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Through Wind, Rain, and Snow, We Tested Some of the Best Outdoor Solar Lights and Were Amazed by the Results

Best Overall

Brightech Ambience Pro Solar String Lights

Brightech Ambience Pro Solar String Lights

Best Bang for the Buck

4 Aootek Solar Security Lights on a white background

Aootek Solar Security Lights

Best Path

The Best Outdoor Solar Lights Option Beau Jardin Color-Changing Solar Pathway Lights

Beau Jardin Color-Changing Solar Pathway Lights

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Outdoor solar lights simplify exterior illumination, offering beautiful, functional lighting without the need for wiring. These lights are available in a variety of forms to help improve home safety and security, light up patios and walking paths, or create a cozy glow around your lawn, garden, or pool. They’re economical, too, since they harness power from the sun rather than your electricity bill. 

The biggest downside to outdoor solar lights might be how well-stocked the market is with easy-to-use and reliable options, which can make finding the right light or set of lights for your property and aesthetic preferences a challenge. To help narrow your choices, we spent two weeks testing 10 popular picks and rating them based on installation, light quality, appearance, durability, and value. Our favorite was the Brightech Ambience Pro Solar String Lights for their ample yet attractive output, high-quality construction, and easy operation. Read on to learn about all of the options we tested and gain essential insights to help you select the best outdoor solar lights for your budget and needs. 

  1. BEST OVERALL: Brightech Ambience Pro Solar String Lights
    Jump to Review
  2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Aootek Solar Security Lights
    Jump to Review
  3. BEST PATH: Beau Jardin Color-Changing Solar Pathway Lights
    Jump to Review
  4. BEST STEP: Audles Solar Step Lights
    Jump to Review
  5. BEST POST: Kemeco LED Cast Aluminum Solar Post Light Fixture
    Jump to Review
  6. BEST SPOTLIGHT: Linkind StarRay Solar Spotlights
    Jump to Review
  7. BEST FLOOD: Ring Solar Floodlight
    Jump to Review 
  8. BEST FAIRY LIGHTS: Amir Solar String Lights
    Jump to Review
  9. BEST DECORATIVE: Kooper Solar-Powered Integrated LED Outdoor Lantern
    Jump to Review
  10. BEST FLAGPOLE: Kayiune Waterproof Solar Flagpole Light
    Jump to Review
Kooper Solar-Powered Integrated LED Outdoor Lantern on deck displaying light pattern at night
Photo: Michelle Larson for Bob Vila

Outdoor Solar Lights Comparison Chart

Product NameSizeRuntimeLight Color
Brightech Ambience Pro Solar String Lights27 feet longUp to 6 hoursWarm white
Aootek Solar Security Lights3.94 inches high by 6.25 inches wide by 2.25 inches deepUp to 9 hoursBright white
Beau Jardin Color-Changing Solar Pathway Lights‎24 inches high by 3 inches in diameterUp to 12 hoursBright white, color-changing
Audles Solar Step Lights3.2 inches high by 4.3 inches wide by 3.2 inches deepNot listedWarm white
Kemeco LED Cast Aluminum Solar Post Light Fixture18.1 inches high by 8.8 inches in diameter Up to 8 hoursWarm white
Linkind StarRay Solar Spotlights11.4 inches high by 3.94 inches wide by 6.26 inches deepUp to 24 hoursBright white
Ring Solar Floodlight Light: 5.51 inches high by 10.43 inches wide by 4.72 inches deep;
solar panel: 7.98 inches high by 5.51 inches wide by .5 inches deep
Not listedBright white
Amir Solar String Lights39 feet longUp to 12 hoursWarm white
Kooper Solar-Powered Integrated LED Outdoor Lantern10.3 inches high (with handle) by 5.9 inches in diameterUp to 8 hoursWarm white
Kayiune Waterproof Solar Flagpole Light16.8 inches high by 14.3 inches in diameterUp to 16 hoursBright white 

Our Top Picks

Solar outdoor lights gather energy from the sun to provide light well into the night. The best outdoor solar lights are reliable, beautiful, and practical tools for lighting your garden or other outdoor spaces. 

