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There are many options for outdoor solar lights, but you might be in the dark about what type is best to light your outdoor space. We know that you want lights to look good, but also work well, keep you safe, and survive any environmental hazards like rain, hail, sleet, snow, and more.
Our Real Simple testers tried out 16 solar lights, smart lights, spotlights and floodlights, lanterns, string lights, and other outdoor lights to see how well they lit up our backyards and outdoor patios. For each outdoor light we tested, we looked at details like ease of installation, brightness and color, features, durability, and overall value for up to six months.
You can easily adjust the direction of the light.
There’s no motion sensor.
If you’re looking for a reliable dusk-to-dawn outdoor light, we highly recommend the Sansi floodlight. After six months of use—during which the light has been exposed to rain and snow—it’s still shining. We installed this floodlight to replace an outdoor halogen lamp and were thrilled with the upgrade.
Its bright light illuminates a wider area of our deck and yard, and we can change the direction of the light easily, thanks to two adjustable arms.
There’s no motion sensor on this floodlight, but the photocell sensor works well; if you rely on that alone, the light will turn off at dawn. Otherwise, you can turn the light on/off via the switch, as this is a wired light. We like that the bulb is an LED, which saves money with a longer, more efficient lifespan compared to halogen or incandescent bulbs.
Dimensions: 11 x 11 x 4 inches | Lumens: 6,000 | Operating Time: Dusk to dawn | Charging Time: N/A | Weather-Resistance Rating: IP65
It’s highly effective, even in bad weather.
It has a disposable battery.
Solar lights can be a “get what you pay for” proposition, which is why we’re so impressed with the performance of this well-priced 200-lumen light from Beams. It features motion sensors that allow the entire backyard to become illuminated when it detects any kind of activity. The light comes with a sturdy bracket that holds it in place; it hasn’t budged in our yard, despite exposure to subfreezing temperatures and heavy wind and rain.
As dog parents, we’ve put it through its paces with nightly backyard visits, making it a safer experience for all of us. After six months, we’re pleased to report that this budget-friendly light is still doing a great job illuminating our backyard, and the motion detector is still working seamlessly. We haven’t had to replace the batteries yet, either.
Even our dogs seem to appreciate their evening outing in the glow of these lights, which is reason enough to purchase more. We’d love it even more if it came with a rechargeable battery, but it’s an excellent value for the price.
Dimensions: 6.5 x 3.5 x 4.42 inches | Lumens: 200 | Operating Time: Not listed | Charging Time: Not listed | Weather-Resistance Rating: IPX6
These string lights are durable and easy to hang.
We wish you could string more than one strand together.
String lights can add a magical quality to any backdoor gathering, but solar-powered ones remove the mystery of how to keep them plugged in and on. This 27-foot strand from Brightech has clear Edison bulbs powered by a solar panel you can stake in the ground or clip to a post for optimal sunlight absorption.
You can’t change the brightness level, but you can spread the individual lights out or cluster them to modify the illumination from ambient, moody lighting to concentrated task lighting. We’d be thrilled if there were a way to string more than one strand together.
These sturdy plastic bulbs have held up against water, errant golf balls, and other outdoor impacts. We found these lights stay lit for only about six hours, which is a shorter timespan than others on our list. Still, we like the simple, sleek design that’s reminiscent of regular string lights and their outlet-free operation.
Dimensions: 27 feet | Lumens: NA | Operating Time: Not listed | Charging Time: Not listed | Weather-Resistance Rating: Not listed
They provide consistent illumination even in shady areas, plus they stand up well to the elements.
You can’t adjust the color.
These solar lights from Solpex survived heavy rainstorms during testing, and given they were so easy to install and nicely priced, we’d absolutely purchase more. The lights illuminated the entire deck from dusk to dawn so well we didn’t need to turn on the outdoor light.
While we would've loved to adjust the brightness level and color of the light in some spots, our deck furniture and decor was illuminated in a warm, inviting, and consistent glow. There's also no motion sensor, but we didn't find that we needed it.
Dimensions: 3.46 x 1.77 x 1.85 inches | Lumens: 3 | Operating Time: Dusk to dawn | Charging Time: 4 to 5 hours | Weather-Resistance Rating: Not listed
There are multiple brightness settings, plus a USB port for extra charging power.
The plastic mounting stakes are a bit fragile.
After six months of testing, which included being buried by snow during a frigid Iowa winter, we found these string lights held up well. We love their durability, and the lights still work as well as when we first hung them up.
