Many outdoor security lights require hardwiring into an electrical supply box, which can make installation complicated or impossible.ĭepending on where you want to put outdoor security lights, the power source can be a big factor. This might seem like an odd question to ask, but it’s not always simple to provide power to every outside location on your property that needs security. It comes down to what matters more to you-cheaper upfront cost or long-term energy efficiency. Plus, you’ll probably change out an incandescent bulb about 20 times before you’d have to swap out an LED bulb. About 90% of the energy it takes to turn on an incandescent lightbulb generates heat instead of light, which translates into more dollars on your power bill. You’ll pay less for incandescent bulbs at the checkout counter, and they’ll get the job done, but they do it at a much higher energy cost. These are the lightbulbs that appear above a cartoon character’s head when they have an idea-and probably the kind you grew up with. It’s important to weigh your long-term savings against the more expensive upfront cost before skipping LEDs. If you pick up an LED floodlight bulb, it’s even more expensive-about $5 per bulb compared to around $2 for standard LEDs. But they do cost more up front (between three and five times more than incandescent bulbs), which leads some folks to pass them up. LEDs deliver bright light without eating up electricity-and they can last up to five times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.

These are the most cost-efficient bulbs for outdoor security lighting. It can be a delicate balance, but we’ve got the highlights about each lightbulb option below.

You want to keep your home and property safe, but you don’t want outdoor security to put you in the poorhouse.Īt the same time, you don’t want to skimp on illumination to save a buck. You’re looking for two things when it comes to a bulb for your outdoor security light: energy consumption and brightness. Spotlights are a good choice to help light up a door or pathway for safe passage (and entry) after the sun sets.

Most of the spotlights on our list have multiple heads so that you can shine a narrow beam in various directions at once. They also provide superbright illumination in areas like garages or sheds where you may need some extra light after the sun sets.Īlmost the opposite of floodlights, spotlights project a narrow, focused beam of light directly onto one area. They’re an excellent choice for large yards and fields. These lights are meant to literally “flood” an area with light. This is a valuable feature to have in an outdoor security light because you know it’s doing its job even when you’re away from home or fast asleep.įloodlights are useful for outdoor security because of their broad beam and high-intensity illumination. Motion sensor lights do exactly what their name implies-they detect motion and light up to either get you safely to the door or scare off an intruder. To help you figure out which one is best for you, we break down the most common types below. When it comes to outdoor security lights, there are a few types that dominate the marketplace because they deliver the most security and value.

Outdoor flood lights