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Home/Magazine/How to choose a powerful outdoor spot?
Spots & Built-in · March 2026 · 6 min reading

How to choose a powerful outdoor spot?

Lumens, IP, lighting angle, power supply: the 4 criteria that decide whether your spot survives in winter.

C
Team Lumihome
Published on 12 March 2026
How to choose a powerful outdoor spot?

A good outdoor spot is not just an eye-catching one. Four technical criteria determine whether it will really last in time, resist the seasons and deliver the light you need.

1. Lumens, not watts

The wattage indicates the consumption, not the brightness. For the actual brightness, it is the lumen which counts:

  • 10 – 80 lumens: decorative tags, atmosphere
  • 100 – 300 lumens: terminals and aisle appliqués
  • 500 – 1,500 lumens: entrance, garage, parking
  • 2000+ lumens: projectors, large facades, safety

2. The IP index, the only guarantee of waterproofness

The IP is a two-digit code: dust, then water. For external use in France, aim at a minimum IP44. For ground lighting near a gutter or swimming pool, IP65 or more.

Lumihome publishes the exact IP on each product sheet. No marketing round.

3. Solar, 230V or 12V?

Three solutions, three cases of use. The solar is unbeatable for flexibility and zero cost but depends on the sun. The 230V guarantees constant power but requires a connection (and often an electrician). The 12V low voltage is ideal around the swimming pools and for secure self-installation.

4. Manufacturing quality

Failures do not come from LEDs — they come from joints, motion sensor (UV ageing), battery (12 to 24 months on cheap models) and foot (rust). stainless steel or heat-lapped aluminium, with replaceable lithium battery.

Recommended product

Spot outdoor LED picket DEC–GL5BC

230V · 300 lumens · IP65 · Hot white 3500K

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In summary

For an outdoor spot that lasts: lumens adapted to your use, IP44 minimum (65 if direct exposure), consistent power supply with your project, and quality materials. Lumihome masteres the 4 criteria on the entire range.

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Eclairage Solaire

How can you choose your solar lighting? 

Lumihome Tips · 6 min reading
How can you choose your solar lighting? 

Solar lighting is attracting more and more homes. And for reasons: it is ecological, economical, and especially practical. Indeed, it uses the inexhaustible energy of the sun to function, it allows to make beautiful savings, and it is positioned where you feel good because it does not require electrical connections. It is therefore an excellent compromise to illuminate your exteriors and illuminate your garden. Moreover, the sun's lighting is a great compromise to light up your garden. Solar lamps Available in multiple models and shapes: spots, projectors, terminals, appliques, etc. The offer is wide.

But, how to make the right choice? Find out right away our complete guide on how to choose your solar lighting. 

The principle of solar lighting

The solar luminaire is made up of two essential elements: a battery and photovoltaic panels. It is they that will allow, during the day, to store the maximum of solar energy, then use it in the evening to light up the exteriors. The solar lighting thus allows to bring a light point to your garden easily, freeing you from constraints. Indeed, with the solar, finished the cables to pass and bury. Just find the ideal location to plant or fix your lamp and enjoy the many advantages. Eh yes because practicality is not the only advantage of this ecological system, since it also allows to lower your energy bill. And if you choose LED solar lighting, know that the economy will be even more important. 

The different types of solar lighting

Each light source has its own specificity. It is also the case with solar. This lighting system is available in different types of products to allow you to use it properly. 

Solar terminals

Solar terminals The sunlights are more suitable for marking terraces or walkways, as are solar spots. Their difference: they provide more diffuse and high lighting. To do this, discover the many models of Lumihome solar terminals and their contemporary style. And if you want to get up, choose the Sun-2000 solar lamp. 

Solar pots

Like solar terminals, the poles are used for road and aisle marking, and their size and ease of installation also allow them to find their place within the plant massifs or even simple flower pots. 

