Top 7 Best Motion Sensor Lights Comparison Table (Pricing & Features)
All these security lights are aimed at different audiences. This shows in their prices and features. To know which one is more suitable for every kind of client, here we broke down the info in a concise and friendly way.
Provider | Total Score | Price | BBB Rating | DIY instal | Trial Period | Photosensor | LEDs | IP64/65 Certification | Solar Power | Modes | Range |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Heath HZ-5411-WH | 9.8 | $14.99 | A – | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | 70 ft. |
2. Leonlite Dual-Head | 9.6 | $37.99 | A | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | 70 ft. |
3. Mr. Beams | 9.4 | $13.34 | B | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | 30 ft. |
4. Sunforce Solar | 9.2 | $21.99 | B – | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | 30 ft. |
5. URPOWER | 9.2 | $25.99 | A | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 10 ft. |
6. LITOM | 9.0 | $17.99 | B | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | 26 ft. |
7. LED Motion Sensor | 9.0 | $11.99 | B | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | 10 ft. |
The Mechanism Behind Security Lights
The mechanism of a smart outdoor motion sensor light is simple but effective. The detector sends infrared waves that sense movement and, in some cases, heat. In this way, it will know when a human or large animal approaches. When this happens, it will turn on the floodlight during a length of time that can go from 30 seconds to 20 minutes, depending on the device. Some trackers only work at night, thanks to their photosensors. This means that during the day, they are not looking for strange movements.
Motion Detector and Light Styles
Not all motion sensor lights are the same. They come in different styles for different places, needs, and ideas. Some are great for the outdoors, while others are better for indoors. Here we explain what each type has to offer and who can profit the most from each of them.
Motion Activated Flood Light
These motion sensor lights come with a detector that will sense when someone approaches the device. They are known for how their light is so intense that it brightens up the whole area. They usually include photosensors that ensure that the device works only when it is dark. In this way, they help to save energy. Unfortunately, not all of them have this tech.
Pros:
- Bright illumination
- Detect movement
- Detect heat
- Distinguish between night and day
- Increase security
Cons:
- Some of them are not energy-efficient
- Trackers may break after some time
Decorative
These are the typical motion lights that people use indoors. In some cases, they are used just for comfort, so that one does not need to fumble through the dark looking for the switch at night. But there are also some people that find them useful for senior citizens who wake up at night and might need some help going through the house.
Pros:
- Good design
- Comfortable
- Good for the elderly
- Decorate the house
- Fast turn-on time
Cons:
- Short detection range
- Not very bright
Remote
These are a particular type of outdoor motion sensor light. They way they work quite similar to the common ones. The difference lies in the fact that the detector can be put far away from the bulb. This is useful to use as a signal in case someone comes in. Or also to place the light in a different angle for security purposes.
Pros:
- Independent detectors
- Efficient sensing
- Increased security
- Can give warnings
- Detect heat
Cons:
- The trackers may break more easily
- The system may fail from time to time
Where to Place Your Security Lights
This will depend on the needs of each user. Those who just want to see their way when coming back home should place them on the driveway and on the walks that lead to the doors. They can also come in handy to avoid tripping with stairs and pools.
If the aim is to have more security, it is best to review, which are the darkest spots in the property and place them there. The sensors should be between 6 and 10 feet above the ground since that is where most motion takes place. To do this, having a remote sensor can come in handy.
How to Make the Most Out of Your Motion Sensor Lights
When using a motion sensor light, there are some tips and ideas that will come in handy to make the most out of them. Here they are:
- Choose the right place: if the aim is to make the area safer, it is best to surround the perimeter with motion sensor lights so that there are no dark spots. Check that all the vulnerable points are covered.
- Save money: choose a motion sensor light that comes with LED bulbs. They consume much less energy than a regular one and usually are much brighter. Also, try to get some solar motion sensor lights to reduce the number of electricity bills.
- Make them last longer: not all motion detector lights are IP65 certified, or even weatherproof. Yet, there are some ways to protect regular ones from bad weather. Try to angle them downwards so that the water does not come in. It is also recommended to install shades above them to keep the rain out.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What Are the Best Motion Detector Lights?
There are many aspects to consider when choosing the top motion lights. First of all, make sure that it has the right luminosity for the space it is going to be placed in. This can be checked by seeing how many lumens it has. The best motion detector lights also come with some kind of weatherproofing. The top one is IP65 certification.
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How Do I Get My Motion Sensor Light to Stay On?
Whether it is possible to do this or not will depend on the model of the motion sensor lights. This can be done only with the devices that come with many modes. If that is the case of the model, select the manual one. In this way, the photosensor and the detector will be overridden, and the one who will choose to turn on the device will be the owner with the switch.
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Do Motion Sensor Lights Deter Burglars?
A motion sensor light can be used for many things. One of their top uses is to keep burglars away. They do so by putting thieves on the spot and, in this way, discouraging them. If they try to break into the house through some dark spots so that no one sees them, having one of these devices will probably put them off. It is true that they are not replacements for whole-home security systems, but they are a nice complement. And they are also much cheaper.
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How Do I Reset My Motion Light If It Stays on All the Time?
This procedure will depend on the model of the product. But in general terms, motion sensor lights can usually be rebooted by pressing the power button and holding it down for a few seconds. After this, make sure to turn it on again if it does not do it by itself. In this way, it should now work like new.
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How Do You Set a Security Light Sensor?
The installation process will vary from model to model. There are some patterns that many follow, though. Generally, to install the new motion sensor light, it has to be plugged into the power socket first. Then, the user will need to install the detector and the solar panel if it has one. The last step is tweaking the different settings, like the mode and range of the device.
Final Advice
Whether it is to improve the levels of security at home or to make it more friendly to seniors, electrical or solar motion sensor lights are the way to go. They are inexpensive, easy to use, and quite convenient. There are many things to bear in mind when choosing one, like the brightness, weatherproofing, and the quality of the sensor. Make sure to be well-informed before committing to one.