Pop, crackle, boom: Ranking the best ‘Safe and Sane’ fireworks you can buy now
The Sacramento Bee’s annual fireworks review is back, just in time for Fourth of July firework sales to begin Sunday at noon across the capital region.
Last week, The Bee’s summer reporting interns headed to Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District’s Station 50 in Vineyard to watch and review 21 “Safe and Sane” fireworks from California’s three licensed vendors: Phantom Fireworks, TNT Fireworks and Discount Fireworks Superstore, which is operated by TNT in California.
For an hour as the sun set, under the watchful eyes of our editors, firefighters and vendor experts, we gasped and guffawed at crackling displays, spinning showers of sparks and colorful bursts, ranking each firework based on its visual spectacle — the “oooh” factor — and auditory experience, or the “boom” capacity. After crunching the numbers, we crowned our five favorite fireworks.
While we did factor price when compiling our rankings, we did select a favorite firework under $20 to help readers get the most bang for their buck.
But before we reveal our recommendations, here’s what you need to know to celebrate the Fourth of July safely, as the country marks its 250th birthday and wildfire season remains a concern in Northern California.
How can I have a 'Safe and Sane’ Fourth of July?
Every firework sold in California must carry the Office of State Fire Marshal’s “Safe and Sane” seal, indicating that it is safe for public use.
State-approved fireworks generally consist of ground-based fountains, spinners and some handheld and novelty items. Fireworks that launch into the air — such as bottle rockets — dart across the ground or explode are considered dangerous and are strictly prohibited for use, according to Metro Fire and Cal Fire.
California fire officials caution the public against selling, transporting or using fireworks that do not carry the State Fire Marshal’s seal. On Thursday, authorities reiterated ramped-up enforcement efforts this Fourth of July. Under new Sacramento city and county ordinances, violations can carry fines of up to $10,000, depending on where the illegal fireworks are set off and whether the violator has previous offenses.
Fireworks vendors will also provide safety information with every purchase. To minimize risk, they advise only adults to light fireworks on hard, flat, level surfaces, away from dry grass and vegetation, with 25 to 40 feet of clearance. Fire officials have also emphasized the importance of having hoses on hand, and dousing fireworks in a bucket of water after they’ve been used, even overnight, to prevent accidental reignition.
Where can I buy 'Safe and Sane' fireworks?
Rules for when you can buy and discharge fireworks vary based on jurisdiction.
“Safe and Sane” fireworks go on sale at noon Sunday from the three licensed national vendors at stands operated by community and nonprofit groups across Sacramento County and the cities of Roseville, Rocklin, Lincoln, West Sacramento and Woodland. Sales continue through July 4.
In the city of Sacramento, the pyrotechnics can only be discharged between noon Sunday and midnight July 4. Roseville, Rocklin, and Lincoln all have the same schedule.
In Sacramento County, the window is slightly shorter, with fireworks permitted from noon Sunday until 10 p.m. on the Fourth of July, according to the county’s website.
Fireworks can only be set off from July 4 through July 6 in West Sacramento, the city said on social media.
It is strictly prohibited to light fireworks in El Dorado County, the city of Davis, and the unincorporated areas of Placer and Yolo counties.
Across California, only licensed booths can sell “Safe and Sane” fireworks. There are nearly 100 TNT Fireworks and more than 80 Phantom Fireworks stands in the greater Sacramento area, with some in nearby cities like Dixon, Woodland and Fairfield as well.
Discount Fireworks Superstore no longer has a Sacramento-based warehouse, but it operates multiple locations in Northern California, including Fresno.
Sacramento County officials encourage the public to report illegal fireworks at 916 874-5115 or fireworks@sacsheriff.com.
Now that you know how to celebrate safely — and where and when “Safe and Sane” fireworks are legal to buy and use — it’s time for the fun part. Here are our interns’ top fireworks picks for the 2026 season.
Honorable mentions
- Bald and Beautiful, 4.08 rating, TNT Fireworks, $39.99. The new firework was the only one to earn an average rating above 4.0 and still miss our top five. Nice name, too.
- Freedom Star, 3.96 rating, Discount Fireworks Superstore, $37.12. Marketed as a family favorite by Discount Fireworks, the seventh-highest-rated firework is literally shaped like a star.
- Spirit in the Night, 3.48 rating, Phantom Fireworks, $29.99. Sold as a buy-one-get-one-free deal, this firework may be one of the most cost-effective options. While it wasn’t known for its boom, it earned a 4.18 average “oooh” rating, the fourth-highest visual score in our review.
- Viva el Futbol, 3.05 rating, TNT Fireworks, $12.99. With the World Cup underway, this budget-friendly firework is a fitting pick for futbol fans.
Bang for your buck: Jumpin’ Jackalope
Retailer: Discount Fireworks Superstore
Total score: 3.80
“Oooh” rating: 3.73
“Boom” rating: 3.86
Duration: 1 minute, 14 seconds
Price: $17.32
What we loved: “Jumpin’ Jackalope,” a new item this year, lived up to its name, with bursts of fireworks that felt like, well, jumps.
“GOOD NAME,” one reviewer wrote.
