks may not last up to 12 hours as other sticks in the pack
- Shorter shelf life
3. HSGUS Glow Sticks
Transform any event into a dazzling display of ultra-bright neon lights with the HSGUS Glow Sticks.
The industrial-grade sticks are non-toxic, non-flammable, waterproof, and CPSIA compliant, so they are 100% safe for you and your kids to use.
Multi-functional, the sticks provide you with unlimited creative possibilities. You can use them for a party, wedding, music festival, or amaze your camping buddies around the campfire.
Throw some in the pool to create an unforgettable experience for your guests. Decorate an Easter basket for your kids’ school or give them as gifts to family and friends. As they have a sturdy base, you can stand them up on the party table or attach the included 30 strings to hang them around the room or tree branches.
Your kids can also wear them as a necklace. Getting your kids to love bath-time is easy too, just pop a few into the bath.
The sticks are easy to use; bend, snap and shake to activate the 6 ultra-bright colors: red, green, blue, orange, pink, and yellow. Each 6.9 x 5 x 3-inch stick is thick, glows brighter and lasts longer than standard grade sticks – up to 12 hours and has a shelf life of 12-18 months.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Industrial grade design
- Good price
- Perfect for parties, weddings, festivals, camping, survival kit
- Extra thick design
- Ultra-Bright
- Five vibrant colors
- Non-toxic, CPSIA compliant, environmentally friendly, waterproof and non-flammable
- Long-lasting use of up to 12 hours
- Good shelf life of 12-18 months
- Sturdy base
- Hanging hook
- 30 lights come with 30 strings
Cons
- Strings can unravel easily
- Some colors may be bright than others
- Not all the sticks last up to 12 hours
4. Cyalume SnapLight Glow Sticks
Light up the night with a blaze of brilliant green luminescent color with the Cyalume SnapLight Glow Sticks.
Made in the US, the premium Cyalume SnapLight Glow Sticks are a fantastic source of light as they are the official chemical lighting stick of the US military and government organizations.
Each stick features a long-lasting formulation that provides incredibly bright light for 12 hours that can be seen up to a mile away. They also have an extra-long shelf life of 5-years which is longer than any other brand.
Made from industrial-grade construction, the 6-inch long sticks are durable, waterproof, and non-flammable. You can store them safely as the sticks are individually foil-wrapped.
Highly versatile, the Cyalume SnapLights can be used for a variety of indoor or outdoor situations. A battery-free lighting solution at the campsite or while you are hiking or fishing. The lights can be used at home when the lights go out during a storm. Create an eerie atmosphere at a Halloween party. Pack some into your vehicle’s boot for any traveling emergency.
The light sticks have a hanging hook and a hole so you can attach the sticks to your bike or hang them on trees as an emergency beacon or cool party decorations.
Very easy to use, the SnapLights are quickly activated by simply bending, snapping, and shaking the light to instantly flood your party space or a camping spot with vivid neon green illumination.
The glow sticks come in packs of 10, 20, or 30. Cyalume also offers sticks in red or blue.
Pros
- High quality
- Excellent value for money
- Brilliant intense neon green light
- Long-lasting formulation up to 12 hours at a time
- Can be seen up to a mile away
- Made in the US
- Official chemical light of the U.S. Military and government organizations
- Industrial grade construction
- Durable, waterproof, non-flammable and non-toxic
- Five-year shelf life
- Individually foil wrapped for safe storage
- Can be used in a variety of situations: camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, parties
- Hanging hook and hole
- Available in packs of 10, 20, or 30
- Available in red and blue as well
Cons
- Other colors may not be ultra bright
- Some of the sticks may only last about 7-8 hours
5. Glow Mind Glow Sticks
In just one quick snap, the Glow Mind Glow Sticks will instantly flood a room or any outdoor space with impressively bright illumination.
Trusted by survivalists, these reliable, durable, waterproof industrial-grade sticks are must-have safety beacons for camping, fishing, hunting, scuba diving, or boating trips. They come in a neon green color and a multicolor pack that includes 5 pretty colors: white, yellow, red, blue, and green, which are fantastic for parties.
Your kids can use them safely as they are non-toxic and non-flammable. Plus, each stick is individually wrapped to prevent breakage and accidental activation.
Amazingly bright and long-lasting, the Glow Mind Glow Sticks deliver 12 hours of illumination which is 50% more than other glow sticks that start to lose their illumination at 8 hours. Best of all, the light can be seen from a mile away, and the sticks have an extra-long shelf life of 4 years. They have a hook that you can use to hang a few lights from your tent as a beacon or from tree branches to create a vivid party atmosphere at the campsite.
The glow sticks come in packs of 12, 20, 50, or 100.
Glow Mind offers a 100% money-back guarantee on the glow sticks.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Good price
- Industrial grade, non-toxic, non-flammable
- Safe for kids
- Individual wrapping prevents breakage and accidental activation
- Ideal for camping, fishing, hunting, survivalists, home emergency lighting, or parties
- Impressively bright and reliable illumination up to 12 hours
- Can be seen from a mile away
- Extra long shelf life of 4 years
- Easy to use
- Comes in a vivid neon green or 5 pretty colors
- Hanging hook for great portability
- Available in packs of 12, 20, 50, or 100
- 100% money-back guarantee
Cons
- Some colors in the multi-colored pack may not be as bright as the green sticks
6. Recon Medical BreakLights Glow Sticks
If you are an outdoor enthusiast who likes to brave the unknown wilderness or sail on the open ocean, invest in the Recon Medical BreakLights Glow Sticks 10-pack.
