8 Best Outdoor Security Lights for Home Safety
by Michael | Updated on: 5th-June, 2022
Outdoor lighting enhances the beauty and adds mystery to a home, such as outdoor string lights and outdoor lanterns. They also improve security and safety to make you feel reassured at home. Particularly, as an integral part of an effective home security system, outdoor security lights are becoming increasingly important nowadays.
Among the outdoor lighting portfolio, outdoor security lights make it easy to keep an eye on your property day and night, giving you peace of mind both when you’re home or when you’re falling asleep. Generally, outdoor security lights or flood lights cast an ultra-bright and wide beam light, so they can illuminate a large area and discourages intruders from targeting your home by increasing the risk of being caught.
Most outdoor security lights utilize motion sensors that automatically turn the light on when they detect movement. So, when you find the outdoor lights suddenly on, you’ll know with just a glance if it’s something you should worry about or not. If there’s no further movement, the light can turn off within the set time to preserve power, so you don’t have to worry about the bright light shining all night long.
In this post, we offer a complete guide on outdoor security lighting and how to choose the best security lights for your home, and what is the difference between security lights. Without further ado, let’s dive right in.
Best Outdoor Security Lights Round-Up
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. GSBLUNIE Motion Sensor Outdoor Security Lights | 2. WWimy Solar Powered Security Light with Remote Control | 3. Onforu Super Bright 50W Outdoor Security Light | 4. SANSI Dusk to Dawn Sensor LED Security Light | 5. LEONLITE Warm White Security Spot Light Dual Heads | 6. Home Zone Wide Frosted Lens Outdoor Security Light | 7. SOLLA Battery Operated Waterproof Security Light Dimmable | 8. Mr. Beams Low Profile Compact Design Security Sensor Light |
| √ Super bright 4000lm, √ Adjustable angle design, √ Motion Sensor with 3 modes, √ Die-cast aluminum material, √ ETL and DLC certification, | √ Solar powered, rechargeable, √ Adjustable angle design, √ Motion Sensor with 3 modes, √ Remote control function, √ With dim light mode, | √ Total 5000lm very bright, √ Adjustable angle design, √ 3 color finishes option, √ Made with aluminum, √ IP65 waterproof, | √ Unique design light head, √ Adjustable angle design, √ 4 working modes include D2D, √ IP65 waterproof, √ ETL listed. | √ Spot light type, more focus light, √ Adjustable angle design, √ 4 working modes, √ 3000K warm white option, √ UL & Energy Star Listed. | √ Wide frosted lens, less glare, √ More aesthetic profile, √ Adjustable angle design, √ 3 settings control, √ IP65 waterproof. | √ Battery operated, wiring Free, √ Osram LED chips, high lumen, √ Adjustable angle design, √ Adjustable brightnesses, √ Timer setting, waterproof. | √ Compact design yet versatile, √ 3 D cell battery operated, √ Reflective face spreads, √ Motion activation, √ Waterproof, suitable for outdoor. |
1. GSBLUNIE Motion Sensor Outdoor Security Lights
This is the most popular outdoor security light you can see in the market. It’s with 3 lighting heads, with a bigger one in the middle and alongside the other two smaller ones, total up to 42w, produce 4000 lumen super bright light. And the 3 heads are all with multi-angle adjustable design, it can be tilted up and down or adjust left and right. You can rotate them to light up not just the entryway but also the areas aside, it helps illuminate more areas of your home.
The motion sensor has 3 working modes that you can use flexibly according to your actual need. One is Test mode for you to adjust and maintain, another is Auto mode that you can set the auto-off time after 30S, 60S, 120S, and the sensing distance from 20ft, 33ft to 50ft, the last is Always on mode, that you can leave the security light turn on the whole night.
