15 Best Dusk to Dawn Light

Keeping your outdoor space gets simple if you get one of the market’s best dusk to dawn lights. Landscape lighting can make an ordinary yard, balcony, and garden look astonishing. Moreover, your garage, walkaway, and driveway are never in the dark, and you will feel more secure with dusk to dawn light.

To help you pick the best light for your space, I researched the market offer and came up with a list of the best dusk to dawn lights.

However, before you check my list, let’s see what so special about these lights is.

What Is Dusk to Dawn Light?

Compared to the traditional lights that you turn on and off by a switch, dusk to dawn lights offer more options. Dusk to dawn lights is an outdoor light that turns on once the sun has set. Further, when the sun rises, the lights turn off. The best thing is that you need to turn them off and on manually.

Benefits of Dusk to Dawn Lights

Dusk to dawn lights is a practical and economical solution for lighting up large outdoor areas. Because dusk to dawn lights are flood lights, they emit bright beams. You can use them for parking lots, gardens, sports stadiums, yards, and any other area where you need light.

Some of the benefits of installing the dusk to dawn lights include:

Versatility

The dusk to dawn light is flexible, and you can use them to illuminate the backside of your house, and on the other side, to brighten outdoor stairs. The lights ensure consistent coverage. The majority of fixtures have multiple mounting options available, including wall and pole mounting.

Numerous Options for Users

Because these light fixtures are available in different brightness and coverage, you can use them practically anywhere. Dusk to dawn lights is available from limited brightness of 80 lumens to 30.000 lumens or more.

There are also options with motion sensors and lights developed for security reasons.

Durability

Once you install dusk to dawn light, you can expect it to last for years without maintenance. The average life span of these light fixtures is several years.

Cost-Effectiveness

Dusk to dawn lights uses LED bulbs use less energy than standard bulbs to produce the same brightness. Therefore, you can get the same results with fewer costs.

For example, the majority of 6-watt dusk to dawn lights are equal to 40 watts halogen bulbs. Therefore, the energy consumption is much lower than with standard light, which is great for your wallet and the environment.

Dusk to Dawn Lights Installation

Proper installation is an important factor that can improve the effects of dusk to dawn lights. First of all, make sure that the light isn’t too bright for your area. You don’t want to illuminate your neighbor’s house, don’t you? Therefore, consider the size of your space and the placement of the light.

Next, you should install the light at least 10 feet above the ground. As the dusk to dawn lights are very bright, you need to angle them downwards.

If you fail to do so, you can achieve the counter effect, and have the lights spread too wide, so your area isn’t illuminated enough.

Mounting on the wall is practical for patio, for example. On the other hand, if you want to light up the large space mounting on the pole can be a better solution.

Dusk to Dawn Lights Types

You can find four types of dust to dawn lights on the market. These outdoor lights differ in operation type and adjustment methods.

Let’s briefly explain each type of dusk to dawn lights.

Time-Controlled

If you want flexible lights that you can program as you want, I recommend the time-controlled lights. With these lights, you are in control of energy consumption.

Some people like to set them to turn on in the morning about the time you go to work and turn off when the sun rises.

Photocell and Solar Lights

The second type of dusk to dawn lights uses a photocell as a power source. The science behind it is simple, a photocell identifies when there is no light outside, which triggers the lights to turn on.

These lights work by tracking the changes in natural lights, so when the nights get longer, the light is also on for more hours and vice versa.

Some advanced models are equipped with motion sensors.

Motion-Activated Lights

As the name suggests, these lights turn on when there is motion in the area they cover. Usually, you can set up the light duration from five seconds to ten minutes after the movement detection.

These lights are great for security as the burglars cannot pass unnoticed.

Smart

Similar to time-controlled lights, you can program smart lights to match your needs via the phone app. These are usually part of a complex smart home system and work through Bluetooth or WiFi.

The app recognizes your location, and based on the data, it turns the light on when the sun sets and turns it off in the morning.

Can You Adjust the Dusk to Dawn Sensors?

