Best Traffic Cones: A Tool That Is Useful Beyond Road Safety
There are many tools that can prove to be essential in promoting safety, and a traffic cone is one of them. They will be helpful in redirecting the flow of traffic on public roads. The best traffic cones are made from materials that will stand still on the road, but still, they need to be safe and must not cause damages on cars.
Traffic cones, however, can be used in more ways than one. Even as a private citizen, you can invest in one, but make sure that you do not use it on public roads. Doing the latter can lead to a hefty fine, depending on where you live. For private use, a traffic cone can function as a marker to determine hazardous sites and to reserve parking spaces, among other things.
Essential Factors to Consider
In your search for the best traffic cones, be sure to keep in mind the factors that we will briefly mention below. These considerations will make it easier for you to narrow down the options and decide which can provide good value for money and optimal functionality:
- Reviews: Similar to buying car accessories and other products to ensure road safety, it will be best to start your search by reading the feedback of other people. All that you have to do is go online and look for reviews from real users. This is a good way to evaluate the good and the bad among the options that you will be confronted with.
- Materials: This is important as it will be indicative of the overall quality of the traffic cone that you will purchase. Vinyl, thermoplastic, and rubber are some of the most common. See to it that the material is strong enough so that it can last long. Otherwise, you will only end up wasting your money. It is also important that the material will not cause any significant damage to a car if it has been accidentally hit.
- Visibility: Traffic cones are meant to be used not only in broad daylight but even in the dark. With this, consider how visible the cone is before purchasing. Most of them have reflective stickers so that they can be easily seen. A better option is one that comes with a built-in light, which is battery-operated.
- Customization: Depending on the product that you choose, there is also an option to customize the cone depending on the intended use. For instance, there could be stencils on the surface that say – No Parking or Reserved. Alternatively, you can buy traffic cones and put stickers that will mark the specific use of the cone.
- Stability: The traffic cone must be able to hold up even if it is windy or when it is raining. One of the most important is to have a stable base, which will prevent the cone from tipping. It will also help if the cone is heavy, making it hard to be taken away by the wind.
- Portability: Ideally, a traffic cone should be a tool that you can easily place in the trunk. With this, a portable option is one that comes with a collapsible design. Its height will be significantly minimized when not in use, which will make it space-efficient.
Top Picks for the Best Traffic Cones
| Product (Amazon Link) | Brand | |
|---|---|---|
 
|
Eurow | Review |
|
Cortina Safety | Review |
|
AMENITIES DEPOT | Review |
|
Work Area Protection | Review |
|
Reliancer | Review |
Here are five of the products that you might want to consider, as well as the features that you can expect in each of them. We will also have a quick discussion of their pros and cons to help you narrow down the possibilities.
1. Eurow Safety Lighted Collapsible Traffic Safety Cone
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One of the top choices within the product category, this is a traffic cone with traditional design, but integrated with modern features, such as a reflective light that makes it easy to be seen even when from afar. For the lights to activate, you need to have 2 AA batteries. Because of the collapsible design of the safety cone, it is hard to beat in terms of portability. You can easily place it in the trunk and use it anywhere you need a cone.
Main Product Features:
- Height – 17 inches
- Height when collapsed – 2.5 inches
- Weight – 2.2 pounds
- Range of Visibility – up to 800 feet
- Product dimensions: 9.75 x 9.75 x 2.25 inches
Pros:
- Collapsible design makes the traffic cone portable
- Easy to see even when in a poorly-lit area
- Ideal for both day and night use
- Sturdy construction for long-term functionality
Cons:
- Batteries do not last for a long time
- The position of the circuitry at the bottom can be a bit awkward
2. Cortina 03-500-10 Traffic Reflective Cone
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One thing that makes this an exceptional option for a traffic cone is the all-vinyl construction, which is one of the reasons why it can deliver extreme durability. It has a long-lasting fluorescent color on its body, made even better by the reflective coating on the top part of the cone. This increases the visibility of the cone, even from a distance. The color has been ultraviolet-stabilized, which is why it will not be easily prone to fading, even with exposure to external elements. Lastly, there is a high-density base and low center of gravity, which are both important to keep the cone in a stable position.
Main Product Features:
- Material – vinyl
- Dimensions – 13.5 x 28 inches
- Weight – 2.2 pounds
Pros:
- Full-size traffic cone
- Stable design that allows it to stand properly in its position
- Heavy base to deliver wind resistance
- Just the right height, making it easy to be seen
Cons:
- Reflective stickers can easily loosen from the cone
- Color is not deep orange, but more of salmon
3. Two Sided Fold-Out No Parking Sign
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Value for money – this is one of the reasons why this is one option that you might want to include in your list of choices. It is impressive that there are already three signs that are included in each pack. Signs are fold-able and easy to set up and store. The bright yellow and clear sign shows NO PARKING. It can clearly show where not to park.
