Neon signs symbolised the bright lights of the city in the early 20th century and streets were aglow with signs advertising business’ wares and services, from hot dogs to nightclubs — the neon signage of the Las Vegas strip is probably the most iconic example! Nowadays, many people like to bring a bit of this brightness into their own home, using neon signs to create a bold, vintage-style aesthetic on their walls.
Neon signs create a fun atmosphere, making them a popular decoration for the bedroom, kitchen, or bar. Although a neon sign is a playful purchase, there are still some important points to consider before buying — so our guide is here to help you see the light! There's a wide range of colours and sizes to choose from, and there are even customisable designs too. Read on to see our favourite picks available to buy on Amazon, eBay and John Lewis.
Looking for something specific or just seeing where your inspiration takes you? Shopping for a neon sign can seem a little complicated, but our buying guide is here to help you select the perfect one for your bar, bedroom or living space.
First things first, let's think about the fun part: what you want your sign to look like. Read on to explore the various colours, sizes and materials available, as well as how to decide on the right combination for your space.
The purpose and occasion that you plan to use your neon sign for will probably influence the colour scheme you go for. For example, if you're planning a wedding or engagement celebration and want to keep things traditional, white or warm white light are the most popular choices.
For a summer pool party vibe, either for an actual party or just a playful interior theme, go for vibrant yellow, green or multicoloured lights. Blue or pink, on the other hand, create a calming mood for your boudoir or living room space. Lastly, when it comes to kitting out a home bar, red, blue and yellow are classic colours that you can't go wrong with!
The size of your neon sign matters, as you'll want to make sure it fits well in the intended space and that it'll be compact enough to store away if you're only planning to use it for a special occasion. Products range from signs small enough to decorate a bedside table or bookshelf to medium-sized wall signs and large free-standing ones that can double up as a floor lamp.
It can be really hard to tell how big a neon sign is in the pictures on a website, so it's essential to check the product dimensions in the specification table to ensure it'll be suitable for your space. This will prevent you from ending up with a huge bar sign when you were only looking for a small table light!
Originally, all neon signs were made from glass and were heated and bent by hand. The light is emitted as the result of a chemical reaction between the gas inside the glass tube and the electricity fed in through the metal electrodes.
Although glass neon signs were the first type available, they can be the most cumbersome and fragile. Plus, some colours require minute droplets of mercury, which can be dangerous if the glass tubing breaks.
Glass neon signs are a good option if you're able to get a qualified sign technician to install them but otherwise, an excellent effect can be achieved using LED lights instead. Made from flame-resistant plastic or acrylic, LED lighting is safer and more durable than its glass counterpart.
LED is also more energy-efficient, with a lower input voltage of 24V/120V compared to glass neon signs which use 3KV-18KV. A lower voltage is safer, uses less energy and saves you money on your electricity bills too.
Neon signs are becoming more advanced as time goes on, and some of them come with a range of connection options. The majority of larger signs will need to be plugged in at the mains as batteries won't provide them with enough power.
The length of the cable that connects a sign to a socket can range from around 6 metres up to 12 metres. If you're throwing a party and want to use your neon sign outside, it's therefore a good idea to make sure that the cable will be long enough to reach the socket indoors.
Most smaller signs are powered just by batteries or have an option for using a USB cable, which allows you to charge your sign using a power bank or computer. If you want maximum convenience and flexibility, go for a sign that can be powered in multiple ways.
Prices can vary quite a lot when shopping online for a neon sign — while there are some really cool options available for less than £20, you should expect to pay up to £100 for a large sign, one that's made from glass, or one that's customisable.
Since a neon sign can be a bit of an investment if you decide to go big, it's a good idea to figure out your maximum budget before you start browsing. That way, you won't be tempted to overspend just because you see something really cool!
Now we've been through the crucial points that you need to consider, it's time to put our favourite picks into the spotlight! Our top 10 list features the best neon signs that the internet has to offer, from the likes of John Lewis & Partners, Kaemingk and LiQi.