Some photocell dusk to dawn lights allows you to customize the sensor. To do so, you will need a LUX screw. Usually, some symbols on the backside of the light represent day and night, so you can rotate the screw towards one symbol to customize it. Sometimes, the symbols are sun and moon, so you can turn the screw to the moon, to make the light switch on in the complete darkness. As you move it toward the sun, the light will be more sensitive to moderate sunlight during the day, and it can turn on just before sunset.

Still, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for adjusting the sensor of your dusk to dawn light fixture.

What Are The Best Dusk to Dawn Lights?

The Torchstar, Feit Electric, Maxsa Innovation, Lepower, and Brightech are the best dusk to dawn lights. But, the market offers much more, and you can check my brief list to find something for you.

Keep reading for more information about each product.

• Best Overall – Torchstar 4200 Lumens Dusk to Dawn Light
  “Aluminum housing, durable and waterproof light, long-lifespan, excellent brightness, suitable for wall mounting”
• Best Budget – Feit Electric 820 Lumens Dusk to Dawn Light
  “Affordable lights with average brightness, sensitive photocell and easy wall mounting installation, durable construction”
• Best Solar – Maxsa Innovation 80 Lumens Solar Dusk to Dawn Light
  “Operates using three batteries powered by the sun, can work on half and full hour, has energy-saving mode”
• Best for Garages – Lepower 3000 Lumens Dusk to Dawn Light
  “Two or three-head design, provides bright, soft warm light, AC-powered, durable and has large coverage area”
• Best with Photocell – Brightech 5000 Lumens Dusk to Dawn Light
  “Bright light and long lifespan, work on extreme temperatures, corrosion-resistant, backed up with 3-year warranty”
• Best for Flagpole – Kadison 6500 Lumens Dusk to Dawn Light
  “Extreme bright, cold white light with photocell, sturdy aluminum construction, with 180-degree adjustable knuckle”
• Best with Motion Sensors – Sansi 3600 Lumens Dusk to Dawn Light
  “Four working modes, quality motion sensors, great for security purpose, and waterproof, super-bright light”
• Best for Parking Lot – LEDMO 26.000 Lumens Dusk to Dawn Light
  “Superior bright light, excellent for large outdoor areas, such as parking lot, easy to install, adjustable”
• Best for Porch – Amico 2200 Lumens Dusk to Dawn Light
  “Two head design, with 180-degree adjustability, bright light, easy to install, automatic and manual control”
• Best for Security – Cinoton 3000 Lumens Dusk to Dawn Light
  “Comes in a pack of two, bright and reliable, waterproof, use a photocell, suitable for home and industrial use”
• Best with PIR Sensor – Solar Light Mart 1300 Lumens Dusk to Dawn Light
  “Uses an infrared sensor to detect changes in the area, three working modes, including dim mode, solar-powered”
• Best for Garden – Maxxima 580 Lumens Dusk to Dawn Light
  “Stylish design provides soft and subtle light, uses sensitive photocell, works in all weather conditions”
• Best for Back Yard – Superior Lighting 8500 Lumens Dusk to Dawn Light
  “Bright light covers a large area, two mounting options, suitable for wet locations as well, perfect for back yard”
• Best Commercial – GENPAR 30.000 Lumens Dusk to Dawn Light
  “Sturdy construction, powerful light with photocell sensors, great for courtyards, stadiums, cost-effective”
• Best Smart – Ring 80 Lumens Dusk to Dawn Light
  “Battery-powered smart light with dusk to dawn feature, average brightens, stylish design”

Best Dusk to Dawn Lights Comparison Chart

To pick the best dusk to dawn lights, you will have to be familiar with lights’ technical characteristics. Those include wattage, lumen, lifespan.

Top 15 Best Dusk to Dawn Lights Reviews 2023

My best dusk to dawn lights review can tell you more about the light, features, quality, operation, installation, and more. Find your top pick on my list and read the reviews to see if it fits your needs.

Torchstar 4200 Lumens Dusk to Dawn Light

(Best Overall)

This Torchstar dusk to dawn light is a money-saving option. It is a 40W LED light that comes as an alternative to 400W incandescent.

