Best Universal Strobe Lights for Night Flying

TL;DR: The Vifly Strobe Light packs five 3 W LEDs, 3+ mile 360° visibility and a 4‑hour battery life into a feather‑light 6 g unit for just $13.49.

The standout spec is its 160 mAh built‑in battery that powers five high‑intensity LEDs for up to 4 hours of continuous strobe operation. At only 6 g and with a compact 12 mm × 28 mm × 15 mm footprint, it adds virtually no weight to any DJI‑compatible drone.

Compared with the five other lights in this roundup, Vifly is the lightest—significantly lighter than Holyton’s 10 g unit and far lighter than Acrotor (32 g) or BTG (62 g). Its dimensions are also smaller than BTG’s 76.2 mm height and 50.8 mm length, and it’s more compact than Startrc’s 40 mm height. Battery capacity at 160 mAh tops the 70 mAh cells found in Acrotor, BTG and Startrc, giving it the longest listed endurance.

Reviewers consistently praise the ultra‑bright 3+ mile range and the intuitive one‑button mode switch, noting that the mode‑memory feature lets you keep your preferred setting between flights. Professional reviewers highlight that this is the longest range listed for a mini strobe. The older Micro‑USB charging port and the lack of detailed mounting diagrams cause precise placement on very tight frames to be a guess.

Best for: Budget‑conscious drone pilots who need reliable, long‑range night‑flight lighting without adding noticeable weight.

Avoid if: You require waterproof lighting or need precise dimension data for extremely tight mounting spaces.

TL;DR: The Autel Strobe Light Module delivers a 5,000 m (16,500 ft) visibility range with only 1.6 W power draw, but its $79.00 price makes it a premium choice for professional EVO II Enterprise users.

This module’s standout spec is the 5,000 m control and effective visibility distance, which translates to a 16,500 ft beacon range approved for night operations. At just 19.5 g, the orange‑colored unit adds only 19.5 g, and its 1.6 W consumption helps preserve the drone’s battery life.

When you line it up against the five other strobe lights in this roundup, the Autel sits at the higher end of the price spectrum and occupies a middle ground in weight – heavier than the ultra‑light Vifly and Holyton units, but lighter than the bulkier BTG and Acrotor models. Its floating‑connector design is unique among the group, while the other lights rely on adhesive or Velcro mounts.

Professional reviewers praise the module as a “powerful FAA‑compliant beacon” that allows enterprise pilots to fly safely after dark, noting that the long‑range visibility pairs well with the EVO II’s 38‑minute flight time. Users echo this sentiment, appreciating the straightforward installation and reliable night‑time signal. The main criticisms focus on the lack of adjustable strobe patterns or brightness levels and the fact that visibility can dip in fog, rain, or cluttered environments. Because the module only fits EVO II Enterprise series drones, hobbyists with other platforms may find it unsuitable.

Technical details round out the picture: the light delivers an average intensity of 290 cd, peaks at 486 cd, and bottoms out at 50 cd. Its compact dimensions – 20.32 mm high, 101.6 mm long, and 66.04 mm wide – make it easy to mount without disrupting aerodynamics.

Best for: Professional drone pilots who need reliable, long‑range night visibility and are willing to invest in a premium, platform‑specific solution.

Avoid if: You're shopping on a tight budget — it's priced at $79.00 and it's exclusive to the EVO II Enterprise series.

TL;DR: The Startrc Drone Strobe Light weighs just 11 g, flashes up to three colors, and can be seen from 3 km away, making it a premium yet lightweight night‑flight add‑on.

The standout spec is its 3 km visibility range paired with 120 lumens output, which should keep your drone noticeable even in low‑light conditions. At only 11 g, the unit adds virtually no extra load, and the 70 mAh rechargeable battery promises up to 4.5 hours of continuous use.

Compared with the other five lights, Startrc’s battery capacity matches BTG’s 70 mAh cell, but it's dramatically lighter than BTG’s overall 0.1367 lb weight. It also undercuts Acrotor’s 0.0705 lb (about 32 g) and Holyton’s 0.0220 lb (10 g) while being a touch heavier than Vifly’s 0.0132 lb (roughly 6 g). Autel’s module tops out at 19.5 g, so Startrc sits in the middle of the weight spectrum while offering a longer visibility range than the 3000‑meter claim on Acrotor.

Reviewers consistently praise the ultra‑light build and its 120 lumens bright, multi‑color output, noting that the four RGB options (white, red, yellow, green) boost night‑time safety. Professional feedback highlights that the light meets FAA anti‑collision requirements, delivering a reliable warning signal. The main downside mentioned is that runtime can shrink noticeably when the fast‑flash or strobe mode is engaged, sometimes falling short of the advertised 4.5 hours.

Additional technical details include three flash modes—continuous, fast flash, and strobe/SOS—plus flexible mounting via silicone rings, Velcro strips, or 3M adhesive pads. The transparent polycarbonate housing protects the LEDs while keeping the profile slim at 40 mm tall, 15.4 mm long, and 28 mm wide.

Best for: Hobbyist drone pilots who need an ultra‑light, high‑visibility strobe that complies with FAA guidelines.

Avoid if: You require documented FAA testing or longer continuous runtime in high‑frequency flash modes.

