Don't Waste Your Money is supported by our readers. When you purchase an item through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The Best Reflective Tape

Last updated on June 1, 2023
Best Reflective Tape

Our Review Process

Don't Waste Your Money is focused on helping you make the best purchasing decision. Our team of experts spends hundreds of hours analyzing, testing, and researching products so you don't have to. Learn more.

Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in a category.

Reflective tape is use both outdoors and indoors, as well as in private and commercial settings. It can prevent accidents from happening at any time of day, since it offers superior visibility of hazards. Some types of tape are heavier duty than others, though, and may be better-suited to certain purposes. A trucking company will want a weatherproof, durable and Department of Transportation-approved version to put on their tractor trailers, while a parent might want to use another type on their child’s bicycle helmet.

Some reflective tape must meet federal requirements if applied for certain uses, like for boating and trucking. Be sure to check for compliance if you fall into this category. Also look to the product guide for measurements, as there are many sizes on the market. If using reflective tape outdoors, check to see if it is waterproof and/or weatherproof.

Our Picks For The Top Reflective Tapes

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Our Take
 Top Pick

Starrey Multi-Size Industrial Reflective Tape

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

Starrey

Multi-Size Industrial Reflective Tape

This super-strong, flexible reflective tape sticks on steel, wood, aluminum and curved surfaces. It is DOT-C2 approved and made from a high-intensity material that maximizes visibility at night. It comes in four different sizes, starting at this 1/2-by-15-inch size, and it has a noticeable silver honeycomb pattern.

Overall Take

Sticks on AnythingBoth pretty and effective, this reflective tape is a great choice when you need visibility after dark.

 Runner Up

BERTAPES Ultra Strong Engineering-Grade Reflective Tape

BERTAPES

Ultra Strong Engineering-Grade Reflective Tape

Increase visibility with this roll of yellow reflective tape. It's nice and wide with a length of 25 feet. The tape is easy to apply and designed for outdoor use. In fact, it's both fade-resistant and waterproof, so you can even use it in a pool area.

Overall Take

Wide DesignIf 25 feet isn't enough, you'll find this reflective tape also comes in 75 and 150-feet options.

 Strong Contender

WAENLIR Weather-Resistant Industrial Strength Reflective Tape

WAENLIR

Weather-Resistant Industrial Strength Reflective Tape

This reflective tape alternates between 6 inches of red and 6 inches of white for better visibility. The tape is constructed using five different layers, so you can count on it being strong and durable, even when used in a commercial setting. The tape is easy to apply and can be cut to fit as needed.

Overall Take

Captures Your AttentionYou'll get a full 200 feet of reflective tape when you opt for this set.

 We Also Like

Qomovo Department of Transportation Certified Anti-Fade Reflective Tape

Qomovo

Department of Transportation Certified Anti-Fade Reflective Tape

Add this reflective tape to your child's bike helmet, the back of your trailer or along your front gate for an added layer of safety. The 50-foot roll is DOT certified and safe to use on a variety of surfaces. It's also waterproof and fade-resistant, so you won't have to worry about the elements causing any damage.

Overall Take

Multiple Color OptionsYou'll find this reflective tape is available in a choice of white, fluorescent yellow, red and a red and white combination.

What to Look For

  • Businesses can protect their employees and visitors by using reflective tape to mark hazardous containers and machinery and dangerous areas in parking garages. Reflective tape is also helpful for pointing out risky spots in restaurants, warehouses and other places of business.
  • The U.S. DOT requires all trucks with trailers and semi-trucks to use reflective tape, and these tapes must conform to DOT specifications.
  • Anyone who is active outdoors (especially at night) can benefit from placing reflective tape on their clothing, personal safety equipment and tools. It is also not a bad idea to add some reflective tape to a dog’s collar when taking him or her out for a walk after dark or at dusk.

More to Explore

Although reflective material is commonplace today, it only dates back to the 1930s, when it was first used on asphalt and stop signs. Fifty years later, it began to appear on silver-piped backpacks and sneakers.

Reflective tape is made from microscopic glass beads that are half the size of one human hair! These beads are coated with aluminum, and then adhered to material. This allows the light to bounce right back to its source, no matter the angle.

More to explore