How to choose fireworks?
In short: what to choose?
For New Year and parties most buyers choose a firework cake (battery): you light it once and it fires tens to hundreds of shots in a row. Start with the space you have, then the category (F2 or F3), then the budget.
- Home garden, New Year: a small or medium cake (F2), plus sparklers.
- Large plot, country house, open field: a large cake (often F3).
- Family with kids: children’s pyrotechnics (F1, age 12+) and sparklers – with an adult present.
- Quieter option (pets, neighbours): fountains, sparklers and coloured smoke.
- Wedding, birthday, photos: sparklers and coloured smoke; for a big show, a professional fireworks display.
- A high, loud finale: rockets.
1. Space and safety distance
Space matters most. The packaging states the minimum distance to spectators – that decides whether a product suits your garden. As a rule it is at least 8 m for F2 and at least 25 m for F3.
- Fire from a flat, firm surface so the cake cannot tip over.
- Make sure there are no trees, wires or roofs directly above.
- Mind the wind – sparks and smoke drift downwind.
Details for each product type: user guides and safety.
2. F2 or F3?
Under the EU standard, fireworks are split into categories. The category is shown on every product page.
- F1 – very low hazard: sparklers, small table effects. Age 12+.
- F2 – low hazard, for smaller areas: a garden or summer house. Adults only.
- F3 – medium hazard, for large open areas: bigger and higher effects. Adults only.
- F4 – professional, sold only to licensed pyrotechnicians. You can book such a show.
Short on space – choose F2. With a large site where spectators can stand further back, F3 gives bigger, higher effects. More: pyrotechnic categories F1–F4.
3. Cake, rocket, roman candle or fountain
- Firework cakes (batteries) – several tubes in one box, lit once. The easiest way to get a long, varied show. In stock from 10 €.
- Rockets – rise 30–70 m and burst high. Need a stable launch tube. In stock from 3 €.
- Roman candles – a tube firing 5–20 coloured stars in a row. In stock from 5 €.
- Fountains – a low spray of sparks from the ground, without high bangs. In stock from 7 €.
- Sparklers – gold or coloured sparks in your hand for 10–70 seconds. In stock from 2 €.
- Coloured smoke – for daytime events, photos and videos. In stock from 5 €.
4. What do shots, duration and calibre mean?
- Shots – how many effects the cake fires. More shots usually means a longer, denser show.
- Duration (seconds) – how long the cake burns. If two cakes cost the same, duration shows which gives the longer show.
- Calibre (mm) – the tube diameter. A larger calibre (e.g. 30 mm vs 25 mm) rises higher and bursts bigger.
You will find these on every product page and on the box. If unsure, watch the video on the product page – most cakes have one.
5. Budget: what does it cost?
Typical prices of cakes in stock by size:
- Small cakes: 20–50 €
- Medium cakes: 35–90 €
- Large cakes: 220–350 €
- Professional cakes: 500–600 €
The most affordable items are collected under cheap fireworks. Prices are calculated from items in stock and update automatically.
6. Quieter fireworks
There are no truly silent cakes or rockets – the sound comes as soon as the charge leaves the tube. If pets, small children or sensitive neighbours are nearby, choose products that do not rise high or bang loudly:
- fountains – a spray of sparks from the ground;
- sparklers;
- coloured smoke – also works for a daytime party.
7. When and where can you set off fireworks?
In Estonia the times and places for using fireworks are restricted, and in some cases a permit is needed. The rules are collected on fireworks laws and TTJA rules and fireworks permit in Tallinn.
F2 and F3 fireworks are sold and handed over to adults only.
8. Buying and delivery
The courier hands pyrotechnics to adults only; fireworks cannot be sent to parcel lockers. More: delivery and courier service.
Don't want to fire them yourself?
For a wedding, corporate party, birthday or other event you can book a professional fireworks display: licensed pyrotechnicians choose the products, arrange the permits and run the show. See fireworks display services.