CBS Essentials is created independently from the CBS News staff. We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms.
Fall is approaching, and that means it's going to start getting dark outside earlier. If you want to enjoy time in your backyard or on your patio during the coming fall and winter nights, consider adding outdoor smart lights to brighten things up. We've found smart lights -- and deals on smart lights -- to brighten up your outdoor spaces for decorative and security purposes.
Top products in this article
Philips Hue white and color ambiance (2 pack), $76 after coupon (reduced from $90)
Ring smart lighting starter pack, $100
Govee Phantasy outdoor LED strip lights, $63
There are a number of great options when it comes to outdoor smart lights -- there are smart light strips, smart string lights, smart spotlights and smart bulbs. Some of them are more colorful and decorative in nature, making them a great addition to an outdoor party or holiday display. Other smart lights are designed for safety -- either to brighten up dark spots at night or for use with outdoor security cameras.
We've compiled the best outdoor smart lights (based on verified reviews) to help you find the right lights for your home or yard. Keep reading to explore top outdoor smart lights from brands such as Ring, Philips, Govee and more.
Brighten up the outside of your home or your backyard with these top-rated smart lights. The best part: Many of these bestselling smart lights are on sale now.
These smart lightbulbs are suitable for outdoor or indoor use. You can control the lightbulbs from your phone or with your favorite voice assistant. They promise a lifetime of 22 years.
Philips Hue white and color ambiance (2 pack), $76 after coupon (reduced from $90)
Light up your house with these 32.8-foot outdoor LED strip lights. They have a water-resistant coating and 64 scene modes. Control them through an app. They have a 98.4-foot remote control range.
These lights cost $80, but Govee is currently offering a buy one, get one 90% off deal through its website.
Govee Phantasy outdoor LED strip lights, $80 (buy one, get one 90% off)
If you're looking for an outdoor light to use for security purposes, consider the Blink Outdoor camera. It is an HD video camera with the added bonus of a 700-lumen floodlight to brighten up dark outdoor spaces for higher visibility. The light is motion-triggered to help the camera see anyone or anything that is moving around your home or yard at night. The light can also be turned on by voice command using a paired Amazon Alexa device.
Blink Outdoor camera with floodlight, $95 (reduced from $140)
Ring is best known for smart doorbells, but the brand also offers highly-rated smart lights. The Ring smart lighting starter pack currently has a 4.4-star rating on Amazon, with reviewers praising its motion detection feature and how easy the lights are to install. The starter pack includes two outdoor spotlights offering 400 lumens of brightness as well as one bridge to place indoors to receive notifications and control the lights.
Ring smart lighting starter pack, $100
These smart outdoor string lights are a great decorative lighting option for backyards. The color, lighting mode and brightness of the string lights can be controlled via the Govee smartphone app or an Amazon Alexa device.
Govee smart outdoor string lights (48 feet), $70
For larger outdoor spaces, there is also a longer option. It's currently on sale on Amazon -- be sure to apply the coupon before checkout.
Govee smart outdoor string lights (96 feet), $85 after coupon (reduced from $100)
Floodlights provide strong lighting centered on smaller outdoor areas. This Philips floodlight is an excellent option for lighting your patio, doorstep or outdoor dining area. The color can be changed with the Philips smartphone app to create ambiance or to fit the season. You can set timers or use the light's motion detection setting.
Philips Hue outdoor floodlight, $152 after coupon (reduced from $180)
First published on September 7, 2022 / 11:46 AM
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is driving up the cost of white boneless breast meat to record highs.
As a result of its investigation, BYU said it has lifted a ban on a fan who was identified as directing racial slurs toward Duke sophomore Rachel Richardson during the match.
Now, more than four months since the operation, Owen Monroe's family and doctors say he's recovered well.
Britain's longest-reigning monarch passed away at the age of 96, and the new king has now taken up residence at Buckingham Palace.
Noem asked a state ethics board to dismiss a complaint against her without a public hearing and to seal certain records.
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is driving up the cost of white boneless breast meat to record highs.
In a 2016 lawsuit, the Ohio small business had accused the school of falsely accusing it of racial discrimination.
A CBS News investigation found credit card companies initially resisted the proposal.
"I don't need financing, 'I'm really rich,'" former President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social earlier this month.
Death of Queen Elizabeth II involves the transfer not only of the crown, but of her wealth and the massive Crown Estate.
Sen. Mark Warner, Retired Gen. Frank McKenzie, British Ambassador to the United States Karen Pierce, and more, will appear on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" this Sunday.
Noem asked a state ethics board to dismiss a complaint against her without a public hearing and to seal certain records.
"I don't need financing, 'I'm really rich,'" former President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social earlier this month.
"I don't know what the details are yet, but I'll be going," President Biden told reporters in Ohio Friday.
The Biden administration fell far short of accomplishing the same objective in 2022, resettling fewer than 20,000 refugees.
Now, more than four months since the operation, Owen Monroe's family and doctors say he's recovered well.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul says the state is stepping up its polio-fighting efforts after the virus was detected in the wastewater of Nassau County on Long Island.
