There is no doubt that fishing bite alarms are an essential piece of gear that all coarse anglers targeting anything from carp or barbel and even catfish, or any other freshwater species. However, the cost for some alarms can go to a few hundred dollars!
So, if you are on a budget or a beginner and don’t use a bite alarm every week then what are the choices available?
In this article, I have rounded up some of the best tried and tested fishing bite alarms for under $100. I have reviewed all of them in detail, so you can find the best bite alarm without spending a fortune!
- 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
- Elikliv Fishing Bite Alarms Set
- Sonik SKS Carp Fishing Bite Alarm Set – With Free Bivvy Light – Bonus Bite Alarm Pick!
Our Best Bite Alarms
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 then 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 Fishing Bite Alarm. It has far more features that are missing from many other alarms at the price range, is better quality, and comes with a one-year warranty.
The VADERX bite alarm has a VLED array which allows directional line movement detection super easy, this means you can see both normal bites 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 indication lights in a Red/Green/blue combination.
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
- 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
- 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!
The best carp fishing bite alarm set in my opinion is without doubt the Hirisi Tackle Wireless Carp Fishing Bite Alarm Set. It is similar to the bite alarms we looked at above, 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 which makes carrying them around simple and easy.
Each bite alarm has snag ears so your rod stays put, there are 8 LEDs on the side that indicate bite sensitivity, and the buttons on the side make it easy to adjust the tone, volume, and sensitivity of each.
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 color 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 with ease. 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 snag ears keep your rods in place
- 8 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 then the best carp fishing bite alarm for you 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 4 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 the volume, tone, and sensitivity of each of the bite alarms at the push of a button. The speaker is loud when you get a bite, and there is a warning light, and a night light for night use too. No matter what conditions you are fishing in, you are going to hear these alarms.
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 they don’t come with snag ears so your rods can roll off quite easily.
Since they don’t come with a wireless receiver, you will have to stay a little nearer your rods.
Pros
- Simple and easy to use
- Very affordable for the quality
- 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
- 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 and carp fishing as the bite alarms are simple to use, easy to set up, and great at detecting bites.
With this carp fishing bite alarm kit you get three bite alarms and three stands to go with them in a handy carry case. Each bite alarm comes with a loudspeaker and LEDs that indicate a bite so you will never miss a bite again, and you can even use them at night.
You can adjust the tone, volume, and sensitivity of each bite alarm at the push of a button. It is incredibly easy to dial in exactly what you want from these bite alarms and then sensitivity is excellent too.
Built from aluminum and water-resistant, this bite alarm set is durable and will last. It can handle rain too so you can fish throughout the year.
The downsides to this bite alarm 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 rods can roll off quite easily.
Pros
- 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 then 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. The bite alarms are pretty sensitive so you won’t miss a bite and they are good at excluding wind and current from bites too.
Each bite alarm has a 100-hour battery life which is pretty awesome and you get 10 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 rod 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 the alarms and you have to 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
- 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 great carp fishing bite alarm. This set comes with 4 bite alarms and a wireless receiver in a handy carry case that keeps them safe and makes them highly portable.
Each bite alarm features solid snag ears so your rod never slips off and comes with a loudspeaker plus LEDs which 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 nob.
All the bite alarms connect 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 very easy to use as they connect to the receiver automatically and then you can fine-tune everything to your specific settings with ease. The sensitivity is excellent on each bite alarm too, so you will never miss a bite again.
The one thing about this set is that it is more expensive than others, but it is worth it for the number of bite alarms you get and having the wireless receiver too.
Pros
- Comes with 4 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
Specs
Battery Type: 1 x 9V
Battery Life: NA
Carry Case: Yes
NightLight: Yes
Waterproof: NA
Snag Ear: Yes
Elikliv Fishing Bite Alarms Set
The Elikliv Fishing Bite Alarms Set is one of the top carp fishing bite alarms around as it makes detecting a bite as convenient as possible.
This bite alarm set comes in a protective case with molded slots for the three bite alarms included and the receiver. This makes getting them from the lake or river to home and back as easy as possible, plus they are well protected.
Each bite alarm comes with sensitivity control, tone control, and volume control, all of which you can adjust at the push of a button. The speaker is loud enough and additionally, there is a string of 6 LED lights on the side to show bite intensity, and you can apply your preferred color to each bite alarm too.
The top of the bite alarm has a rod rest, the bottom a brass screw for a stand, and there is a jack for a swinger too. Once set up, these bite alarms can detect the most subtle bites and you can hear them from up to 100 meters away using the provided receiver.
Having a wireless receiver means you can scout different parts of the fishery, use the bathroom, or even have a nap and still get told about a bite. Each color on the receiver indicates which color bite alarm is having the bite, so you always know which rod to go to.
Best Allrounder
Pros
- Excellent sensitivity
- The receiver works from 100 meters away
- 7 LED light colors for using up to 7 bite alarms
- Adjustable sensitivity
- The night light comes on automatically
- Durable build that is rainproof
- LED lights for bite warnings
- Adjustable volume, tone, and sensitivity
- Stay organized and safe in the protective case
Cons
- A little expensive
- No snag ears
Specs
Battery Type: 1 x 9v
Battery. Life: NA
Carry Case: Yes
NightLight: Yes
Waterproof: Rainproof
Snag Ear: No
Sonik SKS Carp Fishing Bite Alarm Set – With Free Bivvy Light – Bonus Bite Alarm Pick!
Whist the Sonik SKS bite alarm is just above the $100 budget, I am including 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 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 (colored 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 and this signal is wirelessly transmitted to your receiver. Usually, anglers keep the receiver in their pockets or close to where they sleep.
If you fish mainly in the daytime and are close to your fishing rods, then a receiver is not necessary.
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.
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