Whilst you can spend a small fortune on alarms, you can get some of the best bite alarms for a real budget price. They might not have 50 different settings, but for anglers that just want reliable, easy-to-use tackle, there are some great options available.
Bite alarms are one of the most important items to any angler who fishes overnight, they will alert you when you have a bite whilst you're fast asleep, where you would be totally unaware otherwise. Some of the bite alarms you can get for under even £30 offer exceptional value for money, perform really well and will always let you know when you get that all-important take.
Best budget bite alarms at a glance:
• Best All-Round Budget Bite Alarm: Fox Mini Micron Multicolour - View offer on Total Fishing Tackle
• Best Budget Bite Alarm With Receiver Compatibility: Nash Siren S5R - View offer on Total Fishing Tackle
• Best Value Budget Bite Alarm: Prologic C-Series Alarm - View offer on eBay
Whether you're new to fishing or are well into your angling journey, a budget set of alarms will provide you with a great introduction to using alarms or provide a backup set if you already have some. Here’s our guide to the best budget bite alarms, and coupled with a set of bobbins – that’s a three rod setup for less than £100!
Cheapest budget bite alarm
www.ebay.co.uk
What this alarm lacks in features, it makes up for in price and looks. Perfect for beginners or on that spare set of sticks for stalking, the Saber Z3 Bite Alarm features a high-quality speaker and ultra-bright red LED.
The only adjustments available are to the volume, making for an uncomplicated product which fulfils the basic requirement of letting you know a carp has picked up your rig well.
Pros
- Ultra bright LED.
- Good sound volume.
Cons
- Lack of other features for tone and sensitivity.
Best budget bite alarm for customisation
www.ebay.co.uk
This Prologic Bat Alarm is named after the elongated arms, which act as snag ears. It comes supplied with a case to keep it protected when being transported and boasts 6 volume and 5 sensitivity options. These are controlled via buttons located on the face of the alarm, increasing its versatility in any fishing situation.
A night light is also present to add something extra aesthetically whilst also having the option to choose from 4 LED colours. Running on 2x AAA batteries (which aren’t included), the alarm is easy to set up and use, perfect for novice anglers or those looking for a bit more simplicity without compromising on features.
Pros
- Long snag ears to prevent rod losses.
- LED customisation is a big plus.
Cons
- Don't feel as premium as competitors.
Best budget bite alarm with receiver compatibility
The Nash Siren S5 is a great entry alarm for youngsters or anglers just getting into carping. A traditional roller dual wheel system also features an integrated line guard to minimise false indications. Only the volume can be controlled, but the alarms can go very loud or super-quiet if necessary.
The LEDs on this alarm are awesome, with one or both lighting up depending on if it’s a liner or a full-blown take. Available with red, white, purple and blue LEDs, the Siren S5 alarms do the basic principle well - they let you know when a carp is on the end!
These alarms also have remote function, so can be used in conjunction with a receiver, incredible really for under £30.
Pros
- Great alarm sound with loud volume control.
- Can be used with a receiver.
Cons
- No controls for sensitivity or tone.
Best value budget bite alarms
www.ebay.co.uk
A superb value-for-money alarm, the Prologic C-Series alarm also boasts some great features. There are six volume, tone and sensitivity settings, meaning you can have the alarm just as you want it.
When you do get that savage bite, both LEDs illuminate, with one blinking for 20 seconds after. It also features a night light, and a 2.5mm out socket for matching coloured illuminated hangers or swingers, meaning you can really show off your kit in the hours of darkness.
Pros
- Lots of adjustability options.
- Very durable design.
Cons
- Can look a bit bulky on the sticks.
5.
JRC Radar C4
Best LED system on a budget bite alarm
www.ebay.co.uk
The JRC Radar C4 alarm offers a very affordable option without compromising on quality.
Volume, tone and sensitivity are adjustable. JRC uses the latest in electronic design and waterproof technology to ensure the Radar C4 will still provide excellent bite indication even in the worst of weather conditions.
Also included is a specially designed hard protective case and with the robust plastic body, it will help keep the alarms in top condition for many years to come. The bite alarms are powered by a 9V battery that has been noted to last up to 12 months (depending on usage).
The high ears not only eliminate the need for additional snag bars but have rubber lining to protect the rod and grip it, preventing it being dragged into the lake with a take. The bright travelling LED bar is a unique addition to JRC alarms and offers a nice visual stimulus when you get a bite.
Pros
- Great sound speaker.
- Run tower LED system is unique.
Cons
- Adjustment knobs can be tricky to operate in the cold.
best All-round Budget Bite Alarm
www.total-fishing-tackle.com
The Fox Mini Micron Multicolour v2 is a practical bite alarm designed to enhance your fishing experience. It is reliable and cost-effective, making it a smart choice for anglers. The device features multi-colour LEDs to ensure visibility of bites. You can easily control the volume and tone, and adjust the sensitivity to suit your preferences.