Best Overall

Brightech Ambience Pro Solar String Lights

 Brightech Ambience Pro Solar String Lights
Photo: Amazon

What We Like

  • Full-size S14 bulbs have an attractive vintage aesthetic
  • Shatterproof and weatherproof for reliable outdoor use
  • Heat-resistant up to 122 degrees Fahrenheit

What We Don’t Like

  • Large, heavy bulbs require extra securing during installation

Specs 

  • Size: 27 feet long
  • Runtime: Up to 6 hours
  • Light color: Warm white

Our Ratings: Installation 5/5; Light Quality 4.6/5; Appearance 5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4.3/5 

The Brightech Ambience solar string lights combine heavy-duty construction with an attractive appearance and relatively easy installation. The 27-foot strand has 12 shatterproof and weatherproof Edison-style LED light bulbs that emit plenty of light for up to 6 hours. Although we had to use a few extra fasteners to hang them so they didn’t sag, we appreciated these lights’ sturdy feel and vintage style. It’s also nice that you can replace individual bulbs if they break or burn out.

Another standout feature of this set is its solar panel, which comes with an adjustable angle mounting bracket with built-in options for attaching to a stake, on a squeeze clamp, or virtually anywhere with the addition of a screw. Overall, this is an incredibly nice-looking light set with plenty of installation flexibility, bright and dispersed light, and heavy-duty hardware that promises a long working life. 

What our tester says: “We love just about everything about these lights other than the fact that we now want another set to completely surround our patio. Still, one set is a great starting point, and the price is right for adding on more as needed.”—Mark Wolfe, Product Reviews tester and writer

Read our full review: Brightech Ambience Pro Solar String Lights

Get the Brightech outdoor solar lights at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, or Brightech.

Best Bang for the Buck

Aootek Solar Security Lights

 4 Aootek Solar Security Lights on a white background
Photo: Amazon

What We Like

  • 3 settings: always on, motion sensor only, and combo
  • IP65 rated for water resistance 
  • Easy to install with included screws and anchors

What We Don’t Like

  • Mode button inaccessible after installation
  • Runtime is only about 4 hours in always-on mode

Specs 

  • Size: 3.94 inches high by 6.25 inches wide by 2.25 inches deep 
  • Runtime: Up to 9 hours 
  • Light color: Bright white

Our Ratings: Installation 3.5/5; Light Quality 4.8/5; Appearance 4/5; Durability 4.5/5; Value 4.8/5 

With three useful modes and almost endless installation options, this four-pack of lights from Aootek offers excellent value at an affordable price. These bright white LED lights come with screws and anchors for mounting almost anywhere, including on walls, deck railings, fence posts, and steps. They have an IP65 rating for dust and water resistance, and ours sat outside in below-freezing temperatures and sporadic rain for several weeks with no ill effects. 

While Aootek suggests a runtime of up to 9 hours, these lights only stayed on for about 4 hours when set to always-on mode during tests. The other two modes are motion-sensing (light turns on high when activity is detected) and motion-sensing dim-to-bright (always-on dim light brightens to high for 15 seconds when activity is detected). Just be sure you choose which mode you want before installation, as the mode button is on the backside of the light and becomes inaccessible once you mount it. 

Get the Aootek outdoor solar lights at Amazon.

Best Path

Beau Jardin Color-Changing Solar Pathway Lights

 The Best Outdoor Solar Lights Option Beau Jardin Color-Changing Solar Pathway Lights
Photo: Amazon

What We Like

  • Can choose bright white light or 4 other colors 
  • Textured glass creates an attractive light pattern 
  • Lights automatically turn on at dusk 

What We Don’t Like

  • Some lights in pack don’t stay on as long as others

Specs 

  • Size: ‎24 inches high by 3 inches in diameter
  • Runtime: Up to 12 hours
  • Light color: Bright white, color-changing

Our Ratings: Installation 4/5; Light Quality 5/5; Appearance 5/5; Durability 4.5/5; Value 5/5 

If you’re in the market for pathway lights that are both bright and attractive, look no further. These Beau Jardin solar path lights are made from rust-resistant steel with thick glass shades that create a beautiful design as they illuminate the ground. While the bright white light is probably best in terms of visibility, you can also change the lights’ output to warm light, blue, hot pink, teal, or color-changing mode. 

