7 Best Bite Alarms: Affordable & Quality Fishing Alarms Under $100

There is no doubt that fishing bite alarms are essential for all coarse anglers targeting anything from carp, barbel, catfish, bream, or any other larger freshwater species. However, the cost for some alarms can go to a few hundred dollars!

So, what are the choices available if you are on a budget or a beginner and don’t use a bite alarm every week?

I have rounded up some of the best tried and tested fishing bite alarms for under $100 in this article. I have reviewed them thoroughly so you can find the best bite alarm without spending a fortune!

Our Best Picks For Affordable Bite Alarms

• Sonik Vader X Carp Fishing Bite Alarm – My Best Overall Pick!
• Hirisi Tackle Wireless Carp Fishing Bite Alarm Set – My Most Versatile Pick!
• Hirisi Tackle Carp Fishing Bite Alarm and Swinger Set – My Best Budget Pick!
• Lixada Fishing Bite Indicators Kit – My Best Catfish Pick!
• TSV Fishing Bite Alarm Set – My Best Innovative Pick!
• Germerse Fish Bite Alarm Set
• Sonik SKS Carp Fishing Bite Alarm Set – With Free Bivvy Light – Bonus Pick! 

Without a good bite alarm, you can never leave your rod unattended, and let’s be honest, a good bite alarm is better at detecting a bite than the old-school angler’s fingers and feel. But, finding a good and affordable fishing bite alarm isn’t so easy these days as there are so many to choose from, and they are not all made equal. 

The great deal with all these fishing alarms is that you can use them for all species. If you are a carp angler or want to use your bite alarm for catfishing, these will all work perfectly. 

Sonik Vader X Carp Fishing Bite Alarm – My Best Overall Pick!

The best overall fishing bite alarm set, in my opinion, is, without a doubt, the Sonik Vader X Carp. It has far more features that are missing from many other alarms in the price range, is of better quality, and comes with a one-year warranty. 

The VaderX has a VLED array, which makes detection of directional line movement super easy; this means you can see both normal and drop-back bites. Its roller wheel is illuminated and glows in the dark, giving no chance that you won’t see the bites. Two LEDs also light up, making the bite alarm one of the best in its class for clear bite indication.

All the usual settings can be tweaked to the individual angler’s needs, including the volume, tone, and sensitivity, which are important when other anglers around the lake do not want to be disturbed.

The three-piece set (HC0064) comes with red/green/blue combination indicator lights.

Another feature I have to have on my alarms is snag ears; these can be screwed in easily and really fit the rod nicely to prevent any movement.

As with most fishing alarms, it has a range of up to 150 meters and a surprisingly long-lasting battery. The Sonik Vader X is also available in a two-piece set (HC0063) using red/blue LED lights. 

Pros

• Twin hi-visibility LEDs
• The front V-LED Indicator shows the direction of the indication
• Eight sensitivity levels
• Eight volume and tone settings (including silent mode)
• Power out socket 2.5mm
• Forward and backward drop-back indication
• The night glow LED function
• Sealed case and rod-friendly rubber inlays
• Supplied with screw-in snag ears
• Six channels, Red-Green-Blue-Orange-Purple-White
• Vibro mode
• Auto alarm head tone matching
• Magnetic attachment feature
• Up to 150m range
• Lanyard attachment point

Cons

• None, as far as I am concerned  

Specs

Battery Type: 1 x 9v battery 

Battery Life: NA

Carry Case: Yes

NightLight: Yes

Waterproof: Yes

Snag Ear: Yes

Hirisi Tackle Wireless Carp Fishing Bite Alarm Set – My Most Versatile Pick!

In my opinion, the most versatile fishing bite alarm set is, without a doubt, the Hirisi Tackle Wireless Carp Fishing Bite Alarm Set. It has all the important features, just better and more affordable, so what is not to love? 

With this set, you get four bite alarms and a receiver in a lovely protective case, making carrying them around simple and easy. 

Each alarm has snag ears so your rod stays put, eight LEDs on the side indicate bite sensitivity, and the buttons on the side make it easy to adjust the tone, volume, and sensitivity for each one. 

The receiver works from up to 150 meters away and is compatible with up to 6 bite alarms, and to each, you can assign a different colour so you know which rod you are getting a bite on. It is also magnetic, so you can attach it to anything metal, like the frame of your bivvy. 

