Best Outdoor Motion Sensor Porch Lights (Reviews + Buying Guide)

So, you’ve decided to buy a motion sensor light for your porch and are confused about which one to buy? The decision is an important one, given that the right porch light can not only illuminate your entrance but also enhance security and even save on energy costs. Motion sensor lights are particularly useful because they only turn on when they detect movement, providing light when you need it and conserving energy when you don’t. They can deter potential intruders and offer convenience when you’re fumbling for your keys in the dark.

However, the market is flooded with a myriad of options, each claiming to be the best. There are variations in brightness, sensor sensitivity, energy efficiency, and even smart features like app control and integration with home security systems. This sheer number of options can baffle even the most discerning buyer.

That’s why a list of the best porch lights with motion sensors, curated based on real customer data and reviews, can be a lifesaver. Such a list takes the guesswork out of the equation, offering you a selection of tried and tested products that real people have used and vouched for. It can guide you through factors like durability, ease of installation, and effectiveness of the motion sensor, helping you make an informed decision that suits your specific needs and preferences.

By relying on a well-researched list, you can save time, effort, and potentially money, ensuring that you invest in a product that delivers on its promises and meets your expectations.

This article may include affiliate links, through which we may earn a commission for qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

Quick Picks For The Best Porch Lights With Motion Sensors 

Are you looking to add porch lights to your home protection system? Have a look at our top picks below to zero in on your choice of a porch light.

Best Overall:
ALUSSO 40W LED Security Flood Lights, Motion Sensor
If you are looking for a versatile and powerful outdoor lighting solution with adjustable brightness, motion sensing, and remote control capabilities would find the ALUSSO 40W LED Security Lights to be an excellent choice for enhancing security and illumination in gardens, porches, or other outdoor areas.
Runner Up:
Leonlite Security Floodlight 
This security light has a highly sensitive detection angle. It is equipped with a premium motion sensor. And has an outstanding life of 50,000 hours, to last you a lifetime.
Best budget option:
BIGLIGHT Battery Operated Motion Sensor Spotlight
If you’re looking for an affordable yet effective lighting solution for your outdoor spaces, the BIGLIGHT Battery Operated Motion Sensor Spotlight is your best budget option. With wireless convenience, super-bright 200 Lumens output, and motion-sensing technology, it offers top-notch security and illumination for walls, front doors, sheds, or hallways without breaking the bank.
Best portable motion sensor:
Limitless Innovations Lumenology Portable LED Motion Sensor Light
If you’re in need of a versatile and portable lighting solution with smart motion detection, the Limitless Innovations Lumenology Portable LED Motion Sensor Light is your go-to option. With 148 Lumens, a 13 ft detectable range, and a flexible tripod base that even offers a magnetic option, it’s perfect for both indoor and outdoor use, providing convenience and innovation in one compact package.
Best smart wireless LED option:
Philips Hue Wireless Outdoor Light 
Light Up Your Life, Wirelessly: Philips Hue Outdoor Light—Smart, Simple, Stunning.

Our Review Process 

Our review process begins with searching the market for the best porch lights. We try to assist our users in making a confident buying decision. After a thorough review, we recommend a wide variety of items. Thereby, putting together a curated list of our top recommendations. 

The products selected are then divided into categories based on their use and efficiency. Apart from that, we scan all existing and upcoming porch light variants. We make it a point to seek out feedback from reputable companies and customers who use the products. Finally, this helps us in selecting the best products for lighting your house.

Best Porch Lights With Motion Sensors: Reviewed 

Depending on your needs, there are many features to choose from when buying a porch light. We have compiled a detailed list of outdoor porch lights with motion sensors for your convenience below. 

1. ALUSSO 40W LED Security Flood Lights, Motion Sensor

The ALUSSO 40W LED Security Lights Outdoor is a versatile lighting solution designed to enhance outdoor security and ambience. With 3200LM LED floodlights, it offers bright illumination that can be customized between 3000K to 6000K. The three adjustable heads allow for targeted lighting, ensuring optimal coverage of the desired area.

