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After weeks of real-world testing, these are our favorites. Led Street Light
Whether you want to add ambiance to your patio or strong illumination to dark areas around your home, mounted solar lights can transform your outdoor space. Solar lights require no outlets or electricity, so you can rely on something as routine as the sunrise to brighten your yard.
“When shopping for your mounted solar lights, make sure to consider placement and purpose of the lights,” says Sheva Knopfler, co-founder and creative director of Lights.com. “How bright do you need the space illuminated? Are you buying the lights for safety or convenience? Consider how the light will look and function in your space.”
To find the best mounted solar lights, we tested 19 models in real-world conditions and noted qualities such as ease of setup, brightness, bonus features (like smart capabilities and motion sensing), and more. For expert advice, we spoke to Knopfler and Amber Freda, a garden and landscape designer, to get their tips on selecting mounted solar lights to suit your outdoor space.
This spotlight adds security and brightness to your outdoor space.
It only comes with one light.
The Maxsa Solar-Powered Dual-Head LED Security Spotlight had a near-perfect performance throughout our testing. While this pick is relatively low profile, it boasts 220 lumens with adjustable brightness, motion sensors, and customizable light durations that allow you to modify how long the lights stay on after detecting motion—anywhere from 10 seconds to four minutes. You can also set the motion sensor’s range to as close as 10 feet or as far as 40 feet away.
Installation was a breeze, though you will need a power drill to set up this light. (All the mounting hardware comes included in the box.) We also appreciate how durable this mounted solar light is. Even after a heavy storm, there was no damage to the light fixture. The light was accurate and quick when sensing motion—it detected cars on a busy street, but we could also adjust it to only detect nearby movement.
While this pick only comes with one unit per package, the light has two adjustable heads that can swivel to cover a larger space or two separate areas. It can illuminate any backyard, large patio, or driveway, making it versatile enough for most outdoor spaces. However, keep in mind that the spotlight may be too bright and harsh for people looking strictly for ambient lighting.
Brightness: 220 lumens | Motion Sensor: Yes | Weather-Resistance Rating: IP44 | Weight: 2.13 pounds
This affordable option has motion sensors.
The brightness is not adjustable.
Outfitting your outdoor space with bright, motion-sensor lights doesn’t need to be an expensive endeavor—especially with the HMCity Outdoor Mounting Solar Lights. We were impressed with the ease of installation and setup, ample brightness, and durability. This mounted outdoor solar light is ideal for security purposes, as the motion sensors trigger powerful lights to brighten your entryway, porch, or deck.
You can toggle between three modes—one that uses the motion sensor and turns on with nearby movement, one that stays on at a fixed brightness throughout the night, and a third mode that keeps the lights on and bumps up the brightness when any motion is detected. While the manufacturer doesn’t list the lumens of these lights, they were bright enough to illuminate the yard and provide an added sense of security during testing.
The lights are made with weather-resistant and waterproof materials that can endure year-round use and a no-frills design that prioritizes functionality over style. While we don’t recommend these lights for anyone who wants an ambient or dimmable outdoor mounted solar light, if you want impressive illumination on a budget, this pick is for you.
Brightness: Not listed | Motion Sensor: Yes | Weather-Resistance Rating: IP65 | Weight: 0.9 pounds
It’s large and ornate, adding a decorative element to your outdoor space.
This light doesn’t have a dimming feature.
The Alcott Hill Rasberry Wall Light looks similar to a hard-wired light—the size, weight, and detail of design make it a statement piece to add to your outdoor area. If you want to splurge on an ornate, vintage wall lantern with tons of details that look hard-wired, this pick might be for you.
It has a brightness of 120 lumens and an impressive 10-hour runtime on a full charge. And like the other lights we tested, this one requires ample sunlight—so be sure to place it in an area with plenty of daytime exposure. Unlike some of our other selections, this light doesn’t offer many bonus features, like adjustable brightness or motion sensitivity, but it has an effective dusk-to-dawn mode. Even so, what it lacks in features it makes up for in design details. It’s worth noting that during our testing, we found that this pick is rather large and heavy, so it may not be suitable for smaller homes or spaces.
Brightness: 120 lumens | Motion Sensor: No | Weather-Resistance Rating: Not listed | Weight: 7.4 pounds
These solar lights can be integrated into a smart home system.
The design is purely functional.
