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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.
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 work on a variety of insect types. Read my buying guide below for more of my top picks.
Top 4 Best Bug Zappers
- Best Overall: ASPECTEK Electronic Bug Zapper
- Largest Grid: Lulu Home Electric Bug Zapper
- Best Handheld Zapper: ZAP IT! Rechargeable Bug Zapper Racket
- Best Solar: Elechome Bug Zapper
Compare Top Bug Zappers
| Product | Design | Power Level | Dimensions | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASPECTEK Electronic Bug Zapper | Plug-in | 20 watts | 15.16 by 3.15 by 11.02 inches | 2.8 pounds |
| Lulu Home Electric Bug Zapper | Plug-in | 20 watts | 15.35 by 4.33 by 11.42 inches | 3.74 pounds |
| ZAP IT! Rechargeable Bug Zapper Racket | Cordless | 4,000 volts | 7.6 x 18 inches | 1.48 pounds |
| Elechome Bug Zapper | Solar | 3,000 volts | 5.2 x 3.7 x 8 inches | 1.26 pounds |
| Product | Design | Power Level | Dimensions | Weight |
Best Overall
ASPECTEK Electronic Bug Zapper
- $41.69
- $50
- 17% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Type: Plug-in | Power Level: 20 watts | Weight: 2.8 pounds
Good for: Homeowners looking for a portable zapper they can use indoors and outdoors.
What Are People 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.
“I didn’t think it would work as great as it does. I usually don’t leave reviews, but this thing works so well, I bought another one. The bugs I was after are very small, like gnats. I thought the grids were too far apart for the gnats. Wrong! This thing rocks!” — Amazon Customer via Amazon
“This item works perfectly, but every time it zaps a critter, you will jump off your chair. It’s really loud.” — Nina Sanchez via Amazon
Largest Grid
Lulu Home Electric Bug Zapper
- $36.99
- $43.99
- 16% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Type: Plug-in | Power Level: 20 watts | Weight: 3.74 pounds
Good for: Homeowners seeking a zapper with a large grid area that will catch more bugs.
What Are People Saying About the Lulu Home Electric Bug Zapper?
I found that customers liked this product said that it was easy to assemble, simple to clean, and durable. However, those who didn’t like this product claimed that it often stopped working properly after minimal use. Others said that it was smaller than anticipated.
“Wow! One of the greatest products I’ve ever purchased! Mosquitos seem to rush in the house every time I let my dogs out. I’ve been getting bit up like crazy. I bought this and put it in my entryway, and I can’t even begin to describe the satisfaction every time I hear the ZAP and see a mosquito twitching on the tray of this device…This has been a fantastic addition to my home, and I now consider it a part of my family. Thank you so much for building this wonderful zapping machine!” — Ryan Ortmann Sanchez via Amazon
“It worked great for a month then it randomly stopped working. Tried getting fixed and didn’t accomplish a thing. Clearly, it’s not meant for long-term use. (Mind you, we never kept it on overnight, just used it when necessary)” — Daira Luna via Amazon
Best Handheld Zapper
ZAP IT! Rechargeable Bug Zapper Racket
- $29.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Type: Cordless | Power Level: 4,000 volts | Weight: 1.48 pounds
Good for: Homeowners who prefer a handheld zapper with high voltage.
What Are People 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.
“I’ve seen these for years but never thought they would work until my brother encouraged me to try it. I LOVE IT! It’s so effective. I had these little gnats that I used to catch with a little electronic thing that had sticky paper on them. They worked ok, but this was what really eliminated the issue!” — dt via Amazon
“I was so hoping it would work, once it did zap a couple of flies, I bought a few more. Bad decision. It didn’t zap any mosquitoes, just a couple of flies, when I waved inside a large cloud of flies. I didn’t find the light attracted any bugs, and the battery burns out fast when using the auto option, making this very impractical. I initially purchased the large size, but it was awkward, so I got the mini size. Same issues as the larger size except easier to hold up.” — pandrabear via Amazon
Best Solar
Elechome Bug Zapper
- $39.99
- $45.99
- 13% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Type: Solar | Power Level: 3,000 volts | Weight: 1.26 pounds
Good for: Homeowners looking for a solar zapper to be used in outdoor spaces like a deck or patio.
What Are People 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.
“I use this everywhere! Inside and outside, it’s effective at zapping all those pesky insects that make life miserable. I really like the lightweight, portable design. It’s super easy to clean it out by just blowing on it over a trash can or just shake it out onto your yard.” — ILuvFunStuff via Amazon
“...Unfortunately, this only works with USB-A to USB-C cables. My quest to charge all the devices with one USB-C cable has now hit a snag. If you have an actual USB-C brick and, consequently, a cable with USB-C on both ends, nothing will happen. I tested with multiple bricks and cables, and the one constant was a USB-A brick with a USB-A to USB-C cable is the only thing that would charge this.” —Chandler via Amazon
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 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.
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