Where most DJs and music producers are aware of lighting and light implementation during a performance, it can be difficult to pinpoint just how important they are.
Including strobe lights in your different performances can be a great way to enhance the general club-going experience for yourself as well as your audience and fellow club attendees.
As a professional DJ, it’s important to see continuous lighting, such as strobes, and their implementation as an essential bump in the overall fervor of the experience, amping up your crowd’s energy and overall excitement.
This means you’ll want to decide on a set of lights that are both high-quality as well as highly reliable. In this breakdown, we’ll take a look at some of the best strobe lights currently available on the market.
Not only that, but we’ll also go over some useful information about strobes, such as why most police use them, how they differ from flashing lights, and several other important topics.
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Editors Pick
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Premium Pick
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Value Pick
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5.0
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4.5
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4.0
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N/A
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$24.99
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Our Overall Choice
Our top pick is the Roxant Pro Mini Strobe Light. This strobe unit has multiple features which come together to make a strobe light that is easily one of the most versatile on this list, ranging from fun decorations to party fixtures and mainstays, to even an important tool for safety in an emergency.
3 Top Strobe Lights – Best, Premium & Value
Below, we’ll take the time to check out some of the best DJ strobe lights currently on the market while also giving you some tips on how to fit them, use them safely, and enhance your DJ environment.
Roxant Pro Mini Strobe Light (Best Overall)
First up on our best strobe light list is the Roxant Pro Mini Strobe Light. While the Roxant lighting brand is well known for putting together some quality options (as you’ll see later on this list), the Pro Mini Strobe Light is really something special.
Not only does it have super bright and long-lasting LED light bulbs in use, but it also comes with a diffuser and an off/on switch.
The Pro Mini comes with 24 LED bulb fixtures, meaning you’ll have a ton of light to play with. Meanwhile, the lamp itself is both durable as well as compact, and easy to take with you no matter where you’re going.
They also come with a speed knob, which allows you to fully control the flash rate and how fast the lights are strobing.
In terms of power and power consumption, the Roxant Pro Mini Strobe Light is probably one of the most effective at offering so much with so little power use.
It can run for an incredibly long time without needing replacement batteries.
It also comes with a mounting bracket, meaning that you’ll be able to hang it much higher than other strobe lamps, making it great for local indoor events, professional DJ gigs, and even outdoor parties.
What We Like:
- Is Both Compact & Lightweight As Well As Durable & Long-Lasting
- Super Bright Despite Low Power Consumption
- Offers Flash Rate Speed Control
What We Do Not Like:
- Its Size May Be Too Small For Certain Particular Events
Roxant Strobe Light (Premium Pick)
The Roxant Strobe Light, while last up on this list, is one of the more powerful and versatile options available. It comes with 88 separate LED bulb fixtures and can offer as much light as you need for your events, whether they be in or outdoors.
The strobe light has a compact and durable design makeup that makes transport and setup incredibly easy, while the automatic sound sync feature is perfect for parties where you want your flashes to move in lock-step with your music and voice.
They offer a fully customized manual control that lets you play with the flash head rate as much as you want. On the other end, there’s a built-in timer that lets you control when the lights automatically shut off.
While these aren’t going to be quite as bright as some of the other entries on this list, if you’re in need of something powerful, small, and highly durable, this is going to be right up your alley.
What We Like:
- Compact & Durable Design Make It Great For Mobile Performances
- Comes With 88 LED Bulbs
- Allows Complete Control Over Flash Rate
What We Do Not Like:
- Brightness Can Be Lacking
Luditek Sound Activated Party Lights (Value Pick)
The Luditek Sound Activated Party Lights, while certainly the most affordable option on this best strobe light list, is also still an incredible choice with a lot going for it.
The strobe lamp is a great and fun inclusion for most parties and events, with a literal disco ball light feature so everyone can have a blast.
In addition to that, the lights offer several sound-activated modes that you can use as well as 7 different strobe lighting modes for a complete sense of variety based on what you feel like playing at that specific time.
In terms of features and controls, the Luditek Party Lights come with a pretty useful remote control that lets you manipulate just about every aspect of the party lights available.
This includes which color is prominent, the disco ball’s rotating speed, as well as one of the 7 different lighting modes available.
The strobe lamp is simple to put together, with its LED stage being particularly easy to set up and use.
This makes it an ideal option for those that are just getting started and may otherwise get overwhelmed by many other more complicated options.
This all leads to a strobe light lamp that is super affordable, easy to use, easy to set up, and great for just about every type of event or scenario.
