There are few things more effective at deterring a nighttime burglary than a motion activated outdoor security light. When properly installed these devices totally eliminate the hiding spots around your property that criminals rely on. For those currently considering buying a security light, you are literally faced with 100s of options. You can choose between a multitude of lighting intensities, power sources, and programing features. We have taken a look and narrowed the field down to what we believe to be the best-performing models on the market.
Outdoor Security Lights on Amazon
This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon, the Amazon logo, Amazon Supply, and the Amazon Supply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.
Review of The Best Outdoor Security Lights:
- Mr Beams MB390 Ultra Bright Spotlight with Motion Sensor
- Heath Zenith SL-5408-GR Motion-Sensing Flood Security Light
- Cooper Lighting MS100PG All-Pro Motion-activated Security Light
- Heath Zenith SL-5411-GR-C Motion-Sensing Twin Flood Security Light
- Mr Beams MB360 Wireless LED Spotlight with Motion Sensor and Photocell
Outdoor Security Light buying Guide
Outdoor security lighting is in use everywhere from commercial properties to prisons as well as at residential homes. There is a vast array of products available to light up properties at night. Whereas lighting every square inch of an outdoor space may be the goal for store parking lots or correctional facilities, a bit more subtlety is usually preferred by the average homeowner. There are products and methods to use for residential outdoor security lighting that will boost curb appeal as well as provide criminal deterrence and accident prevention safety.
Low-Voltage Landscape Lighting
This is an outdoor lighting staple for both its look as well as safety. Low-voltage outdoor lighting provides low levels of nighttime light to illuminate paths, steps, deck areas and landscape features such as shrubbery or architecture. Though the light output is minimal when compared to standard lighting appliances, it is adequate for its intended use.
The best low-voltage landscape lighting connects to transformers that are plugged into household current. The transformers step down household voltage to a safe level. The transformers usually have integrated light-sensing switches that turn on the lights at dusk and off during the day. Since the transformer operates on household current, the light stays constant all night throughout every season. Solar lights, on the other hand, are battery powered, relying on full sun during the day to recharge, and they dim as the batteries discharge throughout the night.
Deck and step low-voltage lighting is usually mounted to a sturdy surface, providing years of use with the only maintenance consisting of occasionally replacing bulbs. Low-voltage lighting that is attached to the ground using stakes are often knocked over by children, pets and wildlife as well as during routine lawn maintenance. Walkway lights need to be close enough to the walkway to provide enough illumination but that also puts them in the way of activities that get them knocked over or destroyed.
Outdoor Flood and Area Light Color Temperature
Lighting that outputs enough lumens to illuminate an outdoor area at night usually appears harsh. Floodlights and area lighting often uses bulb technology that leans toward a light output color spectrum that looks otherworldly. Various bulb technologies can make the light look very yellow to very blue. The appearance of the light gives a home a commercial look from the street. Bulb technology that emits light at a color temperature close to 5500k (Kelvin) looks close to normal daylight. Lower numbers lean toward the red spectrum with higher numbers leaning toward blue.
Motion Sensing Outdoor Security Lighting
Whereas commercial buildings usually utilize security lighting outdoors that is constantly on at night, residential homes choose motion activated security lighting instead. In addition to energy savings, this accomplishes a couple of other things. First, lights that suddenly pop on when movement is detected are a deterrent to criminals. They do not know if the homeowner turned on the lights, and if they do see a motion sensor, they do not know if the light coming on has alerted the occupants of the house or neighbors. Second, having the bright lights only stay on when needed keeps stray light out of bedroom windows as well as maintaining a pleasing nighttime curb appeal to the home.
Installation and Aiming Outdoor Security Lighting
Many motion detector outdoor security floodlights and area lights are not installed correctly or they have the wrong bulbs in the fixtures. Light fixtures are designed to work with a narrow range of approved bulbs. Floodlights are different than spotlights. Spotlights have a narrow coverage area where floodlights literally “flood” an area with light. However, floodlights and area lighting are limited in their coverage area. Take notice of a commercial parking lot. Where one lamp begins to dim at the edge of its coverage area, another nearby lamp takes over. The lighting usually overlaps to provide full coverage.
When choosing outdoor security lighting to illuminate an area, the total length and width needs to be considered. In addition, shadows and dark areas caused by obstacles in the path of the light need to be considered. Better lighting fixtures come with instructions that have diagrams showing the coverage area as well as the shape of how the light will project on the ground when installed. Height above the ground as well as the distance from the intended illuminated area needs to be considered before purchasing outdoor security lighting.
Noisy Outdoor Security Lighting
Though usually not a big deal for commercial properties, outdoor security lights that hum or buzz may keep a home’s occupants awake at night. This is especially true if a light is mounted directly on the house. Some high pressure sodium lights have ballasts that may be noisy or get noisy as time goes on. Be sure to ask about noise levels for lighting products purchased for security lighting, especially for ones that will be directly attached to the house.
When installing outdoor security lighting for a home, it is important to consider what needs to be lighted as well as the degree it needs to be illuminated. Do a perimeter check at night, keeping copious notes. Measure areas that need to be illuminated. Take pictures and determine suitable mounting areas for the new lights. Decide whether all-night illumination is needed or if motion detection illumination is okay. A compromise of motion detector lights that come on and stay dimmed at dusk and illuminate to full brightness when motion is detected are an option. Climates that get cold in the winter should avoid all florescent types outdoors. None of them work well in frigid temperatures. Read More https://homesafetydot.com/security-lighting/motion-a007/