Boost Landscaping Ambiance With The Best Outdoor Solar Lights

Solar-powered outdoor lights are the ideal solution for adding ambiance and visibility to your garden at night. Since they don't rely on power outlets, you can scatter them all around your lawn or patio without having to worry about connectivity. Besides the ease of installation, perhaps their biggest benefit is that they are virtually free to run. Since they're powered by the sun, they not only help you save money but also the planet by only relying on renewable energy.

There are many reasons why going solar for your outdoor lights is a great decision, but you'll have to think about many factors to find the right ones. Questions like "How bright should they be?" and "Where do you plan on placing them?" are critical. The height, installation method, and type are also considerations. To make your hunt easier, here's a list of our favorite outdoor solar lights in 2023.

Comparing The Premium Outdoor Solar Lights of 2023

Aootek Outdoor Solar Light— Best Overall

The Aootek Outdoor Solar Light is the only light on this list with smart brightness control, making it our top choice. This feature offers a unique combination of always-on functionality at night, paired with a passive infrared (PIR) sensor which makes it brighter upon detecting motion. Most outdoor solar lights are meant for illumination (remaining on all night) or security purposes (turning off when no motion is detected), but this light takes care of both needs. The detection range is impressive at 26 feet with a 120-degree angle. The solar light is powered by a 2200 milliamp-hour (mAh) lithium-ion rechargeable battery. You can get it in a pack of two or four lights, with each of them having 182 LEDs inside to offer bright and wide illumination of up to 2500 lumens.

The solar panel is laminated with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and offers excellent energy savings with a photoelectric conversion rate of 20.5%. It's durable and long-lasting with IP65 waterproofing, so you won't have to worry about replacing your outdoor lights for years.

Innogear Outdoor Solar Light — Easiest To Install

The Innogear Outdoor Solar light is the easiest to install out of all the other options on this list. In addition to a regular wall-mounting interface, these also have a ground spike that allows you to directly stake them into your lawn or garden. With no cords or power outlets to worry about, you can position them wherever you want and even switch locations later if needed. They're available in packs of two, four, and six and come in white, warm white, and multi-color orientations. The build is solid, featuring high-impact ABS plastic and a 1.5-watt monocrystalline solar panel. The lights are waterproof and can resist all weather conditions, no matter how extreme. They're certified by UN38.3, CE, FCC, MSDS, and RoHS, which is a testament to their build quality.

The panel is very smooth to keep debris or dust from accumulating on top, which blocks precious sunlight. Once fully charged, its lithium-ion battery provides a backup of up to 12 hours, depending on which mode you select. With highly effective sensors that detect the surrounding light conditions, you won't have to worry about turning it on and off as it does that automatically. The solar panel rotates at a 180-degree angle while the spotlight head is 90-degree rotatable to light up any targeted spot. You can use it to highlight decorations like a fountain, sculpture, or flagpole all night. You can also mount them onto a wall to light up your driveway, yard, pool, deck, or patio.

Leclstar Outdoor Solar Light — Largest Battery

The Leclstar Outdoor Solar Light has the largest battery capacity out of all options listed here.  The product is made out of ABS plastic and sold as a two-pack. The Leclstar is able to detect movement within a 120-degree range, even at a distance of 26 feet, and remains off otherwise to conserve battery.

Each of the units consists of 268 super bright LEDs. You get 1800 lumens of illumination, making it one of the brightest solar lights out there, considering it's only a pack of two. Mounting them is easy, requiring nothing but two screws or a sticky pad. The lights activate automatically upon detecting motion through their PIR sensor, which means they can detect intruders, trespassers, or thieves entering your property at night.

It has an IP65 rating for dust and water resistance, so neither rain nor the scorching sun should cause damage. Being frost-resistant, it can also handle low temperatures well. Those aren't just baseless marketing claims either, because the company backs them up with a 100% lifetime warranty and 24/7 customer service.