Therefore, the savings on your energy bill are great.

Moreover, it is ETL listed for quality and has durable aluminum housing. The heat dissipation is excellent, and the light is waterproof which makes it perfect for outdoor wet locations. It is also corrosion-resistant.

Moreover, it has a photocell that provides 4200 lumens high outputs and has 120 degrees wide beam angle.

The estimated lifespan is 50.000 hours, and the light comes with a five-year warranty.

Product specifications:

Brand	Torchstar
Dimensions	7.8 x 7.3 x 11.8 inches
Weight	2.6 pounds
Colors	Daylight, Warm white
Material	Metal
Coverage area	53.93ft x 53.93 ft when mounted on 16.4ft

Key features:

• Sensitive photocell
• Cost-saving
• Waterproof

Watch this video to know more:

Feit Electric 820 Lumens Dusk to Dawn Light

(Best Budget)

The Feit Electric dust to dawn light is proof that cheap things aren’t always of poor quality.

It is an outdoor LED light that has quality rustproof construction and a built-in photocell. Therefore, the photocell detects when the sun sets to turn the light on.

The Feit Electric light is easy to mount on the wall, and the light is energy-efficient, and Energy Star certified.

Moreover, it is ETL certified for high quality and comes with a 5-year warranty.

The fixture has a beautiful bronze finish, so it is a great addition to your patio, balcony, etc. It uses only 12 watts.

Product specifications:

Brand	Feit Electric
Dimensions	5.9 x 3.6 x 8.5 inches
Weight	1.6 pounds
Color	5000 K daylight
Voltage	120 Volts

Key features:

• Energy-star certified
• Corrosion-resistant housing
• LED types of bulb

Maxsa Innovation 80 Lumens Solar Dusk to Dawn Light

(Best Solar)

The Maxsa Innovation dusk to dawn light operates using three rechargeable AA batteries. Conveniently, the sun is the power source for the batteries which makes them free to operate.

The light provides 80 lumens of brightness on full power. If you need something less bright, you can expect 40 lumens when the lights work on half the power.

Moreover, the light is easy to install, and you don’t need to call an electrician.

It has a built-in energy-saving timer that turns the light off after ten hours. And the light turns on by itself when the sun sets.

Product specifications:

Brand	Maxsa Innovation
Dimensions	11 x 9 x 8 inches
Weight	2 pounds
Fitting pole diameter	4-inches
Material	Metal

Key features:

• Powered by sun
• Easy to install on the pole – no electrician needed
• Weatherproof

Lepower 3000 Lumens Dusk to Dawn Light

(Best for Garages)

If you are looking for a light to keep on your garage entrance, the Lepower might be a good choice for you.

The light has a built-in dawn sensor to turn on when it gets darker. You can get it with two or three light heads for maximum coverage.

Further, the light is very bright and uses a Samsung LED lamp.

The wattage is only 28 watts, and the brightness is 3000 lm.

The light is soft and won’t disturb your neighbors, and you will still be able to park your car perfectly.

The construction is durable and features aluminum housing.

Product specifications:

Brand	Lepower
Dimensions	8.5 x 6.3 x 5.3 inches
Weight	1.61 pounds
Voltage	120 Volts
Dimmable	No

Key features:

• Waterproof
• Adjustable design
• AC powered

Brightech 5000 Lumens Dusk to Dawn Light

(Best with Photocell)

The Brightech dusk to dawn light is heavy-duty light with versatile use. You can mount on your barn, storage place, and anywhere outdoor to keep you secure. The light has a wattage of 56 watts and uses an LED bulb.

Further, it is an energy-saving option with a built-in photocell that activates the light when it detects a lack of sunlight outside. Moreover, the light has been tested for waterproof capabilities and can work at extreme temperatures from 13-113°F.

Moreover, the Brightech light is easy to install on the wall or any sturdy, flat surface. Additionally, you can secure it with stainless steel clamps.

