Best porch lights: essential for dark winter nights

The best porch lights will enhance your home security – and look stylish while they're at it

the best porch lights:
(Image credit: John Lewis & Partners)

The best porch lights will illuminate the area outside your home, welcoming guests and offering a stylish home security solution. Just what you need during the winter months, investing in porch lights is a simple – and relatively affordable – option that will make the journey from car to front door feel a little safer. And you'll never have to fumble around in the dark, looking for house keys, again.

So, whether you're considering porch lights as an addition to your home security system or simply want you home to feel a little more inviting, browse our top picks below. 

What is the best porch light?

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The best porch light is the Nordlux Vejers Outdoor Wall Lantern thanks to its super stylish, timeless design. As well as making an understated addition to your front door, it's also seriously practical, illuminating the front of your home and enhancing your home security in the process.

However, choosing the best porch light to suit your needs will depend, greatly on your preferences. So, see more of our top picks below. Then, keep scrolling for full product reviews:

  • The best porch light: Nordlux Vejers Outdoor Wall Lantern
  • The best porch light for security: Philips Infrared Outdoor Light
  • The best porch light for minimalists: Nordlux Maxi PIR Sensor Security LED Light
  • The best porch light for industrial design:David Hunt Admiral Oval Outdoor Wall Light
  • The best porch light for aesthetic appeal: Astro Montparnasse Outdoor Lantern Wall Light
  • The best pendant porch light: Astro Homefield Outdoor Pendant Ceiling Light

The best porch lights 

best porch lights: Nordlux Vejers Outdoor Wall Lantern

(Image credit: John Lewis & Partners)

1. Nordlux Vejers Outdoor Wall Lantern

The best porch light

Specifications

Type: Wall mounted
Wattage: 42W
Sensor: No

Reasons to buy

+
Anti-rust coating 
+
Stylish design
+
Provides plenty of light

Reasons to avoid

-
Won't suit everyone's taste
-
Needs to be sheltered

The best porch light is the Nordlux Vejers Outdoor Wall Lantern. The perfect solution for those with a sheltered porch, this super stylish option is just what you need to illuminate an outdoor space.

With an anti-rust coating, you can be sure that this porch light will stand the test of time all year round, and the subtle light is said to be just enough to give you a clear pathway when coming home at night. 

Users found this porch light easy to install and recommend using an LCD bulb for best results. One of our best outdoor lighting options.

Shop more porch lights at John Lewis & Partners

porch lights: Infrared outdoor light PEKING black

(Image credit: Lights.co.uk)

2. Philips Infrared Outdoor Light

The best porch light for security

Specifications

Type: Wall mounted
Wattage: 60W
Sensor: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Dimmer function 
+
Built-in infrared for enhances home security
+
Traditional style

Reasons to avoid

-
Not everyone will like this traditional style

The Philips Infrared Outdoor Light gives you the best of both worlds. Its classic design wouldn’t be out of place on any home exterior and its infrared function makes it a great security light, too. 

The wall-mounted light can detect movement near the house and will switch on as someone approaches down the drive or path. It has a range of up to 12 metres and a detection angle of 140 degrees so you never have to fumble in the dark for yours keys again. 

The light also offers adjustable light sensitivity, allowing you to set the light between five and 5,000 lux, as well as alter the duration the porch light remains switched on. 

Browse the full range of porch lights on Lights.co.uk 

the best porch lights: Nordlux Maxi PIR Sensor Security Light

(Image credit: John Lewis & Partners)

3. Nordlux Maxi PIR Sensor Security Light

The best outdoor porch light for minimalists

Specifications

Type: Wall mounted
Wattage: 230V
Sensor: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Features a motion detector for enhanced home security
+

Nets up in our list is the Nordlux Maxi PIR Sensor Security Light. Perfect for those looking for a porch light with a built in home security system, this modern security light features a motion sensor that will ensure your front door is illuminated whenever you or someone else approaches. 

Users have found this porch light to withstand the elements well, with no visible sign of weathering or rust. It fixes easily to the wall and, although tough, is recommended for placement on a sheltered porch for long-lasting use. 

Shop more porch lights at B&Q

the best porch lights: David Hunt Admiral Oval Outdoor Wall Light

4. David Hunt Admiral Oval Outdoor Wall Light

The best porch light for industrial design

Specifications

Type: Wall / ceiling mounted
Wattage: 40W
Sensor: No

Reasons to buy

+
Can be used indoors or outdoors 
+
Stylish design

Reasons to avoid

-
Industrial style won't be for everyone

Looking for a porch light with an industrial feel? The David Hunt Admiral Oval Outdoor Wall Light could be just what you've been looking for. 

With a super subtle glow, this stylish porch light can be either wall mounted or placed on the ceiling above your front door for maximum illumination. Its nickel finish will weather well over time, too, adding to its vintage feel, as time progresses.

the best porch lights: Astro Montparnasse Outdoor Lantern Wall Light

(Image credit: John Lewis & Partners)

5. Astro Montparnasse Outdoor Lantern Wall Light

The best porch lights for design

Specifications

Type: Wall mounted
Wattage: 42W
Sensor: No

Reasons to buy

+
 Modern and stylish design
+
Super minimal

Reasons to avoid

-
Doesn't have any built-in security features

Next up in our list is the Astro Montparnasse Outdoor Lantern Wall Light. Its smooth, polished nickel porch light would fit suitably on any property, providing a warm bright light to come home to in the evening. 

Also available in bronze, customers love how professional and expensive the light looks on their porch and say it was easily fitted to their wall by an electrician. It doesn’t have a sensor, but some customers say they added one to this lamp for the extra security feature.  

best porch lights: Astro Homefield Outdoor Pendant Ceiling Light

(Image credit: John Lewis & Partners)

6. Astro Homefield Outdoor Pendant Ceiling Light

The best pendant porch light

Specifications

Type: Pendant
Wattage: 60W
Sensor: No

Reasons to buy

+
Pendant design
+
Super stylish

Reasons to avoid

-
Quite pricey

Pendant style porch lights are a super stylish option that would work as part of a contemporary – or industrial inspired – home aesthetic. And we couldn't love this Astro Homefield Outdoor Pendant Ceiling Light more.

Designed with a minimalist, black steel frame and clear glass panels, this porch light can be fitted with a super stylish filament bulb for the ultimate modernist look.

Looking for more lighting – or home security – ideas?