Neloodony Outdoor Solar Light — Most Affordable

Next up, we have the Neloodony Outdoor Solar Light. Aside from being the cheapest four-pack on this list, it's a highly effective and eco-friendly security light that can illuminate your lawn or any dark areas around your property. The Neloodony only needs a few hours of exposure to sunlight to fully charge up and function all night. Through motion detection with its advanced sensors, it automatically turns on and off as needed, providing up to 400 lumens of brightness to keep intruders away from your property. Any significant movement within a 10-16 feet range triggers it to come on for 30 seconds with a lighting range of 120 degrees.

The Neloodony Outdoor Solar Light is made out of ABS plastic, has a reliable level of cold and heat resistance, and has an IP65 waterproof rating. This means it can hold its own against any type of weather conditions.

Le Outdoor Solar Light — Widest Illumination

The Le Outdoor Solar Light's immense 270-degree lighting angle is the widest on this list.

Even when there's a power outage, this unit can illuminate your entire homefront. Each pack contains two units with three adjustable lighting heads that can move vertically and horizontally per your coverage needs. A few hours of sunlight exposure can charge these lights up for an operating duration of 90 minutes, which equates to lighting up approximately 270 times upon detecting motion per night. The light is smart enough to stay off during the daytime as it charges up using solar power, reducing carbon emissions and helping you save energy costs.

Like many other lights listed above, this one also has IP65 waterproofing, along with all-weather durability. The installation is super simple as well. Just use the included screws to mount the lights on any exterior walls as per your needs.

Tuffenough Outdoor Solar Light— Remote Control Operation

Lastly, we have the Tuffenough Outdoor Solar Light. These look similar to the Le Outdoor Solar Light and even share its impressive 270-degree wide illumination range. Unlike any other light above, however, the Tuffenough features remote control operation, and you can use the remote to switch between three different lighting modes.

It's available as a single unit or in packs of two or three, each equipped with 210 high-brightness LED beads producing 2500 lumens of illumination, making it one of the brightest outdoor solar lights on this list. You can move the three adjustable heads to position them for maximum coverage.

The built-in battery offers a long enough backup to function all night long. You don't have to worry about durability either, as the light is built to last through snowstorms and the scorching summer sun. It's also IP65 waterproof, so even heavy rainfall shouldn't faze it.

Outdoor Solar Lights Buying Guide

Lighting alone accounts for 6% of the entire global carbon emissions. Thankfully, that number can decline as we look towards solar alternatives. While indoor lights aren't exposed to sunlight, your patio or lawn lighting can fully take advantage of it all day. This is why outdoor solar lights are quickly growing in popularity. They're easy to install, environmentally friendly, and require very little maintenance.

They can also improve security at night to keep burglars from targeting your home under the cover of darkness. Even in the event of a power outage, a solar-powered outdoor light can keep all entry points well-lit as it is not connected to the local power supply. That's a big plus considering that there are around two burglaries every minute in the USA.

Thanks to these compelling benefits, there's a lot of competition in the market. As a buyer, you'll have to consider ease of use, features, durability, brightness, value, and design. This detailed buyer's guide walks you through it all. Here's all the info you need to make an informed purchase decision for lighting up the open-air zones in your property.

Your Outdoor Space Layout

First and foremost, consider the size and layout of your outdoor space. If you want to light up a large area, such as your yard or driveway, you'll need more powerful and bigger solar lights. For smaller areas like a patio, porch, or balcony, less powerful ones will suffice.

Also, think about where exactly you would install the lights. Do you want to line your walkway, highlight your landscaping, or create a cozy outdoor seating area? Plan the placement in your head, as it can help determine what type of lights you need and how many.

Activation Type

Outdoor solar lights feature three major activation types, timer-controlled, dusk-till-dawn, and motion-activated. The amount of solar energy that can be gathered and stored is limited, so it's crucial to think about when you want the lights to turn on and for how long.

With timer-controlled lights, you get maximum flexibility, as you get to decide exactly when they turn on and off. Dusk-to-dawn solar lights come on and off automatically based on the surrounding lighting conditions through smart sensors. In areas with less sunlight, particularly during the winter, dusk-to-dawn lights may not be able to store enough solar energy to stay on for an extended period. Motion-activated lights are triggered by movement and are a good option for conserving solar energy.