Generally, the security light is of good quality. It’s with ETL and DLC certification and material made of die-cast aluminum that ensures good heat dissipation. And it’s IP65 suitable for outdoor applications.
| Brand / ASIN: | GSBLUNIE / B07X5RCS8T |
| Wattage / Voltage: | 42W / AC 120V |
| Number of LEDs: | 66pcs |
| Luminous flux: | 4000LM |
| Color Temperature: | 6000K |
| Mateiral: | Die-cast aluminum |
2. WWimy Solar Powered Security Light with Remote Control
If the position you’re going to install is not possible to get electric or you want hassle-free wiring, go for the solar-powered security light. It’s pretty straightforward to install, just screw in the mounting plate first then slide the main unit and adjust the angle of solar panel, light heads to the right direction, then that’s it. Because it’s solar-powered, so you don’t need to connect the electricity.
Not only does this solar security light can be controlled by PIR motion sensor but it’s also with a remote. The motion sensor has 3 modes for you to set the different settings with the integrated button, or you can also use the remote to turn the light on from far away if you need to see something.
This solar security light is bright enough, up to 2500 lumen, it’s ok to light up a small and medium backyard. It’s built with a 2200 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Compared to the AC-powered outdoor security lights, this solar-powered type will help you save tons of money and installation time.
| Brand / Part Number: | WWimy / 8330D-210R |
| Wattage / Luminous flux: | 25W / 2500LM |
| Dimension: | 4.7 x 8.5 x 8.3 inches |
| Power method: | Solar power |
| Color Temperature: | 6500K |
| Mateiral: | ABS |
3. Onforu Super Bright 50W Outdoor Security Light
LED security light is also known as a flood light because it produces wide light distribution bright. This security light is 50w and the brightness is up to 5000 lumen which is super bright, it is equal to the traditional 250w halogen light. Plus you can also swivel the light head to let it illuminate the intended position.
There are 3 color finishes available: black, white, and grey, you can choose the suitable color to match your home style. The light is made up of die-cast aluminum and is weatherproof, it’s able to resist the harsh environument such as rain, snow, wind, etc, to last a very long time.
Kindly note it is not motion detection or dusk to dawn operated, it’s just a very bright flood lamp intended for outdoor security. We recommend a placement of 12 to 16 feet high for the optimum amount of coverage. Normally these outdoor security lights do not come with a junction box, but you can buy one at any hardware store.
| Brand / ASIN: | Onforu / B07S6LGQC9 |
| Wattage/Luminous flux: | 50W 5000LM |
| Voltage: | 120V |
| Color Temperature: | 5000K |
| Mateiral: | Die-cast aluminum |
| Color options: | Black/Grey/White |
4. SANSI Dusk to Dawn Sensor LED Security Light
A well built with unique designed lighting heads, as well as a high tech look, this security light is built with 8 light modules combine together, each light is with lens integrated to give a more concentrated beam. And this light employs a cooling material – ceramic, which has high thermal conductivity, LEDs lifespan is guaranteed.
More importantly, this outdoor security light has 4 working modes. Besides the Test mode, Auto mode, and On-time mode like the other counterparts, this one has an extra D2D mode (Dusk To Dawn). When set to D2D mode, the light turns on automatically at night and will turn off at dawn. These 4 working modes give you more flexibility to use.
In addition, the sensor body and lamp heads are easy to rotate into position. And the motion with a range of 180 degrees and max 50 feet. In short, if you want something to light up your world at night, pull the trigger on these outdoor security lights!
| Brand / ASIN: | SANSI / B01NCW5KL8 |
| Wattage Voltage: | 36W 120V |
| Mateiral: | Ceramic + Plastic |
| Luminous flux: | 3600LM |
| Color Temperature: | 6000K |
| Dimension: | 8.3 x 5.5 x 11.4 inches |
5. LEONLITE Warm White Security Spot Light Dual Heads
Most led security lights give off a bright white light, however, if you’re looking for a warm white option (3000K), check out this dual heads security spotlight from LEONLITE. It’s sturdy and well made, not very big but illuminates lots of warm yellowish light. The light is around 20w producing 1400 Lumen.
