Mosquitoes, gnats, and other bugs can be a major nuisance whether you’re trying to enjoy time outdoors. A bug zapper is one of the most effective ways of combating bugs. With minimal setup and maintenance, they are better at keeping large swaths of unwanted insects away than items like fly swatters and mosquito repellent. Most high-quality bug zappers can be purchased for between $30 to $60, but some heavy-duty models that cover an acre or more can cost over $100 or $200. Generally, a bug zapper is cheaper than hiring one of the best pest control companies.
To help you determine what bug zapper is best for your pest control, I examined the best bug-zapping options on the market. Overall, my top choice is the ASPECTEK Electronic Bug Zapper, which features a lightweight but effective zapping grid that’s easy to set up and works on a variety of insect types. Read my buying guide below for more of my top picks.
Best Bug Zappers: Our Top 6 Picks
- Best Overall: ASPECTEK Electronic Bug Zapper
- Largest Grid: Lulu Home Electric Bug Zapper
- Best Handheld Zapper: ZAP IT! Rechargeable Bug Zapper Racket
- Best Heavy-Duty: Flowtron MC9000 Residential Bug Fighter
- Best Solar: Elechome Bug Zapper
- Most Versatile: Livin’ Well Blue Bug Zapper
Compare Top Bug Zappers
| Product | Design | Power Level | Dimensions | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
ASPECTEK Electronic Bug ZapperCheck Price | Plug-in | 20 watts | 15.16 by 3.15 by 11.02 inches | 2.8 pounds |
Lulu Home Electric Bug ZapperCheck Price | Plug-in | 20 watts | 15.35 by 4.33 by 11.42 inches | 3.74 pounds |
ZAP IT! Rechargeable Bug Zapper RacketCheck Price | Cordless | 4,000 volts | 7.6 x 18 inches | 1.48 pounds |
Flowtron MC9000 Residential Bug FighterCheck Price | Plug-in | 5,600 volts | 9.5 x 9.5 x 20.38 inches | 13 pounds |
Elechome Bug ZapperCheck Price | Solar | 3,000 volts | 5.2 x 3.7 x 8 inches | 1.26 pounds |
Livin’ Well Blue Bug ZapperCheck Price | Plug-in | 4,000 volts | 6.31 x 6.31 x 13.18 inches | 2.32 pounds |
Best Overall
ASPECTEK Electronic Bug Zapper
This high-voltage bug zapper from ASPECTEK has a powerful electrical grid surrounded by a protective mesh screen to safely eliminate flies, moths, mosquitoes, and other flying insects without shocking your children or pets. Though it’s large with its 15-by-11-inch dimensions, it remains lightweight at 2.8 pounds. This makes it easy to move it to different rooms or hang it from a wall.
Pros and Cons of ASPECTEK Electronic Bug Zapper
- Can be set on a table or hung on a wall
- Can replace the two light bulbs easily by opening the protective grid
- Has an oversized, brightly colored on/off switch
- Has a higher price tag than similar grid-style models
- Could be a safety hazard around young children
Key Features
What People Are Saying About The ASPECTEK Electronic Bug Zapper
Customers who loved this electronic insect killer frequently commented on its power source, claiming that it killed every bug it attracted. However, I did see some customers complain about the amount of noise that the zapper made, especially when bugs were being zapped.
Best Handheld Zapper
ZAP IT! Rechargeable Bug Zapper Racket
Each of the two rackets in this pack harnesses 4,000 volts of power that can act as mosquito killers when you swat at them. The rackets use a rechargeable battery that can last for up to 10,000 swats and have a built-in light to help you see where you’re swatting at night.
Pros and Cons of ZAP IT! Rechargeable Bug Zapper Racket
- Is sold in three sizes
- Includes a USB charging port to save on batteries
- Has a built-in LED light for nighttime use
- Requires active use to kill bugs
- Requires frequent recharges
Key Features
What People Are Saying About The ZAP IT! Rechargeable Bug Zapper Racket
Customers praised these rackets’ lightweight, enclosed design, which made them easy and safe for even children to hold. However, I did see some negative reviews that stated the zappers stopped working soon after purchase and others said it struggled to kill mosquitoes.
Best Heavy-Duty
Flowtron MC9000 Residential Bug Fighter
This heavy-duty zapper is not cheap, but I think it could be well worth the cost if you’re dealing with a large bug problem on a farm or other large land area. It can cover two acres and features 120 watts of black light energy, much higher than budget-friendly models. Additionally, this zapper has a no-clog killing grid which eliminates dead bug-buildup and reduces maintenance.
