Are there self-adhesive motion sensor hallway lights that actually work?

May 21, 2023 3:47 PM

Family is now on a third brand of motion detecting hallway lights similar to these for an elderly relative’s hallway and stairway. All of them are crap - either eating through batteries or the switch suddenly doesn’t work leaving us with a dead light. Has anyone had a consistent positive experience with any brand or model? Requirements are motion detecting, pointing down only so said relative doesn’t get blinded while walking, bright enough to light 2-3 steps each, and no wires or cords, which would add to the tripping hazards. At this point, I’m ok with something we have to mount with screws, tho self sticking is preferred.
posted by Silvery Fish to Home & Garden (7 answers total)

Several business I've been associated with have motion detectors in the light switch and work well. I'd talk to an electrician or contractor, maybe the best hardware store in town, to get brand names. I think it's a simple install. Once you have a reliable switch and sensor, a low-lumen track light should work.
posted by theora55 at 4:02 PM on May 21, 2023 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I use these, which are rechargeable and which I've been using without any problem for more than a year. They have a small metal disk on the back which attaches to a magnet on a sticker that you attach to wherever you want to put it. They charge up via a USB micro cable and the charge lasts for a couple of months at a time.
posted by essexjan at 4:18 PM on May 21, 2023

Best answer: I’ve got a previous generation of these. I change the batteries (I use rechargeables) about every three months. They seem good.
posted by rockindata at 7:23 PM on May 21, 2023

Best answer: I’ve got a previous generation of these.

I'll vouch for these as well, although I preferred the company's previous name of Mr. Beams. They come with a plate that attaches to the wall and then they sort of snap onto the plate. Three or so months of rechargeable batteries is about right for me too, they get dimmer past that.
posted by Superilla at 8:40 PM on May 21, 2023

Have you thought about just lay down a whole string of LED lights along the corridor, powered by an outlet and turned on by a couple motion sensors?
posted by kschang at 9:39 PM on May 21, 2023 [1 favorite]

It would require having the existing light switches in the right places (i.e., placed where you have to pass them before going up or down the stairs), but if so, replacing them with a switch like this ( a motion-sensor switche that also turns off in daylight) would be a solution. It's often not outrageously expensive to have an electrician relocate a switch, either. That way you would be able to avoid the issue of battery replacements and maintenance of the temporary lights.
posted by Dip Flash at 6:45 AM on May 22, 2023

I've been using 2 of these for 6 years and they work fine. Have had to replace the batteries once.
posted by joeyh at 9:57 AM on May 23, 2023