A fluorescent wall light outside my garage has died. I want to replace it with a LED one that turns on when dark and off when bright automatically (dusk to dawn). I see two choices:

(1) buy a dusk to dawn wall light with integrated LED light.
PRO: no LED compatibility issue
CONS: has to replace whole unit when the bulb fails. Do they really last 10 years?

(2) buy one with E26 socket and screw in an LED bulb.
PRO: easy to replace bulb
CONS: control circuit may not be LED compatible in which case the bulb may not shut off completely, or flicker, etc.
Manufacturers are not making the selection easy by stating whether the unit is LED compatible.

If I go with (2). I will test it with LED bulb before installing it for good. Still the trouble of having to test and return unit could be a pain if I have to do it multiple times.

Is there a better online site to shop with good filters so I can narrow down the list quickly?

Any advice suggestion?

 

I wouldn't worry so much between your two options. There will be a decent amount of electronics involved with either and you can't assume that the bulb will be the only thing that dies. The fixture's light sensing circuitry might be just as susceptible to failure. So, I'd just pick whichever you like best and is in stock.