Cat pee is one of the most invasive smells in the world. One of the only ways to eliminate the lingering smell of cat urine is to find the exact spot it is hiding and remove it. Unfortunately, these spots are usually invisible unless you use a blacklight to illuminate the offending spot. Thankfully, there are multiple options for excellent blacklights that will help you seek out and destroy cat urine stains. This list contains reviews of products of all kinds, from simple affordable flashlights to professional-grade UV lights. Each review gives you an overview of the product with all of the relevant information so you can pick a product that best fits your budget and your lifestyle. Here are 10 of the best blacklights you can buy today to help find cat urine stains in your home.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

The 10 Best Blacklights for Finding Cat Urine Stains

1. ESCO LITE Escolite UV Flashlight Black Light – Best Overall

If you want the best overall blacklight for searching out cat urine stains, you want the ESCO LITE Escolite UV Flashlight Black Light. This blacklight combines all of the best features of other blacklights into one excellent package. This blacklight features a large head with 51 separate LED cells, giving you plenty of light and a huge area of illumination. It is made with lightweight aluminum and a textured handle. The blacklight is waterproof, which means if you get it wet during cleaning, it won’t fritz out on you. It is also surprisingly affordable, meaning you won’t have to shell out premium prices to receive excellence. Despite its size, this blacklight only weighs 8 oz, which is a comfortable weight.

The ESCO LITE Escolite UV Flashlight Black Light is powered by three standard AA batteries, making swapping out your power a breeze. This is everything someone could want out of a blacklight for finding cat urine. It has all of the basic features for one low price, making it the best place to start for grabbing a blacklight of your own.

There are also multiple ways to buy. You can grab two for a very fair price and you can also order a large unit and a small unit in a convenient package to meet your individual needs. Some users reported that dropping or banging the blacklight caused it to short out and stop working.

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2. Waklyte Black Light UV Light – Best Value

Not everyone wants to spend a bunch of money on a product that they might not use. The idea of using a blacklight to find cat urine sounds good, but in actuality, it might not be something you want to do regularly. If you are on a budget or just want to try out the functionality of a blacklight without breaking the bank, you need to check out the Waklyte Black Light UV Light. We think this is the best blacklight for finding cat urine for the money. This blacklight is small (shorter than a can of soda), lightweight, and works well. It is very affordable, allowing you to buy one guilt-free and try it out. If you find yourself using it a lot or like what you can do with a blacklight, you can upgrade down the road with very little loss on your initial investment. This light runs on three AAA batteries, which are easy to change.

Be aware that Waklyte recommends removing the batteries before you store the light for long periods of time. Many people don’t use blacklights regularly, so be sure to remove the batteries before you throw them into a drawer. Otherwise, the batteries could corrode and gunk up the terminals leading to poor performance down the road.

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3. DARKBEAM Blacklight UV Flashlight – Premium Choice

If you want the best of the best when it comes to portable blacklights, you want to look into getting the DARKBEAM Blacklight UV Flashlight. This premium flashlight is made from heavy resin and weighs over a pound. This gives the product a great feeling when in hand. The DARKBEAM Blacklight UV Flashlight also uses actual blacklight glass filters and uses full UV LED cells to produce a powerful beam of true blacklight. This flashlight has a range of 70 feet, which is twice as far as most other blacklights reviewed here. It has an 8-hour battery life, and the battery is easily charged from a USB port on the side. The construction is of high quality from top to bottom, and this is easily the brightest blacklight listed here and one of the brightest blacklights available on the market today. This is the perfect light for professional cleaners or people with cats who like to mark their territory around the house on a regular basis.

The biggest drawback to this unit is the price. This blacklight is quite a bit more expensive than most other options presented here. The quality construction and brightness of the LEDs are worth it if you want the absolute best blacklight available.

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4. BORUIT RJ-3000 LED Black Light Headlamp

One of the main reasons that people use blacklights to detect pet urine is so that they can clean it up. This is super useful for people who have short-term rentals, guests coming over, or long-term renters. You don’t want people to stumble on old cat pee in your home. However, it can be difficult to clean cat urine while holding a heavy blacklight. That is why the BORUIT RJ-3000 LED Black Light Headlamp is so useful. You can stick it on your head, illuminate your area, and keep your hands free for cleaning. This headlamp is effective, durable, and affordable. It allows you to light up an area with a blacklight without having to hold anything in your hands. It is rechargeable via micro-USB and comes with a white light setting, so you can use it for multiple purposes. This is a great addition for anyone who cleans regularly or wants to focus on cleaning up all of the cat urine in a single area.

