10 of the best dog collar lights for nighttime strolls

Whether you’re a pet parent or a regular dog sitter, you’ll know what it’s like walking your four-legged friend once the sun’s gone down. The last thing any pet lover wants is a panic-stricken moment calling out Fido's name across the dog park (despite your best efforts to enhance your night vision on a diet of carrots and oranges), and so the next time you take your pooch for a nighttime walk, forget fumbling around for a handheld torch as your new snazzy dog collar light will brighten the way. 

Whether it’s one of those long winter nights when darkness falls just after lunchtime or a late-night stroll in the height of summer, equipping your pooch pal with a light up dog collar helps keep them safe and visible so they can carry on their four-legged fun. Dog collar lights can be especially useful when you’re dog sitting as they can help you identify where your (temporary) best bud is hanging out. So don’t be left in the dark any longer, read on as we shine a light on the best dog collar lights to brighten your dog walking pathways.

Best dog collar light overall

Illumiseen LED Dog Collar 

Ready, steady, glow! Don’t let a dark night stop you from letting your fur baby off the leash. This light up dog collar helps you keep track of all 360 degrees of your furry friend, even when they’ve ventured up to 1000 feet away. The three settings allow you to choose from varying blinker speeds and the USB rechargeable battery can run for up to five hours before needing to be charged again. The lightweight collar can be easily adjusted to fit comfortably around your dog’s neck, and you (or your pooch pal) can choose from six snazzy colours and two sizes.

Runner-up best dog collar light overall

Blazin LED Light Up Dog Collar

Individual LED lights are dotted along the reflective strip spanning (almost) the entire length of this lighted dog collar, meaning that your pooch pal remains super visible from up to 1000 feet away. Charge this collar up using the USB cord included and enjoy eight hours of battery life as you switch between the three different lighting modes. This bright, water-resistant collar comes in no less than nine different colours with two widths to suit your fur baby's size. 

Best clip-on dog collar light

Nite Ize Spotlit LED Collar Light 

If you’re reluctant to change up your pooch pal’s daily attire, simply clip this light onto any type of dog collar or leash to keep them safe after dark. This bright clip-on light is easy to turn on and off and you can pick one of six colours for a steady glow or select the disco mode for a bit of a paw-ty. Choose between the USB rechargeable option or the battery-powered collar light depending on your preference.

Runner up best clip-on dog collar light

Outopest Clip-On USB Dog Light

This clip-on LED light for dog collars is made from shatterproof plastic, making it sturdy, lightweight, and perfect for maintaining visibility while on the go. It has an impressive battery life of up to 20 hours when in flashing mode, and users regularly comment on just how bright this beam of light is. These also work well as leash lights for dogs as they come in a pack of two, and the five-year guarantee will have you lighting the way for hours on end! 

Best light up dog collar

Illumifun LED Dog Collar

Three glow modes on this dog collar with lights help your pooch pal to be seen by motorists, pedestrians and other furry friends even when it’s pitch black outside. This durable light-up collar can be recharged with a USB cable and comes in four different colors and sizes, making it easy to match with your leash for extra nighttime security. 

Runner up best light up dog collar

Masbrill Dog Collar with Light 

If you want your fur baby to shine bright like a diamond, this is the dog light collar for you, as it’s up to 50% brighter than other products on the market. A sturdy rubber band keeps the battery in place and the lights will keep on glowing for 10-15 hours after one single charge. Keep invisible doggies of all sizes in sight with three different sizes and six colors to choose from. 

Best light-up leash

Illumiseen LED Light Up Dog Leash 

When it comes to your fur baby’s safety, why stop at just a dog collar light? This leash is ten times more effective than reflective leashes and can be seen in the dark from over 1050 feet away. The padded handles make it comfortable to hold, and accessories and other lights can be attached easily to the metal rings. Just one hour of charge provides you with five hours of beaming light and the water-resistant nylon webbing means this leash is built to last.

Runner up best light-up leash

Blazin LED Dog Leash 

If a collar’s not enough for you and you want the whole shebang, keep your pooch pal visible with an LED light dog leash that’s going to stop traffic (and not just because of how great it looks!). This USB rechargeable leash stays “lit” for up to ten hours, making outdoor adventures in the dark safer for both you and your furry friend. Plus, you can choose from an assortment of colors and relax with a lifetime guarantee.

Best LED safety necklace

NiteHowl LED Safety Necklace

Safety necklaces like this can be easily secured on top of your fur baby’s regular collar for extra visibility at nighttime. Reminiscent of a disco glow stick, this safety necklace has two colorful modes to make nighttime adventures a little safer. Cut the necklace to fit perfectly around your dog’s neck, and we recommend securing it with some duct tape to avoid it popping open. 

Runner up best LED safety necklace

Novkin LED Dog Collar Necklace

These rechargeable dog necklaces keep pooch pals looking both safe and snazzy! The three lighting modes are visible from up to 1500 feet away, and all you need to do before heading out for the night is secure it on top of your pooch pal’s collar.

How to choose a dog collar light

While a light up collar for dogs has the potential to save a life, there are a number of things to take into consideration when deciding which one to buy. 

Visibility

Dog collar lights are far more visible than reflective collars, making keeping track of that beacon of light (aka your pooch) much easier. While many of the collars we have chosen can be seen from (almost) every angle from as far as 1000 feet away, the clip-on ones are only visible from the front. Consider how much visibility you are looking for from your dog collar light, how bright the light is, and whether you want a flashing mode to attract extra attention. 

Durability

You don’t want your collar to be reduced to tatters on your first outing, so consider the quality of the product you are buying. Will it hold up on your pooch pal’s adventurous antics?

Water resistance

Most of our four-legged friends want to go out for their daily walks come rain or shine, so don’t let your LED dog collar stop you! While most collars won’t be able to accompany your pooch on a nighttime dip, they should be sufficiently water-resistant to hold up on rainy walks (even if you’re not).

Battery

Some pet parents want to be able to charge their LED light dog collar using a USB cable, while others are happy with battery-powered electronics. If your pooch pal needs to wear the collar for extended periods of time (around the house or on frequent outings in the dark), it’s worth investing in a collar that you don’t have to charge daily. 

Adjustability

While some collars have buckles for resizing and others need to be cut to fit, they should always be secured comfortably around your four-legged friend’s neck.

Safety when walking dogs in the dark 

In addition to equipping your pooch with a light, there are a few other safety tips to bear in mind when you’re planning a dog walk. Where possible, stick to well-lit routes that are familiar to you and your furry friend and avoid areas with lots of traffic. Keeping your pooch pal on a leash is a good idea, especially if they have tendencies to run off into the distance. Finally, avoid distractions such as listening to music so that you can focus fully on your best bud, but do bring your phone in case of emergencies.