Weindependently evaluateall of our recommendations.
If you press links we provide, we may receive compensation.
We installed lights on our own homes to find the best in the market.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
He also suggests choosing lights that allow you to adjust the brightness and choose how long it stays on.
We tested outdoor motion sensor lights at our own homes to narrow down the best options.
The corded electric power source means you’re gonna wanna install it near an outlet.
Credit: Amazon
It only took us 15 minutes to screw in the lights and get them set up.
No calibration is required, and we were impressed by the lights intensityit was bright but not too bright.
Thewarm yellow lightblended well with the environment.
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
The light extended out 30 feet, illuminating a large area.
The manufacturer advertises that they have an impressive average lifespan of 50,000 hours of use.
We placed the lights in an area that protects them from rain and snow.
That being said, they still experienced inclement weather, like strong winds.
To adjust the lights direction, you have to completely remove and reinstall the light.
It only took us 10 minutes to install with acordless drill, and the directions were clear and concise.
There was zero calibration required aside from orienting the light in the direction we wanted it to face.
However, we did notice some flaws with the setup process.
The detector’s sensitivity makes up for the short durationit can detect movement from 30 feet away.
This sensitivity meant the light would stay on the entire time we were working on a task outside.
The Beams lightilluminates a huge area, exceeding a 40 by 40 foot zone.
The light has been tested to an IPX6 waterproof rating, which helps it withstand the elements.
Thes lights continued to work up to our standards.
We didn’t even have to change the batteries during the testing period.
We’d still highly recommend this productwe think it’s only a matter of time before we purchase more.
Considering the price point, this light has limited customization options.
The flickering flame inside the lantern provides a soft yellow light that looks beautiful against the bronze finish.
The casing is also durable and weatherproof.
Credit: Amazon
During testing, we experienced a large amount of wind and rain, and the light was completely undamaged.
The security light, when activated, is a soft white color.
To operate this equipment, you simply flick a switch and turn it onthere are no adjustable options.
The Beams Motion Sensing Spotlight stays illuminated for about 25 seconds after motion is detected.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / John Somerall
Though the light can’t adjust brightness or color, we liked the tone and brightness.
The motion sensor light stays on for a relatively long three minutes, which we appreciated.
Overall, we still think this pick is a great option if you’re looking for a lantern style.
Figuring out how to set the modes was tricky.
The AloftSun solar lights are our choice for the best solar-powered motion sensor light.
Installation and operation were fairly straightforward, but we initially found it tricky to change modes.
The light has 30 LED chips, a silicone solar panel, and a rechargeable battery.
These elements increase brightness and illumination, making this solar light more powerful.
The equipment provided intense, blue-white light.
The AloftSun light has both light-sensing and motion-sensing functions and includes three lighting modes.
When these lights detect darkness, they will automatically turn on.
They automatically turn off during the day and charge in the sun.
There was no change in the quality of the light by the end of the testing period.
This light is constructed out of high-impact ABS plastic and the manufacturer advertises 40,000 hours of use.
The light has a complex setup due to the hardwiring requirements and app integration.
The Ring Floodlight Cam checks all the boxes for security-focused motion sensor light.
After installation, it was easy to sync the unit to the Ring app.
The light has a large number of features and tweaks, which are easy to control through the app.
Features include motion alerts, schedules, snooze, and linking otherRing devices such as doorbells.
The light itself provides great illumination and is also adjustable.
This flood light continued to work well during the testing period.
It also experienced rain, snow, and sunshine during testing, so we thought this was understandable.
Overall, we’d still recommend the product and thought the added security benefits it offers were worth it.
This affordable light was not only easy to set up but also had a number of customization options.
We also rated the ease of setting up the associated app if there was one.
Then, we took measurements.
During the testing period, we used the motion sensor light in everyday life.
We paid close attention to the sensitivity of the motion sensors.
We also explored whether lighting schedules could be set and if the rig followed them accurately.
We continue to use our top picks and will keep this article up to date with our long-term findings.
Credit: Amazon
There are also options available that detect further than that if needed.
Someoutdoor smart lights, like theRing Floodlight Cam, allow you to adjust the sensitivity within motion zones.
Power Source
Motion sensor lights can have a variety of power sources.
The Euri Lantern features a flickering flame light for ambiance or a soft white security light.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Cathy Fallone
Some, like theRing Floodlight Cam, need to be directly hardwired into your home.
This will provide the most reliable power, but is also the most difficult to set up.
For security, the brightest available is going to be more effective, Thomas says.
Unsurprisingly, we found that solar-powered lights, like theAloftSun Solar Landscape Lights, are dimmer than electric-powered lights.
Thomas recommends starting at 10 to 12 feet from the ground.
He also recommends installing them near corners of your home to cover a wide area.
IP stands for Ingress Protection.
The higher the number, the better the protection.
Your Questions, Answered
Can you install motion sensor lights yourself?
Many motion sensor lightscan be installedby someone with a little DIY knowledge.
Once installed, corded electric and battery-powered models are easy to connect to a power source.
Do motion sensor lights come on in daylight?
It depends on the model you buy.
These lights will automatically turn back on at night.
How long do motion sensor lights stay on?
Depending on the model, the lights could stay on from 25 seconds to several minutes after activation.
Some models allow you to adjust the time the light stays on after being triggered.
Who We Are
This article was written byBetter Homes and GardenscontributorRachel Ahrnsen.
Rachel frequently covers outdoor products and is always looking for the next tool that will help her garden grow.
Those sources gave her expert knowledge on what makes an effective motion sensor light.
Credit: Amazon
The AloftSun Solar Motion Sensor Outdoor Lights are expected to last a minimum of 40,000 hours.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Amazon
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Jennifer May
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
