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Best Outdoor Motion Sensor Light to Illuminate Your Surroundings

  1. A-ZONE Outdoor Motion Sensor Lights
  2. Frostfire Wireless Solar Powered Outdoor Motion Sensor Light
  3. SANSI Outdoor Motion Sensor Light
  4. Sunforce LED Solar Outdoor Motion Sensor Light
  5. SkylinkHome ID-318 Wireless Water Resistant Outdoor Motion Sensor Lights
  6. MEIKEE Motion Sensor Light Outdoor Motion Sensor
  7. First Alert Outdoor Motion Sensor Light
  8. Buyer's Guide

Motion detection lights a re a great way to use the appliances you need, but allow them to turn off when not in use. Items such as outdoor lighting in particular will stay on all night using far more electricity than is really needed. By adding a motion detector to them, you will be able to have the light you need, only when you need it, and allow the fixture to save energy when not in use. Motion detection features are also good when someone has their hands full with groceries, a child, or whatever they are carrying. All you will need to do is walk up to the light source and it will turn on for you. It’s almost like having your own personal assistant. These motion detector were selected because they are affordable, have a detection range of up to ten feet, and the really nice outdoor motion detectors will often times run on solar power. If you are looking for a good motion detecting light fixture, then take a look at these and check out our list of the best outdoor motion sensor lights in 2022.

Here are the best outdoor motion sensor light of 2022

A-ZONE Outdoor Motion Sensor Lights - Best Overall

Brighten up your parking lot for your small business with the A-ZONE Outdoor Motion Sensor Lights. These lights are great for outdoor spaces like gardens, patios, parking lots, backyards, and more as they detect motion if someone is coming toward your place of business or home at night. The 600W street light has built-in 480 high-brightness energy-saving LED beads, which are suitable for large spaces like the ones listed above. LED is know to save energy, so cut down on your electricity bills with this bright, environmentally friendly light.

These motion sensor lights have two control modes: daily mode, to automatically turn on as dusk and turn off at dawn, and manual mode so you can turn it on and off with the included remote control. The sleek design is also IP65 waterproof and has a high-quality ABS and die-cast aluminum frame to stay sturdy and durable in adverse weather. The design combined with the great sensor and light range make this choice the best overall on the list.

Frostfire Wireless Solar Powered Outdoor Motion Sensor Light - Runner Up

This simple to use motion detecting solar powered light is a very simple to use, very attractive light that will stay on all the time in dim mode, until some type of motion activates it. Despite the fact that it is on all the time, it is still very energy efficient. There is a small ‘on/off’ key that comes with this unit, but the unit itself is designed to stay on all the time in a very dim state to give simple low light 24-hours a day. However, because this source of energy is solar, there is no cost to you! This translates into no more fumbling for keys at the entryway. Once activated, it is very bright because it uses an LED bulb, and not an incandescent one. These are easy to replace and can be found anywhere. There is a tiny pinhole in the front of the unit that actually turns it on and off. Just put the key in, turn it, allow four to five hours for the battery to charge, and they are ready for use. These models can be mounted anywhere they are needed, and their solar panels anywhere there is light. You can even mount them with double sided tape since they are very light weight.

SANSI Outdoor Motion Sensor Light - Best Design

Protect your home and illuminate suspicious activity with the SANSI Outdoor Motion Sensor Light. This is a great investment into your home, as both the sensor and lights last many years thanks to the SANSI-developed technology that keeps 90% brightness after two years of function. The light automatically turns on when the light detects ambient motion. There are modes to control this, such as “dusk to dawn” mode, in which the auto-sensor turns on at dusk and off at dawn, in case you want to do yard work in the morning without being blinded by this light.

The maximum detection rate is 72 feet, and the angle is 120 degrees, which works great for most yards. The patented ceramic temperature control increases the heat conduction speed by 80%, leading to an 60% increase in performance over time. So as you use this, it actually gets better over the years! That’s why this outdoor motion sensor light is the best overall on this list.

