Best Emergency Glow Sticks Tested
Glow sticks aren’t just for parties- they’ve been used tactically by the military and during emergencies for decades. They have many uses beyond just providing a glowing light, and their small, lightweight profile makes them great for emergency kits. There are plenty of brands and types of glow sticks to consider, but they don’t all perform the same.
This is where we come in. We’ve researched the best glow sticks, tested them, and now the results are in: the overall best, a budget option, and an LED option. If you need light sticks to mark, signal, or subtly navigate, one of our picks will light the way.
Contents (Jump to a Section)
In this latest update of the best glow sticks, additional pictures and testing data have been added. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Disclosure»
Best Glow Sticks
Cyalume SnapLight
Bright, Durable, and Dependable
Dependable American quality with a wide assortment of colors and quantities that all last well past the 12-hour mark.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
76
OVERALL SCORE
SnapLight is the standard for survival kits and tactical applications. It’s the original patented chem light, made right here in the USA. There are plenty of quantity options and a few color options that use different dye chemistry (more on that later) to stay bright for varying amounts of time.
Spceifications
- Quantity: 10-pack
- Color Options: 6 (yellow shown)
- Longevity: 12+ hours
- Features: Waterproof, non-flammable, non-toxic
- Length: 6″
- Weight: 0.8 ounces (each)
- Manufactured: USA
Green may be well known, but we prefer yellow in our survival kits for its distinctive marking, brighter Lux output, and longer run time. Cyalume also makes the military-preferred ChemLight, but other than the attachment hook, these are exactly the same. The higher cost of those isn’t justified after testing both.
These bright, durable, and dependable lights outshine the competition- so it’s easy to see why the Cyalume SnapLight Glow Sticks are the best.
Budget Glow Sticks
Glow Mind Light Sticks
Inexpensive, Bright, and Effective
The cheapest light sticks you can trust in your survival kits set the pace in our practical tests.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
46
OVERALL SCORE
Solid light sticks at a good price. They perform very similarly to our top pick with minor quality differences that indicate their origin. In our tests, they were very bright, effective, and lasted their 12-hour advertised time, which well surpasses many of the 8-hour glow sticks you’ll find in stores.
Specifications
- Quantity: 12-pack
- Color Options: Green
- Longevity: 12 hours
- Features: Waterproof, non-toxic
- Length: 6″
- Weight: 0.6 ounces (each)
- Manufactured: China
If you need proven glow sticks that fit your budget, the Glow Mind Light Sticks are what you need.
Reusable Glow Stick
Nite Ize Mini Glowstick
Reusable, LED bright, and Durable
As long as you have the batteries, this LED glow stick can be a fantastic reusable option for your survival kits.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
89
OVERALL SCORE
The main benefit of an LED-powered glow stick is also the main drawback. While you can swap batteries out and continue to run this thing indefinitely, it presents a different use case than typical ‘disposable’ light sticks. This also adds just a few grams of weight.
Specifications
- Quantity: 10-pack
- Color Options: 5 (bright white shown)
- Longevity: 30 hours (4x LR41 batteries)
- Features: Waterproof
- Length: 6″
- Weight: 0.6 ounces
- Manufactured: USA
Light sticks are known for being able to be left behind to signal, but that’s a little tougher for the budget to swallow with LED versions. For that reason, many people use these light sticks differently and are less likely to part ways with them on a trail.
The runtime is much longer than a typical lightstick as well. Nite Ize claims 30 hours on four LR41 batteries, but I measured a whopping 43 hours until the Lux output dropped below 1/4 of the starting brightness.
If you are looking for a reliable reusable glow stick, you’ll want to pick up the Nite Ize LED Mini Glowstick.
Comparison Table
| Glow Sticks | Recommendation | Price* | Quantity | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cyalume Snaplight | Best Overall | $16 | 10 | 12 hours |
| Glow Mind | Best for Budgets | $14 | 12 | 12 hours |
| Nite Ize | Best Reusable Glow Stick | $10 | 1 | 30 hours |
How I Tested
My research narrowed the field down to several brands and types of glow sticks that I compared: Cyalume, Everlit, Glow Mind, Nite Ize, Swiss Safe, PartySticks, MediTac, and more.
I considered a wide range of glow lights but leaned towards chemical lights for testing. I did examine a few battery-powered lights because they are too convenient to pass up, given their reusability. We stuck with smaller lights with low light output for marking, signaling, and light discipline.
Why Trust TruePrepper
Glow sticks are a versatile way to leave a trail, gently light up a small area, or give kids a non-flammable light. For emergencies, they can be reliable, lightweight, and efficient.
I’m Sean Gold, the founder of TruePrepper, and I headed up this review of glow sticks while leaning on my military and prepping experience. In the military, I used glow sticks to mark rooms during searches or to cordon off areas at night. For survival, I’ve been keeping them in my bug out bag for a few decades now and use them often to cycle my inventory.
We use everything we recommend here and test it rigorously to find the best. This is why I test with tools, like light meters, scales, and more, to gather data for accurate comparisons.
Analysis & Test Results
The best glow sticks have a few features to look for. We weighed these to develop our score system so we could compare glow sticks using our measured metrics.
- Value
- Brightness – 30% of the overall score weight
- Longevity – 50% weight
- Size & Weight – 10% weight
- Versatility – 10% weight
When you get the right blend of these, you can find a glow stick that will reliably light and keep a bright glow for over 12 hours. Below, we break down what each of these features means for the chem lights that truly set themselves apart.
Value: Cost vs. Benefit
The amount of money you spend on something like glow sticks shouldn’t blow out your entire budget. Glow sticks are cheap and aren’t the best place to overspend if you don’t have the budget. You can always grab some spares from a party and toss them in your kits.
