BHG Tests and Ranks the Top 8 Outdoor Solar Lights

Brightening up your outdoor living area can drastically improve the way your garden or patio looks, and it might even inspire you to spend more time outside when the weather is warm. One great way to illuminate your outdoor space is with solar lights.

"Solar lights, compared to low voltage and line voltage outdoor lights, are safer and more DIY-friendly since there’s little to no wiring required at all," says Sarah Jameson, marketing director of Green Building Elements. "In most cases, there is no need to bring in an electrician to install it."

With batteries that charge via solar panels throughout the day, the best outdoor solar lights can effectively help your household lower its carbon footprint.

Installation is easy because there are no wires to contend with and, because the market for solar lights has boomed as clean energy becomes more popular, there are tons of options, ensuring that you can find the lights that are perfect for your home.

What We Tested

We evaluated solar lights based on a range of factors including design, brightness, durability, and value. For more on how we tested solar lights, see our testing process below.

AloftSun Solar Motion Sensor Lights

The AloftSun Solar Motion Sensor Lights come in a pack of two and have a water protection rating of IP68, which is one of the highest ratings. In our tests, the lights stood up to pouring water and did not break when we dropped a golf ball on them from about 6 feet away.

The lights have an automatic on and off mode, meaning they’ll shut off when it’s light out so they can charge up in the sun and then turn back on in the evening as the sun goes down. Plus, the lights can detect motion within a 33-foot range.

Choose from three lighting modes including a dim, continuous light without motion sensing for 12 hours; a medium-bright, continuous light for six hours; or a bright, motion-sensing light. We found switching between modes a bit challenging at first, but it became much easier with time.

We felt the design of the lights was quite basic and not a very stylish option, but they do get the job done. We also felt the cool white color of the light is a little cooler than some might prefer for home use. However, the lights are expected to last for 40,000 or more hours, providing a good value for the cost and features.

Brightech Ambiance Pro Solar String Lights

Solar lights come in a variety of styles, including string lights. The Brightech Ambiance Pro Solar String Lights measure in at 27 feet long and feature 12 S14-size LED bulbs spaced at 20 inches apart, making for 20 feet of lighting total. The LED bulbs are expected to last 20,000 hours while the solar panel has a life of about two and a half years.

The solar string lights are meant to be durable with their shatterproof material and Brightech’s WeatherTite technology. While no official waterproof rating is given, this technology is designed to help the lights handle 50 mile-per-hour winds along with rain and snow.

They’re also resistant to temperatures as hot as 122 degrees Fahrenheit. The bulbs are made of plastic, but one tester said they are "clear, pretty, and don’t seem cheap."

When we tested the lights with water and a dropped golf ball, the lights showed no damage. The removable solar panel did move, but it lacked visible evidence of damage. The lights also still worked after stowing them in the freezer, making testers confident that these lights can withstand winter conditions.

We found the lights give off a soft, clear, pleasing light that makes them ideal for decorating a patio. The design is sleek and simple and quite similar to non-solar string lights.

However, the strands of lights can’t be connected to one another since each needs its own solar panel to charge. You can hang up multiple strings next to each other to give the appearance of them being connected, though.

Product Details: Number of lights included: 12 bulbs | Dimensions (of single light): 1.75 x 1 x 3.25 inches | Water protection rating: No rating given | Lighting color: Soft white | Battery type: Lithium ion rechargeable battery | Battery life: Five to six hours

Linkind StarRay Solar Spotlights

The Linkind StarRay Solar Spotlights come with an IP67 rating, meaning it’s waterproof and will even keep dust particles out. Its 90 degree beam angle creates a more focused spotlight, and the spotlight head rotates 90 degrees vertically and 180 degrees horizontally, giving you more control over what the light shines on.

The lights have two modes. The first is a non-motion-sensing, lower brightness (about half power) that switches to a brighter light for 10 seconds when motion is detected. Once motion stops, the light dims itself.

The second mode keeps the light off when there’s no motion then switches to a bright light for 25 seconds when motion is detected. We didn’t notice a big difference between dim light and bright light modes, however.

Setup involves assembling three pieces, including screwing the light into the base. Once assembled, we found the light to be simple and streamlined. However, it did remind us of a pair of binoculars, which we didn’t love. The lights are sturdy though and are a good option for a security light or for illuminating sidewalks.

We appreciated that the light and the solar panel are located on one unit—the solar panel is less obvious. The light stood up quite well to our water and golf ball tests but flashed three times before turning off after we placed it in the freezer.

With this in mind, we’d recommend bringing these lights indoors in winter if your location experiences freezing temperatures.

Urpower Outdoor Solar Lights

For a simple spotlight, consider the Urpower Outdoor Solar Lights. Its three pieces are easy to assemble and can either be staked into the ground or mounted on a wall with the included screws. You can choose from either high or low light mode, making this a simple solar light to operate.

We found the low light mode quite dim, meaning we weren’t able to read with just that light setting alone. The high setting, on the other hand, provided plenty of light for reading, making us confident that this setting would adequately illuminate your yard.

The light is easy to use, but it doesn’t offer much in the way of aesthetics. The solar panel sticks up and away from the light. The solar panel is adjustable by 150 degrees though, and the spotlight itself is adjustable by up to 90 degrees, providing more flexibility.

Its IP65 rating means it is a water resistant solar light option. We observed no damage to either the light or the solar panel when we subjected them to water and golf ball tests. Post-freezer, the lights still worked as well. Ultimately, we found these to be a good deal for their price and practicality.

Winston Porter Krimhilde Solar Powered Mounted Lantern

For a wall-mounted option, we loved the Winston Porter Krimhilde Solar Powered Mounted Lantern. With its simple, modern look, it complements many outdoor aesthetics and it provided cozy, ambient lighting during our testing.

Since this solar light is wall mounted, there was some light installation required. However, it took us less than 20 minutes to attach it to a wall using a screwdriver, a drill, and a level. The instructions stated that after assembly, it could take up to two days for it to generate enough solar energy to power the light, but we found that an afternoon in direct sunlight was sufficient.

We did experience some wind and rain during the testing period, and the solar light seemed to be unaffected by the weather. We also appreciated that we could remove the light fixture itself from the mount if we felt the weather was going to be severe.

While this solar light didn’t light up our yard like a stadium like a security light would, it provided sufficient lighting to see on a porch at night.

Kemeco Solar Post Light

The Kemeco Solar Post Light has the look of a traditional lamp post with the energy-efficient benefits of solar power. It comes in black or white, giving you style options to match your home or outdoor patio are.

The light is weather resistant, standing up well to our water tests, though the exact level of water resistance isn’t given by the manufacturer. The frame is made from aluminum and frosted glass, which gives it its attractive appearance.

However, the glass did not stand up to our golf ball test, with the glass shattering after impact. The solar panels on the light did not shatter. With this in mind, we recommend covering and protecting the light if hail is in your local weather forecast.

We found the lights to give off a pleasing, beautiful glow, which was bright enough for us to read by. Keep in mind that this lamp doesn’t include any additional features, making it a stylish yet very basic option.

We found the lantern to be top heavy, so it’s worth noting that you’ll need to properly secure the lantern to a post. It may take a bit more work, but the style, lighting, and functionality will be worth it.

Brightown Outdoor Solar String Lights

Adding ambient lighting to a patio or deck is simple with these solar string lights. Coming in a pack of two, the Brightown Outdoor Solar String Lights are 33 feet long and has 100 LED bulbs.

The bulbs light up in all directions and give off a pure white glow. While the lights aren’t bright enough for reading—they only illuminated an area within one foot during testing—they’re a great choice for accent lighting.

No installation is required for the lights themselves, other than hanging them up or placing them around a centerpiece table arrangement. Testers said it was simple to install the solar panel onto the stake provided, so the lights can charge during the day.

The lights have eight different modes (combination, waves, sequential, slow glow, chasing/flash, slow fade, twinkle, and steady), providing plenty of ambient lighting options to choose from.

While we tested the pure white lights, the set is also available in blue, warm white, green, purple, orange, and multicolor. They can stay illuminated for up to 10 hours, and you can set them to turn on and off automatically or use the manual power switch.

During testing, we subjected the lights to our water, freezer, and golf ball tests—and they passed all three. They turned on upon impact with the golf ball but turned off afterward and worked as usual. Overall, these are the best option if you’re looking for ambient patio lighting.

Product Details: Number of lights included: Two strings | Dimensions (of single light): 33-foot string | Water protection rating: IP65 | Lighting color: Pure white (six other colors also available) | Battery type: Ni-MH AA rechargeable battery | Battery life: Eight to 10 hours

Rayolon Solar Ground Lights

For simple lights that sit flush with the ground, the Rayolon Solar Ground Lights are a great option. Their warm lighting is perfect for lighting walkways with basic illumination at night, and the lights virtually disappear during the day thanks to their minimalist design.

The lights are meant to sit flush with the ground, though you may notice the silver rim around the light if you place them in the grass. These are rated as IP65, or deemed water resistant to splashes.

We tested these lights by dropping a golf ball onto them and getting them wet. They held up well, although the light wouldn’t stay on as long after we stored it in the freezer for a bit, so you may want to bring these inside during winter.

These lights provide a nice ambient look, but you may need to purchase more than four to provide enough lighting for a longer path or sidewalk. There are also sets of eight and 12 available, giving you some options to choose from.

You’ll just need to assemble three pieces for these lights, including a base, and testers said it was easy and quick to get the lights up and running.

The Bottom Line

We chose the AloftSun Solar Motion Sensor Outdoor Lights as the overall best outdoor solar lights for their durability, water resistance, and motion-sensing capabilities. If you’re looking for a set of string lights, testers loved the Brightech Ambience Pro Solar Powered Outdoor String Lights, because they held up to water and freezing temperatures. And, while the bulbs are made of plastic, testers said they were clear and didn’t look inexpensive.

Our Testing Process

Our team of experts at our testing lab in Des Moines, Iowa, put 27 outdoor solar lights to the test. We assembled them, sprinkled them with water, dropped a golf ball on them (from 6 feet away on the light and from 4 feet on the solar panel), and even stashed them in the freezer for an hour to see how well they held up to cold temperatures. We also timed how long the lights stayed on from dusk to dawn.

We carefully evaluated each light on its setup process, features, overall design, brightness, durability, and overall value. We ranked each light in each of these categories on a scale of one to five and used these insights to compile this list.

In addition to lab testing, we also continued to use some of the solar lights in the real world to determine how they held up over time to regular use.

What to Know About Solar Lights Before Shopping

Type: When choosing outdoor solar lights for your space, consider your goals for the lights. Do you want something that lights up brightly only when motion is detected? Or do you prefer ambient lighting that provides a soft, warm glow?

Battery: Outdoor solar lights have a battery that can eventually be replaced if it stops working. Rechargeable batteries don’t last forever, so there’s a good chance you might need to replace them at some point.

Solar Panel Location: Some of the solar lights on this list have small solar panels on each individual light, while others have a single external solar panel that powers the entire set of lights. Pay attention to how much sunlight your yard gets during the day to manage your expectations for how bright the lights will be.

Water Protection: Most of the solar lights on this list are water-resistant, which means they repel water to some extent. Pay attention to the manufacturer’s guidelines for water exposure and use in freezing temperatures.

Special Features: Many solar lights have special features like on/off switches, timers, or motion sensors. Before purchasing a solar light, ask yourself exactly what you need so you can find a solar light that best suits your needs.

Other Outdoor Solar Lights We Tested

4 Aogist Solar Ground Lights: Easy to assemble, provided adequate brightness, and still performed properly after the water and freezer test. One of the spokes fell off after the golf ball test.
6 Pro Series VI Solar Path Light: Offers an elegant look to light your pathway. Still worked after the light and water test, but the performance and design didn’t justify the high price tag.
Ring Solar Pathlight: Provided incredibly bright light and was quite durable. Requires a Ring Bridge and a smartphone app to connect to Alexa, which we had trouble with during testing.

Your Questions, Answered

Will solar lights still work in indirect sunlight? Outdoor lights work best when they have access to direct sunlight to charge for multiple hours during the day, but they can still work on cloudy days or in areas with indirect light.

Do solar lights work in every part of the country? Solar lights work well in most parts of the United States as long as the solar panels have access to enough sunlight.

Are solar lights eco-friendly? Solar lights use renewable energy and don’t create emissions that harm the planet, making them a sustainable and cost-effective way to light your home.

Who We Are

This article was written by Brittany VanDerBill, a freelance lifestyle and travel writer who began writing for Dotdash Meredith in 2021. She researched a variety of options for solar lights and consulted Sarah Jameson of Green Building Elements for insights.

What is BHG Recommends?

Products that earn the BHG Recommends seal of approval have been put through rigorous testing to ensure they’re worth a spot in your home. We buy most of the products we test ourselves and use the same testing criteria for samples provided by companies.

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