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Whether it’s for home protection or to take the driveway basketball game into overtime, a quality outdoor floodlight gives your property a bright, dependable source of light. New, long-lasting LED bulbs and smartphone controls have carried traditional halogen floodlights into the 21st century. At the same time, additional built-in cameras and alarms add a new layer to create security lighting. Unique all-in-one floodlights can tackle various tasks with the flip of a switch. Or, if all you need is a simple bright light, you can find a basic set-it-and-forget-it floodlight that won’t need a new bulb every few months. From motion-activated solar floodlights illuminating a walkway to high-powered smart floodlights that coat the entire yard in artificial sunshine, find the best floodlights for every home below.
- Best overall: Blink Wired Floodlight Camera
- Best for property managers: GLORIOUS-LITE Floodlight
- Best for non-electricians: Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera
- Best energy-conscious: LEPOWER Solar Security Lights
- Best budget: Lithonia Outdoor Floodlight
How we chose the best floodlights
No one likes fumbling around their house in the dark, and that extends to the outside of your home as well. Plus, walking around in the dark is dangerous—not in a “horror movie” manner, but more of a “trip and fall on a flower pot or rogue ledge and bust your knee/dignity” way. To find the best floodlights, we tested them in our own homes (and even apartments), consulted electricians for recommendations, and scoured reviews to ensure only the brightest of the bright made our list. Leave the soft mood lighting to your twinkle lights.
The best floodlights: Reviews & Recommendations
How do you choose the best floodlight for your home? Look for the features you want, but stay open to some features you didn’t even know existed. These lights can do much more than turn on and off. One of our choices should brighten up your night.
Best overall: Blink Wired Floodlight Camera
Fierce Security Features
Pros
- Built-in camera
- Bright light included
- Motion detection
Cons
- Requires subscription to get the most benefits
Specs
- Connection: Wired
- Built-in camera: No
- Lumens: 2,600 lumens
- Control options: App control, Alexa
Shining a bright light is just the tip of the iceberg regarding the features of the Blink Wired Floodlight camera. The 1080p camera keeps a watchful eye on your property thanks to the coordinating Blink app that lets you see, hear, and speak to animals and people. The dual-zone, customizable motion detector catches any unwanted movement in your backyard, which will sound a 105-decibel (dB) siren. You can also sound the siren whenever you need. A Blink subscription plan opens up this smart floodlight’s capabilities: you get person detection with computer vision and clip sharing or saving. You don’t need to commit right away thanks to a free 30-day trial. Connecting this floodlight to Alexa allows you to use voice commands to bring up the live view, arm and disarm the camera, and more. Installation is easy: all you need to do is follow the instructions and connect it to your home’s existing outside wiring. The floodlight shines with 2,600 lumens of brightness. For less than $100, this smart floodlight truly gives you a great bang for your buck.
Best for property managers: GLORIOUS-LITE Floodlight
Bright is Right
Pros
- Bright
- Good for large properties and fields
- Can be used with a tripod
Cons
- Not automatic
- Not meant for small areas
Specs
- Connection: Outlet/power source with AC power
- Built-in camera: No
- Lumens: 10,000 lumens
- Control options: On/off switch
One of the brightest floodlights on the consumer market, the GLORIOUS-LITE is great for fields and large properties. Its 10,000 lumens are more than enough to light up a large area. This is as bright as most street lamps, and it can light up playgrounds and soccer fields. That also means it’s too overpowering for small areas. The outside LED floodlight lacks further features, such as motion detection and timers. It’s a simple on/off light designed for one task: illuminating the darkness. The rugged housing has an IP rating of 66, ideal for rough climates. However, do note the 100W lights get very hot—never touch or adjust these floodlights without protective gloves. They plug into any nearby wall outlet, but the included cord is only 3 feet long. Extension cords or rewiring to a longer cord may be necessary depending on where you want to mount the light.
