LED neon or glass neon: which should you choose?
LED neon or traditional glass neon? We compare energy use, durability, colours and upkeep to help you choose the right sign for your space.
Anyone looking for a neon sign ends up with the same question: traditional glass neon or LED neon? Both have that signature glow, but they work very differently.
How each one works
Glass neon uses hand-bent glass tubes filled with gas that light up with high voltage. LED neon (like the LED Neon Flex we use) is a flexible strip of LEDs inside a silicone cover that spreads the light evenly.
Energy use
LED neon uses considerably less energy than glass neon and runs at low voltage. For a sign that stays on for hours every day in a shop or bar, you'll notice it on the bill.
Durability and safety
Glass breaks easily and needs care in transport and installation. LED neon is flexible and much tougher, which makes shipping and fitting far easier.
Colours and control
With LED neon the colour is chosen at production and you can control the piece with a remote. We have a range of colours, from warm white to ice blue, pink, red, green, yellow or purple.
And when it's switched off?
This is where our pieces are different. A regular neon, switched off, is just a tube on the wall. Our signs have the logo or image printed in high definition on 10 mm PVC covered in crystal resin. Even with the light off, they're still a decorative piece with shine and relief.
Which one to choose?
For most shops, bars, gyms, barbershops and homes, LED neon is the more practical option: it uses less energy, lasts longer and is easier to install. See how we make our custom LED neon signs and our illuminated signs for businesses.