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Mosquitoes, gnats, and other bugs can be a major nuisance whether you’re trying to enjoy time outdoors by the fire pit or on the grill or if they manage to get inside your home. A bug zapper is one of the most effective ways of combating bugs, as they require only minimal setup and maintenance, and are better at keeping large swaths of unwanted insects away than items like fly swatters, insect spray and mosquito repellent.
But choosing the best bug zapper for your home can depend on variety of factors, such as the size of your space, the type of bug that’s causing the most issue, and whether you intend to use it for indoor use or outdoor use. Most high-quality bug zappers can be purchased for between $30-$60, but some heavy-duty models that cover a large amount of acreage can cost over $100 or $200.
To help you determine what bug zapper is best for your pest control, we examined the best bug-zapping options on the market. Overall, our 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 our buying guide below for more of our 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 |
| GTOCS Bug Zapper | Plug-in | 15 watts | 12 x 6 x 7 inches | 2.27 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.
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.
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.
Pros 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
Cons Has a higher price tag than similar grid-style models Could be a safety hazard around young children
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, some customers complained 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.
This electric zapper eliminates a wide range of pests, including mosquitoes, fruit flies, and gnats. This product has two 20-watt bulbs that attract insects and 2,800 volts of electricity that shock them. With its large dimensions of 15.35 inches wide and 11.42 inches tall, this zapper covers a large area.
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.
Pros Has outside mesh to stop children and pets from touching the electric field Has an anti-rust and -clogging grid Comes with a removable, washable collection tray that holds dead bugs
Cons Can’t be used outdoors May be an eyesore because of its large size and non-decorative look
What Are People Saying About the Lulu Home Electric Bug Zapper?
Customers who 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.
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.
Type: Cordless | Power Level: 4,000 volts | Weight: 1.48 pounds
Good for: Homeowners who prefer a handheld zapper with high voltage.
Pros Is sold in three sizes IIncludes a USB charging port to save on batteries Has a built-in LED light for nighttime use
Cons Requires active use to kill bugs Requires frequent recharges
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, negative reviews stated that 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.
This solar outdoor 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. It has three different lighting modes, including a bug zapper light, a white light, and a flashlight.
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.
Pros 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
Cons Does not have automatic activation Charge indicator is somewhat hidden
What Are People Saying About the Elechome Bug Zapper?
We 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, we 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
Buyer’s Guide
Before buying a bug zapper, it’s important to understand how each model’s design and specifications impact its performance.
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 our 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, wasps, 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.
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
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.
Why Trust The This Old House Reviews Team
This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Reviews Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Reviews Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.
We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.
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