This security spotlight has 4 working modes: Test mode, Auto Mode during nighttime, Dusk-to-Dawn mode, and Manual Override mode. The manual override mode means after 8 hours of constant lighting or dawn breaks, the light goes back to Auto mode automatically.
Additionally, this security light has a rich matte brown finish that distinguishes others from black or white. Plus, it’s UL & Energy Star Listed with 5 years warranty. It works great for outdoor applications such as your doorway, garage, driveway, yard, and so on.
| Brand / ASIN: | LEONLITE / B07CV9VF22 |
| Wattage / Voltage: | 20W / 120V |
| Mateiral: | Aluminum |
| Luminous flux: | 1400LM |
| Color Temperature: | 3000K/5000K |
| Dimension: | 6.1 x 10.5 x 9.6 inches |
6. Home Zone Wide Frosted Lens Outdoor Security Light
Despite the fact that outdoor security lights are pretty bright and energy-saving, it glares a lot and makes us feel unpleasant when looking at it, and the industrial look of it sometimes does also not pair with the home style. While this wide frosted lens security light is not only with minor glare but also complementing your overall home aesthetics.
It looks sleek and modern, the LEDs are not visible because of the frosted lens design, thus makes the light with less glare. The position of the light panel is adjustable up and down to cover desired areas for optimal performance. The direction of the sensor can rotate from left to right.
There are 3 rotary knobs to control the daylight level, motion sensor sensitivity, and duration time (from 5 s to 3 min) respectively. The motion sensor provides total coverage of 180 degrees and its detection range up to 30 ft.
| Brand / Part Number: | Home Zone / ES06508V |
| Wattage / Voltage: | 18W / 120V |
| Mateiral: | Plastic |
| Luminous flux: | 1600LM |
| Color Temperature: | 5000K |
| Dimension: | 4.5 in x 9.0 in |
7. SOLLA Battery Operated Waterproof Security Light Dimmable
If you live in a rented building and don’t want to install the light permanently, or where you live doesn’t get quite enough solar to energize the light, try the battery-operated security light. It’s powered by 3-D Cell batteries (not included), installation is pretty easy and there is no hardwired and electrician required.
Also, when it comes to battery-powered, it’s really important to be able to easily replace the batteries when necessary. This light is mounted to the mounting plate (included), all you have to do is slide the light up to take it off the plate, no need to unscrew the light from the holder.
This LED security light operates in 3 levels of brightness 100lm, 350lm, 750lm, you can set different brightness to save battery power. And you can also set the timer (10s and 20s) to determine how long the light lasts when it detects motion.
| Brand / Part Number: | SOLLA / GV006A00 |
| Wattage: | 8W |
| Mateiral: | Plastic |
| Luminous flux: | 750LM |
| Color Temperature: | 5000K |
| Dimension: | 5.12 x 5.91 x 6.3 inches |
8. Mr. Beams Low Profile Compact Design Security Sensor Light
Compact yet bright enough to illuminate a small area to pick your way through the dark area. Although it looks like a spot light, it spreads a wide coverage area light thanks to its unique reflective face design, perfect to install above the garage, doorway, porch, etc.
This security sensor light is powered by 3 D-cell batteries, which are with more capacity than a AA or C cell battery, and the light is with one high output LED only (just 3 watts), battery life is more sustainable with less replacement. Plus, the light sensor help to further prolong battery life, the light is activated in darkness only when motion is detected.
Installation is straightforward, no tools are needed to replace batteries. Simply loosen the thumbscrew on the base to remove the entire assembly for service. Therefore, if you do not want to spend expensive electrical work or the place is heavily shaded for solar light and no nearby power source, go with this security sensor light.
| Brand / Part Number: | Mr. Beams / MB360XT-Brn-01-00 |
| Wattage / Voltage: | 3W 6V by 3 D batteries |
| Mateiral: | Plastic |
| Luminous flux: | 200LM |
| Color Temperature: | 5000K |
| Dimension: | 3.5 x 4.42 x 6.5 inches |
Buyer’s Guide
Outdoor security lights are necessary to protect your home, they’re a great addition to your smart home security system. Available in a wide range of designs and features, you will have plenty of options to choose from. As always, we will give you a thorough guide about the type of security sensor lights and how to choose the best one for your home or special requirements.
