The ‘pattern’ of a light refers to how it disperses. Incandescent lights produce a warm hue, while fluorescent lamps create a very pale white. Many LED light bulbs can be controlled out of the box to create different colors of light using a remote controller or an app. The hue of the light can be manipulated most easily with LEDs. The mercury inside them is bad for the environment if not disposed of properly. They are much more efficient (and more expensive) than incandescent lights, but the running cost is minimal. They are largely being phased out, so good luck finding a new motion detector light with one!Ī chemical reaction inside a fluorescent lamp or tube causes mercury vapors to make a phosphor coating glow from ultraviolet light. They are less efficient than both LED and fluorescent lights since lots of the energy is lost as heat.

The oldest of the bunch, incandescent bulbs create light by heating a wire filament until it glows. They are, however, more expensive to buy. They are brighter and last much longer than other types of light bulbs. LEDīy far the most common type of bulb used in motion detector lights, LEDs produce light using diodes that electricity passes through. There’s three main types of motion light bulb available on the market, each with its own pros and cons. What is IP65? Head to our article discussing all things ingress protection and learn why IP ratings are important for outdoor products.

For outside, opt for an option with a rating of at least IP65, which means the product has undergone testing against low pressure water jets and is completely protected from dust ingress.

This is a solid indication of how waterproof a product is. WeatherproofingĪre the lights going to be used outside? If so, choose an option that has an IP rating. When choosing motion sensor lights, there’s four main preferences to consider. Not to mention, a motion sensor security light serves as a reliable visual warning sign of a home invasion.Īs far as burglar deterrence goes, the presence of dogs on the property, overt placement of security cameras in inaccessible places, and alarms are all more useful. Motion detector lights indoor and outdoors help increase visibility in and around the home so that security cameras won’t miss a beat. Yes, motion detector lights are worth it, but the benefit of outdoor security lighting is how it works in conjunction with cameras. Placement should be mindful of opaque materials. If an intruder crossed the property by skirting around or entering a glass greenhouse, for instance, motion detector lights outdoors might miss this. Motion detection is a great way to keep lights off when no one is around, but be wary of the fact that some materials (namely glass) aren’t transparent to infrared. This information is then sent to the light, which turns on once movement passes a certain threshold. Rapidly shifting readings indicate movement. Motion detector lights work by using a passive motion sensor, which monitors changes in the amount of infrared in the environment. Motion detector lights and security systems typically use passive motion sensing because it can detect changes in the environment based on the temperatures that humans radiate. Passive motion sensors detect infrared energy, hence the alternative name ‘PIR’ (passive infrared). For instance, once a customer obstructs a light beam at the entrance of a store, the sensor detects their presence. They detect a change in the environment by producing a light, sound, or microwave. Active Motion SensorĪctive motion sensors are typically used in stores. There are two types of motion sensor: active and passive.

Best Motion Detector Lights by Product Type.

Best outdoor motion sensor lights