Best Solar Security Light – Top 6 Choices Reviewed

Going green is good and being secure is even better, but is solar security light any good? What purpose does it serve, and for whom?

It’s not like a set of solar security lights will absolutely protect your home from intruders. Bulwarking your house with bulletproof doors and windows, even walls, is hands down the most dependable safeguard you can install.

But you will still want an option to divert potential burglars or thieves before they pull up their firearms. Security lights are an elegant solution for that. When equipped with a sensor, they go off at the slightest motion of a living creature. And the best thing is that they don’t cost an arm and a leg.

Where (and How) to Use Solar Security Lights?

The prevalent purpose of motion detecting solar lights is protecting your home, backyard, garage, porch, and/or any other outdoor space.

Note that the key point here is protection. If that’s not what you’re after, you may settle for LED spotlights or solar lanterns. They are also green and cost-effective ways to illuminate various spaces. With all or any of them, you will spend your money only once. No electricity bills to worry about!

Solar security lights are meant for protection because they contain a motion detector that makes them go off when they observe that someone is moving. That makes them an excellent choice to protect your jobsite, RV, summer house, or even off-grid retreat.

However, not everything about them necessarily screams “protection”. Solar lights are also a great option to, say, light up your path and help you find your way home. Overseeing your dog as they go about their business will also be much easier. Since the lights only go off when motion is detected, your neighbors won’t hate you. And the lights won’t run out of energy exactly when you need them the most. Most options we’ve seen are also pretty stylish. So, if you’re into landscaping, these won’t hurt your elegant arrangements.

But even though they are a very convenient solution, you will still need to make sure they work well enough in your area. Is there enough sunlight? To get the most out of this device, install it face south.

If that doesn’t work, you can still get a solar security light that runs on an additional power source. For example, a rechargeable battery. 

6 Top Picks for Solar Security Light

1. LITOM Original Solar Lights – Editor’s Choice

This option is probably the safest bet when it comes to solar security lights. Not only are they very affordable, but they also offer an amazing range of features that will add an extra layer of safety to your home.

First off, the brand is renowned indeed, and not only because they claim they are. The product employs a very wide detection range, covering 270 degrees and illuminating 200 square feet per single light. If your home with the yard is a spacious one, grab a 4-pack and you’ll be able to cover 800 square feet.

Secondly, its power management is very effective with this solar security light. During the day, it will absorb sunlight, convert it into electricity, and store it. When the night comes, it will light up for 20 seconds when it detects the first motion. If there’s another motion, the lighting will be automatically prolonged, giving you enough time to react. That is, of course, if you choose the sensor mode. If you don’t need them for security, you can opt for two other modes and just use them as regular solar lights.

Thirdly, it’s an excellent choice for outdoor areas as it’s IP65 waterproof. In plain English, it means that you can shoot water from a nozzle at it, for longer than 15 minutes. Whatever the angle, the lights will withstand it.

Or you can consider getting this upgraded model, which is IP67 waterproof, as well as resistant to heat and frost.

Pros

• Works at wide angle (270 degrees)
• Very bright indeed (even on medium work mode)
• One light covers 200 square feet
• IP65 waterproof
• Three working modes for different purposes
• Great cost/benefit ratio
• The setup is foolproof
• Amazing customer support

Cons

• May not work as well in areas with less sunlight

2. URPOWER Solar Lights Wireless Waterproof Motion Sensor Outdoor Light

This 4-pack actually contains 8 LED lights, but that’s not the main reason why it’s a great purchase. You can use it as a security light that goes off when there’s motion, as sensor lights to light up your way home, and as classic solar garden lights. It doesn’t have a dim mode though, which would help spare some of the energy. So, that’s something to be desired.

However, during the day the lights will automatically switch off as the panels accumulate energy. Plus, it only takes 6 to 8 hours to charge them fully, which will suffice even during short winters.

