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Our recommendations include lanterns, string lights, and solar lights.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Not only can adding outdoor lighting helpcreate curb appealat night, it also provides essential safety and security functions.
Options likefunctional floodlightsto attractive lanterns andstring lightsare available to suit every style and budget.
Products we tested included bulbs, sconce lights, spotlights, lanterns, garden, string, and floodlights.
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To learn more about how we tested outdoor lights, check outour testing processbelow.
The extra-sensitive motion sensor means it turns on often.
The light is yellow, which felt more natural in an outdoor setting than a white one would have.
The Leonlite Motion Sensor Light has three modes—we used dusk-to-dawn the most because it deterred creatures.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Mike Navarro
It is not easy to adjust light beam direction.
The 200-lumen light is a wall-mounted model that was designed especially for wide coverage.
The light has cool white tones and comes with built-in motion sensors.
We were able to trigger the sensor from about 30 to 35 feet away in tests.
Because the light is battery-powered, set-up was quick and easy.
The light is available in a one- or two-pack.
Despite all the options, there is no motion sensor.
The bulb should last up to 25,000 hours before it needs to be replaced.
The sensitivity levels on its motion sensor are set and cannot be adjusted.
Itneeds no hardwiringbecause it is solar-powered and comes with its own solar panel and pre-installed battery.
The light features a sleek metal design and a flexible light head that can be pointed in three directions.
It has only one button to power it on and off.
In addition, it has a dawn-to-dusk feature which turns the light on automatically when the sun goes down.
For our tests, we used it to light up the steps by our front porch.
The downside is that you cant adjust sensitivity levels, so you might get false and unnecessary alarms.
The motion detector has limited reach.
The water glass finish adds an elegant touch, making it a greatlighting option for a porchor deck.
There is also a motion sensor that activates a bright white security light when movement is detected.
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However, you cannot adjust the lights brightness or beams.
We found that the motion detector wasnt very sensitive and only activated if someone walked up to it.
It does not have a motion sensor.
The Beams Motion Sensing Spotlight stays illuminated for about 25 seconds after motion is detected.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / John Somerall
For the solar battery, remember to charge it two days before using it.
It comes with all the accessories needed for installation including ground stakes and screws.
The 360-degree angle effectively illuminated all the areas we were trying to light up during testing.
We found it easy to install, as there was no hardwiring involved.
The lights are available in 2-pack, 4-pack, and 6-pack options.
Installation is more complicated because it needs to be hardwired.
(You should hire an electrician if DIY is not your strong suit.)
You also cant adjust the brightness levels.
The modes and features took us a little while to figure out.
The IP68 rating provides full protection against dirt and water.
When it rained, the light hardly sustained any damage and continued to work with no changes in brightness.
Because they can be placed in the ground, the lights are somewhat portable.
They come in packs of two, four, or six.
The lights can only be controlled manually.
They come in 27- or 48-foot lengths, both with 15 LED Edison bulbs.
The bulbs are long-lasting for up to 20,000 hours.
The lights feature eight light modes and can last up to 10 hours on one charge.
A solar panel charges the light in direct or indirect sunlight.
Note that the lights are not automatic and there is a button on the body to control light options.
Installation is a bit tricky as the lights need to be put together and then staked into the ground.
For the amount of brightness these lights provide, we would happily pay more than the retail price.
The LEDs feature vintage-style bulbs and come in a four-pack.
Each light has to be assembled before installation.
The lights are about 32 inches long from top to bottom, so this took some elbow grease.
The lights are solar-powered and need to be charged via the solar panels located at the top.
It has no dimming or brightening configs.
The light is 35 lumens and has a reach of around 120 square feet.
We installed the light in under 10 minutes.
Its an easy-to-use model with a motion sensor that picks up movement up to 15 feet away.
In this mode it emits 2 lumens to prevent quick battery drain.
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The light is weatherproof and UV resistant, so it can safely be used outdoors in all weather conditions.
Its available in black and white.
We then selected our top picks that were most suitable for backyards, gardens and decks.
At first glance, the Feit Electric Smart LED Light Bulb looks like a standard light bulb.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Michelle Ehrich
Some of the lights were hardwired and therefore needed an electrician.
We timed each installation and recorded observations about the process.
For battery-powered lights, we evaluated the battery life.
However, we didnt love that we had to unscrew the lights to change modes.
And although it offers wide coverage, you are not able to adjust the direction of the light.
We did appreciate how easy it was to set upall you have to do is screw in the bulb.
If youre looking for a security light to brighten up your property, beef up the wattage.
For security lighting, we recommend 20 to 50 watts, he says.
The upside is that they dont require charging and work as long as you have electricity.
Many of the best outdoor lighting options feature adjustable brightness, different colors, and dusk-to-dawn mode.
And it has millions of colorsa nice feature for those who want to change the mood of their space.
Your Questions, Answered
What are the downsides of smart light bulbs?
Are LED lights good for outdoor use?
LED light bulbs, either individual fixtures orLED strip lights, are energy-efficient and extremely brightgreat for outdoor lighting.
What is the best IP rating for outdoor lighting?
Typically, lights with higher IP ratings offer greater protection.
Look for outdoor lights with a minimum IP 44 rating.
She specializes in the home and lifestyle categories.
She also consultedJoel Worthington, president, of Mr. Electric.
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The BHG sconce held up to our water tests.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Joseph Manalang
Credit: Amazon
The Euri Lantern features a flickering flame light for ambiance or a soft white security light.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Cathy Fallone
Credit: Amazon
The Lerekam spotlights are large enough to notice, but not so large that they distract from landscaping.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Dave DeCarlo
Credit: Amazon
During testing, we found that the light could fully illuminate our 50x80-foot backyard plus deck.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Patrick McGowan
Credit: Amazon
The AloftSun Solar Motion Sensor Outdoor Lights remained undamaged after our golf ball durability test.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Amazon
The 12 LED bulbs on the Brightech Ambience Pro Solar String Lights are spaced 20 inches apart, and each strand is 27 feet long.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson
Credit: The Home Depot
The Hampton Bay path lights are taller than other path lights we’ve tested.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Laura Miller
Credit: Amazon
The Beams battery-powered light is one of the smallest wall-mounted lights we tested.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Lauren Hernandez
Brightech’s Ambience Pro Solar String Lights are made of plastic but resemble glass.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