Product specifications:

Brand	Brightech
Dimensions	9.9 x 13.8 x 7.8 inches
Weight	5.13 pounds
Color temperature	5000 K
Material	Metal

Key features:

• Sensitive photocell
• No assembly needed
• ETL certified for quality and safety

Kadison 6500 Lumens Dusk to Dawn Light

(Best for Flagpole)

Lighting up the flagpole can be challenging because you want a reliable light that you don’t have to turn on manually. This Kadison light might be a great option for flagpoles because of its features and installment options. It is excellent for outdoor public places such as parks, plazas, and parking spaces.

Kadison provides cool light with exceptional brightness of 6500 lm. Further, the built-in photocell automatically triggers the light to turn on when there is no natural light outside.

The fixture is adjustable by the angle and the light is suitable for wet locations as well. Moreover, it is equipped with a 10-year warranty.

Product specifications:

Brand	Kadison
Dimensions	7.3 x 7.2 x 2.4 inches
Weight	2.51 pounds
Color temperature	5000 K
Material	Aluminum housing

Key features:

• 180-degree adjustable knuckle
• Shatter-resistant
• Corrosion-resistant

Watch this video to know more:

Sansi 3600 Lumens Dusk to Dawn Light

(Best with Motion Sensors)

Sansi dusk to dawn light features quality motion sensors. Once the device detects any motion in the covered area, it turns the light on. The light has a range of 180 degrees and 50 feet. Moreover, the light is waterproof.

Sandi light has convenient working modes – auto mode, test mode, on-time mode, and dusk to dawn mode. Therefore, you can program it to address your needs.

It features super brightness with 3.600 lumens.

The packet includes two lamp heads, a motion sensor, mounting hardware, and bars mounting plate.

Moreover, the Sansi light is backed up with a 5-year warranty.

Product specifications:

Brand	Sansi
Dimensions	8.3 x 5.5 x 11.4 inches
Weight	2.46 pounds
Coverage area	180 degrees, 50 feet
Material	Ceramic, plastic

Key features:

• Four working modes
• Large working area
• Energy efficient

LEDMO 26.000 Lumens Dusk to Dawn Light

(Best for Parking Lot)

Ledmo light has a built-in photocell that activates the light in the dark. It is a powerful light with excellent heat dissipation, which makes it great for a parking lot. The brightness is astonishing with 26.000 lumens and 5000 K of light temperature.

Ledmo light is easy to mount on a pole through two simple steps. All you need is a screwdriver. Overall, it is an energy-saving option that can withstand all weather conditions without the light fuzzing or blinking.

Moreover, aluminum alloy housing is durable and can withstand years of use. The light has an estimated lifespan of 50.000 hours and a 5-year warranty.

Product specifications:

Brand	Ledmo
Dimensions	26 x 14 x 6 inches
Weight	14.52 pounds
Material	Aluminum
Voltage	110 volts

Key features:

• Two-step installation
• LED efficient
• Suitable for use in all weather conditions

Watch this video to know more:

Amico 2200 Lumens Dusk to Dawn Light

(Best for Porch)

If you want something reliable to light up your porch, consider this two-head Amico dusk to dawn light. It has a wattage of 20 watts (equivalent to 180 watts), and Amico light is an excellent energy-saving option.

Moreover, it is waterproof and has automatic photocell dusk to dawn control as well as switch control. Therefore, if you go for a vacation, you can turn the light off and save energy even more.

The brightness of 2200 lumens is appropriate for the porch and isn’t disturbing. Besides, the lamp heads are adjustable, so you can set them to the angle that works the best for you.

Product specifications:

Brand	Amico
Dimensions	7.4 x 6.81 x 6.26 inches
Weight	1.68 pounds
Material	Metal, glass
CCT	6000 K Daylight

Key features:

• Two-head design
• Waterproof
• Automatic and manual light control

Cinoton 3000 Lumens Dusk to Dawn Light

(Best for Security)

Home security is a top priority for many people, and this Cinoton wall light is a reliable option for everyone who wants to feel secure at home. The light has convenient dusk to dawn feature and comes in a pack of two. That way, you can mount one on the front side of your home and the second on the backside of your home.