Equipped with a motion sensor, the lights can detect movement and respond accordingly, adding an extra layer of security. The IP65 waterproof rating ensures durability in various weather conditions, making it suitable for gardens, porches, or other outdoor spaces.

The remote control functionality provides convenient control over the lighting, allowing adjustments from a distance. This combination of features makes the ALUSSO 40W LED Security Lights a practical and efficient choice for those seeking a customizable and responsive outdoor lighting system.

2. LEONLITE LED Security Light

LEONLITE offers unique dusk to dawn features with triple operation modes, including manual and automatic light-ups when needed. Its outstanding product lifespan prominently reduces the frequency of replacement. The advanced mounting box configuration improves stability and makes connecting it to the junction box fairly easy. 

It meets various lighting requirements to suit your needs. The modular rotation allows it to light up any area you want. Therefore, you can adjust its direction to your liking and comfort. On the downside, the lights only come on at full brightness. But it’s relaxing to know that they do conveniently shut down at daybreak. 

3. BIGLIGHT Battery Operated Motion Sensor Spotlight


Looking for an outdoor lighting solution that doesn’t compromise on quality or functionality but is friendly on the wallet? The BIGLIGHT Battery Operated Motion Sensor Spotlight is your answer. This wireless LED floodlight offers a bright 200 Lumens output, ensuring clear illumination where you need it.

Its motion-sensing technology adds a layer of security, activating the light when movement is detected. Plus, it’s waterproof, making it suitable for various outdoor locations like walls, front doors, sheds, or hallways. Easy to install and battery-operated, it’s a hassle-free option that provides reliable lighting without the need for complex wiring.

For those seeking an attractive, efficient, and budget-friendly lighting solution, the BIGLIGHT Spotlight is a choice you won’t regret.

4. Limitless Innovations Lumenology Portable LED Motion Sensor Light

Looking for a portable and versatile lighting solution that you can trust?

The Limitless Innovations Lumenology Portable LED Motion Sensor Light is here to light up your world. This compact, wireless design offers a mighty 148 Lumens, ready to be used virtually anywhere. Its flexible tripod allows for quick and easy installation on floors, posts, fences, decks, and even car hoods. Need it on a non-magnetic surface? No problem, the included magnetic plate has you covered. With a 13ft detectable range and 100-degree field-of-view.

It’s perfect for dark environments, and the 20-second auto shut-off or always-on mode adds convenience for various activities. Plus, it’s IP43 Water Resistant and complies with safety standards. Whether it’s for security, a DIY project, or just walking the dog, this light is your all-in-one solution.

5. Philips Hue Dusk-to-Dawn Outdoor Motion Sensor

If Alexa is your home buddy, you will quite like this porch light. Phillips Hue can be voice-controlled with an additional device and a hub. With pre-set light settings, it can shock your intruders or welcome your house guests. Resistant to harsh weather conditions, it can withstand sunny days and heavy rainfalls. 

Its fully wireless features make it very simple to mount and install. The Phillips app and other gadgets can amp up its efficiency and performance. For the most part, it offers an acceptable range and connects with all your smart devices. 

6. Solar Lights Outdoor

This ultra-bright light is yet another three-headed design in our list of porch lights. The best part about its purchase is that it comes with no annoying wires or adapters. Although it is super bright, it has an effective heat dissipation system in check.

Its sensing distance, wide lighting, and waterproof rating make it an incredible choice, especially if you want it for your garage, pathway, and front door. On the downside, it may not be as functional in winters as it is in summers. But if you live somewhere with adequate sunlight, you won’t have to worry about it. 

7. Maxsa Innovations 44215

If you are keen on buying a wireless light, we have added another option for you. Maxsa runs on solar energy and also comes with chargeable batteries. It is a good option for users who don’t get much sun in their area. It has a dual adjustable light head, which means you monitor two locations at one point. 

With an easy DIY installation, you won’t need an electrician to mount it for you. It may not have a security camera, but it can detect movement up to thirty feet away. That amount of range makes it a perfect choice for large porch areas. 

How To Choose The Best Porch Lights With Motion Sensors 

If you’re going to have your porch light on all night, make sure it’s the right one. You can easily select one based on your requirements, whether it’s for lighting or protection.

