We live in a world where almost everything has the option to be ‘smart’; your TV, your laptop, your fridge…even your lighting. Technology has advanced so much in the last decade that for many people, we are living in an alien world. So, when it comes to choosing smart lighting, it can feel like a bit of a challenge. 

But don’t fear; finding smart outdoor lighting that is user friendly, reliable, and affordable isn’t as hard as you might first think. In our guide, we will be introducing you to some of the best smart outdoor lighting on the market and showing you why this type of outdoor illumination is the way forward!

Our Top Smart Outdoor Lighting Picks

It seems that everywhere you look at the moment, there is another smart lighting option. If you feel as though your options have been far too vast, let us show you some of the best smart outdoor lighting to make your choice that little bit easier. 

Philips Hue Lucca White LED Wall Light – Best Overall

Philips are renowned for their smart lighting and Hue has become one of the most recognised names in this industry. We love the modern design of this wall light that pairs with Alexa and Google. Unlike a lot of other smart outdoor lighting, the Hue Lucca also works with Apple Homekit. It attaches to the wall and provides a sleek aesthetic for your home. 

There are some excellent options for scheduling including the option to have the light auto illuminate on your arrival home. There are options to mimic natural lighting use which works really well as a security measure. When you consider everything you get from this light, it isn’t difficult to see what excellent value for money it is too. 

The Hue Lucca light is made from aluminium giving you the durability needed for outdoor use. But one thing you should keep in mind is that a Hue bridge is required so if you don’t already have the kit, you will need to make an additional investment. That said, you will benefit since you can then set up an entire smart lighting system for your home. 

Pros	Cons
Works with all voice control systems	Needs Hue bridge
Great programming options
Durable
Great value for money
Modern design

Boxlood Smart Floodlight – Best For Garden Parties

For just shy of fifty pounds, you can get these amazing outdoor flood lights that boast a massive range of smart features. But not only are they excellent value for money, they are also super bright so when you’re not using them for entertaining, they’ll double as excellent security lighting; did we mention they can be set on a schedule too?

The lights can be paired with Google and Alexa giving you the power of voice control but there is also a smartphone app, if you prefer to operate them this way. With 20w powerful bulbs, you get ultimate brightness, but of course, this can be dimmed when you want a more intimate atmosphere. 

The Boxlood flood lights feature cool and warm light as well as a range of colours to set the tone. But what really impressed us was that the lights can be synced with your music, which is what makes them perfect for parties. 

Pros	Cons
Affordable	They don’t look great
Pairs with Alexa and Google
Smartphone app
Choice of colours
Wall mountable and waterproof IP66

Innr Smart Outdoor Spotlights – Best For Large Areas

If you own a property with a larger area that needs to be illuminated, then there isn’t much else we would recommend than the Innr smart outdoor spotlights. They come in packs of 3 but it is possible to connect as many as five lights in one group, which will be simultaneously controlled. Additional cables are available to connect the lights over a large area with a maximum of 35 metres. 

But as well as being great for bigger properties, these spotlights also boast a range of other features. For example, they will connect with Alexa and Google as well as being compatible with the Hue app. Voice control gives you convenience while programs allow you to set the lights and forget about them; they’ll come on and switch off automatically. What’s more, they are dimmable and feature 16 million colours.

They can be hung from a fence but also come with ground spikes which allow you to position the lights to illuminate the house. What’s more, they are turnable so you can aim the light in various directions as you require. 

Pros	Cons
Compatible with various smart systems	Expensive
A energy rating
Voice control
Long cables and options to connect up to 5 lights
Dimmable

IKON Pro Smart Decking Kit – Best Value For Money

The IKON Pro decking kit is the ideal solution for anyone looking to create the perfect ambiance for their garden parties. They come in packs of ten so you have plenty of lights to edge the decking or patio and with removable heads, installing them is a breeze. They are made from high quality 304 stainless steel which is one of the most durable forms of this material making them ideal for outdoor use. This is also boosted with an IP67 rating which means the lights are resistant to dust and water. 

If you’re after something versatile then the 6 million colour combinations will allow you to light your outdoor area in your own style. Moreover, the lights come with smart scheduling so you can program them and allow them to do the rest. The lights are also dimmable giving you more versatility in how you display them.

We also think that these lights are incredible value for money, when you consider how many you are getting and their quality. If all of that wasn’t enough, they are A++ energy rated and deliver up to 25,000 hours of illumination. 

Pros	Cons
Durable and water resistant	Lights don’t work with Alexa
Long lasting
Can be programmed
Wide choice of colours
2 year guarantee

Alexa Smart Fairy String Lights – Best For Decoration

If you are looking for some stunning decorative lights then we would highly recommend these string lights that are perfect for adorning a patio or decked area. They would also look incredible along a driveway or path at the front of the property. While they might not provide loads of illumination, they are perfect for aesthetic reasons. 

You get five metres of lighting and it can easily be paired with your smart home assistant including Google and Alexa. The lights also come with a remote control so you have options in how you operate them. They have a good selection of colour changing modes and with a discreet design, they won’t overwhelm or dazzle visitors. 

But what we think is most impressive about these fairy string lights is that they will work with your music. Smart sensors pick up on the beat and the lights will twinkle and change in time with this. It’s a unique feature that we haven’t seen in many other choices so it certainly makes them stand out from the crowd.

