LED neon vs classic neon

Classic neon and LED neon are both used for lit line-work signs. They are built differently and they behave differently.

How each is made

Classic neon is glass tubing filled with neon or argon gas. An electric current through the gas makes it glow.

LED neon uses light-emitting diodes inside a flexible plastic tube. The LEDs light when current passes through them.

Energy

LED neon uses less power than classic neon, so it costs less to run. Classic neon has a distinct gas glow that some people still want for that reason alone.

Safety and maintenance

LED neon runs at a lower voltage and the plastic tube is more resistant to knocks, so it usually needs less upkeep.

Classic neon is glass. It is more fragile and needs more care — checking wear and that the gas in the tubes is still working.

Look

LED neon is bright and even, comes in a wider range of colours, and is easier to form into custom shapes and logos.

Classic neon has a warmer, uneven glow that reads as vintage. The choice is usually about that look, not about one being “better” in every case.