SMY Lighting Dimmable LED Deck Lights with Timer and Photocell Sensor and Protecting Shell φ32mm,20Pack Outdoor LED Smart Deck Lighting IP67 Waterproof for Garden,Yard Stair, Patio, Floor Decoration

Why I chose the SMY deck lights

I’ve been looking for a low‑profile way to add safe, attractive step and perimeter lighting to a new deck without committing to a proprietary ecosystem or spending a small fortune. The SMY deck lights hit the right notes on paper: a 20‑pack of warm‑white, low‑voltage, recessed LEDs with true outdoor ratings, built‑in dimming, and a controller that handles manual on/off, dusk‑to‑dawn, and timer modes. After a few weeks of use across stair risers and along a perimeter board, I’m impressed by how much thought went into this compact kit—and where there’s still room to improve.

Installation: straightforward, with a few details to plan

The kit includes the 12V transformer/controller, a harness with copper 2‑pin quick connects, and 20 mini fixtures. The lights are tiny “dot” style with a 32 mm face and a short, 23 mm body, so they fit in shallow decking or risers without interfering with framing.

• Cutout size: The manual specifies a 24–30 mm hole depending on whether you use the included black protective shells (for embedded installs in thicker materials like stone). I used a 1-inch Forstner bit for composite decking, which produced a snug press fit without the shell. If you plan to use the black shells, aim closer to 30 mm.
• Drilling and placement: Because these are so shallow, I could place them low on stair risers and along a perimeter board without hitting joists. I recommend a layout line and painter’s tape to keep holes consistent and avoid tear‑out.
• Wiring: The quick‑connect system is plug‑and‑play. It’s a parallel layout, so you can skip fixtures or remove one later without killing the whole run. That’s a big plus compared to series systems where one failure knocks everything out.

The whole install on a 4‑step staircase and one deck edge took an afternoon, including measuring and drilling. The most time-consuming part was routing the harness neatly and securing slack with UV‑resistant clips under the deck.

Pro tips:
- Leave a gentle drip loop under each connection to discourage water wicking into connectors.
- If you’re running lights widely spaced, plan for extra extension cables from SMY; the included leads are better suited to typical stair/perimeter spacing.
- Put the controller/photocell where it can “see” ambient light. If it’s hidden under a deck or inside an opaque box, the dusk‑to‑dawn mode won’t behave correctly.

Controls and “smart” features that are actually useful

The controller handles three modes:
- Manual on/off
- Photocell dusk‑to‑dawn
- Timer with selectable off times (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, or 12 hours)

There’s also on‑unit dimming. It’s stepped rather than infinitely variable, but the range is wide enough to go from subtle marker lights to confident step illumination. I particularly like the memory function: after I cut power at the breaker to test it, the system came back at the same brightness and mode it had before.

There’s no app or wireless remote, which I actually appreciate for a simple deck system—one less thing to troubleshoot. If you want to tie it into a smart home setup, you could put the transformer on a smart plug and use the system in a simple on/off mode, but the onboard photocell and timer have been more convenient for me than any cloud routine.

Light quality and brightness

Each fixture is only 0.6 W, but don’t let the wattage fool you. These produce a bright, warm‑white dot that’s perfect for step edges and for creating a low‑glare perimeter outline. At full brightness, a single light clearly defines a stair tread; at lower settings, they provide a pleasant glow that doesn’t nuke night vision.

Color quality is a warm, welcoming white—no harsh blue tint—and I didn’t notice any flicker or PWM artifacts when dimmed. Because these are small aperture lights, they’re best as markers or accents, not primary area lighting. If you want to flood a deck surface, pair them with post caps or under‑rail strips; for wayfinding and aesthetics, these are spot on.

Build quality and weather readiness

The fixtures use 304 stainless steel at the face with an acrylic/ABS body, and the assemblies are filled and sealed. The rating is IP67, which is the right side of overbuilt for a deck environment. I installed them flush to the surface and hit a few with a hose after a dusty day of cutting—no moisture issues. The short body and flat face make them hard to snag with a broom or shoe.

The included black protective shells are a thoughtful addition if you’re embedding into stone stairs or want a more robust mechanical seat in soft lumber. They slightly change the cutout requirement and raise the bezel a hair, but the result feels very secure.

The 12V transformer/controller is compact and tidy. I mounted it under the deck with spacers for airflow and a drip edge above. It does get warm at higher brightness (I ran the full 20 lights in testing), so don’t bury it in a sealed cavity. With reasonable ventilation, heat hasn’t been an issue.

Efficiency and wiring flexibility

At 0.6 W per light, a full 20‑pack pulls about 12 W. That’s sip-from-a-straw territory. Leaving them on dusk‑to‑dawn won’t materially impact your electric bill, and the low‑voltage DC system is safer around wet locations than a line‑voltage alternative.

Because the lights run in parallel and are individually detachable, you’re not locked into using all 20. I installed 14 and left the rest as spares. The harness tolerated that just fine, and the controller didn’t complain. If one light ever fails, the others keep working; replacement is as easy as pressing out the fixture and swapping the connector.

What I’d change

• Extensions in the box: For larger decks or stairways with atypical spacing, you may need extra extension leads. I’d love at least a couple of longer jumpers included.
• Controller placement guidance: The photocell works well, but it’s easy to accidentally tuck the controller where it can’t see daylight. A more obvious external sensor or clearer labeling would help first‑time installers.
• Button ergonomics: The dim/timer selections are handled by small buttons and indicator LEDs. It’s functional, but a slightly larger interface or a magnetic faceplate for mounting would make adjustments easier in low light.

None of these are deal-breakers; they’re quality‑of‑life improvements that would elevate an already solid kit.

Durability and maintenance

So far, the lights have shrugged off rain and foot traffic. The surfaces wipe clean, and the press‑fit design makes replacements painless. The IP67 construction inspires confidence, and the claimed 60,000‑hour LED life aligns with the thermal design (low wattage, lots of metal at the face). As with any transformer, give the controller some airflow and avoid submersion.

The 12‑month warranty is reasonable for a system in this price bracket. Given the parallel wiring and detachable fixtures, even an isolated failure won’t cascade or require pulling the full run.

Who this kit is for

• Homeowners adding step and perimeter lighting without hiring a pro
• Decks, patios, and garden paths that need marker lights more than flood illumination
• Renovations where shallow fixtures and simple wiring are a must
• Anyone who prefers practical, on‑device controls (photocell/timer/dimming) over app ecosystems

If you need RGB color effects, app control, or very high lumen output, this isn’t that system. If you want reliable, warm, understated lighting that looks purpose‑built, this fits the brief.

The bottom line

The SMY deck lights deliver the essentials—clean looks, safe low‑voltage operation, real outdoor durability, and genuinely useful controls—without the complexity and markup common in proprietary systems. Installation is approachable for a careful DIYer, the dimming and mode options cover most use cases, and the parallel, detachable design future‑proofs the system against single‑point failures.

Recommendation: I recommend this kit for accent and safety lighting on decks, stairs, and pathways. It’s efficient, thoughtfully designed, and priced right for what you get. Plan your layout, mind the cutout sizing (with or without the protective shells), give the controller some breathing room, and you’ll have a reliable, low‑maintenance lighting solution that elevates both function and ambiance.