You’ve had the sneaking suspicion that the outside of your home offers plenty of shadows and dark areas for a potential intruder to hide out in. The lights you have are simply not bright enough, or maybe you don’t have any outdoor security lighting at all.
Motion sensor lights can detect movement outside your house, turning on automatically when motion is detected within a certain range. And, for $50 or less, you can shed some light on a risky situation by using one of the most effective motion sensor lights on the market.
Many motion-detector lights can be bought and easily installed, without needing the services of an electrician or handy man. Doing so can give you the peace of mind that the exterior of your house is adequately lit at night when motion is detected.
Want more tips on home security? Learn how to give your home a security makeover.
Use motion sensor lights outside to light up your:
- Porch
- Garage
- Yard
- Driveway
- Home’s perimeter
- Shed
- Carport
Having motion sensor lighting around your home can prevent you from becoming a statistic. Low light can attract burglars and intruders, and doesn’t allow you to see who’s at the door or lurking around your garage.
Don’t be the next target, but also don’t break the bank. We’ve compiled a list of the most effective motion sensor lights for $50 or less. Read all about their features and capabilities below.
- Frostfire Bright LED Wireless Solar Powered Motion Sensor Light
Lights don’t need to be expensive to work well, and at just $14, the Frostfire gives you a lot of bang for you buck. Attach it to your garage, shed, or house, and it will light up at night when motion is detected, and will turn off 10 seconds after motion stops. It has a motion detection radius of about nine feet, and it charges itself during the day using an attached .44-watt LED solar panel measuring just 3”x1.6”. Installation is easy—just a few screws and plugs are needed, and come included. The light measures 4.5”x3.3”x1.6”, and weighs about eight ounces.
Where to buy: Amazon; $14;
- First Alert Motion Sensing Light Socket
This light socket is screwed into an existing socket, detects motion, and automatically turns on, day or night. The light stays on for a few minutes after motion is detected—not just a few seconds like most motion lights. Note that it is for indoor use only, but could be a great safety light for covered porches and doorways, or inside garages, basements, and sheds. It detects movement within about a 12-foot radius, and works with incandescent bulbs up to 100 watts. It measures 4”x3”x3” and weighs about 5.6 ounces.
Where to buy: Home Depot; Amazon; $21
- Sunforce LED Solar Motion Light
This light can be mounted almost anywhere, and its solar capabilities means no wires are required. The light is made of ABS plastic and aluminum, with a 1-watt, 6-volt solar panel. Set your detection distance anywhere up to 30 feet, within a 180-degree range. When motion is detected, the light stays on for up to 25 seconds. You can also customize the settings on this light, choosing the level of darkness to run the light at, the length of time the light stays on, and the range of motion. Or, set it to AUTO, and the light runs in its ideal settings. The light is great for use on porches, driveways, sheds, garages, decks, and more. It weighs about 1.8 pounds, and measures 9”x9”x6”.
Where to buy: Walmart; Amazon; $33
- Heath Zenith Bayside Mission Style Motion Activated Lantern
Want a security light that doesn’t lack in style? This light has all the charm of a decorative Mission light, yet offers motion-activated security. It uses 60-watt light bulb (not included) and is finished with white or black enamel. Choose to set this light daily to go on at dusk and off at dawn, or use it as a typical motion light. It can detect motion up to 30 feet away, within a range of 150 degrees. It weighs 2.5 pounds, and measures 5.7”x7.9”x10.8”.
Where to buy: Amazon; $27
- MAXSA Innovations Motion-Activated Dual Head LED Security Spotlight
Throw light in two directions at once using this adjustable dual-head spotlight. It detects motion up to 40 feet away, and provides a 180-degree range. The light is solar-powered, using four .5-watt LEDs, which produces more than 160 lumens. Installation is easy, and you can do it yourself without an electrician. The light measures 8”x7.5”x8.5” and weighs about 1.8 pounds.
Where to buy: Walmart; Amazon; $50
Want to learn more about securing your house from intruders? Beyond motion lights, find out five ways to deter burglaries and 20 alarming burglary facts.
