The Best Solar-Powered Floodlights for a More Secure Home — And a Lower Electric Bill

If you've ever shopped for a solar-powered light, you likely know that finding one that's reliable and performs well is no small task, particularly if you live in an area that doesn't get decent sunshine year-round. At the consumer level, the technology for small fixtures is often mediocre at best. That said, making an attempt to go solar is certainly worthwhile to, you know, save the planet. Another benefit is cutting ginormous electric bills.

A solar-powered floodlight is a good place to start if you want to brighten the area around your home. Installation is a snap compared to staking dozens of solar pathway lights or hanging solar Christmas lights. Plus, there are plenty of reasonably priced options on the market that won't set you back more than $100. Solar-powered floodlights aren't a one-size-fits-all purchase, however, and there are a number of specs and features to consider before making a purchase. Read on for our recommendations, plus everything you need to know before you buy.

The Best Solar-Powered Flood Lights

What to Consider

There are a lot of details you'll need to nail down to figure out which solar-powered floodlight will work best for your needs and setup. We've outlined the most essential ones below.

Brightness

Lumen (plural lumens) is a unit to measure brightness, expressed numerically. For example, floodlights with around 1,000 lumens are a step up in brightness from what you'd get on average from a spotlight; floodlights from 1,000 to 1,500 lumens will likely cover an average driveway or patio; 1,500 to 2,000 lumens is good for mid-size backyards and patios, and longer driveways. Floodlights ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 lumens cover large areas, and anything over 3,000 is generally sufficient for extra-large spaces.

Unless you live in a rural area, you'll also likely need to consider your neighbors' tolerance of brightness, and you may want to confirm in advance if the light meets your town's requirements to avoid needing a permit.

Coverage

Looking at the angle and range of light will help you gauge its coverage. The average floodlight covers up to 180 degrees at a distance of 25 to 40 feet. Most floodlights have multiple light modes for light intensity, duration, or both. Some floodlights are dimmable or have color temperature options ranging from bright to warm. There are also “street style” floodlights that are angled downward and work well for covering larger areas, as well as seating areas and spaces for nighttime activities. Another important consideration is if you want adjustable light and solar panels.

Dusk-to-Dawn vs. Motion Sensor

Dusk-to-dawn floodlights are the most basic models available. They charge during the day and automatically go on at night; duration depends on the amount of light the solar panel captures to power the battery. Motion-sensor floodlights are only activated when—you guessed it—motion is detected, which sucks up less battery power. Many floodlights offer both types of functionality with different lighting modes, as mentioned above.

IP Rating

You'll want a floodlight that blocks water and small particles like dust from getting inside. The ingress protection (IP) rating is comprised of two numbers: the first representing resistance to solids (on a scale from 1 to 6), and the second resistance to water (on a scale of 1 to 8). Most floodlights range from IP65 to IP67.

Extra Features

In addition to features like lighting modes, dimming, and color temperature options, some solar-powered floodlights come with extras like timers, memory functions, and remote controls. There are also smart-enabled options.

How We Selected

Every solar-powered floodlight we cover has an average customer rating of four out of five stars or higher. We feature a range of styles and options that span multiple price points, and while making our selections, we judged lights based on functionality and features as mentioned above. We also considered aesthetics and ease of installation before narrowing down our final picks.

Looking for more home lighting? Check out our stories on the best wireless charging lamps, the best floor lamps, and the best desk lamps.