Luminosity  

Out of consideration for your neighbors, the maximum brightness of your porch light should ideally be 60 watts. But it comes down to your personal preferences when deciding the luminosity best for you. 

Passive Infrared, or PIR, is the most common and arguably most effective lighting form. This form of lighting senses body heat and turns on the light. Mainly when the heat source gets too close to or covers too much of the sensor.

Consider the kind of bulbs used in your motion sensor as well. Most would use rows upon rows of LEDs, which are both more energy-efficient and last longer. On the other hand, certain other models would use standard bulbs, like those used inside the house or on regular porch lights. Again, it boils down to personal preference. Though LEDs can last longer, it is easy to argue that they do not have the same ‘look’ as traditional bulbs.

Accuracy  

When searching for a porch light, some features can be more relevant than others. The main function of motion detectors is to accurately identify any movement in front of or neary your house, and alert you about the same. 

There are various kinds of motion sensons available in the market from different brands, but not all of them are equal in features and functioning. Hence, it’s necessary to familiarize yourself with the options available, before deciding on one. The following are some of the most popular types of accurate motion detectors: 

  • Active sensors detect changes in a given area. They use methods such as radar waves or infrared radiation. They can detect even the tiniest gestures.
  • Passive infrared sensors (PIR) are much more energy effective than active sensors. They can track variations in heat emitted by warm-blooded animals as well as the sun.
  • Dual-technology motion sensors are suitable for larger environments where one technology is insufficient. Garages, porches, and driveways are examples of such environments.

Brand Value 

Many motion-sensor lights are simple in nature and come in a small range of colors. But you can choose something more pleasing if you’re looking for outdoor lights. Some branded porch lights have a formidable reputation in this case.

There is typically a large selection of porch lights from different brands to choose from. 

You may find a number of deals, if you are shopping for motion sensor lights during the holiday season. Regardless of your budget, you can choose from a large variety of premium labels. Expert reviews can assist you in locating the best motion sensor light brands. 

A porch light bought from a branded company typically goes a long way. Besides, different brands offer unique perks that can help you find your choice of light. If broken, you can also bet that the brands are vigilant in giving you a good customer experience. It’s no surprise that most branded motion sensor porch lights also have the best reviews.

Outdoor-Friendly Specifications 

Regardless of the setup, you select, smart outdoor lighting allows you to plan your outdoor space in style. An intelligent wireless lighting system enables you to watch your light easily and create the perfect environment for every occasion inside or out. With a variety of specially built outdoor lights, it will bring your space to life.

Some porch lights have a wireless IP camera, allowing you to have a complete home protection solution. The home zone security camera is a dependable, intuitive, and cost-effective solution. It helps you secure and defend your home wherever you are. You can access most of its features directly from the smart app.

Alternatively, some of the best porch lights now use Wi-Fi and can be remote-controlled even when you are not at home. With this, you can track your property even if you are in a different country.

Frequently Asked Questions 

How do I choose outdoor motion sensor lights?

You can assess the situation and see if a motion-sensitive light will be helpful for you. Determine the type of motion sensor light you need.  Have a look at the mounting position, bulb type, light pattern, and power source of the sensor lights that you have short-listed. These features will give you a lot of information. Alternatively, you can opt for a solar-powered porch light or choose a porch light with motion sensors and security cameras. 

Are motion sensor lights worth the expense?

Motion sensor lights could discourage intruders who would otherwise go unnoticed in the event of a home break-in. It’s a cost-effective measure to increase the security of your home. 
Motion-activated lights have several benefits, ranging from comfort to energy efficiency. Installation, for example, is simple. You won’t have to think about fishing wire down the wall to attach a light switch. 

How high up should you put a motion sensor?

You can install a motion detector on the wall at the height of 6 to 8 feet. Motion detectors usually mount on or near the ceiling. That may work with a typical ceiling height of about eight feet, but it may not be the best option for those with a ceiling height of 10 or 12 feet.
Ideally, you want your motion detector to have a bird’s-eye view of the area, but mounting it too high will result in blind spots lower down. Installing the motion sensor porch light on the ceiling is possible, but first make sure it has a 360-degree viewing angle.