Looking for a dog light up ball for your pooch? You’re in the right place! In this article, I have listed the best light up balls for dogs including glow balls and LEDd balls along with their key features, pros, and cons. I also made a guide to help you choose the best one!
You might also want to take a look at Pet Hammock & Dog Decors.
8 Best Glow Balls + LED Balls Reviewed In This Article
Dog Light Up Ball: Glow Ball Vs. LED Ball
It’s an unknown fact that dogs can see colors. Well, not the same as humans do. They see colors differently and prefer those ones that they can distinguish easily- blue and yellow, for example.
Dog light up ball generally comes in two types: Glow Ball & LED Ball. They don’t work the same but essentially, they are made to add fun to dogs’ playtime and training. And yes, most of them come with yellow and blue lights!
If you don’t know which one you should get for your dog, I’m here to help. So read on and make sure to purchase one today.
Glow Ball
A glow ball is a ball that glows in the dark. It lights up too during the day, however, it needs light to work- any light- artificial or natural- will do. The downside is, when there is not enough light, they won’t work. So, you need to have other sources of light that can charge the ball like a flashlight, or lamp, for example.
What I love most about glow ball, besides that it’s more convenient than led balls and more durable, is it it has a more luminous glow at night. It glows really bright especially when it’s fully charged. In addition, it’s easy to clean and does not rust easily unlike LED Balls.
LED Ball
A LED ball is a ball that requires batteries to work. Most come with rechargeable batteries but just like the non-rechargeable ones, these batteries eventually die and will require replacement at some point. So, the downside is, that it incurs extra costs – battery replacement, electricity, and USB chargers.
What I love most about LED Ball is it lights up well during the day. Also, it has cool features that you cannot find in a glow ball like a motion-activated module and auto shut-off function. It’s quite interactive you do not need to turn it on or off as it works on its own.
Dog Light Up Ball Buyer’s Guide
Finding the best light up ball for your dog involves more than choosing the best color and style. If you are unsure what other things you need to look for, here’s a guide:
Size
When it comes to dog light up ball, size matters. Purchasing a ball that is either too small or too big will be useless. It can even be dangerous and can cause life-threatening accidents- foreign body ingestion, for example. Dogs will try to eat anything they can put their mouth on – unless your dog knows better. But, even if that’s the case, when the ball is too small, it might slide down your dog’s esophagus into its digestive tract, causing obstruction and other digestive issues.
So, before you click that buy button, make sure that the ball is recommended for your dog’s breed or size. Otherwise, be ready to spend thousand of dollars on your dog’s operation.
Material
Material is as important as the size. It determines the durability and the quality of the ball. It also tells you whether the ball is safe for your dog or not. Most dog light up balls are made from rubber and non-toxic silicone material. Durability-wise, rubber takes the stage. When it comes to weather resistance, silicone is superior.
Well, both materials are equally great but it depends really on the quality of material and construction. Beware that if you have a big chewer and overly destructive dog, it may not hold up. So, when purchasing a dog light up ball, go for something made with quality silicone or rubber material that does not contain toxic chemicals like BPA and LEAD
Performance
These cover the module features, charging time, and ease of use of the light up ball. If you prefer a LED light ball, those are the things that you need to check. Most LED light balls have a motion-activated function and auto shut-off function. So, when the ball hits or comes in contact with something, it activates and switches off automatically when not in use.
Charging LED light balls only takes about 2-3 hours. And, usually, the battery can last up to a few days depending on the usage. Also, all dog balls are easy to use. However, not all can be used in the water. So, if you like something that you can throw in the water, go for a water-proof one.
Cost
Generally, dog light up balls are inexpensive- the price ranges from $15 to $20. You can get high-quality dog light up balls at $16 with motion-activated sensors and other extra features like changing lights, interactive sounds, and more. There are also options that come in 2 balls in the same price range!
8 Best Dog Light Up Ball: Glow Ball + LED Ball
Now that you know everything you need to know about dog light up balls, let’s take a look at some of the best balls you can buy today.
Nite Ize GlowStreak LED Dog Ball
Nite Ize GlowStreak features a color-changing LED light that activates once it detects movement. So, if the ball hits something or if your dog touches it, its lights turn on. It turns into a bright red and other colors which last up to 10 minutes and automatically shut off after 10 minutes of inactivity. In addition, it has the most advanced motion-activated LED module among the light up balls on our list.