Pros and Cons of Flowtron MC9000 Residential Bug Fighter
- Features a powerful 5,600-volt killing grid
- Has a durable, weatherproof design
- Requires minimal maintenance
- Has a high price point
- Needs to be set up at least 25 feet away from sitting area
Key Features
What People Are Saying About The Flowtron MC9000 Residential Bug Fighter
Customers were impressed with the power level of this bug zapper, as well as the amount of bugs it was able to kill. Others liked how easy it was to set up and install. However, there were a few negative reviews about this zapper’s bright light, and some felt it was actually too powerful, also killing less harmful bugs like ladybugs and moths.
Best Solar
Elechome Bug Zapper
This solar bug zapper has a 360-degree design and uses a bright UV-light that acts as a repellent to electrocute bugs with a 3000-volt shock. I like that it has three different lighting modes, including a bug zapper light, a white light, and a flashlight.
Pros and Cons of Elechome Bug Zapper
- Is equipped with a solar panel for wireless charging but can also be charged with a USB-C
- Is compatible for outdoor or indoor use
- Delivers 10 hours on a full charge
- Does not have automatic activation
- Charge indicator is somewhat hidden
Key Features
What People Are Saying About The Elechome Bug Zapper
I noted that customers who liked this mosquito zapper said that it was easy to clean up, had a bright light, and worked on multiple types of bugs. However, I also saw that some felt charging it with a USB-C cable was difficult, and others said it sometimes had a hard time attracting mosquitoes.
Most Versatile
Livin’ Well Blue Bug Zapper
Good for: Homeowners looking for a versatile zapper that can be used indoors and outdoors to catch a small amount of bugs.
With the ability to run indoors and outdoors, this bug zapper is ideal for catching a small amount of mosquitoes or other annoying pests. It covers up to 1,500 square feet and comes with a hook for easily hanging in your kitchen, patio, or outside.
Pros and Cons of Livin’ Well Blue Bug Zapper
- Has 4,000 volts of zapping power
- Uses an 18-watt UVA bug light with a galvanized steel grid
- Has a detachable bottom for cleanup and dead bug removal
- May require an extension cord for outdoor use
- Needs frequent manual cleaning to prevent overloading
Key Features
What People Are Saying About The Livin’ Well Blue Bug Zapper
Our team found that customers who liked this bug zapper said that it was highly effective against mosquitoes and gnats. Others complimented its long-lasting design and its quiet operation. On the other hand, some customers felt this product was difficult to clean, and others said it was not made with high-quality materials and broke easily.
What To Know Before Buying a Bug Zapper
Before selecting a bug zapper, you should consider what type works best for you, between handheld or plug-in models. From there, consider the coverage area, wattage, and voltage of the zapper to narrow down your choices. Read my buying guide below for more information on selecting the best bug zapper.
What are the types of bug zappers?
Bug zappers come in a variety of designs, with the most popular being handheld and plug-in models. Handheld bug zappers, such as the ZAP IT! Rechargeable Bug Zapper Racket, are affordable tools that zap bugs in the air. Unlike its plug-in counterpart, a handheld zapper doesn’t attract bugs on its own, requiring you to swing and manually zap bugs.
A plug-in zapper, such as the ASPECTEK Electronic Bug Zapper, uses UV light to attract and kill a variety of flying insects like mosquitoes, flies, and more. Because of their effectiveness and large size, plug-in zappers are typically more expensive than handheld models.
What is the typical coverage area of a bug zapper?
The coverage area of a plug-in zapper refers to how far out its light works to attract bugs. Most coverage limits are around 1,000 or 1,500 square feet. Powerful models can cover 1 acre or more.
How is the brightness level measured in a bug zapper?
The brightness of a zapper’s light bulb is measured in watts. A higher-wattage bulb is able to attract bugs in a larger radius. Most bug zappers have 15- or 20-watt lights.
What does voltage measure in a bug zapper?
Voltage is used to measure the strength of the zapper’s electrical shock. A higher-voltage zapper is able to kill bugs instantly, preventing them from suffering.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bug Zappers
What types of bugs do bug zappers kill?
Bug zappers are designed to kill flying insects, including flies, moths, gnats, and mosquitoes.
Can I leave a bug zapper on all night?
Yes. Bugs are especially attracted to zappers at night when there isn’t natural light outside.
How do bug zappers work?
Most zappers work by using UV light to attract bugs and electrically charged wires to kill them. Many of them utilize a collection tray to collect dead bugs that you can then dispose of.
Our Methodology
This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIY-ers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content. Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home space, including power tools, outdoor equipment, major appliances, kitchen gadgets, electronics, and more that focus on product quality and helpfulness to our readers.
To provide our readers with the best recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.
Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of bug zappers with a significant number of verified buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.
Expert Insights: To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.
Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we compared each model’s feature set to create a final short list, selecting the best-in-class options for various buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.