What to Look For in an Outdoor Light Bulb
Brightness
Deciding how bright you’d like an outdoor light to be will make a big difference in the bulb you choose. Lumens measure the brightness of an LED bulb, with 800 lumens being equivalent to a 60-watt bulb. Opt for a softer light bulb with fewer lumens if you want mood lighting. But if you’re looking to light up the night after the sun goes down, a higher-powered bulb will be a better fit.
Motion and Security Features
Some outdoor bulbs are great for security purposes, thanks to built-in motion sensors that will turn the light on if an object passes by. Others will illuminate the night with 360-degree light distribution, making it easier to see shadowy corners or the edge of your yard. Some models can be programmed to turn on automatically at dusk, or you can use an app to turn them on and off from your smartphone. These options for automation will give you peace of mind and increase the comfort and security of your yard.
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Weather Resistance
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If you’re looking for an outdoor light bulb, you may need to think about types of potential weather exposure. Our top pick is the Philips Hue White Outdoor light bulb, which has a weatherproof design and will last up to 25,000 hours.
While some bulbs are considered weatherproof and can stand up to rain and snow, others need protection from the elements. “From a technical perspective, always make sure that the fitting you are using has the appropriate ingress protection rating (IP rating). This tells you how waterproof the fitting is for the location in which you are going to install the fitting,” says Sam Levene, Director at LLI Design.
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“Some fittings will need [a] lower IP rating if they are in a sheltered location such as under a soffit or eaves. Whereas other fittings will need more if they are in a more exposed location.” Levene also recommends getting help from an electrician “who should be able to advise on requirements and local regulations.”
Why Trust The Spruce?
Victoria Woollaston is a freelance science, technology, and lifestyle editor with more than a decade’s experience testing and reviewing consumer products. She’s had firsthand experience with the majority of outdoor light bulbs in this list, as well as a number of others from different manufacturers and of different types. Her home uses a motion-activated floodlight on the front and pedestal lights combined with dimmable overhead lights in her yard.
To learn what to look for when choosing outdoor light bulbs, Woollaston spoke with Sam Levene, Director at interior design and architecture studio LLI Design, and Jeroen Dalderop co-founder of Innr. Using these expert insights, she looked for outdoor light bulbs that were easy to set up and that conserved energy without sacrificing brightness and features. She also judged them based on design, price, and smart capabilities. She prioritized outdoor light bulbs that would suit most home and garden setups and which offered more than just light to make them better value for money.
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Outdoor
