You know what’s worse than fumbling around in the dark, tripping yourself up trying to find a light switch? Having to use electricity from the grid, costing both the environment and your utility bill.
But, thankfully, there’s an easy solution to both these two problems…
If you were to invest in a solar-powered motion security light, the light will come on as soon as any movement is detected.
Moreover, you need no energy from the grid whatsoever to run it because you can run it purely off natural sunlight.
We’ve been trying out some of the best solar-powered motion security lights on the market. Our reviews are coming up very shortly.
And we get that these purchases can be tricky, so we’ve also put together a handy buying guide for you that highlights the key things to think about before you buy.
Then we’re going to top that off with a section where we answer some of your most frequently asked questions on the subject.
And without further ado…
Bionic Spotlight
The Bionic Spotlight is one of the best known security lights of its kind. There’s an industrial quality solar panel to absorb the sun’s energy during the day, and motion sensors will trigger the light to come on in the night.
Despite its modest size, when activated, the LED light covers an area of over 600 square feet. And when we tried it out, we were impressed with how bright the light is – significantly brighter than the other lights we tested.
It also has a good motion detection range, coming in at 25 feet.
Another great feature about this particular device is that it looks kinda like a security camera, which makes it an even better deterrent than a mere light.
One of the more frequently reported issues with motion sensor lights is that they switch off when you still need them on. But with the Bionic Spotlight you don’t have to worry about that because it stays on until no motion is detected.
We were also impressed with the device’s durability. Not only can it withstand a heavy downpour of rain, but it can also survive snowy conditions too. And it has heat resistance too. It won’t warp in the sun, and neither will the color fade.
Installation is easy. There are stakes included in the box if you want to mount it in the ground. Or there’s hardware provided to mount it to a wall, and it has a swivel base that allows you to set the angle you want for the light.
Amazon occasionally has deals on this particular product, simply click on “Check price” to see if there happens to be a deal on now.
We have a more in depth review of this device elsewhere on our website titled “Bionic Spotlight Reviews” which is available on this link.
Pros
- Covers over 600 square feet
- Motion detection up to 25 feet
- Brightest light in our shortlist
- Easy to install (ground or wall)
- Stays on while motion detected
Cons
- There’s no battery back-up, but that shouldn’t be necessary because the solar panels will still absorb energy even when it’s really cloudy
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INCX Solar Outdoor Lights with Motion Sensor
Now, this is an excellent set of solar-powered motion security lights if you have a lot of land to cover…
This is because not only does it come as a pack of two, but also each light has three panels of LED lights, and this serves to provide light to a whopping 270-degree angle, compared to the mere 90-degree angle provided by most other lights of its kind.
You can rotate the middle LED panel up to 180 degrees, and the side LED panels can be rotated a full 360 degrees. This is perfect if you need to angle the light downward to help find your way on stairways.
You can also buy it as a pack of 4, which means you can have every entryway covered.
We found it to be very bright when we tried it out, and apparently it provides 550 lumens.
Each device features a large solar panel that’s capable of holding a 2200 mAh charge.
It has a water resistance rating of IP65 (more on IP ratings in our buying guide a little later) and it also features frost and heat resistance, so you can rely on the device to work whatever the weather.
We found that it’s installation is easy. You can mount it on a wall, and all of the brackets and screws you need are supplied in the box when it arrives.
Amazon occasionally has deals on this particular product, simply click on “Check price” to see if there happens to be a deal on now.
Pros
- Available as a pack of two
- 270-degree angle of light
- Provides 550 lumen of light
- Water, frost & heat resistance
- Easy to mount to a wall
Cons
- Not available as an individual device, only as a pack of two or four
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- 【IP65 WATERPROOF】: The Solar Lights with Motion Sensor are waterproof, heat-resistant, frost resistant, suitable for most weather conditions...
HMCITY Solar Lights with Motion Sensor
Talk about flying off the shelves! There have been well over 37,000 sales of this set of security lights on Amazon alone – and that’s just going from those customers who bothered to leave a rating.
Better yet, after so many individual ratings, the average customer rating still comes in at a whopping 4 and a half stars out of 5.
At first, we thought its popularity was solely down to the bargain price point, but then we tried it out for ourselves, and saw that it really does have a lot going for it.
The great thing about these lights is that they have more than one mode, so you can leave them permanently on or off if you want to, rather than just when motion is detected.
First off, we were impressed with just how bright the light is. And apparently this is due to it’e featuring reflective structures to reduce lighting loss.
The next thing to impress us was the efficiency of the solar panel. With a 20.5% conversion rate, this beauty provides 15% more electricity than other brands do.
It’s really built to last, with a water resistance rating of IP65 (more on that in our buying guide later). And it’s also heat-resistant, frost resistant, corrosion resistant, and impact resistant to boot.
Moreover, each device is one solid unit, with the solar panel directly on the lights themselves, so there are less moving parts to get damaged. This also explains why it’s so affordable.
But despite being a solid unit, the light still manages to cover a large area. Specifically, a generous 30 square meters. Moreover, this light is not just angled downward below the device, but covers a whopping 270-degree angle to brighten the whole area.
You can buy it as a pack of two or as a pack of 4. And they’re easy to install.
And if all that’s not enough, it also comes backed by a 12-month warranty.
Pros
- Bargain, affordable price tag
- Superior solar panel efficiency
- Light covers 30 square meters
- The light is impressively bright
- Top quality & built to really last
Cons
- You have to set it to the setting you want before you install it
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SEZAC Solar Motion Sensor Security Lights
![Sezac Solar Lights Outdoor [6 Pack/3 Working Mode], Solar Security Lights Solar...](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51MjkxGXKoL.jpg "Best Solar Powered Motion Security Light 7")
This very competitively priced 6 pack of security lights has been selling like hot cakes! And it’s perfect for long buildings and lawn, because it means you can spread the light out rather than just concentrate it on the entrance or exits, and light up the whole path.
