Best porch lights

An illuminated entryway is a cheery way to greet your guests. Here’s a list to help you find the best porch lights for your home.

Best porch lights
(Image credit: @Heather Doty on Unsplash)

If your porch is feeling a bit dreary, the best porch lights will brighten things right up. Since every home is different, we've put together a list with lots of different styles to choose from. Here you can peruse different materials and designs to best fit your entry.

Best value

Design House 587311 jelly jar outdoor wall lights

(Image credit: Amazon)

Design House 587311 jelly jar outdoor wall lights

Traditional feel

Once upon a time, mason jars and jelly jars were recycled as light fixtures. Now you can capture this style in your own home. 

Pros:

  • Old-fashioned look and feel
  • Simple and functional
  • Great low price

Cons:

  • Not as durable

These jelly jar lights are an affordable, simple, and easy-to-install solution. The set has a traditional look and feel, hearkening back to simpler times. They come in several different materials and styles, and each one comes as a two-pack. The set may be best for covered porches, however, as the lightweight aluminum may not hold up well in the elements. 

Drape-ready style

Magictec LED shatterproof string lights

(Image credit: Amazon)

Magictec LED shatterproof string lights

A whimsical solution

For a fun alternative solution to the standard porch light, try stringing these small LED lights around your porch instead. 

Pros:

  • Made to withstand the elements
  • 96 feet of lights
  • Built-in loops for easy installation

Cons:

  • Installation is more complicated

String lights add a playful element to any outdoor area. They can be installed on porch railings, ceilings, or even surrounding trees and shrubs for illumination that covers a larger area. This purchase two 48-foot sets for a full 96 feet. That's a lot of light!

Best design aesthetic

Globe Electric 44176 Bowery 1-Light Outdoor Indoor Wall Sconce

(Image credit: Globe Electric)

Globe Electric 44176 Bowery outdoor wall sconce

Modern rectangular style

The Globe Electric Bowery wall sconce has a minimalist, geometric aesthetic that will fit in beautifully on a modern home. 

Pros:

  • Minimal, modern design
  • Black and white color scheme
  • High-quality materials

Cons:

  • Exposure to rain may cause rust

This striking design looks beautiful right out of the box. The simple black and glass lines will complement modern and minimalist homes. This sconce style attaches vertically to the wall, so it will work best next to a door. Outfitting this light with an Edison S-type bulb will complete the look.

Best smart

Philips Hue Econic outdoor color wall and ceiling light fixture

(Image credit: Amazon)

Philips Hue Econic outdoor color wall and ceiling light fixture

All the pretty colors

Now here's a novel idea! The Philips Hue Econic light will illuminate on a schedule with your smart home app and even changes colors.


Pros:

  • Many light color options
  • Works on ceiling and wall
  • Works with smart home apps

Cons:

  • Expensive

Since the Philips Hue Econic works with your smart home, you can schedule it to light on a schedule, even when you aren't home. It also projects millions of colors, so you can choose any hue (including multiple white shades) to illuminate your porch more vibrantly. Install it on the ceiling or the wall as you please. 

Best motion-activated

YoungPower LED motion sensor spotlights

(Image credit: Amazon)

YoungPower LED motion sensor spotlights

Security only

For a more security-oriented porch light, a motion-activated spotlight or two will be just the thing.

Pros:

  • Motion-activated
  • Two-pack
  • Reasonable price point

Cons:

  • Batteries can be difficult to replace

These motion-activated spotlights are battery-operated, not hard-wired, so they are a great option for places where you have no electric line running. They come in a two-pack and turn on automatically when movement is detected within 16 feet. As a security option, the YoungPower spotlights are a great way to deter both human and animal intruders. They light an area of 400 square feet. 

Best pendant

John Timberland Bellagio European outdoor ceiling light

(Image credit: Amazon)

John Timberland Bellagio European outdoor ceiling light

Fancy fix

The Bellagio ceiling light offers a pendant effect because it hangs on a fine chain from the ceiling. 

Pros:

  • Hanging ceiling light
  • Two color options
  • Large 18-inch size

Cons:

  • Installation is difficult

A hanging ceiling light, like the Bellagio light, gives a more refined feel. Its striking and luxurious look is made more apparent due to its large, 18-inches size. The pendant hangs from a fine, yet durable, chain. And since it is suspended from the ceiling, light is projected in every direction. So, it can take the place of multiple wall fixtures. This model requires a covered porch for installation.  

Best rustic

Odeums farmhouse barn lights

(Image credit: Amazon)

Odeums farmhouse barn lights

Barn style

Enjoy the rustic look of barnyard chic when you buy this two-pack of farmhouse barn lights from Odeums.

Pros:

  • Rustic design
  • Two-pack
  • Distinctive copper interior

Cons:

  • Only available in black

If you're into rustic or rustic-chic interiors, these barn lights will appeal to your design style. This mountable sconce style comes in a two-pack. The copper interior adds a touch of refinement to the design's industrial appeal. This light will hold up well to the elements, even on uncovered porches. 

Best lantern

Gaze Copper Outdoor Wall Lights

(Image credit: Amazon)

GAZELIGHTING copper outdoor wall light

Touch of copper

For those who like a classic lantern style, this Gaze copper light is a bright and shiny choice. 

Pros:

  • Shiny copper material
  • Lantern design
  • Weatherproof coating

Cons:

  • Expensive

Lantern-style porch lights are classic and refined in design. This one comes in three different colors, but the lustrous copper finish is my favorite. The fixture is made of high-quality, weather-proof materials, so you can count on it to last for years. This design will look great as a pair on either side of your entryway. 

Get lit

Don't waste any time illuminating your porch for family and future guests. When it comes to bang for your buck, we love the traditional design and low price tag of the Design House 587311 jelly jar outdoor wall lights. This pair has an old-fashioned, homey feel. 

If you're looking for something classier and refined, consider the Bellagio European outdoor ceiling light from John Timberland. This large hanging light is a real attention-getter, and it stands alone as a beautiful light source. There are so many options, the hard part is picking one!  

Why trust us?

At GardeningEtc, we recommend the best products to enhance your life. As expert curators, we handpick products based on quality and usefulness to positively impact your day-to-day, from cart to doorstep. We take our responsibility seriously — testing products, reading reviews, and sourcing knowledgeable outlets to ensure our selections are worthy of your time and money. We deliver detailed product overviews, balancing objective information with subjective opinions, so making the best choice for your home and lifestyle is as easy as possible.

Jaclyn is a content writer at Future. She has a flair for creating (written works, design, photos; you name it!) on her devices. When she’s not churning out new things, Jaclyn loves exploring the world, playing with her kids, and good old-fashioned baking.