Sunforce LED Solar Outdoor Motion Sensor Light - Best Value

Providing light to specific walkways in the night has never been easier than with this SunForce Solar Powered Motion Detector. Not all solar panels are made the same. This model uses an AmorphusSolar Panel that will convert sunlight into an electric current, where it is then stored in the supplied battery. These are also known as ‘Thin Film Solar Panels.’ This particular style is better at generating electricity in a wider variety of sunlight, such as those areas where the sun doesn't shine all day. Designed for cloudy areas, these solar panels are best when used to provide power for smaller areas; temporary set-ups, atop tractors and other farm equipment, and areas with unpredictable sunlight. The best part about this motion lighting system is that you won’t need to hardwire anything, or tap into an existing system. Just mount the light in the appropriate position, place the solar panel in the appropriate position, make only three basic adjustments, and wait for the sun to shine. These adjustments include, 1. The LUX Level (light level), that determines what level of darkness that must be reached for the light to turn on. 2. The TIME Setting sets the duration of time that the light will remain on once activated. 3. And the SENS (Sensitivity) determines the range of motion detection. Once these are set, and the battery is charged, you will be able to shine your lights simply by walking in front of them. Those who purchased this model claim that even after 3-years, they worked great, providing more light than they ever expected. By setting the dial to the crescent moon, you will be able to ensure that the light will only come on in the dark, and not on just a cloudy day.

SkylinkHome ID-318 Wireless Water Resistant Outdoor Motion Sensor Lights - Most Durable

If you like automation, then you will love Belkin’s WeMo. Simply genius is all I can think of when it comes to this design. Just plug your electronic device in to an outlet, and set the activation to your desired distance, up to ten feet. When you cross the motion detectors path, the electronic device comes on. This works great both inside and out, so in case you have some Christmas lights you want on later in the year, just plug them in, and walk by. You won’t have to leave them on all night; they will come on and stay on according to your directions. What a great way to save some energy! This kit also includes an App for your smart phone so you can program lights to turn on and off at your command. You can program a light to turn on when you walk into the house or a fan to turn off when you leave. You can program lights, heaters, outdoor music, any electronic device can be programmed to turn on or off with motion, all from your computer or Smart phone. These devices are so smart, they can even send you a text message when something activates, such as your child returning home from school. You won’t have to settle for whatever outdoor light fixture your local hardware store sells, get what you like, channel it through WeMo, and enjoy your custom outdoor lighting as you direct.

MEIKEE Motion Sensor Light Outdoor Motion Sensor - Honorable Mention

Here is another model of the well-known Frostfire outdoor, motion detected lights family. Made of high impact plastic, it is only 4.5in x 3.3in x 1.6in in dimension. The solar panel is mounted on top of the triangle shaped housing, and only 3-inches by 2-inches in size. This is however, enough to produce a fully charged battery in as little as 4 hours. So there is no need to hardwire anything with this model. It works well around your property acting as a security light, and spot light on your path to and from somewhere, or maybe just to light up the garbage bin so you can take out the trash without feeling so alone. At night this model will stay on a dimly lit mode, and then light up whenever something activates it with motion. Many times just turning on a light is enough to scare away intruders of both the animal and human kind. Designed to be a stationary, solitary unit, it will install easily without wiring, and do its job without assistance for several years to come. The warranty will go for 5-years, so you can expect at least that much service from your new light, and more.

First Alert Outdoor Motion Sensor Light - Consider

This is probably the easiest motion detecting light adaption that there is. It is designed to be used in an existing light fixture, between the fixture and the bulb. Just screw your First Alert into the light socket, and screw the light bulb into the First Alert, and it is ready for use. As soon as someone or something walks into its path, the light will turn on. This is great for those that have a light in their house that is not near the front door. They can come home and simply walk in; and the lights come on. If your hands are full, or you are unloading groceries, or a small child, you won’t have to free up a hand to turn on the lights.

Buyer's Guide

Outdoor motion sensor lights provide an added sense of security for the home. They are a great deterrent to potential burglars and will help you see in the dark. If you arrive home late at night regularly, you should consider getting motion sensor lights.

With so many products on the market, it may seem impossible to choose the best one. To help you decide which outdoor motion sensor light is right for your home, we have put together this handy buying guide.

Continue reading to find out more.

Why use outdoor motion sensor lights?

There are many reasons why someone would benefit from a motion-activated light.