Solar projectors

The solar projector is particularly interesting for lighting an entrance, porch or aisle, and is intended for use in passing places. It can also be used to light up a defined element or a specific area of your garden thanks to its orientable function. The solar projector can also be equipped with a motion detector, as is the case for Lumihome solar projectors, and so light up as soon as a passage or intrusion is detected. The luminaire equipped with a motion detector also limits energy consumption, know - You can't. 

The criteria to consider when choosing your solar lighting

Self-sufficiency 

The range of solar lighting can vary greatly from one luminaire to another, and from one manufacturer to another. It is therefore important to refer to the characteristics of the solar lamp in question before making your purchase. If you want your garden to remain illuminated throughout the night, you need a range of between 8 and 12 hours. However, if your solar lighting is equipped with a motion sensor, it will save you energy. Therefore, a 4 hour range can be perfectly suited explains Christophe Coelho.

Lighting power 

Solar lighting has long suffered from a bad reputation due to the low intensity of light it was able to offer. But today, solar luminaires are much more efficient. To make your choice, it is important to refer to the number of lumens of your solar lamp: 

  • If you want to achieve a simple markup, a power of less than 100 lumens can be perfectly suited. The goal is not to illuminate, but rather to define a space. 
  • If you want to bring a sufficient light point, without blinding guests, choose a solar lighting with a intensity of between 100 and 250 lumens. 
  • Finally, if you want to achieve safety lighting, an intensity of more than 250 lumens will be necessary. Most of the time, the very bright solar luminaires are equipped with a motion detector. Indeed, such power is not permanently useful to illuminate your exteriors. 

Interest in the deported sign 

Solar lighting with remote panel allows you to illuminate a poorly exposed or sunny area, thanks to solar energy. To do this, simply place the remote panel in a light-bathed area, so that the associated solar lamp has all its capabilities to illuminate your space. 

The importance of leakproofing standards

The exterior lighting in general must meet certain standards of sealing according to the location where it is located. This also applies to solar solutions. To choose your lighting, take an interest in the luminaire protection index. Composed of two digits, this IP indicates the degree of protection against penetration of solid bodies (the first digit) and liquids (the second digit). Thus, you will find different indices, namely: 

  • IP 23: it protects the luminaire from light water sprays. Choose whether your lamp is placed under a roof or a canopy. 
  • l的IP 44: suitable for installation in a projector or a wall. It ensures perfect protection against water projections. 
  • l的IP55: it guarantees protection against dust and water jets in any direction. 
  • l
  • IP 67: it ensures a temporary immersion seal.
  • The IP 68 ensures permanent immersion watertightness, which is essential for luminaires placed inside a pool or pool. 

Installation and maintenance of solar lighting

The exterior lighting in general must meet certain standards of sealing according to the location where it is located. This also applies to solar solutions. To choose your lighting, take an interest in the luminaire protection index. Composed of two digits, this IP indicates the degree of protection against penetration of solid bodies (the first digit) and liquids (the second digit). Thus, you will find different indices, namely: 

Where to place solar lighting?

Even though most of the current solar solutions are very efficient, a sunny location is recommended. This allows the luminaire to fill up with energy and be fully efficient. 的The Lumihome solutions are based on innovative and patented technology, which allows for the creation of amazing and unique lighting for a solar product. The new solar sensor enables the luminaire to be effective even if it is not placed in full sunlight. Christophe Coelho.

You can also choose a solar lighting solution with a remote panel if the place to be illuminated is under shelter or under a canopy, for example. 

Reduced maintenance 

One of the advantages of solar lighting is undoubtedly its low maintenance. A regular sponge blow on photovoltaic cells is enough to dust them and ensure their proper functioning. Know that the batteries of the Lumihome models are interchangeable. This means that in case of problems you will no longer need to change your entire luminaire, but you can simply replace the battery, for a lighting that lasts over time. 

 

We hope that this guide will be useful for you to choose your solar lighting. Models, shapes, styles, sun protection index, with or without detector... Your choice will have to be made according to the use that will be made of the luminaire. 

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