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10 Best Black Lights for Dog Urine Detection – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Misty Layne Profile Picture

By Misty Layne

Mini UV LED Flashlight

Dogs and cats are amazing companions, but occasionally, they do something that leaves us just a tad frustrated—like urinating inside the house or outside the litter box. The biggest problem when this occurs is that you aren’t always home when your pet does this, so there could be urine soaking into a piece of furniture or carpet, and you wouldn’t know it. If only you had a black light that could detect urine!

With a black light urine detector, you can find urine stains, whether new or old, so you can get rid of them quicker. But how will you know which black light urine detector is best? With this handy guide, of course!

We’ve compiled quick reviews of the 10 best black light urine detectors on the market, along with a Buyer’s Guide to help you find the most suitable one. With this information, your home will be free of urine stains and odors in no time.

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A Quick Look at Our Favorites of 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
GLOSSDAY Blacklight Flashlight GLOSSDAY Blacklight Flashlight
  • Claims to last over 100,000 hours
  • Targets a wider area than most blacklight flashlights
  • Received much praise for how well it detects urine
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Lighting Ever Black Light Flashlight Lighting Ever Black Light Flashlight
  • Lightweight and easy to transport
  • Waterproof
  • Impact resistant
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    uvBeast V2 uvBeast V2
  • Super powerful
  • Supposedly lights up to 90 feet ahead
  • Can be used with interior and ambient lighting
  • Kobra Black Light Flashlight Kobra Black Light Flashlight
  • Flashlight supposedly works for at least 100,000 hours
  • Covers a wide (but not too wide) area
  • Waterproof
  • GearLight UV Black Light Flashlight XR98 GearLight UV Black Light Flashlight XR98
  • Affordable
  • Can be used in daylight
  • Weather-resistant
  • The 10 Best Black Light Urine Detectors

    1. GLOSSDAY Blacklight Flashlight – Best Overall

    GLOSSDAY Blacklight Flashlight

    Check Price on Chewy
    Wavelength: 395 nm
    Light Source Type: Fluorescent, LED
    Power Source: 6 AA batteries
    Material: Aluminum

    When you simply want the best overall black light urine detector, you’re going to want the GLOSSDAY Blacklight Flashlight. This flashlight targets a wider area for illumination and a wider range of use, so more ground is covered in less time when searching for urine. The company claims each flashlight has a life of over 100,000 hours, so it will certainly last you a long time! Plus, the GLOSSDAY ensures that it will stay in great working condition long-term via the non-slip texture on the grip, so it’s more difficult to drop and heat dissipation so the light doesn’t burn out quickly.

    According to pet parents, this black light flashlight does what it says it does and enables you to find urine stains. The biggest downsides to this light appear to be the weight of it, as it’s a bit heavy, and the fact it requires so many batteries. Otherwise, people are thrilled with it!

    Pros
    • Claims to last over 100,000 hours
    • Targets a wider area than most blacklight flashlights
    • Received much praise for how well it detects urine
    Cons
    • Requires six batteries
    • On the heavier side

    2. Lighting Ever Black Light Flashlight – Best Value

    Lighting Ever Black Light Flashlight

    Wavelength: 395 nm
    Light Source Type: LED
    Power Source: 3 AAA batteries
    Material: Aluminum

    Hunting for the best black light urine detector for the money? Then this pocket-sized black light flashlight is what you need! It still has the 395 nm wavelength of the previous light, but it’s much smaller and lighter, so it’s easier to carry around. It’s also waterproof, so can be used in humid conditions without issue and resistant to impacts, so it should still be fine if you drop it. This light comes with batteries, too (that claim to last longer than most AAA batteries).

    Several people praised this for its urine detection, but a few people said this flashlight didn’t work for them. And at least one person said the included batteries ended up leaking after a few weeks, so you may want to switch them for your own.

    Pros
    • Lightweight and easy to transport
    • Waterproof
    • Impact resistant
    Cons
    • Some said the flashlight didn’t work at all for them
    • Small risk of included batteries leaking

    3. uvBeast V2 – Premium Choice

    uvBeast V2

    Wavelength: 385–395 nm
    Light Source Type: UV LED (Enhanced)
    Power Source: 6 AA batteries
    Material: Aluminum

    Want a black light urine detector that’s high caliber? The uvBeast V1 was already one of the most powerful black lights on the market, but this version is (the company claims) even more powerful than that. Larger LED chips make this light stronger, while an upgraded UV beam allows this flashlight to light up more of an area at one time. The company says they tested how far out the beam reaches, and it went up to 90 feet! Plus, you can use this black light even under ambient or interior lighting.

    While this black light can be used for a variety of things, those using it for urine detection were, for the most part, extremely satisfied. However, a couple of users of this flashlight stated that the light being so dispersed made it a bit less useful than those flashlights with more focused beams. Other than that, the biggest complaint seemed to be the number of batteries this flashlight requires.