You want a futuristic style for your home

If you want to add a futuristic style to your home, a motion sensor light can make you feel like you’re living in a genuinely modern-looking abode.

You like convenience

Motion sensor lights turn on when there is movement, so you do not need to turn on a switch. As such, you no longer need to walk up to your pathway in the dark. Don’t worry - the light will turn off again automatically once your outdoor space is empty. So, if never flipping a switch again sounds appealing, motion sensor lights are the technology for you.

You want to save energy

Motion-sensitive lights turn on automatically when they detect motion and turn off automatically when there is no longer any stimulus. This means you will never accidentally leave your lights, saving energy and money.

You want to discourage thieves

Outdoor motion sensor lights will deter criminals, especially when combined with CCTV. Without the cover of darkness to hide their faces, they will probably flee from your home.

What sensors are used in outdoor motion sensor lights?

There are several types of sensors used for motion sensor lights.

  • Passive infrared (PIR) measures infrared light radiating from objects in its view. Active infrared (sometimes also called area reflective) sensor works by shooting infrared light at an object bounced back into a receiver.
  • Photoelectric sensors, similar to active infrared sensors, use a light transmitter and a photoelectric receiver.
  • A microwave sensor emits microwave signals and measures the time it takes for the waves to bounce back to determine whereabouts an object is.
  • Dual technology sensors use a variety of the sensors listed above.

Things to consider when buying outdoor motion sensor lights

To choose the right motion sensor lights, we recommended learning about the numerous features of the technology. If you want a quality set of outdoor motion sensor lights, we suggest keeping the following considerations in mind.

Bulb type

Different motion sensor lights use different bulbs. As such, there are pros and cons to each bulb type you may wish to consider. Therefore, you must check what kind of bulb your chosen motion sensor lights accept and ensure they are readily available and affordable to you.

LED (light-emitting diode):

Diodes are components with electrodes that electricity passes through to produce light. They are more expensive than incandescent lights, but they last longer.

Incandescent:

Light is produced by a heated wire filament. Although these bulbs are cheaper, they may cost more in the long run than LED bulbs because you will need to change them more often.

Fluorescent:

These bulbs produce light by a chemical reaction. Some older models of the light motion sensors will only accept fluorescent bulbs with a magnetic ballast.

Light pattern

A light pattern describes how intensely the light from your motion sensor lights will shine in a particular area. You will generally have three options of light patterns to choose from on any given sensor. The best light pattern for you will depend on what kind of outdoor space you have. A typical light pattern disperses evenly throughout your yard and doesn’t focus on a particular spot. This may be your light pattern of choice if you think that any kind of bright illumination could disturb neighbors etc.

A floodlight will illuminate a large space brightly, and a spotlight will focus on whatever moves in your garden. Spotlights and floodlights tend to be more common in outdoor lights, possibly because they seem brighter and would be more off-putting to any possible intruders.

Power source

Motion sensor lights are usually powered by one of three different power sources. Motion sensor lights are generally either battery-operated, wired, or solar-powered. When buying a motion sensor light, you will need to make sure you have access to the appropriate power source.

There is no point in buying a wired product if you plan on placing it away from a viable power source, and there is no point in purchasing a solar-powered product if you are putting it in the shade.

Outdoor motion sensor lights price range

The average price of an outdoor motion sensor light is somewhere between $15 and $70. When planning a budget for your motion sensor light, you should also consider any extra batteries, battery chargers, and spare light bulbs you might need.

FAQs

Why do my motion sensor lights stay on all the time?

There are various reasons why your motion sensor lights might stay on all the time. These include storm damage, age, a power surge, improper installation, and improper settings. When in doubt, try turning your sensor lights off and on again.

How do I clean a motion sensor?

To clean a motion sensor, use a clean damp cloth to remove mildew and other surface dirt. Next, rinse the fabric and use it to clean the sensor with a glass cleaner. Your sensor should be perfectly clean when you are finished.

Do motion sensor lights only work at night?

No - outdoor motion sensor lights work 24/7. However, the lights only come when they detect motion at night. Some sensors let your set the lights to stay on all day, but this may seem like a waste of electricity to certain people.

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