Solar Motion Light
Today we’re going to tell you all about solar powered motion lights and why they’re such an efficient and cost-effective home security option for safeguarding your property at night. It can be hard to know where to start when it comes to technology that you haven’t used before. So, we’ve made sure that all of the guesswork and confusion have been taken out of it for you.
We’ve got all of the information you could ever need to understand how they work and which types are available. We’ve also compiled a list of the five best products on the market to make your life a little easier if you don’t like to perform comparison shopping. Read on for everything you need to know.
What Is a Solar Motion Light?
In its base form, this technology offers a light or series of lights that switch on as soon as motion is detected in the area. Precisely how it lights up depends entirely on the mechanism used to make the unit operate (as we’ll soon discuss) but the benefits on offer are the same either way. With a solar motion sensor light, you’ve got added functionality in the form of the inbuilt solar technology which collects and stores energy from the sun throughout the day to then use it at night in order to power the inbuilt lighting and sensor.
The main benefit here is that once the product is in place, you don’t need to pay anything to keep it running because the energy source (the sun) is an always-on, always available fuel source. This makes for hassle-free installation, daily operation, and utility cost management.
With a sun fueled motion sensor lighting unit in place, you can simply sit back at night safe in the knowledge that any would-be intruder who steps onto your property is immediately going to be lit up to you and everyone else in the area. This serves as an enormous theft deterrent.
How Does a Solar Motion Security Light Work?
Lighting options like this draw their power from the sun using a series of cleverly designed cells that are designed to soak up and channel photon rays. These cells (known as photovoltaic cells) are typically made out of silicon and are positioned on the exterior of a property so that they’re fully exposed to the sun throughout the day.
When photon rays from the core of the sun travel to the earth and hit a cell panel, the inbuilt technology then absorbs them following which their separate elements are broken down and the ensuing electricity from this process is then sent around a circuit via an integrated inverter.
The circuit in this instance channels electricity into a combination of an inbuilt motion sensor unit and LED bulbs to both detect motion and produce light as soon as the sensor unit triggers. This makes for a highly effective visual deterrent against anyone considering a break-in.
How to Choose a Solar Motion Light
This section is all about helping you to understand the key areas to compare when you’re shopping for the best solar motion light for your property. Getting something that’s effective, budget-friendly, and completely compatible with your residence is a must. Before you make any purchase decisions, consider all of the following areas.
How bright are the bulbs?
We measure light capacity in something known as lumens. Lumens refers to the amount of light that a bulb can produce when it’s switched on. Precisely how much light you need depends on the size of the area you wish to cover. Think about the size of the area you want to illuminate carefully before making a final product decision.
What type of motion sensor does it use?
Not all motion sensors are the same and many products will feature either one type or the other. Available to you are microwave sensors and infrared sensors. They’re both highly effective but the microwave variant can cover a wider area compared to infrared. Some products have a combination of the two. It’s worth noting that microwave-based variants are more expensive, as are the combined sensor models, so consider this aspect as part of your product decision-making process.
Charge time vs use time
This is one of the most important areas to think about if you really want to get the most out of your solar motion light. Usually, a light can function for anywhere from 6 to 10 hours on a full 8-hour charge but these time frames can vary massively. Consider the daylight and nighttime hours in your area throughout the year and try to plan for the worst-case scenarios to guarantee that your chosen light will always be charged and ready for when it’s needed.
Weather resistance
Your motion light needs to be able to withstand the elements if it’s going to remain effective over a long period of time. In some areas, the threat presented by the weather is enormous so only the best quality products will cut it. Check the level of weather resistance offered by your intended option (especially the waterproof rating) in the manufacturer’s specifications to ensure that it’s going to be able to provide your home with constant protection throughout the year, regardless of the weather.
Installation method
One of the major benefits of this technology is that it usually involves a hassle-free installation process because there’s no need for complicated wiring to connect to grid power. That’s not always the case though if the instructions aren’t clear. Try to view the instructions for your intended item online first to ensure that you’re definitely going to be able to fully understand them and make install the product. If it looks too complicated, it’d be best to go for something else instead.
Style
There are quite literally hundreds of solar motion light designs available to suit the different needs of any homeowner and make them blend in seamlessly with the existing decor. It’s worth taking the time to find something that’ll be the “perfect” match because it’s definitely out there.
Brands
Shopping based on a well-known brand name can be a great way to ensure that you’re getting a high-quality item that won’t let you down. The following manufacturers are all producing some of the highest-grade items in the solar-powered motion lighting market: DrawGreen, LITOM, LAMPAT, A-Zone, Hmcity, LEPOWER, BEAUTIKEN, AmeriTop. Any product purchased from the above list of manufacturers will be sure to lead to the utmost customer satisfaction.
Top 5 Best Solar Motion Lights
In this section, we’re going to share with you the five options that we feel offer the absolute best solar motion light solutions that you’ll find anywhere on the market. They have all been selected because they’re strong in a particular area, they are also all fantastic general all-round options as well that robustly tick pretty much every box there is for an effective sun fueled motion detector-based lighting solution.
5. LECLSTAR Solar Motion Sensor Light Outdoor
This highly robust, super-bright 1800 lumen output unit offers a high level of efficiency, durability, and convenience thanks to its weatherproof housing and easy installation process that’ll be easy to work with for even the least manually minded of people. The integrated 268 bulbs pack an enormous punch and the respectable range of the motion sensor means that you’ll be able to light up an intruder from afar with total ease.
