Collapsible traffic cones are convenient to store and useful as teaching tools. Unfortunately, most traffic cone products available to consumers do not always come with this nifty feature.
Therefore, we compiled this guide listing the best pop up traffic cones that are affordable and readily available online. You can now quickly refer to our short reviews below to find the product that best suits your needs.
Go ahead and familiarize yourself with the products. At the bottom of the article, you can also find a useful buying guide for choosing the right collapsible traffic cones.
- Features to Consider in Good Collapsible Traffic Cones
- Top 10 Best Collapsible Traffic Cones 2024
- 1. Eurow Reflective Safety Cone with Nighttime LED Lights
- 2. Cartman Collapsible Traffic Cone
- 3. Collapsible Pop up Traffic Cone
- 4. Mutual Industries 17712-1-28 Collapsible Reflective Traffic Cone with Inside Light
- 5. TOP YAO Collapsible Traffic Cone Road Safety Pop Up Light Up
- 6. NUOLUX Collapsible Reflective 45cm Traffic Safety Cone Warning Cone (Red)
- 7. SpeedTech Lights 20 Collapsible Traffic Cone
- 8. Mutual Industries 17714-5-28 Collapsible Cones (Pack of 5)
- 9. Armor All 16" Traffic Safety Cone - Collapsible Pop Up
- 10. Lucky Line 18" Collapse-A-Cone with LED Light, 1 per Pack (87800)
- Guide to Buying the Best Collapsible Traffic Cones
Features to Consider in Good Collapsible Traffic Cones
Confused about how to choose a good collapsible traffic cone? It’s not rocket science, but do be on the lookout for these basic features:
- Size: When traffic cones are folded, they are not thicker than a small booklet. However, you might want to pay attention to how big the cone is when it’s unfolded and upright. Depending on your needs, you might need a full-size or compactly foldable traffic cone.
- Visibility: Is the foldable traffic cone visible to pedestrians coming 600 feet away? Traffic cones should be highly visible at night and visible during daytime at least up to 500 feet. Therefore, check the specs on the reflective band on the cone. If you want better night visibility, consider buying a collapsible traffic cone with a light.
- Water Resistance: This is an important feature that will make sure the foldable traffic cone can withstand the elements when left outside. If you choose a collapsible traffic cone with a light, then it’s quite important that the body is waterproof to protect the battery compartment.
The above are just the basics you need to look for when shopping. For detailed information, scroll down to read our reviews of the currently best ranking collapsible traffic cones.
Top 10 Best Collapsible Traffic Cones 2024
1. Eurow Reflective Safety Cone with Nighttime LED Lights
Editor’s Rating:
Eurow traffic cones are collapsible and come with LED lights that can be attached to the top. The cones are only available singularly.
Design
This lighted collapsible traffic cone is no toy. It sports a weighted metal base to prevent the cone from tipping over easily.
It comes with an LED light, of course, which is battery powered. The battery compartment is located at the bottom. The base also has a small compartment for storing the light.
The cone is orange in color with a white, reflective strip near the top. The colors are matched to offer optimal visibility.
Each cone is 7 inches tall. The cones meet MUTCD regulations for channeling devices and traffic cones.
Performance
We were amazed by the functionality and versatility of these traffic ones. The cones are super easy to fold and unfold.
A gentle push from the top makes the cone collapse on itself without any issue. Once straightened out for use, the cone doesn’t easily bend or tip over.
The metal base acts as a sturdy holder. The cone is reflective up to 800 feet away. The body is water resistant and can be used in snow or light rain.
The internal LED light is powered by 3 AAA batteries. The light is very bright up close. However, the brightness is not too visible from far away.
Therefore, we recommend using this traffic cone with the lights on only in small areas. The light won’t be that visible from afar in actual traffic.
The light is quite visible at night. It can be turned on as a stationary light or used as a flashing right.
It should be noted that the light doesn’t last as long as the rest of the traffic cone. If the LED bulb is broken, it’s cannot be replaced.
Overall
We highly recommend this traffic cone for use at schools, games, and recreational activities. The only disappointment is the LED bulb. Otherwise, everything else works perfectly.