We placed four of these solar spotlights in our yard to increase the visibility and safety of our home’s perimeter, and it’s been an illuminating experience. Installation was quick and easy; the hardest part is deciding where you’ll place each individual light.
While the sun can charge up these lights during the day (especially on sunnier days), there’s also a USB port for charging. The cool white lights have three brightness settings; we kept ours on the highest level because we liked how well we could see our yard at night. There’s no motion sensor, though, which would have been a plus.
The ball part of the bracket did break off the mounting stake, but the lights are otherwise good as new and are a good value for the price.
Dimensions: 5.7 x 4.3 x 2.4 inches | Lumens: 1,000 | Operating Time: Dusk to dawn | Charging Time: 2 days | Weather-Resistance Rating: IP65
It’s easy to adjust settings and view video alerts through the app.
The motion sensor can pick up incidental traffic.
Ring might have cemented its reputation with its popular video doorbells, but the company has a host of other options to expand your home security. Case in point: the Ring Floodlight Cam. Despite six months’ worth of kicked-up dust coating it during the testing period, the light looks like it’s just been installed. Even better, the motion sensor still works well.
We found this to be an effective security light with the bonus of a 1080p HD video camera, so we can see our illuminated property well even if we are indoors. We like the opportunity to be alerted by the Ring camera whenever something sets off our sensor; lately, it’s just been local traffic, but we feel peace of mind knowing we’ll also be alerted to any possible intruders. It’s easy to check on the video feed and adjust any light settings on the Ring app.
Although there is the ability to change the sensitivity and brightness of the sensor and the light, we found our original setting is perfect for our needs. Should that change, we like that it’s easy enough to go into the app to adjust. If you want more than just an ordinary floodlight for your property, this motion-sensor camera light from Ring is a good value.
Dimensions: 11.7 x 7.03 x 9.67 inches | Lumens: 2,000 | Operating Time: N/A | Charging Time: N/A | Weather-Resistance Rating: Not listed
The colors are easy to adjust for different designs and seasons.
Setting up the app is time-consuming.
Six months into using these outdoor lights, we’re pleased that all are still functioning well, and everything is still synced up with the app. When you want bright outdoor holiday decorations or lighting for special events, these programmable LED strip lights from Govee are more than up for the task.
They’re also quite durable, with no visible damage after testing. In fact, they’re still attached to our house right where we hung them, so we recommend them for easy outside decor any time of year.
The app makes it easy to choose different colors and themes to customize your lighting, and we loved how the app also kept everything turning on and off just as it should, even in the snow.
You can program the app from your phone or connect it to Alexa or Google Home for the utmost in smart home automation. Just give yourself time to play around with all the various lighting options on the app so you can customize steady illumination, a fun light show, or anything in between. It even has motion sensors for security.
Dimensions: 32.8 feet | Lumens: 146 | Operating Time: N/A | Charging Time: N/A | Weather-Resistance Rating: IP65 (adapter is IP44)
They offer eight different light modes that last up to 10 hours on a full charge.
The illumination scope is smaller than others on our list.
If you want attractive, ambient light for your yard without being tethered to an outlet, these Brightown fairy lights are a good choice. Aside from stringing up the strand, installation only involves adding a stake to the solar pad and planting it in a sunny spot in the yard.
We like that there are eight light modes to choose from, and if you’ve got a good enough charge in the battery, it can provide illumination for up to 10 hours. If you don’t want them on that long or need to store them for the season, you can use the auto on/off button. Still, you might consider keeping these lights out all year, as we found that they survived environmental changes well.
However, do manage your expectations if you were hoping to use string lights as task lighting. The low brightness level of these lights only illuminates about a foot away from the bulbs.
This two-pack set is a great value for the money. However, if you are looking for more intense illumination, pair them with additional outdoor lighting to safely enjoy your backyard space at night.
Dimensions: 33 feet | Lumens: Not listed | Operating Time: 8 to 10 hours | Charging Time: Not listed | Weather-Resistance Rating: Not listed
You can toggle between three light modes, including motion sensing.
You might prefer a warmer light for your home.
If you’re looking for a basic but effective security light for your home’s perimeter, this motion-sensing spotlight from AloftSun will do the trick. Over the months of testing, we noticed that the light stayed in place well despite the rain and a few errant golf balls—it indeed seems worthy of the IP68 rating.
While it did take us a moment to learn how to switch between the modes for light sensing and motion sensing, it’s easy to use once you get the hang of it.
