The exterior of your home is just as relevant and customizable as the interior. There are many things you can do that will make your house feel more welcoming and inviting, while adding some extra security. One of the most important considerations for a home exterior is the lighting and how it is arranged.
Outdoor security lights are a great, easy way to automate your home lighting and give your exterior a welcoming look. They can also work as security deterrents, and you can even use some of them in conjunction with smart devices, so you can always be aware of what’s going on around your home with outdoor light.
In this article, we have put together some of the best motion sensor lights for your home’s exterior that are available on the market.
Backyard Boss Top 5 Outdoor Motion Sensor Lights in 2021
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Why You Can Trust Us
In my years of contracting and landscaping, I have installed all kinds of outdoor light systems. Lighting is one of the last things people think about when it comes to the exterior of their home, but truth be told, it is one of the most important. Lighting can set the entire tone of your house’s front facade, and it can set it apart from some of the other properties in your neighborhood.
I also understand how well lighting can work as a security deterrent. Intruders will be far less likely to try and get in a home that is well lit on the outside. Motion sensors can also make it seem like someone’s home when you aren’t there, which is one of the best things you can do to keep burglars away.
Best Solar Power Outdoor Motion Sensor Light
DrawGreen Solar Power Motion Sensor Light
- This solar-powered motion sensor light is an easy, out-of-the-box light that can be set up in minutes.
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Why We Like It: The DrawGreen Solar Power Motion Sensor Light is a great addition to any back or front yard lighting array. The detector works with any motion up to 26 feet away, so you can be sure that it will pick up anything going on in the general area of your yard. The aluminum alloy enclosure is durable and well-built, and the photocell solar power sensor charges during the day for a reliable operation no matter what time it is.
This solar motion sensor light is completely self-contained, so all you need to do is mount it. It allows you to put it anywhere you need it and takes away some of the compromises you might need to make with another standard electric lighting.
Who Should Buy It: People who want a motion sensor light that is high-quality and bright but don’t want to have to run the cable all over their yard to make it viable.
Best Smart Outdoor Motion Sensor Light
Ring Outdoor Motion-Sensor Security Light
- This Ring light can be connected to your entire Ring system and integrate with all of your home automation
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Why We Like It: The Ring Outdoor Motion-Sensor Security Light is a fantastic addition to any home with the Ring system already installed. If you need a little more security, this could be an excellent solution. These motion-activated smart lights can be installed with the Ring bridge system and can activate the camera, as well as the 2000 lumen floodlight.
When someone comes up to your front door or yard, the smart light will not only turn on it will notify you on your smart device that it has been activated. It is a great way to always know what’s going on in your area.
Who Should Buy It: People who already have a Ring system in their home but would like a little bit of extra security functionality along with the camera system.
Best Outdoor Motion Sensor Pathway Lights
- These pathway lights can be put together in such a way that you can light your entire front yard
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Why We Like It: While having a motion sensor light on your door is a great way to protect the front of your home, it’s not going to be enough for everyone. The KDORRKU Solar Spot Lights are an excellent solution when you need a little more coverage in front of your house. With an upgraded PIR motion sensor, these lights have a 90-degree sensing angle and can be used along any pathway or place in your yard that needs a little more security.
When thinking about motion sensor lights, you probably consider how they would affect security concerning animals and other people. However, your safety is just as important. A well-lit walkway can keep you and your family safe, and the solar motion activation is a great way to save money while you do that.
Who Should Buy It: People who want to light more than just a flood area and would like a little more coverage in their yard.
Best Sconce Outdoor Motion Sensor Light
Lakumu Outdoor Wall Lantern
- This stylish sconce light is an attractive option for those who don't want to sacrifice looks for functionality
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Why We Like It: The Lakumu Outdoor Wall Lantern is a stylish solution to outdoor motion sensor lighting that can fit in with almost any type of home facade. One of the issues with motion sensor lighting is that it can be a little bit unwieldy in terms of how it looks. This porch light, however, has style and class to go along with the functional operation.