Pros
- Collapses easily
- Includes LED bulb
- Meets road safety regulations
- Suitable for many uses
- Weighted base
- Water resistant body
Cons
- Light is too dim for distance visibility
- LED bulb can break easily
2. Cartman Collapsible Traffic Cone
Editor’s Rating:
These pop-up traffic cones can be used for just about anything. Orange in color, the cones are suitable for play or otherwise. The cones can be used in driveways, garages, parking lots, or even during traffic accidents.
Design
They may look like kiddie traffic cones but they are anything but. These traffic cones are 15 inches in height and are suitable to be used in emergency situations.
The cones are made to be collapsible. Each cone comes with a plastic base and a fabric material for the “cone” part. When not in use, the cone can be tucked into a plastic base for easy storage.
Performance
We loved the fact that these traffic cones can be used in parking lots, driveways, and other public areas. The cones are, of course, highly compact because of the collapsible nature.
It’s quite neat that the traffic cone can be tucked into the base. The base is made of hard plastic like most traffic cones. It’s slightly weightier than the fabric. When folded, the traffic cone is small enough for easy storage.
The base is wide enough to support the cone, though it’s not weighted. The cone can easily collapse even when there’s a gust of wind. The plastic base can seem a bit brittle, though it didn’t really break.
The cones are said to be visible up to 800 feet. That’s quite a range. We also liked the bright orange color.
These cones can be used for safety use, but only inside the home. The cones are not heavy enough for roadside use.
One downside is that because this cone is collapsible, it’s not solid. Each cone is also quite expensive as well, compared to plastic traffic cones.
Overall
We liked the collapsible nature of these traffic cones. If you are looking for easy storage cones, then these would be it. The colors and the visibility range is good as well. There are some minor cons, such as a lack of a weighted base, but those are not major concerns.
Pros
- Collapsible
- Visibility up to 800 feet
- Lightweight
- Suitable for non-road safety use
- Good orange color
Cons
- Lightweight base doesn’t support the cone frame well
- A bit expensive
3. Collapsible Pop up Traffic Cone
Editor’s Rating:
This is the least fancy collapsible traffic cone we found. But that didn’t mean it wasn’t any good.
In fact, we found this rather generic pop-up traffic cone to be highly suited for roadside, emergency safety, and childcare safety.
The price tag per unit isn’t bad either, especially compared to similar products.
Design
This is a large 16-inch traffic cone suitable for traffic and road use. The cone can be collapsed down to just 1.5 inches.
The tall design is very rigid and sturdy. It’s made to stay in place without getting knocked over by the wind.
Each cone sports a high visibility orange color. The cones also have reflective bands in a grayish color.
Additionally, the traffic cone is weatherproof. It will not get blown away by a gust or stop working after a bit of rain.
Performance
We definitely found a winner with this traffic cone. It’s large in size, so no one will miss it up to a kilometer from afar (or even more).
This cone comes in an orange shade that is highly visible like the shade of cones used by the police.
Traffic cones this large are typically a major pain to carry around. But these cones collapse wonderfully to a square shape that is only a little over an inch in height.
Carrying is highly convenient as a result. The collapsed cone isn’t weighty at all.
This traffic cone is promoted as something suitable for use in schools, playgrounds, parking areas, and work sites. Yes, technically it is quite great for safety use.
However, it’s not road-safety approved so we cannot recommend it for use in serious traffic situations.
One big problem is that this traffic cone is not weighted. It’s really lightweight, which makes it easy to carry, but not for holding up.
It can tip over easily with a gust of wind or small impact like brushing against a leg. That can be problematic when used outdoors.
Overall
We really liked the tall and lightweight construction of the collapsible traffic cone. It’s super compact when actually collapsed.
However, it’s not well weighted. That takes away some of the sturdiness a cone of this size should have.
Pros
- Tall build
- Highly visible
- Suitable for school and work use
- Weatherproof body
- Very compact when collapsed
Cons
- Base is not weighted
4. Mutual Industries 17712-1-28 Collapsible Reflective Traffic Cone with Inside Light
Editor’s Rating:
These collapsible traffic cones with light immediately stand out because of the lime color. What’s more, the cones are standard sized and suitable for traffic use.