The spotlight is bright enough to illuminate a pathway or an entire yard easily. Even when the light was dim, it was bright enough to read or perform other tasks. Its design is rather basic, but it’s built more for utility than aesthetic. The cool light is efficient for home security, but we would have preferred the option to change the color.
Dimensions: 11.81 x 4.33 x 5.43 inches | Lumens: 800 | Operating Time: Not listed | Charging Time: Not listed | Weather-Resistance Rating: IP68
The teak construction is beautiful and built to last.
It’s pricey for the amount of light it provides.
We love this solar lantern from Pottery Barn for the warm, golden glow it brings to any outdoor space. The frame is made from beautiful, highly durable teak, so it fits just about any outdoor aesthetic.
The solar light comes detached but is easy to assemble, and since it comes pre-charged, you can illuminate your space immediately. Use the black stainless steel handle to transport it throughout your space, or hang it from a cord or even a tree branch.
A touch of the power button on the solar pack allows you to toggle between smart mode, which adjusts the light intensity so it stays illuminated all night, or forced mode, which allows you to adjust the level of brightness. It stands up well to weather, though at just 3 pounds, you’ll want to secure it on windy days.
This solar lantern is beautifully crafted, but as a light source, it’s more about ambiance than utility. When lit, we found it didn’t illuminate much farther behind the table we placed it on. You would need a collection of these to light up your deck, patio, or small backyard, but that’s a pricey endeavor. Still, if you were to get just one, this would make a gorgeous addition to your outdoor decor.
Dimensions: 6 x 6 x 10.5 inches | Lumens: 300 | Operating Time: 4 hours full power; 150 hours dimmed | Charging Time: Not listed | Weather-Resistance Rating: Not listed
The Sansi Outdoor Integrated LED Floodlight is our top choice because it provides powerful illumination to increase your home’s security. It is a wired light, but it does have a strong, effective photocell sensor that will turn the light off at dawn. If you're looking for something at a lower price, the Beams Motion Sensing Spotlight is less than half the price of the Sansi Floodlight and worked very well in bad weather.
To find the best outdoor solar lights, our team tried out 16 solar lights in our own yards. The products we tested were different types and styles, but we tested them all to see how bright they were, how easy to install they were, and if they truly turned on and off based on the sun's timetables.
During the testing period, we noted the intensity and reach of the lights and whether the illumination was bright enough for backyard entertaining, taking the dog out, and more. If the lights were adjustable, we tested the experience using different light intensities and colors.
With motion sensor lights, we observed sensitivity and range of motion detection, as well as how long the lights stayed on before dimming or turning off. We also noted how well the lights continued to operate and how the devices themselves held up in the elements over three- and six-month testing periods.
We made our final decisions for this best solar lights list with an eye toward efficiency, ease of installation and operation, design, and overall value.
Since outdoor solar lights live outdoors, you'll need to think about the weather and how that will affect your purchase. For example, if you live in a coastal climate, materials quickly corrode, so you should look for outdoor lighting made from copper or aluminum so they last.
Materials like teak (think teak patio furniture) are built to last—and we included the splurge-worthy Pottery Barn Nellie Outdoor Lantern on our list for this reason.
Whichever type of outdoor lights you choose, make sure they come with a warranty. Ashley Yeates, founder of AYI & Associates, a sustainably focused design firm, suggests a warranty of at least one year.
The look and placement of your lights are your personal preference. While fairy lights and string lights can add ambiance to an outdoor setting, you might simply need a motion-sensor spotlight by your garage or front door.
Andrea Scharff, of Andrea Scharff Landscape Design, recommends lanterns when trying out solar lighting for your backyard. “I think that this is something where people can have a lot of fun [designing] because they don't have to commit to a location, per se,” she says.
For ground lighting, she cautions homeowners to consider a durable design that can withstand impact from lawnmowers, animals, a foot strike, or other environmental stressors.
Yeates refers to lighting as the “jewelry” of a space. How brightly you want yours to shine will depend on its purpose. For example, string lights offer attractive, ambient light, while a flood light provides security by potentially scaring away intruders.
With outdoor lighting, color could mean two things, depending on the type of lighting device. For decorative lights, it could mean actual colors in the rainbow, so we recommend looking at the Govee WiFi Outdoor LED Strip Lights.
For white lights, you might choose either a cool light, which is white light with a blue tinge, or warm light, which is white with a yellow tinge. Yeates prefers warm lights for the welcoming glow they give; whichever type of white light you choose, she recommends that all the outdoor bulbs be one or the other for a cohesive look.