The motion sensor has a detection range of 120 degrees. Significantly less than with the above LITOM model, but quite enough if you arrange the four lights adequately. It’s a PIR (Passive InfraRed) sensor, which means it works by detecting body heat. In other words, you’ll be pretty safe with this device, at least until burglars start using robots!

Pros

• Weatherproof (IP65)
• Durable
• Very bright
• Good customer support
• Reasonably priced

Cons

• The detection range could have been a bit wider
• No dim mode

3. Baxia Technology BX-SL-101 Solar Lights

The PIR sensor’s motion detection angle of this unit is 120 degrees. Not great, not terrible! 

But the real strength of this 4-pack lies in its 28 ultra-bright, solar powered LEDs. Once motion is detected, the lights will turn on and illuminate the area for about 30 seconds. There is no dim mode with this model either. While that may sound like an obvious con, it’s also a bit of a benefit, since it preserves energy.

The 180-day limited guarantee period means that the company is pretty confident in their product.

Pros

• IP65 waterproof
• 30-day full refund
• 180-day limited warranty
• Good customer support

Cons

• The detection range could have been a bit wider
• No dim mode

4. LEPOWER 1600LM LED Solar Security Lights

Here’s a unit advertised as a perfect solution even for areas with insufficient sunlight. How come? Because its solar panel is made of amorphous silicon which can catch whatever light there is. True, it may not be enough to last the entire night, but it’s still better than having a pack of lights that never shine.

Another feature worth noting is that you can adjust the motion sensor. If it’s too sensitive and goes off all the time while facing the street, you can tune it down a bit. The light stays on for up to 120 seconds, but you can tweak that too.

Last but not least, the product is ETL (Edison Testing Labs) certified, which means it meets safety standards.

Note, however, that you should position the light heads horizontally, since that’s how the sensor works best.

Pros

• High-quality LED lights from Samsung, anti-glare and soft on the eyes
• Durable lights (up to 50,000 hours lifespan)
• Pretty wide detection angle (180 degrees)
• Good for areas with little sunlight
• IP65 waterproof
• Very adjustable
• ETL safety standard
• 12-month warranty

Cons

• Not the best customer support (judging by some complaints)

5. Lemontec 62 LED Nightlight with Motion Sensor Detector

This thing has a whopping 62 LED lights. That not only accounts for brightness, but also leaves plenty of wiggle room even if a dozen of those die off. The sensor is a standard PIR type, which makes sense in this price range. 

Three working modes are a convenient feature. There’s dim light when there’s no motion and bright light triggered by motion. But if you don’t want to fiddle with these modes or won’t use these for security, you can use the auto mode. This set-and-forget option will turn the lights on automatically at night and off at sunrise.

Pros

• Bright enough even on dim light mode
• Very versatile (three working modes)
• Excellent cost-benefit ratio
• Seven hours of charging by day gives up to twelve hours of light by night
• The set contains 62 LED lights
• Great customer service

Cons

• Installation could have been a bit easier

6. DrawGreen Outdoor Solar Motion Light

Most manufacturers will greet you with various promises, but not many of them will guarantee you a free replacement within the first 160 weeks (that’s about three years!) if anything goes wrong. If the replacement doesn’t work either, you should be able get your money back to the last penny. At least that’s what they say.

And that doesn’t surprise me. This manufacturer seems to be a rather unknown player on the market, so it only makes sense that they should put in some extra effort to deserve our trust.

But why exactly should you consider this product apart from its returnability? Its features are pretty impressive. The detection (and lighting) angle comprises a whopping 360 degrees. Apart from the usual automatic light-off mode, it also has a dim light mode, in case that one suits you better. 

Another feature that singles out these lights is the fact that they look like a camera. Even if you don’t own a home security camera, any unwanted visitors would likely think otherwise.

Pros

• 360 degrees sensing and lighting angle
• 50,000 hours lifespan
• 160-week free replacement or 100% money-back guarantee
• A single charge may last for 3-4 days on dim-light mode when there’s no sunlight

Cons

• The manufacturer is anonymous
• Motion sensitivity isn’t adjustable
• A bit on the pricier side