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The best outdoor security floodlights: Expert recommended
Outdoor floodlights can deter lurkers, alert you of unwanted visitors, and provide the convenience of a well-lit exterior for nightly trash runs. The best outdoor security floodlights offer flexible programming with dusk-to-dawn modes, motion detectors, and adjustable brightness to give you a customizable experience.
Also: Everything you need for smart home security
We've gone hands-on with some of the best floodlights on the market that can brighten up your dull outdoor space and offer the best protection features for your home, no matter your installation requirements.
What is the best floodlight right now?
Our top pick for the best floodlight is the Eufy Security E340 because it combines high brightness and ease of use with the added security bonus of a dual camera with both a telephoto and a wide-angle lens for even more versatility. We selected other outdoor lighting options based on performance and value so you can find something that fits your budget and needs.
The best floodlights of 2024
- No monthly fees for camera features
- Can operate continuously
- Adjustable motion sensor reduces unwanted activation
- Ambient light setting
- Prone to false alarms
- Must be hardwired
The Eufy Security E340 floodlight is one of the market's most compelling outdoor security floodlights, with two LED light panels that emit 2000 lumens. The E340 is part of a lineup of Eufy devices with two motion-tracking cameras, a 2K telephoto to capture details up to 50 feet away, and a 3K wide-angle camera that captures all the action.
Having tested this and other competitor products for the past few months, I've determined this is the best option for a smart outdoor security floodlight. I keep mine in the ambient setting each night on a schedule so we can have outdoor illumination from dusk until we go to bed.
Review: Eufy Security E340
This floodlight camera stores footage locally in the Eufy Security Homebase S380 or on a 128-GB microSD card, eliminating the need to pay monthly fees. The dual-camera floodlight requires a hardwired installation and can be mounted on a wall or ceiling or installed in a junction box.
Buyer reviews offer mixed opinions on performance, but some mention that the camera can be prone to false alerts, which I have experienced, too. Adjusting the sensitivity initially helped, but subsequent firmware updates to my device appear to have also solved most of this problem.
Eufy Security E340 tech specs: Price: $220 | Brightness: 2000lm | Color temperature: 4000K Installation: Hardwired | Weatherproof rating: IP65 | Motion detection range: 50ft | Extra features: 3K Dual Lens camera, PTZ, 24/7 recording
- Good brightness at 2600 lumens
- Built-in siren
- Alexa integration
- Must be hardwired
- Camera is only 1080p
This Blink Wired Floodlight is the best floodlight and camera combo for a tight budget. If you're trying to set up a security light with in-depth surveillance in the form of a security camera, this combo is easily installed in a junction box.
The most significant benefit of this camera and floodlight combination is that you don't have to pay for an extra monthly subscription if you don't want to, as you can add a separate Blink Sync Module for local storage.
Unfortunately, a common complaint among users is that the Blink Wired Floodlight Camera easily loses connectivity. The gaps in connectivity are partly because it's only compatible with 2.4 GHz networks, which are often congested.
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This unit must be hardwired, so an existing junction box is a great place to install it. The wiring will provide constant power to the camera, so it'll always be available to check whether the lights are on or off.
Blink Wired Floodlight tech specs: Starting price: $90 | Brightness: 2600lm | Color temperature: 5000K | Installation: Wired | Weatherproof rating: N/A | Motion detection range: 30ft
- Bird's Eye View & 3D motion detection
- Dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity
- 110dB siren
- Expensive
- Requires paid subscription to unlock most features
The Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro is part of the security company's high-end Pro line of smart devices. It gives users access to Ring's Bird's Eye View and 3D Motion Detection technology.
This can be hardwired in a junction box to replace another light fixture, like a dumb floodlight, and connect it to either 2.4 or 5 GHz Wi-Fi. The only downside is that Ring requires a Ring Protect Pro subscription to unlock many extra features, like cloud storage, as this camera doesn't allow local storage.
