Best Bug Zappers

Review & Comparison, Last Update March 6, 2024
A bug zapper is a simple yet effective contraption that attracts and kills nasty pests by electrocuting them with high voltage. So if you're looking for an effective means to get rid of biting insects, a bug zapper is a way to go. Look through our reviews of the five most popular models and make your choice. ...Read more ...Read less
Advertiser Disclosure
BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
Location
Combats
Working Principle
Coverage Area
Material
Warranty
 
PROS

Polycarbonate is a much more rugged material and its weatherproof properties are simply superb. It doesn't crack nor rust or fade under the effects of heat, sunlight, snow, and rain. The product can also be used simply as a decorative lantern. 

CONS

The power cable is a bit short.

OUR VERDICT

The Flowtron BK-40D could definitely be described as the best outdoor bug zapper if for no other reason than the model's durable and rugged housing. The weather outside won't always be forgiving, but it doesn't concern the zapper from Flowtron as it will be able to handle it all.

detailed parameters
Location

Outdoors

Combats

Moths, flies, and mosquitoes

Working Principle

UV light and an electrified grid (octanol attractant is optional) 

Coverage Area

Up to 1 acre (40 W)

Material

Weatherproof polycarbonate

Warranty

2 years

PROS

The unit can be mounted onto the ceiling as well as simply put on the table or any other even surface without the risk of flipping over. The protective grate will ensure that you won't get zapped.

CONS

The zap sounds are quite loud when the insects get caught into the electrified grid.

OUR VERDICT

If flying insects are your worst nightmare, this model from Aspecteck is designed to deal with that problem. Don't call pest control, simply plug in this device and forget that mosquitoes ever existed in your house. In just a few days, the zapper removes any trace of bugs. 

detailed parameters
Location

Indoors 

Combats

Moths, flies, mosquitoes, and bees

Working Principle

UV light and an electrified grid

Coverage Area

Up to 0.5 acres (20 W)

Material

Aluminum

Warranty

1 year

PROS

The unit shines quite bright, doubling as this stylish lamp/security lighting. Despite the generous killing radius, the device draws only 15 watts, so you won't have to worry about increased energy bills. 

CONS

There's this somewhat unpleasant smell to the zapper initially. 

OUR VERDICT

With its 0.5-acre killing radius, the Flowtron BK-15D will make sure that moths, flies, and mosquitoes stand no chance, even the ones that were passing by. The polycarbonate construction is resistant from the elements and will not start cracking, fading, and rusting.

detailed parameters
Location

Outdoors

Combats

Moths, flies, and mosquitoes

Working Principle

UV light and an electrified grid (octanol attractant is optional)

Coverage Area

Up to 0.5 acres (15 W)

Material

Weatherproof polycarbonate

Warranty
2-year limited warranty
PROS

The built-in hook is made of rustproof metal and thus won’t be affected by the elements. Leave the zapper outside as long as you want, the device won’t be damaged at all. The zapper works on a rechargeable battery, which makes it completely wireless. 

CONS

The lamp isn't necessarily powerful. 

OUR VERDICT

The Stinger BKC90 may not be the most powerful among the other zappers but it’s certainly efficient and one of the few models that’ll be useful out in the wild. Perfect choice for happy campers. 

detailed parameters
Location

Outdoors

Combats

Flies, mosquitoes, moths

Working Principle

UV light and an electrified grid (octanol attractant is optional)

Coverage Area

Up to 0.02 acres (2 W)

Material

Plastic

Warranty

1 year

PROS

While most insect killers are only able to stun them, the 5500-volt grid allows the unit to execute even wasps and gnats. The plastic construction is great at resisting the elements so that you do not have to hide the unit from rain and sunlight. 

CONS

The insects might fall out of the unit. 

OUR VERDICT

The Black Flag BZ-40 will massacre all flying insects that are bugging you, from moths and mosquitoes to biting flies and yellowjackets. Despite the affordable price, the unit's killing radius reaches an entire acre.

detailed parameters
Location

Outdoors

Combats

Moths, flies, bees, wasps, gnats, and mosquitoes

Working Principle

UV light and an electrified grid (octanol attractant is optional)

Coverage Area

Up to 1 acre (40 W)

Material

Plastic

Warranty

5 years

X

This site is a free online resource that strives to offer helpful content and comparison features to its visitors. Please be advised that the operator of this site accepts advertising compensation from certain companies that appear on the site, and such compensation impacts the location and order in which the companies (and/or their products) are presented, and in some cases may also impact the scoring that is assigned to them. The scoring that appears on this site is determined by the site operator in its sole discretion, and should NOT be relied upon for accuracy purposes. In fact, Company/product listings on this page DO NOT imply endorsement by the site operator. Except as expressly set forth in our Terms of Use, all representations and warranties regarding the information presented on this page are disclaimed. The information which appears on this site is subject to change at any time. More info