£40.00
Colour | White |
---|---|
Material | - |
Dimensions | 28 x 80 cm |
Power Source | Mains |
Length of Cable | 8 m |
Budget | £20 - £50 |
£94.99
Colour | Pink, blue |
---|---|
Material | Glass tubing |
Dimensions | Approx 43 x 36 cm |
Power Source | Mains |
Length of Cable | - |
Budget | £50 - £100 |
£12.99
Colour | Blue |
---|---|
Material | Plastic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene |
Dimensions | 36.4 x 15.4 cm |
Power Source | AA batteries, USB |
Length of Cable | - |
Budget | Under £20 |
£13.98
Colour | Pink, blue |
---|---|
Material | Silicone, acrylic |
Dimensions | 32.8 x 30.9 cm |
Power Source | AA batteries, USB |
Length of Cable | - |
Budget | Under £20 |
£25.00
Colour | Yellow, green |
---|---|
Material | - |
Dimensions | 55 x 27 cm |
Power Source | Mains |
Length of Cable | 8 m |
Budget | £20 - £50 |
£35.00
Colour | Various |
---|---|
Material | - |
Dimensions | 20 x 72 cm |
Power Source | Mains |
Length of Cable | 11 m |
Budget | £20 - £50 |
£13.48
Colour | Green |
---|---|
Material | ABS plastic |
Dimensions | 23 x 17.3 cm |
Power Source | AA batteries, USB |
Length of Cable | - |
Budget | Under £20 |
£35.00
Colour | Warm white |
---|---|
Material | - |
Dimensions | 49 x 52 cm |
Power Source | Mains |
Length of Cable | 6.6 m |
Budget | £20 - £50 |
£12.99
Colour | Blue, yellow |
---|---|
Material | Silicone, plastic, acrylic |
Dimensions | 33 x 26.5 cm |
Power Source | AA batteries, USB |
Length of Cable | - |
Budget | Under £20 |
£45.00
Colour | Green |
---|---|
Material | - |
Dimensions | 85 x 52 cm |
Power Source | Mains |
Length of Cable | 12 m |
Budget | £20 - £50 |
Image | 1 ![]() John Lewis & Partners | 2 ![]() Koicaxy | 3 ![]() Kaemingk | 4 ![]() ENUOLI | 5 ![]() John Lewis & Partners | 6 ![]() John Lewis & Partners | 7 ![]() Sfuzwg | 8 ![]() ENUOLI | 9 ![]() LiQi | 10 ![]() Kaemingk |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Neon Palm Tree Standing Light | Acrylic Neon Cloud Sign | Neon Heart | LED Neon Cactus Light | Neon Summer Hanging Light | Neon Pineapple Hanging Light | LED Planet Neon Sign | Lightning Bolt Neon Sign | Cocktails and Dreams Glass Neon Light Sign | Neon Together Light |
Features | A Tropical Statement Piece for Indoor or Outdoor Use | Handmade With Acrylic and Incredibly Affordable | An Understated Heart Design in Warm White | Evoke the Magic of a Desert Landscape | Bring the Sunshine Into Your Home | Desert Island Chic to Liven up Your Space | Perfect For a Cosmic, Out of This World Bedroom | A Bolt From the Blue | A Classic Retro Sign for Your Home Bar | A Gorgeous Decoration for Romantic Celebrations |
Price | £45.00 | £12.99 | £35.00 | £13.48 | £35.00 | £25.00 | £13.98 | £12.99 | £94.99 | £40.00 |
Colour | Green | Blue, yellow | Warm white | Green | Various | Yellow, green | Pink, blue | Blue | Pink, blue | White |
Material | - | Silicone, plastic, acrylic | - | ABS plastic | - | - | Silicone, acrylic | Plastic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene | Glass tubing | - |
Dimensions | 85 x 52 cm | 33 x 26.5 cm | 49 x 52 cm | 23 x 17.3 cm | 20 x 72 cm | 55 x 27 cm | 32.8 x 30.9 cm | 36.4 x 15.4 cm | Approx 43 x 36 cm | 28 x 80 cm |
Power Source | Mains | AA batteries, USB | Mains | AA batteries, USB | Mains | Mains | AA batteries, USB | AA batteries, USB | Mains | Mains |
Length of Cable | 12 m | - | 6.6 m | - | 11 m | 8 m | - | - | - | 8 m |
Budget | £20 - £50 | Under £20 | £20 - £50 | Under £20 | £20 - £50 | £20 - £50 | Under £20 | Under £20 | £50 - £100 | £20 - £50 |
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You're likely reading this article because you're looking for inspiration for your home, and we can certainly help you to create some cosy, feel-good vibes! Have a peek at our recommendations below for more ways to add a bit of magic to your space.
Ready to light up your world? We hope this guide on the best neon signs has inspired you to do just that. Whether you're shopping for the perfect light for your bedroom, living space, kitchen or a party, we're confident that any one of our picks will give you a guaranteed glow up!
Author: Melanie McPhail
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