There are those dreaded times when cats urinate outside their litter box. Whether it be on carpeting, rugs, hard surfaces, furniture, or clothing, we want to ensure our homes are urine and odor-free.
Cat urine has a pungent smell that will linger and stink up the house. Since cats like to use the bathroom in private, it can be quite difficult to locate where they have urinated, especially if it has already dried.
Thankfully, blacklights can help you locate any areas that have been soiled so you can get your home all cleaned up and smelling nice again. We took to the reviews and came up with a list of the top six blacklights for finding cat urine stains.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
| Image | Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall
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PeeDar 2.0 UV LED Urine Detector |
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Best Value
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Stink Free LED UV Urine Detector |
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Premium Choice
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uvBeast V3 Blacklight for Cat Urine |
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| Best for Kittens |
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DARKBEAM Ultraviolet Flashlight |
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Alonefire X901UV Blacklight |
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The 6 Best Blacklights for Finding Cat Urine Stains
1. PeeDar 2.0 UV LED Flashlight Urine Detector – Best Overall
| Power Source: | 3 AAA batteries |
| Dimensions: | 3.86 x 1.42 x 1.42 inches |
| Weight: | 3.84 ounces |
The PeeDar 2.0 UV Flashlight Dry Urine Detector is our top choice for the best overall blacklight for detecting cat urine. This light illuminates any undetectable pet urine anywhere you shine. This light works great indoors either in the dark or with low light.
The PeeDar 2.0 is powered with three AAA batteries that are included in the purchase, so you can start using this light as soon as you unbox it. It is conveniently portable and is even water-resistant. Also included in the purchase is an eBook titled Understanding & Solving Unwanted Toilet Habits. A few users did complain of problems with functionality soon after purchase.
2. Stink Free LED UV Pet Urine Odor Detector & Flashlight – Best Value
| Power Source: | 3 AAA batteries |
| Dimensions: | 3.625 x 2.5 x 1.375 inches |
| Weight: | N/A |
If you are looking for a blacklight that will give you the best value for your money, the Stink Free Stink Finder LED UV Pet Urine Odor Detector & Flashlight is a great choice. This LED light is pocket-sized and uses its UV light to illuminate your cat’s urine and other bodily fluids that could be the source of unpleasant smells.
You will want to darken the room or dim the lights before use. This light is powered by three AAA batteries that are not included in the purchase. There is a regular flashlight on the front of the Stink Free Stink Finder, and it is constructed with a magnet and hook for hanging it up out of the way when not in use.
Some reviewers did have the complaint that some lights were received defective. While not a common problem, it can be quite an inconvenience.
3. uvBeast V3 Blacklight for Cat Urine – Premium Choice
| Power Source: | Rechargeable lithium-ion |
| Dimensions: | 8.66 x 2.17 x 0.91 inches |
| Weight: | 5.3 ounces |
Our premium choice of blacklight for finding cat urine goes to the uvBeast V3 Blacklight for Cat Urine. This blacklight is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that gets approximately 4 hours’ worth of battery life. The uvBeast V3 is lightweight and has the perfect nm for detecting cat urine.
The manufacturer states it has up to a 60-foot range and many reviewers are impressed by the long range of this blacklight. The uvBeast V3 is much more expensive than some of the competition and some users did have the complaint that the light itself has short longevity and did not last as long as expected.
4. DARKBEAM Blacklight Ultraviolet Flashlight – Best for Kittens
| Power Source: | 1 AA battery |
| Dimensions: | 3.7 x 0.8 x 1 inches |
| Weight: | 1.44 ounces |
The compact and lightweight Darkbeam Blacklight Ultraviolet Flashlight is our choice for kittens due to some glowing reviews at its cat urine detecting abilities. This small light takes just one AA battery as a power source. This light can be used in natural light but does perform best in the dark with minimal light leakage.
The Darkbeam Blacklight is focus-adjustable so you can zoom in and out to adjust the beam. The biggest complaint per the reviews is that the light was not durable enough and had short longevity for overall usage. It is small, light, and convenient and is a very fair price.
5. Alonefire X901UV Blacklight for Cat Urine
| Power Source: | Rechargeable lithium-ion |
| Dimensions: | 7.36 x 3.31 x 2.32 inches |
| Weight: | 12.6 ounces |
The Alonefire X901UV Blacklight for Cat Urine is a powerful UV flashlight with 365nm intensity, which is great for detecting cat urine specifically. The Alonefire is powered by one rechargeable lithium-ion battery which is included in the purchase, along with the charging cord. You will also get a pair of safety glasses with this purchase.
According to reviewers, the biggest downfall to this UV flashlight is the lackluster construction. A lot of users complained that there are issues with long-term durability and believe it could have been built better.