Design
The traffic cones have a very reflective lime colored bodies. These almost glow in the dark.
The cones are massively tall at 20 inches. Plus, there’s an LED light inside to make the cones even more visible at night.
Performance
This traffic cone is easy to like thanks to the lime colored body. We found it more suitable than orange to be reflective at night.
The cones are weighted down, so they don’t tip over easily. But the way the cones are weighted is quite unique.
Instead of a regular plastic or metal base, these cones have a plastic bag filled with sand inside. That keeps the bags upright unless someone kicks the cone over.
The problem is, the bags can rupture and spill sand everywhere. If the cones are accidentally dropped or run over, the plastic bags would rupture.
Other than this peculiar weighing method, the cones are well-constructed. The body collapses much like the other traffic cones on this list.
Because of the sand, these cones are not lightweight to carry. However, they easily collapse into a small and compact shape.
The LED light is powered by two AAA batteries. The illumination can be switched between flashing and steady.
The illumination is great at night. But we found the bulb to be not as bright as it should. Keep in mind that the bulb is made up of a single small LED light.
When illuminated, the red bulb inside would make the cone look orange. That’s a really cool feature in our opinion.
Overall
The sandbags aside, these traffic cones are well-made with a cool color-changing ability. The price per unit is not too cheap. Considering the features on offer, we say the price is well worth it.
Pros
- Lime-colored body
- Red LED bulb inside
- Weighted base
- Tall
- Excellent pop-up function
Cons
- Sandbag weights can rupture
- A bit pricey per unit
5. TOP YAO Collapsible Traffic Cone Road Safety Pop Up Light Up
Editor’s Rating:
The Top Yao traffic foldable cones are unlike anything we’ve seen before. These traffic cones are lighted like most, but also have very high-tech charging solutions.
These are designed to be portable and collapsible for easy storage mainly at home. But these can be useful for schools, offices, and workstations as well.
Design
This pop-up traffic cone is up to 10 inches in height. But once folded, it’s only about 2-inches thick.
The traffic cone is designed to easily pop out and be able to fold. But that’s not the key feature of this collapsible traffic cone.
The biggest feature is the rechargeable power source for the LED bulbs. There are up to 5 LED bulbs on this traffic cone.
All the other traffic cone lights are powered by AAA batteries. However, the Top Yao traffic cone has a Li-Ion battery inside, like a smartphone. The battery is rechargeable via a USB cable.
The body of the traffic cone has a standard orange color. The color is very bright and the cones also have a reflective VSB tape near it around the top.
Performance
The Top Yao traffic cone is hands down one of the coolest collapsible traffic cones we have come across. Its main feature is the rechargeable bulb system.
The traffic cone has a single bulb inside and 4 others outside, amounting to a total of 5 bulbs. That means high visibility.
We are talking about visibility similar to a ceiling light. No one will miss the cone when out at night.
The traffic cone is rechargeable via the USB cable. We could recharge the cones in the car or hat home convenient.
The bulbs have three working modes: steady, quick flashing, and slow flashing. The bulbs are visible up to 800 feet in distance.
The charge was decent. We could leave the cone out all night without an issue.
The problem is that the inbuilt battery makes these traffic cones non-waterproof. The nylon body doesn’t protect the wiring.
Overall
These huge traffic cones are not only easy to collapse but are supremely visible thanks to the 5 LED bulbs. In addition, there’s an inbuilt battery. But none of this compromises the cone’s ability to fold.
These features are really great, but they come with a cost. The cone isn’t waterproof, for one. Also, the package includes only one cone and it’s really expensive.
If you can overlook these issues, then this would be a great product to own.
Pros
- Inbuilt battery with USB charging
- Lit up by 5 bulbs
- Highly visible at night
- Very compact when collapsed
Cons
- Not waterproof
- Expensive
6. NUOLUX Collapsible Reflective 45cm Traffic Safety Cone Warning Cone (Red)
Editor’s Rating:
The Nuolux lighted traffic cone is one of the best-built products we have come across. It’s a bit pricey per unit, but there are plenty of features that are worth checking out at least.