Officials in Los Angeles County said autopsy results could be available in "as soon as a few days."
Company says giving patients abortion pills before they're needed provides "peace of mind."
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is under medical supervision as doctors say they are "concerned" for her health. The 96-year-old monarch is at her residence in Scotland. Charlie D'Agata has more.
Britain's longest-reigning monarch passed away at the age of 96, and the new king has now taken up residence at Buckingham Palace.
On the king's first full day of duties, Charles met with Prime Minister Liz Truss, appointed by the queen just two days before her death.
Death of Queen Elizabeth II involves the transfer not only of the crown, but of her wealth and the massive Crown Estate.
"The queen, my beloved mother, was an inspiration, an example to me and to all my family, and we owe her the most heartfelt debt any family could owe," the new monarch said.
"I don't know what the details are yet, but I'll be going," President Biden told reporters in Ohio Friday.
"The Jennifer Hudson Show" premieres September 12 on FOX.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's youngsters aren't the only British royals with new titles as the second Elizabethan era comes to a close.
"CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King sits down with Jennifer Hudson, who recently became the youngest female Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony award winner. Hudson gives King a sneak peek of her new talk show set and shares details about the highs and lows she's experienced since "American Idol."
Buckingham Palace confirms "period of Royal Mourning" and other plans for the immediate aftermath of the first monarchical succession in generations.
"With a heavy heart I say it is devastating the thought of England without Queen Elizabeth II," wrote Ozzy Osbourne.
ZDNet Editor-in-Chief Jason Hiner explains best practices for setup and success of smart home security systems.
Pricing for base model starts at $799 while the iPhone 14 Pro starts at $899. The deluxe Pro Max will start at $1,099.
Pricing for the standard iPhone 14 will start at $799, while the deluxe iPhone 14 Pro Max will start at $1,099.
Mary Barra, the CEO and chair of General Motors, joins "CBS Mornings" to discuss the company's new electric Equinox, the future of the auto industry and how General Motors is handling inflation.
Carrier is investing $15 million in a maker of electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles.
The dinosaur was discovered in 2019 during roadwork on private land.
A panel of federal health advisers has voted to recommend approval for an experimental drug to treat Lou Gehrig's disease.
Extreme heat is wreaking havoc on California. Triple-digit temperatures over the course of the past week have made it difficult for crews to fight several wildfires that popped up across the state. The heat is also jeopardizing California's power grid. CBS News correspondent Carter Evans reports from California. Then, Akshaya Jha, assistant professor of economics and public policy at Carnegie Mellon University, joins CBS News' John Dickerton to discuss how California is handling the heat.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mohenjo-daro has borne silent witness to countless floods over 5,000 years, but this year is different.
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has revealed more details about how star are formed in the Tarantula Nebula.
A man, a woman and three children - in the 5th, 7th and 8th grade - were found in a large two-story home in Elk Mills, the sheriff said.
The runs were organized as a tribute to Eliza Fletcher, who was forced into a vehicle after a struggle during her pre-dawn run last week in Memphis.
The newspaper's executive editor said there was talk about Robert Telles being "unhinged" but he never made any physical threats against Jeff German.
Toforest Johnson has seen former judges, prosecutors and the local district attorney join in calls to reexamine his 1998 conviction for a murder he insists he didn't commit.
Law enforcement from across the region huddled outside the hospital to show support for the fallen deputies.
The Space Force Eastern Range is evaluating a waiver request from NASA to enable a third launch attempt by the end of the month.
The "smallest and coolest stars in our solar neighborhood" could provide remarkable new information about the ability of a nearby exoplanet to sustain life.
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has revealed more details about how star are formed in the Tarantula Nebula.
Another frustrating delay for NASA's star-crossed SLS moon rocket.
NASA scrubbed its second attempt to launch its Artemis 1 test flight on a mission to send an unpiloted capsule on a 37-day trip around the moon and back.
Royal subjects and international figures alike paid tribute to the royal, who reigned for over 70 years.
A-list celebrities have paid multi-billion-dollar divorce settlements and tens of millions of dollars in legal bills
Celebrities have been stepping out in wild outfits for years... some more often than others.
One of these shows could be your next binge obsession.
Looking for something fresh to watch? Here are the top films available on the streaming platform.
Ty Cobb, an attorney on the Trump White House legal team during the Mueller investigation, joins Major Garrett on "The Takeout." They discuss the possibility of a Trump indictment, how Cobb would have handled the special master dispute, and the House Jan. 6 committee's investigation.
People around the world are reacting to the death of Queen Elizabeth II, paying their respects and reflecting on her legacy as Britain’s most experienced ambassador.
Robert C. Hockett, a law professor at Cornell University, joined CBS News to discuss how another interest rate hike could impact the economy. This comes after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell hinted this week that yet another hike could be coming. Hockett also evaluates the importance of the strong labor market amid high inflation.
Ceremonies are planned for Sunday to mark 21 years since the Sept. 11 terror attacks. Alice Greenwald, president and CEO of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, joins us with more.
President Biden on Friday said he'll be going to the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II whenever it takes place.
Copyright ©2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved.