Best motion detector lights of 2024

Check out these motion detector lights with weatherproofing and smart tech compatibility.
Best overall
Depuley
  • pro
    Senses motion up to 9.7 metres away
  • pro
    Produces up to 3,200 lumens
Most versatile
Jonarshar
  • pro
    Produces up to 2,500 lumens
  • pro
    Solar-powered
Best budget
Hooray
  • pro
    Under $30
  • pro
    Solar-powered
Best path lights
jesled
JESLED
  • pro
    Solar-powered
  • pro
    USB rechargeable

SafeWise experts have years of firsthand experience testing the products we recommend. Learn how we test and review

The Depuley wired floodlight is the brightest star in our lineup of motion detector lights. It has powerful triple LED outdoor security lights and a durable design that withstands tough weather and temperatures.

Depuley's motion sensor can detect activity from up to 6 metres away. When the LED motion light is triggered, its dual heads produce up to 2,100 lumens.

The Jonarshar is a close second, with its solar panel producing up to 2,500 lumens, making it one of the best lights if you don't have any outdoor power points.



Compare the top motion sensor lights

Product
Best for
Price
Motion detection range
Lumens
Power source
Weather resistance
Learn more
Best overall 9.7 m
150°
3,200 Wired IP65
Most versatile Up to 6 m
300°
2,500 Battery, solar IP65
Budget pick 8 m
120º
800 Battery IP65
Best path lights 4.5 m
120°
2,100Battery, solar IP64

Price is accurate as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

Best motion detector lights reviews

1. Depuley Security Motion Sensor Light: Best overall

Best overall
Depuley
$59.99

Price is accurate as of post date.
Read full disclaimer.

Though solar-powered motion sensor lights are more energy-efficient, there's no denying the brightness and reliability that comes with a wired option. This Depuley motion detector light is easy to install (simply plug and play, no electrician necessary) and boasts a huge 3,200 lumens. The light heads are adjustable, too, allowing for maximum light coverage

It's also rated IP65 waterproof, meaning your light can withstand just about whatever wild weather the Aussie climate can throw at it.

pro
Pros
pro Easy to install
pro Durable, weatherproof housing
pro Delivers extremely bright, adjustable security lighting
con
Cons
con Requires nearby powerpoint

2. Jonarshar Solar Motion Sensor Light: Most versatile

Most versatile
Jonarshar
$29.99

Price is accurate as of post date.
Read full disclaimer.

The solar-powered Jonarshar security light is ideal for walkways, porches, garages, and backyards. We like that it has a multijoint rotatable design, allowing it to reach an impressive lighting and sensing range of 300 degrees.

It comes with four bright LED heads that can give off up to a blinding 2,500 lumens. 

It's easy to install because it uses a solar panel for power, so there's no need to call an electrician to install this security light on your exterior wall, doors, or garage.

pro
Pros
pro 2,500 lumens brightness
pro Solar-powered
pro Easy to install
con
Cons
con Can only detects motion up to 6 metres

3. Hooray Outdoor Solar Light: Best budget

Budget pick
Hooray
$26.99

Price is accurate as of post date.
Read full disclaimer.

Whether you’re looking to enhance home security or add extra safety to dark entryways, this light is so budget-friendly, you could buy multiple and place them all over your home. The Hooray outdoor solar light provides up to 800 lumens of bright LED light - surprisingly powerful for a motion sensor light at this price. All three heads are adjustable, allowing you to cover more area with that bright light.

With an IP65 water resistance rating, it's designed to withstand all weather conditions and can run for up to nine hours on a full charge.

pro
Pros
pro Cheap
pro Easy to install
pro Bright
con
Cons
con Comparatively limited motion sensor

As you might expect at this price, there are some minor compromises - mostly when it comes to the PIR sensor. Though a range of up to 8 metres and sensing angle of 120 degrees is respectable, paying a little more can get you a more sensitive motion detector light.

4. JESLED Outdoor Solar Motion Sensor Lights: Best path lights

Best path lights
jesled
JESLED
$48.74
(2-pack)

Price is accurate as of post date.
Read full disclaimer.

JESLED’s motion sensor lights are an ideal option for path lights because they come in a two-pack. This allows you to line a path or steps at regular intervals for full lighting coverage. While you can also mount them higher up on a wall, we think these lights are perfect for paths.

While you can't reposition the lights like on our other picks, the top-mounted solar panels make for reliable nighttime lighting without fussy wiring. They're also USB rechargeable for when you need a full battery quickly.