This light can be switched from motion-activated to dusk-to-dawn as well as manual. It allows you to use it in a wide variety of applications.
Who Should Buy It: People who want to add something to the style of their home with a motion sensor light instead of just the practical operation.
Best Outdoor Motion Sensor Flood Light
- This floodlight is incredibly bright and can be used for all kinds of security purposes
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Why We Like It: The ZOFO LED Security Light is a 240-degree security floodlight that is bright enough to illuminate almost any area. The detector is adjustable, so you can choose what area you would like to be the most secure. The installation of this bright light is easy, and it puts out up to 3,000 lumens so you can be sure it will be bright enough no matter how big your yard is.
The sensor can detect movement up to 70 feet away, and with a 240-degree range, this light should be able to cover an entire yard. If you want a light at night that will do the job of several different lights, this could be a great option for you.
Who Should Buy It: People who want the versatility and coverage of an entire lighting system in one single unit.
Benefits of Motion-Activated Lights
Image credits: Lakumu Store via Amazon
Motion sensor lights are a great addition to any home and are relatively inexpensive and low-maintenance security measures. One of the biggest issues with outdoor lighting is that once the sun comes up, people often forget to turn them off. It can lead to larger electric bills and a lot of frustration. Most of the time, you only want lights on when someone or something is in the yard. It is where motion sensor lights can come in handy.
Most motion sensor lights can sense movement of 25 feet or more. If you are trying to keep animals or intruders away from the general area of your home, this could be a great way to do it. The sudden light appearance makes it much less likely that a human intruder will keep advancing toward the house. It will also deter animals like raccoons and opossums that rely on the dark to sneak around your home and get into garages or trash cans.
While outdoor lighting options can be great for security purposes, they can also help keep you safe. If you have a long driveway or walkway up to your front door, motion sensor lights can be a great way to help you watch your step if you have your arms full. They can also prevent any intruders from hiding in your yard.
Which Type of Motion Sensor Light is for You?
Image credits: Mr. Beams Store via Amazon
There is a wide variety of motion-sensor lights available on the market and choosing the one that will work best for your needs is crucial. Not everyone will need a motion sensor light that hooks up to their home automation system or has different lighting modes. If you already have a system like that in place, it could be a great addition. Think about what would make this system the most useful to you and how you might use it going forward.
If you live in an area with a lot of wildlife, you must have a sensor with a wide range. If your goal is to deter animals from getting into your yard or garden, making sure that the sensor is sensitive is crucial. Whatever you want to keep animals out of, your motion sensor light should be able to pick them up at that distance.
However, if your goal is to deter intruders, it is best to have a light with different lighting modes that cover the most area possible. A small light that only floods a confined area won’t be as effective as one that illuminates the entire yard and lets everyone know what’s happening in front of your home. If you are going with a solar light, make sure it gets enough of a charge, even when it's a cloudy day. It will ensure that your light won’t be out of power when you need it most.
How We Picked
All of the motion sensor lights we chose are built from quality materials that won’t splinter, crack, or deteriorate as they sit outside. Your exterior lighting will have to deal with all of the elements for a long period. It’s incredibly important that they have a good waterproof rating and can hold up and won’t let you down as they start to age.
We also made sure that all solar-powered lights can charge when there isn’t much sun out. Most of them will take a bit longer to charge than usual if it is cloudy, but they should still work well, be energy efficient, and shine brightly at the end of the day.
Best Outdoor Motion Sensor Lights in 2021 - Our Verdict
All of the outdoor sensor lights that we chose will be a good option for you, but our favorite overall is the DrawGreen Solar Motion Sensor Light. It is the easiest to set up and is completely self-contained. It means you will be getting everything you need in one package. In a world that is increasingly complex, it’s nice to know that your outdoor motion sensor light will work right out of the box.
Whichever outdoor sensor light you choose, it should be good for your particular situation. It is one of the best ways to secure your home and make sure it is protected from intruders, both human and animal.
Do you have an outdoor motion sensor light that you love? Let us know about it in the comment section below!