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| # | Product | Best for | Lumens | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | GE LED+ Motion Sensor PAR38 Outdoor Security Bulb, Warm White (93128971) A warm motion-activated flood from an existing fixture | A bulb swap in an existing outdoor fixture. Fully reversible. | 1,150 lm | Check price on Amazon #ad No live price right now, so we show none. How we earn |
| 02 | Feit Electric A19 Motion Sensor LED, Selectable 2700K - 5000K (OM60/5CCTCA/MM/LEDI) A motion bulb for an ordinary porch or garage socket | A bulb swap. Fully reversible. | 800 lm | Check price on Amazon #ad No live price right now, so we show none. How we earn |
| 03 | Feit Electric Motion Activated PAR38 LED, 5000K, 2 Pack (PAR381200/950CA/MM/2) Bright motion light for a driveway | A bulb swap in an existing fixture. Fully reversible. | 1,200 lm | Check price on Amazon #ad No live price right now, so we show none. How we earn |
Specifications are the manufacturer or retailer published figures, compiled by hand. We have not measured them, and where a figure is not published we write "Not published" rather than guess.
01
Security light from a bulb swap
A motion sensor bulb has a small sensor in its face that switches it on when something moves in front of it, and off again after a set time. Screw it into an existing porch lantern, garage socket or flood holder and that fixture becomes a motion security light - no new fixture, no wiring, and nothing a renter needs permission for.
The number that decides whether one works for your door or driveway is the detection range, and it is often the number left off the box. Of the picks here, only GE publishes both a range and an angle on its own page. For whole motion fixtures with a longer reach, see best motion sensor flood lights.
| Bulb | Output | Color | CRI | Detection | On-time | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GE LED+ motion PAR38 | 1,150 lm | 3000K | 90 | 24 ft, 90 degrees | 3 - 5 min (Target) | Wet |
| Feit Electric A19 motion | 800 lm | 2700K - 5000K | 90+ | 19 ft (reseller) | 5 min (reseller) | Damp |
| Feit Electric PAR38 motion | 1,200 lm | 5000K | 90 | Not published | 10 min | Damp |
02
The picks
GE LED+ motion PAR38 - the pick. 1,150 lumens at a warm 3000K and CRI 90, detecting motion within 24 feet across a 90-degree view, and wet rated for an exposed flood fixture. It publishes the numbers that matter and comes in the color that glares least.
Cons: GE does not publish the on-time (Target lists 3 - 5 minutes); not dimmable; the Amazon title lists 15W against GE's 14W.
Feit Electric A19 motion - for a porch lantern or garage socket. 800 lumens at CRI 90+ with five selectable color temperatures from 2700K to 5000K, in the ordinary A19 shape that fits lanterns and bare garage sockets.
Cons: damp rated only; Feit does not publish range or timeout (a reseller lists 19 feet and 5 minutes).
Feit Electric PAR38 motion - the brightest. 1,200 lumens at CRI 90, switching off after 10 minutes without motion, sold as a two-pack.
Cons: 5000K only, which glares outdoors; damp rated, not wet; no detection range published.
03
Getting them to behave
Point the fixture where people walk. A sensor facing across a street triggers on every passing car. Aim it along the path or drive you want covered.
Leave the switch on. Like any smart bulb, a motion bulb needs power to watch. Switching it off at the wall switches off the security light too.
Choose warm. A 3000K motion light is as bright in lumens and far less glaring - see 2700K vs 3000K outdoors.
Match the rating to the fixture. Exposed floods need a wet rating; a covered porch or garage is fine with damp - see wet vs damp rated.
The picks
Every pick in full
01
A warm motion-activated flood from an existing fixture
GE LED+ Motion Sensor PAR38 Outdoor Security Bulb, Warm White (93128971)
#ad No live price right now, so we show none. How we earn
1,150 lumens at 3000K and CRI 90 with a built-in sensor that detects motion within 24 feet across a 90-degree view, wet rated - motion security light from a bulb swap.
| Lumens | 1,150 lm |
|---|---|
| Color temperature | 3000K |
| CRI | 90 |
| Power source | Screws into a standard E26 socket (14W) |
| Dimmable | No |
| Renter-safe method | A bulb swap in an existing outdoor fixture. Fully reversible. |
What it gets right
- Detects motion within 24 ft, 90-degree view
- Wet rated
- Warm 3000K at CRI 90
What it costs you
- GE does not publish the on-time; Target lists 3 - 5 minutes
- Not dimmable
- The Amazon title lists 15W against GE's 14W
Spec source: GE Lighting - LED+ motion sensor PAR38 outdoor security product page - retrieved September 3, 2026.