What is Outdoor Security Lighting?
Outdoor security lights are used outdoor to illuminate a wide area at nighttime for security purposes. Typically they’re integrated with sensors to achieve multiple functions, such as Auto on and off at night, timmer and sensitivity setting, brightness setting. And they’re usually installed on the wall or under the roof, regardless of wind or rain, they’re able to resist the harsh outdoor environment.
4 Types of Outdoor Security Lights
To serve different purposes, there are many types of outdoor security lights, such as the most common led flood lights, wall lights, post lights, street lights, and so on. Generally, according to their features, these LED security lights can be classified as follows:
1. Wide Reflector type – Most Common and Durable
Wide reflector type security light is with a big reflector design, it provides a broad-beamed, high-intensity light, the typical one is LED flood light. LED flood light provides wide light distribution to illuminate a large area or “flood” the area with plenty of light.
They are so utility that you can actually install them everywhere outdoor and have no limited to the placement. You can either install them on the wall, such as roof, ceiling or mount them on the ground to light up the trees, buildings, etc. They come in a wide wattage range from 30w to 500w, not only suitable to use at home as security lighting but also widely use in industrial and commercial areas.
2. Dual Heads Type – Beam Angle Full Adjustable
Dual heads type security lights are another popular one. They’re with dual or threefold heads, each lighting head is independent and fully adjustable. You can adjust the angle up and down or left and right, so it’s able to light up the desired areas.
The dual-head security light is more practical when you want to illuminate several separated areas rather than just one big area. For example, if you mount it in the doorway, the middle head can light up in the front and the other two sidelights can light up the left and right sides of the house. Compare to LED flood lights, this dual (threefold) heads security light can cover more areas.
3. Motion Sensor Type – Smart and Light Auto On/Off
Motion sensor security lights can be known as upgraded one. It’s more energy-saving and smart that it only turns on at night or when movement/human is detected. They work automatically so you don’t need to bother when to turn on or turn off the light. In addition to the motion sensor, there is also another type of light sensor.
Light sensor measures the amount of ambient light present and adjusts the electric lights accordingly. When the ambient light is dim enough, for example, when the night comes, the light can Auto turn on. Nowadays, most motion sensor device is integrated with light sensor function together, this combined feature makes the light smarter that it enables the light to Auto on at night only when movements are detected. If you want to upgrade your current security light to motion sensor type, there is also with sensor accessory available for assembling.
4. Solar Powered Type – Free Energy, Free Wiring
The solar-powered security light is quite popular now thanks to its multiple advantages. It’s using solar energy which means you have endless Free power to cater to the light, so no need to pay for the electricity bill of it. Besides the Free power to take advantage of, it’s also Free wiring.
Solar power security light doesn’t need to connect to live wire and neutral wire, simply install it to the wall where it can absorb the solar, then it starts to work. Installation is easy and quick! Of course, solar light also has other benefits, such as it operates on low voltage 12v or 24v which is safer. And, it’s with battery backup to store the solar power, so when the sun goes out, you will still have power for a couple of days.
The Main Features of Outdoor Security Lights
1. Durable and Weatherproof
Since outdoor security lights are installed outside, durable and weatherproof quality is the most important feature to look for. It has a direct impact on how is it going to last in harsh environments outside. The weather outside could be with strong sun and high-intensity ultraviolet rays, metal material will be the first option to consider, instead of plastic.