The drop-back differential helps detect subtle bites effectively. With the D-Tec sensing system and roller wheel technology, it accurately registers even the lightest nibbles. The piezo speaker provides clear sound, while rubber inlays protect your rod. Suitable for both beginners and experienced anglers
Pros
- LED colour customisable to differentiate between alarm
- Tone, volume and sensitivity control
Cons
- Not compatible with a reciever
Best budget bite alarm for usability
www.fishingtackleandbait.co.uk
The Sonik SKS2 Alarm offers an impressive array of features tailored for anglers. It utilises dual, bright, multi-coloured LEDs to indicate bites and is capable of differentiating between a forward run and a drop-back. A smart mute function allows for quick adjustments, while six volume and tone settings, including a silent option, it caters to various preferences.
Additionally, the alarm is equipped with a 2.5mm power out socket for added functionality and a night glow LED to ensure visibility in low-light conditions. With an effective range of up to 150 meters, it is designed for optimal performance. The casing is sealed, featuring rubber inlays for rod protection, and it comes with two screw-in snag ears for enhanced usability. A discreet low battery warning ensures that potential disturbances to fish are minimised. The device operates on two AAA batteries, which are not included.
Pros
- Easily adjustable settings.
- Great sound volume and quality.
Cons
- Hard to get matching LED colours.
What to look for in a budget bite alarm
When choosing between bite alarms in the budget range of under £30, it can seem a little confusing, with all of them offering slightly different features. You can be sure though, whatever alarm you choose from the list, they will all alert you to a bite. If you're an angler that likes to personalise every aspect of their alarm, then you are best choosing one that will allow you to do so, many allow tone, volume and sensitivity changes to allow you to get the best from them.
If you fish in all weathers and aren't put off by the rain, then it is always wise to go for an alarm that is waterproof, or at least showerproof, as there is little point buying an alarm that will fail because the conditions beat it. Many of the bite alarms in the budget range are water resistant, but some aren't, so make sure to check before you commit to any. If you only fish when it is dry, this won't be an issue to you.
If you struggle with small buttons and fiddly switches, the best alarm to opt for would be one with a very simple control panel. Either one large switch to turn the alarm on and off or several easy-to-use knobs would be really beneficial, especially when the weather gets cold, you have damp hands, or you need to alter something in the dark.
Glossary
LED: Light emitting diode, this will light up when you get an indication on a bite alarm.
Roller wheel: A small wheel in or on the alarm head where the line sits. When the line is moved, the wheel moves in conjunction with it, triggering the audio and visual cues of the alarm.
Bobbin: Small plastic or metal item that clips on the line to keep tension on it.
Snag ears: Strong metal bars that can be mounted on your bite alarms in order to keep your rod secure, preventing it from being dragged off the rest.
Receiver: An electrical box that wirelessly connects to the bite alarm. It provides audio signals to alert the user to a bite.
Sensitivity: A setting on a bite alarm that alters the amount the mechanism must move to trigger an indication.
Tone: A setting on the alarm that will alter how the alarm sounds.
<strong>Frequently asked questions on budget bite alarms</strong>
How do you set up a fishing bite alarm?
Setting an alarm up couldn't be simpler. There is a metal screw thread at the base of the alarm head, which attaches to either a bank stick or pod system. Your rod then sits on top of the alarm, with the line running over the detection mechanism, which is generally a wheel or plate, depending on the manufacturer. A bobbin indicator is clipped between the alarm and the reel to create some tension to emphasise line movement.
What do all the settings on bite alarms do?
Modern alarms tend to come with a variety of settings such as sensitivity, volume, tone and the ability to vary LED colour.
Changing the colour is purely for aesthetic reasons and won't affect how the alarm performs. Some anglers choose to have their alarms in different colours so they can identify which rod has a bite during the hours of darkness.
Tone and volume merely change the sound and volume the alarm makes. Tone can make your alarms more identifiable to you, depending on how you set them up. Volume is personal preference, with some people choosing to have their alarms silent and others at full volume if they struggle to hear them.
Sensitivity is the only setting that directly impacts how an alarm performs. By adjusting the sensitivity, you are determining how much movement is required to trigger the alarm. Some anglers opt for the highest setting, meaning a minimal amount of movement is needed, but in particularly windy conditions, a low-sensitivity setting can eliminate any annoying false bleeps.
Author Aidan Bordiuk is an enthusiastic angler who enjoys all fishing disciplines from match fishing to beach casting. He is currently occupying the position of Commercial Content Writer at Angling Times.