Design
This lighted traffic cone is made from Oxford fabric. If you didn’t know, all the other products on this list have cone bodies made from nylon, which is both durable and waterproof. Oxford is a variety of nylon that is slightly thicker.
The fabric is listed as a red color. However, the cone has a shade of darker, reddish orange. It’s not actually red.
The cone is splash-proof. The LED bulb is placed atop the cone. It’s large and highly visible.
The body of the cone also has a reflective strip.
Performance
This bright orange traffic cone is very visible from afar. When erected, it’s 17 inches tall, which is standard. When collapsed, it’s as small as 12 inches in thickness.
The sturdy build and the bright color are well worth the money. But what we really liked is the LED bulb.
It’s larger than most bulbs found on collapsible traffic cones. It was a lot brighter and more visible as a result.
The bulb itself is splash-proof, along with the rest of the cone. When folded, it fits nicely inside the fabric without jutting out.
The unit is great for actual traffic control. But it does not officially meet traffic standards.
What we didn’t like was the base. It’s plastic but not weighted. The bulb requires 2 AA batteries.
Overall
This traffic cone is really easy to fold and pop back out. Once folded, it would easily fit inside vehicles for storage.
The problems are minimal. We found it to be a bit pricey per unit. Also, the base could have been weighted.
Pros
- Highly compact when folded
- Excellent LED bulb indicator
- Splash-proof body and light
Cons
- Base not weighted
- Expensive per unit
7. SpeedTech Lights 20 Collapsible Traffic Cone
Editor’s Rating:
This traffic cone is lean and tall. It’s incredibly affordable per unit. It immediately caught our attention mainly due to the price. However, cheap doesn’t really mean low-quality for this product.
Design
This 20-inch collapsible traffic cone with a 20-inch base is slim and very tall. It’s not necessarily the standard shape, but it gets the work done regardless.
The tall structure can be collapsed to just 1.5 inches in height. There are reflective strips at the top of the cone to increase visibility.
Interestingly, this traffic cone is made from polypropylene. It is a very flexible material that can double as both a hard plastic and a fabric.
Therefore, the collapsible body is made from poly fabric. But the base and the other hard parts resemble plastic.
There is no LED bulb at the top. Rather, there are tiny LED dots attached to each folding ring to make the cone more visible.
Performance
This collapsible traffic cone comes from a relatively new brand. However, it does its work quite well.
The pop-up mechanism works impressively well. The cone is easy to push in for folding and can be unfolded whenever needed.
The fabric and the base make for a very sturdy material. The fabric is splash-proof and will not easily get damaged by moisture.
We were not impressed by the bulb, however. There is no flashing LED bulb at the top to indicate the cone.
Rather, there are multiple tiny LED bulbs along the body of the traffic cone to illuminate it at night. It adds a small glow-in-the-dark feature and isn’t very bright.
Regardless of this minor inconvenience, the cone is very lightweight and easy to carry. But the plastic base isn’t weighted, so it can easily fall over.
Overall
This collapsible traffic cone is much better constructed than we initially thought. It only has a few inconvenient issues that aren’t major.
Considering the cheap price tag, we say this traffic cone is well worth buying. The issues are really canceled out by the price.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Sturdy built
- Reliable, waterproof body
- Easily collapsible
Cons
- Lights are really small
- Base is not weighted
8. Mutual Industries 17714-5-28 Collapsible Cones (Pack of 5)
Editor’s Rating:
This is from the same brand as the lime colored collapsible traffic cone mentioned above. It’s very similar to that product in construction and price-wise. What makes this really worth is the package.
The $100 price tag might alarm you, but keep in mind that the price per unit is really kept down.
Plus, the pack comes with cool carrying case.
Design
These cones are about 28 inches in height. This is the standard for traffic control cones, so you can easily use these on the road.
Each cone is equipped with an LED bulb with two modes. The bulb can be set to blinking or steady. The bulb is inside the cone.
The cones are orange colored with reflective strips. This is the standard color for traffic control cones.
The bodies of the collapsible cones are made of waterproof nylon. We used it in light rain without any issues.