For the tech-savvy shopper, the Ring Solar Floodlight can be integrated into your existing smart home setup. It offers all the customizable smart controls and compatibility you could want. You’ll need a Ring Bridge (which is an additional cost) or a compatible Echo device for the full functionality of this light. But once it’s set up and synced to the Bridge, you can customize the brightness, motion sensitivity, and schedules—plus connect with other devices like Ring doorbells, cameras, and Alexa-enabled devices.
During our testing, we found that it was easy to toggle between all the settings on a smartphone. Via the app, you can turn the lights on, set up motion alerts, change the brightness, adjust the motion sensitivity, and even create light scheduling.
This motion-sensing floodlight has an impressive brightness of 1,200 lumens, which can illuminate any driveway or backyard—but it may be too bright for those who are looking for decorative ambient lighting. We also appreciate that it comes in two colors—black and white—so you can choose the option that best matches your outdoor decor.
Brightness: 1,200 lumens | Motion Sensor: Yes | Weather-Resistance Rating: IP66 | Weight: 0.5 pounds
This high-powered outdoor mounted solar light can brighten a large area.
This lighting is not as stylish as some of our other selections.
With an impressive brightness of 2,500 lumens, these mounted solar lights from Aootek are the most powerful on our list. We loved these heavy-duty lights—which come in sets of four—for their value, reliability, and variety of light settings. The lights are designed with three modes: security, which utilizes the automatic motion sensor to activate the light, “smart brightness control” that keeps the light on all night with increased brightness when there is detected motion, and an all-night option that automatically turns on at dusk.
We tested the longevity of the solar power by checking the lights throughout the night and early morning and found that the dim setting ran smoothly throughout. These solar lights come fully assembled, and installation only took five minutes. While these outdoor mounted solar lights are one of the best options for security and durability, their design is tech-forward and simple. So if you want a stylish option for subtle, ambient lighting, you may want to look elsewhere.
Brightness: 2,500 lumens | Motion Sensor: Yes | Weather-Resistance Rating: IP65 | Weight: 1.3 pounds
These elegant lights create soft, stylish, and ambient lighting.
They might not be as durable in storms or severe weather.
These lightweight lanterns add a soft, warm ambiance to any outdoor space, and we loved how versatile they are. They have a hook so you can carry them as a lantern or hang them anywhere in your yard. While these lanterns don’t have an array of bonus features, they are a great choice for people who want a simple yet elegant outdoor lighting solution. Plus, they have a minimalistic design that looks sleek anywhere.
As for installation, no assembly is required other than attaching the brackets to the wall with a drill. The stainless steel and glass construction is durable enough for long-term use and has a waterproof rating of IP65, which means they can withstand rain. That said, the manufacturer notes that these lanterns could become damaged in high winds or severe storms, as the hook design makes them more susceptible to swinging.
Brightness: 15 lumens | Motion Sensor: No | Weather-Resistance Rating: IP65 | Weight: 3 pounds
It can detect motion up to 26 feet away.
There aren’t any adjustable settings or modes.
If you want added security to your home at an affordable price, opt for the Ameritop Outdoor Mounting Solar Lights. The smart motion sensor can detect movement up to 26 feet away and will stay illuminated until there is no active motion within the sensor’s field—the lights will automatically turn off after 15 seconds of stillness. The two lights produce a beaming 800 lumens, which you can angle by moving the adjustable heads.
With an IP65 rating and a durable ABS construction, this light is also durable enough to endure inclement weather and outdoor elements. During our testing, these lights survived a massive storm and worked seamlessly the next morning.
We also loved how easy it was to install and set up these lights—it took about five minutes, though you may need additional mounting brackets if you plan to hang these on siding. While these mounted solar lights are ideal for those who want added security in their outdoor space, we wish they had more settings to choose from.
Brightness: 800 lumens | Motion Sensor: Yes | Weather-Resistance Rating: IP65 | Weight: 2.33 pounds
These classic light posts are easy to install.
If you want to mount this light on a post, you’ll need to purchase one separately.
We gave the Kemeco Solar Post Light a perfect score for its ease of installation, design, brightness, and durability. If you want the look of a traditional light post with the addition of solar energy, this pick can enhance your garden, yard, entryway, or driveway—no wiring required.