These solar lights are easy to assemble by attaching the included spikes to the steel posts and driving them down into grass or landscaping. As the sun sets, they flicker to life and cast their intricate mandala-like patterns on the ground. Though many of the lights we tested didn’t live up to their manufacturer’s runtime claims, the Beau Jardin lights were still shining the next morning and only shut off as the sun began to rise. Over the next few weeks, the lights withstood rain and wind, working well even after cloudy days. 

Get the Beau Jardin outdoor solar lights at Amazon, Walmart, or Wayfair.

Best Step

Audles Solar Step Lights

 The Best Outdoor Solar Lights Option Audles Solar Step Lights
Photo: Amazon

What We Like

  • Specially designed to illuminate steps and stairs
  • Install easily via adhesive strips or screws
  • Increase safety without complicated wiring 

What We Don’t Like

  • Only work well if stairs get ample sun

Specs 

  • Size: 3.2 inches high by 4.3 inches wide by 3.2 inches deep
  • Runtime: 8 hours
  • Light color: Warm white

Our Ratings: Installation 4.5/5; Light Quality 5/5; Appearance 4.5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 5/5 

Most solar walkway lights are designed to be installed in the ground alongside sidewalks or patios, meaning they don’t always do a great job of illuminating steps and stairs. The Audles solar step lights, however, attach directly where stairway treads meet risers, offering effective lighting that increases safety without the need for complicated wiring. We installed ours on our concrete steps using the included stick-on pads, but this six-pack of lights also comes with plenty of fasteners. 

Since we didn’t get these on our steps until late in the afternoon on a cloudy day, we didn’t expect much the first night. But wow, were they bright—even if they only stayed on for about 3 hours. Once they got a chance to sit under the sun for a full day, they provided effective lighting for our staircase until dawn the next morning. 

The Audles lights are well made and durable, but if you have a wide set of stairs, you’ll likely want one light at either end of each step to ensure enough light. If you have a narrow stairway, putting them on just one side may be sufficient to safely illuminate your path. 

Get the Audles outdoor solar lights at Amazon.

Best Post

Kemeco LED Cast Aluminum Solar Post Light Fixture

 Kemeco LED Cast Aluminum Solar Post Light Fixture next to its stand on a white background
Photo: Amazon

What We Like

  • Classic look with wide swath of light
  • Attaches directly with pole or screws to other surfaces
  • Runtime exceeds manufacturer’s estimate

What We Don’t Like

  • Can tip over if not screwed down or placed on a pole

Specs 

  • Size: 18.1 inches high by 8.8 inches in diameter 
  • Runtime: Up to 8 hours 
  • Light color: Warm white

Our Ratings: Installation 5/5; Light Quality 5/5; Appearance 5/5; Durability 4.5/5; Value 4.5/5

The Kenmore LED cast-aluminum solar post may be just the ticket for those who want a classic-looking light fixture. This self-contained lamp and mounting base are great for front lawns, gates, driveways, backyards, and other outdoor spaces. While it outputs plenty of light through each of its four ice-layer glass panels, the light itself is a pleasant, warm white color that feels bright and cozy rather than aggressive and garish. 

This was the very first light we installed for testing, and since we weren’t exactly quick about testing everything else, it got a good couple of months’ exposure to a wide range of conditions. High temperatures and freezing ones, full sun, cloudy days, wind, rain, and snow—nothing bothered this light. We installed it at the corner of our fence by putting four screws through its base, and it quickly became a standard part of our yard. It turned on reliably every night and stayed on well past the 8-hour mark mentioned by the manufacturer. The mounting base is also removable if you’d rather put this light atop a 3-inch pole or post (not included). 

Get the Kemeco outdoor solar lights at Amazon.

Best Spotlight

Linkind StarRay Solar Spotlights

 The Best Outdoor Solar Lights Option Linkind StarRay Solar Spotlights
Photo: Amazon

What We Like

  • Included ground stakes make installation easy
  • Great as wall lights or along pathways
  • Head is adjustable both horizontally and vertically

What We Don’t Like

  • Only last about 4 hours on high
  • Not all units stay on the same amount of time

Specs 

  • Size: 11.4 inches high by 3.94 inches wide by 6.26 inches deep
  • Runtime: Up to 24 hours
  • Light color: Bright white

Our Ratings: Installation 4/5; Light Quality 4.8/5; Appearance 4/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4/5 

Linkind’s solar landscape lighting offers bright white illumination, two installation options, and horizontal and vertical adjustability in a durable IP67-rated package. As with many solar lights, they automatically turn on at dusk and off at dawn. They offer three brightness modes for up to 24 hours of runtime, though they only stayed on for about 4 hours while set on high, and only some units stayed on all night long on low. 

