INTRODUCTION:
Outdoor lighting increases the beauty of a home. Lighting is an important part of the security system of a home. Security lighting can be used in industrial, commercial, residential, and institutional settings. The main purpose of security lighting is to deter intruders and burglars. It is one of the first lines of defense against them. Good lighting increases the chances of physical detection and facial recognition. It also decreases hiding spots and increases a sense of security.
There are various types of outdoor security lights, which includes motion sensor lights, floodlights, landscape lights, and spotlights. Three features are important in outdoor lights. Motion detection, adjustable time, and having a backup rechargeable battery. Motion detection lets you know right away if there is an activity in the vicinity of the light fixture.
Some lights can be adjusted for how long they shine when an activity is detected. This makes them power efficient. In case there is a power outage, a backup rechargeable battery is always useful so that you can sleep in peace without having to worry about your home safety.
To help you choose the best, we reviewed many types of security lights and included the 5 best outdoor security lights that are energy-efficient, less costly, bright, and easy to install.
Best Outdoor Security Lights Reviews
5. RAB Lighting STL360HBW
RAB Lighting is a respected brand and has been in the industry since 1964. This light fixture, super stealth, is sensitive to motion. It can sense motion in 180 degrees out and 360 degrees down. The advanced detection logic reduces false triggers. Due to its photoelectric control, it can deactivate itself in the day.
It can accept PAR-38 150 watt max lamps. They are not included in the package though. The floodlights are bullet-shaped. It requires 120 V input current. It has a white cast aluminum construction which is carrion resistant, weatherproof, and very light. It can be adjusted for a time as well. You can set it to shine the light from 5 seconds to 12 minutes after it detects motion. It comes with surge protection that can withstand up to 6000 volts and a manual override mode with auto-reset.
This light has 3 LEDs for continuous scanning. They come pre-wired so the installation will be a piece of cake. The circuits are protected for maximum radio frequency immunity. They can also be connected in parallel with other light sets. This light fixture is suitable for homes, industrial, and commercial settings.
Pros
- Strong motion detector (can sense 180 degrees out and 360 degrees down)
- Has radiofrequency immunity
- Has surge protection
- Time can be adjusted
- Comes with a manual override mode
- 10-year warranty
Cons
- Winds sometimes may trigger the light
Best motion sensor lights but no LED compatibility: These outdoor lights have a high quality motion sensor. Surge protection increases the life of these light fixtures. However they are not compatible with LED which can turn customers off, since it makes them costly in the long run.
4. LITOM Outdoor Motion Sensor Light
LITOM is a leading solar light manufacturing company. This light fixture packs a lot in its compact size. It has high power LEDs and advanced energy management chips. Since it is a solar light, it stores sunlight and uses it as electricity. This makes it very energy efficient and saves you money in the long run. Its range of illumination can reach up to 200 square feet for 1 light, which can be extended up to 800 square feet with 4 lights that is 3 times more compared to other solar lights.
This light has an improved PIR motion sensor. It can detect motion up to 8 meters in a 120-degree angle. It turns on for 20 seconds and then goes off. If it senses movement again without going off, it will automatically increase its lighting time. It is made of high strength ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) and PP (Polypropylene). It is durable and can withstand any weather. It is IP65 waterproof and also heat resistant.
Since it is very energy efficient, it has 3 lighting modes. A dim light sensor mode, where the lighting is dim and brightens up upon sensing motion. In sensor light mode the lights are off but turn on in full brightness when they detect motion. The third mode is the medium-light mode. It also uses a Li-ion rechargeable battery to charge the solar lights. The battery doesn’t come with the package though.
Pros
- Waterproof and heat resistant
- Wide illumination range
- Good motion sensor
- 3 lighting modes increase flexibility in use
- 36-month long lifespan
Cons
- Needs sunlight
Best budget lights but not bright enough: These solar lights take care of the environment and your security. These budget lights are durable but not very bright compared to some other lights.
3. Ring Floodlight Cam
This bright floodlight is a chunky piece of the light fixture. It is available in black and white. This light fixture has a motion sensor with the convenience of a camera. It has three components; two adjustable floodlights, a camera, and a PIR motion sensor. It doesn’t have a plug so installation requires wiring the camera to the mains. If you have an outside light source then you would only have to swap, otherwise, you may have to call a professional.
It installs vertically on a wall, which leaves fewer options for the camera angles. Once you have installed it, you can configure and use the camera with the Ring app. There is a 270-degree lens on the front, so you will not have to adjust it a lot. The camera uses a PIR sensor to decide when to turn on the light. It also allows for two-way audio exchange. You can also set sire alarms to scare away intruders. You can configure motion zones and detection distance for the light. It also lets you adjust the time for which the light will remain on. You can also set time so that the light turns on and off automatically.
You can also connect it to Alexa and enable announcements when motion is detected. The video quality is also decent with infra-red night vision and live view. It also includes privacy features, which lets you customize privacy zones.