02
A motion bulb for an ordinary porch or garage socket
Feit Electric A19 Motion Sensor LED, Selectable 2700K - 5000K (OM60/5CCTCA/MM/LEDI)
#ad No live price right now, so we show none. How we earn
800 lumens at CRI 90+ with five selectable color temperatures from 2700K to 5000K and a built-in motion sensor - motion light in a standard A19 shape.
| Lumens | 800 lm |
|---|---|
| Color temperature | 2700K - 5000K, five settings |
| CRI | 90+ |
| Power source | Screws into a standard E26 socket (8.8W) |
| Dimmable | No |
| Renter-safe method | A bulb swap. Fully reversible. |
What it gets right
- Selectable color, so it can be set to a warm 2700K
- CRI 90+
- Standard A19 shape for lanterns and garage sockets
What it costs you
- Damp rated only
- Feit does not publish range or timeout; a reseller lists 19 ft and 5 minutes
- Not dimmable
Spec source: Feit Electric - OM60/5CCTCA/MM/LEDI motion sensor bulb product page - retrieved September 3, 2026.
03
Bright motion light for a driveway
Feit Electric Motion Activated PAR38 LED, 5000K, 2 Pack (PAR381200/950CA/MM/2)
#ad No live price right now, so we show none. How we earn
1,200 lumens at 5000K and CRI 90, switching off after 10 minutes without motion - bright, but daylight-colored and damp rated only.
| Lumens | 1,200 lm |
|---|---|
| Color temperature | 5000K |
| CRI | 90 |
| Power source | Screws into a standard E26 socket (13.3W) |
| Dimmable | No |
| Renter-safe method | A bulb swap in an existing fixture. Fully reversible. |
What it gets right
- 1,200 lm, the most of the motion bulbs here
- Off after 10 minutes without motion
- Sold as a 2-pack
What it costs you
- 5000K only - cool and glary outdoors
- Damp rated, not wet
- Detection range not published
Spec source: Feit Electric - PAR381200/950CA/MM/2 product page - retrieved September 3, 2026.
FAQ
Questions people actually ask
+How far do motion sensor bulbs detect?
It varies and is often unpublished. GE publishes 24 feet across a 90-degree view for its motion PAR38; a reseller lists 19 feet for Feit's A19; Feit does not publish a range for its motion PAR38.
+How long do motion sensor bulbs stay on?
Feit's motion PAR38 switches off after 10 minutes without motion. Target lists 3 to 5 minutes for GE's motion PAR38, and a reseller lists 5 minutes for Feit's A19.
+Can motion sensor bulbs go in enclosed fixtures?
The sensor needs to see movement, so a fully enclosed or frosted fixture can block it. Use them in open lanterns and flood holders where the bulb face is exposed.
+Are motion sensor bulbs wet rated?
The GE motion PAR38 is wet rated. Both Feit motion bulbs here are damp rated, which suits covered porches and garages rather than exposed floods.
+What color is best for a motion security light?
Warm, around 3000K, gives plenty of light with less glare - the National Park Service notes that light above 2700K can create discomfort glare. The GE here is 3000K; Feit's A19 can be set to 2700K.
Sources
Where the numbers came from
- GE Lighting - LED+ motion sensor PAR38 (1,150 lm, 3000K, 24 ft, 90 degrees, wet rated)
- Target listing - GE LED motion sensor floodlight bulb (stays lit 3 - 5 minutes)
- Feit Electric - OM60/5CCTCA/MM/LEDI motion sensor A19 (800 lm, CRI 90+, 2700K - 5000K)
- ibspot listing - Feit OM60/5CCTCA/MM/LEDI (19 ft range, 5 minute off)
- Feit Electric - PAR381200/950CA/MM/2 motion PAR38 (1,200 lm, 5000K, off after 10 minutes)
- National Park Service - outdoor lighting principles (2700K, blue light, glare)
All sources retrieved September 3, 2026.
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About the author
Sawyer V. An enthusiast who reads the spec sheets and does the arithmetic. No lab, no test bench.