Ever-popular, disco balls are covered with lots of little 'mirrors' that reflect and scatter light in all directions. Whether it's a mini-disco-ball for the bedroom or a humongous 50cm club-model, mirror balls create a unique mood-setting effect. Get one fitted with a motor, and it can be set to rotate endlessly while reflecting the light of a few pin-spotlights, bouncing sparkling dots across a dancefloor. This way you can conjur maximum effect with as little gear as possible.
Disco Ball Lights
Mirror balls and disco balls are at their best when combined with pin-spots. A single spotlight can go a long way here, but what really works wonders is setting up multiple spotlights in different positions and setting the ball up to rotate via a motor. Head over to our range of pinspots.
Buying a Disco Ball Light
The best disco ball for you depends on your needs. Any 30 to 40-centimetre diameter mirror ball is perfect for a house party, but bear in mind that it'll need to be hooked up to a motor so it can spin continuously. Also, disco balls require fifteen to twenty centimetres of clearance from the ceiling, but shouldn't hang low enough for the heads and flailing arms of party-people to bump into them. Bigger parties and stage events are better off with 50cm or larger mirror balls - even 100cm mirror balls are commonly used.
Mini Disco Balls
At the other end of the spectrum you'll find the 10 to 15cm disco balls. These mini-mirror-balls are more cut out for smaller spaces like bedrooms since they're generally really user-friendly, easy to install and pack a big-enough effect. Grab one with a built-in LED effect and you're all set up for less than fifty quid. These plucky little effects are also great when you need a more low-profile solution.
Mirror Ball
Mirror balls and disco balls are synonymous. Mirror ball is the more literal description, since these party-balls come fitted with hundreds and sometimes even thousands of tiny mirrors that reflect light and scatter it across the room to stunning effect.
Motorised Disco Balls
Instead of picking up a separate mirror ball and ceiling-mounted motor, you could opt for a complete mirror ball plus motor pack. The idea of a motor is that it allows the ball to spin continuously at a low RPM so any scattered light can move continuously across the floor and walls. If you're looking for an all-in-one bundle, check out our mirror ball sets
40cm Disco Balls
One of the most popular sizes is the 40cm mirror ball, which is generally lightweight yet large enough to shape impressive effects. The polished mirrors reflect spotlights to mesmerising effect, especially when you've got a handful of spotlights set up and aimed at the ball from different angles.
Large Disco Balls
Larger mirror balls are mainly used to furnish large dance floors and venues. These models go up to 200cm in size and, as the size increases, so does the weight and price. In addition, big, professional disco balls require proper ceiling or truss mounting and are basically only deployed at bigger events.
Disco Balls with Integrated Lights
To save yourself some money, you could decide to get a disco ball with a built-in light effect. These 20 to 30cm models are fun for kids, often come complete with a motor and generally cost no more than a few tenners.
Battery-Powered Disco Balls
Most mirror ball sets include a motor that runs on batteries, usually two or three AA-batteries to be more specific. In some cases, separate mirror ball motors also run on batteries, but bigger, more powerful motors will almost always run on mains power. Also, bear in mind battery-powered disco balls are compatible with rechargeable batteries.
Disco Balls for Kids
A fun disco ball with a built-in LED effect doesn't cost much and can be easily secured to a bedroom ceiling. If you can afford to spend a little more, you could also grab a bundle that includes a spotlight, motor and colour wheel.
Frequently Asked Questions About Disco Balls
How does a disco ball work?
A disco ball can be set up in different ways. First off, it can be suspended using a chain and hooked up to a ceiling motor for a spinning effect. While it depends on the motor and the size of the ball, this set-up requires mains power (bigger or more professional models) or battery power (smaller models). Aim a set of spotlights at it, and the disco ball will shape a spectacular effect where the reflected beams of light throughout the room and across the dance floor, bringing dynamic, glittery effects. Disco balls can of course also be mounted without a motor, but this will mean that the effect will be more or less static. Note that there are sets available that not only include a mirror ball, but a spotlight, motor and various colour filters.
Where can I buy a disco ball?
At Bax Music, of course! We offer an all-encompassing range of disco balls, including lighting and other related accessories.
Disco balls versus mirror balls: what's the difference?
Technically speaking, there is no difference between a disco ball and a mirror ball, which are simply synonyms. Other the other hand, there are light effects available in the form of light-shooting disco balls, but these bits of kit aren't generally referred to as disco balls.
