![Brighten Every Corner of Your Property With These Outdoor Lighting Picks (1) Brighten Every Corner of Your Property With These Outdoor Lighting Picks (1)](https://i0.wp.com/hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/outdoor-lighting-modern-farmhouse-barn-light-6436e3172502b.jpg?crop=0.502xw:1.00xh;0.250xw,0&resize=640:*)
Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?
Outdoor lights improve home security and safety, plus they’re relatively inexpensive and tackling installation is typically an easy weekend DIY project. Along with practical applications, outdoor lighting also adds visual appeal when used to accent decorative landscaping or a backyard gazebo or pergola.
The good news is that there are plenty of wired, solar-powered, and battery-operated outdoor lights to consider that cover basics like water-resistance to those that offer more advanced features, such as motion-sensors and smart capabilities. But chances are, you need more than one type of outdoor light to properly illuminate your property, which means devising a complete outdoor lighting plan.
That’s where we come in. Here, we cover the most common types outdoor lights and offer recommendations on the best for each, plus share expert knowledge on essential details to help you make an informed decision on the right options for your home.
For more great home lighting, check out our coverage of the best garden lights, solar pathway lights, and outdoor string lights.
The Best Outdoor Lighting
Best Garden Path Lighting
Beau Jardin Solar Pathway Landscape Outdoor Lights
Read more
Best For Security
Ring Smart Security Camera with Outdoor Lights
Read more
Best Outdoor String Lights
Govee Waterproof Outdoor String Lights
Read more
What to Consider
Type of Light
Once you’ve narrowed down the areas you want to illuminate, the next step is to choose the type of outdoor lighting that best suits your needs. There's in-ground lighting to brighten pathways and driveways, outdoor lighting designed specifically for steps and decks, and flood lights than can include motion-sensors and security cameras. Other types include spotlights and string lights, typically used for decorative purposes, and wall- or ceiling-mounted lights for front or back entrances.
Power Source
Outdoor lights are either wired, solar-powered, or battery-operated. With the move toward LEDs and better rechargeable batteries, solar-powered lights are becoming more popular. They’re ideal for remote applications and installations where you don’t want to install extra wiring, but they aren't as bright as wired or battery-powered options. Another drawback is unreliable performance depending on weather conditions, so take manufacturers' claims regarding light duration with a grain of salt.
IP Rating
Like other home outdoor electrical products, outdoor lights block water and dust to varying degrees. The ingress protection (IP) rating is comprised of two numbers: the first representing resistance to solids (on a scale from 1 to 6), and the second resistance to water (on a scale of 1 to 8). At minimum, an outdoor light should rate IP44; higher-quality models are usually range from IP65 to IP67.
How We Selected
In selecting the best outdoor lighting options for every purpose, we considered various applications for outdoor lighting and which lights and fixtures best fit those needs. During our research, we used our own experience with, and knowledge of, the most popular outdoor lighting styles and also consulted other expert reviews from publications including Architectural Digest, Family Handyman, and The Spruce.
Pros
Easy to install and use
Offered in multiple packs
Available in cool or warm white
Cons
Not very bright
These solar ground lights are relatively inexpensive and a cinch to install—just flip the switch and push the connected spike into the ground.
The outdoor lights are available in packs of eight or 12, and in a choice of cool or warm-white LEDs. They're ideal for lighting up pathways or for defining landscaping, and their basic style pairs well with any home.
According to the manufacturer, you can expect at least four hours of light in the evening, though the disks must charge in full sun for 8 to 10 hours.
Key Specs
Light Type | Pathway/decorative |
---|---|
Power Source | Solar |
Lumens | 5 per light |
IP Rating | IP44 |
Pros
16 lights per pack
Available in cool and warm-white LEDs
Cons
Not as robust as other options
If you want to install a series of outdoor lights along a driveway, these are your best bet. The solar-powered LEDs are just over 14 inches tall, and their height makes them more visible than the in-ground solar disks we write about above. They’re also just as easy to install and are available in warm or cool white, plus 16 lights per pack offers good value.
Key Specs
Light Type | Pathway |
---|---|
Power Source | Solar |
Lumens | 5 per light |
IP Rating | IP44 |
Pros
Brighter than other solar path lights we cover
Multiple finishes
High IP rating
Cons
These elegant, tall solar path lights are brighter than most of the other solar-powered options we write about, at 25 lumens per light. As such, they’re ideal for illuminating dark pathways in a backyard or garden.
