Buying guide

The best porch lights for every front door.

Eleven porch and front door lights from our range, chosen for the door they suit: period or modern, covered or open. Sizes, lumens and IP ratings come straight from each product's own listing.

Where's it going?

By Enso Lighting · Updated 23 October 2026

Mirage hanging lantern, our pick for a tall porch. See it

The quick list

  1. 1 Best single lantern Ravenna Outdoor Box Wall Light £95
  2. 2 Best as a pair Mars Outdoor Wall Light £80
  3. 3 Best for a low porch Corvus Hexagonal Outdoor Lantern £58
  4. 4 Best for a tall porch Mirage Outdoor Hanging Lantern £78
  5. 5 Best traditional pendant Linden Traditional Outdoor Pendant Light £65
  6. 6 Best wired sensor light Mayson LED Sensor Outdoor Aluminium Wall Light £83
  7. 7 Best with no wiring Pike Rechargeable Outdoor Wall Light £65
  8. 8 Best for a period door Corben Half Lantern Outdoor Wall Light £31
  9. 9 Best caged lantern Alicia Industrial Outdoor Wall Light £90
  10. 10 Best up-and-down for a modern door Varna Modern Up/Down Outdoor LED Wall Light £80
  11. 11 Best for a tight reveal Laska Contemporary Outdoor LED Wall Light £110
01

Beside the front door

What matters here

  • Centre it about 1.7 m above the doorstep, beside the door.
  • Pair two lights only on a wide porch or a double door.
  • Put the door light on a dusk-to-dawn photocell for a steady welcome.

Best single lantern

1. Ravenna Outdoor Box Wall Light

Ravenna Outdoor Box Wall Light — Glass, Anthracite

£95 Free UK delivery over £40 · 30-day returns
Quick look: Ravenna Outdoor Box Wall Light

A generous box lantern, 18 cm wide, glazed on four sides so light reaches the step, the lock and the corners of the porch. IP54 gives it a margin on a door that catches the rain. It takes one E27 bulb and dims.

Specifications

Light
E27 ES, bulb not included
Fix it
1.6–2.0 m up
Dimmable
Yes
Size
W 18 cm · H 30 cm · D 17.6 cm
Material
Metal
Finish
Clear
Fitting
Wired in by an electrician
IP rating
IP54

What we like

  • Glazed on four sides
  • IP54 suits a more open door
  • Dimmable

Good to know

  • E27 bulb not included
  • Stands 17.6 cm off the wall

Best as a pair

2. Mars Outdoor Wall Light

Mars Outdoor Wall Light — Matt Black, Up & Down LED

£80 Free UK delivery over £40 · 30-day returns
Quick look: Mars Outdoor Wall Light

A small round black light that sends shafts of light up and down from its top and bottom. Sliding baffles let you narrow or widen the beams, and it is compact enough that a pair either side of the door frames it without crowding. Each gives 256 lumens of warm 3000K light.

Specifications

Light
LED built in: 256 lumens, 3000K
Fix it
1.5–2.0 m, one each side
Size
W 11.7 cm · H 14 cm · D 11 cm
Material
Metal
Finish
Matt Black
Fitting
Wired in by an electrician
IP rating
IP44

What we like

  • Adjustable beam baffles
  • Built-in warm 3000K LED
  • Small enough to pair

Good to know

  • Not listed as dimmable
  • 256 lumens each: soft, not bright
02

A low porch ceiling

What matters here

  • Choose a flush fitting when a pendant would meet heads at the door.
  • Centre it over the step, where keys and faces are.
  • Use IP44 as a minimum, even under a covered porch.
Outdoor ceiling lights (1)

Best for a low porch

3. Corvus Hexagonal Outdoor Lantern

Corvus Hexagonal Outdoor Lantern — Glass, Brushed Black/Silver

£58 Free UK delivery over £40 · 30-day returns
Quick look: Corvus Hexagonal Outdoor Lantern

A flush hexagonal lantern, only 13 cm high, with frosted panes in a caged black and silver frame. Fixed tight to a porch ceiling it clears every head, and the frosted glass softens the bulb. IP54 is a step above most porch lights, and it dims.

Specifications

Light
E27 ES, bulb not included
Fix it
Flush to the porch ceiling
Dimmable
Yes
Size
H 13 cm
Material
Aluminium / Glass
Finish
Brushed Black
Fitting
Wired in by an electrician
IP rating
IP54

What we like

  • Sits flush, clears every head
  • Frosted panes, softer light
  • Dimmable

Good to know

  • E27 bulb not included
03

A tall covered porch

What matters here

  • Keep the base at least 2.1 m above the porch floor.
  • Check an outward-opening door clears the lantern.
  • Hang it only under a roof; IP44 pendants want cover overhead.
All outdoor pendants (7)

Best for a tall porch

4. Mirage Outdoor Hanging Lantern

Mirage Outdoor Hanging Lantern — Anthracite, Adjustable Drop

£78 Free UK delivery over £40 · 30-day returns
Quick look: Mirage Outdoor Hanging Lantern

The Mirage box lantern, 13 cm square, on a 0.9 m chain, for a porch with height to spare. The drop is set on the fitting, so the base can clear the door and anyone carrying shopping. It matches the Mirage wall and path lights if you want one family from door to gate.

Specifications

Light
E27 ES, bulb not included
Fix it
2.1–2.4 m up
Dimmable
Yes · Trailing edge
Size
W 13 cm · H 90 cm · D 13 cm
Material
Metal / Glass
Finish
Anthracite
Fitting
Wired in by an electrician
IP rating
IP44

What we like

  • Adjustable 0.9 m drop
  • Matches Mirage wall and path lights
  • Dimmable

Good to know

  • Needs a covered porch roof
  • E27 bulb not included

Best traditional pendant

5. Linden Traditional Outdoor Pendant Light

Linden Traditional Outdoor Pendant Light — Black, Clear Glass Globe

£65 Free UK delivery over £40 · 30-day returns
Quick look: Linden Traditional Outdoor Pendant Light

A clear glass globe beneath a black cone mount, 85 cm tall overall, in a traditional outline that suits brick and older porches. Through clear glass a filament bulb becomes the feature, and the single E27 lampholder dims with a dimmable bulb.

Specifications

Light
E27 ES, bulb not included
Fix it
2.1–2.4 m up
Dimmable
Yes · Trailing edge (with dimmable bulb)
Size
H 85 cm
Material
Aluminium and glass
Finish
Black
Fitting
Wired in by an electrician
IP rating
IP44

What we like

  • Clear globe shows off a filament
  • Traditional outline
  • Dimmable with a dimmable bulb

Good to know

  • E27 bulb not included
  • Clear glass: choose a low-glare bulb
04

With a sensor

What matters here

  • Set the LUX dial so it works only after dark.
  • Give a front door 1–2 minutes on the timer.
  • Mount it 1.8–2.4 m up and aim across the path.
All outdoor wall lights (31)

Best wired sensor light

6. Mayson LED Sensor Outdoor Aluminium Wall Light

Mayson LED Sensor Outdoor Aluminium Wall Light — Warm White, Dark Grey

£83 Free UK delivery over £40 · 30-day returns
Quick look: Mayson LED Sensor Outdoor Aluminium Wall Light

A rounded dark grey light with a warm 3000K LED and a PIR sensor built in, so the door lights up as you arrive. Its 853 lumens are enough to find a key without hunting. Fix it 1.8–2.4 m up, aimed across the approach rather than straight down it.

Specifications

Light
LED built in: 853 lumens, 3000K
Fix it
1.8–2.4 m up
Dimmable
No
Size
W 16 cm · H 18.7 cm · D 18 cm
Material
Aluminium and glass
Finish
Dark grey
Fitting
Wired in by an electrician
IP rating
IP44

What we like

  • 853 lumens, built-in LED
  • PIR sensor built in
  • Warm 3000K

Good to know

  • Not dimmable
  • Projects 18 cm from the wall

Best with no wiring

7. Pike Rechargeable Outdoor Wall Light

Pike Rechargeable Outdoor Wall Light — Black, Sensor

£65 Free UK delivery over £40 · 30-day returns
Quick look: Pike Rechargeable Outdoor Wall Light

A small black aluminium light, 10 cm wide, that recharges by USB and fixes to the wall with no cable to run. Its sensor brings on 250 lumens of 2700K light as you reach the door, a good courtesy light for a rented home or a side door.

Specifications

Light
LED built in: 250 lumens, 2700K
Fix it
1.5–2.0 m up
Dimmable
No
Size
W 10 cm · H 8 cm · D 10 cm
Material
Aluminium
Finish
Black
Fitting
Rechargeable, no wiring
IP rating
IP44

What we like

  • No electrician needed
  • Very warm 2700K
  • Sensor built in

Good to know

  • Must be recharged by USB
  • Not dimmable
05

A period front door

What matters here

  • Choose clear glass and a candle or filament bulb for period doors.
  • Run it at 2700K: warm light flatters old brick and stone.
  • Pick a dimmable fitting so a bare bulb can glow, not glare.
All traditional lighting (13)

Best for a period door

8. Corben Half Lantern Outdoor Wall Light

Corben Half Lantern Outdoor Wall Light — Matt Black, IP44

£31 Free UK delivery over £40 · 30-day returns
Quick look: Corben Half Lantern Outdoor Wall Light

A traditional half lantern that sits flat to the wall, with clear glass panels around one E27 lampholder. Beside a panelled front door with a candle-style bulb, it gives a period house the lantern it suits. Die-cast aluminium means no rust streaks on the brick, and IP44 suits a sheltered doorway.