To top it all off, each piece of the kit comes with a night light and is fully waterproof and, therefore, will last a long time. The only downside of this set is that the batteries can be a little tricky to remove from each unit, but with practice, it becomes easy. 

Pros

• Waterproof and with long-lasting durability 
• Removal of snag ears keeps your rods in place 
• Eight different sensitivity, volume, and tone options 
• Excellent at detecting bites 
• LEDs show bite intensity on the side 
• Easy to use 
• The magnetized receiver attaches to your stand/tent 
• Wireless receiver works up to 150 meters away 

Cons

• Batteries can be hard to remove  

Specs

Battery Type: 1 x 9v battery 

Battery Life: NA

Carry Case: Yes

NightLight: Yes

Waterproof: Yes

Snag Ear: Yes

Hirisi Tackle Carp Fishing Bite Alarm and Swinger Set – My Best Budget Pick!

If you are shopping on a budget, the best alarm for carp fishing would be the Hirisi Tackle Carp Fishing Bite Alarm and Swinger Set. 

This set is super affordable at half the price of the Hirisi Tackle wireless carp set, with the major difference being that this budget option has no receiver.

This set comes with LED-colored swingers and is available in five different versions with two, three, or four bite alarms in a neat little carry case for portability. Each bite alarm is water-resistant for durability and needs a 9-volt battery to run. 

You can adjust volume, tone, and sensitivity at the push of a button. The speaker is loud when you get a bite, and there is a warning indicator and night light. You will hear and see these go off no matter what conditions you are fishing in. 

These bite alarms have great sensitivity and will pick up the subtlest bite if you set them to. They are also super easy to use but don’t come with snag ears, so your rods can roll off quite easily.

Since they don’t come with a wireless receiver, you must stay nearer to your rods. 

Pros

• Simple and easy to use 
• Very affordable for the quality 
• It comes with a night light for night fishing 
• Very sensitive to subtle bites 
• The speaker is loud for windy days 
• Sensitivity is adjustable 
• Fully adjustable volume so you can hear every bite 
• Durable, water-resistant build 

Cons

• It comes without snag ears 
• Rods can fall off 
• Not wireless 

Specs

Battery Type: 1 x 9 volt 

Battery. Life: NA

Carry Case: Yes

NightLight: Yes

Waterproof: Water-resistant 

Snag Ear: No 

Lixada Fishing Bite Indicators Kit – My Best Catfish Pick!

The Lixada Fishing Bite Indicators Kit is a great option for catfish fishing, as they are simple to use, easy to set up, and great at detecting bites.

With this set, you get three bite alarms and three stands to go with them in a handy carry case. Each alarm has a loudspeaker and LEDs indicating a take on your rod, so you will never miss a fish taking your bait, and you can even use them at night. 

You can adjust each individually for tone, volume, and sensitivity at the push of a button. It is incredibly easy to dial in exactly what you want from these alarms, and their sensitivity is also excellent. 

This set is durable, will last, is built from aluminium, and is water-resistant. It can handle rain, too, so you can fish throughout the year. 

The downsides to the Lixada set are that it doesn’t come with a wireless receiver, so you have to stay close to them to hear a bite, and there are no snag ears so that rods can roll off quite easily. 

Pros

• It comes with stands and a carry case 
• LED lights for night fishing 
• Adjustable tone, volume, and sensitivity
• Adjust with the press of a button 
• Sensitivity to bites is excellent 
• Loud audio and LED visuals so you never miss a bite 
• Durable and long-lasting 
• Simple and easy to use 

Cons

• No wireless receiver 
• Rods can roll off if not careful

Specs

Battery Type: 1 x 9V 

Battery Life: NA

Carry Case: Yes 

NightLight: Yes

Waterproof: Water-resistant 

Snag Ear: No 

TSV Fishing Bite Alarm Set – My Best Innovative Pick!

This TSV Fishing Bite Alarm Set is very different from the others as instead of needing a stand, you simply clip the alarm to your rod and run the line through it. This makes them highly portable, very affordable, and easy to use. 

Once clipped to your rod with your line clipped in position, the bite alarm will signal a bite via sound and with a flashing LED. This means you can use it for night fishing, too. Small bites can be detected as they are pretty sensitive so that you won’t miss a bite, and they are good at excluding wind and current from bites, too. 

