One great way to add some curb appeal to your home is by installing solar lights. Not only do they look beautiful, but they’re also a cost-effective way to light up your hardscape, garden, and many other of your outdoor areas. If you’re not sure what type of lighting is right for you, check out our outdoor lighting guide.
When it comes to solar lights, there are a lot of options to choose from. So, how do you know which ones are the best for your home exterior?
Here’s our roundup of the best solar lights to help you pick out the best set for your home.
Best Outdoor Solar Lights For Your Backyard
Best Overall Solar Lights
Beau Jardin Solar Lights For Pathways
These solar pathway lights are one of the best on the market. You can set them up quickly and easily, meaning you can use them as soon as you get them. Their stainless steel and watertight diamond glass design make them beautiful and weatherproof, as does their IP65 waterproof rating. The lights automatically turn on at night and off at dawn to conserve the bulb’s lifespan. On a full charge, they can stay bright for 8-12 hours.
Aloftsun Motion Sensor Solar Spotlights
https://www.amazon.com/AloftSun-Landscape-Spotlights-Waterproof-Wireless/dp/B09N6YVJQ9
The Aloftsun solar light is one of the best solar lights on the market, thanks to its features and performance. With three light modes, it can be used as a security light, an accent light, or a general-purpose light. Their solar panels convert more sunlight to electricity than many other brands. With an IP68 waterproof rating, it can withstand most weather conditions. Their LED bulbs have an estimated 40,000 hours of use.
Best Solar Light Upgrade
Ring Solar Path Lights
https://ring.com/products/smart-lighting-pathlight-solar
This powerful solar light emits 80 lumens of light, making it ideal for illuminating pathways, walkways, and other outdoor areas. The starter kit includes the Ring Bridge, which enables smart features like scheduling, remote on and off, and custom settings. The Ring Solar Pathlight also works with Alexa and connects to other Ring devices for added convenience.
Best Budget
Better Homes & Gardens Satin Black Outdoor Sconce Aluminum Solar Lamp
This sconce is one of the best solar lights for those on a budget. It features an Edison tube bulb, 20-lumen bulbs, and an 8-hour run time. This solar light is waterproof and weather-resistant. The easy-to-hang design makes it simple to install. Made of corrosion-resistant metal and plastic, this sconce is a great option for those looking for a budget-friendly solar light.
Best Hanging
Derynome Solar Wall-Mounted Lanterns
https://www.amazon.com/Derynome-Solar-Lanterns-Outdoor-Waterproof/dp/B096SHR8P6?th=1
Made from stainless steel and clear glass, these lanterns provide a simple and modern look. Their bulbs provide warm, ambient lighting to patios, decks, and more. Their construction makes them water and dust-resistant, and they have an IP65 waterproof rating. With a 6-8 hour charging time, they can provide 8-10 hours of light. You can hang them using the screws and brackets that come with it or from any hook you already have up.
Best String Lights
Brightech Soft White LED Solar-Powered String Lights
https://www.amazon.com/Brightech-Ambience-Pro-Waterproof-Outdoor/dp/B075NS8YXG/
These are one of the best solar lights in string form. They’re commercial-grade and waterproof. They feature LED Edison bulbs that give them a classic look. The 1-watt LED bulbs provide a soft white light and can last for 5-6 hours on a full charge. The included stake and clip allow you to place the solar panel almost anywhere. They come with an industry-leading 2-year limited warranty guarantee against any defects, malfunctions, or sudden failures.
Brightech Ambience Pro Dimmable Edison Style Solar Lights
These high-quality string lights are perfect for any patio, backyard, or outdoor space. Thanks to their Alexa compatibility, you can easily turn them on and off with just a few voice commands. Plus, with an industry-leading 3-year limited warranty, you can rest assured that your purchase is protected.
AMIR Solar String Lights Upgraded (Fairy Lights)
https://www.amazon.com/AMIR-Solar-Waterproof-Christmas-Decorative/dp/B076DZKJ7K/
These are the best solar lights when it comes to string fairy lights. They are made with 100 LED bulbs per strip. It is also IP65 waterproof, making it ideal for any weather conditions. Plus, the solar panel is easy to install and requires no tools.
