Steps are hard to see in the dark and easy to trip on, over, up, and down. They camouflage into the darkness, and shining a light on steps can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be.
We tested and reviewed the best outdoor step lights that will light up your steps to make your outdoor space safer.
We also reviewed outdoor light fixtures that will provide a warm ambiance and atmosphere that pairs well with existing fixtures and adds to your overall outdoor experience.
We found and tested 10 popular step lights. 8 of them made our list of top picks and earned a full review. These step lights will work inside, outside, and in all types of weather.
Our Top Picks
Table of Contents
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
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Best Overall: LEONLITE 120V Dimmable LED Step Light | The versatile positioning, design, operating temperature, and dimming ability are superior. | Check Price |
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Best Lifespan: Mr. Beams MB522 Battery-Operated LED Step/Stairs Light | Motion step lights will illuminate exactly what you need them to without staying on all night. | Check Price |
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Best For Brightness: IThird LED Solar Powered Step Lights | This solar-powered step light is aesthetically pleasing, and won’t cost a penny to run. | Check Price |
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Best Durability: Hykolity Low Voltage LED Landscape Deck/Step Light | These low voltage lights are bright and built to withstand wind, rain, snow, and heat. | Check Price |
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Best For Warm Ambiance: GKOLED Low Voltage LED Step/Deck Light | The warm ambience of these outdoor lights will provide step safety as you wind down for the night. | Check Price |
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Best For Wide Lighting Pattern: DBF 30 LED Outdoor Waterproof Solar Stair Lights | Waterproof solar step lights with a wide light pattern perfect for decking and posts. | Check Price |
How We Chose the Best Outdoor Step Lights
We chose the best outdoor step lights based on how well they successfully did their intended job.
We looked at relative brightness, versatility, durability, and resistance to the elements for outdoor use, ease of installation, the lifespan for hardwired lights, and run time for solar-powered lights.
Because the reasons for using step lights vary and location depends on whether you have electricity outside, we did not rank the products we reviewed and tested based on their features or power source.
When searching for the best outdoor step lights, it’s important to note that you will find the terms step lights and stair lights used interchangeably.
However, lights intended for indoor use are generally referred to as stair lights, and lights used outside tend to be referred to as step lights.
Since we are discussing outdoor lights for our review, we will be using the term step light, even though the best ones we chose can be used inside and outside if need be.
Looking for other outdoor options? We tested the Best Outdoor Gooseneck Barn Lights in this posts!
Best 8 Outdoor Step Lights Reviewed
1. Best Overall: LEONLITE 120V Dimmable LED Step Light
Product Ratings
| Brightness | 5/5 |
| Versatility / Usage | 5/5 |
| Durability | 5/5 |
| Ease of Installation | 3/5 |
| Lifespan/Run-Time | 5/5 |
Quantity: Pack of 3 | Usage: Indoor/outdoor | Brand: Leonlite | Brightness: 3000K warm white, 150 lm | Features: Waterproof & dustproof | Lifespan: 30,000 hrs | Power Source: AC 120V hardwired
What We Liked
- Can be placed horizontally or vertically
- Can work in temperatures between -4 and 104 Fahrenheit
- Only uses 3.5W – energy efficient
- Solidly built – waterproof/dustproof – won’t damage easy
- Compatible with most dimmers so you can control the brightness
What We Didn’t Like
- Must be hardwired and requires a junction box that is not included
- Light is 120V – can heat up interior spaces but the voltage can be reduced if using a dimmer
We chose Leonlite as the best overall because it is easy to install if you have the right parts, but it is energy efficient and can be placed in various ways to fit a variety of uses.
Whether you want them for indoor or outdoor use, you can count on them for lighting the way, especially because they are dimmable, so you won’t be blinded walking through a dark house.
But we also chose Leonlite as best overall because reviewers commented that this particular step light was solidly built and able to withstand the harsh winters and hot summers.
These lights require an additional purchase of a junction box that is not included but do not let that persuade you from investing in these lights.
These lights are versatile for whatever your needs and durable enough to last a long time.
There are easier indoor stair lights that can be installed, but they are not suited for outdoor elements like the LEONLITE lights are.