Each one has a 100-hour battery life, which is pretty awesome, and you get ten spare LR44 coin-type batteries with them, so you can replace them on the fly if you need to. 

These alarms are fantastic for fishing on a boat. They can prevent losing expensive rods and reels since large fish can pull your rod overboard if you don’t adjust your reel clutch correctly. The negative side to this set is that you have to be near your rod to hear them go off and hold your rod, too, unless you have a stand. 

Pros

• Simple and easy to use 
• No need for pods or stands 
• Good sensitivity 
• Alerts via sound and lights 
• Good for night fishing 
• Highly portable 
• Good battery life 
• It comes with spare batteries 
• Super affordable 

Cons

• You need to be close to your rods to hear it 
• Not viable for more seasoned specialist anglers 

Specs

Battery Type: LR44 batteries 

Battery Life: 100 hours 

Carry Case: No 

NightLight: No 

Waterproof: NA

Snag Ear: No 

Germerse Fish Bite Alarm Set 

The ​​Germerse Fish Bite Alarm Set is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a mid-range priced set. This set comes with four bite alarms and a wireless receiver in a handy carry case that keeps them safe and highly portable. 

Each unit features solid snag ears so your rod never slips off, and it comes with a loudspeaker plus LEDs to indicate a bite. This makes them perfect for night fishing, and you can adjust the tone, sensitivity, and volume of each alarm with a simple twist of a knob. 

Each one connects to a wireless receiver, which means you can be up to 100 meters away baiting up another fishing spot and still hear and see if you are getting a bite. 

The entire kit is simple to use as it connects to the receiver automatically, and you can easily fine-tune everything to your specific settings. The sensitivity is also excellent on each bite alarm so that you will get triggered even on the smallest of takes. 

The one thing about this set is that it is more expensive than most of the others, but it is worth it for the number of bite alarms you get and having the wireless receiver included in the price. 

Pros

• It comes with four bite alarms and a wireless receiver 
• Includes snag ears to keep your rods in place 
• Durable build that lasts 
• Excellent bite sensitivity 
• Bites are indicated by sounds and LEDs
• Fully adjustable tone, volume, and sensitivity
• Includes a wireless receiver with a 100-meter range 
• Simple and easy to use 

Cons

• More expensive than others 

Sonik SKS Carp Fishing Bite Alarm Set – With Free Bivvy Light – Bonus Pick!

Whist the Sonik SKS bite alarm is just above the $100 budget, I include this as an option if you can stretch your budget to $20 more! It’s a really solid option to its sister, the Sonik VaderX, reviewed earlier in this article.

The value for that extra few dollars is a great investment and even comes with a free bivvy light, which, when paired with your alarms, will illuminate the color of the specific bite alarm! So even before you are near your rod, you already know which one has set off!

Check out this great offering from Sonik!

Bite Alarms Frequently Asked Questions

What Is A Fishing Bite Alarm Used For?

Bite alarms are crucial when targeting larger fish, especially when night fishing. There is no doubt that bite alarms are incredibly useful when you might have to wait hours for a bite, which often leads to a lack of concentration. With a good bite alarm, you will never miss an opportunity again. 

What Batteries Do I Need For My Bite Alarm?

Most bite alarms use the same type of batteries. The transmitter requires a one-piece 9v battery, and the receiver requires three AAA batteries. (For most bite alarms, the batteries are not included)

What Signals Are Used In Fishing Bite Alarms?

Most good bite alarms have an audible (buzzer) and a visual (coloured LED lamp) indication of a fishing bite.

Do I Need A Bite Alarm Receiver?

A bite alarm receiver unit is best used if you sleep or are away from your rods. It receives the bite indication from the alarms, which is wirelessly transmitted to your receiver. Usually, anglers keep the receiver in their pockets or close to where they sleep.

A receiver is unnecessary if you fish mainly in the daytime and are close to your fishing rods.

Biting Up 

Thanks very much for reading my article. I hope you enjoyed it and that it helped you narrow down your best options for fishing bite alarms. 

I would recommend going for the best bite alarm your budget allows, and if you can, get one with a wireless receiver, as it means you can sleep if needed and allows you to be away from your rods without missing a trick. 
Please share the article with your fishing buddies and why not check out some of our others, we cover everything from head torches and the best bivvies for carp fishing.