Flowtron BK-40D

The Weather Doesn't Stand a Chance

The biggest selling point of the particular model from Flowtron that differentiates it from the majority of zappers on the market is the housing's material. Where most manufacturers rely on plastic, the people behind this product decided to go with polycarbonate instead. And, sure, the material in question is generally a bit more expensive than ABS plastic, but it is also much more rugged and its weatherproof properties are simply superb. It doesn't crack nor does it rust or fade under the effects of heat, sunlight, snow, and rain, so the bug zapper will be able to faithfully serve you for years to come.

Materials aside, there's also the coverage area that makes this zapper such an attractive choice for a variety of customers. Being able to cover up to 1 acre of property, the model will prove to be a great solution for people with a large backyard. In terms of performance, it relies on the same working principle that employs the services of UV light and an electrified grid. And when it comes to maintenance, aside from the aforementioned durability of the housing, there's also the fact that the light bulb is really easy to replace without any additional tools. Finally, you could also make an argument that the product can be used simply as a decorative lantern or as an additional security lighting.

All things considered, the Flowtron BK-40D could definitely be described as the best outdoor bug zapper if for no other reason than the model's durable and rugged housing. The weather outside won't always be forgiving, but it doesn't concern the zapper from Flowtron as it will be able to handle it all.

Review of Flowtron BK-40D Electronic Insect Killer

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $39.98
Stock In stock
ASIN B00004R9VW

What customers say about this product

Key Specs

Not wanting to lather ourselves in bug spray before bed, we opted for the BK-40D zapper. Boy, are we glad we did!

Features

Easy set up, low hum not not noticeable when place 20 feet away.
 

Aspectek HR292-2 Indoor

GET RID OF FLYING INSECTS REGARDLESS OF THEIR SIZE

The model from Aspectek HR292-2 is a perfect solution for large houses, storage areas, as well as for industrial facilities. Easy to use and maintain, it makes all the difference when it comes to getting rid of pesky flying bugs and insects.

To start things off, the model features two 10-watt UV light bulbs. Owing to this, the zapper easily covers areas of up to 6000 square feet, which makes it a real beast for killing any flying insect in your house, be it mosquitoes, wasps, or gnats.

When it comes to the power means, the HR292-2 is a plug-in device, which requires access to the 120 V power outlet.

Aside from simply putting the zapper on a solid, even surface inside the house, you can also hang it from the ceiling using the hooks and the chain that is supplied with the appliance.

The aluminum housing combined with a metal grate that protects the light bulbs ensures that the device will remain intact even if you drop it accidentally.

To top the already great list of features, the fly killer comes equipped with two replaceable UV bulbs. Even though it will take a while for the standard ones to lose their effectiveness, the whole bulb replacement process is fairly straightforward and will take you only a couple of minutes.

All in all, the Aspectek HR292-2 is, perhaps, the best indoor bug zapper for large rooms available on the market today. Small yet highly powerful, it deals with any insect that dares to fly close to it with ease to match.

Review of Aspectek HR292-2 Indoor Electronic Bug Zapper

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $34.84
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B01LWLFB5U

What customers say about this product

Key Specs

What a great item. We used it outdoors for two days, but living in Hawaii the unit was overwhelmed with thousands of insects, to the point that the protective grid was encrusted with bugs and the unit could no longer work.

Features

Additionally, the plug and bug tray are secured with locking tie wraps. You should have no concerns about your unit arriving damaged.
 

Flowtron BK-15D

Wage War on Mosquitoes

With its outline resembling an antique lantern, the Flowtron BK-15D looks elegant and charming but, as much as we can get behind its appearance, the product's worth is tied to its effectiveness before anything else. The device draws 15 watts and is able to secure 0.5 acres, killing all moths, flies, and mosquitoes that come close. This decorative lantern even doubles as security lighting but that's somewhat beside the point at the moment.

What's not beside the point is the polycarbonate construction that makes the unit resistant against the elements, so you won't have to worry about its housing forming rust patches, cracking, and fading. All you'll have to worry about is this somewhat unpleasant smell that initially follows this bug zapper but goes away within the first few days.

Shifting gears, the non-clogging killing grid is probably what defines this product first and foremost, eliminating the grid clogging issue that can lead to short-circuiting and cause the insect remains to flare up. Aside from that, there's also the protective enclosure that prevents children, pets, birds, and different wildlife species from contacting the charged grid.

