You’ve seen them glowing in cocktail bars, storefronts, and those late-night Instagram scrolls. But let’s face it—there’s still a ton of confusion around neon sign lights.
How much should you pay for a neon sign?
Are LED signs better than real neon?
Do they burn a lot of electricity, ever burn out, or even get banned in the UK or US?
And what’s the deal with why people don’t use neon anymore?
Smithers cuts through the static with straight-up answers to the internet’s most-searched neon sign questions. No jargon. No fluff. Just facts—and a flicker of vintage flair.
💸 How much should you pay for a neon sign?
It depends. For a custom LED neon sign handcrafted in the UK, expect to pay anywhere from £150 to over £1,000, depending on size, complexity, and materials. If someone’s selling you a “neon” sign for £20, it’s probably a printed plastic panel with zero glow and zero style.
At Smithers, our LED neon signs start around the £200 mark, but what you’re paying for is craftsmanship. Designed in our Shoreditch studio. Built to last. Backed by a full 12-month warranty. Explore real neon lighting that actually lives up to the hype.
🧯 Why don’t people use neon signs anymore?
They do—just not the old-school, gas-filled glass ones as much. Classic neon signs are delicate, expensive to maintain, and not energy-efficient. Most people are now choosing LED neon signs, which offer that same retro glow with modern reliability.
The glow’s not gone—it’s evolved. And our LED signs still bring the attitude. Check out our bestsellers.
⚡ Do neon signs burn a lot of electricity?
Real neon (gas-based) signs use more energy than their modern LED counterparts. LED neon signs are far more efficient—up to 80% less energy use, to be exact. They’re also safer and cooler to the touch.
Want to glow green? Go LED.
🔥 Do neon signs ever burn out?
Yes—everything burns out eventually. But LED neon signs last around 30,000 to 50,000 hours. That’s years of glow if you’re not running it 24/7. Classic gas neon tubes can dim or break far sooner and are expensive to repair.
🛑 Are neon lights illegal in the UK?
Nope. Totally legal. There are regulations for commercial signage and brightness in residential areas, but you won’t be breaking any laws hanging a neon cocktail sign in your home bar.
🗽 Are neon signs legal in the USA?
Yes—totally legal across the United States. Like the UK, there are some local zoning rules for outdoor commercial signage (brightness, placement, etc.), but nothing that bans neon signs outright.
For indoor neon signs—home bars, restaurants, creative studios—you’re good to glow nationwide. And yes, we ship to the USA regularly.
🎨 Which neon light colour is best?
Depends on the vibe. Pink and blue neon signs are fan favourites, but warm yellow, white, and orange colour neon options are making a big comeback. Looking for something no one else has? We do custom colour neon signs tailored to your palette, your brand, or your moodboard
💡 Is LED better than real neon?
If you want the look without the fuss? Absolutely. LED neon signs are safer, longer-lasting, and more affordable. They don’t buzz. They don’t flicker. They don’t crack. But they still bring the drama.
We’re not anti-glass neon—but we’re pro-practical.
🤔 Why is neon not popular anymore?
Neon never died. It just went digital. From TikTok bedrooms to Soho bars, neon signs are everywhere—they’ve just swapped glass tubes for flex LED.
It’s not about fading popularity—it’s about smarter design. And we’ve nailed it.
📌 We’ve also built a full guide packed with inspiration, answers, and our bestselling neon designs — check out our Neon Sign and lights inspiration Hub – The Supreme Light Glow Guide for the full lowdown.
Still Got Questions?
Thinking about designing your own? Want a quote for a bespoke piece? Need to settle the “LED vs Neon” debate in your own space?
Talk to us — or dive straight into our Neon Signs collection and find something worth glowing over.