The best LED floodlights for outdoors
The ideal lighting solution for outdoor spaces LED floodlights provide bright and effective illumination which is ideal for adding security and convenience to both residential and commercial outdoor spaces, including house entrances and gardens, courtyards and driveways as well as car parks. In contrast to more focused and narrow-beam lighting, floodlights distribute wide-angle lighting evenly throughout a large space. Casting a large and powerful beam of light, outdoor floodlights are the perfect lighting solution for deterring intruders and adding extra safety to driveways, gardens, business premises and entryways. Compared to halogen floodlights, you can benefit from a significant lower power consumption and longer service life with LED floodlights.
What are the benefits of floodlights?
- High brightness with low power consumption
- Longest service life of all lighting technologies
- Instant brightness - ideal for motion detectors
- Long battery life for high-quality solar floodlights
Extra bright LED floodlights >2,000 lm
for house walls, the garage or driveway LED floodlights with motion detector
Increase safety and energy efficiency Solar floodlights
Simple installation and no electricity costs Dimmable floodlights
Perfect illumination for every area around the house LED spotlight with ground spike
Decorative lighting for the garden Checklist: How to find the right floodlights
- The brightness of an LED floodlight is measured in lumens - the more lumens, the brighter the light.
- The power consumption of the floodlight is measured in watts, e. g., 10W, 20W or 50W.
- Decide on the right light colour temperature: Warm white creates a cosier outdoor atmosphere, which is more suitable for the house entrances and patios, while daylight white or universal white are the best choice for security lighting, e. g. for the driveway.
- Depending on the location, you can choose between hardwired or solar floodlights. Areas that are permanently dependent on lighting for security reasons should have fixed cabling.
- LED floodlights are more energy-efficient and durable than other lighting technologies such as halogen.
- Enjoy increased energy efficiency with floodlights equipped with motion sensor: The light only shines when it is really needed.
- When purchasing a floodlight, it's key to ensure the light comes with the adequate IP rating so that it can withstand the given weather conditions.
Frequently asked questions about floodlights
A floodlight is so called because it "floods" large areas with wide-angle light - ideal for courtyards, gardens or car parks. In contrast to more focused and narrow-beam lighting, floodlights distribute wide-angle lighting evenly throughout a large space. This resembles, figuratively, a flood of water. In contrast, a spotlight uses a focussed beam of light that shines at specific points and is suitable for highlighting certain areas or objects, e.g. facades or trees. To achieve this, the spotlight has a narrow beam angle. Depending on your needs, each lighting type offers different advantages, from illuminating a broad space to focusing on specific elements.
Due to modern LED technology, LED floodlights have a high energy efficiency, long service life and exceptional luminous efficacy - high brightness at low electricity costs.
LED floodlights are known for their long product lifespan, making them the ideal choice for outdoor use. They typically last up to 50,000 hours, depending on the model, which means several years of uninterrupted use. Coming with the right IP protection rating, high-quality LED floodlights are weatherproof and robust - they can easily withstand extreme weather conditions such as rain, snow or direct sunlight.
The cost of running a floodlight for one hour depends primarily on the wattage of the light and the current electricity prices. LED floodlights offer a particularly cost-effective lighting solution for outdoor areas due to their high energy efficiency and long lifespan.
As each property comes with individual requirements, the ideal number of lumens for a floodlight depends on various factors. The decisive factors here are the intended use, the size of the area to be illuminated, the mounting height and the floodlight's beam angle. For a driveway (approx. 4x4 m), 500-800 lumens are usually sufficient, while a larger yard (approx. 7x7 m) is well illuminated with two floodlights of 1,000 lumens each. The amount of light needed also depend on the general brightness of the surrounding. Please always consult with a lighting professional if you are not sure which lumen output is needed to illuminate the specific area properly. Make sure you position your LED floodlights so that neighbours are not disturbed. For large commercial properties such as car parks and other large open spaces, flood lights with a higher lumens output are usually needed to illuminate the area adequately. Our experts and light planners are happy to advise you on how to illuminate business premises securely.
For a floodlight to be used reliably outdoors, it must have the suitable protection rating in accordance with the Ingress Protection (IP) code. The second digit of the IP code indicates the level of protection against water, with a value of 4 or higher ensuring that the floodlight is protected against splashing water from all directions. For additional safety, we recommend models with IPX5 or IPX6, which can withstand even heavy rainfall. If you need special protection, for example for locations with a lot of water, you can opt for floodlights with IPX7 or higher, which are also protected against temporary immersion in water.
The choice of the right floodlight depends on your individual requirements and preferences. First, consider what the light will be used for and how bright it needs to be. The size of the area to be illuminated and the installation location also play an important role in the purchase decision. Additional features such as motion sensors, a dimming function or smart home compatibility can significantly increase comfort and convenience. Also consider whether you only need one or several floodlights to achieve even illumination. Our customer service team will be happy to help you find the perfect solution for your lighting needs - whether for private use or commercial projects.
Raccoons are nocturnal animals and naturally scared of light. However, as they can get used to constant outdoor lighting, a motion-activated floodlight with a strong light output is the best choice. While motion-activated floodlights are a measure that is worth implementing to deter raccoons, it's also useful to take other best practices into account, such as removing any food sources from your outdoor spaces and making your property less accessible for raccoons.
Solar floodlights are an environmentally friendly and cost-saving solution as they utilize the sun's energy and do not incur electricity costs. They are also easy to install as there is no wiring is required. This makes them ideal for remote areas where electrical installation is difficult, for example the carport or garden shed. High-quality solar floodlights, such as those from the STEINEL brand, are super energy-efficient meaning they can provide reliable lighting for several weeks due to powerful batteries.
A downside of solar floodlights is their dependence on the weather. Please keep in mind that the solar panel will not be charged sufficiently on cloudy days which reduces the performance of the light. In addition, solar floodlights must be positioned so that the solar panel receives direct sunlight. This means that the panel always need to be aligned in the direction of the sun and cannot be positioned under bushes or covered by trees.
Despite these limitations, solar floodlights offer a flexible, cost-effective and environmentally friendly lighting solution for many use cases.
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