If your yard has an existing round pole, installation can take just six minutes, according to our testing. We also noted that the solar light can be mounted on a square pole with the fixtures and screws included in the kit. For anyone without a post (or those who would prefer to set up the light elsewhere), you can affix this solar light onto any flat surface with the included mounting base.
With a vintage cross-frame design and ripple glass construction, this durable aluminum light gives off an attractive glow, adding warm light and a welcoming touch to your outdoor space. While these outdoor mounted solar lights have a superb brightness of 135 lumens, they don't have motion-sensing capabilities, so this pick probably isn’t ideal for security purposes.
Brightness: 135 lumens Motion Sensor: No | Weather-Resistance Rating: Not listed | Weight: 6.4 pounds
These lantern-style solar lights have various settings to choose from.
They don’t provide a bright enough light for security purposes.
These solar wall lanterns strike the balance between security lights and purely ambient lighting, making them a great choice for someone who wants a bit of both in their outdoor space. The Edison-style bulbs make the lighting more decorative, but when the sensor goes off, the light is bright enough to get someone's attention.
There are three modes to choose from, which can be adjusted with the click of a button. The motion-sensor mode can detect movement at a 120-degree angle with a 19-foot range, which will trigger the lights to turn on for 15 seconds. Another mode offers a muted light throughout the night, which is kicked into high gear when the motion sensors are activated. The final setting is at half brightness with no motion sensing, which is ideal for people who want these lights purely for ambiance.
We were impressed with the value and quality of these lanterns, as they come in packs of two. These lights have a weather-resistance rating of IP65 and are constructed with a durable ABS plastic material that is weatherproof, fade-proof, and anti-corrosion, so you can be sure these outdoor solar lights will last for years to come.
Lumens: 200 lumens | Motion Sensor: Yes | Weather-Resistance Rating: IP65 | Weight: 13.6 ounces
Overall, we recommend the Maxsa Solar-Powered Dual-Head LED Security Spotlight for its 160 lumens of brightness, motion sensor capabilities, and light activity time, which allows you to tailor the light’s functionality depending on your needs. For a budget-friendly pick, we recommend the HMCity Outdoor Mounting Solar Lights, which includes motion sensors, too.
We tested 19 outdoor mounted solar lights and assessed each model based on ease of installation, features, design, brightness, durability, and value over two weeks. First, we unpacked the lights and noted whether any assembly was required, then evaluated the quality of the parts and how easily they connected during the process. We also timed the assembly process from start to finish.
After assembling the lights, we followed the manufacturer’s instructions for installation—observing how challenging the instructions were, whether the light included the required mounting hardware, and the duration of the entire installation process, again using a timer from start to finish.
Once we installed the lights, we spent the following two weeks reviewing the functionality of each model. We took note of whether the light dimmed or faded, recharged reliably, and if we had to make adjustments to properly recharge the solar panels. While the brightness of solar lights depends partially on the type of fixture and whether they’re ambient or security lights, we also considered whether the illumination was in alignment with each type.
Many of the outdoor mounted solar lights we reviewed have unique features, like multiple settings and colors, motion sensors, dusk-to-dawn modes, and smart capabilities. We utilized each of these additional functions (when applicable) and noted their ease of use and effectiveness. If there were any significant weather events or adverse conditions during the testing period, we evaluated each product’s durability—like whether the lights were damaged or became less effective over time.
After evaluating the mounted solar lights for two weeks, we reviewed the price of each product and scored its overall value, factoring in its performance in the above tests.
Before selecting mounted solar lights or more traditional types of outdoor lights for your yard, consider how bright you want your outdoor space to be. Brightness is typically measured in lumens, and the higher the number, the brighter the light will be. If you’re adding solar lights for ambient or accent lighting, opt for a product with a maximum of 100 to 200 lumens. But for those who are in search of a security light, we recommend significantly bumping up the brightness to between 700 and 1,300 lumens.
You’ll need to consider the size of the outdoor space you want to illuminate. The larger the space, the more lights (or brighter lights) you will typically need. While lighting up a pathway or steps won’t require as much light, areas like a large patio could benefit from more light, depending on your desired effect.
“Lighting can really help make an outdoor space come alive at night,” Freda says. “It adds soft ambient lighting that can turn beautiful plants or trees into interesting focal points in the garden.”
