Shopping for outdoor lighting can be confusing. Search for a floodlight, pathway light or security light and you will find everything from inexpensive solar lights to professionally installed electrical fixtures.
They may all be called outdoor lights, but they are not designed to do the same job.
One of the biggest differences is how they get power. Solar, battery, plug-in, low-voltage and hardwired lights each have their own advantages. The right choice depends on where the light will be installed, how bright it needs to be and how long it needs to stay on.
Choosing the right outdoor light starts with understanding how you plan to use it.
Solar: Easy to Install
The biggest advantage of solar lighting is simple: you do not need to run a power cable.
A solar light can be placed beside a walkway, mounted on a fence or installed on a shed where electrical power may not be available. For pathways, landscaping and areas that need a modest amount of light, solar can be an excellent choice.
The tradeoff is that solar lights depend on the energy they collect during the day. That energy is stored in a battery and used to power the light at night.
Shade, cloudy weather, shorter winter days and the position of the solar panel can all affect charging. A solar light that performs well in one location may not perform the same way somewhere else.
This becomes more important when a light needs to be very bright or stay on for long periods.
Battery: Install Almost Anywhere
Battery-powered lights offer similar freedom because they do not need to be connected to an outlet.
They work especially well for lights that turn on only when needed. A motion-activated light, for example, may operate for only a few minutes each night and can conserve its battery the rest of the time.
The downside is maintenance. Eventually, the battery needs to be charged or replaced.
That may not matter for an easily accessible light. It can become inconvenient when the light is mounted high on a wall or expected to operate for several hours every night.
Plug-In: Simple When an Outlet Is Nearby
Plug-in outdoor lights provide continuous power without requiring a battery or solar panel. When an outdoor outlet is close to the desired location, this can be a simple solution.
The problem is distance.
If the light needs to be farther away, a long extension cord may seem like the easiest answer. Extension cords can be useful for temporary applications, but they are generally not intended to replace permanent building wiring.
Cords left outside for long periods can also be exposed to weather, landscaping equipment, vehicles and foot traffic. A permanent installation should use a wiring method designed for that purpose and follow applicable electrical requirements.
Plug-in lighting therefore makes the most sense when the outlet is already close to where the light is needed.
Hardwired: Dependable and Permanent
Traditional hardwired lighting remains one of the most dependable choices for permanent outdoor lighting.
The light has continuous power. There are no batteries to charge and no solar panel to worry about. It can also operate for long periods without needing to conserve energy.
The challenge is installation.
If wiring already exists where the light is needed, a hardwired fixture can be an excellent choice. If it does not, adding a new light may require electrical cable, conduit, electrical boxes or even trenching.
Depending on the project and local requirements, an electrician may also be needed.
Sometimes the light itself is inexpensive, but getting electrical power to it becomes the expensive part.
Easier installation
Install lights in places without electrical wiring, but battery capacity and charging become part of the equation.
Continuous power
Power is available whenever the light needs it, but the location of electrical wiring can limit where the light goes.
Low Voltage: A Middle Ground
Low-voltage lighting takes a different approach.
Instead of bringing household electrical voltage all the way to the light, a power supply converts the electricity to a lower voltage. Cable then carries that power to lights around the property.
Landscape lighting has worked this way for decades.
The advantage is that the outlet and the light do not need to be in the same place. The light can still receive continuous power without requiring a new household electrical circuit at every fixture.
This can provide a useful middle ground between the easy installation of solar lighting and the continuous power of a hardwired fixture.
Low Voltage Is Not Just for Landscape Lights
Most people think of small pathway lights when they hear low-voltage lighting. The same basic idea can also be used for larger outdoor lights.
Channel Master took this approach with the Pro-Floodlight. Instead of traditional landscape-lighting cable, it uses RG-6 coaxial cable to carry 24-volt DC power from a separate power adapter to the floodlight.
The system includes 25 feet of cable and supports appropriate RG-6 cable runs up to 150 feet.
This means the power adapter can stay near an existing electrical outlet while the floodlight is installed much farther away.
The light receives continuous power, so there are no batteries to charge and no solar panel that needs enough sunlight. At the same time, a new 120-volt electrical circuit does not need to be installed at the floodlight.
This type of system is particularly useful when bright, permanent lighting is needed in a location where conventional electrical wiring would be difficult or expensive to add.
Brightness Is Not the Only Thing That Matters
It is easy to compare outdoor lights by looking at lumens, but the biggest number does not always mean the best light.
Where the light is mounted and how it spreads light across the area also matter. A light aimed at a driveway has a different job from a pathway light or a fixture beside a door.
Operating time matters too.
A motion light may need to be very bright for only a few minutes. A light used for a patio or large backyard may need to stay on for several hours.
A better question than “Which light is brightest?” is “Will this light provide the amount of light I need for as long as I need it?”
Think About Maintenance Too
The purchase price is only one part of the cost of outdoor lighting.
A solar light may cost very little to install but could eventually need a replacement battery. A rechargeable light may need to be taken down and charged. A hardwired light may require more work and expense at the beginning but very little attention afterward.
Installation cost matters too.
An inexpensive hardwired fixture can become an expensive project if electrical service needs to be added to a remote part of the property. A more expensive low-voltage light may actually result in a simpler overall installation.
The least expensive light to buy is not always the best lighting solution to install and live with.
Which Type Should You Choose?
If you need modest lighting somewhere that receives plenty of sunlight, solar may be the easiest answer.
If the light will operate only occasionally and you want maximum placement flexibility, battery power may make sense.
If an outdoor outlet is already close to the light, a plug-in fixture can provide simple continuous power.
If electrical wiring already exists where you need the light, a traditional hardwired fixture remains an excellent permanent solution.
If you need continuous power but the light needs to be farther away from existing electrical wiring, a low-voltage system may provide the best balance.
There is no single type of outdoor lighting that is right for every property.
Start by deciding where you need light, how much light you need and how long it needs to operate. Then look at the power already available in that location.
Once you answer those questions, choosing between solar, battery, plug-in, low-voltage and hardwired lighting becomes much easier.