Still, these lights put out quite a bright spotlight whether on low, medium, or high, making them ideal for illuminating decks, driveways, sidewalks, and sheds. They don’t have a motion sensor, however, so be sure you want ongoing illumination in whatever location you place them. Included ground stakes make them incredibly quick to install as pathway lights, but installing them as wall-mounted solar lights is a bit more time-consuming (though still easy enough for a DIYer who isn’t in a hurry). Once they’re up, they work reliably in all kinds of weather and temperatures. 

Get the Linkind outdoor solar lights at Amazon or Linkind.

Best Flood

Ring Solar Floodlight

 The Best Outdoor Solar Lights Option Ring Solar Floodlight
Photo: Amazon

What We Like

  • Bright output and smart compatibility enhance home security 
  • Solar-powered with rechargeable battery backup
  • Auto shutoff time is adjustable from 30 seconds to 2 minutes

What We Don’t Like

  • Solar panel is separate and relatively large
  • Bridge (sold separately) required for smart setup

Specs 

  • Size: Light: 5.51 inches high by 10.43 inches wide by 4.72 inches deep; solar panel: 7.98 inches high by 5.51 inches wide by .5 inches deep
  • Runtime: Not listed
  • Light color: Bright white

Our Ratings: Installation 3.5/5; Light Quality 5/5; Appearance 4/5; Durability 4.5/5; Value 5/5 

The Ring solar floodlight is a versatile outdoor solar light that provides reliable and bright illumination as well as optional smart integration. This is the only light we tested that has a backup battery, and at 1200 lumens, it’s also the brightest light we tested. Moreover, it’s one of the only options whose solar panel is separate from the light itself. The two lights on either side of the unit’s main body are adjustable, as is the motion sensor, which has a detection range of up to 45 feet. Both the floodlight and the panel are relatively large, making this pick ideal for those eager to enhance perceived and actual security around their homes. 

There’s a lot we’ve come to like about this light, but we weren’t too keen on it initially. As mentioned, this model consists of two pieces, and both require installation. Screws are included and the actual process is easy enough, but mounting two pieces is obviously more time-consuming than one. The real struggle we had was setting it up as a smart light. We failed to pair our light with our existing Ring system many times before we realized we were missing an integral piece: a Ring Smart Lighting Bridge. This is a separate purchase, but with it, you can enjoy all the features this powerful solar light has to offer, including customizable settings, mobile notifications, and remote app control. 

What our tester says: “This light took us on a journey. We love Ring products and expected to like this light right away, but installation and setup soured us a bit at first. Now that we have it up and running, we really appreciate the sense of security it provides via bright, motion-activated light and mobile notifications.”—Michelle Larson, Product Reviews tester and writer 

Get the Ring outdoor solar light at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Ring.

Best Fairy Lights

Amir Solar String Lights

 Bundle of Amir Solar String Lights with a solar panel on a white background
Photo: Amazon

What We Like

  • Add charm to virtually any indoor or outdoor area
  • 8 lighting modes and long runtime
  • Copper wire makes installation easy

What We Don’t Like

  • More decorative than useful 
  • Runtime is shorter under artificial indoor light than outdoors

Specs 

  • Size: 39 feet long 
  • Runtime: Up to 12 hours
  • Light color: Warm white 

Our Ratings: Installation 4.5/5; Light Quality 4.5/5; Appearance 5/5; Durability 4/5; Value 5/5 

Fairy lights are a quick and inexpensive way to add ambient luminescence that’s more fanciful than functional. With 120 warm white LED bulbs along 39 feet of flexible copper wire, these Amir decorative solar garden lights bring an alluring storybook quality to any setting. 