Best for non-electricians: Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera
Simple Wireless Installation
Pros
- Wireless
- Bright
- Clear video
Cons
- Requires a monthly subscription to store video
Specs
- Connection: Wireless, rechargeable battery
- Built-in camera: Yes
- Lumens: 3,000 lumens
- Control options: Automatic, Alexa, or app control
The biggest drawback to even the best outdoor floodlight is that it may require wiring to power the light. That said, the Arlo Pro 3 is a true wireless powerhouse with a rechargeable battery that lasts about six months on a single charge. The Arlo floodlight is also an HD security camera that offers impressive, crystal-clear 2K video. You can even zoom in on important details. It’s easy to sync the household Wi-Fi and control the outside LED floodlight camera with a smartphone. The downside? To record video, you’ll need to pay a monthly data storage fee. Without it, this is just a fancy floodlight without any video capabilities. But for an easy-to-install security floodlight, the Arlo Pro 3 is the feature-rich winner.
Best energy-conscious: LEPOWER Solar Security Lights
Solar-Powered Solution
Pros
- Solar-powered
- Far reach
- Easy installation
Cons
- More of a motion detector than all-night light
Specs
- Connection: Solar powered, wired
- Built-in camera: No
- Lumens: 1,600 lumens
- Control options: Stepless switch for three modes (Auto, test, normally on)
Solar floodlights run the risk of being too dim and finicky. Luckily, the LEPOWER LED solar floodlight has a strong solar battery that will give you lasting outdoor security lights at night. Make sure the solar panel is bathed in direct sunlight during the day and you’ll have no problem keeping the 1,600-lumen floodlight lit for 50 consecutive minutes. The 180-degree motion detector catches anyone up to 75 feet away with a blast of light. You can adjust the period of light from 10 seconds to 2 minutes. This one is relatively simple to install, but position matters. You want full sunshine during the day, and make sure the motion detector is aimed correctly at night. For a solar-powered floodlight, the LEPOWER is a dependable, Earth-friendly security guard. Note: This is more a motion detector light than an all-night party light. It’s designed for short periods of luminescence.
Best budget: Lithonia Outdoor Floodlight
Simple, Inexpensive Features
Pros
- Easy setup
- Rust-resistant
- Rust-resistant
Cons
- Bulbs not included
- Lacks advanced options (which could be what you want)
Specs
- Connection: Hardwired
- Built-in camera: No
- Lumens: Depends on the bulbs you use
- Control options: Switch on and off
If you’re renting or don’t plan to turn your house into a permanent home, save money with a budget-friendly floodlight. This is simply a lighting fixture for two bulbs of your choosing (not included). Set-up is easy with a few screws, and the housing is rust-resistant. It lacks fancy options and has no motion detectors or timers, but sometimes all you need is a light. For those who want colored lights and voice-assistant support, you can always get smart bulbs that fit into the fixture’s sockets and easily link to your Wi-Fi network and smartphone. Keep in mind: Smart bulbs will cost about three times as much as the fixture itself. You can also use bug-resistant yellow bulbs—or any bulbs you want! If money is an issue, buy basic bulbs, which should only cost about $10.
What to consider when buying the best floodlights
Ready to buy the best floodlight and keep your home safe and bright? Before marching into the home store with a fistful of cash, think about where you want to mount it and how you’ll use it. The security lighting options can be overwhelming, so take your time and read through the specifications to ensure the outdoor floodlight will do exactly what you want it to do. Here’s what to know before pressing “add to cart” on the best floodlight:
Do you want an all-in-one security system?
The best outdoor floodlight can become an entire smart home security system with the right options. Motion detection is a common feature for floodlights, and it may be enough to deter criminals and pesky neighbors. But if you want a higher level of security, arm your home with floodlights equipped with cameras and alarms. These feature-rich camera floodlights are surprisingly easy to set up and maintain. Smartphone apps give you complete control of the lights and video footage, with alerts to tell you when something outside seems suspicious. Whether you need all the bells and whistles depends on how you’ll use them. For top-level security and peace of mind, it’s best to go all-in with a floodlight/camera hybrid. These models may be more expensive, and there may be monthly charges for video data storage, but it’s a small price to pay for total home security.
Does the floodlight need wiring?
If installing a floodlight for the first time, you must consider the power supply. While it’s easy to mount a floodlight fixture to a home with simple brackets, the lights need dependable power. That usually means hardwiring the lights. It sounds daunting, but if you have a free weekend and the right tools, wiring a new exterior light is fairly straightforward. Be careful, read all the instructions, and make sure you know what you’re doing before putting holes in the aluminum siding. Better yet, hire a pro. For those who don’t want to be bothered with wiring, there are battery-powered and solar-powered options that provide the same amount of light.
