The illumination distance (how far the light illuminated the ground well enough to see objects clearly) was about 25 feet away from each light. They stayed on as long as there was movement within that range, and after we walked out of range, they remained on for about 30 seconds longer. The manufacturer lists a detection distance of 10 feet, but each one of the lights lit up when we were as far as 13 and 14 feet away. After dark, we slowly approached the Urpower lights to see how close we could get before triggering them. We mounted the lights in the morning on a sunny day, so after more than 7 hours of direct sunlight, they were fully charged by nightfall. Their simplistic design makes them look more like toys than security lights, but we underestimated their performance and function. When we first opened the box of four Urpower lights, we weren’t super impressed. At the end of the testing, we added up the points and used them to help determine the categories for each light that we felt performed well enough to make our list. We scored the lights using a rubric, and we awarded points for ease of installation, instruction clarity, the quality of the materials, and any added functions. We then assessed the illumination range by having one person stand near the light-so it would remain on-and then having another person walk until they reached the edge of the illumination field. We used a long measuring tape to record the distances. We tested each light by mounting it and then waiting until dark to see how close we could get before triggering its motion detector. The brightest lights were hardwired into the electrical system, but that didn’t necessarily put them above battery-powered or solar-powered ones as those offered a greater degree of versatility.

Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila How We Tested the Best Outdoor Motion Sensor Lightsĭuring the selection and testing of the lights, our primary goal was to determine the detection range of each model and how far it could reliably illuminate. BEST LIGHT BULBS: Sengled Smart LED With Motion Sensor.BEST FLOOD LIGHTS: Leonlite LED Motion Sensor Flood Lights.BEST DECORATIVE: C Cattleya 1-Light Motion Sensor Wall Sconce.BEST FLUSH-MOUNT: Brilliant Evolution Wireless Motion Sensor LED Light.BEST SMART: Ring Smart Lighting Floodlight Wired.Beams Wireless Motion Sensor LED Spotlight BEST OVERALL: Urpower SL-002 Outdoor Solar Motion Sensor Lights.Discover the pros and cons of each of the following motion sensor lights, and find out how each one earned a spot in this lineup. This guide will explain what features to look for and showcase some of the best outdoor motion sensor light options available. We mounted them, wiring them when necessary, and tracked each of their functions.įor those considering installing outdoor motion sensor lights, the best options will depend on a variety of factors, including security needs, budget, and day-to-day lifestyle.

We wanted to know whether today’s top motion sensor lights lived up to the hype, so we tested them in real-life settings. Motion sensor lights, which only activate when they detect movement, are a great solution. Outdoor illumination keeps the home visible at night and helps deter crime, but leaving lights on all night is a costly waste of energy.

Wireless outdoor motion sensor light