When it comes to car security, outdoor floodlights can provide an extra layer of protection for your treasured vehicle. Whether it's your own pride and joy or otherwise, having as much visibility on it as possible does help. That way, you can enjoy a piece of mind and get on with other things - including getting the best racing line on a sim setup.
They are not the sole solution when it comes to car security. Think of them as an added layer alongside an outdoor security camera or a steering lock. But more layers are better than less, and after all, we are advised to keep our cars in well-lit areas when parked.
The best outdoor floodlights at a glance:
• Editor's pick: Alusso 30 W Twin Security Lights - Buy from Amazon
• Best versatile outdoor floodlights: Steinel XLED 2 S- Buy from Amazon
• Best smart outdoor floodlight: Phillips Hue - Buy from Amazon
Each type of floodlight varies in spec, ranging from illumination, and motion detection, all the way through to installation. But happily, we at CAR are here to help you decipher through them.
The best outdoor floodlights
Best adjustable outdoor floodlights
Via MeikeeComing in clutch with three adjustable light heads, the Meikee floodlight set offers a 180° horizontal rotation and 90° vertically.
With 56 built-in LEDs and a beam angle of 270°, these outdoor floodlights can detect motion from up to 12 metres away. Assuming you keep your car within that remit, it'll have plenty of light beaming on it when you have some visitors.
Pros
- Very adjustable
- Lots of lighting power
Cons
- Requires wall mount installation
Editor's pick
Via AlussoAlusso's twin outdoor floodlight setup is pretty much as simple as it gets. You can choose whichever colour temperature you desire, but you have a set of lights that are controlled by a wall-mounted switch.
You can adjust how strong you want the sensor to be (6-12m), whether you want it on 24/7 or only at night. You can even adjust how long you want the lights to stay on for after detecting movement - from ten seconds to three minutes.
Pros
- Simple to use
- Good range of detection
Cons
- Doesn't use the best quality materials
Via CLYOffering great value as far as outdoor floodlights go, the CLY system offers 25W of power as well as a cable stretching up to 1 metre. It comes with a smart motion sensor with a range of up to 12 metres, so it remains very competitive against the pricier options.
The CLY has a detection angle of 180° and a beam angle of 120°. It comes with an added bracket and it's recommended to install the floodlight at a 3-5 metre height. Ideal therefore for installing above your front door facing your driveway.
Pros
- Great range and beam angle for the money
- Easy to install
Cons
- Not as many lumens as other options
Best smart outdoor floodlight
Via PhillipsComing in on the more advanced end of the outdoor floodlight spectrum, the Phillips Hue Welcome Smart Floodlight can be paired with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Homekit.
Because of this, turning on and off the light only requires a simple voice command. However, a motion sensor has to be bought separately in order to detect people near your driveway. And for the smart commands to work in the first place, you need a Phillips Hue bridge in order to pair the light.
The lack of a complete kit is annoying, but once set up, it'll be the most modern form of floodlight in the neighbourhood for miles.
Pros
- Can be paired with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Homekit
- Ideal for a smart home
Cons
- Phillips Hue bridge and motion sensor have to be bought separately
Best versatile outdoor floodlights
Via SteinelFor maximum swivel, the main lighting panel of Steinel's XLED Home 2 S rotates 180° depending on your preference. It comes with an infrared motion sensor that can be adjusted 180° vertically and 90° horizontally.
The downside is the range of the motion sensor only extends to 10 metres, which falls a bit short compared to the other options.
Pros
- Very adjustable light and motion sensor
- Energy efficient
Cons
- Motion sensor doesn't stretch past 10 metres
What should I consider when buying an outdoor floodlight?
Brand quality sits at the top of our list. Ensuring you're buying a floodlight set from a reputable brand not only ensures product quality, but also electrical safety too.
Brands like Phillips, Steiner, and Alusso have a healthy CV when it comes to lighting. Like anything, product legitimacy which is backed up by genuine positive reviews is always a good helping hand. You wouldn't trust a badly made car battery, so why risk your driveway lighting?
I've found a set of floodlights which tick all those boxes. What next?
How many things does it come with? Outdoor floodlights that have versatile motion sensors and excellent range are a solid plus. But if you're going down the smart route, do you have everything needed to pair it?
If not, you may have to fork out some extra cash. If things are suddenly getting a bit costly, a good alternative would be an outdoor security camera. If you're new to outdoor security, one of those will probably have everything you need. In that sense, you can liken the extra floodlights to a car's spotlights to give added illumination on a dark rally stage.
If you find yourself in that sort of environment, be sure to record it with one of these dashcams.
Aaron Hussain is a commercial content writer at Bauer Media writing for Parkers and CAR. He is obsessed with classic cars and anything with a fascinating story to tell.
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