If you have ever been in a traffic accident or your vehicle has broken down on the side of the road, you will know how frightening and frustrating it can be.
If you have a reliable set of ultra-bright safety flares handy, you can warn other motorists of the road hazard and signal emergency services to come to your rescue.
Improve Vehicle Visibility with Smart Flares
A reliable set of smart flares are essential safety beacons for any motorist, trucker, cyclist, highway cop, or search-and-rescue personnel.
With alarming statistics showing that traffic fatalities on US roads reached an estimated 40,000 in 2018, road flares will help you to stay safe when you have been in a car accident on a busy city road or stranded on a lonely desert highway.
Versatile All-weather Safety Beacons
Flares have powerfully bright solid and rotating colored LED lights that make sure your vehicle is highly visible to other motorists and emergency personnel in the daytime, nighttime, and rainy, snowy, or foggy weather.
Incredibly versatile, flares can be used for any emergency scenario. As well as being used for a car, jeep, truck, bike, or boat, you can secure a flare to your tactical backpack while you are hiking or attach a flare to the collar of your search-and-rescue dog.
Also, keep a few LED flares in the house to provide illumination when the power goes out.
The 9 Best Road Flares
- Garage Monkey Engineering LED Road Safety Flares
- StarFlare LED Road Flares
- SlimK LED Roadside Flares
- StonePoint Emergency LED Road Flare Kit
- Twinkle Star Emergency Roadside Flares Kit
- HOKENA LED Roadside Flares (Our Top Pick)
- MATELOTI LED Road Flares
- CARTMAN Reflective Safety Cones
- Tobfit LED Road Flares
Our Top Pick for the Best Road Flares
Our top pick for the best road flares is the HOKENA LED Roadside Flares. We highly recommend these superb roadside flares for any motorist, cyclist, motorbike rider, or even camping enthusiast.
Whether you are driving to work or planning a wilderness off-roading adventure, the HOKENA 3-pack of industrial-grade amazingly bright amber and white flares will get the attention they demand, and you will travel safely wherever life takes you.
Check the price on AmazonHow to Choose the Best Road Flares
Flare Design
Road flares come in two designs. A round disc shape, like the HOKENA Flares, or a free-standing design that has an elevated base like the Twinkle Star Emergency Roadside Flares Kit.
The round disc flares are perfect for everyday use, and you can attach them to your vehicle for superior visibility. Freestanding flares give you the added flexibility of standing one on the road in front of your car, one at the back, and attach other flares to your vehicle.
Flare Pack size
Flares come in packs of 2, 3, 4, or 6. Depending on what you want to use the flares for, keep a few in your vehicle, in your survival kit, or your toolbox at home.
Battery Power
Non-rechargeable AAA batteries power most flares, so while these batteries have good long-lasting power, are easy to find, and are quite affordable, you will always need to keep extra on hand for the best illumination.
One of the complaints about batteries is that most flares require you to use a screwdriver to open the battery compartment. It might be annoying for some people, but this design stops the batteries from falling out if you drop the flare on the ground.
Light Color
Most safety flares have red or amber-colored LEDs. Whatever the color, the most important aspect of the light is that it provides excellent brightness up to 1 or 2 miles.
Lighting Flashing Modes
Some road flares have 2 or 3 basic modes: flash, steady, and flashlight, such as the StonePoint Emergency LED Road Flare Kit. Advanced flares, such as the Tobfit LED Road Flares, have 9 modes that also include a specific safety SOS function.
Durability
As road flares operate in rough outdoor conditions, they should be sturdy and strong with a crushproof, shatterproof, and water-resistant casing.
Portability
Portability is important with a flare pack and fortunately, most manufacturers include a storage carry bag with their flares.
The storage bags come in two designs, a hard case or a bright orange soft carry bag. A hard case will fit in the boot of your car while a soft carry bag can go in your camping gear.
9 Best Road Flares – Reviews
1. Garage Monkey Engineering LED Road Safety Flares
Whether you are a car driver, a cyclist, a boating enthusiast, or a hiker, the Garage Monkey Engineering LED Road Safety Flares will keep you prepped for any emergency.
The disc roadside flares have a bright red/orange LED light that never gets hot and the durable casing is dustproof and waterproof.
They feature a variety of light display modes for maximum attention in the daytime and nighttime. You have 9 functions to use to get maximum attention such as a universal distress code S-O-S, rotating light, and a 3 LED flashlight.
Easy to use, just scroll through the functions to get the mode you want. Hold the button for 3 seconds to turn the flare off. You can either attach the flares on your car with the magnetic back, on the ground or use the fold-out plastic hook to hang a flare from a tree. As the flares have 12 eyelets, they even float in water.
To make sure you get long-lasting light power, make sure that you only use high-quality Energizer Max or Duracell 3 AAA batteries because they are guaranteed never to corrode inside the casing.
