We researched and tested the best models on the market, ranking them on ease of setup and maintenance, durability, and coverage. Our top choice, the Flowtron BK-40D Electronic Insect Killer, is a powerful outdoor option that attracts bugs from up to an acre away and is easy to clean. Here are the best bug zappers available. The zapper comes with an octenol (an active ingredient in many pesticides) attractant cartridge to lure mosquitos. While each one only lasts for 30 days, replacement cartridges are available. Our tester noted that the bug zapping seemed to escalate more with the cartridge, but the lantern still works without it. This durable, polycarbonate, lantern-style bug zapper plugs into a wall. We recommend hanging it out of the way to attract nearby bugs away from your outdoor seating area—you’ll probably need an extension cord since the power cord is short. Although it is brighter and louder than some other models, we think its coverage area and effectiveness make it the best choice for your outdoor space, especially if you’re looking for something that covers a large area. Price at time of publish: $65 As long as there’s an outlet nearby, you can set this insect killer on your counter, shelf, or floor or hang it up with the included chain and hooks. We also like that it’s easy to clean—remove the plastic tray from the bottom and wipe away the leftover debris. The light bulb’s lifespan is impressive and can last up to 5,000 hours. Our tester did note that this indoor zapper is a bit loud and very bright, so they placed it in an area they could avoid and limited its use to a few hours at a time. Price at time of publish: $50 This bulb emits LED ultraviolet light at a high wavelength and delivers an electric charge through its built-in metal grid—a fatal attraction that kills mosquitoes, fruit flies, gnats, and other insects on contact. Price at time of publish: $21 When the 4,000-volt grid activates, extra-bright LEDs will ignite to attract vexing insects. We like its three-layer design to prevent accidentally shocking yourself or your loved ones. All the same, leave the swatting to adults to protect kids from a painful jolt. Price at time of publish: $48 One unit can cover about half an acre. The company recommends placing the zappers about 20 feet away from where you spend your time—so not only are you zapping bugs, you’re also attracting them away from you, your family, and your guests. Price at time of publish: $35 The UV light lures in flies and other bothersome bugs, day or night, and kills them instantly. Cleaning is a breeze: Just pull out the tray, empty it out, and wash as needed with the included brush. Price at time of publish: $66 The manufacturer says the solar panel charges the unit within 3 hours, but we recommend an all-day charge before using it. Also, you can charge the product with a standard USB cable (not included). An indicator lets you know when it’s fully charged, but it is difficult to find. We like that this product is three lights in one: a purple 365 Nm wavelength UV zapper; a white light without zapper for a bright night light; and a flashlight. There’s also an SOS light light 3 in 1 Pests Killer Lamp: The electric bug zapper have 3 lighting modes, bug zapper light, white light, and flashlight. Perhaps because of this multi-use capability, the light doesn’t turn on automatically at dusk, when flying pests abound, or off when daylight dawns. Instead, you need to turn it on and off with the simple pair of buttons. All bug zappers require cleaning, but this one is simple, requiring no disassembling. It comes with a small brush to assist in the chore. Price at time of publish: $36
Coverage Area
The efficiency of a bug zapper is the most important measure of success. In general, the more powerful the wattage of the UV light, the wider the range of the bug zapper. If you have a small backyard, you may not mind a smaller range, since a large range will actually attract bugs from neighboring homes into your space before zapping them.
Indoor or Outdoor
Although many manufacturers make bug zappers that can be used indoors and outdoors, some machines are only suitable for one or the other. Indoor-only bug zappers are not powerful enough for outdoor use, and outdoor models often don’t have a tray to catch dead insects (yuck!). Be sure to check the packaging to ensure that the bug zapper you’re buying works for your space.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Theresa Holland is a seasoned commerce writer with several years of experience covering outdoor living and cleaning products. She’s been contributing to The Spruce since 2019, where she writes about a wide range of home goods.
