Real Neon vs LED Lights: What's the Difference and Why It Matters

kmseeberg
Nov 5
4 min read

Since the 90s, imported LEDs have held a market share of the illuminated signage industry in Melbourne. Recently, with the creation of "LED-flex" LED signage manufacturers have been trying to copy the unique aesthetic of real Neon as well as marketing it as neon.
As a result many consumers are being duped into either believing they have purchased the real thing or believing that LEDs are a safer, more durable and more sustainable option. At Australian Neon Services, we often encounter many disillusioned customers who are disappointed to learn that their plastic LED sign is not real neon and cannot be serviced or repaired.
This blog post will outline the differences in quality, design and impact between real Neon and LED "neon"
Illuminated signage is an expensive investment. Consumers have a right to know what it is they are being sold and what the relative merits of the product are and how it compares with other products in the market.

Understanding the Basics: What Are Real Neon and LED Neon Lights?

Real Neon contains actual Neon gas, housed in a hand-made glass tube that is then illuminated with an electrical current.
LED "neon" is made from an imported, extruded plastic tube filled with light-emitting diodes
The process of bending glass requires a synergetic relationship between glass and technician, who uses their body and breath to shape their desired creation. It requires an awareness of the most minute and invisible forces against the material and an understanding of how to wield them to your advantage. For example, laying a fresh bend on a bench is imperative in making sure the bend stays flat, however, leave it on their for too long and the cold surface will likely crack the piping-hot glass. It is a skill that requires a creative mindset and infinite patience. Conversely, LED assembly requires very little skill or creativity, allowing them to be mass-produced, quickly consumed and then consigned to the ever-increasing heap of plastic waste polluting our planet.

Common Misconception: "LED Neon Is Just a Modern Version of Real Neon"

There is a lot of misinformation circulating regarding the relative merits of real Neon vs LED "neon" flex. This is due to the recent influx of cheap, imported plastic signage componentry flooding the Australian sign market. This has created a glut of fake neon shops, most of which have no local manufacturing base and many of which don't even have a shop-front.
This misinformation will tell you that LEDs are longer-lasting, safer, more durable, more sustainable and better looking than the real thing. They even go as far as to say that real Neon requires a qualified electrician to install it. They also claim that LED flex is the new standard for "neon" signage, and that authentic glass Neon exists only as a relic of an era long past, to be appreciated only by collectors and enthusiasts. None of this is true.
LED "neon" would be much better described as a cheaper in the short-term alternative to real Neon, not a replacement. We say short-term because an LED sign will last 6-8 years at a conservative estimate whereas a real Neon sign has the capacity to outlive the business it was created for. This makes real Neon a far more prudent long-term investment.
Just because an LED sign is low voltage does not mean that it is any safer than a neon sign. Neon signs run from high-voltage transformers, but the transformers are fitted with open circuit monitors and earth leakage protection so if the tube breaks the power will switch off immediately. Additionally, it is a myth that neon tubes contain harmful gases. Neon and argon are both inert gases found naturally in the earth's atmosphere. If a neon tube breaks the gas simply dissipated into the air.
We have manufactured neon signs made from glass tubing that are still working forty years later. Glass tubing can last for generations if correctly installed and maintained. LEDs are made from plastics and electronic circuits that are susceptible to heat and moisture which limit their lifespan

Where LED Neon Falls Short in Ambience and Character

In appropriating the name "neon", the LED industry is also attempting to appropriate Neon's aesthetic. However, LED neon fails to replicate the organic glow of real Neon.
LED neon looks artificial and cheap because it is artificial and cheap! It doesn't matter what colour and how bright you make your plastic, at the end of the day it's still plastic.
The city of Melbourne is full of major illuminated signs that are held back by the medium in which they are made; LEDs can't do them justice, either simply because the final product lacks the impact a real Neon sign would have, or just because what was promised as a long-term investment turns out to degrade in brightness and quality in a matter of years. A quick trip around Melbourne will illustrate the number of illuminated signs that are pockmarked by a blown LED.

When to Choose Real Neon Lighting

Real Neon is ideal for businesses wanting nostalgic, high-end or artistic lighting, however it is equally suitable for the local milk bar or fish and chip shop who are looking for a long term and durable advertising investment.
Real Neon is also perfect for statement pieces, shopfronts, bars, galleries or set design
Real Neon is unmatched in its brilliance, beauty, longevity, sustainability and sheer class. It catches the eye like no other!
Real Neon is not just lighting, it's art!

FAQs About Real Neon vs LED Neon Lights

	Real Neon	LED "neon"
Affordability	More expensive to make but cheaper in the long term	Cheaper to make but more expensive in the long term
Durability	Easy to break if not handled by a professional, but will last indefinitely if installed and maintained correctly.	Made of cheap plastic that is susceptible to heat and moisture
Safety	OCMs and earth leakage protection = safer	Blown out LEDs are known to cause serious fires!
Lifespan	Will last indefinitely if installed and maintained correctly	Maximum of 6-8 years
Aesthetic	Ethereal, mesmerising, bold and exciting	Cheap, dull, derivative and ubiquitous

Final Thoughts: Choose Light That Reflects Your Vision

Lighting is a design decision, not just a utility. There is a lot more to consider than convenience and cost when it comes to illuminated signage. A sign has the potential to be a work of art all on its own and real Neon lends itself to that very idea in the atmosphere it creates and the impact it leaves on people.