See Price on Amazon2. Best Lifespan: Mr. Beams MB522 Battery-Operated LED Step/Stairs Light
Product Ratings
| Brightness | 3/5 |
| Versatility / Usage | 4/5 |
| Durability | 4/5 |
| Ease of Installation | 4/5 |
| Lifespan/Run-Time | 5/5 |
Quantity: Pack of 2 | Usage: Indoor/outdoor | Brand: Mr. Beams | Brightness: 35 lumens | Features: Built-in light sensor w/ auto-off, weatherproof | Lifespan: 5,000 activations | Power Source: Battery powered – 3 C batteries per light (not included)
What We Liked
- Wireless Installation, battery-operated, long-lasting
- Motion-activated from 15 feet away with a 20 or 60-second auto shut-off timer
- Glow Mode – 2 lumen light output, does not affect battery life and can be used as a constant on the light without motion
- UV resistant
What We Didn’t Like
- 3 C-cell batteries are required per light, not included
- Not a floodlight
- Can detect movement 15 feet away
We chose this Mr. Beams step/stair light as the best in terms of lifespan because the number one benefit that reviewers commented on was that this light is a motion-sensing light that lasts forever.
Since this light is a motion-sensing light, if you are looking for a light that stays on constantly, this light is not for you.
This is the outdoor step light for you if you need a light to recognize when you are walking to the stairs and need them to turn on.
With that being said, this light does auto-detect movement up to 15 feet away.
If you have critters that run near where you are placing the light – it will turn on because it does not discriminate, which can run down the battery life.
So keep that in mind when purchasing these lights.
If you are looking for a motion-sensing light that can be used for security purposes, this is also not the light. But there are tons on the market specifically for that reason. It just depends on what the main purpose is.
However, because this light does not require to be hardwired, you can place them anywhere. This modern style light also has a unique feature called Glow Mode.
In this mode, the light is dim enough to not affect battery life, but it can be used as a constant-on light for bathrooms and is perfect for use as a night light.
See Price on Amazon3. Best for Brightness: IThird LED Solar Powered Step Lights
Product Ratings
| Brightness | 5/5 |
| Versatility / Usage | 3/5 |
| Durability | 4/5 |
| Ease of Installation | 5/5 |
| Lifespan/Run-Time | 5/5 |
Quantity: Pack of 12 | Usage: Outdoor | Brand: iThird | Brightness: 72 lumens, warm white light | Features: Auto on/off, weatherproof | Lifespan: 30,000hrs, 8-12 hours on a full charge | Power Source: solar powered
What We Liked
- 6 LED lights – larger illumination area
- 1 AAA battery required – included
- Won’t add to the energy bill
- No wiring for easy installation
What We Didn’t Like
- Only one way to hang up
- The light output might be lower than advertised
- Can be hard to charge fully
iThird’s Solar Powered Deck lights are the brightest on the market. Each light has 6 large LED lights and a large solar panel that provides a running time of 8 to 12 hours on a full charge.
However, there is only one way these solar step lights can be attached, so they are not versatile, but they do not require wiring and are easy to install.
A few reviewers did say that these lights might be hard to charge fully, but that is a universal trait amongst all products that require direct sunlight to operate, and there are ways to fix the solar-powered light so it can charge better.
When purchasing, these lights are made more for aesthetics than utility, so keep that in mind.
See Price on Amazon4. Best Durability: Hykolity Low Voltage LED Landscape Deck/Step Light
Product Ratings
| Brightness | 4/5 |
| Versatility / Usage | 4/5 |
| Durability | 5/5 |
| Ease of Installation | 2/5 |
| Lifespan/Run-Time | 4/5 |
Quantity: Pack of 6 | Usage: Outdoor | Brand: Hykolity | Brightness: 49 lumens, 3000K warm white | Features: Works in -13*F to 110*F temps, weather-resistant | Lifespan: 15-Years | Power Source: Corded electric
What We Liked
- 10-year warranty
- Very bright with long-lasting LED light bulbs
- Weather-resistant
What We Didn’t Like
- Extra accessories are needed that must be purchased separately – transformer and low voltage wires
- Very bright
- Light is not fixed downwards – can be too bright for the eyes
Hykolity’s low-voltage LED outdoor step lights were built to last. When you want an outdoor step light, you want a light that you can rely on to operate in all types of weather.
