Choosing the Perfect Smart Outdoor Lights: Key Specs Explained

Outdoor smart lights are a great way to enhance your home’s exterior, providing security and ambiance with just a touch of your smartphone. Outdoor smart lights can be programmed for various tasks and settings, ranging from bright illumination for security purposes to softer lighting for creating an inviting atmosphere.

When selecting the right outdoor smart lighting, you should consider key specifications and understand smart home terms to ensure that you choose the best smart lighting for your outdoor space.

Brightness: How Much Light Do You Need

Brightness is one of the most important aspects of choosing outdoor smart lighting. It determines how well lit a space will be, affecting everything from the ambiance to security.

• Measured in Lumens: The brightness of a light is typically measured in lumens, with higher lumens meaning a brighter light. The appropriate lumen level depends on the purpose of the lighting and the area’s size.
• Low Lumens (100 to 300 lumens): Ideal for decorative lighting like accent lights or soft lighting for creating mood.
• Medium Lumens (400 to 800 lumens): These lights work well in outdoor spaces like gardens or walkways, offering enough illumination for functional needs without being overwhelming.
• High Lumens (1000+ lumens): These are great for security lighting or for lighting larger areas such as driveways, patios, and yards.

Adjustable Brightness: Many smart outdoor lights come with the option to adjust brightness through your smart home app or a voice assistant. This allows you to fine-tune the lighting according to the time of day, mood, or specific task. For example, you can dim lights in the evening for a cozy feeling or increase the brightness for better visibility and security during the night.

Waterproof and Weather Resistance: Ensuring Durability

Since outdoor lights are exposed to the elements, they must be durable and capable of withstanding rain, snow, or extreme temperatures. To ensure this, look for light enclosures with a high Ingress Protection (IP) rating, which indicates their resistance to water and dust.

• IP65 Rating: Lights with an IP65 rating are protected against dust and water jets, making them perfect for outdoor use. These lights can handle rain and splashes but are not fully submersible.
• IP66 / IP67 Ratings: These ratings offer even higher water resistance, with IP67 providing protection against temporary submersion (for a short period). Ideal for lights in areas with frequent exposure to water or extreme weather.
• IP68 Rating: This is the highest level of waterproofing, making these lights suitable for places with severe weather conditions, such as beachfront homes or areas that receive heavy rainfall.

When selecting outdoor smart lights, always look for a high IP rating to ensure that your lights will function effectively and safely, regardless of the weather conditions.

Smart Features: Convenience and Control

One of the main reasons to choose outdoor smart lights is for the added convenience and control they offer. Smart lights come equipped with various smart features that can enhance your outdoor environment.

• Voice Control: Many outdoor smart lights are compatible with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Siri. This allows you to turn lights on/off, dim them, or change colours with simple voice commands.
• App Control: Most outdoor smart lights come with dedicated mobile apps that allow you to control the lights remotely, even when you’re not at home. You can set schedules, create scenes, and adjust brightness levels with ease.
• Motion Detection: Some outdoor smart lights are equipped with built-in motion sensors, which can trigger the lights to turn on automatically when movement is detected. This feature is particularly useful for security lighting or when you need hands-free lighting when arriving home at night. You can have a separate smart motion sensor that can trigger the light to come on when movement is detected
• Colour Changing: Many outdoor smart lights offer the ability to change colours, allowing you to customise the ambiance for different occasions. Whether you want warm white lighting for a cozy feel or vibrant colours for a party, colour changing lights add versatility to your outdoor space.

Energy Efficiency: Saving on Energy Bills

Smart lights can help you reduce your energy consumption through advanced technology that optimises light usage. All smart bulbs use LED bulbs, they are the most energy efficient option. LED lights use less electricity while providing brighter illumination, which will save you money.

Additionally, features like outdoor motion sensors can help conserve energy by ensuring that lights are only on when needed. Scheduling and automations options can also prevent lights from being left on unnecessarily, further reducing energy usage.