Made from durable rubber, this ball is small in size and is a great option for all breed sizes. However, it can be squashed if chewed consistently and can break if forcibly thrown to the hard ground.
Key Features:
- advanced motion-activated LED module
- auto shut-off function after 10 minutes
- replaceable, long-lasting batteries
- 0.15 lbs weight
- small size
- rubber material
Pros:
- all breed sizes
- durable, drool-proof
- water-proof
- bounce-activated
- auto shut-off
- package includes SpotLit LED Collar Light and batteries
Cons:
- choking hazard
ChuckIt Max Glow Dog Light Up Ball
ChuckIt Glow In The Dark Ball has a diameter of a tennis ball- a great option for medium-sized dogs. Compared with other balls on our list, this ball does not require batteries. It charges with any light- natural light or artificial light- and charges quickly, making it convenient to use at any time of the day especially when there is sun.
What I love about ChuckIt is it makes a whistling sound when up in the air. So, when you throw it, your dog can easily see it as it’s a known fact that dogs can easily hear high-frequency sounds better than any other sounds. What’s more, is that you can use it in water as it’s waterproof and buoyant.
Key Features:
- glow in the dark
- quick charging time
- small size
- rubber material
- 0.2 lbs weight
Pros:
- recommended for medium breeds
- fast charging
- water-proof
- buoyant
- comes in 4 pieces
Cons:
- most purchaser received only 1 piece
BENTOPAL Interactive Dog Toy Wicked Ball
Another great option is BENTOPAL Wicked Ball. The twist is that this ball does not bounce – it rolls on its own. Coming with 2 running modes, soft rolling, and active rolling, BENTOPAL is as interactive as any dog ball. Its rolling feature is really addictive – like crack to dogs, as some users would describe it. So, if you have a dog that excessively chews and destroys things to relieve boredom, go for this one.
BENTOPAL Wicked Ball is motion-activated and requires batteries to operate. It takes 3 hours to be fully charged. In addition, it has an auto shut-off feature. So, if it’s not being used, say 5 minutes, it automatically shuts down.
Key Features:
- interactive
- motion-activated
- 2 running modes: soft rolling & active rolling
- auto shut-off function after 5 minutes
- rechargeable
- 600 mAh battery
- 3 hrs charging time
- 0.5 lbs weight
Pros:
- great for cats and dogs
- interactive ball
- motion-activated
- chew proof
Cons:
- not as durable as advertised
- does not bounce
- not water-proof
ROOLA Interactive Dog Light Up Ball
If your dogs love to play fetch in the water, consider ROOLA Led Ball. Durable and lightweight, ROOLA has a waterproof construction which means you can dunk it in water and it won’t get damaged. And like the other balls, it switches on and makes a luminous glow once it detects movement and automatically shuts down after 40 seconds of inactivity.
What I like about this ball is that it’s also a great chew toy. It’s made from non-toxic silicone material which is safe for dogs to chew. However, it may not hold up to big chewers.
Key Features:
- interactive
- auto shut-off after 40 seconds
- rechargeable
- 3 hours charging time
- non-toxic silicone material
- 0.4 lbs weight
- single-color
Pros:
- super bright
- waterproof
- durable & lightweight
- great for dogs’ teeth
Cons:
- not recommended for big chewers
Pet Toys Jumping Activation Ball
Another one that I like is this light up ball from PET Toys. Feature-wise, this dog ball stands out from the rest. It has a colorful construction with pink, orange, a yellow, and blue color which all dogs love. In addition, it features soft spikes to allow safe chewing and promote healthy teeth and gums. But, what I love most about this ball aside from its fascinating colors is the sounds that it makes which are altogether fascinating and interactive.
PET Toys light up ball is made from high-quality ABS material, ensuring durability and lasting performance. It is non-rechargeable and requires 4AA batteries to operate.