We’ve owned two sets of these lights: one we ran along the perimeter of a pandemic-made greenhouse years ago, and the other we installed along our cat’s outdoor patio just a few weeks back. They’re easy to fall in love with, and we can see buying more sets to string along railings, across bushes, or around tree trunks. 

As solar lights with an IP65 rating, these lights are meant to be outdoors. However, we successfully used them inside for a spell, though they didn’t last as long after charging under intermittent indoor light. When installed outside and charged via the power of the sun, these lights regularly last a full 12 hours. Unlike most other lights in this list, you can switch them on even if it isn’t dark. 

Get the Amir outdoor solar lights at Amazon

Best Decorative

Kooper Solar-Powered Integrated LED Outdoor Lantern

 2 Kooper Solar-Powered Integrated LED Outdoor Lanterns on a yellow ground with green leaves
Photo: Wayfair

What We Like

  • Creates an absolutely beautiful light pattern
  • Attractive even when not emitting light
  • Lightweight for easy installation yet durable

What We Don’t Like

  • Runtime and light output are limited

Specs 

  • Size: 10.3 inches high (with handle) by 5.9 inches in diameter
  • Runtime: Up to 8 hours
  • Light color: Warm white 

Our Ratings: Installation 5/5; Light Quality 4.7/5; Appearance 5/5; Durability 4.5/5; Value 5/5

While many people want outdoor lights for their functionality, others may prefer them purely as a decorative statement. For a truly stunning look, consider these eco-friendly solar lights from Kooper. They look beautiful during the day and automatically create a captivating floral and dragonfly light pattern at dusk. The soothing, warm glow they emit lasts for up to 8 hours and complements any backyard, patio, or walkway. 

These intricately patterned lights are lightweight while at the same time remaining rust-resistant and IP65 water-resistant. Their handles fold down for tabletop use or can be extended for hanging the lights on trees or small nails. Ours stayed put on an outdoor hook and low branch without issue during several weeks of wind, rain, and snow. While these decorative outdoor solar lanterns already come in a pack of two, combining multiple sets would be an effective way to create a true oasis. 

Get the Kooper outdoor solar lights at Wayfair.

Best Flagpole

Kayiune Waterproof Solar Flagpole Light

 The Best Outdoor Solar Lights Option Kayiune Waterproof Solar Flagpole Light
Photo: Amazon

What We Like

  • Illumination is soft, uniform, and flattering 
  • Features and IP65 rating for long-lasting use
  • Fits poles between 2 and 6 inches

What We Don’t Like

  • Installation can be tedious

Specs 

  • Size: 16.8 inches high by 14.3 inches in diameter 
  • Runtime: Up to 16 hours
  • Light color: Bright white

Our Ratings: Installation 3.5/5; Power 4.8/5; Appearance 5/5; Durability 4.5/5; Value 4.3/5 

The Kayiune solar flagpole light features 32 LED lights along a ring designed to encircle a pole and illuminate a flag from below. The light from the circle of LEDs is uniform and flattering, helping to showcase flags of all sizes and colors. It fits poles as narrow as 2 inches or as wide as 6 inches in diameter.

As much as we like the look of this light, we found the assembly process somewhat tedious. Though the installation steps were intuitive enough, the included instructions weren’t particularly helpful. Just be aware that you need to be able to slip the ring of assembled lights over the top of the flagpole once you have it together. If your pole is too tall, you’ll need to put the lights together around the pole itself. Also, the light relies on hose clamps to hold tight to the pole, which take forever to tighten with a screwdriver. If you have a drill and a 7-millimeter socket, you can finish this part much more quickly. 

We installed the Kayiune in the late afternoon, so it didn’t get the recommended 6 to 8 hours of solar charge before nightfall, but that didn’t seem to affect its runtime. It lit up like a champ as dusk arrived and stayed lit all night. Like many waterproof lights for outside, it has an IP65 rating for water resistance, and ours lit up faithfully even after we sprayed it forcefully with a hose for a full 10 minutes.

Read our full review: Kayiune Waterproof Solar Flagpole Light

Get the Kayiune outdoor solar light at Amazon.

