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The Best Open Sign

Last updated on November 7, 2023
Best Open Sign

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To get customers coming into your business, you need to make sure that they know you’re open and ready to offer them your products or services. That’s why an open sign is such an important item to place on your storefront or outside on the sidewalk.

The most basic type of open sign is made of plastic and flips to show whether you’re open or closed. Usually hung in the window of your business, this kind of sign is a basic and economical choice, but it’s harder to see at night. Sometimes, there will be a plastic clock you can adjust to show when you expect to be back. You can also find versions that show your business hours using stickers that you can change.

Open signs that light up are widely used since customers can see them any time of day, and they work well both inside and outside your business. These signs often have different modes where you can get a blinking effect or static glow. The most common light colors are blue and red, and these lights are often very bright and use LED technology that offers a cheaper alternative to neon lights.

Some electronic open signs will have a programmable feature so that you can input your business’s operating hours or display some other message to customers. You’ll often have a remote control to conveniently change the information displayed.

If you’re looking to advertise on the sidewalk, you can find open signs that stand up and come in many designs to fit your brand and preferences. These can work well if you need to frequently change a custom message since they often have chalkboards on both sides of the sign.

Our Picks For The Top Open Signs

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Product Overview
Our Take
 Best Overall

AGPTEK LED Steady & Flashing Open Sign, 19-Inch x 10-Inch

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

AGPTEK

LED Steady & Flashing Open Sign, 19-Inch x 10-Inch

Whether you own a clothing shop, restaurant or hotel, you'll love this open sign set. First, you get a 19-inch eye-catching neon sign that customers can see from far away. Then, you'll also receive a 10-inch window sign that lets customers know exactly what time you'll be returning.

Overall Take

Best Combo DealThis open sign offers both steady and flashing light modes.

 Best Basic

Eagle Hanging Plastic Open Sign, 6-Inch x 11.5-Inch

Eagle

Hanging Plastic Open Sign, 6-Inch x 11.5-Inch

This basic plastic sign measures 6 by 11.5 inches and has a metal chain for easy hanging. It flips so that you can show both when you're opened and closed. You can adjust the plastic clock hands to notify when you'll return.

Overall Take

Basic OptionIf you're looking for a hanging open sign that doesn't light up and makes it easy to tell whether you're open, this product will suit your needs.

 We Also Like

SK Depot Red & Blue Open Sign, 19-Inch x 10-Inch

SK Depot

Red & Blue Open Sign, 19-Inch x 10-Inch

Equipped with blue and red LED lights, this oval open sign keeps things simple and makes it easy for customers to see at night. It measures 19 by 10 inches and can either blink or stay on.

Overall Take

Simple with LightingThis LED open sign gives your business visibility at night when you simply need to say that you're open.

 Unique Design

Element Lux Neon LED 7-Color Open Sign, 20-Inch x 22-Inch

Element Lux

Neon LED 7-Color Open Sign, 20-Inch x 22-Inch

The unique design of this open sign allows your place of business to stand out in a crowd. The lights are bright, even in the daylight, and the sign itself is 20-inches tall. The best feature tough is the remote control. This handy device allows you to control the color modes from across the room.

Overall Take

Many HuesIncluded with this open sign is an easy-to-use hanging kit.

What to Look For

  • If you decide to use an electric open sign, keep in mind that power outages can occur. Therefore, it can be worth getting a sign that has a backup battery that will take over and allow customers to see whether you’ve closed. Depending on the sign, the battery may not last for more than an hour or two, so you may also want a traditional sign as a backup.
  • Although electric signs do require electricity, you don’t have to worry much about your business’s electric bill rising significantly due to using one. The invention of LED lights has helped cut the energy needed to power these open signs around the clock. However, it’s still helpful to check the type of lighting being used and see if the manufacturer estimates the power consumption.
  • When buying a programmable open sign that displays business hours, keep in mind that manufacturers may only allow you to set hours on a half-hour basis. This can be a problem if you close at a time like 10:15 or 11:50. You could buy a standalone plastic business hours sign that uses stickers if you think this will be an issue.

More to Explore

Here are some interesting facts to know about open signs and signs in general:

  • Signs in some form have existed for as long as 20,000 years. The first signs were cave paintings, while signs from around 5,000 years ago were also found on stone walls.
  • Neon open signs with blue and red colors have become iconic around the world. While neon signs in general date back to the early 1900s, you wouldn’t see them used as open signs for businesses until the 1980s, which is when they became widely available for sale through warehouse clubs.
  • Although you’ll still see many open signs that light up, there’s a good chance these signs take advantage of the more energy-efficient LED technology than neon lighting.

More to explore