Harbor Freight's Top-Rated Bug Zapper Is Surprisingly Affordable

Nothing puts a damper on camping or spending outdoors quite like mosquitoes. From swarming around your face to leaving you with itchy, painful bites, these pests can turn what is supposed to be your sanctuary into a place you avoid. This can be especially true when you consider the many diseases that the different types of mosquitoes can spread. Fortunately, there are many management solutions that can help you enjoy your backyard or outdoor retreat, including an electric bug zapper.

Harbor Freight offers a 2-in-1 rechargeable bug zapper that also doubles as a camping lantern, knocking out two of your outdoor needs with a single product that you can pick up for $12.99 online. This product provides a 20-hour runtime, with recharging done through its micro-USB port, which is great if you want to create a low-maintenance oasis in your backyard. It can be placed upright on a surface, such as your picnic table, or hung for convenience.

Overall, the Harbor Freight 2-in-1 bug zapper offers a variety of benefits on a budget, and, at the time of writing, it has a 4.4-star rating on Harbor Freight's website across over 420 reviews. To get the full idea of what customers thought about this bug zapper, we wanted to note both the positive and negative experiences individuals had. This included looking beyond the star ratings to see if those who left a positive rating included any negative features in their reviews.

When you're picking the right bug zapper for your outdoor space, there are two things you want to keep in mind: ease of use and effectiveness. After all, if mosquitoes are making your space unenjoyable, then you want to ensure that the trap you pick will help alleviate some of your concerns. At the same time, factors like runtime, assembly, and cleanup are also important to consider.

Many people who purchased the Harbor Freight 2-in-1 bug zapper seemed pleased with their purchase, and 86% of customers on the company's website would recommend it. A significant number of positive reviews revolved around not only its bug-zapping abilities but also its handy light. For example, one verified buyer, username DD, said: "Have not had it long, but used it camping in a tent. Light is great and did a number on bugs as a bonus." This sentiment was also shared by other reviewers, including William, who included this statement in their review: "The [light's] pretty decent as well. But I love the bug lights feature most. It kills. Literally."

Other reviewers talked about the ease of use, with positive remarks for its battery life, charging time, cleaning, and even durability. M Winslow, a verified buyer, had this to say about the bug zapper: "It works and battery life is long. Recharge is quick." If you plan on being outdoors for several days, like when camping, these are essential features to keep in mind. After all, you don't want to be left to the mercy of the mosquitoes while waiting hours for your zapper to charge.

Even with a budget-friendly option like Harbor Freight's 2-in-1 zapper, you want to ensure that your purchase is worth the investment. That involves taking time to look at any negative experiences or potential downsides as well.

One common experience many reviewers noted is that this bug zapper didn't seem to attract insects, although it did a good job at killing them when they were present. One verified buyer summed this up well, saying: "This light doesn't really attract the bugs, but will kill them if they happen to land on it." Another verified buyer, Peter, included in their review: "It seems to only attract bugs when it is dark." Some will have different experiences with bug zappers based on their location, climate, and resident insects. However, it's important to keep information like this in mind when shopping.

Overall, the Harbor Freight 2-in-1 rechargeable bug zapper offers a solid but affordable method of managing mosquitoes on the go. While some reviewers had concerns about its ability to attract flying insects to the zapper itself, it received high remarks for its ability to kill insects on contact as well as its battery life and charging time. As a result, it's a zapper worth considering for the outdoor enthusiast interested in a budget-friendly product that can double as a light (which is a must-have for your summer camping trip) when needed.