What We Like:
- More Affordable Than Others Here
- Very Useful For Different Settings
- Easy To Use & Set Up
What We Do Not Like:
- Not Quite As Extensive As More Advanced Options
Alternative Best Strobe Light Picks
If the three options above aren’t well-suited to you, there are still a host of other party strobes to look at. Our team also highlighted the following options for those in search of the best and safest party cannons.
POCOCO Disco Stage Party Lights
Next up on our best strobe light list is the POCOCO Disco Stage Party Lights. These are a great way to bring in some much-needed fun and excitement to your partying events.
There are over 60 different image combinations to play with as well as 6 different color backgrounds and 3 beam combinations, meaning you can put together some really awesome performances.
The POCOCO lights also come with a remote control piece that you can use to tweak and play with the settings. These tweaks range from simply turning the lights off and on again, to controlling the motor speeds or changing the colors and backgrounds.
There are 3 different modes available: Auto, Strobe, and Sound Control. Auto works by allowing the lights to change their colors automatically without your direct influence.
Strobe, on the other hand, works by having the colors “strobe” in and out (i.e., appear and disappear) super fast, making a stronger flash effect.
Sound control works by matching the light colors and their changes based on the rhythm of the surrounding music, with louder and softer noises producing different listening experiences.
These effects may bit a bit intimidating for new people at first, however, after you get a hold on what does what, you’ll find the remote to be a seriously useful tool.
The Disco Stage Party Lights are made to work well in any environment, whether that be as part of your bedroom, outside in the backyard, or even at more public events (such as at a club or out in a park or skating rink).
They are made from a quality aluminum alloy and have a lifetime warranty, meaning that if there’s ever a problem with the lights (even over a decade later), you’ll be able to turn it in for a replacement or a refund. This means they’re completely risk-free on top of being super useful and effective.
What We Like:
- Comes With A Lifetime Warranty
- Has An Extensive Remote Control System
- Has Over 60 Different Image Combinations & 6 Different Color Background
What We Do Not Like:
- Remote Can Be A Bit Intimidating Initially
Roxant Pulse Strobe Light
Outside of the Roxant Pro Mini Strobe Light, there’s the Roxant Pulse Strobe Light. This strobe light option comes with over 108 different LED bulb fixtures which makes it awesome for DJ club events as well as most other parties.
It has a sound-activated sync feature that ties the lights directly with the music, offering a variety of flash speeds and movements.
This can be tweaked even further through the light’s manual controls which allow you to adjust the flash head rate even further.
On top of the manual control options up close, the Roxant Pulse Strobe Light also has a remote control that you can use when not directly next to it.
The strobe light device itself is actually very lightweight and easy to move around and play with. Not only that, but it’s also very durable and resilient, able to survive most small drops without any issues.
The one thing you’ll want to consider is that you play with it primarily indoors, as the lights aren’t strong enough to repel insects the same way others might.
What We Like:
- Comes With 108 Super-Bright LED Bulbs
- Offers Manual & Remote Control Access
- Can Be Programmed To Be Entirely Sound-Activated
What We Do Not Like:
- Lights Aren’t Powerful Enough To Repel Insects Or Other Bugs
Buying Guide for Strobe Lights
It’s important to determine what factors you’ll need to keep in mind as you’re making your decision on your ideal pick. While all strobe units effectively do the same thing, there are many aspects that can vary from brand to brand and product to product.
A top strobe light from one company may function very differently from a strobe light of another company. The top best strobe lights factors you’ll need to be aware of are as follows:
1. Price
For some this may not be a big deal, however, if you’re just starting, the budget can be a serious strobe lighting factor to keep in mind and consider. Determine how high your price point is and what you’re willing to spend in relation to any other tools you plan on getting.
In addition to how much the strobe light may initially cost, be on the lookout for strobe lights that offer a warranty. This will give you some level of protection in the instance there is a defect or problem that occurs later on.
2. Weight
Next up is the strobe light’s weight class. After you’ve determined how much you’re willing to invest in a quality strobe light, you’ll want to consider how much space and weight you’re willing to handle and deal with.
Strobe lights can have very different weight classes as well as size dimensions, greatly impacting everything, from their price to how much power they’ll use or how easy it is to move them around or set up.
For those that plan to use strobe lights indoors, you’ll want to consider if the location is set or temporary. For traveling DJs and those that plan to use strobes outside, you must make them as lightweight as possible.
On the other hand, for those in set indoor locations, you can get away with your lights being larger as you won’t need to worry about moving them as much.
3. Flash Duration
The next important strobe lighting area for you to focus on is both the brightness and the flashes per second your light can produce.