Best Spotlights
Vont LED Outdoor Solar Spotlights
https://www.amazon.com/Vont-Solar-Spotlights-Metallic-Black/dp/B08PQM8ML4
These solar spotlights are durable and adjustable. You can switch between two brightness modes that can last between 6 and 12 hours. The IPX7 waterproof design ensures that your lights will be safe in all weather conditions. The lifetime warranty guarantees that you’ll be satisfied with your purchase.
LITOM Solar Spotlights
https://untilgone.com/products/litom-warm-white-outdoor-solar-landscape-spotlight-2-or-4-pack.html
These best solar lights can be mounted on either the ground or a wall using the screws that come with them. The light has low light and high light modes, so you can choose the level of brightness that best suits your needs. The IP67 rating means that the light is waterproof and weather-resistant, making it a great choice for any location. If you’re not satisfied with the light, you can return it within 90 days for a full refund. It also comes with a 2-year warranty.
Best Decorative
Brightown LED Solar Powered Fairy Lights For Outdoors
https://www.amazon.com/Pack-Outdoor-Solar-String-Lights/dp/B07HGYX8Y6/
These solar lights are designed for outdoor use, helping them rank as one of the best solar lights. With their IP65 waterproof rating, you don’t have to worry about them being damaged by the weather. They also come with 8 different lighting modes, so you can choose a setting that suits your mood or the occasion. The solar panel is adjustable, so you can angle it to get the most sunlight. These lights are easily hung or wrapped, making them a great option for almost any space. Best of all, they work for up to 8 or 10 hours on a full charge, which is plenty of time to enjoy their warm white light.
Best Motion Sensor
Linkind StarRay Solar Motion Sensor Landscape Spotlights
https://www.amazon.com/Linkind-Landscape-Spotlights-Waterproof-Wireless/dp/B082V5M16V/
Made from tough Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, this solar light is designed to withstand the elements. It also has a maximum 650-lumen output, making it one of the brightest and best solar lights on the market. The StarRay is also highly accurate and sensitive, making it ideal for use as a security light. You can switch between motion-activated and always-on settings. Plus, it’s adjustable horizontally and vertically, so you can direct the panel exactly where you want it. With a sunlight-to-energy conversion rate of up to 20%, StarRay is one of the most efficient solar lights around.
Best Post Light
Kemeco Aluminum Solar Post Light
https://www.amazon.com/Kemeco-ST4311AQ-Aluminum-Fixture-Outdoor/dp/B072BL1TB7/
These lights come with 4 solar panels on top of the fixture, making them efficient at gathering energy from the sun. This places them among the best solar lights. Simply place them on top of a 3-inch post or use the mounting base that comes with it. The 135-145 lumens make them super bright, and the vintage cross-frame design provides a classy look for your home.
Best Multi-Pack
Hampton Bay Solar Landscape Path Lights
These lights are easy to install and keep up with. Just install them and see the beautiful light pattern that the crackle glass lens creates. The integrated LED produces 10 lumens. The black finish on these lights is perfect for any home. They turn on and off at dusk-to-dawn, respectfully, so you don’t have to worry about the bulbs burning out too quickly. These lights will last for 8 hours on a full charge. This pack includes 10 path lights, so you can be sure to light up your landscape.
Best Lantern-Style
Home Zone Solar Wall-Mounted Lantern Lights
The black aluminum design is sleek and stylish, and the lantern style is perfect for adding a touch of class to your driveway or front porch. The dusk-to-dawn sensor ensures that the lights will turn on automatically at night. This company competes with having the best solar lights, and they have a 1-year guarantee backing it up. With easy installation and a variety of uses, these solar lantern lights are one of the best ways to light up your home.