Speaking of battery, depending on which of the three modes you choose, each light can last up to five nights on a single charge, so even if you're going through a few rainy days in a row, these lights should continue working.

pro
Pros
pro Up to 5 nights battery life on a single charge
pro USB rechargeable
pro Budget friendly
con
Cons
con Short sensor distance
con Non-adjustable

Final word

If you want to improve nighttime security around your home, motion sensor lights are both effective and affordable. Our top pick from Depuley has bright LED flood lights that you can position for the best lighting for your needs.

The bright lights get power directly from your home, so you don't need to rely on sunny days and solar panels for them to work.

Motion sensor lights FAQ

Indoor or outdoor, motion sensor lights provide security, convenience, and energy efficiency. There may be one main reason you’re looking for motion-activated lighting, or you may want to take advantage of all the benefits. Your primary reason will help you figure out the answers to other questions, like what type of bulb to get.

For security, you might want an outdoor motion sensor lights to surprise intruders and scare them off. On the other hand, a motion light that makes sure you don’t get tripped up on your way into the house can be less powerful.

Many outdoor motion sensor lights use LED to help save on electricity and minimise the chance of fire.

LEDs are long lasting, so you won't need to replace them often at all. That said, many motion sensor lights use custom LED panels, meaning bulb replacement is often not an option - you'll have to replace the whole light.

The amount of coverage provided by a motion light is determined by the motion sensor range and the brightness of the light bulbs. If you’re looking to light up a small area like the front porch, you may only need a motion sensor with a range of a few metres.

But if you want to illuminate a larger area like an entire backyard, you might want LED security lights with a range of 20 metres or more. You can also power up the reach of your motion light with bright bulbs that use more lumens. Small areas can get by with as little as 42 lumens, while floodlights can produce up to 3,400.

You can get motion sensor light fixtures that are hardwired, battery powered, or solar powered. The benefit of lights that use battery power or a solar panel is that you don’t have to install them near an electrical outlet. But solar panels need to be affixed where they’ll get enough sunlight for a full charge.

The drawbacks with battery and solar power are that your security can be compromised due to a dead battery or a cloudy day. You also sacrifice brightness with those power sources, as the brightest lights tend to use hardwiring.

If you do go with hardwired motion lights, be sure to plan ahead in case you need to run wires through walls or secure extension cords.

In order to deflect raindrops and protect the electrical components inside, a motion sensor light should have an ingress protection rating of IP44 or higher. If the rating is lower, the light needs an enclosure for outdoor operation.

What is an ingress protection rating?

Ingress protection ratings define how well a device prevents solids and liquids from making their way inside a product's casing where they can damage sensitive components. Every IP rating uses two digits to express this with the first digit signifying solids (fingers, dust) and the second meaning liquids (water). Higher numbers mean greater resistance.

  • Solids ratings range from 0–6.
  • Liquids ratings range from 0–8.
  • An X in either field means it's untested in that category.

For example, an IP68 rating totally protects against dust and full immersion in water.

Motion lights deter nighttime burglars for these reasons:

  • Burglars won’t have the cover of darkness to approach the house.
  • Sometimes it’s hard to tell if someone turned on the light manually.
  • If anyone inside the home (or even a neighbour) also saw the light come on, there's a good chance they’ll look for suspicious activity.
  • The motion light might set off a secondary, furry alarm that wakes up the family with barking.

Still, if a burglar knows the house is empty and that neighbours don’t have a good view, they might take the risk anyway, or they might come back during the day when the lights don’t affect your security. This is why it’s important to use other security measures like smart locks and security cameras to fortify your home against intruders.

Our approach

We delved into industry research and reviews from real users to evaluate product performance, features, and specs.

We picked our top four after looking at dozens of products. We then compared them to learn about their effectiveness, reliability, customer satisfaction, and affordability.

  • 16 hours researched
  • 25 products considered
  • 2,700+ customer reviews
  • 8 coffees consumed

Disclaimer
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time of publish and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer’s website at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. SafeWise Australia utilises paid affiliate links.
Georgia Dixon
Written by
Georgia Dixon
Georgia Dixon has 10 years of experience writing about all things tech, entertainment and lifestyle. She has bylines on Reviews.org, 7NEWS, Stuff.co.nz and in TechLife magazine, and in 2023 she won Best News Writer at the Consensus IT awards. In her spare time, you'll find her playing games and daydreaming about good food, wine, and dogs.

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