A porch light does two jobs: it lights the steps and door, and it sets the look of the entrance. Some are classic lanterns that take a standard bulb you buy yourself. Others are sealed LED fixtures, and some add a sensor that switches the light on at dusk.
The six lights below range from a large black and gold lantern to a pair of LED cylinder sconces. Sizes, bulbs and features come from each product’s listing page. We have not used these lights ourselves. Weather, IP and certification statements are the makers’ own, and all of these are hardwired fixtures.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Bulb type | An E26 socket takes your own bulb; integrated LED does not |
| Size | A larger fixture suits a big door; a small one suits a narrow wall |
| Sensor | A dusk to dawn sensor turns the light on and off on its own |
| Wet location | Look for the maker’s wet or weather statement |
| Wiring | These are 120 volt hardwired fixtures; shut off power before installing |
Specs at a Glance
| Light | Size and finish | Light source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEWENWILS lantern | 17.7 in; black and gold die-cast aluminum | E26 socket, up to 60 W bulb (not included) | Hammered ripple glass; IP65 per the maker |
| Designers Fountain Preston | 8 in; black steel | E26 socket, up to 60 W bulb (not included) | Clear glass; dimmable with a compatible dimmer and bulb |
| hameso 2 pack | Black metal and tempered glass | LED | Dusk to dawn photocell sensor; IP65 per the maker |
| DAKAFUL 2 pack | Matte black aluminum cylinder | Integrated LED, 12 W, 2700K, 1200 lm | Up and down light; IP65 per the maker |
| Aoceley 2 pack | 13 in; black aluminum, white acrylic shade | LED, 16 W, 3000K | Downlight; lumen figures conflict on the listing |
| ALVIME 16 in | 16 in; black and antique copper aluminum with glass | Takes LED, CFL or halogen bulbs; 100 W listed | Die-cast aluminum; quick install per the maker |
The 6 Best Outdoor Porch Lights
1. DEWENWILS 17.7 Inch Black Roman Porch Lantern
A 17.7 inch die-cast aluminum lantern in matte black with gold edges and a hammered ripple glass shade that throws a patterned glow on the wall. It takes one E26 bulb up to 60 watts, sold separately. The details section lists app control and a yellow light color, which does not match the plain bulb socket, so treat those lines with care.
Suits: a large door with a classic look. Strengths: a big fixture and a choice of bulbs. Weaknesses: the listing details are inconsistent. Skip it if you want a small, plain fixture.
View DEWENWILS 17.7 Inch Porch Lantern, Black and Gold on Amazon
2. Designers Fountain Preston 8 Inch Outdoor Wall Light
A compact 8 inch black cottage-style lantern with a steel frame and a clear glass shade. It uses one E26 bulb up to 60 watts, not included, and the maker lists it as dimmable with a compatible dimmer and bulb and certified for wet locations.
Suits: a small traditional wall. Strengths: a compact size and a dimmable setup. Weaknesses: small for a wide entry. Skip it if you want a built-in sensor.
View Designers Fountain Preston 8 Inch Wall Light, Black on Amazon
3. hameso 2 Pack Dusk to Dawn Outdoor Wall Light
A two-pack of black metal and tempered glass LED wall lights with a built-in photocell that switches them on at dusk and off at dawn. The maker lists an IP65 weatherproof build and anti-corrosion housing.
Suits: a pair either side of a door. Strengths: a sensor and two fixtures in the box. Weaknesses: few size figures on the page. Skip it if you want a swap-your-own-bulb lantern.
View hameso 2 Pack Dusk to Dawn Wall Light, Black on Amazon
4. DAKAFUL 2 Pack LED Cylinder Up Down Wall Light
Two matte black aluminum cylinder sconces with clear glass covers and an integrated 12 watt, 2700K LED listed at 1200 lumens. The light shines up and down, and the maker lists an IP65 build. The details list four light sources for a two-pack.
Suits: a modern wall with a pair of fixtures. Strengths: an up and down glow and a warm color. Weaknesses: the LED is built in, so the whole fixture is replaced if it fails. Skip it if you want to swap bulbs.
View DAKAFUL 2 Pack LED Cylinder Wall Light, Matte Black on Amazon
5. Aoceley 2 Pack 13 Inch LED Wall Light
A pair of 13 inch black aluminum sconces with a white acrylic shade, a 16 watt, 3000K LED and a downward glow meant to cut glare. The title says 1200 lumens while a bullet says 520 lumens, so the brightness is unclear. The maker lists an IP65 build.
Suits: a downlight over a garage or porch. Strengths: a warm color and a pair in the box. Weaknesses: conflicting lumen figures. Skip it if you need a confirmed brightness.
View Aoceley 2 Pack 13 Inch LED Wall Light, Black on Amazon
6. ALVIME 16 Inch Copper Finish Outdoor Wall Sconce
A 16 inch die-cast aluminum and glass sconce in a textured black and antique copper finish. The listing says it takes LED, CFL, fluorescent or halogen bulbs and lists 100 watts, which is higher than the 60 watt limit on the other bulb-socket lights here, so check the limit before buying a bulb.
Suits: a warm copper accent. Strengths: a mid-size lantern and many bulb choices. Weaknesses: the wattage figure should be confirmed. Skip it if you want a plain black fixture.
View ALVIME 16 Inch Wall Sconce, Copper Finish on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Turn off power at the breaker before wiring any fixture.
- Use a bulb that matches the fixture’s wattage limit.
- Wipe glass and metal with a soft damp cloth.
- Seal around the base as the instructions direct.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing a fixture that is too small for the wall.
- Putting a bulb above the listed wattage in the socket.
- Forgetting that integrated LED fixtures have no replaceable bulb.
- Skipping a licensed electrician when you are unsure about wiring.
Outdoor Porch Light FAQ
Do these come with bulbs?
The two E26 lanterns and the ALVIME list bulbs as not included or unspecified. The LED models have the light source built in.
Is wiring needed?
Yes, these are 120 volt fixtures. Follow the instructions or hire an electrician.
The Short Version
For a big classic lantern, the DEWENWILS. For a small black one, the Designers Fountain Preston. For a dusk to dawn sensor, the hameso. For up and down light, the DAKAFUL. For a downlight pair, the Aoceley. For a copper finish, the ALVIME.
