What power for an outdoor LED spotlight?

Luminaires have undergone a great evolution. Thanks to the continuous development of low voltage technology, LEDs provide both decorative and functional light. When placed in the right place, the LED spotlight blends easily into the environment and adds a warm touch to the greenery. But to get the best results, you need to choose the right wattage. Find out in this guide how much power is required for an LED light placed outside the house.

The 5 best outdoor LED spotlights in 2024

Why is it important to choose the right wattage for the outdoor spotlight?

The notion of lighting power and luminous intensity are the first two criteria we have to think about before buying a LED spotlight. In the beginning, the unit of reference for the power of a light was the Watt. However, since the advent of electroluminescent technology, we have been thinking in terms of lumen. This value is used to evaluate the amount of light emitted by a lamp. However, an LED bulb with a high number of lumens provides a powerful light.

To help you understand better, we will show you an example. If we consider that a conventional 10 W bulb is equal to 1 W in LED, this means that the light intensity obtained will be 100 lm/w. However, the need for lighting is different from one room to another. The same is true for outdoor areas: parking, garage, garden, driveway, balcony, etc.

Your choice must respect certain rules of common sense, because not all kinds of lamps can be installed. Your future outdoor LED spotlight must be able to :

• ensure free movement during the night
• ensure the safety of the house
• delineate outdoor areas such as the pool, playground, fountain, etc.
• easily illuminate the dark parts of the building
• to provide a friendly atmosphere at outside parties, if necessary.

What power should I choose for an outdoor LED spotlight?

For the terrace

The exact number of lumens to light a terrace depends on three criteria: the area, the colour and the nature of the walls around it. The only difficulty would be to find a balance between the brightness emitted by the spotlight and the subdued lighting. The only difficulty would be to find a balance between the brightness of the spotlight and the subdued lighting, so as not to dazzle your guests too much and still have a friendly atmosphere. By the way, if this living space is covered, take into account the height of the ceiling.

If your terrace is narrow, less than 20 m², we recommend a light intensity of 100 lumens. If it is large, a spotlight of 500 lumens is recommended. In the second case, the light must be well distributed by installing several light points.

The wall lamp, for example, is the recommended choice for decorating this space. Its varied shape adds a touch of originality to your overall decoration. In any case, our site presents the best outdoor LED spotlights for making the right choice to dress up the terrace in a different way.

For the garden      

To highlight a shrub or a bed, many owners prefer to buy an LED spotlight. Your choice should be based on the size, density and height of the foliage.

A 5000 lumen spotlight is more than enough to illuminate an oak tree, for example. Place it on the ground, close to the trunk to highlight the silhouette of the tree. This warm light will bring out the beauty of the bark.

If you want to add a touch of light to a flower bed, LED spotlights with a luminous flux of 100 to 500 lm offer the desired effect. For a small garden of 15 to 20 m², a recessed spotlight with 2000 to 3000 lm is recommended.

For the pool

Everyone believes that this part of the house deserves to be well lit. However, it is important to avoid over-lighting it in order to have a pleasant and warm area. Think first of the lighting around the pool that defines the space, then the lights that follow the path to the pool and finally the underwater features.

Too much light can dazzle your guests. For everyone's comfort, we recommend an average light output of 200 lumens. On the other hand, water lighting should be more powerful. Do not hesitate to opt for LED lamps combining the 3 primary colours to obtain a multicoloured atmosphere. This type of light provides an aesthetic effect, comfort and safety for night-time bathers. 

Nowadays, there are other ways to create a colourful atmosphere in the pool. These include floating LED lights that come in different shapes and sizes, lighted pots, lighted reeds or integrated spotlights. Whatever your choice, don't forget to respect the electrical installation standards to ensure your protection and that of your family.

For the traffic lane

The driveway leading to the garage or the front door is a very strategic place. These parts of the house require powerful, but dissuasive lighting. In this case, don't hesitate to install a wall lamp with a light intensity of 300 lm. In addition, you can add a presence detector for your protection. Choose models whose light intensity increases when they detect a presence.

For successful lighting, some owners choose recessed spotlights in the form of bollards emanating 100 lm to 200 lm. These lights are placed every 2 metres to create a path of light. This equipment is an economical way to have constant and safe lighting until you get to the front door. Other users prefer floor spotlights of 200-500 lm that trace the entire path. For this option, there is no rule on the colour of the light. All colour variations (cool white, neutral, warm or other shades) are welcome.

For a car park

The car park is undoubtedly one of the areas that must be made safe. It requires very powerful lighting. LED floodlights are usually installed high and pointing downwards. The recommended power is 300 to 4000 lumens. For more convenience, you can also integrate a presence detector to this light. 

For an outside staircase

Staircases that are supported by the wall need a spotlight, preferably a wall spotlight, to illuminate the steps. To ensure the safety of this part of the house, a 500 lm light is sufficient. However, there is another, more economical option for beautifying your stairs. These are LED spotlights embedded in the risers. Used indoors, these models are also useful outside. In this case, install two 30-50 lm spotlights on each riser. Finally, LED strips can also be a third alternative. However, you need to choose a power of 500 lm per metre to obtain a correct lighting and design effect.

Tips for saving on outdoor lighting

Instead of buying a spotlight with a motion sensor, consider a set of lights with a twilight motion sensor. You will benefit from the following advantages:

• The light output is the same as that of halogen lighting, but it uses less energy.
• This function is very economical, as the LED lamp is automatically switched on at nightfall. Since the LED bulb consumes very little energy, this option is not to be underestimated.
• The light produced proves to be illuminating compared to LED floodlights with a detector. 
• If you have trouble understanding this topic, find the answer to your question on the FAQ

The solar LED floodlight: a real revolution

As this device does not require any electrical connection, it works by means of light rays. Thanks to this feature, this LED projector saves a lot of energy. In addition to this, your ecological footprint is considerably reduced by choosing this solution. To suit everyone's needs, this light can also be conveniently installed outside your property.

Consisting of a photovoltaic panel, a connector cable and a remote control, this type of floodlight is often used to illuminate a green space, a terrace, a swimming pool or a car park. Its wide beam angle allows it to illuminate a large area. Once the sun goes down, this modern lighting is automatically activated.

For the location, choose a south or south-east exposure. Then, remove any obstacles that might impede the light penetration of the panels. Since it is a stand-alone device, this solar LED spotlight can be properly installed on the wall using the screws that come with it. Of course, some models can be placed on the floor for added convenience.

How to repair an LED projector?

Flashing LED bulb

Flickering is the most common problem with LED floodlights. It is important to know that this accessory does not react well to voltage fluctuations. This reaction is a fluctuation in the voltage that supplies the bulb. If the bulb is flashing, it means that the power cable is in contact with another wire. The flashing can also come from the LED lamp. Consider exchanging it with another one.

Projector does not light up

Before repair If the lamp is not in the socket, screw it back in and turn on the switch. If it is not, screw it back in and turn on the switch. However, this problem may be caused by the metal end caps of the projector. These may be damaged. In this case, you can easily repair them. Change the bulb so that the current can flow again.

Conclusion

To choose your future LED projector, don't just buy the same power as your usual lamp. You must first take into account the luminous power expressed in lumens. Very versatile, this type of low-cost light will appeal to individuals and professionals alike.