The Best Motion Sensor Lights for Closet, Cabinets, or Drawers

Are your closets and cabinets a little too dark? Could your drawers use some accent lighting? Maybe it’s time to grab a few motion-sensor lights for all those dark places in your life.

Motion sensor lights are great because they’re hassle-free. They turn on and off automatically, so you don’t have to worry about wasting electricity. Plus, they’re easy to install (easier than a light socket), and they usually run on batteries, so they don’t need an outlet.

But which light should you buy? How do you know if a motion sensor light will work for you?

Update, 2/17/22: Double-checked content and links up to date. Replaced Neporal night light with Miady lamp.

What to Look for In Motion Sensor Lights

Every motion sensor light is different. Some are long and thin, while others are chunky and round. Some are meant to work as accent lights, while others can illuminate a whole room.

In other words, you need to be careful when you shop for motion sensor lights. It’s easy to end up with one that doesn’t suit your needs (or is just ugly).

Luckily, you can avoid any disappointment if you consider which of the following features are most important to you beforehand:

• Versatility: Some lighting products require adhesives to stick to the wall, while you can mount others with screws or magnets. Think about how much flexibility you need from your lights, along with extra features, like an “always-on” button or dimming settings.
• Power: Motion sensor lights have automatic shutoff features, but they can still eat through batteries pretty quickly. For that reason, we’ve only included rechargeable lights in this article (minus the Philips Hue LightStrip, which plugs into an outlet).
• Working Distance: Super-sensitive lights work best in walk-in pantries, closets, and other larger areas, while less sensitive lights work best in small drawers or cabinets. You can tell how sensitive a light is by its motion detection range.
• Size: How much lighting do you need? Do you need to illuminate your whole closet or just the inside of a drawer? Generally, large and long lights illuminate a larger area than small or directional lights.

Again, with the exception of the Philips Hue LightStrip, all the motion sensor lights in this article are powered by rechargeable batteries. This means they cost a few bucks more than lights powered by AAA or AA batteries, but they also don’t require battery replacements.

Now that you know what you’re looking for in a motion sensor light, it’s time to shop!

Best Overall: LUXJET LED Strips

LUXJET LED strips are an affordable, simple lighting option for your closet, cabinets, or any other dark or dim place. You can also use them as accent lights. You just attach them to a surface with the included adhesive, and you’re good to go!

Each LED strip is 3.2 feet (one meter) long, and the included motion sensors have a range of about 16 feet (5 meters).

Best Budget Option: AUVON Puck Lights

Rechargeable motion sensor lights can be a bit expensive. If you want the most lighting for your money, check out AUVON’s two-pack of Puck Lights. You can attach these lights to any surface with magnets or the included adhesive pads. They have five brightness and lighting modes, and a range of about 20 feet.

Best Premium Option: LightBiz Adjustable Lights

The LightBiz 78-LED Light Bar is a great option for really dark closets or cabinets. It detects motion from a distance of up to 10 feet, and has a handy always-on feature (for when you need to dig around in your closet), and an adjustable brightness knob. Like other closet lights, you can magnetically attach the LightBiz to a surface or use the included adhesive strip.

Flexible and Adjustable: Miady LED Table Lamp

Have you ever wanted a light in your closet that’s flexible and highly adjustable? Don’t skip the Miady LED Table Lamp. You can adjust it in any direction, and it adjusts to a variety of angles, brightness levels, and color temperatures. It’s also dimmable and supports easy touch controls. You can place it by a mirror, near your jewelry drawer, or in a large closet’s island counter for additional light.

Best Smart Option: Philips Hue LightStrip

Is motion sensing not enough? Philips Hue LightStrips are a solid option for smarthome enthusiasts (or anyone who just wants a bit of color in their life).

These LED strips are a bit expensive, but they’re seven-feet long and fortified for outdoor use. Plus, you can adjust the LightStrip’s color or brightness from the Philips Hue app or a smart assistant. You can even create schedules or pair the LightStrip with a Hue motion sensor.

Just keep in mind that Philips Hue products require a Hue Hub, and this particular light is powered from an outlet, not batteries.