The flares come in a handy bright orange portable bag which will fit in your boot or camping gear.
Garage Monkey offers a 1-year warranty on the flares.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Very affordable price
- Ideal for cars, bike riders, boating enthusiasts and hikers
- Very bright red/orange LED light
- Durable plastic disc is dustproof and waterproof
- Foldout plastic hook
- Floats in water
- Safe and easy to use
- Nine lighting modes
- Dustproof
- IP65 waterproof battery compartment seal
- Portable bright orange storage bag
- One-year warranty
Cons
- Three AAA batteries are not included
- Requires a screwdriver to change batteries
- Magnets are not very strong
2. StarFlare LED Road Flares
Whether you drive a truck or motorbike, the StarFlare LED Road Flares offers you superior visibility in harsh weather conditions.
The road flares have super-bright red LEDs that can be seen up to 1 mile away. You can also use the strong magnetic base to attach the flares to your vehicle.
Ideal for rough outdoors, the flares have a shatterproof, crushproof, shockproof, vibration-proof, and rainproof design. They also float in the water, which makes them must-have emergency beacons for fishermen or a yacht.
The flares have 9 different flashing modes: quad flashes: 23 hours, single blink: 12 hours, alternating blinks: 4 hours, SOS rescue (Morse code): 8 hours, steady on-high: 7 hours, steady on-low: 33 hours, a 4 LED flashlight: 10 hours and a top LED flashlight: 10 hours.
Designed for easy portability and storage, the road flares come with a convenient black storage bag. StarFlare also includes 3 batteries that run up to 36 hours and have a shelf life of 10 years.
Pros
- Great quality
- Excellent value for money
- Very affordable price
- Superior visibility
- Wonderfully bright red lights can be seen up to 1 mile at night
- Shatterproof, crushproof and rainproof
- Floats in water
- Magnetic base
- Ideal for car, truck, bicycle or motorbike
- Can be used for traffic control, as a warning light, as a rescue beacon for camping and hiking
- Nine different flashing modes
- Included batteries run up to 36 hours and have a shelf life of 10 years
- Portable black storage bag
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
Cons
- Need a screwdriver to replace the batteries
- Some of the flares have dead batteries out of the box
- Storage bag is not very durable
3. SlimK LED Roadside Flares
Perfect for everyday use or professional search-and-rescue operations, the SlimK LED Roadside Flares will provide the visibility you need for an emergency.
Featuring superior visibility, each round disc flare has five 360° rotating LEDs that provide a bright amber light that can be easily seen in windy, rainy, snowy, or foggy conditions up to 1 mile at night, and can even be seen from the air.
Multi-functional, you can use the lightweight flares anywhere: driving, riding, fishing, camping, or rock climbing. Use it for traffic control, as a hazard light, a rescue beacon, and for any other emergencies.
When an emergency occurs on the highway or a dusty off-road track, press the switch and throw the light to the side of the road. Use the strong magnetic base to attach the flares to your vehicle or boat. If you have a search-and-rescue dog, secure a flare to the canine’s collar, or use the sturdy plastic hook to hang a flare from a tree branch.
With a shatterproof, crushproof, rainproof, anti-corrosive ABS plastic casing that can be used in -40-212°F temperatures, the flares are ideal for rough outdoor conditions.
You have excellent lighting versatility at the press of a button as the flares have 9 different flashing modes, including SOS rescue and a 3 LED flashlight.
The 3 triple AAA batteries run up to 36 hours and have a battery life of 10 years. As the batteries are already installed, you will be instantly equipped for any road-related incident.
SlimK also includes a highly visible bright orange storage carry bag so you can easily spot your safety flares in your vehicle’s boot or your backpack.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Very affordable price
- Durable ABS plastic casing shatterproof, crushproof, rainproof, and anti-corrosive
- Superior visibility
- Super bright LED array can be seen up to 1 mile at night
- Can also be seen from the air
- Can be used for traffic control, as a warning light, as a rescue beacon, and for any other emergencies
- Lightweight design is perfect for cyclists or hikers
- Nine different flashing modes include SOS rescue and 3 LED flashlight
- Includes 3 AAA batteries which run up to 36 hours
- Battery life of 10 years
- High-visibility bright orange storage bag
Cons
- Can be hard to see in the glare of other motorists’ headlights
- Not bright enough for use in the day-time
4. StonePoint Emergency LED Road Flare Kit
The StonePoint Emergency LED Road Flare Kit contains essential roadside tools that can be used for personal or professional use.
This 3-piece kit contains 3 powerfully bright red LEDs that have a 50,000-hour lifespan and provides 360° visibility up to 2 miles away. Small, lightweight but with a crush-resistant, water-resistant, durable design, the StonePoint flares are a great safety addition to your car, truck, jeep, boat, survival kit, garage, or workshop.