The cone lights inside can burn steadily for 36 hours, or for 100,000 flashes using a single AAA battery. That’s not bad, even though batteries have to be changed several times a week for continuous use.
But the lights don’t really perform as advertised. The LED bulbs are very low powered and don’t flash brightly. It’s okay for pedestrians, but not necessarily for oncoming vehicles.
Performance
This collapsible traffic cone comes from a relatively new brand. However, it does its work quite well.
The pop-up mechanism works impressively well. The cone is easy to push in for folding and can be unfolded whenever needed.
The fabric and the base make for a very sturdy material. The fabric is splash-proof and will not easily get damaged by moisture.
We were not impressed by the bulb, however. There is no flashing LED bulb at the top to indicate the cone.
Rather, there are multiple tiny LED bulbs along the body of the traffic cone to illuminate it at night. It adds a small glow-in-the-dark feature and isn’t very bright.
Regardless of this minor inconvenience, the cone is very lightweight and easy to carry. But the plastic base isn’t weighted, so it can easily fall over.
Overall
The 5 traffic cones are really bright, even though the lights are small. Considering the price, this is a great deal. The cones collapse well and are roadworthy, so it’s really great for people who want multiple foldable traffic cones.
Pros
- 5 for 1 price
- Waterproof build
- MUTCD approved
- Lighted
- Very tall
- Only needs on AAA battery
- Includes carrying case
Cons
- Lights are too dim
- Battery requires frequent replacing
9. Armor All 16" Traffic Safety Cone - Collapsible Pop Up
Editor’s Rating:
The Armor All foldable traffic cones are multipurpose. These are compact enough for recreational use. Want traffic cones to take with you on a camping trip? Then this cone would be a great choice to consider.
Design
The Armor All traffic cones have a compact design. So expect a cone that is shaped very much like a standard traffic cone, but is a bit smaller all around.
The cone is only 16 inches high, which isn’t too small. The body of the cone is made from bright, high visibility orange nylon.
The cone has reflective lights, which increases visibility. When collapsed, the cones are very compact.
Performance
These cones are wonderfully compact when folded. It would fit easily in a car or even a backpack. So if you are looking for convenient traffic cones for travelling, this product comes highly recommended from us.
Overall, the build and performance of the cones are standard. There’s nothing fancy and the cones meet all the basic standards.
The collapsing mechanism is very convenient and easy. Just a little nudge and it would collapse. Once straightened, it can stay rigid without an issue.
We particularly liked the bright orange color. This traffic cone has no light, so the extra bright color is appreciated at night.
For what it’s worth, this cone comes with a guarantee from the brand. Do note that this traffic cone doesn’t have a weighted base.
Overall
This is an all-around compact, collapsible traffic cone to consider. It’s not too much but isn’t cheap for the given price either.
The price per unit is somewhere in the middle. If you want a compact product, the price may seem several dollars too much. But we still recommend it for the compact build.
Pros
- Extra bright orange color
- Compact
- Easy folding mechanism
- Convenient to store and carry
- Guarantee from brand included
Cons
- Too short for some purposes
- Base not weighted
- Not LED lit
10. Lucky Line 18" Collapse-A-Cone with LED Light, 1 per Pack (87800)
Editor’s Rating:
The Lucky Line traffic cone seems very unremarkable at first. Price-wise, it’s low-to-middle end, so that’s worth it. Regardless of the lack of hype, we found several useful features that truly make this collapsible traffic cone worth possessing.
Design
This is a tall 18-inch traffic cone that is only 2 inches thick when folded. We have to say that the collapsing mechanism works really well.
The color of the cones is sort of reddish orange. So these cones are darker than most others available on the market.
The cones are equipped with small LED bulbs. The bulbs can blink or continuously flash. The lights are visible from all directions of the cone.
The cone also has a reflective band.
Performance
This collapsible traffic cone is unremarkable on many fronts, except the reflective band. It’s super bright and is visible from up to 1,000 feet away. Most traffic cones have reflective bands visible only up to 200 feet away.
In that regard, this traffic cone is well worth it. It should be noted that this collapsible cone is really dark. It’s not super visible at night because of this.
