Having recently moved into a new house, I was in the market for home security solutions and outdoor lighting. The Mr. Beams UltraBright Spotlight is an affordable product with a wireless, weatherproof design and seemed like a great place to start. Out of the box, I was pleased by the discreet, straightforward silhouette and relatively small size. The light is just over 7 inches long and with a 4-inch face. It’s available in brown or white, though the brown looks black (both online and in-person). This outdoor security light comes with a user manual and the necessary installation hardware (three screws and three plastic anchors). It requires four D cell batteries (not included) and is easy to install with a drill or screwdriver. A huge plus—no hardwiring is necessary. I appreciated the easy setup and cord-free appearance. To get the most use out of the spotlight, my husband and I decided to install it on the fence in our side yard. This way, it’ll light up for us when we take the trash out at night (and as a deterrent against intruders who might try to slip around the back). It has a 25-foot range and lights up 400 square feet of space. It can also illuminate the area where we keep our barbecues, helping my husband see what he’s doing when he grills after sundown. As the name suggests, Mr. Beams has ultra-bright illumination. I wish I could adjust the brightness because it can be a little too intense at times. The motion sensor can also be a bit sensitive. The 25-feet zone is a big space when you have a small backyard. These features are a good thing, security-wise. And you can adjust the head to direct it somewhere that isn’t so in-your-face alarming—though sometimes it’s hard to get it in a good position that won’t annoy us (or our neighbors). I guess the thing with security lights is that they often walk a fine line between helpful and annoying. But in the end, I can’t be mad at the product for doing what it says it does. The light stays off during the day, which conserves battery life. After dark, it automatically lights up any time it senses motion within 25 feet and stays on for about 20 seconds. If it continuously senses motion, it’ll stay on until it doesn’t detect anything. With eight to ten 20-second activations a day, the batteries are supposed to last about a year. That said, I expect to change them sooner since we’ll be using this lighting to illuminate our barbecue area on our back patio frequently. Sometimes, it is hard to tell if the motion sensor is extremely sensitive or not working correctly. Once in a while, the light stays on continuously with no one outside. It might even be so sensitive it senses motion through our windows. Residing in the rainy Pacific Northwest, I appreciate the all-weather design. After a few weeks of use, it seems to be holding up just fine and works rain or shine. And we’ve had plenty of precipitation. Overall, I was happy with this product. Considering its wireless, weatherproof, user-friendly design, and agreeable price tag, I’d recommend the Mr. Beams UltraBright Outdoor Spotlight to a friend.
How is it powered?
This outdoor light requires four D cell batteries, which are not included.
Is it easy to install?
The Mr. Beams UltraBright Spotlight is very easy to install. It comes with three screws and three plastic anchors so that you can mount it to a wooden fence or the siding on your house. And since it runs on batteries, you don’t have to worry about wiring it.
Does this outdoor light work as described?
This security light works as described—sometimes, a little too well. The motion sensor is notably sensitive, and the 300-lumen LED lights are very bright.
Does the motion sensor work?
The motion sensor detects movement as far as 25 feet away. I think it may pick up activity even further and through windows, as it sometimes lights up when we’re inside our home, more than 25 feet away.
How long does the light stay on?
When the motion sensor detects movement in the dark, it turns the light on, which automatically shuts off after roughly 20 seconds. If it senses continuous movement, it stays on.
Is it weatherproof?
The Mr. Beams MB380 is a weatherproof product. It’s made of durable PVC (thermoplastic) and resists damage from water, heat, and sunlight.
Is it worth the money?
This product is battery-powered and completely wireless with a user-friendly setup. It functions in all-weather and brightly illuminates. This wallet-friendly product is undoubtedly worth the money.
Mr. Beams MB380 UltraBright Motion Sensor Spotlight vs. LeonLite LED Motion Sensor Security Light
If you’re looking for a larger sensitivity range—up to 70 feet—consider the LeonLight LED Motion Sensor Security Light, a wired motion sensor light with several settings. You can control the light sensitivity, the length of time it illuminates, and the sensor range. The LeonLight is also brighter, reaching up to 1800 lumens. The cost is a few dollars more, but you won’t need to buy D batteries every year since it’s wired. While the motion sensor can be too sensitive at times, and I wish I could adjust the brightness, the Mr. Beams UltraBright Spotlight is an all-around great product. This outdoor security light serves its purpose and lives up to its claims.