You never want to spend too much money on one resource when it comes to survival kits. It’s better to diversify your spending to make sure you are covered for a wide range of scenarios.
*Price at time of the latest update for 10-pack (or single, for battery-powered)
Brightness
While glow sticks are not meant to replace lanterns, headlamps, or flashlights, we do expect them to be able to provide functional and reliable light. Some of the models we tested were dim or became dim quickly after only a few hours.
Tritium and glow-in-the-dark solutions can be enticing at first because they are reusable and do not require power. But, they do not have the glow longevity or even the lumens we expect from a light stick.
To measure the total light output, we used a light meter with a trap to reflect and collect the light. We use this same setup on flashlights, lanterns, and other light equipment.
The brightness isn’t comparable to those, but we easily compared various colors, brands, and types of glow sticks.
Longevity
Most glow sticks last around 8 hours, but they can vary from a few minutes to days. Their brightness is also affected, with some models that keep glowing but not with really any beneficial brightness.
Batteries can bring this up to higher levels- 30 hours plus, but LED light sticks have their own drawbacks, mainly in price. Most chemical sticks last between 4 and 12 hours.
Here is what we measured in our tests:
Testing these was as simple as cracking all of them at the same time and checking them once an hour. If a glowstick fell below 1/4 of its original brightness, we considered it dead.
Some of the glowsticks (including our budget pick) dropped quickly in brightness just hours in, but not down to 25%. The different chemicals used in glowsticks allowed yellow and red to outlast the others. The battery-powered option lasted much longer than advertised as well.
Size & Weight
Almost all light sticks are remarkably lightweight, including the battery-powered ones we examined. While Lazerbrites were the preferred tool while I was in the military, they are simply too bulky when compared to disposable or the Nite Ize.
All of the glow sticks I tested barely tip the scales when weighed. They are one of the lightest light sources you can get, making them ideal for portable kits.
Versatility
Some light sticks are more versatile than others, with reusability, integrated hooks, or a variety of colors.
The main use for glow sticks is straightforward, though, giving you a bit of light. That light can do a lot, though, especially in survival situations.
9 Survival Uses for Glow Sticks
There are countless uses for glow sticks when it comes to survival. Here are some of the most common survival uses:
- Emergency Lighting: In the event of a power outage or if you’re stranded without traditional lighting, glow sticks can provide a reliable source of illumination inside your shelter or camp.
- Marking and Signaling: Use glow sticks to mark trails, paths, or hazards to prevent accidents in the dark. They can also be used to signal for help. Attach a glow stick to a string and spin it around to create a visible signal.
- Night Fishing: If you’re in a survival situation near water and need to catch food, attach a glow stick to a fishing line or bobber to attract fish at night.
- Trapping: Besides fish (which can also be trapped), crabs and other animals are also attracted to light at night. You can use a glowstick to bait traps.
- Distraction for Wildlife: If you want to deter wildlife from your campsite, crack a few glow sticks and hang them in nearby trees. Many animals are wary of unnatural light sources.
- Personal Identification: In group survival situations, use different colored glow sticks to identify members of your group during the night.
- Water Location: If you’re near a water source and need to find it in the dark, toss a cracked glow stick into the water. Its glow will make it easier to locate.
- Thermometer: In a pinch, you can use a glow stick as a basic temperature indicator. The chemical reaction will slow down in colder temperatures and speed up in warmer conditions.
- Entertainment: Staying positive and occupied is crucial for morale in a survival situation. Crack some glow sticks and use them to play simple games or tell stories in the dark.
It’s a good idea to ration their use and have backup lighting sources such as flashlights, headlamps, or candles if available.
Who Needs Glow Sticks?
Glow sticks can fit in a wide variety of survival kits and don’t have much of a drawback due to their low weight and cost. That said, they aren’t particularly essential either. Their uses can often be done using other equipment, relegating them to a backup spot.
Still, we suggest adding glow sticks to your:
If you end up having extra, kids always love them for parties and special occasions. You may even consider adding them to their own kit:
Sources & References
All of our experience and the testing we do to determine the best glow sticks are useless without listing our research sources and references. We leaned on these for the book knowledge that we paired with our hands-on testing and practical survival experience:
Holmes, J., et al. (1988). A portable light-trap for collecting marine crustaceans. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. Volume 68. Issue 2. Pages 235 – 238. (Source)
Orosz, G. (1989). The role of diaryl oxalates in peroxioxalate chemiluminescence. Tetrahedron. Volume 45. Issue 11. Pages 3493 – 3506. (Source)
Salter, C., et al. (1999). Laser-Induced Fluorescence of Lightsticks. Journal of Chemical Education. Volume 76. Issue 1. Page 84. (Source)
Conclusion
Glow sticks aren’t essential, but they work with a huge range of survival kits because they are lightweight and inexpensive. You have to consider why you wouldn’t include light sticks in your loadout.
Here are a few other guides and reviews our subscribers have found helpful:
- The Best Headlamp for Survival and Prepping
- Best Lantern for Prepping and Survival
- Bug Out Bag List | 44 Essentials
See more of our expert-written guides, resources, and reviews in your search results – add TruePrepper as a preferred source.
Prepping Your Way
No judgement and no imperatives. Prepare the way you want to with the trusted source millions of modern preppers have relied on.Our newsletter fires out every Monday where you can expect:
- Practical prepping guides and tips
- Thorough survival gear reviews
- Noticeably absent spam and popups
- < 0.4% of people unsubscribe
I enjoyed the glow stick article. However, an important piece of survival is longevity of a product. What was not mentioned in the article is the shelf life of the glow sticks before they are non functional.
Shelf life? I pulled out ‘Cyalume brand’ chem stick out that were 15 years past expiration dates and they worked as if they were brand new…. American made baby!