Lights like the LeonLite LED Motion Sensor Security Light are a vital part of keeping your home safe and secure. You have a few considerations to think about when it comes to motion sensor lights. The installation and adjustment features rise to the top of our list. No one wants to spend hours installing a light, so it has to be simple and effective. Getting the right lighting angles can be crucial to safety, so adjustability is critical. Keep reading to see how well the LeonLite meets the criteria for a motion sensor security light. We’ll shine a light on the good and bad and if it is an affordable option.
Performance: Controlled angles with bright illumination
We worried that at 20 watts, the LeonLite might not be bright enough, but it’s plenty. Honestly, brightness wasn’t our number one concern. After all, any light is better than no light. We needed to light the house’s side where a boat, firewood, garbage can, and recycling bin are stored. With that many obstacles, the angle of the light took precedence over brightness. Both of the lights on the LeonLite are independently adjustable. Once you get the right angle, you tighten a hand screw to hold it in place. We were pleased that you can adjust the angle of the motion sensor. There’s a step at the side of our house that, if missed, could lead to a painful fall. The motion sensor has a 180-degree range, but we angled it towards the step so that it would turn on as soon as possible. It worked beautifully and turned on before we reached the step, which reduced our falling risk. The LeonLite has modes and controls that allowed us to adjust how and when the light turned on. We set it to turn on only when it detects motion. You can also change how long the light stays on from five seconds to five minutes. We opted for somewhere in the middle. This model also allows you to choose the motion-sensing distance. There’s not a lot of choices with length, between 59 to 69 feet. We put the dial somewhere in the middle. The LeonLite turned on when we needed it to and let us decide when it turned off. That level of control gave us some say over our electricity bill, too.
Design: Everything you could ask for
The hooded lights and motion sensor are adjustable, giving you the ultimate control with the LeonLite. You can point the lights right or left, up or down, based on what you need them to illuminate. However, angles are a small portion of the adjustments you can do with this model. On the bottom of the motion sensor are a switch and three knobs. The switch lets you choose between three modes and you can control illumination and timing:
On-Time: The light stays on according to its light switch.AUTO: The light automatically turns on when motion is detected. You can set how sensitive it is and adjust when it turns on (day or night), using the Lux Knob. Dusk-to-Dawn: It turns the light off during the day and schedules it to turn on only at night. You can adjust the light sensitivity using the Lux nob to turn the light on earlier or later in the day. Lux: Adjusts the photosensitivity of the sensorTime: Adjusts how long the light stays on when triggeredRange: Changes the maximum distance of the motion sensor, between 59 to 69 feet
We used the “auto” motion sensor mode as we don’t need that side of the house illuminated all the time. Well-made housing and hardware gave us confidence that this light will last for a while. We were impressed with the features of almost everything that came with the LeonLite, especially considering its affordable price. The only thing we didn’t love was the quality of the foam gasket that came with it, which is standard for lights at this price range. Compared to the rest of the construction, it stood out as being lower quality than the rest of the included hardware.
Installation and Setup: Easy to follow, hard to see
Installation wasn’t hard. With two people, it took about 20 minutes. One person could handle it alone. All you need are a few screwdrivers and electrical tape, so make sure you’ve got everything before you start. The instructions were easy to follow; however, difficult to read. The tiny print slowed down installation a bit. Five illustrations helped with the installation, although we could have used an image for one step that required attaching the ground wire to the crossbar.
Price: Safety is worth the small price
The LeonLite is worth the affordable price. The ease of installation and the number of customizable adjustments made it worth it. The sturdy housing and hardware made it a quality light that you can easily control. There are less expensive models, but many don’t offer the same control options.
Competition: Others worth considering
LITOM Original Solar Lights: A unique 270-degree design gives the LITOM a modern look. It is one of the most affordable models you can find, and it’s solar-powered, so you’ll continue to save money for the lifetime of the light. The LeonLite offers more control over timing and angles, but this one’s not a bad option either. Heath-Zenith Motion-Sensing Decorative Security Light: If you want a light that blends into your home’s exterior rather than screaming security, the Heath-Zenith might be a good option for you. An oil-rubbed bronze housing lets this model beautifully blend with other outdoor features. The 30-foot motion detection range isn’t huge, but in the right area, it can work. However, if you want more customizable options, the LeonLite still comes out on top. The LeonLite provides impressive control over timing, brightness, and angles. We’d put one almost anywhere we needed a motion-sensor security light because we can set it to fit each area’s specific needs around the house.