Also, it needs to be able to withstand all kinds of weather. For outdoor applications, the security lamp should be at least IP65 (or IP67) rating. An IP65 rating means the lamp housing is protected from dust as well as low-pressure water spray, so the lamp can work properly even it’s raining cats and dogs.
2. Motion detection
The second best security feature to look for in outdoor security lights is motion detection. Thanks to its Auto-on feature, whenever there are strangers or burglars detected in the vicinity of your home, you’ll know. And you don’t need to worry about the light turning on all night long, it will Auto-off within the set time when there is no activity detected. Usually, there is a timer setting together, you can set the light Auto-off after 3, 5 or 10 minutes. Great saving on the electricity bills!
3. Adjustable Light Angle
There are many areas in our home that need to be illuminated. Instead of lighting only one area, security floodlights with adjustable angle features can illuminate two to three directions. This means it can not only light up the way in front of the backyard, but you can also adjust its angle to make it light up both sides of the corner. Depends on the type of outdoor security lights you choose, adjustable light angle can save the installation time and reduce the wiring work, such as the dual-head (or threefold heads ) security light, you can have one light installed but light up two (three) areas.
4. Solar Energy
No further introduction is needed, solar energy is quite popular now and pretty common in the market. Its power source is sustainable and inexhaustible, as long as the sun exists. The light absorbs solar energy in the daytime and light up at night, its built-in battery can store the extra power and keep it for another day’s use. When there’s an outage, solar-powered security lights give you peace of mind without worry if it’s hardwired. So, if the place you live is with a long sunny day, consider using solar-powered security lights.
What to Consider Before Choosing A Security Light?
Security lights serve different purposes, and they’re also versatile with many additional features which we can benefit a lot from it. To get you on the right path, we have listed the 4 situations you may encounter when making up your mind to buy a security light.
#1. Ensure the Light has Photocells
A photocell is a resistor that can sense the darkness and modulate lights to turn on automatically. It’s also known as dusk-to-dawn, which you can find from the product instruction mentioned the D2D mode, it ensures the security lights don’t switch on during the day. That way, you get to extend your fixture’s lifespan while also keeping your electricity costs on the bare minimum.
#2. Check the Placement and Motion Sensor Range
When you receive the package of motion sensor light fixture you picked yesterday and get ready to install it, don’t rush, check the detection distance first. Normally the sensor is with 180°wide sensing angle and the sensing distance is from 26ft to 50ft, depends on the light fixture type. Hence, when dealing with motion-sensor security lights, they have to be positioned in spots that are within the sensors’ operational range.
#3. Check the Wiring Accessibility if it’s Hardwired Fixture
Hardwire will always be the first issue we face after we bought the lamp. Before you buy the fixture, check around the mounted position to see if there is already with existed wiring point for you to easily connect the light. If not, you need to check how many access you can reach to the wiring cable and connect it to the light. If hardwired is difficult for you or not available, try to use solar and battery-powered one.
#4. Opt for Battery Run Fixture for Emergency or Temporary Placement
Security lights powered by batteries come in handy whenever there’s a power outage, it can be used as an emergency light under this circumstance. Besides, you can also take it down cushily any time you want to move the placement or you move to a new house. You also benefit from this feature that if an intruder decides to tamper with your electrical systems in order to cut off power going into your home, at least this battery-run fixtures will continue to work and give you ample time to deal with this situation before it worsens.
#5. What kind of Control Methods do you Prefer?
Besides the sensor control, which is one of the most popular ones, there are many other control methods you can consider as well, such as switch control, remote control, and App control. Switch control is the most common method that allows you manually control the light on and off, it’s the most stable and reliable technology, unlike the sensor control which may fail to work after a long time.
Well, remote control and mobile App control are smarter and give you more convenience and flexibility to modify your security light’s performance to match your needs and preferences.
Where Do You Put Security Lights?