Design And Style

Next, consider the design and style of the outdoor solar lights. They come in many styles, from traditional lanterns and string lights to modern, minimalist fixtures. Choose lights that complement the design of your outdoor space and match your personal aesthetic preferences.

There are many different options to choose from, including lanterns, pathway lights, spotlights, and string lights. Here's a quick rundown of a few popular types.

Path Lights

Path lights are a great way to add safety and ambiance to your walkway or driveway. They come in many styles and can be placed along the edges of your path to provide a well-lit passage.

Spotlights

Spotlights are perfect for highlighting specific areas of your yard or garden, such as trees, shrubs, or decorative features. They offer a bright and focused light, allowing you to highlight the most beautiful parts of your outdoor space.

Floodlights

Floodlights provide a wide and bright light, making them ideal for security purposes. They can be mounted on the side of your home to provide a well-lit perimeter around your property.

String Lights

String lights are a popular choice for outdoor gatherings and events. They can be hung from trees, poles, or other structures to provide a festive and ambient light.

Brightness

It's also important to consider the brightness of the lights. The amount of light that a solar light produces is measured in lumens. Consider the amount of light you need and choose lights with the appropriate number of lumens. Generally, we'd suggest looking for outdoor solar lights with 700 lumens of brightness.

Durability

As these are "outdoor" lights, they're bound to take a beating from the elements, so make sure the one you buy is durable enough to withstand rain, snow, and other types of weather.

Make sure they have a decent IP rating. IP rating is a way of measuring the effectiveness of outdoor solar lights in preventing the ingress of dust and water. It's made up of two numbers, with the first number indicating the level of protection against dust and the second number indicating the level of protection against water. The higher the number, the more protection the solar light provides.

Battery Life

Another consideration is the battery life of the solar lights. Most outdoor solar lights have rechargeable batteries that are powered by the sun's energy. The battery life will vary depending on the type of light and the amount of sunlight it receives, so be sure to check the manufacturer's specifications to determine how long the batteries will last. A battery capacity of 1,800 to 2,200 mAh is decent, though there are solar lights that are well above or below that range.

Color Temperature

Consider the color temperature and beam angle of the lights. The color temperature of a light is measured in Kelvin (K) and describes the hue of the light, from warm and cozy to cool and vibrant. Warm light is best for creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere, while cool light is better for illuminating tasks and activities.

Beam Angle

The beam angle of a light is measured in degrees and describes the width of the light beam. A narrow beam angle creates a focused and directional light, while a wide beam angle creates a softer and more diffused light. Some lights above offer coverage of up to 270 degrees with their illumination, while others are designed to be targeted to one particular spot.

Nice-To-Haves

Finally, consider the additional features and accessories of the lights. Outdoor solar lights may come with additional features, such as extra-sensitive motion sensors, timers, and remote controls, all of which can add convenience and flexibility to your overall experience. They may also come with accessories, such as mounting hardware, extension cords, and replacement parts, that can make installation and maintenance easier.

Some lights can change colors to boost the ambiance as well, which may or may not matter to you depending on whether you're looking for aesthetics or security. You should also check the warranty and return policy of the lights you're considering, in case there are any issues.

People Also Asked

Q. What's the average lifespan of outdoor solar lights?

A: The lifespan varies. On average, outdoor solar lights can last for a few years with decent build quality and proper maintenance.

Q. Are outdoor solar lights waterproof?

A: Most outdoor solar lights are waterproof, but it is crucial to check the specifications of the specific lights you are considering to ensure they are suitable for outdoor use in wet conditions.

Q. Will my outdoor solar lights also work in the winter?

A: Outdoor solar lights rely on sunlight to recharge their batteries, so they may not work as effectively in the winter when there is less sunlight available. Many solar lights are designed to function even in low light conditions, so they may still provide some lighting during the winter months.

Q. How can I replace the battery in my outdoor solar lights?

A: Replacing the battery in outdoor solar lights is typically a simple process. Start by finding the battery slot and removing the old cell. Then, insert the new battery, making sure it is properly aligned and seated in the compartment. Finally, close the battery compartment and test it out to make sure the light is functioning properly. Be sure to closely follow the instructions in the user manual for battery replacement to avoid damaging your solar light.