Main Product Features:
- Easy to see
- Easy to use handle
- 12 x 16.5 x 24.5 inches (open)
- Sold in a pack of three
Pros:
- Comes as a pack of several signs
- Double sides allowing the sign to be seen easily
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Made of plastic
- May blow over in high winds
4. Work Area Protection 36PVCS-R Traffic Cone
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This full-size traffic cone may be heavier compared to many of the standard options. While it is not the best in terms of portability, the good thing about the weight is that it is able to hold up even when there is a strong wind. It has a one-piece design and made with the use of poly-vinyl chloride, a material that is known for its durability. The broad base also makes it stable. Lastly, it is heat-resistant, which means that you can use it even under the heat of the sun without worries that it will easily deteriorate.
Main Product Features:
- Height – 36 inches
- Diameter – 10.5 inches
- Weight – 10 pounds
Pros:
- Heavy weight allows it to be stable amidst wind
- Big size makes it easy to be seen even at a distance
- Bright reflectors for optimal visibility
- Heavy-duty construction
Cons:
- Inefficient packaging as the box is too big
- Quite heavy compared to standard traffic cones
5. Collapsible Safety Emergency Accident Traffic Cone
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This may not be as popular as the four products that we have mentioned earlier, but it is still an option. One thing to love about the cone is the pop-up design. It is almost flat when it is collapsed, allowing you to easily store it in your car. While there is no internal light, there are reflective bands that will enhance the visibility of the cone when placed in dark areas.
Main Product Features:
- Expandable height at a maximum of 18 inches
- Dimensions when collapsed – 10 x 10 x 1.5 inches
Pros:
- Collapsible design for optimal portability
- High visibility because of the reflective surface
- Pops up easily when ready to be used
Cons:
- Too light, making it easy to be blown by the wind
- May requires batteries
What are the Different Types of Traffic Cones?
There are many ways to differentiate the traffic cones that are available in the market, but one of the most logical is through their design. In this case, the following are the choices that you will have:
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1. Flow Molded Traffic Cone
- Solid, one-piece construction without seams
- Typically a cheaper option because of its simple design
- May not be as long-lasting
- It has a single color from the base to the top, making it highly visible
2. Injection Molded Traffic Cone
- Comes with a two-piece design and interlocking base
- Better capability to hold up against wind
- Has a firm and more durable body
- The PVC base makes the cone skid-resistant
3. Collapsible Traffic Cone
- The best option in terms of portability
- Made from materials that can easily fold
Meanwhile, the traffic cone can also be categorized on the basis of color. Each color is linked to a specific use of the traffic cone:
- Orange: Marking temporary traffic zones and directing vehicle flow
- Lime: Heavy flow of pedestrians
- Yellow: Indicates wet areas indoors
- White: Marks valet parking or sponsor display
- Red: Indoor machine traffic and workplace risks
- Black: Traffic for funerals
- Green: Markers for courses and tracks
Traffic cones are also available in different sizes, each with their respective meanings and uses
- 6 Inches: Used only for indoor applications, such as for indicating a potential hazard
- 12 Inches: Used for pet training and in athletic courses, such as a football field
- 18 Inches: Normally used when painting roads
- 28 Inches: Marking hazards for local streets
- 36 Inches: For roadways with maximum speed limit of 45 MPH, as well as for industrial facilities
Quick Tips in Using Traffic Cones
To make the most out of the traffic cones that you will purchase, below are some of the most important tips that you have to keep in mind:
- Be familiar with local rules and regulations. In most places, the use of traffic cones in a public road by a private individual is not allowed. You will use it mostly for parking spaces and marking hazards within private property, but not to direct traffic without permission from the concerned authorities.
- If the traffic cone is old but still sturdy, you do not have to replace it immediately. In some cases, the only problem is the minimal visibility. In this case, you can wrap a reflective tape so that the cone can be easily seen.
- Store the traffic cones properly when not being used. You can wrap it in a plastic bag so that external elements like dust and heat will not contribute to speed up its wear and tear.
- Use more than one traffic cone if necessary. This is especially important if you are marking a large potential hazard.
Conclusion
From the best traffic cones that we have mentioned in this post, which one should you purchase? Personally, I can say that Eurow Safety Lighted Collapsible Traffic Safety Cone is the clear winner. I love how it has a collapsible design for maximum portability. The internal light is also a huge plus, making sure that it will be easily seen from afar.
Are you looking for more products other than a traffic cone? Click here and you will be directed to our buying guides to be provided with insights that will be instrumental in making a decision you will never regret.