When it comes to placement, there are many places where you can put the security lights, it should be in the most important (or vulnerable) part of your home, these places include:
- At the gate,
- In the yard and patio,
- All the entrances to your home: garage door, front and back doors, and windows,
- Roadways, Pathways, and Driveways,
- On the sides of your home’s walls,
- The parking areas, balconies,
- The garden areas such as Trees/Plants/Flower beds, Paths, and Walkways,
- And so on.
6 Outdoor Places to Put Security Lights. *Photo from https://www.delmarfans.com/
As many places as you can put the light, however, it’s not always that easy. You need to put the fixture in a position that it’s able to offer optimal performance and serve the security purpose.
So, Where Are the Best Position to Put Outdoor Security Lights?
No worry, we have concluded 5 factors that you can take into consideration to put your outdoor light fixture. Let’s read on.
Five Factors that Determine the Security Light Placement
1. The Size of the Area Being Illuminated
It goes without saying, the bigger the area, the brighter the light required. If you’re going to install the light to 20 x 20 two-car garage doorway, you might want to install 50w light instead of 20w, so the light intensity is enough to illuminate the area. The floodlights or threefold-head security lights could be the best option to ensure bright illumination.
2. Measure the Mounting Height
It’s basic physics – the higher the light source the dimmer the brightness. If you put a light with small power but mount it on the high roof, which turns out that the area is not well lit, you will end up with either install more lights or replace it with a bigger power one, waste a lot of time.
On the other hand, if you put a high-power light fixture and mount it in the low position, it could be too bright that not only glaring and makes us unpleasant but also causes light pollution that affects the neighbor. (That’s fine if you say you can dim the light and adjust the brightness). Hence, measure the mounting height first to pick the light with a suitable wattage.
3. The Fixture’s Motion Range
If you use a motion sensor security light, you also need to check the fixture’s detection range. Depends on the light you use, the detection range can be from 30 ft to 75ft and the sensing angle is 180°. Therefore, the area you intend to illuminate should be within your security light’s motion radius and to ensure the sensor is working properly, it cannot be blocked with other stuff. Otherwise, burglars might take advantage of blind spots to gain access to your property without tripping the sensors.
4. Whether the Placement has Access to Direct Sunlight
Obviously, if you choose a solar powered security light, the placement should be directly exposed under the sun, so it can be fully charged and continue working every day. Furthermore, since the shade changes during the day, to make the most of solar energy, you need to calculate the amount of light which reaches that spot during the day. Solar security lights need to absorb a certain amount of sunlight to generate enough electricity to be able to run all night.
5. Considering Your Neighbours
Last but not least: You need to consider whether the light will bring annoyance to your neighbors. A well-lit security light at night means peace of mind for you, it can also mean annoyance for your neighbors. Imagine that if your light is face to the window of your neighbor’s house, and the light is activated every time when there are movements, how annoying it will be. Therefore, your security lights need to be sensitively placed so as not to shine into your neighbors’ windows and dazzle them. Otherwise, it will only lead to complaints.
What Color Temperature Should I Use for Outdoor?
3 Color Temperatures for Different Outdoor Lighting Effect
When it comes to choosing the best color temperature, it is a commonplace subject. You can find numerous topics that discussed Correlated Color Temperature (CCT), and in our related topics, we have also shared a lot about the differences between warm light and cool light (AKA yellow light and white light). As a rule of thumb, warmer color temperatures are used to embellish architectural elements (between 2500k-2700k), and cooler color temperatures from 6000k – 6500k are chosen for a higher level of security.
If you’re still uncertain which color temperature is the best, think of what kind of effect or purpose you want the light creates. For security purposes, we suggest white light as it’s brighter. However, if security is not your first priority, yellowish light will be a nice option, it gives off a soothing effect as well as create a comfortable atmosphere.
Conclusion
So, which outdoor security lights are your favorite? Do you have any questions? If so, don’t hesitate to let us know or post them in the comments section below. We’d love to answer your questions and share more useful tips with you.
Disclosure: We independently select these products and we only recommend products that are of good quality and utility. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.
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