We Tested Solar Fence Lights Through Rainstorms—These Were the Brightest

Solar fence lights can add ambience and enhance the safety of a lawn, garden, pool, or patio space. Their batteries use energy captured from sunlight—no cords or power cables are required. Over the course of the day, they store this energy and then convert it into useful light in the evening. We tested nine of these power-saving lights over the span of three weeks to find the best.

The Doeslag Solar Fence Lights are our favorite for their subtle warm glow, classic look that complements most outdoor spaces, and versatile installation options. But not all lighting needs are the same, so through testing, we found other quality lights for those who need a brighter light or prefer a different style.

To build on our own experience and expertise, we spoke with an outdoor lighting expert to determine what else buyers may want to consider when shopping. Read on to find out what to look for and why these products made our list of the best solar fence lights.

1. BEST OVERALL: Doeslag Solar Fence Lights With Edison Bulbs
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2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Solpex Horizontal Warm White Solar Deck Lights Set
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3. BEST FAIRY LIGHTS: Brightown Solar Fairy Lights
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4. BEST CAP LIGHTS: Dynaming Flickering Flame Solar Post Cap Lights
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5. BEST MOTION-SENSOR LIGHTS: Zookki Solar Outdoor Lights
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6. BEST LANTERNS: Derynome Solar Lantern Outdoor Lights
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7. BEST COLOR CHANGING: Melunar 6-Pack Solar Deck Lights
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8. BEST WIDE-ANGLE: Aootek New Solar Motion-Sensor Lights
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9. BEST STRING LIGHTS:Brightech Ambience Pro Solar String Lights
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Solar Fence Lights Product Comparison

 

Our Top Picks

This list features a wide variety of solar landscape lighting. Whether you’re looking for solar post-cap lights, outdoor string lights, downlight options, or something else, you’ll probably find something you’ll like here.

Best Overall

Doeslag Solar Fence Lights With Edison Bulbs

Buy at Amazon

What We Like

• Suitable for most fence types
• Provides a subtle, warm glow
• Versatile style suits many outdoor designs

What We Don’t Like

• Plastic housing doesn’t feel very durable

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Specs

• Dimensions: 5.1 inches tall by 3.6 inches wide by 2.4 inches deep
• IP rating: IP65
• Brightness: Not listed

Our Ratings

It was a real challenge to pick our best overall solar fence light, but Doeslag took the top spot for its versatile design and installation options. It provides a soft, warm glow that’s bright enough to illuminate walkways or decks without being harsh. These fence lights come in a pack of eight and feature black plastic housing and an Edison-style light bulb, offering a classic look.

For installation, we used the provided sticker template and hardware to drill two screws into our fencing boards before hanging each light. These sit flush with the fence rather than on top of it, making them ideal for many fence types, including picket, split rail, and privacy fences. They’d also work well as solar deck lights or to illuminate gazebos and patios. 

The Doeslag solar landscaping lights charged fully the first day we installed them and stayed on from dusk to dawn. They also survived some pretty harsh weather, including rain and windstorms. Our only complaint is that the plastic on the lights doesn’t feel quite as durable as we’d like. 

What our tester says: “I love the classic style of these lights. They look good during the day and at night. Plus, they provided just the amount of light I was looking for—enough to light up the immediate vicinity without feeling harsh or blinding.”—Katie Barton, Product Reviews tester and writer

Get the Doeslag solar fence lights at Amazon.

Best Bang For The Buck

Solpex Horizontal Warm White Solar Deck Lights Set

Buy at Amazon Buy at Walmart

What We Like

• 16 solar lights included
• Easy to install
• Lights emit a soft, warm light
• Charged well during testing, even on cloudy days

What We Don’t Like

• Lights are not very bright

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Specs

• Dimensions: 1.85 inches tall by 1.77 inches wide by 3.46 inches deep
• IP rating: IP44
• Brightness: 3 lumens

Our Ratings

This 16-pack of warm white LED solar lights can light up any outdoor space with just 4 to 6 hours of charging on a clear and sunny day. Lights turn on automatically at dusk and turn off at dawn, saving energy and time. Setting them up is also a breeze. These downlight-style, flush-mounted lights only required us to drill two screws through the top of the light into our fence, and it took us less than a minute to get each light up and running.

We tested these during a stormy season and were worried that the constant cloudiness would keep them from charging. Luckily, they still drew enough solar power to stay lit all night and survived getting drenched through days’ worth of rainstorms.

The warm, soft glow of the Solplex solar lights is ideal for common recreation areas but isn’t a good choice for those looking to brightly light up walkways or back decks. With a streamlined look, easy installation, and a great price, these lights make an attractive, budget-friendly addition to any yard.

Get the Solpex solar fence lights at Amazon or Walmart.

Best Fairy Lights

Brightown Solar Fairy Lights

Buy at Amazon Buy at Walmart

What We Like

• Offers manual or dusk-to-dawn operation
• Adds ambience to any space
• Features 8 different lighting effects

What We Don’t Like

• Lights tend to tangle easily, making installation difficult

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Specs

• Dimensions: 1 strand: 33 feet; solar panel: 4 inches tall by 3.7 inches wide
• IP rating: IP65
• Brightness: Not listed

Our Ratings

These fairy lights from Brightown add instant ambience to any space. They’re connected to a small solar panel that can power the lights for up to 10 hours on a full charge. Best of all, there are many ways to set them up—string them along the top of the fence, wrap them around fence posts, or even place them around a tree. 

Since these lights come in a two-pack, we opted for two different installation methods. First, we decided to wrap the fairy lights around a horizontal fence board. This proved very difficult, and we repeatedly had to stop and tediously untangle the lights. For our second installation, we wrapped the lights vertically around a tree. We didn’t experience any tangling (or frustration) with the vertical installation.

After installation, we powered our fairy lights on. The attached solar panel has an on/off button and a “mode” button on the back. We were able to choose between leaving these string lights on all the time for a dusk-to-dawn lighting setup or manually turning them on and off whenever we’d like. We enjoyed the whimsical look of the Brightown lights and think they’re a great value, especially for the price.

Get the Brightown solar fence lights at Amazon or Walmart. 

Best Fence Cap Lights

Dynaming Flickering Flame Solar Post Cap Lights

Buy at Amazon Buy at Walmart

What We Like

• Lights remain lit all night
• Durable construction withstands outdoor elements
• Sleek look with soft, ambient light

What We Don’t Like

• Subpar screw quality (screw head strips easily)

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Specs

• Dimensions: 3.54 inches tall by ‎5.8 inches wide by 5.8 inches deep
• IP rating: IP44
• Brightness: N/A

Our Ratings

Dynaming solar lights provide an effective way to top fence posts to light up a path or backyard. This six-pack of lights can fit standard 4-inch by 4-inch, 5-inch by 5-inch, or 6-inch by 6-inch wooden or vinyl fence posts. They require six to eight hours of sunlight for a full charge and offer two lighting effects: “on” and “flame.”

It didn’t take much time or effort to set these up. We simply placed the outdoor solar lights over our fence posts, turned the light switch to “on,” and drilled in the two provided screws. Unfortunately, the screw quality wasn’t great, and we ended up stripping a couple before finally switching to some wood screws we had on hand. 

These post lights turned on as the sun set, providing just enough brightness to light up our sitting area. The plastic housing also held up well, showing no signs of damage after a strong windstorm blew through. Overall, we enjoyed the look of these fence post cap lights during the day and night, and they functioned as advertised. 

Get the Dynaming solar fence lights at Amazon or Walmart (6-pack).

Best Motion-Sensor Lights

Zookki Solar Outdoor Lights

Buy at Amazon

What We Like

• Bright outdoor solar lights offer great illumination
• Sensitive motion detection with 120-degree sensing angle
• Easy to install

What We Don’t Like

• May be too bright for some users

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Specs

• Dimensions: ‎5.1 inches tall by 4.3 inches wide by 2.7 inches deep
• IP rating: IP65
• Brightness: 400 lumens

Our Ratings

The Zookki exterior solar lights have a lot to offer: 400 lumens of light, a wide range of motion detection, and sensors that can detect movement from up to 26 feet away. They come in a four-pack and include screws for installation and a key for activating the lights. 