Pros	Cons
Colour changing options	Not great for illumination
Works with Google and Alexa
IP65 rating
Good scheduling options
Comes with a remote

Innr Smart Outdoor Pedestal Lights

If you are looking for something with versatile options in every aspect then you won’t go far wrong with the Innr pedestal lights. They work with Google, Alexa and Philips Hue so you’re certainly spoiled for choice when it comes to how you control them. But your options don’t end there. 

The lights are dimmable and come with so many programs whether you simply want them to activate at a particular time or you want a more complex schedule, there are options to do this. What’s great is that you can connect as many as five lights on one system; but you should keep in mind that they can only be operated as a group and not individually. 

These lights are designed to be placed in the ground and come with ground spikes so that installation is super easy and quick. If you’re adding more lights to the system, the company also sells extension cables in either two or five metres. 

Pros	Cons
Can be connected with other lights	Expensive
Works with various smart systems
Lots of programming options
Energy efficient (Class A)
Easy to install

Philips Hue Nyro Light

Going back to Philips, the Nyro light is a little more expensive than the Philips light we discussed earlier on. However, the advantage of this one is that as well as bright white light for illumination, you also have the option of coloured light to set the tone and make your home look amazing. 

The light is beautifully easy to install and can be linked to the rest of the lights in your system using the Hue bridge. Much like our earlier light from Philips, this will require an upfront purchase if you’re just setting up your system. However, it’s well worth it since the light can be controlled with Alexa, Google and Apple Homekit so you’ve got some pretty versatile options. 

There are so many choices when it comes to using the light too. It is dimmable and comes with 16 million colour choices allowing you to set a unique atmosphere for your outdoor area. It has a great range of programming options with everything from timers to sensing your return. 

Pros	Cons
Good scheduling options	Expensive
Links to various smart systems
Lots of colour choices
Ultra modern design
Easy to install

Innr Outdoor Flex Light

Strip lighting has never been more popular and there is no reason why it needs to be limited to indoor use. This durable and flexible strip light from Innr is perfect for garden edges, driveways, fences, paths and much more.

This is a great option for setting a welcoming atmosphere outside the home and with some great colour options, you can really make your garden your own. There is a total of four metres of lighting but if this is too much, there is a shorter option that gives you two metres. It can be controlled using Alexa and Google. However, unlike the Philips lights, it isn’t compatible with Apple Homekit, which is a bit of a letdown for all the Apple fans out there.

Where settings are concerned, everything is controlled wirelessly and the lights are fully dimmable as well as having the option for scheduling so you don’t even need to think about turning them on and off. 

Pros	Cons
Colour changing	Relatively expensive for what it is
Lots of programming options	Doesn’t work with Apple Homekit
Flexible and great for edges and borders
Works with Alexa and Google
Durable and long lasting

Philips Hue Amarant Outdoor Light

As with all of the other Philips Hue products you have far more versatile options when it comes to how you control the lights. Voice control is a must in this day and age and whether you are using Google, Alexa or Apple Homekit, you can connect them to these lights. However, you will need to have the Philips bridge, so do keep this in mind. 

The Amarant outdoor light may be a narrow strip light but the illumination it casts over larger areas is seriously impressive. If you want a way to light your way when you arrive home, this will certainly give you everything you need; and then some! Your lighting colour options are excellent as this one provides both white and coloured light.

Low voltage yet extremely powerful and bright, the Amarant is perfect for any outdoor area. With great programming and scheduling options, you can set it to aid you best or connect it with other lights. What’s more, with an IP65 rating, this light is weather proof and durable. 

Pros	Cons
Works with Apple Homekit, Google and Alexa	Requires Hue bridge
Durable
White and coloured lights
Bright
Ideal for walls and fences

Why Choose Smart Outdoor Lighting?

As we have already touched upon; smart outdoor lighting is an incredibly modern and useful solution. However, for a lot of people, using it can be fraught with concern and confusion. But once you get to grips with it, it isn’t as scary as you might think. In fact, there are tonnes of reasons why smart lighting is the way to go.

For example, if you have begun building a smart home then you’ll likely want to have as many devices connected to the system as possible. It’s a great way to make using your home much more convenient. Outdoor lighting can be linked with your Alexa or Google Home system for seamless integration. What’s more, these systems allow you to create routines so that your lights will come on at certain times of the day or are activated when a particular event occurs. 

For the most part, your smart outdoor lighting will have a compatible app that can be installed on your smart device. This means that you won’t even need to be at home to operate the lighting. This provides you with improved security as well as being able to switch on the lighting as you make your way home. 

Another great benefit of smart outdoor lighting is that it can be voice controlled. Now, this is something that is featured on many different types of devices but it’s a massive advantage to many people. For those who have limited dexterity or struggle operating equipment, voice control can be the difference between being able to use things and not. But even if you don’t have any physical limitations, voice control is far easier and more convenient than having to manually operate a switch. 

Conclusion

In modern times, there is no getting away from the fact that smart devices are everywhere. As we move further into the future, there is no doubt that smart tech will take over and the way we use electrical items will change forever. So, why not jump on the bandwagon and install some stunning smart outdoor lighting that will not only illuminate your outdoor space but will also provide you with the utmost convenience?