All you need to do after installation is sit back and allow the unit to collect natural sunlight then it’ll automatically do its job. The individual unit price is a little expensive but there’s a decent discount available on a two-pack. Other than that, there’s not much here to complain about. The high-quality housing is weather and tamper-proof enough to last for years.
Pros
- Offers an excellent level of brightness
- Durable product housing will last for years
- The two-pack is excellent value
- Easy to install
Cons
- Single unit price is quite expensive
- Might be too bright for more intimate locations
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4. Home Zone Security Solar Down Light
This product offers a slightly different take on the solar motion lighting concept by presenting its integrated bulbs in a stylish circular down lighting unit that will complement certain home exteriors more effectively. What’s great about this versatile unit is that it’s not only nice looking with inbuilt lighting that does its intended job effectively without being too invasive, but it also enhances the ambiance of a porch or doorway set up nicely due to the way it blends into the location in a subtle manner.
The high level of weather resistance safeguards against potential element damage and the included warranty offers total peace of mind in case anything unexpected happens during the first 12 months of use. It’s a great all-round package with an excellent lighting capacity and versatility.
Pros
- A quirky, alternative design to most traditional products
- Offers a high level of visibility in a subtle and stylish manner
- Easily accessible solar panel for maximum ray uptake
- Robust and durable unit
Cons
- Might not be as bright as some alternative options
- The design won’t work well in all situations
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3. Auzev 56 LED Remote Solar Lights Outdoor
This remote-controlled solar security light solution offers maximum practicality and efficiency at a super reasonable price point that’s sure to please the pockets of any would-be user. There are even a couple of color varieties thrown into the mix to suit style preferences too.
These lights come attached to rods that can be easily mounted on the exterior of a property and angled for maximum visibility to ensure that anyone stepping onto your property is immediately well-illuminated thanks to the 800-lumen output. The high level of weather resistance means no damage from the elements over time and the three different lighting modes only serve to enhance the practicality of this unit, thanks, to you being able to tailor the visibility to suit your preferences and the current level of lighting outside with the remote.
Pros
- Easy to install and adjust
- The included remote makes it a breeze to use
- 800-lumen output offers excellent visibility
- Weatherproof rating is high enough to shrug off most weather risks
Cons
- Plastic frame looks a little thin
- If the remote breaks then the functionality of the product will be compromised
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2. LEPOWER 35W LED Security Lights Motion Sensor Light Outdoor
This is the perfect option for property owners who want the maximum level of brightness possible in conjunction with an excellent premium build quality that’ll quite literally last for years of extended outdoor use. Coming in two style varieties (black and white), this wall mountable unit offers three adjustable light heads to ensure that your property is covered in every direction and the 3500-lumen output means that any intruder will be highlighted from afar (up to a massive 72 feet.)
The long-term cost savings you’ll make from using this hugely efficient unit are enormous and could see your bills cut down by up to 80%, plus there’s an included warranty that’ll cover you for the first 12 months of use. There’s not much not to like here.
Pros
- Offers an enormous level of brightness
- Very low cost for the quality on offer
- 72-foot range is bigger than many alternative products
- Comes in two different color options
Cons
- Very bulky unit might be quite invasive on some property exteriors
- The level of brightness may be too much in some smaller locations
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1. SEZAC Solar Security Lights Solar Motion Sensor Lights
This super high-value 6-pack of motion sensor lights offers optimum functionality and an easy installation process to provide you with hassle-free access to solar-powered security lighting. The cost is low too considering the number of lights and high level of functionality on offer here. There are three lighting modes to guarantee optimal functionality at all times and the excellent weatherproof rating means that there’s almost no risk of damage from the elements whatsoever.
The ABS plastic build will also resist any impact damage or being tampered with by critters. The ultra-bright lighting offers more than enough luminance to deter any would-be intruder with ease and the easy to install wall mountable units are a breeze to work with straight out of the box.
Pros
- Very easy to install
- Durable housing can’t be damaged easily
- Bulbs are bright enough to offer excellent security
- Cheap price for the great 6 pack value
Cons
- Bulbs are good quality but not as bright as some other models
- No style variations
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Pros and Cons of Solar Motion Lights
In this section, we’ll summarize the various reasons why using solar motion lighting is great, and a few reasons why you might want to reconsider before making a purchase.
Pros
- It’ll save you lots of money (up to 80%) on your utility bills in the long term
- It’s easy to install
- There are lots of different designs available
- The energy produced by the lighting is green and doesn’t harm the atmosphere
- You’ll never have to worry about power outages because the sun is always “on”
- There are no fire hazards
- They offer convenient home security
- They’re much cheaper than traditional hard-wired options
Cons
- They aren’t usually as bright as a mains powered option
- They’re not usually as durable as some traditional hard-wired products
- Remote controlled products can be compromised if the remote is damaged
- Though reliable, any damage often means total replacement rather than a quick repair
Overall, these are the main reasons for and against using this kind of technology.
Conclusion
We hope that you now feel fully equipped to be able to choose the most effective solar powered motion lighting option for use at your home. Any of the products in our top five list will provide you with an excellent level of visibility for a reasonable cost, along with an easy installation process that won’t lead to any hassle as per a hard-wired option. Switch to solar-powered motion lighting now for a future of highly economic, efficient, and green home security.