Several of the lights on our list are marked with weather-resistance ratings of IP65 or IP68. This is an international standard that measures how well devices can hold up to environmental elements, including dust and water.
Here’s how to read an IP rating: The 6 indicates the device is dust-resistant, and the 5 or 8 indicates how well it can hold up to low-pressure water jets. If you want your solar light to last, keep an eye out for this rating.
Many of the products on our best outdoor solar lights list go beyond mere illumination. If you want your outdoor lighting to provide better security for your home, then look to those devices that have motion sensors that will turn the light on once a person or animal is detected.
Do you like to run your home’s systems with the help of Alexa or Google Assistant? You can look for solar lights that have app or smart home connectivity so you can program daily lighting schedules.
Frontgate Pro Series VI Solar Path Light: We liked how quick and easy it was to assemble this solar light. While it did work quite well from dusk to dawn, we would have liked the chance to adjust the brightness or the fixture itself for better coverage. We also thought that it was expensive for a light with such basic features.
URPOWER Solar Lights Outdoor, 40 LED Motion Sensor Security Lights: We were impressed by the intensity of the illumination of these easy-to-install security lights. Even after six months of exposure to the elements during the testing period, we found they continued to work well without any visible damage to the housing. While not the most attractive solar lights on the list, they’re a good value for the price.
LEPOWER Solar Security Lights Outdoor: We found the motion sensor to be far too sensitive, especially when placed near a street. Whenever the light did come on, which was often, it wasn’t as bright as we would have liked a security light to be. We also weren’t a fan of the bulky white design.
Solar lights have a photovoltaic (PV) cell panel that absorbs sunlight and converts it to energy that gets stored in their batteries. When the sensors on the solar lights detect low light levels at dusk, the stored energy powers on the lights. When fully charged, solar lights should stay on until the sensors detect light at dawn, when they will shut off. As the sun rises, the lights begin to recharge, and a new power cycle begins.
While direct sunlight is preferred for optimal results, solar lights can absorb energy even on cloudy days. However, it might take longer to capture a full charge, so your solar lights might not operate at optimal levels on overcast days. If you’ve installed new solar lights and the sunlight hasn’t been strong, you might have to wait a bit longer for them to work at full capacity.
You might think it’s fine to install solar lights wherever you need illumination in your yard, but you’ll also have to consider which spots receive the most sunlight. Depending on the brand and design of your light, it can take between four and 12 hours to fully charge. While it is possible to charge solar lights in indirect sunlight, direct sunlight will give you a full battery more quickly.
It is worth observing your yard over several sunny days to see what parts absorb sunlight and for how many hours. This will help you determine where to install your new solar lights for optimal results. While it is possible to install solar lights even in shadier areas, you might have to lower your expectations regarding how bright they’ll shine and for how long.
While sunnier days ensure optimal operation of your solar lights, solar lights aren’t exactly a set-it-and-forget-it proposition. Some maintenance is involved if you want them to last longer than a season or two.
For starters, you might need to dust or wipe off the solar panels if the lights aren’t staying bright even after cloudless days. Then again, it could be the battery. “[Changing out the battery] is recommended once a year on solar lights,” says Yeates. She urges consumers to try fresh batteries before tossing solar lights that aren’t working properly to avoid all that material heading into a landfill.
Yeates also suggests that consumers look for outdoor lights made by brands that have been in business for a long time, as well as those that offer at least a year-long warranty to ensure the product has some degree of longevity.
A lumen is the measure of a light bulb’s brightness. An outdoor light that has 400 lumens is the equivalent of a 40W bulb. That said, the higher the lumens and wattage, the brighter the bulb.
Personal preference dictates the brightness of your outdoor solar lights, but so does common sense. If you want a floodlight or spotlight for security, then you’ll want to choose brighter lights between the 700 and 1300 lumen range. If you like the idea of a motion sensor light that only comes on when motion is detected, consider a light between 300 and 700 lumens.
The number of lights installed in a given area will also factor into how many lumens you need for individual lights. If you plan to add a light to every step leading up to your deck, for example, you can choose lights that are 100 lumens or less.
half cut solar panels This article was written by Barbara Bellesi Zito, a freelance lifestyle writer based in Staten Island, NY. To compile this list of best solar lights, she reviews testing insights from the Real Simple team while considering factors like design, weather resistance, and overall value. For expert advice on what consumers should know when purchasing solar lights, she consulted Andrea Scharff of Andrea Scharff Landscape Design and Ashley Yeates, founder of AYI & Associates, a sustainably focused design firm.