The Cinoton lights are waterproof and corrosion-resistant. Moreover, if you decide to replace your standard electric bulbs with these Cinoton lights, you can expect up to 70% energy saving due to a wattage of 26 watts.

Product specifications:

Brand	Cinoton
Dimensions	6.01 x 3.59 x 9.16 inches
Weight	2.8 pounds
Voltage	110 Volts
Material	Aluminum

Key features:

• Two wall lights in the package
• Anti-corrosion
• Aluminum housing, clear lens

Solar Light Mart 1300 Lumens Dusk to Dawn Light

(Best with PIR Sensor)

PIR sensors use infrared technology to detect nearby objects. The Alpha street light includes an industrial-grade PIR sensor and three working modes.

The green LED indicator features dusk to dawn automatic lighting, and the PIR sensor isn’t activated in this mode. If you want to use PIR sensors you can use blue or red mode. When working in a blue mode, the light turns on from dim mode to its full brightness when PIR sensors detect a change in the area. The red mode functions by keeping the light completely off until the sensors detect motion.

Moreover, the light has a lithium battery and strong thermal stability.

Product specifications:

Brand	Solar Light Mart
Dimensions	17.7 x 6.4 x 2.9 inches
Weight	4.19 pounds
Material	Metal, glass, plastic
Maximum pole diameter	3 inches

Key features:

• Three working modes
• Solar-powered
• Multiple working angles

Maxxima 580 Lumens Dusk to Dawn Light

(Best for Garden)

If you want to light up your garden and make a beautiful ambiance atmosphere even during the night, please consider this stylish Maxxima light. It has a durable aluminum base with a dusk to dawn photocell sensor and glass construction. It provides a subtle, warm light with 580 lumens.

The light comes with wiring hardware and everything you need for mounting. It uses only 8.25 watts of energy, and it is one of the most cost-effective dusk to dawn lights on the market. Besides, it is also suitable for wet locations and provides beautiful soft light in all weather conditions.

Product specifications:

Brand	Maxxima
Dimensions	12.36 x 9.09 x 7.44 inches
Weight	2.77 pounds
Material	Aluminum, glass
Color temperature	3000 K

Key features:

• It has a built-in photocell sensor
• Stylish design
• Sturdy aluminum base

Watch this video to know more:

Superior Lighting 8500 Lumens Dusk to Dawn Light

(Best for Back Yard)

The Superior Lighting dusk to dawn light is excellent for lighting up your yard and the outdoor area behind your home. The light ensures superior brightness of 8500 lumens and has a 50.000 hours lifespan.

Moreover, it comes with a bracket for mounting and mounting arm. Therefore, you won’t have issues installing it.

I like that it is suitable for wet locations and it doesn’t collect bugs, like numerous other outdoor lights on the market.

It has a heavy-duty construction, which makes it a bit heavier, but durable. The light is equipped with a 5-year warranty.

The light covers a large area as well.

Product Specifications:

Brand	Superior Lighting
Dimensions	14.7 x 11.4 x 8.8 inches
Weight	9.13 pounds
Light temperature	5000 K

Key features:

• Suitable for wall-mounting and arm-mounting
• Waterproof
• Heavy-duty light

GENPAR 30.000 Lumens Dusk to Dawn Light

(Best Commercial)

Commercial lighting requires better luminosity and a larger coverage area. If you decide to get a LED dusk to dawn light, such as this GENPAR light, you can expect significant energy consumption savings.

Instead of 700W, the Genpar consumes 200W and provides a bright light with 30.000 lumens.

It makes it an excellent choice for commercial use. Moreover, compared to other commercial lights, the Genpar kit comes at an affordable price.

The light uses a photocell to detect when the environment gets darker and turn the light on after detection. You can use it for road areas, stadium courts, etc.

Product specifications:

Brand	Genpar
Dimensions	28.5 x 12.8 x 4.7 inches
Weight	10 pounds
Material	Cast aluminum
Color temperature	5700 K

Key features:

• Cast aluminum construction with powder coating
• Waterproof and dustproof
• Can be connected to 110 to 277V voltage

Ring 80 Lumens Dusk to Dawn Light

(Best Smart)

The Ring Smart light utilizes modern technology to keep your driveaway, porch, and outdoor areas light in the dark. It is a smart-type light, and it is quite easy to install. The installment is wire-free. You can get a pack of two, four, or six path lights with a bridge for a smart connection.