Its “oooh” and “boom” scores were among the most consistent of any firework, as interns praised its distinct theme, runtime and cohesive performance. The ground-based fountain sent up green, red and orange sparks in jumping bursts before they fanned into the air like a starry flurry.
Of the six fireworks priced below $20 — not counting “Spirit in the Night,” which is $29.99 but comes with a buy-one-get-one-free deal — “Jumpin’ Jackalope” held a strong lead as our favorite budget option.
Fifth place: Radioactive Spark
Retailer: Phantom Fireworks
Total score: 4.12
“Oooh” rating: 4.68
“Boom” rating: 3.55
Show duration: 1:14
Price: $99.99 with a buy-one-get-one-free deal
What we loved: A returning favorite is back! After placing first in last year’s intern rankings and tying for second the year before, it’s no surprise that Phantom’s “Radioactive Spark” made the top five yet again.
The firework had the second-highest “oooh” score, trailing only overall winner “Dragon Dreamscape,” though its “boom” score was closer to the middle of the pack.
“Radioactive Spark” is most notable for its spin. After a classic display of gold, red and orange flashes shooting upwards in bright flurries, the firework began spinning rapidly, spraying warm-toned sparks horizontally in one of the night’s most memorable moments.
“Very radioactive!” one intern wrote on their review sheet.
This firework was tied for the most expensive one we viewed, though the buy-one-get-one-free deal effectively brings the price to about $50 apiece.
Fourth place: Iron Eagle
Retailer: Phantom Fireworks
Total score: 4.15
“Oooh” rating: 4.05
“Boom” rating: 4.25
Show duration: 0:56
Price: $69.99
What we loved: Should you choose to light Phantom’s “Iron Eagle,” everyone nearby will almost certainly know the theme. A massive eagle screech opens the show, leaving one of our interns on the ground in mock shock.
While the noise made “Iron Eagle” one of the most divisive fireworks we rated, its electric finish and three simultaneous fountains helped it earn the third-highest “boom” score of the night.
“The eagle sound is impressive but annoying,” one wrote on their review.
“Iron Eagle” was tied for the most expensive single firework we viewed, along with TNT Fireworks’ “American Pride,” which was themed for the United States’ 250th.
Third place: Mad Dog XL
Retailer: TNT Fireworks
Total score: 4.45
“Oooh” rating: 4.65
“Boom” rating: 4.25
Show duration: 1:08
Price: $39.99
What we loved: A new item for 2026, TNT Fireworks’ “Mad Dog XL” promises a truly maddening, explosive show.
Moments after ignition, the ground-based fountain launched orange, red and yellow showers of sparks before erupting into a flurry of bright white and green flashes that left our interns dazzled.
After settling back a shoot of sunset-toned sparks, our interns watched as the “Mad Dog XL” had a second burst of popping and crackling green that climbed higher than the fire station’s roof.
“Sparks fly to start. Crazy effect,” one intern wrote down.
Another summarized their thoughts more briefly as “AWESOME!!!”
At $39.99, the “Mad Dog XL” is a standout mid-priced option.
Second place: Storm Runner
Retailer: Phantom Fireworks
Total score: 4.57
“Oooh” rating: 4.50
“Boom” rating: 4.64
Show duration: 1:17
Price: $49.99 (Buy one, get one free)
What we loved: At $25 a pop if you think about it, it’s tough to get better than this.
“Storm Runner” kicked off as soon as it was lit, shooting orange, green and red sparks onto the ground and into the air, crackling and popping to the delight of our interns.
The opening sequence lasted 25 seconds, and after a quieter spell with a single stream of flashing sparks, “Storm Runner” returned with a booming, fiery gold shower that we couldn’t take our eyes off. As the firework began to wane after well over a minute, zigzagging streaks of light spread into a canopy of twinkling flashes that resembled stars.
Our interns, stunned nearly speechless, could only muster the following: “Phenomenal” and “Amazing.”
First place: Dragon Dreamscape
Retailer: Discount Fireworks Superstore
Total score: 4.80
“Oooh” rating: 5.00
“Boom” rating: 4.59
Show duration: 1:06
Price: $38.60
What we loved: With a perfect “oooh” score from all 11 of The Bee’s summer interns, Discount Fireworks Superstore’s “Dragon Dreamscape” left little to criticize.
Once lit, the ground-based fountain began with fluffy-looking sparkles in blue, red, pink, yellow and green. They danced in waves before the firework erupted into a shower of orange-gold flecks and red and green flashes that crackled as they struck the ground.
Our interns audibly oohed and aahed as the show began, helping explain the perfect rating.
As they filled out their review sheets, our interns expressed similar praise for the show’s vibrancy.
“Rainbow start. Wow,” one wrote.
“Colorful and good length,” scribbled another.
Some even resorted to language our editors won’t let us print to express their awe. Safe to say, the mid-priced “Dragon Dreamscape” was crowd favorite.
Special thanks to Metro Fire and the crew of Station 50, as well as the teams from Phantom Fireworks and TNT Fireworks.
The Bee’s Velvet Wu, HG Biggs, Ruyuan Li, Libby Simpson, Haley Parsley, Evelyn Ronan, Naomi Taxay, Alula Alderson and Sofia Williams contributed to this story.