Each light has 3 modes. A long-lasting dim light, or two motion sensing modes, including one which triggers a dim light either side of the main light where an individual may be walking. Convenient, huh? Much better for seeing where you’re going.
Each device has a good motion detection range, coming in at 10 to 16 feet. And despite the modest size of each device, the light emits at a generous 150-degree angle, and is able to cover a wide area.
We found that having a dim option was a nice touch, because when it’s dark your eyes can adjust to the darkness, in which case you don’t always want to be blasted with bright light. And it’s easy to install, too.
Each device undergoes strict battery testing, and when we tried it out for ourselves in poor light, we were pleased with the results. It has a conversion rate of 18%. They can each hold up to 2000 mAh of charge.
All 6 devices are waterproof, with an IP rating of IP65 (more on that in our buying guide a little later), and they are also heat and frost resistant, too. So whatever the weather is doing, your security lights will be just fine.
These lights may not have the same number of sales as the HMCITY Solar Lights, but it has been selling in its thousands, and has earned some excellent customer ratings and reviews.
Pros
- Comes as a pack of 6 devices
- 3 lighting modes to choose from
- 16 feet motion detection range
- Light is emitted at a 150⁰ angle
- Water, heat & frost resistant
Cons
- Not available to buy individually
- If there is no good sunlight for several days, the light may not light up at night
- The light only stays on for 15 seconds when activated by motion detection
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GLORIOUS-LITE Outdoor Solar Motion Security Light
The great thing about this solar-powered light is that the solar panel is on a separate unit to the light. That way, if in the unlikely event that one of the units were to get damaged, you only need to get that unit repaired or replaced and not the entire system.
But that’s not all there is to love about it – it has some excellent specs.
First off, the light is super bright at a whopping 1600 lumens. And it has a phenomenal motion detection range, coming in at an impressive 72 feet. But that’s easy to adjust if you think that’s too far.
Moreover, the sensing detection has a very wide 180-degree angle, so anyone approaching in the vicinity will activate the system and surround them in bright light. And once the light is activated, it will remain for a lengthy 120 seconds or until the motion stops.
The light itself comes from three panels, which can be adjusted so that you get each angle just right.
The accompanying solar panel is very energy efficient, and has a conversion rate of 22%. And it can hold a charge of up to 2400 mAh (more on this in our buying guide later). It charges up faster than other brands, and the charge will last for longer.
We tested it ourselves and can confirm that it is 100% waterproof. It has an IP rating of IP65, and is also heat and ice resistant to boot. So even sleet and snow isn’t a problem.
We can also confirm that it’s easy to install and all you have to do is follow the simple instructions provided in the manual.
Amazon occasionally has deals on this particular product, simply click on “Check price” to see if there happens to be a deal on now.
Pros
- Super bright at 1600 lumens
- Phenomenal detection range
- Light stays on for 120 seconds
- Highly efficient solar panel
- Water, heat & ice resistance
Cons
- There are wires that you will have to secure in place so that they don’t become hazardous
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Buying Guide
As promised, here’s your buying guide. Let’s walk you through what to consider when shopping for a solar-powered motion security light.
Number of Lumens
The number of lumens is a measure of light thrown out by a device. The greater the number, the brighter the light.
For security purposes, we would recommend going for a brighter light over a dimmer one. Not only because it makes it easier to see where you’re going, but also because it is a greater deterrent for would-be thieves.
Energy Efficiency of the Solar Panel/s
Most solar-powered security lights will still be able to charge up even on a cloudy day. But they do tend to differ in just how effectively they do this. The key spec here is the conversion rate. The higher the conversion rate, the more light is stored as energy to power the light.
Range of Motion Detection
It helps to have an idea of what range you would like the motion sensors to have. For buildings that are quite isolated, a longer pickup range is best. On the flip side, however, you might not want the light to come whenever your neighbors head to their backyard.
Energy Capacity of the Battery
The energy capacity of a battery is measured in mAh, which stands for milliamp per hour. The greater a solar-powered battery’s energy capacity, the less exposure to direct sunlight is required, which is just what you need if you live in an area with a lot of clouds.
Water Resistance Rating
Any electrical equipment to be left outdoors needs to be able to stand up to the elements. Most outdoor security lights do just fine against the wind, but they also need to be able to face the rain. That’s where water resistance comes in.
With water resistance ratings, also known as IP ratings, the greater the number, the better the water resistance. We would recommend you only look at equipment that has a rating of at least IP65 or higher.
Ease of Installation
If you intend to set up the device yourself, the easier it is to mount on your wall, the better.
Value for Money
Solar-powered motion security lights can really vary in price, with some costing as little as $20, while at the other end of the spectrum, they can cost as much as $70.
This is why we recommend that you click on “check price” as you go along. We don’t mention prices in our reviews because they are subject to change.
Answers To Your Most Frequently Asked Questions
Are Solar-Powered Outdoor Security Lights Any Good?
This is a fair question to ask. You don’t want to invest time and money in buying such a light if it’s not going to do its job. But, we’re pleased to report that they are.
We tested out all the lights on our shortlist, and not only did we find none that were substandard, but they actually exceeded our expectations. They all offer excellent sensitivity and a very bright light that covers quite a wide area.
Which Is The Best Solar-Powered Security Light?
To be perfectly honest, any of the 5 solar-powered motion security lights that made our shortlist would be a great choice for most people…
When it comes to choosing the right one for your needs, I guess the main point to consider is what area/s you want the light to cover. It may be the case that a pack of such devices may work better for you than just one light.
