The Best Outdoor Motion Sensor Lights for 2022
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Best Outdoor Motion Sensor Lights
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These lights are a great way to provide hands-free illumination for your backyard, garden, deck, porch, patio, or driveway. To help you select which one is best for you, I have outlined the various features below along with a list of the best outdoor motion sensor lights currently available.
UPDATED: March 15, 2022.
MY TOP PICK:
If you are looking for the best overall, I recommend the LEPOWER YY02A-BL because it features a durable aluminum design, energy-efficient LEDs, and a long 72-foot range.
Why use a motion sensor light?
The motion sensor activation provides a security function by turning on the lights when movement is detected, alerting you to the presence of something or someone in the dark.
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Depending on your needs there are several important features when selecting a light:
Method of Power
The typical light is either solar, battery, or AC hardwire powered. Solar offers the benefit of a simple installation and does not require any wiring. However, if the location is in the shade it may not get enough sun for the solar cells to charge the battery. Electrically hardwired lights don't require batteries or sunlight but will add to your electricity bill and may require an electrician for installation.
Sensor Range
Look at the range of the sensor, if you have a long driveway or yard to cover, you will probably want to go with a longer option. Depending on how many lights you are installing, a shorter range may be acceptable if there is a sequence of lights along a wall or path.
Detection Degrees
The degree of detection is simply how wide of an area can the sensor pick up. The common range is 180 degrees. This means that when viewed from directly above, it can “see” motion in an arc from the left all the way to the right. Another common range is 150 degrees, which means it has a slightly narrower view and cannot detect objects directly on either side of the sensor (15 degrees off of each side).
Lighting Type
There are two common forms of these lights: spotlights and the general illumination type. A spotlight typically has a narrower beam but can provide longer coverage similar to a flashlight, this would perhaps be better suited to a driveway. While an “illumination style” provides a glow in the surrounding area would be appropriate for a lit path or porch, for example.
In recent years LED's have become the standard because of the long life rating. These bulbs offer up to 50,000 hours, which translates to over 10 years of use at 12 hours per day.
Materials
Most motion sensors lights are constructed from plastic components which offer the advantages of being affordable and corrosion-resistant. However, it can fade or become yellowed over time with constant sun exposure.
Aluminum is another common material as it is both lightweight and rust-resistant. I prefer aluminum components over plastic as it tends to last longer, even though it does typically come at a cost premium. That being said, the main structure of the light will be aluminum but the lenses and other components will often be plastic.
Weatherproof Rating
Since these lights spend their lives outdoors it is important that they are weatherproof to avoid damage over time. The standard rating system is known as the IP Code (Ingress Protection Code) and is published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). This IP Code or rating establishes the amount of protection provided against the intrusion of dust and water. This system is used to provide specific values to help clarify the rather vague terms of waterproof, weatherproof, and water-resistant.
The most common rating for these types of lights is IP65. The first number refers to the solid particle protection. In this case, a “6” is the highest possible rating since it provides complete protection from the ingress of dust. The second number refers to the protection from water. In this case, an IP65 has a rating of “5”. The exact definition is that can withstand a 1/4” jet of water from any angle. Typically we call this a “water-resistant” rating meaning it can withstand outdoor conditions but not be completely submerged in water.
Now, on to the individual products. Each unit included below has been assigned a key feature that makes it particularly noteworthy and has been broken down according to its essential functions to help you make an informed selection. I have included a range of light styles below so you can find the right look for your house and keep you out of the dark.
So here is my list of The Best Outdoor Motion Sensor Lights for 2022.
Enjoy!
Best Overall: LEPOWER YY02A-BL LED Outdoor Motion Sensor Light
The LEPOWER LED Outdoor Motion Sensor Light features durable aluminum components.
Powered by Samsung LEDs to provide soft light, anti-glare illumination.
Features a detection range can be up to 72 feet at an angle of 180 degrees.
Offers the ability to customize the sensing range and lighting time.
Includes an IP65 rating.
Runner-up: Aootek LED Outdoor Motion Sensor Light
The Aootek LED Outdoor Motion Sensor Light features onboard solar panels that charge and power the lights at night.