We placed each of these four lights in different areas around our home to see how well they charged and picked up motion under varied conditions. A couple of the lights were placed in direct sunlight, while the other two were installed in more shaded areas. Regardless of where we put them, all the Zookki solar lights achieved enough charge to begin working on day one. We found the motion detectors to be exceptional—the lights would kick on anytime a person or furry friend walked past them. They even kicked on during a windstorm as leaves and debris flew past the sensors. 

These lights have an IP65 rating, making them a solid, weather-resistant choice. They worked so well that it was difficult to find something we didn’t like. If we had to pick one downside, though, it’s that the brightness of the lights may be more than what some users desire.

What our tester says: “Having the area around my entrance lit up at night is important so that family members can easily see to unlock or lock the door. These motion-sensitive lights are exactly what I was looking for. They stay powered on as long as there is continuous motion nearby.”—Katie Barton, Product Reviews tester and writer

Get the Zookki solar fence lights at Amazon. 

Best Lanterns

Derynome Solar Lantern Outdoor Lights

Buy at Amazon

What We Like

• Sturdy construction with real glass
• Provide ample light to illuminate pathways
• Ideal for fences, porches, patios, and more

What We Don’t Like

• Screw heads strip easily
• Lights flash as the battery dies

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Specs

• Dimensions: ‎6.69 inches in diameter by 11 inches tall
• IP rating: IP65
• Brightness: 15 lumens

Our Ratings

Made from glass and black matte stainless steel, the Derynome solar lantern outdoor lights offer a soft, warm light for patios and garden areas. When charged fully by exposure to 8 hours of sunlight, they can stay lit for up to 10 hours. The lanterns hang from hooks and can be easily removed and taken apart for cleaning or battery replacement. 

Installing the Derynome lanterns was as easy as drilling two holes through the provided metal brackets into our fence and placing the lanterns on the hooks. However, the provided screw quality was a bit lacking—we stripped the head of the first screw we installed. The lights powered on each night at dusk and lasted until about dawn. When the light’s battery was dying (usually at about dawn every morning), the lights began flashing on and off, which caused a slight annoyance.

With a transitional design and subtle matte black housing, these solar patio lights can complement a variety of styles and lighting schemes. Overall, the lights were of good quality for the price, functioned well, and stood up to the elements. 

Get the Derynome solar fence lights at Amazon.

Best Color-Changing

Melunar 6-Pack Solar Deck Lights

Buy at Amazon

What We Like

• Can choose between colored or warm white lights
• Colored lights can constantly change for a whimsical look
• Ideal for fences, deck railing, or steps

What We Don’t Like

• A little difficult to snap together
• Not as weather-resistant as comparable options

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Specs

• Dimensions: 3.19 inches tall by 3.54 inches wide by 2.31 inches deep
• IP rating: IP55
• Brightness: 10 lumens

Our Ratings

Those looking for a fun, whimsical outdoor light will want to check out this six-pack from Melunar. These step lights feature a switch that lets users choose between a warm white or colored light before installation. They can be installed on fence boards, deck railings, and steps.

These solar color-changing lights—or solar warm white lights, depending on what the user prefers—come with the necessary screws for installation, and each light is in two pieces—the base of the light, which holds the lightbulb and battery, and the light cover. To get these ready for installation, we flipped the switch to the “color” option and attempted to snap the light covers on. Snapping the covers in place proved harder than it looked and required some serious strength. However, once that step was over, the installation was a piece of cake, only requiring us to drill two screws through the light’s housing into our fencing boards.

These decorative solar lights for yard and garden fencing are advertised to charge within 4 to 5 hours of direct sunlight and to stay lit for around 8 hours. We found that they stayed lit even longer than their advertised time, from dusk to dawn, or about 10 hours. The Melunar lights are weatherproof, but they didn’t hold up quite as well as the others we tested, as we noticed a bit of condensation in one of the lights after a major storm. 

Get the Melunar solar fence lights at Amazon.