Simply put, the Flowtron BK-15D will let you wage war on insect pests and come out victorious without harming the environment.

Review of Flowtron BK-15D Electronic Insect Killer
Last updated price $39.97
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B00004R9VZ

VIDEO
Flowtron BK-15D 1/2 acre Bug Zapper in Washington Part 1

What customers say about this product

Key Specs

The Lurex3 lure could probably be attached to another kind of zapper, but based on reviews, size, price, and the grade on fakespot.com, we chose the Flowtron BK-15D and are so far very happy with its performance.

Features

I took away a star because despite the features designed to prevent bug build-up, it definitely did build up. I also didn't like the ABSURDLY short cord.
 

Stinger BKC90

Portable Bug Killer

It’s not easy to keep moths away outside even with lights luring the bugs away from you. If you really want to get rid of annoying insects, you might just have to take advantage of the Stinger BKC90 zapper.

This model has a built-in hook that simplifies its placement. You can mount the zapper on the ceiling or hang it on a tree or a special wall socket. Moreover, the hook is made of rustproof metal and thus won’t be affected by the elements. Leave the zapper outside as long as you want, the device won’t be damaged at all.

One thing about the Stinger BKC90 that we did find a bit disappointing is the pretty low coverage area. While you don’t necessarily need the zapper to lure bugs from all over the neighborhood, the 0.01-acre radius isn’t that impressive and it depends wholly on the octenol lure, which isn’t used to its full potential as it’s stuffed inside the insect tray.

We do, however, love the fact that the Stinger zapper works on a rechargeable battery, which makes it completely wireless. Thanks to that, you can take the Stinger BKC90 with you when you go camping or drive out to a cabin in the woods. One charge is enough for up to 3.5 hours, a whole evening of bug-free relaxation in nature!

In the end, the Stinger BKC90 may not be the most powerful among the other zappers but it’s certainly efficient and one of the few models that’ll be useful out in the wild. Perfect choice for happy campers!

Review of Stinger BKC90 Cordless Rechargable Insect Zapper

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B00CO6WBAU

 

Black Flag BZ-40

5500 Volts

The Black Flag BZ-40 is pretty cheap and does not sport this lantern-style profile that most insect killers are using these days. But we're fine with the product's pedestrian, uninspired appearance because its performance is anything but pedestrian. Sure, the unit draws 40 watts but that's more than understandable considering that its killing radius extends one whole acre. The high-voltage, 5500-volt grid is so strong that the device will even be able to neutralize wasps and gnats, while most bug zappers can only temporarily stun them.

Apart from that, the 360-degree construction will be luring insects from all sides and directions, so you do not have to worry about placement and can position the unit pretty much anywhere you want (outdoors though). Its plastic housing makes the construction pretty good at resisting elements, so no need to hide the device from sunlight and rain.

As far as the product's downsides are concerned, the mesh grid is pretty wide, so insects' remains will sometimes fall out of the unit. Setting that aside, the Black Flag BZ-40 will let you send most flying little demons to kingdom come without paying big bucks and committing considerable effort towards the goal. Plus, the warranty lasts 5 years.

Review of Black Flag BZ-40 Outdoor Bug Zapper
Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B004F9Q8SU

What customers say about this product

Key Specs

Overall, we really like the Black Flag Outdoor Bug Zapper. It is not noisy when it kills the bugs and the black light seems to attract as many bugs as the white light did.

Features

However after a few months, and I use the night feature so it is not always on, the light went out.
 

What Is a Bug Zapper?

Probably most people used different types of bug repellents. However, such repellents have side effects. Some of them are toxic that can cause serious health problems while the others give a short-term protection after a single application and need to be used repeatedly. For this very reason, you should take a closer look at electric bug zappers for flying insects. A bug zapper uses UV light, sometimes special pheromones, to attract insects and then kills them with high voltage electric shock. Many modern manufacturers of electric fly killers use special fluorescent light bulbs that emit UV light. Typically, bug zappers can cover large outdoor areas up to 2 acres.

Can't dispose of cockroaches and bed bugs flooding your place? With a bug trap you will be able to fix this problem quickly liquidating all unwanted inhabitants from your flat within mere days while a bug spray may come to help during outings in the open air.

Sources:

1. Craig Freudenrich How Bug Zappers Work, HowStuffWorks.

2. Debbie Hadley Do Bug Zappers Kill Mosquitoes? About.com. June 14, 2016.

3. Bug Zapper, Wikipedia. December 20, 2016.

4. What Insects Does a Bug Zapper Kill? DoItYourself.com.

Other reviews
Comments
0 Comments

Your comment was successfully sent

Error! Please try again later