Lizard Flare is an As Seen on TV product billed as a flameless roadside emergency flare. It features 15 LED strobes and 9 different flashing patterns, providing a 360-degree visibility without the danger of traditional flares. Does it work? Today I offer my review.
Where to Purchase
I bought Lizard Flare direct from the official website, lizardflare.com. There is also currently an Amazon listing for Lizard Flare, found here. You can buy a six-pack for a total of $53.94. I compared the Lizard Flare to a popular version on Amazon, which I’ll discuss below. That model is sold in a six-pack for $26-$33 and you can find that listing here.
My giveaway ended on 8/31/22.
Claims & Features for both products
- 360-degree visibility
- Can be seen up to a mile away
- 15 LED lights
- 9 flashing patterns, including SOS
- Rugged design
- Stays cool
- Requires 3 AAA batteries (not included)
Lizard Flare Review
Lizard Flare is advertised on television as an emergency roadside flare, using LED lights rather than flame or other type of combustion. In typical As Seen on TV fashion, the commercial includes over-the-top demonstrations to prove how rugged the product is, including running it over with a fire truck. When I went on Amazon to see if it was being sold there, I noticed a number of very similar looking products already listed, including a highly-rated Amazon’s Choice model with over 4500 ratings. I decided to purchase Lizard Flare direct from the official website, and the similar Amazon version to see how they compared.
I should also point out that this design of lights can be found going back almost a decade under the descriptor “FRED” which stands for “Flashing Roadside Emergency Disc.”
Upon my unboxing of both flares, it was apparent that there were far more similarities than differences. Both model include 15 lights, 9 light patterns, 360-degree visibility, require three AAA batteries, etc. The biggest difference, aside from the color, is the price, with the Amazon version around $20 less for a six-pack.
I put them out in the yard to test them side by side and noticed that the Lizard Flare had a slightly redder tint than the Amazon, which had more of an orange hue. Both lights have an SOS mode, but it occurred to me that the SOS pattern gets lost if you have multiple non-synchronized lights flashing this pattern at the same time.
Although I didn’t have access to a firetruck, I did run over both lights with an SUV. Although there was an unpleasant cracking sound as the tire ran across them, both lights still worked afterward, and the housing looked intact upon closer inspection.
When I tested the two flares to see how they drained batteries, I was surprised that there was a difference. The Amazon version burned much brighter until the batteries were depleted, while the Lizard Flare burned longer with a much dimmer light. I repeated the test with two different units, and a lower-drain light setting, and the results were about the same. It may depend on the need, but it seems to me that a brighter flare lasting 7 hours may be more useful than a dim flare lasting much longer. This, of course, may depend on the situation.
Both lights are said to be seen up to a mile away, so I enlisted my son Brandon to help me test that claim. We went out to the edge of town and stood a mile apart to see if he could see the flares – and he could. Not only was he was able to see both flares with his phone camera zoomed in, but he could also see them with the naked eye. I should point out that our test was done at dusk, so it was not completely dark. If it had been completely dark, the flares probably would have been visible at a distance greater than one mile.
My final test was the freezer test. Both units were placed in my freezer for three days and still worked fine afterward.
In the end, I think that both the Lizard Flare and the Amazon counterpart live up to the marketing claims. Although I think consumers will be happy with either option, I would probably opt for the Amazon due to the price difference and the fact that it stayed brighter longer.
If you’ve used the Lizard Flare or similar “FRED” light, tell me what you think in the comments below.
Video Review
Check out my full review of the Lizard Flare below.
Great product review!!
I was sure the crunch was the end 😂
This is not letting me sign up for the giveaway, it keeps kicking me off the sign up page????
My apologies. There is a technical problem that is being investigated now. I will be increasing the prize to two winners to make up for the inconvenience!
Thank you for this! I haven’t seen the Lizard Lights as of yet, but they are an item I didn’t know I needed. I don’t carry emergency markers in my car now and these are small enough, yet visible — and it looks like visible in the daytime — to leave in my car and not have to worry about the space they take up. However, two things to cover in your annual update… The first is about the product and how it performs. I don’t care so much about how well these work cold as I do hot. The… Read more »
this looks really good..
Also having trouble signing up for giveaway.
If you have issues, just send an email to [email protected], and I’ll enter you manually.
Thank you so much for all the research! Great review!
Thanks, Lori!
Great Product Review! You are my go-to for honest reviews. Thank you!
Is it legal for a private car to have a red flashing light
Probably not while driving, but I think it’s ok in an emergency situation. That could also depend on state and local laws. That’s certainly something to consider.
These are not on the car.
ABSOLUTELY YES! AS LONG AS THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY. YOU CAN NOT PROCEED (MOVE – UNDER A FLASHING RED LIGHT UNLESS IT IS A REGISTERED EMERGENCY VEHICLE). A DISABLED OR STATIONARY VEHICLE CAN USE A FLASHING RED LIGHT.
Beware-some subtle advertising differences. The tv commercial refers to a “pro” model in the audio and on-screen “deluxe model shown” when discussing the flashlight feature of the flare. When you get to the website, there is the same infomercial, but no option to order deluxe or pro even though “some” pictures of the flare show the flashlight. However, the order portion of the web page shows the flare you are ordering, WITHOUT the flashlight leds present! (Missing, just above the power button). I would infer from this, the pro / deluxe model with the flashlight feature is no longer sold… Read more »
I have noticed over the years that these As Seen on TV companies often have a “pro” version. Sometimes the “pro” version becomes the standard version, while other times the pro version disappears without a trace. I’m thinking it may be a way to test a demand for alternate designs. Good observation!
This review was very thorough and so helpful! I just saw the As Seen on TV commercial and loved the product, so decided to do some research. I immediately found the AMAZON option and your review has helped me to make my purchasing decision. Thank you🤗
I’m glad you found my review useful! I hope your final decision works out for you!
Are the batteries replaceable ?
Yes it just takes 3 standard AAA batteries.
Great review
Specifically, what brand is the Amazon-recommended product?
The brand I purchased was “Tobfit.”
The direct link is here: https://geni.us/ledflare
First time review watcher. Very impressed with the fact that you ran so many test on comparable items and did your homework to show the consumer which product was mostly likely the original and which was a knockoff. Kudos.
Thank you Sarah! I appreciate the kind words!
Thanks for your website and YT vids — you help me figure out what is, and isn’t, worth buying. Best wishes,
Thanks, Dee! I’m glad I can be of some help!
Great review. I kept seeing the advertisement but couldn’t afford them. I see them on Amazon now. Are you still doing the give away. I’m 66 and I travel alone every weekend to take care of my mom whose 91 and I would live to have these just to be safe.
Hi Shirley, thanks for the comment! My giveaway ended last year, but there are some pretty inexpensive competitors on Amazon!
Jim…..using you’re common sense and superb solid review on this product I have given thought to purchasing a few of these for myself will gift-give to some friends……I can think of various different & positive functionalities for this light. You really went the distance in the review. As you know, many smart product buyers will explore review sites looking for one that will give them authentic answers for what they seek to purchase. Thank you for answering every single question I had in regard to this.
Is it waterproof
It’ll work in the rain but I haven’t tried fully submerging it.