In terms of its brightness, strobe lights are naturally more powerful and intense when compared to standard flashlights.
Still, how bright they manage to be can definitely vary based on what you’re willing to get. Consider, if you plan to brighten up a room or use it for extended periods, that you’ll need something with a good amount of power output and brightness. However, if you just need an occasional burst of light, you won’t need to stress nearly as much.
The same goes for the flashes per second. This relates specifically to the “strobing” effect that your strobe lights produce. Generally, the number of flashes in a second range between 10 and 20, with the higher amount able to produce a more intense strobing effect than those at a lower amount.
4. Power Output
Another factor you’ll want to seriously consider is the type of power output your strobe lighting will use. Generally, most lights tend to default to battery-powered strobe sources.
Batteries are great for most situations as you’re able to use the light output in many different situations without needing to be tied to a wall. The downside is that they can be notoriously difficult to use for an extended period of time based on how much power is consumed.
If you plan to use them for longer periods, you’ll want to consider getting an AC adapter or a plug-in power source. Otherwise, if you also expect to be more mobile, you’ll have to make sure you’re investing in higher-quality batteries that have a longer lifespan.
5. Power Consumption
Lastly, it’s important to consider your strobe light’s overall power consumption. If you’re someone that plans to use the light for photography or extended periods, you’ll want to make sure it’s not consuming a ton of power and draining out your batteries.
This factor is obviously more important for mobile strobe lights than those that may use an AC adapter or plug-in power source.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Do Strobe Lights Flash?
Strobe lights are, first and foremost, a specific type of continuous lighting source that operates by producing rapid high-powered flashes of light. This is performed due to an electrical circuit that charges a storage device before quickly discharging it through the lamp. The process is very fast, happening between 10 and 20 times per second. Strobe lights have a ton of uses and are highly versatile.
When synchronized to music, a professional strobe light can be a great tool for clubs and party events. On the other hand, many emergency service professionals will use strobe lights for warning or signaling purposes. This includes police cars, ambulances, as well as fire trucks.
Ultimately, regardless of their purpose, strobe lights are one of the most optimal methods one can use to get a large number of people’s attention or create some interesting and noteworthy effects.
Which Is Better: Strobe Lights Or Flashlights?
While it’s difficult to determine how many strobe lights you’ll need or which of the two is better, both strobe lights and flashlights have their own individual strengths and weaknesses that work well based on the situation and environment. Whereas strobe lights are known for producing powerful flashes of intermittent light, flashlights instead operate by releasing a steady beam of light.
Despite both having many light output benefits, the intermittent pulse of light from strobes is more useful in more situations compared to the more steady and consistent beam of light that comes from your more standard flashlight. This is particularly true in emergency scenarios. Strobe lights generally have a wider visibility radius, ensuring that you can see (and can be seen) from further distances than with a flashlight.
Many of these differences are due to the fact that flashlights require a continuous light source. This means that less energy can be exerted compared to strobes. They also are easier to adjust to compared to strobe lights, which quickly change the environment from dark to light to back to dark again.
How Fast Are Strobe Lights?
Strobe lights are, as you’d expect, able to produce a high-speed sync that is quite impressive, especially compared to many other light forms. A typical strobe light flash rate is between 10 and 20 times in a single second. It’s this incredible flash rate that gives the impression that the light is on more consistently. As an example, a camera flash has a shutter speed of 1/1000th of a second. This can result in the appearance of the light being much more solid than it is.
Can Strobe Lights Hurt Your Eyes?
Absolutely.
Not only can strobe lights hurt your eyes but, if exposed for long periods, they could also damage your permanent eyesight and vision. In fact, one study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health noted that strobe light exposure could result in transient blinding, or flash blindness, which is the process of your eyesight being temporarily overwhelmed by light.
This can often be seen during the flash from a camera. In addition to hurting your eyes, strobe lights can also have an overall disorienting effect, potentially causing dizziness, nausea, and potentially even a seizure.
Our Final Verdict
Now that you’ve gotten a clear understanding of the different factors that we look for in our best strobe lights list, what are you waiting for?
Whether you decide to consider one of the aforementioned options on this list or something entirely separate, making a point to invest in quality strobe lights is very important and something that should seriously be worth your time.
All of the options listed above have optimal uses based on their particular field, though it’s important to understand that each of these options functions differently based on what you need to be done and in what way.
For people looking for industrial use, you’ll need something that’s much more powerful than someone else interested in an LED light that is more for fun or decoration.
Regardless, understand that there is a strobe light out there for you. Take a look at what you’re going to use it for, square it with one of the options or qualities above, and get ready to add an extra bit of light into your life.
