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When it comes to your home’s security, porch lights are critical. They guide you into your house at night and can help keep burglars away.
But they’re most effective when you use them at the right times and combine them with other security products. If you do, you’ll feel safer and more secure—whether at home, work, or on vacation.
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On their own, porch lights may not be enough to deter a burglar—but light is less inviting for bad deeds than darkness. A porch light may deter burglars if it gives the impression that the home is occupied. But leaving the light on isn’t an automatic guarantee of safety. Burglars pay attention to how and when you turn on porch and deck lighting. Your best bet is to combine lighting with motion sensors, a security camera or alarm, or use smart lights with automation that can keep bad actors guessing.
This is a good time to leave the porch light on. It alerts burglars to your presence, particularly if indoor lights are on too. The porch light also acts as a spotlight on the front door. You can easily see who’s approaching through either a window or peephole.
It helps to leave a light on for people who won’t get home until long after dark. Keeping the porch light burning helps people get to the door and unlock it safely.
Use a smart lightbulb in your porch light so you can turn on the light fixture from anywhere. This means you’ll have a lighted walkway even on nights when you stayed out later than expected—or if you simply forgot to leave the porch light on.
When you step out for the evening, leave a porch light on. You'll worry less about the kids, and they won’t jump at strange shadows. Supplement the outdoor light with indoor ones so it looks like several people are home.
It’s wise to turn on the porch light if you have a package or Uber Eats order coming. The extra light helps the delivery person find your home, and it reminds you to grab the package before settling in for the evening.
Generally, a porch light works best when it’s coordinated with deck, garage, and indoor lights. The pairing creates the appearance that people are home and moving about.
If you’re out of town, you should turn the porch light off during the day. A constantly lit porch paints a target on your home. You should either have a neighbor turn the light on and off or invest in a light timer or smart light bulbs. The preprogrammed settings maintain the illusion that you’re home and coming and going as usual.
When it’s time for lights-out, your porch should be no exception. Turn off the porch light—the same as you would in any room in the house. Turning off a light regularly suggests that the home is in use. Plus, many porch lights available today use infrared sensors to turn on automatically if they sense motion.
It may be recommended to turn off the porch light when you turn in, but darkness is easier for intruders to work with. Get the best of both worlds with outdoor lights that use motion detection. This way you can sleep without a glaring light burning outside your window and still shine a light on suss characters lurking about.
It might seem like the safest move, but if you’re on your own and feeling anxious, you may not want to turn on the porch light. Burglars often stake out a property for weeks before striking. If they notice you turn on the lights more often when your partner, spouse, or roommate is away, they could decide to intrude during one of those times.
This is an instance where you may be more secure if you leave the porch light off. Intruders won’t be able to see where they’re going, and their late-night stumbling may give you a warning that they’re coming.
If you’ve invested in motion sensor lights, potential burglars will experience night vision loss, again granting you more time to call the police and turn on every light in the house.
You need a full smart home automation security system for enhanced safety and control. This includes smart outdoor wall lights, security cameras, and locks.
With a complete system, you can use an app to monitor and control both indoor and outdoor lighting, security cameras, and locks.
You can purchase home automation systems from security providers like ADT, Frontpoint, and Vivint. You can also build your own system by integrating smart home products with a home automation hub.
When it comes to home automation hubs, Amazon Echo leads the way. You can also use a Google device as a smart home hub. That means you can turn the porch lights on or off with the sound of your voice instead of with a light switch.
Smart home hubs simplify the day-to-day management of all connected devices. Instead of using multiple apps to control connected products, you use the hub’s mobile app to manage everything.
Once your hub is set up, you can connect compatible smart security products. Make sure they work with your hub before committing to a purchase.
Product | Price | Best For | Top Feature | Learn more |
| $119.95 | Automating porch lights | Voice control | View on Amazon | |
| $239.99 | Adding keyless entry to your home | Built-in alarm | View on Amazon | |
| $179.99 | Answering the door from anywhere | Facial recognition | View on Google Store | |
| $179.99 | Taking video when lights are triggered by motion | Security camera | View on Amazon | |
| $117.99 | Knowing when someone's on your property | Customizable alerts | View on Amazon |
*Amazon.com and other List Prices as post date. (See full disclaimer)
Philips Hue is the leader when it comes to automated lighting. Its lighting system is easy to update, integrate, and synchronize.
If you want to add more outdoor security than a porch light, these home automation devices are a good place to start.
Smart locks let you lock and unlock the front door remotely. With a video doorbell, you can see who’s at the front door (and talk to them) whether you’re in bed or at the office.
And a motion-activated driveway alarm alerts you when someone enters your property. Plus, if you use a smart home hub, you can create routines to make all of these security products work together—including your smart porch light.
No, leaving lights on can make intruders think that you're not home. Use a motion sensor light that turns on when you, or anyone else, comes near so you have light only when you need it.
Yes, they can. Security lighting makes it hard for them to conceal their identity, so they are more likely to find a darker home.
We recommend getting an outdoor spotlight camera with motion sensors and two-way talk. Lights with built-in sirens are also great crime deterrents.
Yes, they can. Security lighting makes it hard for them to conceal their identity, so they are more likely to find a darker home.
We recommend getting an outdoor spotlight camera with motion sensors and two-way talk. Lights with built-in sirens are also great crime deterrents.
Brand | Installation | Monthly cost
 | Best for | Starter equipment price | Contract required | Smart home compatibility
| Learn more |
| DIY or Pro | $21.99/mo. | Best DIY security | $245.00 | No | Amazon, | View packages | |
| Professional | $39.99/mo. | Best professional security | $599.00 | No * | Amazon, Google, Z-Wave | View packages | |
| DIY or Pro | $19.99/mo. | Best customer rating | Quote required | No * | Amazon, | View Packages | |
| Professional | $45.99/mo. | Most trusted security brand | $0.00 | Yes | Google, Z-Wave | View Packages | |
| DIY | $19.99/mo. | Budget pick | $199.99 | No | Amazon, Google, Z-Wave | View on Amazon | |
| DIY | $24.99/mo. | Quality DIY pick | $129.00 | No † | Amazon, Google, Z-Wave | View packages | |
| DIY | $25.00/mo. | Best sensors | $299.99 | No | Amazon, Google, Apple | View on Amazon |
Amazon.com price as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer.
Full ADT disclaimer
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.
†Google, Google Nest Secure, Google Home, Google Nest Protect, and other related marks are trademarks of Google LLC.
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