The 6 Best Motion Sensor Lights of 2024, According to Testing

Best Overall

Leonlite LED Motion Sensor Floodlight

Ease of Setup5/5
Design5/5
Brightness5/5
Durability4.8/5
Value5/5
This affordable motion sensor light is customizable and easy to set up.

This affordable motion sensor light is customizable and easy to set up.

The corded electric power source means you need to install it near an outlet.

The corded electric power source means you need to install it near an outlet.

The Leonlite COB LED Security Light surpassed our expectations through testing because it’s easy to install and has a variety of different modes and adjustable lighting to suit each user’s individual needs.

It only took 15 minutes to screw in the lights and get them set up. This light comes with three modes: “Motion” turns lights on when motion is detected, "On Time" allows for manual control, and "Dusk to Dawn" turns the lights off during the day. No calibration is required, and we were impressed by the light’s intensity—it was bright but not too bright. The warm yellow lighting blended well with the outdoor environment.

The lights rotate 360 degrees so you can adjust them to any angle to get the best coverage of your property. We liked that the lights weren’t overly sensitive, and they didn’t turn on for small animals but activated for deer, people, and cars. The light activated from 10 to 15 feet away, and the light extended out 30 feet, illuminating a large area.

These lights are durable. They have an IP65 waterproof rating, and during testing, they withstood large amounts of rain. The manufacturer advertises that they have an impressive average lifespan of 50,000 hours of use.

How It Performed After Three Months

In addition to providing extra light to avoid slipping when we take out the trash, the light has helped deter animals like raccoons and skunks. It’s held up well to rain and snow, and the illumination is still as bright as when we first began testing.

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / MIKE NAVARRO

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / MIKE NAVARRO

Best Battery-Powered

Beams Motion Sensing LED Spotlight

Ease of Setup4.5/5
Design5/5
Brightness5/5
Durability5/5
Value5/5
This battery-powered light can be placed virtually anywhere.

This battery-powered light can be placed virtually anywhere.

To adjust the light’s direction, you have to completely remove and reinstall the light.

To adjust the light’s direction, you have to completely remove and reinstall the light.

This light from Beams is a great, no-frills choice for those who want motion sensor lights without spending too much money. It only took us 10 minutes to install with a cordless 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 included screws are not long or strong enough to be suitable for anchoring in all surfaces, so you may have to run to the hardware store to purchase your own. In addition, to adjust the light’s direction, we had to completely remove the light, rotate it a few degrees, and then reinstall the light.

This light only has one motion-sensing setting. Once triggered, the light will stay on for approximately 25 seconds before the light automatically turns off if no additional motion is detected. The short timer duration is made up for by the fact that the detector is fairly sensitive and 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 light illuminates a huge area, exceeding a 40 by 40 foot zone in our tests.

The light has been tested to an IPX6 waterproof rating, which helps it withstand the elements. Because the LED light operates on three D-cell batteries, it can be installed almost anywhere, unlike other models which rely on cords or need to be hardwired into the home.

Even a simple motion sensor light like this one can be a good addition to the security plan for your home. According to Rader, “The presence of motion sensor lights serves as a deterrent to burglars, as it makes the potential intruder feel more likely to be caught or identified. Unlike all-night lighting, motion sensor lights only turn on when motion is detected, which can alarm a trespasser and cause them to flee.”

How It Performed After Three Months

We installed this light to face our backyard, and we appreciate the extra light it provides when letting our dogs out at nighttime. The light has been exposed to sub-freezing temperatures, heavy wind and rain, and bright sunlight, and it hasn’t been damaged or changed in quality. The batteries have also lasted and haven’t needed to be replaced yet.

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JOHN SOMERALL

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JOHN SOMERALL

Best Lantern

Euri Lighting Flickering Flame Lantern

Ease of Setup5/5
Design5/5
Brightness5/5
Durability5/5
Value5/5
The lantern light features a faux flame for those looking for a more charming, natural look.

The lantern light features a faux flame for those looking for a more charming, natural look.

Considering the price point, this light has limited customization options.

Considering the price point, this light has limited customization options.

For a motion sensor illumination choice that’s disguised in lantern lights, the Euri Lighting Flickering Flame Porch Light is highly recommended. This bronze lantern seamlessly blends with other outdoor decor, unlike many motion sensor lights that can look utilitarian and don’t add to the design of the space. 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. During testing, we experienced a large amount of wind and rain, and the light was completely undamaged.

This lantern’s motion sensor light is a secondary beam that turns on when activated, and the sensor can detect movement up to 15 feet away. The security light, when activated, is a soft white color. To operate this device, you simply flick a switch and turn it on—there are no adjustable settings. We did wish there were customization options available for the motion sensor range and how long the light stays on after activation.

One of the main features of this light is the “Dusk to Dawn” technology, which turns the flickering light on automatically when it gets dark. Though the light can't adjust brightness or color, we liked the light’s tone and brightness.