Jump to Our Top Picks

How We Tested the Best Outdoor Solar Lights

Testing Stats
Products tested 10
Time spent testing 2 weeks
Tests performed8
Price range$10 to $130

Outdoor solar lights should be durable, reliable, and useful, so those are the qualities we aimed to evaluate in our tests. After installing each light in a location that gets ample sun during the day but would benefit from more illumination at night, we let them charge and waited to see if they’d click on once the sun went down. We compared their brightness and timed how long each light lasted. We also looked at these aspects again after a few cloudy days and determined how the lights fared in less-than-ideal charging conditions.

We left each light up for at least four days but some stayed installed for several weeks. They were met with hot afternoon sun, below-freezing overnight temperatures, and plenty of wind, rain, and snow. Once we took them down, we dropped them on our concrete garage floor and tested whether all their features still worked as well as they did on day one.

What to Consider When Choosing Outdoor Solar Lights

Outdoor solar lights can serve a variety of purposes, from creating a warm and cozy ambiance to providing security lighting. When shopping for the best outdoor solar lights for your space, consider the lighting type, brightness and settings, charge time, runtime, and installation process. 

Type 

There are various types of outdoor solar lights. In fact, there’s a solar version of almost every popular wired outdoor lighting type, including solar post cap lights as well as the following:

  • String lights have a long cable with bulbs evenly spaced along the length. They typically shed a soft glow to create a cozy ambiance rather than a strong, bright light for security or safety purposes. Variations include Christmas lights, bistro lights, and fairy lights. 
  • Path lights are used to illuminate walkways, adding aesthetic appeal and improving safety. The best solar path lights are often mounted on stakes, which are inserted into the ground lining the path. 
  • Flood lights are a form of security lighting with a wide angle designed to “flood” an area with bright illumination. Flood lights often operate as motion-detector solar lights that activate only when needed. 
  • Spotlights are used to highlight a specific area, like a statue or garden fountain. These bright lights have a narrow beam and an adjustable lighting angle. 
  • Step lights for outdoor use illuminate stairs, such as those leading to a porch or deck. They make it safer to walk up and down stairs at night and add an attractive touch of ambiance. 
  • Wall lights are installed on vertical surfaces to illuminate the surrounding area for decorative and functional purposes. They can be mounted on exterior walls, fences, and deck posts. 

Brightness and Settings

To choose the right brightness level for solar lights, consider their intended use. When lighting a patio dining area, dimmer, softer lights will help set the mood. For security lighting, the brightest outdoor solar lights can help startle and possibly identify intruders. 

Light brightness is measured in lumens. The higher the lumens, the brighter the light. Most indoor night lights produce under 50 lumens, while flood lights often produce around 1,000 lumens. For decorative illumination (like for string lights and other ambient options), under 100 lumens ought to do the trick. Functional lighting for paths and stairs should be around 100 or 200 lumens. For solar-powered security lights, look for options that emit over 700 lumens. 

Color temperature and brightness sometimes go hand in hand. Warm outdoor light bulbs have a yellow tone for setting a cozy ambiance, and they’re often on the dimmer side as well. Cool lights have a whiter or bluer hue suited for functional or security lightning, which means they also tend to be brighter.

Some outdoor solar lights operate with a simple on/off mechanism, while others have adjustable settings and modes. Commonly found settings include adjustable brightness, automatic on/off, ambient light-sensing, motion-sensing features, and light show features (like flashing or twinkling settings). 

Charging Time and Runtime

Outdoor solar lights harness energy throughout the day and usually take around 6 to 8 hours to charge. Once fully charged, they can run anywhere from 4 hours to more than 10 hours into the night.

Factors like the weather and solar panel placement can affect both the charging time and battery life of outdoor bulbs. When it comes to solar light performance, the sunnier, the better. If you plan on installing solar lights in a shady area, consider investing in a solar light with a separate solar panel, which can be placed in an area that receives more direct sun a few feet away from the lights. 

Some solar lights have an ambient light sensor that can switch them on automatically when the sun sets, while others have manual on/off switches. If battery life is a main priority, look for lights that can be manually controlled to save power. Another option is motion-sensing lights, which only switch on when they sense activity nearby. 

Installation

In general, outdoor solar lights are designed with ease of installation in mind. They’re ideal for consumers who want simple lighting solutions that don’t require outdoor wiring. 

