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Solar Flood and Security Lights

Solar flood lights and motion security lights compared by stated lumens, sensor range, lighting modes, battery capacity, panel type and stated weather rating.

What to compare in solar flood and security lights

Solar flood lights live or die on the battery and panel pairing. The lumen figure is only the starting point.

  • Lumen figure: Compare the stated lumens, and note whether they describe the peak mode or a lower one. Lights that quote a total across several heads are not directly comparable.
  • Panel and battery: A larger panel refills faster, while the battery stated in mAh or Wh sets how long a night's output can last. Check both.
  • Motion sensing: Detection range and angle appear as feet and degrees. A wide sensor suits a driveway, a narrow one a door.
  • IP rating: Count the IP number only if the listing states it. If it does not, plan covered placement and treat weather protection as unknown.
  • Mounting and remote: Pole, wall and ground options differ, and a separate panel on a cable lets you put the light in shade and the panel in sun.
  • Operating modes: Dusk to dawn, motion-only and dimmed standby modes change how long the battery lasts overnight.

Picture the spot you want lit and note whether a sunny place for the panel exists nearby. If the answer is no, a light with a separate panel on a cable or a wired option may fit better.

Guides to read first