This light does exactly that. It is built with an aluminum casing that is durable and weather resistant. Even the bright LED lights are long-lasting and don’t require maintenance.
The modern design can complement any style with the perfect amount of light.
These lights require extra accessories that must be purchased separately because they need outdoor access to electricity to work. Once you set them up, they can last 15 years.
See Price on Amazon5. Best for Warm Ambiance: GKOLED Low Voltage LED Step/Deck Light
Product Ratings
| Brightness | 3/5 |
| Versatility / Usage | 3/5 |
| Durability | 3/5 |
| Ease of Installation | 4/5 |
| Lifespan/Run-Time | 4/5 |
Quantity: Packs of 4 or 6 | Usage: Outdoor | Brand: GKOLED | Brightness: 30 lm, 2700 warm light | Features: Shatter-resistant, instant on | Lifespan: 20,000 hours | Power Source: Wired
What We Liked
- Decorative and Auxiliary residential lighting
- Not overly bright, provides warm accent light
- Downcast light for landscape/pathways
- Pre-wired, easy installation, requires no screws
- Solid, elegant finish
- Low voltage light that reduces energy consumption
What We Didn’t Like
- Not dimmable but also not bright
We choose the GKOLED lights as the best for warm ambiance because this light was built with aesthetics and easy installation in mind.
These lights are not dimmable but also not bright, and they are perfect for landscapes, gardens, around your yard, pathways, and outdoor stairs for those nights where you want to sit on the deck and still be able to see the dessert you took out there with you.
Reviewers repeatedly commented about the elegant finish and easy installation process, even though they do require access to an electrical outlet.
See Price on Amazon6. Best for Wider Needs: DBF 30 LED Outdoor Waterproof Solar Stair Lights
Product Ratings
| Brightness | 4/5 |
| Versatility / Usage | 4/5 |
| Durability | 5/5 |
| Ease of Installation | 5/5 |
| Lifespan/Run-Time | 4/5 |
Quantity: Packs of 6 or 10 | Usage: Outdoor | Brand: DBF | Brightness: 60 lm, warm white light | Features: Built-in intelligent light sensor, waterproof, durable | Lifespan: 20,000 hours | Power Source: Solar powered
What We Liked
- Glare-free lighting
- Built-in rechargeable battery – when fully charged – 8hr run time
- No wiring required – fast and easy installation
- Bright light – 30 LEDs and a large solar panel
- High-efficiency solar power conversion
- Durable – Stainless steel, won’t rust
What We Didn’t Like
- Bright light – 30 LEDs
- Since solar-powered – may not get fully charged in rainy or cold weather
This solar light is bright enough to be a contender for the “Best for Brightness” category, and the light pattern is wide. It can light up wider spaces than any other light on the market.
Other outdoor step lights require lights to be spaced closer together to cast enough light to light the way.
Because these lights are so wide, you don’t need to space them so close together. Depending on where you put them – you can save money by purchasing fewer.
With that being said, they are super bright with 30 LED’s and are solar-powered lights.
Reviewers commented that these lights may not get fully charged in rainy or cloudy weather, but we found they are bright, durable, efficient, and won’t rust.
These lights may shine a wide angle of light, but if you want more robust, circular lighting, you may want to look into Outdoor Pillar Lights that can be attached to the top of railings to illuminate in all directions.
See Price on Amazon7. Best Solar-Powered Step Lights: Solpex Outdoor Solar Step Lights
Product Ratings
| Brightness | 3/5 |
| Versatility / Usage | 5/5 |
| Durability | 4/5 |
| Ease of Installation | 4/5 |
| Lifespan/Run-Time | 4/5 |
Quantity: Packs of 16, warm white or multicolor | Usage: Outdoor | Brand: SOLPEX | Brightness: Warm white | Features: Auto-on/off, heat & frost resistant | Lifespan: 8-10 hours fully charged | Power Source: Solar powered
What We Liked
- Only takes 4-5 hours to fully charge on bright, sunny days
- Multicolor has 7-different colors
- Easy installation
- Because it is solar-powered, does not add to the energy bill
What We Didn’t Like
- Requires 1 AAA battery (not included)
- Easy to trip on if attached to a step
- Color-changing set of lights cycle through each color, with no ability to pick one
This solar light is bright enough to be a contender for the “Best for Brightness” category, and the light pattern is wide. It can light up wider spaces than any other light on the market.
