7 Best Bug Zappers in 2023: Review & Top Picks 

When buggy nights are making the patio off-limits, a well-placed bug zapper will help you enjoy your space without the annoyance of constant bites. Plug it in, sit back, and let it do all the work as you relax to the soothing glow and strangely calming crackle of exploding insects.

So, which of these magnificent mosquito murder machines will help you reclaim your backyard this year? We’ve lined up these reviews of the best bug zappers this year so you can make everyday patio pests a thing of the past.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Flowtron BK-40D Insect Killer	Effective at drawing pests over a large area Potent octenol pack attracts mosquitoes, flies, and other biting pests High-quality construction is weather resistant and durable	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		Livin’ Well 4000V Bug Zapper	Durable, modern design Bulbs last 8,000–10,000 hours Oversized tray accommodates insect lures	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		DynaTrap DT2000XLP-TUNSR	Stylish and durable design Constant TiO2 attractant doesn’t require recharges Quiet fan traps and dries out bugs	CHECK PRICE
Best Handheld		Zap It! Large Bug Zapper 2-Pack	Excellent value in a two-pack Large surface makes it easy to target and kill bugs Protective mesh and safety buttons prevent shock	CHECK PRICE
		Thanos 3-in-1 L66 Indoor/Outdoor Bug Zapper	High-voltage electric grid Fan to dry out mosquitoes Sticky trap to prevent escape	CHECK PRICE

The 7 Best Bug Zappers

1. Flowtron BK-40D Insect Killer – Best Overall

With arguably the best mixture of affordability and effectiveness, the Flowtron BK-40D is the best overall bug zapper you can buy. There may be more attractive lantern-style bug zappers, but the entire focus of the BK-40D no-frills design is to kill bugs, which it does efficiently, thanks to a powerful UV light and an octenol attractant.

The 15W light attracts a variety of bugs over a large area. Meanwhile, the octenol pack that lasts 30 days is an effective lure for biting insects like mosquitoes and black flies. The unit includes a free octenol pack, and recharges are available online. Both attractants work within a weatherproof polycarbonate construction to prevent rust and wear. Flowtron backs the unit with a two-year warranty against defects.

It’s a practical design, and the BK-40D is perfect for positioning in the yard to draw pests away from people. The light can be intense, and the unit runs loud compared to other models, so it isn’t ideal for keeping it nearby. There is also no removable tray. Bugs fall to the ground, which is convenient when you place the zapper in your yard but a hassle on a porch or patio.

2. Livin’ Well 4000V Bug Zapper – Best Value

The Livin’ Well bug zapper is one of the best values on this list. Although it has a limited range of only 1,500 square feet, it makes zero compromises elsewhere, making the low price all the more impressive and earning it our pick as the best zapper for the money.

The modern design and durable build make the Livin’ Well bug zapper a sound choice for indoor and outdoor use. It has a durable ABS construction, drain holes to manage the weather, and a hanging hook for straightforward set-up. Its lengthy 6-foot power cord is a welcome upgrade from many other models as well, so you can run it in more places before breaking out the extension cord.

Maintenance is another advantage. The UVA lights last up to 10,000 hours, allowing you to operate the light for up to an entire year before needing to replace them. The cleanout tray detaches easily and is pleasantly oversized to let you upgrade your mosquito-killing efforts. The zapper doesn’t come with a chemical attractant, but there’s plenty of room in the tray to add an octenol pack.

3. DynaTrap DT2000XLP-TUNSR – Premium Choice

While it’s more expensive than most bug zappers, the DynaTrap’s superior design is apparent from the moment you see it. The clean, all-weather design and tungsten finish make it one of the more attractive lantern bug zappers, and the TiO2 coating provides several benefits for anyone trying to manage a pesky mosquito problem.

The TiO2 coating uses heat from the DynaTrap’s UV light to emit CO2, attracting nearby mosquitoes. It then uses its light to zap them and a quiet fan to pull them into a trap basket. The ample storage space and easy removal make cleaning quick and convenient.

The nice aspect of the TiO2 coating, compared to packs other bug zappers use, is that it’s always there. You don’t have to worry about swapping out a cartridge every 2–4 weeks. You do have to change the UV bulbs about three times a year, but otherwise, it’s incredibly low-maintenance and reliable, so you can feel good about paying a little extra.

4. Zap It! Large Bug Zapper 2-Pack – Best Handheld

Zap It! is the classic fly swatter upgrade, an electrified racket giving you total control over killing mosquitoes, flies, spiders, and anything else you can reach. Though available in three sizes, the two-pack of large rackets delivers the highest value and best chance of landing a clean strike.

The 3,500-volt electrical on each racket makes elimination easy. You don’t need to swing with much force for it to kill bugs efficiently. And while you may not want to let your children use it, the protective mesh and safety buttons ensure nobody accidentally zaps themselves. Take the Zap It! inside, outside, or in the car for fast (and fun!) pest control.