The only recurring complaint about the BORUIT RJ-3000 LED Black Light Headlamp is some quality control issues. Some users reported that this light burned out after just a couple of uses. This is a problem that can affect any LED light that goes through modern shipping as high heat or heat fluctuation can cause some LEDs to delaminate.

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5. Lighting EVER Black Light Flashlight, Small

Not everyone needs a fancy or expensive blacklight. Some people just need something small that they can stash in a drawer and grab whenever they need it. Some blacklights are large and are hard to store. If you want a small blacklight with no frills that you can easily stash in your favorite junk storage location, you want the Lighting EVER Black Light Flashlight, Small. This flashlight is made from lightweight aluminum and will easily fit in the palm of your hand. It runs on simple AAA batteries and comes with a handy wrist loop to keep it secure during use. This flashlight will not break the bank. Two blacklights can be bought for one low price.

The compact size does come with a couple of downsides. The light is not very bright, leaving you with a small area of illumination. This means you have to get in close to see what is going on. You will need to get down on your hands and knees and really look with this light. Not doing so will make it look like it is not working. It is, but it’s just not very bright.

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6. Kobra Black Light Flashlight 100 LED Lamp and Blacklight

Some blacklights are small and do not provide the brightest or largest area of illumination. If you are looking for a large commercial grade blacklight for your cat urine hunting, you want to look at the Kobra Black Light Flashlight 100 LED Lamp and Blacklight. This flashlight is large, featuring 100 separate LED chips. Some flashlights function on only one or two LEDs. The large head gives off plenty of light. The handle features a no-slip grip and conveniently located thumb switch. This light also runs on three AAA batteries. If you keep extra batteries on hand, you will never be without power (though there are few complaints about the battery life in general.) This flashlight is perfect for combing large areas for cat urine stains and will instantly illuminate them for easy cleaning. This flashlight even comes in seven different colors, so you can choose the one that fits your style the best.

The only downside to this flashlight is that it is more expensive than some smaller options. It also does not include any extra features, such as a white light, which makes the price harder to swallow for some.

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7. ULTRAFIRE UV Flashlight 395-405 Nm LED Blacklight

The ULTRAFIRE UV Flashlight 395-405 Nm LED Blacklight is a powerful UV blacklight flashlight with a sizable battery. This battery allows this flashlight to put out roughly 30% more light than competitors. Unlike some other flashlights on this list, the ULTRAFIRE UV Flashlight 395-405 Nm LED Blacklight comes with a rechargeable battery and battery charging pack. This allows you to get plenty of power without having to worry about burning through pricey AA or AAA batteries. The ULTRAFIRE UV Flashlight 395-405 Nm LED Blacklight also allows you to zoom in and out to focus on a specific area or to illuminate a large area. It is made from lightweight but sturdy aluminum and feels comfortable in the hand.

The only minor complaint about the ULTRAFIRE UV Flashlight 395-405 Nm LED Blacklight is the fact that it can be hard to slot the battery into the battery charging pack. Multiple users reported frustrations with the included charger. This flashlight does not charge via USB but rather must use the charging pack to fill the battery.

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8. MEOWETOO 2-in-1 UV Flashlight

Not everyone needs to use a blacklight consistently, which can leave your new product sitting in a drawer for long periods of time. Enter the MEOWETOO 2-in-1 UV Flashlight, which is a brilliant two-in-one flashlight that combines bright white light with an effective UV blacklight. With the simple flip of a switch, you can turn your blacklight into a traditional flashlight, which doubles its usefulness. Not only is the MEOWETOO 2-in-1 UV Flashlight a two-in-one light, but it is also just a good flashlight. It is sturdy, weighty, and has multiple lighting modes, including blacklight, white light, bright, dim, and flashing (SOS). The MEOWETOO 2-in-1 UV Flashlight looks good, it feels good, and it works great. It is also surprisingly affordable, and you can buy it as a single light or in a two-pack.

The biggest downside is the fact that the MEOWETOO 2-in-1 UV Flashlight eats batteries very quickly, especially in blacklight mode. If you want to use this primarily as a blacklight you will be frustrated by how quickly it burns the batteries and dims. This light is best for people who need a white light more than they need a black light and want options.