Pros
- Camera with motion sensor
- Allows two-way to talk
- Connects to Alexa
- Is weatherproof
- 1-year warranty
Cons
- Installation is difficult
- Expensive
Best Floodlight but hardwire installation: These are the best flood lights with cameras that will ensure lifetime protection from burglars. They also have a siren system that will alert you and scare intruders at the same time. They are a bit expensive and require hardwire installation that is time consuming and difficult to do.
2. SANSI LED Outdoor Motion-Activated Security Lights
This security light has two adjustable LED arrays and a motion sensor that is also adjustable. These lights are a combination of plastic and ceramic which makes them highly weatherproof. Each array has 3 LED lights that combined produce light of 2700 lumen brightness. This light is rated at 27 watt, which is equal to 200 watts incandescent light and 70-watt halogen light. The wattage is low and the brightness high, which makes them very energy efficient.
The bottom has controls. There is a slider button for adjusting the time for which the light turns on. The dial lets you adjust the sensitivity of the light. Since these are motion sensor lights, they automatically turn on and off when they detect motion. The motion-sensing range is 50 feet when it is mounted on a wall 8 feet high. The use of patented ceramic heat dissipation technology makes them very durable. They produce light constantly without heating up a lot.
It has three modes. In the test mode, it works both day and night. The light turns in when motion is detected and turns off after 3 to 7 seconds. In the motion sensor mode, it only works at night. You can adjust the time to whatever you want for the lights. If you need constant light in the night then you can set your lights on manual override mode.
Pros
- Affordable
- Has 3 smart modes
- Energy efficient
- Weatherproof construction
- Comes with a 5-year warranty
Cons
- Some users find the positioning of the light-limited
Best bright lights but limited light positioning: These lights produce 3,400 lumens of light that illuminates areas up to 50 feet. They are great for the price that they come in but users find that the light positioning is a bit limited.
1. Aootek 182 Led Solar Outdoor Light
This outdoor light consumes solar energy but also uses battery. The battery is included in the package. The solar panel is PET laminated and the LED lights are high quality. This light will have reduced long-term costs. The LED lights have a 182 design with a reflective cup effect and are bright and have a wide illumination angle.
The PIR motion sensor is sensitive and can detect motion in a 26 feet vicinity at 120 degrees. It is IP65 waterproof and heat resistant. It is designed to withstand extreme weather conditions. It has three smart modes. In the security mode, the motion sensor turns the light on and off automatically. In the permanent mode, the lights remain on all night. In the smart mode, the lights stay on but increase the brightness when motion is detected.
Pros
- Energy efficient (solar-powered)
- 3 smart lighting modes
- Durable construction
- Weatherproof
Cons
- Time for lights is not adjustable
Best Power efficient lights but limited motion detection range: These security lights are power efficient as they are solar powered and use a battery to illuminate your surroundings but they have limited motion detection range of 26 feet.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What type of bulb is best for security lights?
When you keep the brightness and energy consumption in mind, LED lights are the best option. LED lights are very cost-effective and deliver good brightness. They don’t consume much energy and can last 5 times longer than the traditional incandescent lights. They cost more upfront which is why some people don’t buy them. But the long term cost of lighting will be much less with LED lights.
2. Are solar outdoor lights a better option?
Solar lights are my favorite. They are environmentally friendly since you are not consuming any non-renewable energy source. They are energy efficient because sunlight is free. The models these days use very advanced and good solar panels. Some solar lights will surprise you with their brightness. You can almost put them anywhere. But if you live in an area where the weather is more than often overcast then you may consider battery-powered or hardwired lights
3. How do I know if my light is waterproof?
When you are buying your light, check its IP rating. The first number next to IP shows how dust and water-resistant the light is and the second number shows the tamper-proofness of the enclosure. The IP65 rating means that the light is protected from dust as well as the low-pressure water spray. Most of the products on this list are IP65 waterproof.
4. Do motion sensor lights deter burglars?
According to a survey many burglaries happen in the daytime between 6 am to 6 pm. They still happen at night though. Burglars would not have any place of hiding when your motion sensor lights turn on. Some lights even come with a blaring siren alarm that alerts the house members and scares the burglars.
5. How much area should my motion sensor lights cover?
The area covered is determined by the illumination range of the light and the motion sensor range. If you are looking to light up only your front door porch then you need a motion sensor light with a range of a few feet. Small areas can be lit up with as much brightness as 42 lumens. But if you have a big lawn or if you are trying to light up your entire backyard then you will require lights with a motion sensor that can sense motion in a 50 to 70 square feet area. Large areas may require up to 3,400 lumens of brightness.
Conclusion
Security lights are a great way to illuminate the outside area. The motion sensor features present in most of them is very useful. You get to choose when to illuminate the dark corners of your street in an energy efficient way. These lights are bright and very responsive to motion. You’ll feel more secure with them installed outside your house. You can use them to shine light on your driveway or your garden when your pet needs to go out after dark. We have listed 5 best products in this article. We hope you find what you like.