The stainless steel and ABS plastic fixtures look upscale, designed to cast a pretty pattern on the lawn. No tools are required to set them up. All you have to do is turn them on, stake them in the ground, and let the sun do its magic.
Key Specs
Light Type | Pathway/decorative light |
---|---|
Power Source | Solar |
Lumens | 25 per light |
IP Rating | IP65 |
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
Pros
Unobtrusive and sleek
Available in multiple finishes and pack sizes
Cons
Requires wiring and assembly
If you have a deck or steps, a set of directional landscape lights can add ambiance and save you from trips and stumbles in the dark.
These LEDs are available in multiple finishes in packs of eight, 12, and 16, made to replace phased out 8-watt halogen lights. They can be flush-mounted to a surface and connected together via a 12-volt transformer, sold separately.
Key Specs
Light Type | Pathway/decorative |
---|---|
Power Source | AC/DC wired |
Lumens | 30 per light |
IP Rating | N/A |
Best For Security
Ring Smart Security Camera with Outdoor Lights
Best For Security
Ring Smart Security Camera with Outdoor Lights
Pros
Motion detecting security light
Includes siren and two-way talking ability
Works with compatible smart devices
Cons
Subscription required to enable smart features
If security is paramount to you, this floodlight camera combo from Ring is an excellent (and popular) choice. Beyond just having a motion sensor, it can record with night color vision, offers two-way talk, and can scare the jeepers out of intruders with a 105-decibel siren and a blast of 2,000 lumens of light.
Users can fine-tune the area they want the camera to record, and through the app you can set up schedules and notifications. Keep in mind that smart functions require a subscription, which adds to the overall cost.
Key Specs
Light Type | Spotlight |
---|---|
Power Source | AC Wired |
Lumens | 2,000 lumens |
IP Rating | N/A |
Pros
On-trend and well-priced
Available in two finishes
Option for dawn-to-dusk functionality
Cons
Fixtures must be hardwired
Illuminate your front door, garage, or other entryway with this modern farmhouse outdoor fixture, available in bronze or black finishes and sold singly or in a pair. You can also opt to order it with or without a dawn-to-dusk sensor.
The outdoor lights won't rust, have a high IP65 rating to prevent water and dust from getting inside, and with two priced at less than $75 at the time of this writing, the packages offers excellent value. Once hardwired, you can install a vintage-style LED bulb to complete the look.
Key Specs
Light Type | Decorative |
---|---|
Power Source | AC wired |
Lumens | N/A |
IP Rating | IP65 |
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
Pros
Controllable via smartphone
Tons of extra features using the app
Cons
Lights are 3 feet apart
String lights are a great addition to any outdoor space. Govee really amps it up on the traditional string light system by adding smart capabilities, making them multicolored and app-controllable via app as well as by Google Assistant and Alexa.
The outdoor lights are also capable of producing 16 million colors and have 47 scene modes that allow you to tune each light to a certain color or even pulse with your favorite songs. While each string is only 48 feet long and has 15 bulbs, you can string up to two sets together.
Key Specs
Light Type | Decorative |
---|---|
Power Source | AC/DC |
Lumens | 50 lm / per bulb (15 light strings) |
IP Rating | IP65 |
Best Smart Path Light
Ring Outdoor Motion-Sensor Security Light
Best Smart Path Light
Ring Outdoor Motion-Sensor Security Light
Pros
Combines solar path light with motion detector
Smart capability
Easy to install and replace single units
Cons
Hub or bridge required to enable smart features
This motion-sensor solar-powered path lights from Ring are a great way to illuminate long paths and driveways. When motion is detected, they brighten for a short period as people walk or drive by.
They also incorporate smart features when connected via Echo Bridge or the Ring hub, so you can receive notifications if the lights are triggered when you aren’t home and control them remotely via a smart device.
They’re available as single units for $35, or with a hub and two units starting at about $90.
Key Specs
Light Type | Pathway Light |
---|---|
Power Source | Solar |
Lumens | 80 lm per light |
IP Rating | IP66 |
Chris Meehan
Chris Meehan is an internationally published writer, author, and editor with more than two decades of professional experience. He has authored multiple adventure guidebooks with Falcon Guides and his work focusses primarily on the nexus between sustainability and outdoor adventure. He is an experienced gear reviewer, tester, and travel writer who has explored multiple continents.