The device is battery-powered and ensures an average brightness of 80 lumens in smaller areas. It has motion-detecting sensors and can be controlled via the Ring app.

Moreover, you can connect the light with doorbells of the same manufacturer to create a fully-connected, smart home security system.

Additionally, the Ring light is compatible with Alexa, and you can control it via voice.

Product specifications:

Brand	Ring
Dimensions	6.42 in x 3.82 in x 4.65 inches
Color temperature	3500 K
Motion detecting range	15 feet

Key features:

• Weatherproof
• The brightness is customizable
• Includes motion-detecting sensors

Watch this video to know more:

Dusk to Dawn Light Buying Guide

Let’s take a closer look at the features you might find useful in the dusk to dawn lights. There are numerous models on the market, and if you have never used or installed this type of outdoor lighting, you might find it challenging to pick the one for you.

Coverage Area and Power

To pick the best dusk to dawn light for you, first, determine where you would place the light. For example, if you need to light up only the entryway, you can find some great options on the market below 100 watts of power. For example, the majority of the household can be satisfied with medium-size dusk to dawn light.

On the other hand, if you need dusk to dawn light for commercial purposes, maybe for a parking lot in front of your restaurant, you will need something brighter, more powerful, and with a bigger coverage.

Those are usually from 100 to 200 watts of power. Still, they are much more energy-efficient than standard lights that will consume 800 watts of power and provide the same results.

Brightness

The brightness of lighting is expressed through lumen output. Lumen output refers to the visible light a human eye can detect. The lumen output of dusk to dawn lights can be as low as 60 or 80 lumens and go up to 30.000 lumens or more.

LED lights require little electricity to provide high brightness. On the other hand, traditional lighting requires almost as much energy as it produces lumens. Therefore, LED lights have better luminous efficiency, and the number of lumens tells you how bright the light will be.

To determine the brightness that is good for your needs, you need to think about area and placement. For example, if you plan to get two lights, they can be less bright than, if you plan to purchase only one light.

In general, if you want to light up a larger area, you will need brighter lights, starting from 5000 lumens.

Certifications

Certifications are important to tell you more about the quality of the light.

The two certifications you should consider in your dusk to dawn light are Energy Star and ETL certifications.

ETL certifications prove that the product has been tested for safety and quality and that it does what it is meant for.

Energy star certification is related to energy-efficiency and ensures that the light will provide maximal results with minimal energy consumption.

Type

The choice of dusk to dawn types depends on your preferences and needs. If you already own some smart devices in your home that can be connected with the outdoor light, getting a smart light can be an excellent idea. These are not expensive and provide fine results. Still, they are not as nearly as bright as some other types.

Solar dawn to dusk lights is best for large areas as you need something more powerful. However, if you live in a cloudy area with fewer sunny days, you might get a better experience with photocell dusk to dawn light.

Time-controlled light is easy to use, but it still requires customization.

Installment Process

As plenty of dusk to dawn lights are AC-powered they required specific installation.

If you don’t plan to hire an electrician to do the work for you, pick the light that comes with everything you need for installation.

Also, check if you can install the light on a pole or only on the wall.

Next, check what kind of tools you will need and if the light requires drilling some holes in the wall, etc.

If you aren’t skilled with installations, maybe the light with a mounting arm is a good choice for you.

Related Questions

Let’s answer some of the most frequently asked questions about dusk to dawn lights. Feel free to ask more questions in the comments section below!

Final Thoughts

My top pick is Torchstar 4200 Lumen Dusk to Dawn Light, and I am looking forward to seeing it in my garden. I also believe that the light will serve me for a long time. Further, the light works even in foggy or rainy weather! The best thing – the Torchstar is energy-efficient and has a quality base with soft light.

How did you like my list? Are there any models of dusk to dawn light I missed? Feel free to add your top picks below.