You should also think about how your solar lights will mesh with your existing decor and color palette. “I would look for a color that goes with the trim or furniture that’s usually in the space already,” Freda adds. “The most common colors are black or brown, so take a look at the space ahead of time and make sure you find a good match that makes sense with the aesthetic.”
How well your mounted solar lights function greatly depends on the amount of sunlight they get every day, so the more sun exposure, the better. For lights to stay on for eight hours, they’ll need at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight during the day. That said, solar lights can still charge with indirect sunlight or even in shade, though their output will decrease. If you plan on using your solar lights daily, we recommend installing them in places with as much direct sunlight as possible.
Most outdoor mounted solar lighting is designed with materials that can withstand inclement weather, low temperatures, water, and direct sunlight. But if durability and quality are high on your list of considerations, look for products with high weather-resistance ratings. This is often listed on product listings as an Ingress Protection (IP) rating, like IP65. The first number is how well it can stand up to dust and debris, while the second number refers to how airtight it is. The higher the number, the more durable the light. And if you see an X in the IP rating, keep in mind that the light does not offer any protection in that category.
While these features aren’t a must on outdoor mounted solar lights, they can add functionality and enhance your user experience.
Multiple Modes: Creating a dreamy outdoor landscape can be as simple as installing outdoor solar lights with various patterns and/or color modes. This feature can transform the ambiance of your patio, garden, or deck by simply pressing a button. "It can also be used to highlight other features, such as a fountain or statue," Freda says.
Smart Capabilities: For those who want to seamlessly set timers and adjust brightness from their phone, mounted solar lights with smart capabilities can allow you to remotely toggle between settings. The Ring Solar Floodlight stood out in our testing for its smart capabilities that can be integrated into your existing smart-home setup, with either a Bridge (sold separately) or a compatible Echo device.
Motion Sensors: Whether you’re lighting a pitch-black pathway or integrating an outdoor security light, a motion sensor will come in handy. Rather than burning through the charge, motion sensor solar lights turn on only when necessary, ensuring they don’t run out of battery. Most solar lights with motion sensors can be toggled to a traditional mode, so you can opt for either function depending on the occasion.
Dusk-to-Dawn Modes: Rather than turning on your solar-powered lights every night, some options come with a convenient dusk-to-dawn mode that will automatically turn on the lights around sunset and turn them off around sunrise. This is especially helpful for people who would rather “set and forget” their solar lights.
Gama Sonic Solar Barn Light: These mounted solar lights were very easy to install, however we found that they were lacking in terms of features and brightness settings. We also wished that there was a way to hide the unsightly 7-foot cord.
Tuffenough Outdoor Solar Lights With Wall Mount and Motion Sensor: These motion sensor lights have multiple modes and an impressive brightness of 2,500 lumens. While they are a quality option for those who want solar lights for security purposes, they don't have any additional standout features.
The brightness of most lights is communicated in lumens, which measure how much light is emitted per second. The brightest lights on this list are the Aootek Mounted Outdoor Solar Lights, with 2,500 lumens, according to the manufacturer.
Since mounted outdoor solar lights don’t use electricity, they might help you save money in the long run—especially since they don’t require an electrician or expert assembly. “Solar lights are usually pretty reasonably priced compared to electric lights, and they are also better for the environment, two factors which make them worth the investment,” Freda says.
Plus, there are plenty of benefits to using solar lights outside your home. “Lights can deter home invaders and pests like raccoons,” Knopfler says. “Outdoor lighting is great when you come home late and need to find your keys, or safely make your way up pathways and stairs.”
Once installed, outdoor solar lights can function for years to come with very little maintenance, making them an ideal choice for any backyard, garden, patio, or path. The batteries can last for two to three years before they need replacement, while the LED bulbs used in solar lights can last for 10 years or more.
This article was written by Quinn Gawronski, associate commerce editor for Real Simple, who has three years of experience writing and editing product reviews and roundups. To compile this list, we tested 19 outdoor mounted solar lights and evaluated them on setup, brightness, bonus features, durability, and overall value. We observed the functionality of these outdoor mounted solar lights for two weeks before providing feedback based on their experience. For expert tips, we consulted with Amber Freda, a New York City-based landscape designer, and Sheva Knopfler, co-founder and creative director of Lights.com, for their tips for selecting the best outdoor mounted solar lights for your space.
Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn't an option. All products go through the same rigorous process, whether they are purchased or sent by the company.
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