Other outdoor step lights require lights to be spaced closer together to cast enough light to light the way. Because these lights are so wide, you don’t need to space them so close together. You may be able to save money by purchasing fewer.
With that being said, they are super bright with 30 LED’s and are solar-powered lights.
Reviewers commented that these lights may not get fully charged in rainy or cloudy weather, but we found they are bright, durable, efficient, and won’t rust.
See Price on Amazon8. Best “Work All day, Party All night” Lights: DenicMic Outdoor LED Solar Step Lights
Product Ratings
| Brightness | 3/5 |
| Versatility / Usage | 4/5 |
| Durability | 4/5 |
| Ease of Installation | 5/5 |
| Lifespan/Run-Time | 4/5 |
Quantity: Pack of 6 | Usage: Outdoor | Brand: DenicMic | Brightness: 10 lm, 2700K warm white | Features: 2 color modes – warm white & 7 RGB color switching, weatherproof | Lifespan: 10 hours on full charge | Power Source: Solar powered
What We Liked
- 4-5 hours to fully charge in the sunny weather due to a big solar panel
- No wiring needed – easy install – can use Gorilla Tape, no screws needed
- Depending on where you place the lights, the solar panel can act like a hood so light is directed downwards
- 1 AA Battery required per light (included)
- Warm light can be used during the day
What We Didn’t Like
- Small size is not good for every application
- Colors change continuously, not able to pick one
We chose DenicMic Solar Deck lights as the best party lights because when you want to celebrate, the more colors, the better.
They also have an option to stick with the warm white light for safety in walking areas.
Some reviewers did say these were smaller than they expected and that the colors change automatically, so you cannot pick one uniform color.
These solar lights are perfect for placing wherever you want them to since they do not require an outlet or access to electricity.
Place them around your pool, on the path to your barbeque, on the steps up to your house for those nights you come home late, but wherever you place them – you can’t go wrong as long as they have access to the sun.
Even though the solar panels on these lights are big enough to only need 4 to 5 hours to fully charge, you don’t want to place them under a roof or covering.
See Price on AmazonComparison Chart
| Products | Best Overall | Best Lifespan | Best for Brightness | Best for Durability | Best for warm Ambiance | Best for Wider Needs | Best Solar-Powered Step Light | Best Party Lights |
| Brightness | 5/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Versatility / Usage | 5/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Durability | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Ease of Installation | 3/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 2/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Lifespan/Run-Time | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
The Winner
The LEONLITE 120V Dimmable LED Step Light is the best overall and the clear winner based on the attributes we ranked these lights.
With 5’s almost across the board, it’s perfect for indoors and outdoors, is made to withstand harsh weather, and is built to last to keep your family safe, keep your property safe, and bring a little light to your outdoor experience.
How to Choose the Best Outdoor Step Lights
When it comes to choosing the best outdoor step light, it’s important to keep in mind where you will place them, if you have access to a power source, and why you need them.
Consider Your Lighting Needs
Dimmer step lights will provide warm lighting to illuminate the path around your garden or create a warm ambiance on your outdoor patio for those after-dinner desserts on hot summer nights.
But if you are looking for a step light that will illuminate home steps for safety, choose a brighter step light.
Step lights that provide more warm light tend to be more decorative and aesthetically pleasing than those used primarily for safety concerns.
The brighter the light, the more safety provided when moving outside your home in the dark.
Consider the Electrical Source
Keep in mind that if you do not have electricity outside already, you might want to stay away from the outdoor step lights required to be hardwired with access to a power source.
As we tested and reviewed the best outdoor step lights on the market, we discovered that hardwired lights tend to work the best and the longest, but solar-powered lights are a quick second.
Whatever option you choose – hardwired or solar-powered, decorative or for safety – the next factor when choosing the best outdoor step light is its durability and protection from the elements.
Consider the Weather Conditions
All of the step lights we reviewed in this article have been tested against the elements and shown to withstand wind, rain, snow, and heat.
Be aware that not all step lights are created equally, and stair lights intended for indoor use may not be weatherproof for use outdoors.
The purpose is key when choosing the best outdoor step light for your home.
When you narrow down where you will place your lights, you will be able to make a decision easily based on the 8 best outdoor step lights we reviewed.