Key Features:
- high-quality ABS material
- 0.22 lbs weight
- requires 4 AA batteries
Pros:
- promotes healthy teeth & gums
- colorful
Cons:
- not rechargeable
Nerf Dog LED Dog Light Up Ball
Dogs have a strong liking for blue and yellow color toys. So, if you want something that can spark your dog’s attention, Nerf LED Ball is your best option. Made from 100% non-toxic and FDA-approved rubber material, NERF LED Ball is a fun, interactive toy featuring a motion-activated sensor and colorful LED light colors that keep dogs engaged. Its water-proof and drool-proof with ridged construction for ease of use.
Weighing 0.2 lbs, NERF Led Ball has a lightweight but durable construction. It’s recommended for small and medium dog breeds. Also, it comes in 2 pieces which is great if you have two dogs at home.
Key Features:
- motion-activated
- 0.2 lbs weight
- red and blue color ball
- rubber material
- 100% non-toxic, BPA-free, and FDA approved
Pros:
- recommended for small & medium breeds
- water-proof
- drool-proof
- durable & lightweight
- comes in 2 pieces
Cons:
- not chew-proof
ZEUS LED Bomb Spike Ball
If you are looking for a Christmas present for your dog, go for ZEUS LED Ball. Recommended for large breeds, this ball comes in flashing blue and red LED light colors that give the best nighttime play. Like most of the dog light up balls on the list, ZEUS LED Ball is motion-activated. It activates when it senses movement- a great training toy for dogs too who gets anxious when left by themselves.
Lightweight and durable, ZEUS LED Ball weighs 1.3 lbs- a little bit heavier than the other light up balls on this list. It’s soft on teeth and gums so no worries if you have a big chewer.
Key Features:
- motion-activated
- blue and red LED light colors
- 1.3 lbs weight
Pros:
- recommended for large breeds
- great training toy
- soft on teeth and gums
Cons:
- does not come with handle
Glow in The Dark Dog Ball
If you have a dog that gets excited and playful during the dark hours, I recommend R&L Glow In The Dark Ball. Made from high-quality synthetic rubber material, this glow ball gives the best glow-in-the-dark green light that your dog would surely love. It comes with a free 21 LED UV flashlight for the best glow effect.
Coming in 2.5 in and 3 in sizes, R&L Glow In The Dark Ball is recommended for small dog breeds. It’s lightweight, durable, and easy to use. If you find the LED Balls inconvenient, R&L is a great option as it does not require batteries to operate. It just has to be exposed to any light source to charge.
Key Features:
- glow in the dark
- comes with a 21 LED UV flashlight
- high-quality synthetic rubber material
- 0.8 lbs weight
Pros:
- no battery required
- available in 2 sizes: 2.5 in & 3 in
- durable
- easy to clean
Cons:
- choking hazard
Final Verdict
Light up balls for dogs are becoming pet owners’ favorites. Well, we know why. Dog light up balls come with cool features- fun, interactive lights, motion-activated sensors, auto-shut-off function, and many more. It’s like crack according to some users. Dogs can’t get enough of it once they see and touch the ball.
And it’s hard to choose when you have all these really good options. But, if you know what you want and the things you need to look for, finding the best one becomes easy. So, before you click that buy button, make sure you read through everything especially our buyer’s guide.
FAQs About Dog Light Up Ball
What is a ball for a dog called?
Dog light up ball is one of the most interactive dog toy balls. It comes with LED lights that’s typically powered by rechargeable batteries. You can find glow in dark balls but these ones do not come with led lights and are best used in low-light conditions.
How do you activate a dog light up ball?
A dog ball has motion-activated function which powers up the LED light. So, when the ball detects movement, the light turns on. In addition to that, when it is not in use after a few minutes or seconds, it deactivates on its own.
What is the best dog light up ball?
Nite Ize GlowStreak LED Dog Ball has advanced motion-activated, auto shut-off function, and LED color-changing lights. In addition, it’s durable, drool-proof and waterproof. It’s the best option for any breed size. The package includes SpotLit LED Collar Light and rechargeable batteries.
Why do dog balls have holes?
For the safety of dogs, dog balls are designed with holes at both ends. This prevents the ball from being squashed when chewed. If it were otherwise, it can potentially be a choking hazard.
What color balls do dogs like?
It is believed that dogs do not see colors but that is not true. Dogs do see colors. However, not the same way humans do. Generally, dogs like the blue and yellow color because these are the colors that they can easily see and distinguished.