The Best Outdoor Wall Sconces for 2026
The best outdoor wall sconces are wet-rated LED fixtures that match your home's style and the scale of the wall they sit on, mounted at about eye level beside a door or evenly along a wall. Below are our top picks across looks and sizes, from modern dark-sky sconces to classic lanterns, plus how to size and place them.
In this article
- What makes a great outdoor sconce
- What size and where to mount it
- Our best outdoor wall sconces
- Frequently asked questions
What makes a great outdoor sconce
Look for three things. First, the rating: a wet-rated sconce can take direct rain and works on any exterior wall, which is the safe default. Second, LED with selectable color temperature, like the Alteck sconces with their 5-CCT switch, for long life, low energy use, and a warm or cool look on demand. Third, a style and finish that suit your home, from modern sand black and dark bronze to a classic lantern shape, with dark-sky options if you want to aim light down and cut glare.
What size and where to mount it
For a sconce beside a single door, aim for a fixture about one-quarter to one-third the height of the door, and mount it so the center sits around 66 to 72 inches off the ground, roughly eye level. Flank a double door or a garage with a matched pair, and on a long wall space several evenly. Bigger walls and two-story entries can carry a larger sconce, while a compact lantern suits a narrow space between windows or a back door.
Our best outdoor wall sconces
Five sconces across modern and classic looks and a range of sizes. Each links to its live product page for the current price.
A solid-brass wet-rated, dark-sky LED sconce in dark bronze that anchors a main entry with quality and clean lines.
A sleek wet-rated LED sconce that directs light down to cut glare, ideal for a contemporary facade.
A sculptural wet-rated, dark-sky LED sconce in sand black that makes a design statement on a feature wall.
A traditional lantern-style wall sconce that brings warmth and character to a classic or craftsman home.
A small, clean-lined sconce for a back door, a narrow wall, or anywhere you want subtle light in a tight space.
Frequently asked questions
How high should outdoor wall sconces be mounted?
Mount a sconce so its center sits about 66 to 72 inches off the ground, roughly eye level, beside a door. On a taller two-story entry you can go a little higher to keep the proportions right.
What size outdoor sconce do I need?
For a single door, choose a sconce about one-quarter to one-third the door's height. Use a matched pair to flank a double door or garage, and a larger fixture for a big or two-story facade.
Do outdoor wall sconces need to be wet-rated?
On any exposed wall, yes. A wet-rated sconce handles direct rain and is the safe default. Damp-rated is fine only in fully covered spots like a deep porch.
Should outdoor sconces be dark-sky?
Dark-sky sconces aim light downward to reduce glare and light pollution and are required in some areas. If you want a clean, glare-free wash of light, choose one, but a traditional lantern is still a great look where downlighting is not required.
One sconce or a pair?
Use a single sconce beside a standard door, and a matched pair to flank a double door, a garage, or a wide entry for symmetry. On a long wall, space several evenly.
Shop outdoor wall sconces
Wet-rated LED and lantern wall sconces for entries, garages, and feature walls, with free shipping.
Shop outdoor wall lights →More outdoor lighting guides: pendant & hanging lights, flush mount & ceiling lights, post & lamp post lights, and wet-rated vs damp-rated.