Specifications

Light
E27
Fix it
1.5–1.8 m up
Size
W 26 cm · H 44 cm · D 12 cm
Material
Die-cast aluminium, Glass
Finish
Matt Black
Fitting
Wired in by an electrician
IP rating
IP44

What we like

  • Classic half-lantern outline
  • Die-cast aluminium, no rust
  • Sits flat to the wall

Good to know

  • Bulb on show: choose a low-glare one
  • Not listed as dimmable

Best caged lantern

9. Alicia Industrial Outdoor Wall Light

Alicia Industrial Outdoor Wall Light — Glass, Black

£90 Free UK delivery over £40 · 30-day returns
Quick look: Alicia Industrial Outdoor Wall Light

A caged lantern in matt black, 32 cm tall and 16.5 cm wide, with the bulb on show behind clear panels. It projects only 12 cm, so it sits tight to a door frame, and it suits cottage and farmhouse doors alike. Its light spreads sideways as well as down, and it dims.

Specifications

Light
E27 ES
Fix it
1.5–1.8 m up
Dimmable
Yes
Size
W 16.5 cm · H 32 cm · D 12 cm
Material
Stainless steel and polycarbonate
Finish
Black
Fitting
Wired in by an electrician
IP rating
IP44

What we like

  • Projects only 12 cm
  • Dimmable
  • Caged frame, cottage feel

Good to know

  • Bulb on show: choose a low-glare one
  • IP44: best in a sheltered doorway
06

A modern front door

What matters here

  • Choose slim, flat fittings that sit within the door reveal.
  • Use up-and-down light to frame a door in two shafts.
  • Set colour-adjustable lights to 3000K or warmer.
All outdoor wall lights (31)

Best up-and-down for a modern door

10. Varna Modern Up/Down Outdoor LED Wall Light

Varna Modern Up/Down Outdoor LED Wall Light — Aluminium, Matt Black

£80 Free UK delivery over £40 · 30-day returns
Quick look: Varna Modern Up/Down Outdoor LED Wall Light

A curved matt black body with a brushed gold interior that sends two shafts of light up and down the wall. Its 770 lumens and IP54 rating suit a modern door on an open front. The light colour can be set from 3000K to 6500K: keep it at 3000K, as the cooler settings feel harsh.

Specifications

Light
LED built in: 770 lumens, 3000–6500K
Fix it
1.8–2.1 m up
Dimmable
No
Size
W 16 cm · H 18 cm · D 6.4 cm
Material
Die-cast Aluminium
Finish
Matt Black
Fitting
Wired in by an electrician
IP rating
IP54

What we like

  • Die-cast aluminium body
  • 770 lumens, up and down
  • IP54 for an open front

Good to know

  • Not dimmable
  • Cooler settings look harsh: use 3000K

Best for a tight reveal

11. Laska Contemporary Outdoor LED Wall Light

Laska Contemporary Outdoor LED Wall Light — Warm White, Wood & Anthracite

£110 Free UK delivery over £40 · 30-day returns
Quick look: Laska Contemporary Outdoor LED Wall Light

A narrow upright panel, 8 cm wide and under 4 cm deep, with a wood-finish face and a single band of warm light. It fits inside a tight door reveal where a lantern would not, and at IP65 it needs no porch over it.

Specifications

Light
LED built in: 178 lumens, 3000K
Fix it
1.5–1.8 m up
Size
W 8 cm · H 16 cm · D 3.9 cm
Material
Aluminium and glass
Finish
Anthracite & Wood
Fitting
Wired in by an electrician
IP rating
IP65

What we like

  • IP65, no shelter needed
  • Under 4 cm deep
  • Wood-finish face warms render

Good to know

  • 178 lumens: a soft marker
  • Not listed as dimmable

Questions we get asked

How high should a light be beside a front door?

Centre the fitting about 1.7 m above the doorstep, beside the door rather than above it. That puts light on faces and the lock without glaring at whoever is on the step.

One light or two beside the front door?

One lantern suits most front doors. A matched pair suits a wide porch or a double door, set at exactly the same height.

What IP rating does a porch light need?

IP44 is enough for a covered porch or a recessed doorway. If the door takes rain head-on with no shelter, go IP54–IP65.

Should a porch light be on a sensor or a photocell?

A dusk-to-dawn photocell suits the front door, because the welcome is always there. Motion sensors suit side doors, drives and bins.

Which bulb should go in an outdoor lantern?

Behind clear glass, choose a warm 2700K filament or candle LED that glows rather than glares. Check the fitting's maximum wattage and whether it dims before you buy.

Can I fit a porch light without an electrician?

A mains porch light is a job for a registered electrician. If there is no cable, a rechargeable wall light needs no wiring at all, though it gives a courtesy light rather than a floodlight.

Not sure yet?

Let the light finder narrow it down.

A few questions about your room, then a short list of lights that fit.

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