If you don't want to shell out for a subscription plan every month, the Lorex 2K Wired Floodlight won't make you. It's the highest-resolution model on this list with a local storage option, so look no further if those two qualities are important to you. Just keep in mind that you have to connect it directly to a junction box; if you aren't comfortable with that, you should hire a pro to install it. Having to sign up for the Tuya may be a concern for some. It’s a huge China-based IoT company that focuses on providing the connectivity and control for third party device makers to use. Tuya don’t make their own products, but they do provide a universal app that allows all device models on that platform to be controlled from one place. If you want something to help scare away intruders or to simply light up your driveway when you get home, then why not have a look at our range of PIR (passive infra-red) movement senor floodlighting? These lights are a clever and a very economical way to light the exterior of your property. Are you looking for something economical? This color sequencing is done via a number of preset modes in the app, but you won’t be able to access those via a voice assistant as they don’t support this kind of functionality. Nonetheless it’s a cool feature for those specific occasions such as parties, or for use as small stage lighting where setting it up via the app won’t be a big deal. Many types of outdoor lighting, particularly for decorative use, don't get very bright simply because they don't need to. "But when it comes to other areas, it's nice to have flexibility over brightness, as in being able to dim or change color temperature," adds Sutton. "Some of the more striking applications of outdoor lighting is in the landscaping, and for that, you don't necessarily need more brightness. It's not functional lighting; it's decorative. It's creating an aesthetic." Installation

When it comes to flood light cameras, you’ll almost always find they need to be hard wired to a junction box on your wall. The Alro Pro 3 Floodlight is fairly unique by being battery powered. The floodlight design is also unique, being a single integral curved LED panel that gives excellent coverage across the cameras viewing area. You’ll need to have outdoor power outlets available for each flood light, either near where you want them placed or with weather proof-ed extension cords. That can be a bit messy, but there’s no other option in this case.Floodlights work the same way traditional bulb lighting works," explains Biermeier. "The difference is in the shape and focus of the lightbulb housing. Modern floodlighting focuses an LED light source through a lens of sorts to produce bright, wide-angle illumination." The hub connects this set together and gives it smart capabilities, so you can use it with up to 50 Philips Hue lights around your home and connect it to Alexa, HomeKit, or Google Assistant.

These LED floodlights have an output of a whopping 22,320 lumens, making them the perfect addition to cover large personal or business properties. They have high-performing Cree LED chips housed in a heat-dissipating die-cast aluminum cover with an anti-glare optical lens on the front. The model has two adjustable arms and six 45-watt bulbs that you can configure for use against walls, in corners, or pointing straight down toward the ground. You can set the light to stay on up to 10 minutes after it's triggered or keep it on from dusk to dawn for up to six hours of continuous light. The cameras typically house Wi-Fi or Bluetooth radios to connect the fixture to your home network and feature weather-resistant enclosures that protect them from the elements. If you have a lot of smart devices on your network, consider choosing a dual-band camera that can connect to either the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi or 5GHz bands. Thankfully there are a few good products hitting the market now, and if you’re not looking for an integrated lighting system that needs a hub then WiFi is the way to go. These lights will just connect to your normal home WiFi network and allow you to control them in various ways.In terms of installing the physical fixtures, most smart outdoor lighting for the consumer market is simple enough to install—potentially as easy as screwing in a light bulb. With some fixtures, you may need to mount them on the wall or stake them into the ground. You then need to connect to a power source, like an outdoor smart plug. It's important to know how to install outdoor lighting safely or consult a professional installer or electrician. Motion-triggered floodlights for a side yard or small space where you don't need as much brightness Our top recommendation for Alexa compatible garden lighting is the Phillips Hue Lily, or if you’re on a budget, the Innr outdoor spotlights. Both of these will do a great job of adding feature lighting to your garden and they integrate well with Alexa.