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Buyers love the Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro's image quality and reliability in notifying motion alerts. The Ring app is intuitive, even when setting up this device's Pro features, like Bird's Eye View and 3D Motion Detection.
Like other Ring devices, the Floodlight Cam Wired Pro works seamlessly with Alexa and Echo devices, so users can stream their live feeds and get notifications on their Echo Show and Fire TV devices.
Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro tech specs: Starting price: $250 | Brightness: 2000lm | Color temperature: 3000K Installation: Hardwired | Weatherproof rating: IP65 | Motion detection range: 30ft
- Smart control
- Colors can be set via mobile app
- Hardwired installation
- More expensive than other options
- Separate Bridge required
Getting reliable floodlights to ward away unwelcome visitors is a great way to tighten the security around your home. However, they're probably not the most welcoming for trick-or-treaters or holiday carolers unless you can change the colors for different occasions.
This Philips Hue Discover Floodlight allows you to change into as many colors as you'd like, all controlled from the palm of your hand on your smartphone. This lets you change the colors to match an event or holiday or set an ambiance of dimly lit warm white to entertain rather than the ultra-bright cool blue you get with most floodlights.
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The only downside is that you need a Hue Bridge to use this floodlight's intelligent capabilities. The hub connects this set and gives it smart capabilities so that you can use it with up to 50 Philips Hue lights around your home and connect it to Alexa, HomeKit, or Google Assistant.
The lights are hard-wired to replace a conventional twin-socked driveway light. However, users also complain that this light fixture doesn't include a backplate to install flush in an external conduit box, so it's best when installed in a recessed box.
Philips Hue Discover Floodlight tech specs: Starting price: $140 | Brightness: 2300lm | Energy: 30W | Colors: Up to 16 million colors | Installation: Hard-wired | Weatherproof rating: IP44 | Motion detection range: 39ft
- Low price
- Large motion detection range
- Customize detection range
- No dusk-to-dawn setting
- App can be slow
Four D-cell batteries power these motion-activated security floodlights by Blink, while two AA lithium batteries power the camera. This means you can mount this floodlight camera anywhere you need extra light and surveillance without worrying about where you will plug it or if a solar panel will get enough energy from the sun.
Review: Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight camera
The Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight's two LED panels put out 700 lumens in brightness, which is only about half the average of what you can expect from floodlight power, but this is because it's wholly battery-powered. The higher the energy consumption, the shorter the battery life, so Blink makes the Outdoor 4 Floodlight efficient to deliver on its promise of up to two years of battery life.
Though Blink makes this enormous promise, my biggest issue is that the battery life only lasts about three months. However, my floodlights go on multiple times each night when I take the dog out or when he decides to chase a rabbit. The user sentiment in Amazon's reviews seems to agree that the battery life doesn't last more than a few weeks or months.
Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight camera tech specs: Starting price: $130 | Brightness: 700lm | Color temperature: 5000K Installation: Wall-mounted, battery-powered | Weatherproof rating: IP65 | Motion detection range: 20ft
What is the best outdoor security floodlight?
The Eufy Security E340 is the best floodlight due to its array of smart features, dual cameras with motion tracking, and the ability to opt for local storage, bypassing cloud servers. Plus, it provides these features for a reasonable price with a simple installation process.
Compare our picks for the best floodlights below based on brightness, camera, and price.
| Best Floodlights | ZDNET's take | Price | Brightness | Camera |
| Eufy Security E340 | Best overall | $220 | 2000 lumens | 2K & 3K |
| Blink Wired Floodlight Camera | Best for budget | $90 | 2600 lumens | 1080p |
| Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro | Best high-end | $250 | 2000 lumens | 1080p |
| Philips Hue Discover Floodlight | Best in full color | $115 | 2300 lumens | None |
| Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight Camera | Best battery-powered | $130 | 700 lumens | 1080p |
*MSRP at the time of writing. Please note that actual prices may vary depending on available sales, deals, discounts, and coupons.
