Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Inspiration

HappySprout may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The best outdoor light timers to manage your property lighting

By

Don’t feel like you need to brave harsh weather or risk electrocution to turn your outdoor lights on and off. Remote controls and smart apps help you control your outdoor lighting from inside. Timers are weatherproof and stay strong in harsh climates.

You may love the look of outdoor and seasonal lights on your home, but you don’t love the installation and maintenance process. These lighting products enable you to set up times for the lights to turn on and off at dusk or dawn or the time intervals you want. Some options include remote controls, and others come apps so you can manage your lights without moving.

Dewebwils Outdoor Light Sensor Timer

Best Overall

The dual 3-prong outlet and remote control help you manage lighting your outdoor devices at the times you want. You can set them to go on or off at dusk to dawn or after intervals of two, four, six, or eight hours. The wireless remote control helps you turn your lights off and on from anywhere in your house to outside. You can plug two appliances into the timer at the same time; for example, if you want Christmas and holiday lights to shine. The sensor timer is weatherproof with a heavy-duty and durable design to protect your systems inside and outside. It comes with an extension cord and battery for the remote control.

BN-Link Outdoor Timer

Best Remote Controlled

This outdoor lighting timer has photocell sensing technologies to turn your lights on and off automatically. It remains waterproof as long as you use it at least 2 feet off the ground. It comes with three grounded outlets so you can install three sets of lights at once.

Choose when you want your lights to turn on and off at the time intervals you want—whether it's 2-hour, 4-hour, 6-hour, or 8-hour intervals, at dusk or dawn. Use the remote control to control the timer. The remote can operate up to 100 feet, so you don't have to go outside in bad weather to manage your lighting preferences.

Tonbux Outdoor Smart Plug

Best Multi-socket

This 3-outlet Smart WiFi Outdoor Plug helps you manage your outdoor lights without moving an inch. It comes in IP44 housing material to withstand debris and water—just don't immerse the case. The Tonbux outdoor smart plug can be controlled using voice commands via Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. Download the Smart Life App and use the app to set timers when you want to turn your lights on and off. This Smart Plug can work with iOS and Android devices, but can only support 2.4GH WiFi.

Vavofo Outdoor Smart Plug

Best Smart

Use this Smart Plug to switch your outdoor electrical devices on and off by downloading the Smart Life app on your smartphone. The Smart App helps you schedule each device connected to the VAVOFO Smart Outdoor Plug to turn on and off at times, you decide. The plug itself works with a secured 2.4 GHz WiFi network with a range of up to 300 feet. Use voice commands with Alexa and Google Assistant for convenient control. The outdoor plug has an IP64 rating to protect your device from outer dirt and water.

These outdoor light sensors ease the burden of deciding when and how you want to light certain areas of your property. To activate them, all you need to do is a flick of your wrist on a remote, a finger swipe on an app, or a voice command. Now you can put away that ladder!

HappySprout Contributor
HappySprout Contributor
Attract migratory birds to your yard with these simple tips
Here are some easy ways to invite birds into your outdoor space
Migrating bird flocks

In early spring, many bird species begin to migrate to their spring and summer homes. If you live along a migration path, you should start seeing birds that you normally wouldn’t find in your garden, making this an exciting time for birdwatchers! From the beautiful rufous hummingbird on the West Coast to the East Coast’s orioles, migratory birds are crossing over every part of the U.S. Just because they're flying through your neighborhood doesn't mean they'll visit you're garden, though!

If you want to see gorgeous migratory birds from the comfort of your own home or front porch, then we're here to help. This simple guide will teach you what you need to know about how to attract migratory birds to your yard.

Read more
What is no-dig gardening? Here’s how to do it
Start your own no-dig garden today
A heliotrope plant growing in a garden

There are as many ways to design a garden as there are gardeners, with more variations and methods than we can count. Many of these variations offer benefits, ranging from the soothing effects of zen gardens to the ecological benefits of native wildflower gardens. One beneficial gardening method you might want to try out is no-dig gardening. If you aren’t familiar with this technique, you might be confused by the name. How can you grow a garden without digging? We’ve put together this guide for just that reason, and the answers are simpler than you might imagine.
What is no-dig gardening and is it right for you?

No-dig gardening doesn’t mean you never dig at all -- you’ll still need to dig holes if you want to plant seedlings or mature plants. It just means that digging is limited to only the times when it's necessary. By limiting the amount of digging you do, your garden can more closely mirror the natural environment, leading to fewer weeds, better drainage, and healthier soil.

Read more
Save money and the planet with these food waste apps
Try these apps to help reduce food waste and save the environment
Fresh vegetables with a knife on a wooden surface

According to the USDA food waste FAQs, between 30 and 40% of the nation's food supply goes to waste. The food itself ends up in a landfill, and the time and energy needed to produce it goes to waste as well. Considering the amount of electricity involved in the production, you can understand how this can add up to create a massive impact on society and the environment. While these numbers may feel overwhelming, there are now apps aimed at reducing the amount of waste and redistributing it to those in need.

Whether you're hoping to reduce your own food waste by passing your excess on to your neighbors or looking to pick up a grocery store's surplus, these food waste apps will be a big help to you and the environment. 
The best food waste apps

Read more