Best Outdoor Security Lights

A "lumen" is a measure of light. Basically, the higher the number of lumens a light puts out, the brighter the light. A standard incandescent 60-watt bulb you might put in a light fixture gives off about 620 lumens.

Outdoor security lights need to be powerful enough to illuminate your outdoor space while also being resilient enough to stand up to potentially harsh weather conditions. The best outdoor security lights also need to be versatile to be set up on your property where required.

• Enough lumens to properly light your property
• A weather rating to survive your local climate
• Whether the product is battery-powered or wired
• Potential integration with smart home apps

Outdoor security lights, and all lights for that matter, are measured in lumens. A single lumen equals the amount of light put out by a single candle. This means that a security light with the power of 1500 lumens is the equivalent of approximately 1500 lit candles. Enough lumens are critical in illuminating your property correctly.

An outdoor security light will need to be resilient enough to survive outdoor weather conditions, depending on where you live. From freezing temperatures to scorching summers, it’s essential to ensure that the outdoor security light you select is strong enough to survive the elements.

Another essential question is asking where you intend on mounting the outdoor security light. Some options are battery-powered, allowing them to be installed almost anywhere. However, some options will require a wired connection. Consider this factor when shopping for your outdoor security light.

Lastly, some outdoor security lights enable you to control them from a smartphone app or smart assistant. If this is a feature that you would desire, check for it when making your selection.

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What we like

The Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight takes your traditional boring outdoor security light (think plain white light and complicated wiring process) and throws it on its head. Arlo’s smart security light is easy to install and even has some cool integrations.

The Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, and Stringify. If you want outdoor lights you can place anywhere around your home, then the Arlo Pro 3 is your new best friend.

We also love that the Arlo is wire-free, which makes installation a cinch. But if you want a brighter light and no battery to recharge, then you can opt for an AC-powered version.

The Arlo light works with Arlo cameras (naturally), and did we mention you can change the light’s brightness? The Arlo app lets you set the brightness between 5–100%.

What we don’t like

The Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight is a bit pricey, and it’s definitely not the brightest light on our list. That’s not to say it’s dim, but there are some other stunners here that can outshine it. That’s mainly because wired lights have more brightening power than battery-powered lights like the Arlo.

What we like

Ring offers several different types of smart outdoor security lights that work together and can be controlled through the Ring app. Ring also offers different power types, so you can choose the one that works for you. Pick wired if you don’t mind running wires, or pick battery-powered if you don’t mind charging batteries, etc.

You can make the Ring security lights “talk” to each other, so if one detects motion, every light in your yard lights up. That prowler won’t even know what hit ‘em. Ring lights also work with Ring cameras. You can set your Ring outdoor cameras to record if a light senses someone’s around.

What we don’t like

You have to double-check which features go with which light when you buy it. Because Ring offers almost every one of its smart lights with multiple power types (like solar, wired, or battery-powered), you can get different brightnesses with different models.

Make sure you’re getting the power type for the brightness level you want.

What we like

Like a lot of smart outdoor security lights, the Sengled requires a hub to work with your Wi-Fi and give you mobile control. But rather than require you to get the Sengled hub, the Sengled Smart LED Lightbulb gives you some options.

This lightbulb works with Samsung SmartThings hubs and the Amazon Echo Show as well as the standard Sengled Smart Hub. The bulb also works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT.

If you have other smart devices, like smart door locks or a home security system, then the Sengled lets you make everything work together.

What we don’t like

If you live somewhere hot, the Sengled might not be the best choice for you in the summer. The Sengled’s temperature range should be fine for most places in the US, but Southwesterners should watch out for those days that get hotter than the Sengled’s top temp of 104ºF.

What we like

To go along with its multitude of lamps, the Heath Zenith has really bright lights. It goes up to 2500 lumens. It also has a wide range of motion detection with 240º of motion activation.

With that broad of a field of motion detection, no one’s going to be sneaking up on this thing. It won’t be easy to walk anywhere near the Heath Zenith without triggering the light, which is comforting if you have a big yard with lots of places to hide.

The Heath Zenith HZ-5872 also has what it calls the “Creep Zone.” That basically means that it can detect when someone’s standing right under its motion detector or trying to sneak along the wall. There’s no escaping.

What we don’t like

This thing is not a dainty light you can stick in a corner. The Heath Zenith HZ-5872 is made to light up a big space, so don’t get drawn in by the raw power and end up with a light that’s too big for your needs.

What we like

The Mr. Beams MB300 mini spotlight keeps things simple. It’s battery-powered, so you don’t have to thread any wires to install the thing. Plus, that means you can put it just about anywhere you need some extra light—no power source required.

The batteries should last about a year. And when you do need to replace them, the Mr. Beams MB300 uses regular ol’ C-cell batteries you can pick up at any store.