However, the cone is equipped with tiny LED lights all around that can flash straight for 300 hours. The bulbs do increase the visibility at night.
The bulbs are powered by 2 AAA batteries, which are included in the packable. The little bulbs are a great addition but are too small to be super bright at night.
The brightness issue aside, this cone is very compact when collapsed. We could keep it in the trunk and it popped up real quick when in need.
Overall
We liked two things about this collapsible traffic cone: the price and convenience. It’s too dark to be highly visible at night, but it does the job of being a standard foldable traffic cone.
Pros
- Easy to fold
- Great price
- Highly reflective, super bright band
- Multiple LED bulbs for 360-degree visibility
Cons
- Too dark for night use
Guide to Buying the Best Collapsible Traffic Cones
Do you really know how to shop for a collapsible traffic cone? Just to be sure, be mindful the following:
Always Check the Package Size
Unlike regular traffic cones, collapsible traffic cones are not usually sold in sets. That is to say, always assume the price you see is for a single product.
When you are buying stackable traffic cones, you can get 5 or 10 for a price tag of $20. But with collapsible traffic cones, you can only buy about a single cone for that price.
Prices can vary, of course. But make sure you understand how many cones you are paying for before finalizing the checkout.
Always double check the number of units included in a package so you don’t end up overpaying.
Understand the Dimensions
It’s best to check how big the traffic cones are before and after collapsing. For the most part, even the tallest traffic cones are only about 2 inches thick once folded.
But if you want a particular size for folded products, do check the dimensions after the cone is well folded.
Mind the Lights
Do you want a collapsible traffic cone with LED lights, or without?
A pop-up traffic cone with a light would be more visible at night and more noticeable from a distance. Therefore, this is a feature well worth considering.
However, do be aware that the lights are not equal in all traffic cones. Some have a big LED light at the top, some have small bulbs all around, and some other cones are lit from the inside.
If a well-lit pop-up traffic cone is important to you, make sure you know how the lights are added to the cone. Check the number of bulbs and whether bulbs are placed inside or outside.
You might want to check how the lighted collapsible traffic cone is powered too. Most lighted cones are powered by AA or AAA batteries. But newer products come with rechargeable lithium-ion batteries like the one in your smartphone.
There are pros and cons to having a traffic cone with a rechargeable battery. The price, for example, would be higher. You should decide what’s most convenient for you based on your needs.
Look for Waterproof Features
Collapsible traffic cones are used outside, so always check for waterproof features. The product must be able to withstand moisture.
The bodies of pop-up traffic cones are made from nylon or a type of nylon fabric for the most part. Naturally, the synthetic fabrics are splash-proof. The material would be able to withstand a drizzle.
But not all cones are completely waterproof as to protect the batteries inside the lighted ones. If you plan on placing the cone on snow or wet surfaces, make sure it’s waterproof.
A Weighted Base is the Best
Collapsible traffic cones are great, but only if the product can stand up straight without getting knocked over by even a small breeze. The best foldable traffic cones, therefore, have weighted bases.
Weighted bases can sometimes increase the overall weight, which can be a problem if you need to hand carry the traffic cones. But the weight is necessary to keep the cones in place.
Do check how the brands are weighting the bases. Some use hard plastic that adds extra weight to the base. But some manufacturers use outdated methods like sandbags, which can leak or rupture.
You don’t have to base your purchase decision on this factor alone. But it should play an important role in your decision.
How Far is the Reflective Band Visible?
Most traffic cones have a reflective band on the body in white or grey color. This color makes the cone visible from far off distances to pedestrians and drivers.
Choose a cone with a highly reflective band for the best daytime visibility. The maker would specify if the band is more reflective than usual.
Body Color
Collapsible traffic cones are orange for the most part. But if you want something different, you can choose colors like lime yellow or reddish orange.
So orange is not the only color available on the market.
Look Up Standards
Want to use the collapsible traffic cones in actual traffic? Then you need a product that meets roadworthy standards.
You will have to specifically look for this feature. Otherwise, you might get in trouble for using non-standard traffic cones on main roads.
