Motion Sensor Security Lights: A Buying Guide
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A security light with a motion sensor stays off until someone moves within range, then floods the area with light. That startles intruders, helps security cameras see clearly and means you are not lighting an empty yard all night. This guide explains the types of sensor, how bright the light should be, and which lights in our range suit gates, driveways, side passages and entrances.
1. Mains-powered or solar?
Mains-powered sensor floodlights run from your home's electrical supply, give consistent light every time they trigger and need a qualified electrician to install. Solar sensor lights charge from their own panel, need no wiring and can go on a boundary wall or outbuilding far from a plug point, but rely on the panel getting direct sun.
2. PIR or microwave sensor?
- PIR (passive infrared) sensors detect the body heat of a person or vehicle moving across their field of view. They are the most common sensor on outdoor security floodlights.
- Microwave sensors send out a signal and detect movement from its reflection. A built-in microwave sensor suits indoor and covered spaces such as passages, stairwells, storerooms and parking areas, like the Synerji LED T8 tube with microwave sensor.
3. Mains-powered sensor floodlights in our range
| Light | Sizes | Details | From (excl. VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synerji DOB LED floodlight with PIR sensor | 10W, 20W, 30W | 6000K daylight, IP65 | R228 |
| Synerji slim LED floodlight with PIR sensor | 10W, 20W, 30W | 6000K, 120° beam, IP65, aluminium body, 35,000-hour rated life | R422 |
| Synerji LED floodlight with PIR motion sensor | 20W, 30W, 50W | 6500K daylight, IP65, black or white | R434 |
As a starting point for these floodlights: 10W for a doorway or side passage, 20W for a driveway or gate, and 30W (or 50W on the face floodlight) for a larger yard or wider area.
4. Solar sensor lights in our range
| Light | Light output | Detection range | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synerji twin solar motion sensor light | 8W, up to 1000 lumens, 6500K | 10m | IP54 |
| Synerji rectangular solar wall light with sensor | 8W, 1000 lumens | 5–8m | IP54 |
| Synerji solar motion sensor wall light | 6.5W, 700 lumens, 6500K | 6–8m | IP44 |
| Synerji round solar wall light with sensor | 4W, 500 lumens, 3000K/4000K/6500K | 5–8m | IP54 |
5. Choose daylight colour for security
For security lighting, daylight light (6000K–6500K) gives the clearest visibility for people and for security cameras, which is why it is the standard on the sensor floodlights above. Warm white is better kept for entrances and gardens where looks matter more than detail.
6. Where to put them
- Cover the routes someone would use to approach: gates, driveways, side passages, back doors and garage doors.
- Mount the light so the sensor faces the area people walk into, and check the detection range in the listing against the distance you need to cover.
- Angle the light down onto your own property rather than into the street or a neighbour's windows.
- For solar models, put the panel where it gets direct sun for most of the day.
7. Lights that come on at dusk instead
If you would rather have a gentle light on all night at a porch or entrance, a day/night sensor globe turns on at dusk and off at dawn in an existing light fitting. It does not react to movement.
Frequently asked questions
What wattage security light do I need?
As a starting point, 10W for a doorway or side passage, 20W for a driveway or gate, and 30W–50W for a larger yard.
Are solar motion sensor lights bright enough for security?
Our brightest solar sensor lights give up to 1000 lumens, enough for a driveway, side passage or yard, provided the panel gets good sun.
Do I need an electrician to install a sensor floodlight?
Yes, mains-powered floodlights must be installed by a qualified electrician. Solar sensor lights need no wiring.
What does IP65 mean?
The light is dust-tight and protected against water jets, so it suits fully exposed walls.
Shop the range
All floodlights · LED DOB floodlights · LED slim floodlights · Solar lights
Prices shown are from the date of writing and exclude VAT, which is added at checkout; see each product page for the current price. Delivery across South Africa takes 3–5 business days and is free on orders over R2,000 (R150 on smaller orders).