What we don’t like

At this price point, and with a battery-powered light, it’s probably not surprising that the Mr. Beams MB300 is not super bright. It gives off only 80 lumens, which is fine for illuminating a doorway but not so great for lighting up a whole yard.

What we like

The Hyperikon’s triple head lighting gives you three different lighting directions at once. Just one device, and you can see all (or at least most) of your backyard.

The Hyperikon LED also has a pretty good operating temperature range for the heat-dwellers among us. Plus, it has the highest IP weather resistance rating of any light on our list. (It’s rated IP67.) This thing is built to take on the great outdoors. As long as the great outdoors is . . . the weather outside your house.

What we don’t like

This light doesn’t have any smart features, so controlling it through an app or setting schedules isn’t an option. The Hyperikon does have light detection, so it knows to activate at night and turn off when the sun comes up. But that’s about as smart as this light gets.

What we like

The Light It! Soft Glow uses basic AAA batteries and can be installed just about anywhere. Stick it on your porch with some double-sided adhesive, and you’re good to go.

It’s also pretty cheap, which is great if you want to put a few of them around your place.

Despite its simplicity, this light still comes with motion detection. The light doesn’t stay on all the time; it will just helpfully illuminate the way when you walk past it to try to get your dog to come inside at 11 p.m. (for the fourteenth time).

What we don’t like

This light says it has a soft glow, and that’s correct. It gives off only 15 lumens, which is enough to keep you from tripping but not enough to light up your yard. If you want something more robust for your back porch, a step light from Ring or Mr. Beams might be a better choice.

What we like

The MAXSA LED Wall Sconce is battery powered, so you don’t have to thread any wires to set it up. It’s great for porches and doorways where you don’t want an ugly, buggy floodlight staring you in the face every time you walk through the door.

This light comes in three different colors, so you can match the exterior of your house (or at least try to). And it puts out 85 lumens, which is bright enough to see by but not so bright that you’ll be blinded just walking in your front door.

What we don’t like

The MAXSA LED Wall Sconce might be convenient, but it’s not the most durable outdoor security light. It has plastic housing that’s more likely to break than solid metal casings.

Luckily, the light’s not too expensive. But you can definitely find something more durable for your money if you don’t mind a less pleasant look.

Recap: Best outdoor security lights

Outdoor security lights are key for scaring off intruders and helping you monitor your property. You can get the latest smart models with built-in cameras or go with a simple, motion sensor light. The choice is yours.

Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera: Best security light plus camera—The Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera is the best of the best as far as both floodlights and cameras go. So much so that it might have more features than you need (or want to pay for).

Ring security lights: Best lighting system—If you want to get a bunch of different security lights to position around your yard, then Ring offers different lighting models that all work together in sequence. Control all of them in one place through the Ring app.

Sengled Smart LED Lightbulb: Best motion sensor lightbulb—The Sengled Smart LED Lightbulb works with different smart hubs and devices to let you customize your light settings and functions. Great for Samsung SmartThings or Alexa Show users.

Heath Zenith HZ-5872: Best for wide spaces—The Heath Zenith HZ-5872’s three-wide lamps can light up big, wide spaces pretty easily. It’s bright and has wide motion activation, so no one’s going to sneak past it without triggering the light.

Mr. Beams MB300: Best budget buy—The Mr. Beams MB300 gives you a simple, easy-to-install security light for less than $20. Not a bad deal.

Hyperikon LED Security Area Light: Best for backyards—The Hyperikon LED Security Light with Triple Heads is great for backyards where you want to see a lot of space without buying three separate lights.

Light It! Soft Glow: Best for trip hazards—The Light It! Soft Glow gives off a muted, motion-activated light so you can see your way in the dark. It’s not meant for scaring off intruders so much as it is helping you not trip over your backyard firepit.

MAXSA LED Wall Sconce: Best subtle light—If you want outdoor security lights that don’t scream, “I am an outdoor security light!” then the MAXSA LED Wall Sconce gives you a much more stealthy lighting option. And it’s still easy to set up without wiring anything.

What’s your favorite outdoor security light? Do you use several throughout your yard or rely on one major floodlight?

The Reviews.org team needed to dive into hours upon hours of systematic research to find the best outdoor security lights for your home. The lights we selected were based on criteria of essential features needed best to protect your home, office, or other property.

• Price: Selecting a wide range of products at different price points isn’t enough. We had to ensure that each product chosen for our guide delivered a substantial value, giving you the most for your money.
• Weather Rating: Outdoor lights must contend with potentially harsh weather, including freezing temperatures and blistering hot days. Each option on our list offers a level of protection from the elements.
• Brightness: What good is a light that doesn’t illuminate everything? We took a close look at each light’s brightness, measured in lumens so that you can keep an eye on everything.
• Smart home integration: In the 21st century, some lights offer smart home integration, allowing you to control power level and more from your smartphone—we have highlighted these options.