Best Wide-Angle

Aootek New Solar Motion Sensor Lights

Buy at Amazon

What We Like

• Users can choose between three light mode settings
• Includes screws and anchors for easy installation
• Wide, 120-degree motion-sensor angle

What We Don’t Like

• Can’t access the mode button after installation
• Battery only lasts 4 hours on “always-on” mode

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Specs

• Dimensions: 5.1 inches tall by 6.69 inches wide by 3.54 inches deep
• IP rating: IP65
• Brightness: 500 lumens

Our Ratings

The wide-angle Aootek motion sensor lights come in a pack of four and offer three different modes of use: a permanently-on mode, a smart brightness-control mode, and a motion sensor-only mode. The switch to change the modes is on the back of the light, so it’s important to choose the preferred option before mounting the lights. All necessary installation hardware is included.

During testing, the always-on mode worked for only 4 hours before the solar lights’ battery died, even though they were advertised to last up to 9 hours. The two motion sensing modes worked as they should. We appreciate that these lights are weatherproof with an IP65 rating. They survived below-freezing temperatures and rain without incident.

These solar lights for lawn and garden use offer versatile installation and could work on fence posts, deck railings, steps, garages, houses, and more. They are very bright and ideal for casting light anywhere users need to see clearly in the dark, such as around obstacles or near the entrance of a home.

Get the Aootek solar fence lights at Amazon. 

Best String Lights

Brightech Ambience Pro Solar String Lights

Buy at Amazon Buy at The Home Depot

What We Like

• Shatterproof bulbs
• Versatile installation options
• Edison bulbs offer a vintage look

What We Don’t Like

• Bulbs are heavy; may require additional securing

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Specs

• Dimensions: 27 feet
• IP rating: IP55
• Brightness: Not specified

Our Ratings

These shatterproof Edison-style bulbs offer a vintage feel to any outdoor area, whether on a fence or elsewhere. The 27-foot string has 12 LED bulbs; they also offer a 48-foot strand with 15 total bulbs. The included solar panel can be staked into the ground or clipped onto a fence to optimize sun exposure and clear space. We found the installation pretty easy, but we did use a few extra fasteners in spots where the light bulbs were sagging.

Fully charged, these string lights stay lit for approximately 5 to 6 hours. They offer bright, even illumination and can withstand rain, snow, and up to 50-mile-per-hour winds, according to the manufacturer. We liked these so much that after hanging them up, we were ready to order a second set for our patio.

Get the Brightech solar fence lights at Amazon or The Home Depot. 

Jump to Our Top Picks

How We Tested the Best Solar Fence Lights

Solar fence lights come in a variety of styles and price points. We looked at approximately 20 products, researching features and reviews, before landing on these nine as our favorites. In choosing products for this guide, we sought out weather-resistant lights with color and brightness levels that made sense for their intended use, whether for security or ambient lighting. We also focused on products with positive feedback from previous purchasers. We then purchased our top picks and began testing.

We installed each solar fence light per the manufacturer’s instructions, giving them ample time to charge in the sun. We noted when the lights kicked on and if they remained on during the wee morning hours when we woke up (usually around 5:00 a.m.). We tested any extra features, such as modes that could make the lights sense motion or change colors or patterns.

We tested each light for at least three weeks during a particularly stormy season. All the lights on our list were subjected to heavy rain and windstorms, and they all came out unscathed. Once testing was complete, we rated each light using a standardized rubric, which helped us compare the products against one another and assign appropriate awards.

What to Consider When Choosing Solar Fence Lights

Although design is an important component to think about when shopping for solar lights for outside, also consider type, weather resistance, battery life, recharging time, brightness, color, and additional features. These important considerations are detailed below. 

Type

Solar lights are typically motion-activated, timer-controlled, or set to dusk-to-dawn mode. Some lights offer a combination of these features and may be controlled by the user.

• Timer-controlled solar lights allow users to choose when the lights turn on and off, which preserves battery power to provide brighter lighting.

• Motion-activated solar lights turn on when they detect movement. These outdoor motion-sensor lights tend to be bright and are a good choice for security.

• Dusk-to-dawn lights use sensors to detect sunlight, turn on at dusk, and remain illuminated until the sun rises. These lights often use the most energy, so if there has not been enough continuous sunlight to charge the battery, these lights may not be bright enough at night. Dusk-to-dawn operation is common for fence lights and solar path lights.

Battery Life and Recharging Time

Solar batteries can power lights for fencing for approximately 6 to 12 hours, though this depends on both the size and age of the battery as well as how much sunlight it sees during its charging hours. Most lights need about 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight to achieve a full charge. Lights placed in shady areas may not achieve enough charge to remain powered on for more than a few hours. Likewise, cloudy weather can negatively impact solar light charging.