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9. 3W 395NM LED Black Light, Flexible Gooseneck

If you are looking to use a blacklight to seek out and treat cat urine stains, having to hold a flashlight in one hand can be frustrating. The 3W 395NM LED Black Light, Flexible Gooseneck is unique in that you can set it up to illuminate an area without having to hold it or carry it. This blacklight can be set on a desk or attached to the edge of a table, allowing you to illuminate an area while keeping your hands free. This allows you to quickly clean up an area without having to wrestle with a flashlight to keep the cat urine illuminated. The head is flexible, and you can easily adjust it to illuminate a specific area.

Unlike many other blacklights on this list, the 3W 395NM LED Black Light, Flexible Gooseneck needs to be plugged in to work. In this way, it is like a traditional light more than a flashlight. Some people will be frustrated by having to plug this light in, but it comes with a converter that will allow you to plug it into a nearby outlet. The short cord might limit the areas in which you can effectively use this light.

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10. BEIKE UV Flashlight Black Light

Many people like rechargeable flashlights, but sometimes, it is easier to just pop in some fresh batteries and move on with your life. If you are one of the people who like the simplicity of disposable batteries, you should consider the BEIKE UV Flashlight Black Light. This flashlight is small, lightweight, affordable, and effective. The flashlight was specifically designed to detect pet urine, such as cat pee. The BEIKE UV Flashlight Black Light doesn’t do anything spectacular; it just works. This flashlight takes three AAA batteries. The batteries are even included, so you don’t have to provide your own to get this light powered up for the first time.

The biggest complaint about the BEIKE UV Flashlight Black Light is the brightness. Since this flashlight is small and runs on AAA batteries, it is not the brightest, but it provides enough light to illuminate cat urine. If you want a brighter or more powerful flashlight, this option is likely going to leave you wanting.

Buyer’s Guide : Selecting the Best Blacklight for Finding Cat Urine Stains

Power Source

Blacklights come with multiple different power sources, and each type has its own set of pros and cons. There are disposable batteries (AA and AAA), rechargeable batteries, plug-ins, and external rechargeable batteries. Rechargeable batteries are typically more powerful but come with extra hassles like cords that you have to keep track of. Disposable batteries are simple, but some lights burn through them very quickly. Other lights require you to plug them in during use or use a special external charger to power the battery. Before you buy, be sure to double check the power source so you are getting a light that you are comfortable using and will meet your specific needs.

Usage

One thing you should ask yourself before buying a blacklight is what kind of usage you are expecting to get out of it. Some people, like rental owners, will need to meticulously clean their homes on a regular basis. Other people might only want to use the light occasionally when they are looking for a stinky and hidden spot in the house. The more usage you are expecting to get out of your unit, the more you will want to invest. Some of these reviews feature lights that would buckle under consistent usage and are more suited for the occasional user. Not everyone will whip out their blacklight on a weekly or even monthly basis. Others will use their blacklight regularly to keep their houses clean. Don’t try to save a buck on a light that is only intended for infrequent use if you want something that will hold up to rigorous usage. Conversely, you don’t need to invest in an expensive light if you are only planning on using it during spring cleaning once a year.

Versatility

Some blacklights are more versatile than others. Simple units will only feature a single blacklight, while other units can feature multiple brightnesses, zoom, white light, flashing light, and more. If you want to get a product that can fill multiple roles, such as a white light, headlamp, or SOS light, you will want to consider a more versatile product. If you are just looking to get a simple blacklight for occasional use, you might not need all of the extra bells and whistles that some products come with. Other lights are adjustable, flexible, and have multiple charging options. People who want more options and more versatility from their purchase should consider getting a more complex light that can fill multiple roles.

Budget

Blacklights and UV lights can have a sizable price discrepancy between units. Some units are very cheap, while others can cost nearly $100. For this reason, it is important to have a budget in mind. Note that cheap units are typically small and run on AAA batteries. Expensive units are more durable and have larger batteries and more power. More expensive products should be considered by people who will use them consistently, while those who only plan on using their blacklight a couple of times per year can probably settle for a more affordable unit. Knowing the different price points and the general categories that different flashlights settle into can help you narrow down your choice, so you get the best blacklight for your particular situation, budget, and usage. There are reviews here featuring lights at every price point, so you can get an overview of the best options at each level.

Conclusion

For the absolute best blacklight for detecting cat urine, you want to check out the ESCO LITE Escolite UV Flashlight Black Light, which features all of the best parts of a typical blacklight for one convenient price. If you want something a little heftier (and more expensive), you want the premium DARKBEAM Blacklight UV Flashlight. There are also some unique options like headlamps and hands-free lights to meet almost any need. These reviews should give you all of the information you need to choose the blacklight that is perfect for you.

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Featured Image Credit: Couperfield, Shutterstock