Although step lights using traditional incandescent or xenon bulbs are available, LEDs are widely used for their economy and long lifespan. Xenon lights are take second place to LED lights in terms of economy, with 18 watts being the standard consumption and lasting around 10,000 hours – compare this to standard incandescent bulbs which use more power and last less than 10% as long. Obviously, if you plan on using the lights outside, then you need to choose suitable weather-proof units.
Motion sensing step lights are a very practical option, especially those which feature a dual illumination mode. These models switch off automatically during daylight and have a low power ‘glow’ mode which activates at dusk. When they detect motion from within a few feet, they operate at full power for a set period before returning to the ‘glow’ mode. These lights may be low voltage mains or battery powered. Solar powered step lights are also widely available, by using one or more LED bulbs they provide sufficient illumination and extremely long life.