A year or so after installation, the batteries for this equipment may begin to degrade, which means they’ll hold less of a charge over time. But they can be easily replaced. To mitigate this issue, seek out lights with high-capacity batteries that store a lot of power. Lithium-ion batteries tend to be a better fit for this type of lighting since they are durable and efficient and can store more solar energy than other types of batteries. 

Brightness and Color

The measurement used to determine lighting brightness is called a lumen. The higher the number of lumens, the brighter the light. Nick Schriver, general manager of Outdoor Lighting by Decorating Elves in St. Petersburg, Florida, and the president of the Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals, says ambient lighting should be “soft, but not too bright,” typically ranging up to 200 lumens. Motion-sensor lighting, usually used for security, should generally fall in the 600 to 1200 lumens range, Schriver says. 

Most solar landscape lighting is “warm white.” A color’s temperature in lighting is measured in kelvins, and this measurement can help find the correct color in outdoor lighting. According to Schriver, the ideal kelvin range for outdoor lighting is anywhere from 2700K to 3000K. “It’s going to give you your cleanest look; it’s going to be the most adjustable; it’s going to illuminate things well,” he says. “It’s going to be consistent.” 

Additional Features

Many backyard solar lights offer even more user-friendly features. Some models come with Wi-Fi capabilities, allowing for lighting to be controlled by a smartphone. Some lights also offer color-change capability. Many are designed to be placed just about anywhere a light would be useful. They could be used as fence lights, solar gutter lights, solar path lights, garden lights, or solar deck lights.

Consumers may also want to check the IP rating of their solar lights. For the best weather resistance in most seasons and regions, solar lights should have a rating of IP65 or higher, though IP44 is also suitable in many conditions. Not sure what IP (ingress protection) ratings are all about? The first number rates the product’s ability to prevent solid materials, like dust, from entering the housing on a scale of 1 to 6. The second number refers to its ability to prevent water from seeping into the housing, or its water resistance, on a scale from 1 to 9. Common water-resistance ratings can range from a 4, which means the product is splashproof; to a 5, which means the light can handle jets of water; to an 8, which means it can handle immersion in water. Choose the correct rating based on the climate and the likelihood of the light being sprayed with a hose or splashed by a pool. 

FAQs  

Learn more about how solar lights function, their safety, and what maintenance they may require. 

Q. Do solar fence lights charge on rainy days?

Solar LED lights for outdoors still charge on rainy days, though they will not charge as quickly or as completely. They tend to charge most efficiently on days when the sky is clear and bright.

Q. Do solar fence lights need any maintenance?

Yes, it is still important to keep the solar panels clean and clear so that they can do their job in catching and storing solar energy. Clean the solar panels once a month and clear the glass or plastic of debris.

Q. Do solar lights charge when turned off?

Most solar lights will still charge even when powered off.  

Q. How many lumens should outdoor solar lights have?

The number of lumens an outdoor solar light should have depends on the purpose of the lighting. Step lights and decorative lights generally have 3 to 15 lumens, providing enough light to softly illuminate the immediate vicinity. Path lights often have up to 200 lumens, while security-oriented outdoor motion lights have anywhere from 300 to 1,200 lumens. Solar flood lights intended to brightly light a larger area are the brightest and can have from 2,000 to 10,000 lumens. 

Q. How long will solar lights hold a charge?

Most solar lights hold a charge for 6 to 12 hours. The battery size and type, weather conditions, and light wattage are contributing factors.

Q. How long do solar fence lights last?

While a quality solar light can last as long as ten years, its battery will usually only last 3 to 5 years before needing to be replaced. 

Q. Are solar fence lights worth it?

Whether you’re looking for decorative solar garden lights, solar string lights, or need to brightly illuminate a walkway, solar fence lights offer an inexpensive and energy-saving method of doing so, making them worth the cost.

Meet the Tester

Years of greenhouse and landscaping experience have given Katie Barton insight into what to look for in solar fence lights. She extensively tests each product and only recommends the best.

Additional research provided by Hannah Selinger

 

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