Will the floodlight take a beating from the outdoor elements?
Outdoor floodlights should always be weather resistant. Rain, snow, high winds, and poorly aimed soccer balls add wear and tear. If the floodlight is exposed to fluctuating temperatures and inclement weather, ensure the bulbs won’t break and the housing won’t leak. The ruggedness of a floodlight is measured in International Protection (IP) units. Most floodlights have an IP rating above 45, which is good enough for average climates that experience rain, snow, and ice. For those exposed to extreme weather, shop for a light with an IP rating above 64.
How bright do you want the light?
Even super-bright LEDs use only a small amount of power. That’s why lights are measured in lumens, not watts. The best floodlight will be above 700 lumens, while anything over 2,000 lumens will give you all the brightness you need. If you’re using it as security lighting, brighter is better. Many bright outdoor security lights can be easily adjusted and dimmed to find the right blast of “gotcha!” for home protection. However, if the floodlight is used for more mundane purposes, such as illuminating a path or highlighting your home, 2,000 lumens is much too bright. For instance, landscape lights average around 150 lumens, giving your property a classy glow instead of a blinding shine.
How many do you need?
Besides lumens, the biggest factor for finding the best floodlight is position. Think about the height and angle of the light. Most floodlights spread out to cover 120 degrees. Spotlights, on the other hand, focus the light to within 45 degrees. Floodlights come in pairs to provide overlapped lighting the beams overlap each other to cover more space and eliminate some shadows. When trying to light a corner of the home or yard, ensure the house or overhanging roof won’t block the beam of light, the motion detector, or obstruct the video camera. Look for potential blind spots. For complete coverage, you may need multiple mounted at different, strategic positions.
FAQs
Depending on the features, a floodlight can cost you between $10 to upwards of $170.
The number of lumens needed for an outdoor floodlight is between 700 and 2,5000. That said, 700 lumens may be too dim for security purposes and is designed more for decoration and lighting walkways. When in doubt, go for anything above 2,000 lumens. Security lights should be bright enough to deter would-be criminals effectively. To capture high-quality video with a security camera, you’ll need 2,000 lumens of crime-stopping power. For wide-open spaces and fields, we recommend a 5,000-lumen light or brighter. And always think about angles and positions: The light should cover your property but shouldn’t be shining into your neighbor’s windows. You also may need multiple lights to eliminate blind spots.
To choose the best outdoor floodlight, answer one question: Do you want video or not? Floodlights equipped with cameras can be more expensive, and there may be monthly data storage charges. However, that extra expense is well worth it if the floodlight is meant for home security. If you don’t need a camera/floodlight combo, opt for one with quality motion detection and lighting options. There are plenty of non-camera floodlights that still have useful features, such as timers and smartphone functionality. And if none of that matters, and all you want is a simple light, you shouldn’t spend more than $30 for a basic floodlight with standard motion detection.
A 30W LED floodlight will provide about 2,600 lumens of light. That’s roughly equal to a 300W halogen floodlight, which is plenty for outdoor security use. Remember: Wattage doesn’t matter too much for LED lights. Energy-efficient LEDs only require a small amount of power. That’s why it’s best to look at the lumens instead of the wattage. The low-energy requirement of LED lights also means solar floodlights still have enough juice for big, bright light output.
Final thoughts on the best floodlights
- Best overall: Blink Wired Floodlight Camera
- Best for property managers: GLORIOUS-LITE Floodlight
- Best for non-electricians: Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera
- Best energy-conscious: LEPOWER Solar Security Lights
- Best budget: Lithonia Outdoor Floodlight
What’s the best floodlight for your backyard and driveway? Basically, how you choose to light your outdoor space depends on whether you need a camera or if you just need a light. Security lights armed with HD cameras and alarms are becoming increasingly popular. They are user-friendly, and if disaster strikes, the footage can be critical. Alerts and two-way voice communication are handy security features you won’t find in standard floodlights. All those high-tech features come with a higher price point. If you need a basic floodlight for the backyard or driveway, choose a simple lighting fixture that is easy to install and maintain. Knowing your options means you’ll easily find the right light for your home.