    Pros
    • Super powerful
    • Supposedly lights up to 90 feet ahead
    • Can be used with interior and ambient lighting
    Cons
    • Some said the wide range of the beam actually made this less powerful
    • Requires a lot of batteries

    4. Kobra Black Light Flashlight

    Kobra Black Light Flashlight

    Wavelength: 385–396 nm
    Light Source Type: LED
    Power Source: 6 AA batteries
    Material: Aluminum

    This black light also boasts a life of at least 100,000 hours, and with its high-beam LEDs, you should be able to spot quite a lot with it. The beam goes out to 25 feet, while the width is 8 feet, so you can see a large area without the light being too dispersed. And because this flashlight is slip-resistant, waterproof, and shockproof, it’s highly durable and should last a while.

    Pet parents said this one was great for picking up urine stains on carpet and fabric but not so great for hardwood and linoleum, so you might need a different black light, depending on the flooring you have. Another big complaint about this flashlight was that the battery life was awful, so have a lot of batteries on hand, just in case!

    Pros
    • Flashlight supposedly works for at least 100,000 hours
    • Covers a wide (but not too wide) area
    • Waterproof
    Cons
    • Not great for linoleum and hardwood floors
    • Battery life isn’t the best

    5. GearLight UV Black Light Flashlight XR98

    GearLight UV Black Light Flashlight XR98

    Wavelength: 390 nm
    Light Source Type: LED
    Power Source: 6 AA batteries
    Material: Aluminum

    This affordable black light flashlight is great if you have dogs, but it says it doesn’t detect cat urine, so cat owners may be of luck (we say “may be” because there were several reviews saying it worked just fine for cat urine). This flashlight also only detects dried urine stains, so be aware of that. The great thing about this light, though, is you can use it any time as it’s supposed to be suitable for even daylight (so no waiting around for night to fall!). The flashlight is also weather-resistant, making it ideal for any climate.

    Some people said the beam on this flashlight was too weak to actually pick up urine stains, though, and a few people had issues getting the batteries in.

    Pros
    • Affordable
    • Can be used in daylight
    • Weather-resistant
    Cons
    • May or may not detect cat urine
    • Only works on dried urine stains
    • Beam might be too weak
    • Might have issues putting batteries in

    6. DARKBEAM UV Light Rechargeable USB Flashlight

    DARKBEAM UV Light Rechargeable USB Flashlight

    Wavelength: 395 nm
    Light Source Type: LED
    Power Source: USB rechargeable
    Material: Aluminum

    This black light flashlight is tiny but mighty. Despite its incredibly small size, this flashlight’s converge lens allows for more light concentration in one area, which helps pick up urine stains. The 5W LED lamp beads also make the beam brighter, and this flashlight’s size means you can slip it into your pocket for easy transport. Don’t think that being so tiny means it’ll break easier, though, as the DARKBEAM is made from durable aluminum alloy and is waterproof. Best of all, you don’t need batteries for this one!

    However, this flashlight does come with some precautions from the company, including the fact it only works on dried urine and may not work well on some darker-colored carpets as the stain and carpet color will appear similar in color.

    Pros
    • No batteries needed
    • Waterproof
    Cons
    • Only works on dried urine stains
    • May not be suitable for dark-colored carpets

    7. UV Blacklight Flashlight

    UV Blacklight Flashlight

    Wavelength: 385–395 nm
    Light Source Type: LED
    Power Source: 6 AA dry cell batteries
    Material: Aluminum

    This UV black light flashlight says it’s professional grade and 70% brighter than other black light flashlights. It even says it is bright enough to be used under street lamps! Batteries on this should last up to 20 hours, which is excellent, and the 128 LED means the beam on this is fairly broad, so you can cover more area quicker. And because this flashlight is dustproof, waterproof, and made of durable aluminum alloy, it should stay safe from harm. Overall, most pet parents seemed to find this excellent for detecting urine (though a few said it wasn’t beneficial because it wasn’t bright enough).

    Unfortunately, this flashlight seems to go through batteries quickly instead of actually lasting up to 20 hours, and a couple of people said the flashlight died completely in under six months.

    Pros
    • Claims to be professional grade
    • Says it can be used under bright light
    • Many pet parents liked
    Cons
    • A few pet parents said the light wasn’t bright enough
    • Batteries seemed to not last as long as advertised
    • Rare cases of flashlight completely dying in 6 months or less

    8. Vansky UV Flashlight Black Light

    Vansky UV Flashlight Black Light

    Wavelength: 390–395 nm
    Light Source Type: LED
    Power Source: 3 AA batteries
    Material: Aluminum

    This Vansky black light urine detector has fewer LEDs than many others on this list (51 versus 100+), but the reviews from pet parents were overwhelmingly good. It seems having fewer LEDs doesn’t result in a less amazing product! Other excellent parts of this flashlight include its guarantee to last for 15 years, its ability to last 4–6 hours with a full battery, and its size (it can fit in your pocket).

    There are some caveats with this flashlight, though, as there are with a few others. For one, this light may not be the best on darker-colored carpets. For another, the company cautions it only works on dried urine stains.