Features three modes of operation:
Standard mode - light turns on if movement is detected.
Always on mode - provides constant illumination at night.
Smart mode - provides constant illumination and becomes brighter if movement is detected.
Detects movement within an angle of 120 degrees up to 26 feet.
Equipped with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
Features a waterproof IP65 rating.
Best Solar: URPOWER Outdoor Motion Sensor Lights
The URPOWER Outdoor Motion Sensor Lights features solar panels that recharge the batteries during the day that then provides up to 12 hours of light.
Automatically turns the light off during the day to save energy.
Features a standard operation that turns on at night when motion is detected.
Turns off 30 seconds after the motion stops.
Takes from 6 to 8 hours of sunlight to fully charge.
Equipped with an approximately 10 foot and 120-degree detection range.
Offers a weatherproof and heatproof design for outdoor use.
Best for Yards: Brightech LightPRO Outdoor Motion Sensor Light
The Brightech LightPRO Outdoor Motion Sensor Light features a color temperature of 5,000K with 4,000 lumens.
Offers 120 degrees of motion detector coverage.
Features an integrated LED bulb that lasts over 20 years or around 50,000 hours.
Operating temperature range from -40 degrees F to 113 degrees F.
Mounts to a wall or clamps to a pole.
Best Vintage Design: Heath HZ-4150-BK Outdoor Motion Sensor Light
The Heath HZ-4150-BK features a coach-style lantern design.
Detects motion in a 150-degree zone with a range of up to 30 feet.
Offers the ability to customize the light to remain on for up to ten minutes.
Features an adjustable motion sensor to increase or reduce the sensitivity.
Equipped with a weather-resistant finish for outdoor use.
Best Spotlight Design: JJC Outdoor Motion Sensor Light
The JJC LED Security light features a spotlight-style design that allows the targeting of light in two specific directions.
Equipped with adjustable light timing and motion sensor range for customization.
Features an adjustable sensor with a full 360 degrees of horizontal rotation and 150 degrees of vertical movement.
Offers a detection distance of up to 65 feet.
Features an IP65 waterproof rating for outdoor use.
Includes a rotating head cap.
Best Value: Mr. Beams MB3000 Outdoor Motion Sensor Light
The Mr. Beams MB3000 light features a wireless design to allow for placement flexibility and a quick installation.
Equipped with two adjustable heads that each provides 250 lumens for a combined 500 lumens of light for up to 800 square feet of coverage.
Features a PIR motion sensor for activation up to 30 feet away with a 20-second auto shut off.
Features a weatherproof design for outdoor use.
Powered by four D-cell batteries per light (not included) for up to a year of use with an average use of 8-10 activations per day.
Includes a light sensor to prevent activation during the day.
Best Budget Option: Heath HZ-5411-WH Outdoor Motion Sensor Light
The Heath HZ-5411-WH features a pulse-count motion detection system to reduce the occurrence of false activations.
Includes three modes that allow for either one, five or ten minutes of illumination after motion is detected.
Equipped with 150-degrees of motion detection.
Offers detection for up to 70-feet away.
Includes a manual override setting for continuous illumination.
Best Modern Design: GLORIOUS-LITE Outdoor Motion Sensor Light
The GLORIOUS-LITE uses low power consumption and long-lasting LED lights to provide 3,000 lumens of brightness.
Features an AC power hardwired design for battery-free use.
Offers a detection range of 180 degrees.
Features a detection distance of up to 72 feet.
Equipped with a weather-proof design for outdoor use IP65 rating.
Best Compact Design: Mr. Beams Outdoor Motion Sensor Light
The Mr. Beams light features LED bulbs for long-lasting use.
Features a sensor that can detect motion up to 30 feet away.
Offers 180-degrees of motion detection.
Automatically shuts off after 30 seconds once no motion is detected to save battery life.
Features an all-weather design for outdoor applications.
Illuminates up to 350 square feet.
I hope this list of the best outdoor motion sensor lights was helpful.
If you think I left out one that is important or have a suggestion for a future article, let me know in the comments below.
Brandon Hubbard, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C