6. Anipaw UV Black Light for Cat Urine
| Power Source: | 6 AA batteries |
| Dimensions: | 8.03 x 3.31 x 2.99 inches |
| Weight: | 11.6 ounces |
The Anipaw UV Black Light For Cat Urine is a professional grade light with ultra-intensity of 385nm to 395nm. This LED UV flashlight helps locate urine and other stains on indoor carpet, ceramic tiles, hardwood floors, and other household linens.
According to the reviews, the Anipaw is of durable construction and very bright, which helps locate urine stains from a further distance than some others. A lot of reviewers have had success in locating cat urine, however, the nanometer intensity is a little higher than generally recommended for cat urine detection.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Blacklight for Finding Cat Urine Stains
How Does a Blacklight Work?
A blacklight is constructed to give off an ultraviolet (UV) light that is invisible to humans. There are fluorescent substances that can absorb ultraviolet light and re-emit the light at a different wavelength, which makes the light visible to the human eye. Substances detected by the blacklight will appear to glow.
What Shows Under Blacklight?
Most commonly, blacklights are used to detect bodily fluids such as urine, blood, and semen. All these body fluids contain fluorescent molecules that cause them to become visible under the blacklight even when undetectable by the human eye.
Vitamins, such as thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin, will shine under black light. Teeth whiteners, some laundry detergents and cleaners, tonic water, anti-freeze, and even scorpions can show under black light.
Do All Blacklights Detect Cat Urine?
Unfortunately, not every blacklight is going to be ideal for detecting cat urine. You need to check the wavelength of the UV light emitted from each product. The ideal wavelength for detecting cat urine is typically between 365nm and 385nm.
It is best to avoid blacklights that use LEDs with a wavelength of 390nm or more. While some people have reported these higher wavelength blacklights have had some success, it is best to purchase a light with the recommended nanometers to improve your chances of successfully detecting cat urine.
Reasons for Cat Owners to Have a Blacklight
Finding the Source of Unpleasant Odors
When you own cats or any other household pets, you are bound to come across a time when your home is emitting some sort of animal-related odor. There are a variety of reasons why cats may use the bathroom outside the litter box. There is no mistaking the strong smell of cat urine, whether it be from a male marking their territory or any feline household member going outside the box for any reason.
You need to find the source of the urine smell to clean it up properly. The problem with finding the source is that cats like to use the bathroom in private. Unlike dogs, they will go as far as to find their way into smaller, more hidden areas to do their business.
Having a blacklight handy will help you locate the areas that have been saturated with urine so that you can thoroughly clean and eliminate the unwanted odor.
Preventing More Urination/Marking
It is important to note that the smell of previous urination can prompt your cat to utilize that area again. Thorough cleaning of any area that has been soiled is a must to prevent future accidents. It is recommended that you find a cleaner that is designed to fully eliminate cat urine to prevent any remnants from hanging around.
Before You Buy
Not every UV urine detector light is created equal, so make sure you select one that’s good for your needs.
Cost
Depending on your budget and your situation, the upfront cost is always a concern. You want to get a blacklight that will provide you with great quality for your money. The price range for blacklights varies greatly. Some of the more durable, high-powered lights may come at a higher cost. If you find yourself having to search for urine stains frequently, it may be worth the extra cost. If you are on a budget or do not intend to use the light frequently, you may opt for a less expensive light.
Wavelength
As previously discussed, you will want to keep an eye on the wavelength of the blacklight before your purchase. UV lights that work great for dog urine may not do the same for cat urine. Finding a blacklight between 365 and 385 nanometers is recommended for the best success in detecting cat urine.
Size
Blacklights come in a wide variety of size and weight options. While some are easily portable, compact, and lightweight others can be much larger and heavier to tote around. The size will come down to your preference, but make sure it suits all your needs.
Battery
As you can see, different blacklights are powered by different battery types. In our list today, we featured products powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, AAA, and AA. For some, rechargeable options are the most convenient, as you can avoid trips to the store if you are out of AAA or AA batteries. Considering your blacklight is being used to detect cat urine within the house, having disposable batteries may not be much of an inconvenience though. This is up to personal preference if you have one.
Conclusion
PeeDar 2.0 UV LED Flashlight Urine Detector is a great overall choice for cat owners looking for a blacklight that is designed specifically for detecting pet urine.
Stink Free Stink Finder LED UV Pet Urine Odor Detector & Flashlight will be easy on your wallet and is also designed specifically for pet urine detection and the detection of other bodily fluids.
The uvBeast V3 comes at a higher cost but is very well-reviewed by consumers. This product has a long range and is equipped with a convenient rechargeable battery.
Now that you know what to look for when purchasing a blacklight for your cat urine detection needs and have some insight into what the reviews of other cat owners have to say, you should be well on your way to finding the source of those unpleasant odors and getting them cleaned up once and for all.
Featured Image Credit: Steve Heap, Shutterstock
