Black Light Bulbs

Black lights are fun and useful. They are great for parties and creating a glowing effect. Black lights are also good for finding leaks, searching for bodily fluids, and tons of other uses.

Many people don't realize how easy it is to find quality black lights that are relatively inexpensive.

Here you will find information on where to buy black lights and a review of what types of bulbs are the best and which are the worst. There are also tips on what to look for in a black light bulb.

Black lights are actually easier to find than most people would think. Here are some places that typically sell black lights:

• During certain times of the year, like around Halloween from August till November, black lights can be found in just about any department store and party store in the U.S. Availability in other countries may vary.
• Black lights can also be found during the rest of the year at your local department store or possibly even a hardware store, especially the bigger ones. Check in the lighting section of stores. Places that sell fluorescent tube bulbs and fixtures are the best bet. Many stores have black light tubes available that will fit the fixtures they sell. Or they may be able to order one for you. Typical price for a fixture and black light tube bulb will range from $10-40 depending on the quality and the length of the fixture.
• Some stores even carry compact fluorescent black lights in the general bulb section. They will be a little more expensive than a normal bulb but should be around $5-10.
• You can also order black lights online all year. The prices are pretty much comparable to what you would find in stores.

Did you know that many party rental stores have black lights available to rent? This may be an option if you need several black lights or even top of the line black light equipment.

Not all black lights are the same. Some types work better than others and some are just a waste of money.

In general, look for black lights that are 13 watts or higher. The higher the wattage, the brighter the bulb will usually be. Don't expect black lights to shine as brightly as regular bulbs, though.

And most importantly if you want a glowing black light effect, make sure the bulb actually produces UV rays.

Here is a run down of the best and worst types of black lights.

Best types of black lights:

• The best kind of black lights (short of professional versions) is fluorescent tube lights. The good part about them is that you can typically buy fixtures along with the bulbs. And most of them have power cords and plugs so they are portable and can be used just about anywhere. The fixture is a one time expense. You can buy just the black light tube bulbs when the original bulb needs to be replaced.
• Some fluorescent spiral type of black light bulbs work okay. FEIT electric brand fluorescent black light bulbs are usually a good brand to get, but they are still not as good as the tube bulbs. If you don't need a powerful black light or if you are planning to use multiple bulbs, they should be fine. The higher the wattage, the better the effect usually is.
• There are also professional quality black lights and black light systems available if you need a black light for a large venue or function.

Worst types of black lights:

• Definitely don't get incandescent bulbs. Most of them are a waste of money. They aren't very bright and don't produce many actual UV rays. It takes several of them to get any black light effect at all.
• Most black light string lights will just be a purple color. They won't be actual UV lights, which is what makes items glow in the dark. Unless the string lights actually state on the label that they produce UV output, don't expect any black light effect.
• Some LED black light flashlights produce a bright glow and some don't. There is a broad range of quality when it comes to flashlights. If possible, check the reviews before you buy one to see if it will meet your needs.