The motion activation was not overly sensitive and worked perfectly; it only activated when a person walked by it at night. The motion sensor light stays on for a relatively long three minutes, which we appreciated.

How It Performed After Three Months

We haven’t noticed a single scratch on the lantern, despite experiencing rain, wind, snow, and sleet throughout the testing period. The only thing we would change is the ability to adjust how long the security light stays on.

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / CATHY FALLONE

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / CATHY FALLONE

Best Sconce

Better Homes and Gardens Solar Dusk to Dawn Decorative Light

Ease of Setup5/5
Design4.5/5
Brightness4.3/5
Durability5/5
Value5/5
This stylish solar sconce is easy to set up and operate.

This stylish solar sconce is easy to set up and operate.

The light has a small radius of 10 feet of illumination.

The light has a small radius of 10 feet of illumination.

The Better Homes and Gardens Solar Wall Mount was the easiest and most stylish motion sensor light to come in a sconce design. This light is powered by a solar battery, so to ensure power, we installed it in an area that would receive lots of sunlight. There were only two screws to install, making assembly a breeze. We also enjoyed the sconce’s design and how it integrated perfectly into the outdoor area.

The motion detector was highly effective as it detected any movement within 25 feet without fail. The unit emits a low continuous light when there's no motion nearby. When motion is detected, the light immediately increases to full power for 30 seconds, after which it automatically switches to a low light mode to conserve battery power. The sconce provided a warm, yellow glow that softly illuminated our outdoor space.

The motion sensor worked very well and is quite sensitive. We never saw a case where the light didn't turn on to full brightness when there was someone within 20 feet. However, there weren’t any options to adjust the motion sensor. The main drawback was that the light’s radius of illumination covered a small area, only about 10 feet from the light. However, this is fairly standard for solar powered lights, which are not as powerful as those powered by corded electric or hardwired into the home.

We think this light would be best to provide added outdoor illumination for tasks like taking out the trash or getting the mail, but it would not necessarily work well as a security light.

How It Performed After Three Months

The light continues to perform well, even after experiencing harsh weather conditions. A rechargeable battery pack would be appreciated to give the solar light extra power, but we don’t have any significant complaints.

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JOSEPH MANALANG

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JOSEPH MANALANG

Best Solar

AloftSun Solar Motion Sensor Lights

Ease of Setup5/5
Design3/5
Brightness5/5
Value4/5
The light is extremely bright for a solar-powered light.

The light is extremely bright for a solar-powered light.

Figuring out how to set the modes was tricky.

Figuring out how to set the modes was tricky.

The AloftSun solar lights are our choice for the best solar-powered motion sensor light. These lights can either be inserted into the ground with attached stakes or mounted on the outside of your house with the included screws. Installation and operation were fairly straightforward, but we initially found it tricky to change modes. Once we figured it out, all of the modes worked as advertised, and it was easy to switch modes and use the light.

This solar outdoor 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 device provided intense, blue-white light. It has a 120-degree detection angle and 33-foot sensing range, which was triggered by humans, animals, and cars during our testing but was not falsely triggered by wind, rainwater or frost.

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.

The light was sturdy and did not show any damage, even after being hit by a golf ball and enduring heavy rain. 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.

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

Best with Camera

Ring HD Motion-Activated Floodlight Camera

Ease of Setup5/5
Design5/5
Brightness5/5
Durability5/5
Value4.5/5
This light has several special features that make it the ultimate security light.

This light has several special features that make it the ultimate security light.

The light has a complex setup due to the hardwiring requirements and app integration.

The light has a complex setup due to the hardwiring requirements and app integration.

If home security is your primary concern, “motion sensor lights are very useful when they operate in conjunction with other devices, like security alarms and security cameras,” Rader says.

The Ring Floodlight Cam checks all the boxes for security-focused motion sensor light. The setup for this light is more complex as it needs to be hardwired into the home, so an electrician helped us wire it. After installation, it was easy to sync the device to the Ring app.

The light has a large number of features and settings, which are easy to control through the app. Features include motion alerts, schedules, snooze, and linking other Ring devices such as doorbells. You can program three different modes (“Disarmed”, “Home”, and “Away”) and customize the settings for each mode to best suit your needs. Within the motion sensor settings, you can create different motion zones and control the sensitivity of the sensor.

The light itself provides great illumination and is also adjustable. The wide range of features and the ability to customize every detail of this light, along with the inclusion of a camera, makes it a good fit for those who want a motion sensor light for security purposes. Just keep in mind, all these features come at a cost, as this is the most expensive light we tested.

How It Performed After Three Months

Even after three months of rainy weather, the light looks brand new. We’ve found the security system easy to use and haven’t needed to adjust any settings after finding our favorites. We check the app every day and have enjoyed the added peace of mind the device provides.

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JENNIFER MAY

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JENNIFER MAY