Their simplistic design makes them look more like toys than security lights, but we underestimated their performance and function. When we first opened the box of four Urpower lights, we weren’t super impressed. At the end of the testing, we added up the points and used them to help determine the categories for each light that we felt performed well enough to make our list. We scored the lights using a rubric, and we awarded points for ease of installation, instruction clarity, the quality of the materials, and any added functions. We then assessed the illumination range by having one person stand near the light-so it would remain on-and then having another person walk until they reached the edge of the illumination field. We used a long measuring tape to record the distances. We tested each light by mounting it and then waiting until dark to see how close we could get before triggering its motion detector. The brightest lights were hardwired into the electrical system, but that didn’t necessarily put them above battery-powered or solar-powered ones as those offered a greater degree of versatility. Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila How We Tested the Best Outdoor Motion Sensor Lightsĭuring the selection and testing of the lights, our primary goal was to determine the detection range of each model and how far it could reliably illuminate. BEST LIGHT BULBS: Sengled Smart LED With Motion Sensor.BEST FLOOD LIGHTS: Leonlite LED Motion Sensor Flood Lights.BEST DECORATIVE: C Cattleya 1-Light Motion Sensor Wall Sconce.BEST FLUSH-MOUNT: Brilliant Evolution Wireless Motion Sensor LED Light.BEST SMART: Ring Smart Lighting Floodlight Wired.Beams Wireless Motion Sensor LED Spotlight BEST OVERALL: Urpower SL-002 Outdoor Solar Motion Sensor Lights.Discover the pros and cons of each of the following motion sensor lights, and find out how each one earned a spot in this lineup. This guide will explain what features to look for and showcase some of the best outdoor motion sensor light options available. We mounted them, wiring them when necessary, and tracked each of their functions.įor those considering installing outdoor motion sensor lights, the best options will depend on a variety of factors, including security needs, budget, and day-to-day lifestyle. We wanted to know whether today’s top motion sensor lights lived up to the hype, so we tested them in real-life settings. Motion sensor lights, which only activate when they detect movement, are a great solution. Look in the “security and monitoring” channel section, not “photographs and videos” (which are for services, not devices).Outdoor illumination keeps the home visible at night and helps deter crime, but leaving lights on all night is a costly waste of energy. There also IFTTT integrations with Ring and several cameras, including blink and homeboy. Some of these are only warranteed for indoor use, but depending on your weather may work in a sheltered location outdoors.Ĭurrent official integrations include Arlo cameras and the skybell video doorbell. ( One reason, to be honest, is that these tend to be more expensive devices and they can put more intelligence into the motion sensors to help filter out some of the false alarms.) Quite often these motion sensors work better outdoors than any that connect to SmartThings directly. They don’t cost much and you can get a pack of 4 on Amazon for $105.Īt this point (September 2016) we should also mention that there are several video doorbell’s and some cameras that have their own motion sensors and can be integrated with SmartThings. I’m using the Ecolink Z-Wave Motion Sensor and have had the best luck with them. I’ve since repositioned the sensors for better coverage. One night about 3am someone was going to break into my Jeep and the lights came on and the Fire Alarm mp3 began playing at the same time and he took off running. If a outside motion sensor is tripped SmartThings plays the “Fire Alarm” sound effect outside to scare off anyone prowling around. The speaker amp is on a Z-Wave outlet switch that turns on during Away or Sleeping to allows SmartThings notifications outside with the Sonos if Z-wave switch turned on. In addition I’m using the Sonos Player with RCA Outs connected to a small speaker app powering Outdoor Speakers in the front and back of the house. With the WiFi Samsung Speaker (or Sonos) and Big Talker SmartApp to speak if a motion sensor is activated. Each sensor is setup with a Push Notification to my phone during Away or Good Night modes. With these sensors the house is covered all the way around. Also block out the sky so the sensor is less likely to trigger falsely. So when the Sun is comes out the Sensor can’t visually see the ground. Using Electrical Tape to block out the lower and upper field of view. The PIR sensor doesn’t register heat if it can’t see it. Here is my solution to outdoor motionsensors.
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