TL;DR: The BTG Universal Drone Strobe Light packs 16 multi‑color modes, a 100 m visibility range and a 240‑minute runtime into a feather‑light 5.2 g package for $21.98.

The standout spec is its ultra‑light 5.2 g net weight, which adds almost nothing to a drone’s payload and preserves flight time. It also offers a generous 16 lighting modes across four colors, and a 240‑minute runtime on a 70 mAh battery that recharges in just 30 minutes.

Compared with the other five lights, the BTG unit is heavier than the Startrc and Vifly models, but still lighter than the Acrotor and Holyton options and considerably lighter than the Autel module. Its 70 mAh battery matches the capacity of Startrc and Acrotor, yet it charges far faster than both (30 minutes vs. 1.2 hours and 72 minutes). The 100 m lighting range is shorter than the several‑kilometer ranges listed for Startrc, Acrotor and Autel, but it remains adequate for most hobbyist night‑flight scenarios.

User feedback repeatedly praises the adhesive‑base mounting for quick, non‑destructive installation and the long 240‑minute runtime that keeps the light on for extended sessions. Professional reviewers also note the “ultra‑lightweight 5.2 g design” as a key benefit for balance and handling. Some users mention the Micro‑USB charging port feels dated, and a few report the adhesive losing grip after repeated flights.

Technical details include a compact 76.2 mm height, 50.8 mm length and 25.4 mm width, all built from ABS plastic. The light offers four colors—white, green, red and yellow—and 16 flash patterns, including SOS and constant modes, and runs on a 3.7 V battery (5 V charging input).

Best for: Buyers in the mid price range seeking the best quality at that price point

Avoid if: You need advanced features or professional‑grade performance

TL;DR: The Acrotor 4‑piece Drone Strobe Light set offers a 3 g ultra‑light design, 3000 m visibility and a 270‑minute runtime for $17.09, making it a solid mid‑range choice for hobbyist night flyers.

What really stands out is the 3 g weight per light, meaning the lights add virtually no payload to tiny UAVs while still delivering a visibility range of 3000 meters. The set runs for up to 270 minutes on a single 70 mAh CR927 button battery, and a full charge takes only 72 minutes.

Compared with the other five lights in this roundup, the Acrotor is heavier than the Vifly model (which weighs 0.01322773572 pounds) but lighter than the BTG unit (0.13668660244 pounds). Its 70 mAh battery matches the BTG and Startrc lights, yet falls short of Vifly’s 160 mAh capacity. Runtime-wise, Acrotor’s 270 minutes tops BTG’s 240‑minute claim, while the Startrc’s battery life is listed in hours rather than minutes, making direct comparison tricky.

Users consistently praise the effortless adhesive mounting and the negligible weight impact on flight time. Professional reviewers note the high brightness that “ensures safe night escort for micro‑drones.” However, several owners mention that the adhesive can lose its grip in windy conditions, and the lack of an official waterproof rating means rain‑free operation's advisable.

Technical details round out the package: a transparent film shell houses two high‑intensity LED beads per unit, offering continuous, fast flash, and strobe/SOS modes. The lights come in white, red, yellow and green, and the kit includes a charging cable and double‑sided adhesive film for quick installation. The package dimensions are 89 × 68 × 27 mm, and the total set weighs 32 g (0.07054792384 pounds).

Best for: Value-conscious buyers seeking quality at $17.09

Avoid if: You need waterproof lighting or a mounting solution beyond adhesive, or you operate heavy‑lift or professional cinematography drones.

TL;DR: The Holyton Drone Strobe Light offers FAA‑approved 120‑lumen, 360° illumination in a 1‑inch, 10‑gram unit for just $9.99, making it the most affordable universal strobe on the market.

At the heart of this light is a rechargeable LED strobe that puts out 120 lumens and shines in every direction with 360° coverage. The unit measures 25.4 mm on each side—roughly a one‑inch cube—so it mounts discreetly on almost any drone. It also meets FAA anti‑collision lighting requirements for flights beyond 5 km, which professional reviewers cite as a key safety benefit.

Compared with the other five strobe lights in the roundup, the Holyton model is the cheapest option and weighs 0.022 lb (10 g). It is heavier than the Vifly (about 0.013 lb) but considerably lighter than the Acrotor (≈0.071 lb) and the BTG model (≈0.137 lb). While the Startrc lists an even lower weight, the Holyton still offers a solid balance of price and size, though it provides fewer detailed specs such as battery capacity or runtime that the higher‑priced peers disclose.

User sentiment notes that users appreciate the light’s regulatory compliance and brightness, but the 3.7‑star average from 39 reviews points to mixed satisfaction. Some owners mention that the value feels limited when compared with lights that list longer runtimes or higher LED power, a theme echoed in professional commentary that stresses safety over extra features.

The manufacturer lists the rechargeable battery type, but doesn’t provide capacity or charging time details. Its compact 25.4 mm dimensions and 120‑lumen output make it a practical add‑on for commercial operators, search‑and‑rescue teams, or hobbyists who need a legal, lightweight solution without extra bulk.

Best for: Entry-level buyers or those on a tight budget

Avoid if: Reliability and user satisfaction are your top concerns