We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.

How do I Choose the Best Outdoor Motion Detector?

By Nicholas K.
Updated May 17, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGEEK is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGEEK, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

An outdoor motion detector can be stationed outside of your home, office, or vacation cottage to keep away unwanted visitors. Your search for the best outdoor motion detector reveals a plethora of choices featuring alarm lights and speakers. The primary concern when purchasing an outdoor motion detector is to find a product that can be customized to your needs. Another factor should be the amount of protection offered by the product warranty. You can also consider monitoring services and brand quality when looking for the best outdoor motion detector.

The best outdoor motion detectors on the market can generally be adapted to the size and shape of your property. You might be able to use a detector with one sensor if you live in a single-family home with a modest yard. This detector would not be effective for a two-level home or commercial property that requires multiple sensors. You would need an outdoor motion detector with add-on sensors, lights, and mounts to accommodate these properties. These peripheral devices can be more effective with wired rather than wireless connectivity to ensure responsiveness.

The time and energy spent installing your outdoor motion detector may be wasted if the product breaks quickly. Warranties offered by detector manufacturers are often limited to coverage of defective parts within months of purchase. You should look for outdoor motion detectors with more comprehensive warranties to protect your investment. These warranties may cover regular maintenance by certified personnel and extended coverage for faulty parts.

Outdoor motion detectors backed up by monitoring and emergency services can provide greater value for your money. You should focus on retailers and wholesalers that offer monitoring packages with their detectors. These services can include 24-hour observation of your property, checkup calls in case of suspicious behavior, and alerting local police in case of intrusion. Your provider may offer detection services at multiple price levels to accommodate your budget. The best outdoor motion detectors allow you to sample these services during a trial period.

You will likely discover multiple outdoor motion detectors that are adaptable, protected by extended warranties, and feature monitoring services. You can further filter your search for the best detectors by looking for the most reputable brands on the market. Consumers often provide product reviews and testimonials at retailer websites based on their experiences with outdoor motion detectors. Blogs and magazines devoted to home security products may offer reviews about the best brands for outdoor detectors. These brands tend to offer durable products, diverse accessories, and outstanding customer service.

WiseGEEK is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Discussion Comments

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.