The best smart outdoor and landscape lights of 2026, solar and wired

Yes, but expect much shorter run times and dimmer light from November to February, when days are short and the sun sits low, and a panel covered in snow won't charge at all. Place the panel where it gets the most direct sun, ideally facing south, or choose lights with a separate panel on a cable so the light itself can stay in the shade. Wipe or brush off the panels regularly. For paths, steps or a front door that must be lit every evening, hardwired or low-voltage wired lights are more reliable.

Not for plug-in low-voltage kits, but 120 V outdoor wiring should be done by a licensed electrician and protected by a GFCI. Electrical work rules, including when you need a permit, are set by each province and territory, so check before you start. Use outdoor-rated cable and fixtures, and conduit or cable rated for direct burial where it runs underground.

Check the IP rating first, IP44 at minimum and IP65 for fixtures exposed to driving rain, then make sure they work with your smart home system. Zigbee ranges such as Philips Hue need a bridge, Wi-Fi lights need a good signal at the back of the yard, and Matter makes mixing brands easier. Choose warm white around 2,700–3,000 K, check the lumen output for the job, and point fixtures downward to avoid glare for your neighbours.

Very little per evening: ten 5 W LED spotlights on for four hours use 0.2 kWh, about 2¢ at an example rate of 10¢ per kWh. Dusk-to-dawn lighting costs much more in winter, when it can stay on for over 15 hours a night in December. Add up the wattage, multiply by hours and by your rate per kWh. Motion sensors and schedules that switch off at midnight cut both the bill and the light spilling into neighbours' yards.

Motion sensors are usually better for security: a light that switches on suddenly draws attention, and it uses far less electricity than one left on all night. Keep low-level dusk-to-dawn lighting for paths and steps, where safety matters more than deterrence. Aim sensors away from the sidewalk and street to avoid constant triggering, and angle the beam downward. Badly aimed lights annoy neighbours, and some municipalities have bylaws on light trespass.