Which outdoor security floodlights are right for you?
The Eufy Security E340 Floodlight won the top spot in our list thanks to its combination of brightness with camera versatility, smart capabilities, ease of installation, and durability; but the truth is some of these features may be more or less important to you than others.
If you're looking for small security lights for a backdoor of a townhome, for example, the Eufy E340 lights are probably overkill and may benefit from looking into Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlights instead. If you already have a Hue hub, then Philips Hue's Discover Floodlights are probably a better fit for your needs.
Either way, our goal is to show you how the best options on the market compare so you can make an informed decision and, ultimately, a purchase you can be happy with.
| Choose this floodlight... | If you need... |
| Eufy Security E340 | A motion tracking security solution that illuminates and captures any movement up to 50 feet away |
| Blink Wired Floodlight Camera | An affordable floodlight and camera combo for an area that doesn't require motion tracking |
| Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro | A set of floodlights and camera with Pro features to fit seamlessly into your Ring ecosystem |
| Philips Hue Discover Floodlight | Color floodlights and the advantage of getting started in the Philips Hue ecosystem |
| Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight Camera | Motion-triggered floodlights for a side yard or small space where you don't need as much brightness |
Factors to consider when choosing security floodlights:
To choose the best outdoor security floodlights for your home and specific needs, it's worth looking for a combination of features and considering the following factors:
- Modes of installation: Installing a floodlight in your home is not always an easy task, so look at different installation methods, including hard-wiring, battery-operated mount options, and solar power options, depending on where you're planning on installing it.
- Brightness: Floodlights are meant to be super bright to illuminate darker areas of your home's exterior/property, but some areas don't require much brightness. We looked at floodlights with high lumens to provide the best brightness and lower-lumen options for smaller yards.
- Weather resistance: Since floodlights reside outside your home, they must be weather resistant to all kinds of natural elements. Please pay attention to options with waterproof IP ratings; most of our options are rated IP65, meaning the lights can withstand most outdoor enclosures with exposure to rain.
- Pricing: Floodlight costs can vary greatly, so we chose options at various prices to find something for every budget. ZDNET's top floodlights range in price from $90 to $250. But there are alternatives to consider that are cheaper or more expensive—it all depends on your budget.
How did I choose the best outdoor security floodlight?
I wanted to present you with different options to help you choose the best option and demonstrate that you can add high-quality and affordable security lights to your home without spending too much on features you don't need.
Combining these criteria with my testing experience, knowledge of smart homes and security, and what other customers who have also tested these lights say about them helped me choose the best outdoor floodlights available.
Are floodlights good for security?
Bright motion sensor lights may startle criminals and ward them off your property altogether. For maximum protection, it may be wise to pair outdoor security floodlights with a security system that includes surveillance.
A security floodlight may not always be enough, but other measures like security cameras can not only prevent crimes but also help catch burglars who've decided your home is still a worthwhile target.
How many lumens do I need for a floodlight?
A floodlight with 1,100 lumens is plenty bright, but when in doubt, you can buy one with more lumens. You can typically dim a too-bright floodlight, but you can't make a weak floodlight brighter.
Don't unnecessarily blind yourself whenever you get home at night. Outdoor lighting should be bright and well-directed enough to provide ample vision of the lit area without being painful for you or your neighbors.
Are solar-powered security lights any good?
Solar-powered lights have a solar panel and rechargeable battery. In simple terms, the former uses sunlight to charge the latter. Solar energy is a necessity to keep them working well. If the lights receive too little energy for too long, the battery can become damaged over time.
Solar-powered lights can be a great home security resource, provided they're installed where they receive ample direct sunlight. Suppose you're unsure of whether your lights will receive enough sunlight. In that case, you may be better off choosing a hardwired or battery-operated option since we are discussing home security, which is something most of us don't want to fail.
Are there alternative floodlights worth considering?
There are many great floodlights on the market, and the ones we chose may not be the best ones for your situation. Here are some alternatives to consider: