Everyone knows that it can be challenging to install outdoor lighting. But, that’s not the case if you use solar-powered garden lights. This is an increasingly popular alternative to hiring an electrician that is also affordable and easy to do, plus it helps you save money on your electric bill. More solar powered lights these days are using very bright LEDs that are more reliable than previous models. With improved batteries and circuitry, newer solar garden lights are able to work year-round with consistent performance. When choosing solar garden lights, make sure you match the function you want the lights to perform to match the solar garden lights you are purchasing. Here are a few tips and reviews to help you find the best solar garden lights for your yard.
Best Solar Garden Light on the Market
If you are considering if you should buy solar garden lights, keep in mind that they can be used for more than just throwing parties. While many people use these beautiful lights to add atmosphere and beauty to a BBQ or backyard dinner party, solar garden lights are very functional and can be more helpful than just adding whimsy to your patio or get-togethers. If you have a family, they are a great way to spend more time in your yard playing games or just hanging out together. They are also helpful if you have animals and need to let your dog or look for your cat. Since they don’t require a wire connection, solar garden lights are a better choice than regular electric lights since there is minimal installation, they are environmentally-friendly, and they require very little maintenance.
| Image | Product | |
|---|---|---|
Best Choice | OxyLED Solar Pathway Torch Lights
| Check Price |
Also great  | TomCare Solar Lights
| Check Price |
Best Value  | Bebrant Solar Lanterns
| Check Price |
Best Vintage  | TomCare Solar Lantern Lights
| Check Price |
Best Wall-Mounted  | Aityvert Solar Flame Lights
| Check Price |
1. OxyLED Solar Pathway Torch Lights – Best Overall Solar Garden Lights
Perfect for a porch, lawn, patio, yard, or garden path, the six-pack OxyLED Solar Pathway Torch Torch lights come with a flickering flame that also adds to your Halloween or Christmas Light displays. These waterproof solar lights are great for landscape lighting and use Li-ion batteries that are built-in. They are also easy to install and can withstand snow, rain, and hail.
LED Lights
The flickering flame is created with 96 LED lamp beads. These vivid dancing flames give you a campfire ambiance, which is fun for BBQs and garden parties. Using a wireless solar panel, these solar lights absorb sunlight during the day and then convert that energy into electricity, and they automatically turn on at dusk and turn off at dawn.
Long-lasting Power
Using the rechargeable Li-ion batteries, the OxyLED Solar Pathway Torch Lights comes with a capacity of 2200mAh. After a charging time between five and eight hours, they will work from eight to ten hours on a full charge. The lampshade and solar panel are also IP65 waterproof helping them to still work perfectly during bad weather.
Recommended for those looking to light up a garden path or walkway, the OxyLED Solar Pathway Torch Lights are perfect for those looking for a one-step setup. Easy to install, these solar lights just need to be placed into your garden and lawn and they are ready to go to work.
Pros
- They last longer than other solar lights
- It is nice that they come in a set of 12
- They are very easy to assemble and install yourself
Cons
- The flame is a little too orange for some users
2. TomCare Solar Lights – Best Pathway Solar Lights
Waterproof and heavy-duty, the TomCare Solar Lights Flickering Flame Solar Torch are solar metal lights that feature a flickering flame light. Perfect for landscaped areas, patios, or pathways, these solar lights stay on from dusk until dawn and feature an automatic on and off switch when the sun comes up. Available in a four-pack, these solar lights are simple to install and do not require wiring to work.
High-quality Construction
The TomCare Solar Lights are constructed of high-quality metal that is rust-resistant and comes with a black coating finish. Durable enough for outdoor use, the poles and stakes are made of high-quality ABS plastic. The new version of these lights provides a more stylish and elegant look that is a nice complement to your home’s decor.
Design
Using a realistic flame design, the TomCare Solar Lights give off a warm yellow light that looks like a real flame. This is the perfect light for a yard, front gate, pathway, or garden where you want to create a warm and welcoming ambiance. Plus, they are IP65 waterproof grade, so they can withstand frost, rain, and snow.
Outdoor Use
Ideal for outdoor lighting, these solar-powered lights do not require electrical tools for installation or charging. They only require being placed in the sun to charge. With the included high-capacity battery and high-efficiency solar panel, they can fully charge when in direct sunlight in about eight hours. This allows them to light up for about five hours in the winter and ten in the summer since charging times are influenced by weather conditions.
Thanks to their easy installation, the TomCare Solar Lights are highly recommended. Since they only need to be installed into the ground, they are pretty much ready to go right out of the box. The height of each lamp is completely adjustable, so you can decide on your preferred height, and you can choose to connect several together if you want. They also come with a sensitive light sensor that is built-in and will turn off automatically at dawn making them a great choice.
Pros
- These are well-built lights that are easy to assemble
- It is nice to have selective height options
- Very beautiful lights that get a lot of compliments
Cons
- The plastic stakes don’t hold up well in storms
3. Bebrant Solar Lanterns – Best Handing Solar Lights
With a flickering flame design, the Bebrant Solar Lanterns are both solar powered and USB charged. These outdoor hanging lanterns are waterproof and automatically turn on and off at dusk and dawn. Perfect for holiday decorations, this four-pack of lanterns are attractive and give the appearance of a real flame.
Outdoor Use
With a warm light, you can create a welcoming atmosphere for outdoor events like BBQs, parties, and camping. Highly efficient, these lights use a solar panel and 2200 AH battery. When they are fully charged in the sunlight, they can run for more than 12 hours, although they can be influenced by the weather and not run as long in the winter. With a dustproof and IP65 waterproof design, the Bebrant Solar Lanterns are very durable making them perfect for use outside and able to withstand frost, rain, and snow.
Recommended for the three ways you can install them, the easy to install Bebrant Solar Lanterns do not require wiring and can be inserted directly into the ground to use as path lights. You can also use the hook and clamp and hang them in trees or along a path, or you can place them on a table for practical use.
Pros
- They look very pretty and also work as decorations
- The last longer than other solar lights
- They have a cool flickering flame appearance and are easy to install
Cons
- They are on the expensive side
- The lights are too small for some users
4. TomCare Solar Lantern Lights – Most Versatile Solar Lights
Featuring an outdoor hanging lantern design, TomCare Solar Lights feature a flickering flame that is perfect for your yard, deck, garden path, or patio. These solar lights are made of high-quality bronze colored metal giving them a large size and an elegant appearance. Larger than previous versions, these LED lights are heavy-duty and waterproof that is perfect for outdoor use.
Ambiance
With these beautiful dancing flames, the TomCare Solar Lantern Lights give you a unique and attractive ambiance to your patio or garden. Using solar energy, you don’t have to worry about wiring or electrical tools for installation or charging. They have an IP65 waterproof level, plus they are rust-proof and durable for outdoor use and can withstand snow and rain.
Vintage Look
The flame has a special dancing design that gives the lantern an attractive look along with a warm yellow glow. With its vintage design, the bronze finish gives the lantern a unique aesthetic appearance.
Easy Installation
You can install these lights in one of two ways. First, you can put the solar lanterns on your tabletop, since the lantern’s bottom features a soft foam attachment. Second, you can use the durable hook that is included with the solar lantern to hang it on a tree or shepherd’s hook. That only weight 1.48 pounds each and use a poly plastic instead of real glass that help to enhance the flickering flame effect.
The TomCare Solar Lantern Lights are recommended thanks to their long charge time of eight hours. These solar lights also come with a handy automatic on and off feature, so you can put them in and forget about them.
Pros
- They have a great appearance and function well
- They charge well even on cloudy days
- The lights stay on all night without running down
Cons
- Not all users like the flickering flame look
- They are too bright for some users who would prefer some kind of brightness control on the products
5. Aityvert Solar Flame Lights Outdoor – Best Wall-Mounted Solar Lights
With the look of real flames, the Aityvert Solar Flame Lights have a flickering flame that is waterproof. They also feature an automatic on and off function along with a dark sensor. These wall-mounted solar lights come with a lattice cover design and give off a warm yellow light.
No Electricity Needed
Providing a pleasant ambiance, these solar lights don’t require electrical power but run on a rechargeable lithium battery that is built-in. Perfect for outdoor use, these lights are designed to be used along a driveaway, backyard, patio, front door, pathway, and garden.
Waterproof
The Aityvert Solar Lights are IP65 Waterproof certified and come with a 3.7 volt and 2000mAh battery capacity. These LED lights are safe alternatives to real fire that create a nice mood-enhancing glow. Easy to install, you can place them anywhere you like without having to worry about wiring.
Thanks to a full charge lasting up to ten hours, the Aityvert Solar Flame Lights are also a recommended product, especially for those that want their lights to last all night. The Aityvert Solar Flame Lights have a charging time between eight and ten hours, which can also be influenced by weather conditions. All you need to do is place them in direct sunlight for them to absorb energy. On a full charge, these lights can work up to five hours in the winter and ten in the summer.
Pros
- These are very cool light that will last all night long
- They are great on backyard fence posts and are easy to mount
- They are a lot brighter than you would expect for their size
Cons
- The lights aren’t bright enough for some users
- They are a little too small for some users
Solar Garden Light Buying Guide
Why Use Solar Garden Lights?
The best thing about solar lights is that they do not need wiring making them super easy to install. You won’t need a lot of tools or even an electrician to do it. This also means you won’t have to pay for electricity when the solar lights are working, so the only cost is the actual lights themselves and maybe a battery. They are safe to use near water and are great to use as an accent to hot tubs, ponds, and pools. And, they also continue to work if there is a power outage.
Bulb Types
You can use any type of outdoor light along with a solar panel for solar lighting. However, solar lights are created especially for use as garden lights and use LED lights that should last the lifetime of the light product.
LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, can be used as directional lighting so they can emit light into a specific area. In comparison, fluorescent and incandescent bulbs will emit light in all directions. LED lights also give out little heat, unlike traditional lighting, making them more affordable to use and a great choice when using a light all night on a solar charge.
There are a lot of advantages to LED lights due to how they work. Not only are they popular indoors, but they are also great to use outdoors thanks to their cost-effectiveness and the variety of colors they come in. You no longer need to color a bulb to get a specific color effect but can choose a bulb based on its own mix of hues. Their Wi-Fi connectivity also makes them impressive since you can control them with your smartphone as part of a larger garden or smart house system.
Solar Garden Light Choices
Garden Light Accents
A great way to draw attention to a garden or an arbor, accent lighting is used as soft lighting around an area that you want to draw attention to. It can be a color line of light in your garden or lights that are wound around your trees. Lighting that is in a fun shape helps to brighten up areas at night or can be a color addition during the day.
Strings of light, netting, and designs that are staked can be purchased in several colors and hue changes for any area of your garden. They are also pretty affordable, but you may find that they are not weatherproof and need to be removed for certain parts of the year. Also, many of them do not have a long lifespan and will only last you a couple of uses.
Solar Path Lights
Usually placed in areas that light up a pathway, path lighting is used to garden bed edging, garden paths, driveways, and sidewalks. The LED lighting can be directional which is why it is often used with spiral and fun star-shaped designs to light up paths.
A very popular lighting choice, path lighting has tons of designs to choose from as well as materials that the lighting can be constructed of. Wire, glass, metal, and plastic are all common materials used in path lighting. These are usually pretty affordable options, but keep in mind that the higher-priced path lights tend to be made of weatherproofed materials and will have a longer life.
Spotlights and Task Lights
Spotlights and task lights are typically more expensive due to their brightness and versatility. While they can be used for path lights, usually they are used for specific needs like water features, statuary, and lighting up the front of your house. Operating on a separate solar panel which increases their usability, this allows you to take full advantage of the best available lighting choices. They are typically more durable as well due to where they are usually mounted and should have both UV protection and weatherproofing to extend their lifespan.
Choosing the Best Solar Garden Lights for Your Yard
Function
Serving as both a landscape light and security, a solar light used as a spotlight or pathway can serve several functions. For any need or function out there, there is a solar light that can serve a specific need.
Year-Round
Depending on the price point, you may be able to find solar lights that are usable all year round. Not every solar light is an all-weather light, so you need to read the product’s specifications before you choose one. Keep in mind that some of the solar lights that are on the lower price end may not work in freezing temperatures.
Placement
Before you place your solar panel, make sure you place it where it will get the most sunlight and that the wires are the right length. This also goes for solar lights that are not using a solar panel. You will find some solar lights that can be staked or mounted and others can be focused directly where you want the light aimed for the best effect, so make sure that the type of solar light you choose has the mounting that you need for placement.
Type of Sunlight
The amount of sunlight that a panel receives still determines the best charges. You can place a nice quality panel in a shady area or have a lot of cloudy days, you will want to look for a panel that is rated for low light charging. You can also buy products that can be connected remotely if necessary, but they are usually more expensive, so you want to be aware of your placement beforehand.
Location
While they don’t need to be in the general area of an outlet, solar lights do need to be right in direct sunlight so they can use their included solar cells to convert energy into electricity. The lights then store this power in a rechargeable battery that allows the light to turn on at dusk and then shine all night long.
How many hours they shine depends directly on how much sunlight they have been exposed to, so the number of hours the lights work depends entirely on the weather and season. Needing very little maintenance, solar lights work best when installed where they can get the most daytime light, are not obstructed, and are kept free of debris and dirt. You can also buy remote solar panels that will collect the energy from the sun to power the solar lights that you want to be placed in areas that are shady and then send the charge through a small wire to the fixture.
Style
As the technology of solar lights improve and most new solar lights made with LED lights, these solar lights are able to shine up to twelve times brighter than solar lights have in the past. And, you don’t have to change out these lights very frequently. LED solar lights come in a lot of different styles that let you light up any outdoor area. Lights that are staked into the ground are great for patio perimeters and walkways. Always use a rubber mallet when driving these types of lights into the ground making sure not to damage them. If you want to create a focal point, rope lighting is flexible and can be used to wrap around branches, furniture, and railings. With individual solar lanterns, you can fasten them to trees trunks and your home to create a path of lights. You will find many materials and colors to create a fun party atmosphere when you hang festive string lights on your patio or in your trees. It all depends on the look that you are going for and the time of year with how you may want to use your solar lights in your yard.
When you use solar garden lights, your yard will always stay illuminated and your power bills will stay low. Since you have tons of options to choose from, you shouldn’t have a problem quickly elevating your outdoor living areas into warm and inviting entertaining spaces.
Malcolm – Blog Author. I have several years of customer service experience in the energy sector. I am convinced that harnessing solar energy will soon be the norm around the world.
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