Lighting type and intended location will ultimately determine the installation process. There are many ways to hang outdoor string lights, which can simply be draped wherever they’re needed. Similarly, staked lights can be easily inserted into soft ground. Wall lights or deck lights often need to be mounted, but many come with hardware like screws for this purpose. 

When determining an installation location, it’s also worth considering how the lights will look during the day. For example, if the lights are installed in an open area, opt for unobtrusive or attractive designs that will look just as nice during the day as at night. 

The Advantages of Owning Outdoor Solar Lights

One of the biggest advantages of outdoor solar lights is their ease of use. Solar exterior lights need little more than a sunny spot to charge—no outlets or extension cables are required. This also allows for more flexibility during placement, since they don’t need to connect to an outlet. Outdoor solar lights can go just about anywhere as long as the solar panel receives enough sunshine. 

Once installed, outdoor solar lights are low maintenance. These lights often use long-lasting LED bulbs, and some may need a fresh battery only every few years to maintain performance. Like other solar-powered products, these self-sufficient lights are eco-friendly and won’t add a single cent to your electric bill. 

In sum, the main benefits of solar-powered outdoor lights are: 

  • No outlet required 
  • Placement flexibility 
  • Eco-friendly 
  • No electricity usage 
  • Low maintenance

FAQs

Outdoor solar lights boast several benefits over their wired counterparts. They’re easier to install, more eco-friendly, and won’t add to your electric bill. But if you’re still wondering if outdoor solar lights are right for your backyard, deck, or garden, reviewing answers to the following frequently asked questions might help.

Q. Do outdoor solar lights really work?

Yes! High-quality outdoor solar lights can work just as well as their wired alternatives. Their only downside is that their performance can be affected by the amount of sunlight they receive. Some of the best places to install solar lights in your outdoor space is along a walkway, on stairwells, or around landscaping features.

Q. Do solar lights last all night?

It depends on the light. Battery life and runtime depend on the quality of the solar panel and battery, weather, and solar panel placement. Some outdoor solar lights have a maximum runtime of over 10 hours, which means they will last through the night. 

Q. Are solar lights eco-friendly?

Yes, solar lights gather power from the sun, so they’re an eco-friendly (and economical) choice. 

Q. Do outdoor solar lights need direct sunlight?

Most solar lights need several hours of direct sunlight to charge their batteries fully. Some outdoor solar lights can still charge in areas with indirect sunlight, but their performance and runtime will be diminished. 

Q. Is it better to leave solar lights on or off?

Whether you leave solar lights on or off is mostly a personal preference. Many users like their lights to switch on automatically at dusk and, therefore, opt to leave them on. If you’d like to control whether the light is on or off, keeping it off until you’re ready for it will be better. 

Q. What is the downside of solar lights?

The downside of solar lights is that they require being charged by the sun to function properly. Very few solar lights have battery-backup power, meaning they will not work as effectively if they are not installed in a space that gets ample sunlight.

Q. How do I maintain outdoor solar lights?

Most outdoor solar lights do not require any maintenance other than occasional wiping of their solar panels. Whether they are your house’s solar panels or those on a solar generator or outdoor light, keeping them clear of dirt, dust, and debris using a soft cloth or mild soap and water will help them last as long as possible. 

Meet the Testers

Michelle Larson has been a writer and editor for more than 10 years in the fields of health, business, and the home. Because she’d rather spend a little more up front than buy a tool or appliance twice, she strongly believes in the power of research and reviews for finding quality items that are meant to last. 

Glenda Taylor is a product tester and writer specializing in the construction, remodeling, and real estate industries. She tests a wide range of power tools as well as other home improvement, household, and lawn-and-garden products.

Mark Wolfe is a writer and product tester with an extensive background in the nursery and landscaping industry. For more than 20 years he mowed, edged, planted, pruned, cultivated, irrigated, and renovated beautiful landscapes. Now he tests and writes reviews about the latest outdoor power equipment, hand tools, lawn-care products, and other outdoor-living goods.
 

Additional research provided by Jasmine Harding.

 
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Michelle Larson

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Michelle is a lifelong learner who lives and plays in the mountains of Park City, Utah, with her husband, daughter, and pets. She came to the Commerce team at BobVila.com in February 2022 with more than 5 years’ experience as a business owner, writer, and program manager.

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