As the flares have a powerful magnetic base, you can attach them to a 6,000-pound vehicle as a lighting beacon to alert passing motorists or fellow boating enthusiasts.
You have a choice of 2 modes: a flashing light and a steady mode. The flashing light lasts up to 20 hours while the steady light runs up to 60 hours.
The lights are safe to use as the flares do not emit any sparks. You can keep your flares safely stored in the included sturdy black carry bag.
Although the flares require you to buy 3 AAA batteries, the battery compartment does not need a screwdriver to replace the batteries.
StonePoint offers a 2-year limited warranty on the flares.
Pros
- High quality
- Very good value for money
- Good price
- Ideal for professional or personal use
- Three super bright red LEDs provide 360° visibility up to 2 miles away
- 50,000-hour lifespan
- Small and lightweight
- Compact, durable and safe
- Great addition to any emergency kit, garage, workshop, RV, or boat
- Water-resistant and crush resistant design supports up to 6,000lbs
- Powerful magnetic base
- 20-hour run time in steady mode and 60-hour run time in flash mode
- Sturdy black carry bag
- Two-year limited warranty
Cons
- Three AAA batteries are not included
- Only 2 modes
- Battery compartment is small and can be hard to replace the batteries
- Uses battery life quickly
5. Twinkle Star Emergency Roadside Flares Kit
The Twinkle Star Emergency Roadside Flares Kit are an excellent choice for any busy motorist and can be used for traffic control, as a warning light, or rescue beacon.
You can choose from a 2, 3, 4, or 6-pack and each freestanding flare comes with a sturdy plastic magnetic upright stand, so you can stand a few around your car or attach the flares to your vehicle.
With a high visibility design, the super-bright red LEDs can be seen up to a mile away day and night. The flares have 3 different flash modes: strobe (SOS), flashlight, or solid.
You can start using the flares straight away as they come with 12 AAA batteries. The flares also come with a solid, durable, hard case.
Twinkle Star offers a 100% return or refund guarantee on the flares.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Good price
- Sturdy plastic magnetic base
- High visibility
- Super-bright red LEDs can be seen up to a mile away day and night
- Three different flash modes
- Included 12 AAA batteries
- Solid durable storage case
- Multipurpose: can be used for traffic control, as a warning light, as a rescue beacon, and in any other emergency situation
- Comes in 2, 3, 4, or 6-pack
- 100% return or refund guarantee
Cons
- Batteries may need to be replaced out of the box
- Some of the flare packs came without the batteries
6. HOKENA LED Roadside Flares
Whether you are thundering down a lonely highway in your truck, driving to work in peak hour traffic, or fishing on your boat, you will be prepared for any emergency with the HOKENA LED Roadside Flares.
Built to last, Hokena’s plastic disc flares are waterproof, crushproof, are safe, reusable, and easy to use. If you are a boating enthusiast, these lighting beauties are just right for you as they float in water.
The industrial-grade flares provide excellent lighting visibility for any hazard with 15 super-bright LEDs (12 amber and 3 white) which ensures that your vehicle can be easily seen up to a mile away.
You have 9 different light modes that can be used to signal for assistance as well as a lighting mode memory feature. The super-strong rare earth magnets will stay securely attached to any metal surface without the risk of scratching delicate paintwork.
For quick and easy battery changes, the flares come with a keychain screwdriver tool and detailed instructions that show you how to replace the 9 pre-installed AAA batteries.
This kit is an incredible survival investment for your vehicle as HOKENA also includes a premium bright orange storage bag with a zippered pocket, a bonus 2-in-1 glass window breaker, and a seat belt cutter escape tool.
HOKENA offers a 100% money-back guarantee on the flares.
Pros
- Excellent quality
- Great value for money
- Ideal motorcycle, bicycle, boating, or car emergency kit
- Industrial grade
- High visibility
- 15 super bright LEDs: 12 amber and 3 white
- Built strong
- Waterproof and crushproof
- Floatable
- Ultra strong non-scratch magnetic back has super strong rare earth magnets
- Nine unique light modes plus a lighting mode memory
- Safe, reusable and easy to use
- Keychain screwdriver tool and detailed instructions for the battery compartment
- Premium bright orange storage bag
- Nine pre-installed AAA batteries
- Two-in-1 glass window breaker and a seat belt cutter escape tool
- 100% money-back guarantee
Cons
- A little pricey
- Not as bright in daylight
7. MATELOTI LED Road Flares
Small, compact, and bright, the MATELOTI LED Road Flares are the perfect emergency beacon tools for your car or jeep and at the campsite.
These traffic flares have ultrabright LEDs and red and white reflective strips which provide 360° visibility on the road up to 1 mile away. You can choose from 3 lighting modes: solid, flashing, and flashlight. Designed for harsh outdoor elements, the flares are made from strong ABS plastic and the flare has a sturdy magnetic plastic base. You can also remove the base and use the flares as a flashlight for car repairs. A bonus feature is that with just a press of a button, you can change the color from red to bright white light.