Best Path Light
Aogist Solar Ground Lights
https://www.amazon.com/Aogist-Solar-Ground-Lights-Landscape/dp/B07GZNJHK6/
These lights are equipped with a dusk-to-dawn sensor, so they’ll automatically turn on when the sun goes down and turn off when the sun comes up. They’re also made of durable ABS material that makes them weather-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about them rusting or corroding over time. Perhaps best of all, they’re very easy to install into the ground. Simply press them into the soil, and you’re good to go!
Best Smart Light
Ring Motion Sensor Solar Path Lights
Here again, we have the Ring solar lights! They’re the best solar lights on the market in multiple categories for the reasons listed in the Upgraded Solar Lights section.
Best Flood Light
Aootek Solar Flood Lights
https://www.amazon.com/Aootek-lights-reflector-Waterproof-Security/dp/B07NQ4L1SB/
These lights have a few different modes – security mode, all-night mode, and smart brightness control mode – so you can customize them based on your needs. The sensitive PIR motion inductor is great for detection, and the 20.5% conversion rate means you’re getting a lot of light for the power. Plus, the IP65 waterproof rating ensures that your light will stand up to the elements.
Best Step Lights
JACKYLED Solar Deck Lights For Stairs
https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Capacity-JACKYLED-Weatherproof-Lighting/dp/B08G44G5RK
These lights are made from high-quality stainless steel, ranking them among the best solar lights. They’re designed to absorb light quickly so that they can provide 8-10 hours of light every night. The IP44 waterproof rating means that these lights can stand up to most weather conditions. They come with screws to help you install them more easily.
Ring Solar Step Lights
https://ring.com/products/smart-lighting-steplight-solar
These lights are designed to be placed on each step of your staircase, and they provide a brightness of up to 50 lumens. With smart controls, you can also get motion-activation notifications sent to your smartphone. Plus, the lights are compatible with other Ring appliances, so you can create a coordinated lighting system for your home. Just be sure to get the Ring bridge in order to use the smart controls. Warranty is for 1 year from the date of purchase.
What To Consider When Selecting Solar Lights
Types
Solar lights are available in a wide range of styles, including path lights, floodlights, string lights, post lights, and more. The best solar lights for you will depend on your needs and preferences.
For example, if you want to light up a dark corner of your yard or garden, path lights might be the way to go. If you want to deter intruders with bright, focused light, floodlights are a better option. If you want to add a festive touch to your outdoor space, string lights are always a good choice.
Brightness
The brightness of a solar light bulb is measured in lumens. The higher the number of lumens, the brighter the light. Most ambient solar lights have between 50 and 200 lumens, while most task solar lights have between 400 and 800 lumens.
Special Features
The best solar lights can even come with special features, such as:
Color-changing bulbs: This is a great feature if you like to change the look of your outdoor space from time to time. You can easily switch between different colors to create the perfect ambiance for any occasion.
Motion sensors: This is a great security feature because it means that your lights will turn on automatically when a person or animal approaches your home.
Smart lights: Some solar lights also come with smart technology built-in. This means that you can control your lights using your smartphone or other devices.
FAQs About Solar Lights
How Do Solar Lights Work?
Solar lights work by using energy from the sun to charge a small battery. The battery powers an LED lightbulb, which is controlled by a photocell. When the sun goes down, the photocell turns on the LED lightbulb, and the solar light is illuminated.
Are Solar Lights Expensive?
Solar lights are very affordable, and they’ll save you money in the long run because you won’t have to pay for electricity to power them. In fact, many solar lights come with a built-in timer, so you can set them to turn on and off automatically at specific times of the day. The best solar lights will be on the pricier side.
Do Solar Lights Need a Lot of Sunlight?
One of the great things about solar lights is that they don’t need direct sunlight to work. They will still charge in cloudy or overcast conditions due to indirect sunlight, but they will charge more quickly in direct sunlight. You’ll want to install solar lights in areas that get plenty of sunlight.
How Long Do Solar Lights Last?
Depending on if you get the best solar lights or not, they typically last for 6 months to 2 years before they need to be replaced. However, if you live in an area with long winters or little sunlight, your solar lights may not last as long. You can extend the life of your solar lights by storing them indoors during the winter months. You can tell when they need replacing when their bright light starts fading.
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