5. Thanos 3-in-1 L66 Indoor/Outdoor Bug Zapper

The streamlined and sleek Thanos indoor/outdoor bug zapper is nearly everything you could want in on-demand pest control. It’s attractive, quiet, and effective. The waterproof design and hidden hook make it equally suitable inside and on your porch or patio. An innovative design in a low-cost package, this 3-in-1 model is the best bug zapper at its price point.

With a relatively small effective radius of roughly 32 feet (less than ¼ of an acre), the Thanos isn’t as ideal as the Flowtron for placing far away from you. It may keep you in danger, but it does everything possible to attract and trap mosquitoes before they bother you.

The system has three levels of bug-killing power for added assurance:

Bug zappers with only light are generally inefficient at attracting the kinds of insects that you want to kill. The Thanos, by contrast, uses mosquito bait to simulate CO2, one of the primary chemicals that draws them to humans. Topping off the long list of benefits is the 3.6-foot-long USB charging cord, providing versatility to plug it into a wall, laptop, or power bank for complete portability.

6. ASPECTEK Indoor Bug Zapper

Mosquitoes and flies may be the primary concern outside, but even fewer bugs are welcome indoors. As a simple solution, the ASPECTEK indoor bug zapper provides a UV light and high-voltage grid to keep random flies, moths, or other insects out of your hair. The unit also comes with a chain for secure hanging.

Maintenance and installation are the primary perks of the ASPECTEK. Hang it up or set it on the counter, plug it in, and you’re good to go! The bulbs are easy to change, and the large tray pops in and out for fast cleaning. A removable mesh keeps you safe from accidental contact with the grid. The unit also comes with two extra bulbs, so you can go months with a bug-free space before worrying about buying replacement parts.

7. Black+Decker Bug Zapper

The Black+Decker bug zapper isn’t necessarily the best in any particular aspect, but it’s one of the most well-rounded options from a brand we know and trust. Between the ½-acre coverage, slick design, and low maintenance, it’s hard to find fault.

The bug zapper uses a UV bulb, rated for roughly 8,000 hours, in a unique grid. Take advantage of its waterproof casing by hanging it up for outdoor use, or use it inside and enjoy the quiet operation. If you plan to hang it in the yard, detaching the bug collector allows bugs to fall to the ground without ruining the zapper’s function or aesthetics. The tray may be the one gripe because while it’s handy for disposing of bugs when you use it on a patio or inside, it’s essentially a flat dish. It can potentially hold an attractant pack, but not as conveniently as bug zappers with oversized trays like the Livin’ Well.

Buyer’s Guide – How to Choose the Best Bug Zapper

Bug zappers sound like an incredible idea. A low-cost appliance that does all the work in removing unwanted bugs would be the ultimate in convenience and cost-effectiveness, but that’s not the most accurate description of how they work.

By itself, a UV bug zapper, no matter how powerful, will not give you the experience you expect for several reasons outlined in this New York Times article. Summarizing the essential points, a UV bug zapper will attract tons of bugs but probably not the stinging and biting pests that caused you to buy it in the first place.

The bugs that succumb to the light are usually moths, beetles, and other innocuous insects, many of which could be helpful. Ladybugs, parasitic wasps, and a host of other insects flying into that bug zapper could be some of your greatest assets in controlling the legit pests.

That may make it seem like bug zappers are more harmful than beneficial. But that’s only the case if you don’t make a plan. In truth, they can remove several nuisances, including flies and mosquitoes. Find out how with these helpful tips for buying a bug zapper.

Tips for Buying and Using a Bug Zapper

If you’re overloaded with moths and beetles on the patio and can’t stand sharing the space, a basic UV bug zapper will likely give you the relief you need. But if you’re dealing with mosquitoes, don’t expect a light to do much of anything.

Mosquitoes don’t go toward the light like other insects. Instead, they use an advanced sense of smell to pick up on chemicals that humans and other food sources emit. They will pick up CO2 from our breath and skin from a far distance, alongside assorted scents that combine with it, such as lactic acid, potassium, and octenol.

For mosquitoes to attack something else when humans are within their sensory range, it needs to have a chemical attractant. Online reviews reveal countless consumers feeling disappointed after their high-powered bug zapper kills a million insects but not a single mosquito. When mosquitoes are causing you issues, the best bug zapper is one that can emit CO2 or octenol and deliver a powerful heated zap to take them out of the equation.

Insect Lures

If you came to these reviews a little too late and are currently grumbling over an ineffective UV bug zapper, you may not have to trade your current model for a new one. Take a cheaper route and buy a universal lure instead! Products like Black Flag’s octenol lure clip on easily to conventional bug zapper cages, allowing you to make a quick upgrade for only a few bucks.

Conclusion

The Flowtron may not be the most attractive or quietest bug zapper, but it does its one job, killing bugs, better than most devices. With its enormous coverage area and effective attractants, it lures bugs before they can catch wind of you. But if indoor or patio insects are a concern, the Livin’ Well, DynaTrap, or any product among these bug zapper reviews will give you the results you deserve.

Featured Image Credit: TunedIn by Westend61, Shutterstock