Best solar motion light

These solar motion lights will help illuminate your property while cutting back your power bill.

Best solar motion lights
(Image credit: @Khashayar Kouchpeydeh on Unsplash)

Solar motion lights are an affordable and convenient way of lighting up your property without inflating your utility bills. Besides, they work their magic to scare off trespassers and intruders. These lights are charged by the sun during the day and turn on automatically at dusk or whenever motion is detected. The one-time initial cost factor, in addition to the low maintenance, make solar motion lights a worthy investment. Wondering where to begin? Here’s a roundup of the best options on the market right now. 

Staff pick

Aootek outdoor solar motion sensor lights

(Image credit: Aootek)

Aootek outdoor solar motion sensor lights

Light-reflecting design reduces lighting loss

With the right settings, these lights can stay dim until motion is detected.

Pros:

  • Three lighting modes
  • Wide-angle illumination
  • Smart brightness control

Cons:

  • Small, recessed control button

Powered directly by a sleek 15.3-inch solar panel, these Aootek solar motion lights are great for illuminating any outdoor space. If movement is detected within 26 feet, the lights automatically turn on for about 15 seconds before turning off. Alternatively, you can use the all-night setting to keep the lights on during the evening. It's advised that the lights be positioned about 10 feet apart to minimize interference. These tough little guys are also weatherproofed and can withstand extreme conditions unscathed.

Compact

URPOWER outdoor solar lights

(Image credit: Amazon)

URPOWER outdoor solar lights

These will stay on for about 30 seconds after motion detection

These solar lights' narrow form factor makes them easy to install anywhere.

Pros:

  • 120-degree lighting angle
  • Each light has 40 LED beads
  • Compact form factor

Cons:

  • Not the brightest

With a 16 to 26-foot motion detection range and 120-degree downward lighting, these compact lights are the perfect size for decks or patio posts and poles. Each light panel has 40 high-quality LEDs that stay on for about 30 seconds after motion is detected. 

Ultra bright

AmeriTop 2-in-1 outdoor solar lights

(Image credit: AmeriTop)

AmeriTop 2-in-1 outdoor solar lights

Customize light duration after motion detection

With an output of 1600 lumens, this fixture will provide an impressive amount of light wherever you need it.

Pros:

  • Three-head design for wide-angle illumination
  • Adjustable lighting direction
  • Ultra-bright
  • Long motion detection range

Cons:

  • Flimsy mounting hardware

When it comes to smart motion detection, this floodlight is an absolute favorite. It can detect motion up to 49 feet away and within a 180-degree angle. You also get the freedom to set the timer for 20, 30, or 60 seconds after motion is detected. The innovative wide-angle illumination design means that more of your yard will be lit up. Plus, the three light heads can be adjusted downward, upward, and horizontally.

Rotatable light

DrawGreen DG08-A solar outdoor motion sensor

(Image credit: Amazon)

DrawGreen DG08-A solar outdoor motion sensor

One of the brightest spotlights

For excellent energy absorption and illumination, the solar panel and light holders are both adjustable.

Pros:

  • Durable aluminum alloy shell
  • Motion detection between 20 to 26 feet
  • Stays on for 20 seconds after motion detection
  • Comes in black and white color options

Cons:

  • Solar panel can only tilt up and down

This light features a unique industrial aesthetic thanks to the aluminum alloy housing that can last anywhere between three to five years. Even better, the light head rotates a whopping 360 degrees while the solar panel adjusts across a few angles. As such, you'll get maximum energy absorption and the best illumination or sensing angle. To save energy, the light stays off during the day, is dim at night, and lights up super bright whenever motion is detected. 

Wall sconce

LUTEC Curtis LED solar motion wall light

(Image credit: Amazon)

LUTEC Curtis LED solar motion wall light

Stylish, clean design

Built in LEDs shine brightly through the opal diffuser so you can enjoy your patio or front stoop well into the evening.

Pros:

  • Simple yet elegant
  • Robust aluminum frame
  • Three lighting modes
  • IP54 waterproof

Cons:

  • Decorative, not the brightest

The LUTEC Curtis solar light is a stunning modern outdoor light with a motion-detecting range of up to 39 feet and within a 120-degree range. This attractive design has 16 LEDs that emit a brilliant light. The LEDs are housed in an opal diffuser, which helps to produce a pleasant, warm light. A square aluminum frame provides a platform for the solar panel while shielding the light from the elements.

The bottom line

Why you can trust Gardeningetc Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

The best solar lights are those that have the longest motion detection distance, decent light coverage, and a few other additional cool features based on your needs. 

Hands down, the Aootek outdoor solar motion sensor lights are one of the options on the market. These lights offer three different lighting modes and are powered by a sleek solar panel that adds to their overall aesthetic.

For ambient lighting, we really loved the LUTEC Curtis LED solar motion wall light. This modern wall sconce gives off a decent warm light, perfect for beautifully illuminating your outdoors. And, the sleek design means that the light blends pretty well with both modern and older house styles. 

Why trust us?

At GardeningEtc, we recommend the best products to enhance your life. As expert curators, we handpick products based on quality and usefulness to positively impact your day-to-day, from cart to doorstep. We take our responsibility seriously — testing products, reading reviews, and sourcing knowledgeable outlets to ensure our selections are worthy of your time and money. We deliver detailed product overviews, balancing objective information with subjective opinions, so making the best choice for your home and lifestyle is as easy as possible.

Grace Monene is an avid writer with a keen eye for home and office improvement. She has a knack for finding the best little things that will improve the quality of indoor and outdoor living. When she's not writing, you will typically find her reading or testing out the latest technology.