Ultra-bright and long-lasting, the sticks provide ultra neon green illumination for over 12 hours and have a shelf life of 2 years. If you run out of batteries, the BreakLights are an excellent alternative to a flashlight.
Safe to use, the durable waterproof lights are individually wrapped to prevent damage and the luminescent filling is phthalate-free and eco-friendly.
Compact and portable at 6-inch long, you can easily pack the glow sticks into your tactical backpack, fishing box, or survival kit. You can use the hook to hang the sticks from a tree or the lanyard hole to attach them to your pack or tent.
Recon Medical offers a free replacement guarantee, a 24-month guarantee, and 24/7 customer support on the sticks.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Very affordable price
- Ultra-bright neon green light
- Long-lasting over 12 hours
- Shelf life of up to 2 years
- Durable, waterproof, compact, and easy to carry
- Luminescent filling is non-toxic, phthalate-free and eco-friendly
- Ideal for emergency scenarios and recreational activities
- Lanyard hole
- Each 6-inch stick is individually wrapped in foil
- 100% free replacement
- 24-month guarantee
- 24/7 support team
Cons
- Lights start to fade noticeably when you hit the 8-hour mark, but continue to produce light up to 10-12 hours
- No other colors or pack sizes available
- No included strings or cord
7. KarberDark Glow Sticks
Whether you are planning a Halloween party, pool party, or New Year’s Eve celebration, the KarberDark Glow Sticks is a fabulous Glow Stick kit for any party planner.
This massive kit will ignite your kids’ creativity. There are 250 pieces of 8-inch glow sticks (in 3 tubes) and 350 connectors that your kids can use to make super cool glow-in-the-dark bracelets, necklaces, eyeglasses, hair clips, flowers, rainbow balls, and whatever captures their imagination. However, they are not just designed for kids; adults will love creating unique designs for New Year’s Eve or a dance party.
Simple to use, just crack the sticks and give them a quick shake, and the 7 super-bright colors of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and pink last an impressive 10-14 hours.
Safe to use, they are non-toxic and CPSIA compliant, and they are recommended for kids aged 3 years old and up.
They come in a gift box so the 600-piece kit will make a great gift idea for a birthday or Christmas present.
KarberDark offers a 100% replacement guarantee for the glow stick kit.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Massive 600-piece kit
- Ideal for kids and adults
- Perfect for birthday parties, Halloween, kid games, New Year’s Eve, or a dance party
- Includes 250 8-inch sticks and 350 connectors
- Glow sticks can be made into jewelry, headbands, air clips, flowers or a rainbow ball
- Fabulous variety of 7 colors
- Ultra-long-lasting for 10-14 hours glowing time
- Impressively bright
- Very easy to use
- Safe for kids aged 3 years and older
- Non-toxic and CPSIA compliant
- Comes in a gift box
Cons
- Glow sticks are hard to fit into the plastic holes made to make glasses and headbands
- Some packs were missing some of the pieces
8. BUDI Glow Sticks
Create a magical glowing fairyland with the BUDI Glow Sticks. This ultimate 467 piece glow stick party pack is safe for children aged 3 years and over. You can also use them for any adult celebration or decorate your pets to include them in the party fun.
The kit includes:
- 200 8-inch sticks
- 200 bracelet connectors
- 12 flower/ball connectors
- 10 luminous eyeglasses kits
- 5 skull glasses kits
- 5 triple bracelet connectors, and
- 5 butterfly bracelet connectors
A set of instructions is included to help you and your kids make your magical jewelry or decorations.
Let your imagination run wild with the 7 beautiful colors: red, yellow, blue, white, pink, orange, and aqua. To activate them just bend, snap and shake, and enjoy up to 8 hours of amazing colorful kaleidoscopic illumination.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Affordable price
- Ultimate party pack
- Very good illumination up to 8 hours
- Seven beautiful neon colors
- Ideal for a birthday party, concert, raves, festivals, kids’ sleepovers, and camping trips
- Building instructions are included
Cons
- Some of the plastic connectors do not hold the sticks securely
- Some of the lights may not be as bright as others
- Glow sticks are not individually wrapped
Our Top Pick for the Best Glow Sticks
Our top pick for the best glow sticks is the Cyalume SnapLight Glow Sticks. Cyalume has been a world leader in chemical lighting solutions for tactical and safety applications since 1960 and its incredible glow lights are essential illumination tools for your home or survival kit.
Offering you the perfect fusion of fun and functionality, the SnapLights deliver powerfully brilliant green neon light all night long. Whether you are planning a family camping trip, a boat trip into uncharted waters, or an unforgettable New Year’s Eve Party, your reliable Cyalume glow sticks will always be ready for any lighting needs.
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