The MATELOTI flares also come with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
When you are finished with the flares, fold them up and store them in the durable hard storage case so you will always have your roadside beacons ready for any emergency.
MATELOTI also offers a warning beacon disc 3-pack.
Pros
- Very good quality
- Very good value for money
- Good price
- Ideal for a car, jeep, or campsite use
- Ultra-bright LEDs and red and white reflective strips provide 360° visibility on the road up to 1 mile
- Easy to use
- Can be used as a flashlight with a bright white light
- Sturdy magnetic base
- Durable waterproof hard storage case
- Round warning beacon disc 3-pack
Cons
- Light is not very visible in the daylight
- Battery needs to be fully recharged to be effective
- Can blow over in high winds
8. CARTMAN Reflective Safety Cones
Whether you drive to work or love camping and want compact road flares, the CARTMAN Reflective Safety Cones 4-pack are must-have safety beacons for any motorist.
You can drive with confidence in the daylight, nighttime, rain, or snow as the brilliant fluorescent orange color is visible up to 800-feet away and the high-density silver reflective bands increase visibility by deflecting headlights.
These 27.5-inches high pop-up safety cones are very easy to set up. Just insert the 8 AAA batteries and push down on the top to collapse the cones and pull up the top to use them again. Made from sturdy Oxford fabric, the cones are impact-resistant and water-resistant and the large, thick elevated base firmly grips the road even in windy conditions.
For even more visibility, CARTMAN includes 4 bright LED lights that you can insert into the top of the cones, and you can choose from steady or flashing modes. Storing the triangles is very easy as they fold down to a compact size and will fit easily into the boot of your vehicle.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Good price
- Ideal for motorists and campers
- Can be used in daylight, nighttime, rain, or snow
- Brilliant fluorescent orange color is visible up to 800-feet away
- Two high-density silver reflective bands increase visibility
- Four LED lights have 2 lighting modes
- Sturdy Oxford fabric is impact-resistant and water-resistant
- Large, thick elevated base firmly grips the road even in windy conditions
- Collapsible foldable design
- Comes with 8 AAA batteries
Cons
- Can blow around in high winds
- Uses battery life quickly
9. Tobfit LED Road Flares
The Tobfit LED Road Flares are excellent lighting devices that can be used for traffic control, as emergency warning lights, or as a rescue beacon.
Whether you drive or ride your bike to work, take the kids to school, or you are a camping enthusiast, do not leave home without your Tobfit flares.
Built tough for the rough outdoors, the discs are made from super-strong industrial ABS plastic and have a rubber guard, so they are shatterproof, crushproof up to 30 tons, and waterproof.
For superior visibility on the road, the super bright red/orange LED light provides 360° illumination and can be seen up to 1 mile at night, and the strong magnet keeps the flares securely attached to your vehicle or a road sign. So if you are in a traffic accident or have broken down on the side of the highway, you will stay safe until help arrives.
You have lots of lighting versatility as the flares have 9 powerful flashing modes. Rotating: 8 hours, quad flash: 23 hours, single blink: 12 hours, alternating blinks: 4 hours, SOS rescue (morse code: 8 hours, steady on-high: 7 hours, steady on-low: 33 hours, 4 LED flashlights: 10 hours, and top LED flashlight: 10 hours.
The sturdy fold-out plastic hook is ideal for hanging the flares from your tent or tree branches if you need to be spotted by emergency personnel in the wilderness.
Tobfit includes a bright orange storage bag to keep your road flares in. You can choose from a 3, 6, or 12-pack. The flares are covered by a 180-day refund and a 6-month limited warranty.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Very affordable price
- Ideal for cars, trucks, cyclists, and camping
- Super strong ABS plastic flares are shatterproof, crushproof, and waterproof
- Strong magnet
- Superior visibility
- Super bright red/orange LED light provides 360° illumination and can be seen up to 1 mile at night
- Nine powerful flashing modes
- Sturdy fold-out plastic hook
- Strong bright orange storage bag
- Available in a 3, 6, and 12-pack
- 180-day refund
- Six-month limited warranty
Cons
- Three AAA batteries are not included and require a screwdriver to replace the batteries
- Magnet is small and a bit flimsy
Our Top Pick for the Best Road Flares
Our top pick for the best road flares is the HOKENA LED Roadside Flares. We highly recommend these superb roadside flares for any motorist, cyclist, motorbike rider, or even camping enthusiast.
Whether you are driving to work or planning a wilderness off-roading adventure, the HOKENA 3-pack of industrial-grade amazingly bright amber and white flares will get the attention they demand, and you will travel safely wherever life takes you.
Check the price on Amazon
