4 min read

LED Neon vs Glass Neon: Which Is Right for You?

Neon has been lighting bars and shop windows for a century. Today there are two ways to get that look: traditional glass tubing and modern LED neon. Here is how they compare.

How each is made

Glass neon is shaped by hand from tubes filled with gas and powered by a high-voltage transformer. LED neon uses flexible, silicone-sheathed LED strip bent into letters and mounted on a backing. Both give a continuous line of colour without visible dots.

Safety and durability

LED neon runs on low voltage and stays cool to the touch. It has no fragile glass, so it survives shipping, moving and busy venues with far less risk of breakage. Glass neon is fragile and runs hot at high voltage.

Energy use and lifespan

LED neon uses a fraction of the electricity of glass neon and is designed to run for tens of thousands of hours. That makes it inexpensive to leave on all day in a shop window.

Look and flexibility

Glass neon has a unique, slightly hand-drawn quality that purists love. LED neon offers a very similar glow with a wider range of colours, easy dimming and colour-changing options. It is also easier to build in unusual shapes and to scale up.

Which should you choose?

For most homes, bars, restaurants and shops, LED neon is the practical option: safer, lighter and easier to install. neonscribe specialises in LED neon for exactly these reasons. Tell us about your project and we will recommend the best build.