Best Bike Wheel Lights In 2023: Safety Meets Style

Bike wheel lights… Increased safety…. Adds an element of fun to your bike –  What’s not to like?

I get it; wheel lights get a bad rep for making you look like a teenager, but I promise you, there’s more to them than that! Don’t worry. You’ve wheeled into the right spot.

The best bike wheel lights overall are the MapleSeeker Bike Wheel Lights. Simplicity at its best. Click and go. Read on for more details.

Let’s shine a light on the top bike wheel lights out there!

Reviews Of The Best Bike Wheel Lights

Now, onto a more detailed review of each one.

These wheel lights are tiny, lightweight, and very cool. Lightweight is a common claim, I know, but these come in at 3.2 grams, so it’s justified here.

The quality is good with these lights; they can withstand a drop of 10 meters, and the plastic material is environmentally friendly.

One problem you won’t face with the MapleSeeker is them making contact with any parts of the bike you don’t want them to. Due to the size, it simply attaches to the desired spoke, and that’s it – no clacking sounds!

The battery can be changed, but this isn’t the quickest job. However, it’s worth noting that the lights will run for at least 80 hours, so you won’t change the batteries too often.

MapleSeeker gives you three different colors to choose from or mix and match. Once they are switched on, the light will begin to flash automatically. It doesn’t stop there. The pattern will be complete and beautiful when you reach 18 miles an hour!

Installation is as easy as it gets. Click the lights into place, and you’re good to go. Absolutely no tools are required!

With seven color options and combinations, the Activ Life bike wheel lights should appeal to many. Not to mention that they serve a functional (and decorative) purpose.

One thing to note is that each box has enough lights for one wheel. Depending on your wheel size, you may need to purchase two sets if you’d like to have both wheels lit up.

They are compatible with wheel sizes from 12 – 29 inches, so a huge scope – for all the family needs!

Visibility is vital, and with that in mind, the Activ Life lights are designed to be seen from many different angles, and they certainly achieve this.

Like other bike wheel lights, these are powered using AAA batteries – 3, to be precise. The difference is that these are included in the box and some zip ties, so you can install these lights quickly.

As you’d expect with bike wheel lights, these are waterproof. It is an excellent design for commuters facing all types of weather conditions. The lights are bright and can be seen from a reasonable distance away, which all goes to help road safety.

Wheelbrightz are there to dazzle, and dazzle they do!

With this kit, you get seven feet of weather-resistant tubing. Within the tubing are 20 micro LED lights, perfect to create a light show with your bike.

As you get seven feet of lights, you should find that these bike wheel lights are compatible with nearly every tire size up to 29”.

Battery life lasts an impressive 48 hours, so they should see you through every ride. However, they are powered by 3 x AA batteries, so you can use rechargeable ones or swap them out when finished.

The pack includes everything you need to install the bike wheel lights, meaning you can be up and lighting your way quickly.

Here’s a video installation guide for your viewing pleasure!

These mini LED lights clip to your spokes, creating a vivid glow as your wheels spin. They come in three different colors: red, pink, and blue, and you can choose between a color morphing or a solid color mode.

They are also weather and water-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about them getting damaged by rain or mud.

They were easy to install, with no tools or wires required, and they fit most standard spoke sizes. They also lasted more than 15 hours on a single set of batteries included in the package.

However, there were also some drawbacks to these spoke lights. First, they only come in one size, which means they might not fit well on some bikes with thicker or thinner spokes. 

Secondly, they are not very durable, as they can easily fall off or break if you hit a bump or a pothole. 

Lastly, replacing the batteries can be a bit cumbersome, as you need to remove the lights from your bike’s spokes each time.

I tested the KIRIKIT Bike Wheel Lights on two different bikes: a 12-inch toddler bike and a 29-inch adult bike.

Installation is easy and quick, with no required tools. The lights came with batteries and clips, so I just had to wrap the wire around the spokes and secure it with the clips.

The lights have three modes: slow flashing, fast flashing, and always bright. You switch between them by pressing a button on the battery box.

The bright LED lights significantly improve your visibility on the road, making it easier for other motorists and pedestrians to spot you, especially during low-light conditions or at night.

Now for what I didn’t like – they are not very durable. They are made of plastic and rubber, which can break or wear out quickly. The wire is also thin and fragile and can get tangled or cut by the spokes.

Additionally, the battery life didn’t last very long. Your mileage may vary depending on use.

Bike Wheel Light Basics

Let’s be clear from the get-go. Wheel lights will not do the job of a headlight or taillight.

Headlights are there for your safety. To ensure you can see the road ahead and that you can be seen.

Wheel lights don’t do that. However, they enhance your overall safety on the road by making you more visible to other road users and pedestrians. The invention of LED bicycle wheel lights revolutionized nighttime cycling.

With so many different patterns and color options out there, you can turn heads. People are more likely to notice you, and that’s precisely their purpose.

Okay, so they can’t replace the trusty headlight. Still, they might enable you to see smaller obstacles closer to the ground, making your presence in traffic more noticeable.

How To Choose The Best Bike Wheel Lights

A few things are worth considering before purchasing a bike wheel light set.

Modes

The majority of bike wheel lights will come with different lighting modes. Having options means you can find what works best for you.

Personally, I like the lights to be flashing. Other times, I prefer a solid color. It depends on where I’m riding and the traffic conditions. Find what works best for you and roll with it!

Illumination Intensity

The brighter the light, the safer you will be. When looking at bike lights for wheels, look at how intense the light will be.

Increasing your visibility will increase the likelihood of other road users seeing and noticing you!

Power Source/Battery

Rechargeable and standard AA / AAA batteries are common in bike wheel lights. Again, a lot of it comes down to personal preference.

I prefer to charge my lights with a USB charger as it is most convenient. However, some riders prefer to have the flexibility to switch out the batteries when they need to.

Read up on the battery run time, whichever method you prefer.

How To Mount Bike Wheel Lights Onto Your Ride 

There are a few mounting options and styles for bike wheel lights, so you’re bound to find something that suits your style and bike. 

Bike Spoke Lights

These attach directly to the spoke and are the most visible option as they stick out somewhat, giving off more light.

Wheel Rim Lights

The more ‘professional’ bike wheel light. If you don’t want to put on a big light show on your way to work, wheel rim lights could be the ideal solution.

These lights are fitted around the edges of the rim, making them more subtle in appearance. However, they still give off enough light to increase your safety levels.

Interesting read – When Should I Replace My Bike Rims?

Hub Lights

If you do want to put on a light show on your way to work, then the hub lights are what you’ve been waiting for!

Hub lights are easy to install. They simply attach at the hub, and the light shines along the spokes (and shine they do!).

These lights come in many colors, a popular choice for children!

Why Bike Wheel Lights Are A Good Idea

Increases Your Visibility

As we all know, riding in the dark adds an extra element of danger. Did you know that around 20% of cyclists’ injuries in California happened in the dark?

The easier you are to see, the safer you are. Wheel lights provide that extra level of security.

They Are Fun

There’s no denying that bike wheel lights add extra fun to your riding, whether you’re an adult or a child!

You can attract attention with the cool patterns you create with wheel lights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict

There you have it: five of the best bike wheel lights on the market today!

For me, the winner has to be MapleSeeker Bike Wheel Lights.

I love how durable these little lights are. I’ve dropped several lights over the years, and none has survived, so it’s refreshing that the MapleSeeker would stand a good chance.

Weight is a factor for me (marginal gains, right?), and at 3.2 grams, you can’t get much better than that. The lights look brilliant when powered up, giving you the confidence that you will be seen and look pretty cool while you’re at it!