The Best Outdoor Security Lights for Your Home
Updated: Dec. 08, 2022Don't be left in the dark! With the best outdoor security lights you'll know exactly what's going on around your home.
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Outdoor security lights are an integral part of your home security system, allowing you to see what’s happening around your house and yard at night. The newest generation of outdoor security lights do a lot more than just light up—these tech-enhanced gadgets can work with your smart light bulbs and smart door locks, and some can even be controlled by smart home devices!
There are many styles of outdoor security lights to choose from, but you should prioritize several key features as you shop. When comparing security lights, consider the lumens (a measure of brightness) they give off, as well as their motion detection capabilities, installation requirements and additional features, such as WiFi connectivity. Installing lights is a straightforward DIY project that shouldn’t take more than a day.
What Are the Best Outdoor Security Lights?
The best outdoor security lights provide plenty of outdoor illumination, not to mention peace of mind. But the best outdoor lighting for you depends on a few factors, like your specific security needs, budget and lifestyle. We turned to trusted brands, and researched well-reviewed and easy-to-use products to find the best outdoor lights for a variety of outdoor security uses, in every price point.
Best Overall Outdoor Security Lights
Ring Smart Lighting
When it comes to the best outdoor security lights, Ring Smart Lighting has you covered. The complete kit comes with two spotlights and four pathlights that shine bright on driveways, porches or patios. The battery-powered wire-free design installs in literally minutes. Use the Ring app to customize settings by adjusting brightness or motion sensitivity. You can also receive motion-activated notifications straight to your phone or tablet.
Ring Smart Lights communicate with one another, so if one single light detects motion, the rest will automatically light up. Additionally, they can be paired with Ring doorbell cameras for even more security.
Pros
- Complete set that’s easy to use and set up
- Lights can “talk” with one another
- Customizable settings
- Weather-resistant
Cons
- Must use Ring app for best experience
Best Outdoor Security Floodlights
Lepower Security Lights
Floodlights are the best outdoor security lights to illuminate a large area. Lepower Security Lights feature a three-headed design that delivers an impressive (and very bright!) 3,500 lumens and are an ideal option for residential use. The hard-wired light fixture includes a built-in motion detector that can sense movement up to 72 feet away, with a 180-degree detection angle. When triggered, they’ll turn on for 10 seconds to 10 minutes, depending on the settings you choose.
Pros
- Very bright and perfect for large areas
- Affordable
- More than 14,000 five-star reviews on Amazon
- Waterproof
Cons
- Some buyers noted issues attaching the light to their current junction box
Best Solar-Powered Security Lights
Leclstar Solar Lights
The Leclstar Solar Lights stand out among solar-powered security lights thanks to their ability to charge quickly, and the 268 LED bulbs that deliver 1,800 lumens of brightness across a wide angle. These lights fully charge in four to six hours of direct sunlight, and detect motion up to 26 feet away within a 120-degree field of view.
Another reason these make the best outdoor security lights: They don’t require hardwiring to an electrical system, so they can be installed almost anywhere with just a couple screws or sticky pads.
Pros
- Solar-powered lights charge quickly during the day
- Easy to install
- Three operational settings available
Cons
- Some buyers report the motion sensor has limited range
Best Adjustable Outdoor Security Lights
Motion Sensor LED Security Lights
Need to illuminate a specific area of your yard? Simply aim the two flexible heads of this LED floodlight fixture where you need them. These security lights feature an adjustable motion detector with a range between 20 and 65 feet. When triggered, the light stays on for between five seconds and five minutes, depending on the settings selected. It also offers a dusk-to-dawn mode that automatically shuts the light off during the day.
Pros
- Light features two flexible, adjustable heads
- The motion detector is also adjustable
- Easy to install
- Automatic shutoff during the day
Cons
- Lights may come on during the day if motion detector is triggered
Best Outdoor Security Lights With Camera
Eufy Outdoor Security Floodlight Camera
This Eufy outdoor light combines two security essentials into one: a 5,000-lumen floodlight and a high-definition motion-sensor camera. The security camera connects to your smartphone via WiFi, sending you notifications when it senses sound or motion. It also has a 4 GB local storage option that can save up to 14 days worth of recordings—ideal if you go on vacation. Plus, if you ever see someone snooping around, the light has a built-in siren to scare them off.
Pros
- Comes with a high-definition motion-sensor camera
- Two-way audio capabilities
- No monthly fees or subscription needed
Cons
- More expensive than other outdoor security lights
Best Smart Outdoor Security Lights
Ring LED Smart Spotlight
Control the Ring LED Smart Spotlight right from your smartphone, turning it off and on and adjusting its settings remotely. (Even if you’re out of town!) Or pair it with other Ring outdoor smart devices, including security cameras. The spotlight turns on whenever it detects motion within 30 feet, and its LED bulb delivers 400 lumens of brightness. Plus, you can install the battery-powered lights anywhere.
Pros
- Control the smart spotlight from a smartphone or tablet
- No hardwiring necessary
- Buyers note long battery life
Cons
- Ring Bridge required
- Doesn’t work with rechargeable batteries
Best Security Lights for Large Properties
Stasun LED Floodlight
Want to light up a yard, field or wide open space? The 300-watt Stasun LED floodlight is one of the best outdoor security lights you’ll find to cover lots of ground (literally!). Each of its three heads delivers 9,000 lumens. Combined, they emit 27,000 lumens of brightness and can illuminate more than 2,000 square feet, making this flood light an excellent choice for large properties.
Pros
- Capable of illuminating more than 2,000 square feet of space
- Wide-angle 330-degree range
- Easy to mount to garages, barns or other outbuildings
Cons
- No motion sensor
- Not dimmable
Best Value Security Lighting
Torchstar Dusk to Dawn Area Light
For anyone who wants continuous night lighting, a dusk to dawn light is the answer. The Torchstar Area has a built-in photocell that turns the light on and off based on ambient light, so it stays off during the day and on at night. The energy-efficient 40-watt LED light delivers 4,200 lumens with a 120-degree wide-angle beam, making it a popular choice for garages or barns.
Pros
- Continuous night lighting at an affordable price
- Long-lasting with a 50,000-hour lifespan
- Buyers noted a drop in their energy bill thanks to the LED light
Cons
- No motion sensor
- No option to turn off the dusk to dawn feature
What to Consider When Buying Outdoor Security Lights
Look for security lights that are weatherproof, especially if they’ll be exposed to rain or snow. Most people prefer lights with LED bulbs, which last significantly longer and use far less energy than incandescent bulbs. Choosing options equipped with motion sensor lights can also help protect your home, as automatic lights may scare off or deter potential intruders
How Bright Should an Outdoor Security Light Be?
As Home Depot explains, a lumen measures the amount of light that comes from a bulb. Typically, a higher wattage means higher lumens, which equals a more visible light output. So how bright, or many lumens, should an outdoor security light be? It depends on placement and purpose. For example, illuminating the steps of a front porch takes 12 to 100 lumens, while security floodlights outside of an average house requires 700 to 1,300 lumens.
How We Found the Best Outdoor Security Lights
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
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