    Pros
    • Pet parents seemed to really like
    • Full battery is supposed to last 4 to 6 hours
    • Flashlight should last up to 15 years
    Cons
    • Doesn’t work on wet urine stains
    • Might not work well on darker-colored carpets

    9. Escolite UV Flashlight Black Light

    Escolite UV Flashlight Black Light

    Wavelength: 390–405 nm
    Light Source Type: LED
    Power Source: 3 AA batteries
    Material: Metal

    This is another black light flashlight that comes with 51 LEDs but still seems to get the job of detecting urine done. And like the last flashlight, this one offers 4 to 6 hours of battery life and the ability to fit the light into your pocket. The aluminum alloy body on the Escolite disperses any heat from the light, so it never gets overly warm. Also similar to the last flashlight is that this one got many compliments from pet parents when it came to hunting down urine stains.

    One thing mentioned a couple of times regarding this black light was that you might need blue or yellow light filtering lenses to see the urine stains, as there were occasions where one person in the house wouldn’t see the stains but the other would; the one who would see them was usually wearing glasses. So, if you try this out and don’t see anything, that could be the issue. Other than that, this flashlight might not work well on darker colors.

    Pros
    • Decent battery light
    • Body of flashlight dissipates heat so it doesn’t get too hot
    • Pet parents seemed to like
    Cons
    • Possibility you could need lenses of some kind to see urine stains
    • Might not be best on darker colors

    10. LOFTEK UV Flashlight Black Light

    LOFTEK UV Flashlight Black Light

    Wavelength: 395 nm
    Light Source Type: LED
    Power Source: 3 AA batteries
    Material: Aluminum

    This waterproof black light urine detector from LOFTEK has a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, meaning if you’re unsatisfied for any reason, the company will find a solution. With a bulb life lasting up to 100,000 hours and a battery life of 4–6 hours, this flashlight should last a good long time. Best of all, several reviews said this light was amazing at finding urine stains, whether in a hidden spot or out in the open.

    However, many reviews said this black light wasn’t very good at picking up feline urine stains (though a few said it worked fine for them). There also appeared to be some issue with the batteries shaking loose when the flashlight was moved around, temporarily making the light stop working until the batteries were put back into place.

    Pros
    • 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
    • Several rave reviews from pet owners
    Cons
    • But negative reviews regarding cat urine
    • Some had issues with the batteries staying in place

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    Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Black Light for Dog Urine Detection

    There are some aspects to consider when searching for a black light urine detector, so you can find the most suitable one. What are they?

    Wavelength

    Most of the black light flashlights on this list have a wavelength of around 395 nm (nanometers), which is perfect for picking up dog urine stains (anything 385 to 395 nm will work for dogs). However, feline urine stains are usually picked up at a lower wavelength—between 365 and 385 nm. Many of the flashlights on this list still worked for locating cat urine stains (according to reviewers), so check reviews before purchasing anything. It might be that some flashlights list a higher wavelength than they actually are, or it might simply be random that it works for both cats and dogs.

    Amount of Bulbs

    These sorts of black light flashlights work with LED bulbs, and frankly, the more there are, the better off you’ll be. You want to aim for a flashlight that has at least 51 LEDs. But the higher the number, the brighter the light and the better it’ll be at picking up urine stains.

    Blue ultra violet light illuminates many stains from pet urine on a carpet in home
    Image Credit: Steve Heap, Shutterstock

    Power Source

    As you can tell, many black light flashlights require several batteries to work, which could be a hassle (and expensive, depending on how long the batteries last). If you want to avoid using batteries so often, look for a detector that uses fewer batteries or one that is rechargeable (unfortunately, not many are).

    Beam Width

    Sometimes the wider a beam is, the more urine stains you’ll detect. But there comes a point where a beam is wide enough that it makes the light less bright and less able to locate urine. There’s no particular point where that happens, but be aware that the broader beams aren’t always better than focused beams. Reading reviews from other users of the flashlight can tell you if a flashlight beam is too wide to be any good.

    Cost

    While none of the flashlights on this list are incredibly pricey, there is a wide range in prices. You can find black light urine detectors that are inexpensive at only a few bucks or as pricey as almost $40. That makes finding a light that fits your budget easier, though. You’ll also want to look at money-back guarantees and returns to ensure you can get a refund if the black light detector doesn’t work for you.

    Reviews

    There’s no better way to discover how well a product works than by reading reviews from other pet parents! So, take a quick look through the reviews on any product you’re considering before making a purchase to be sure it works as intended.

    Unvisible foot print on place of bloody crime developed by UV light
    Image Credit: Couperfield, Shutterstock

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    Conclusion

    With the reviews above, you should have no trouble picking out the most suitable black light urine detector for your home! And if you want the best overall detector, look at the GLOSSDAY Blacklight Flashlight since it received a ton of praise for detecting urine. But if you just want the best black urine detector for the money, check out the Lighting Ever Black Light Flashlight, as it’s affordable, lightweight, and still gets the job done. Finally, if you’re seeking a monster of a black light detector, you’re going to want the uvBeast V2, which is super powerful and popular.


    Featured Image Credit: ekipaj, Shutterstock

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