When it comes to choosing the best solar lights for the yard, it really comes down to what look you’re trying to create.
Do you want something simple to light up your driveway? Or something a little more delicate to add some whimsy to your yard? Luckily, there are a lot of great options out there. Let’s take a look.
Table of Contents
The 12 Best Solar Lights For Your Yard & Outdoor
Whether you’re looking for a bright security spotlight or something to add a bit of ambiance, we found 12 of the best solar lights out there for you to choose from.
These extremely popular lights from HMCITY have a wider, brighter beam than you might expect. Thanks to its wide-range design, it reaches up to 200 square feet, increasing the area of illumination and angle provided by other lights by up to 50 percent.
This light has three settings. To keep it on constantly, use medium light mode. Dim light and sensor mode keeps a low light on, increasing brightness when it senses motion. Or, turn on the motion sensor and it only comes on for 20 seconds when the sensor is tripped.
Because it’s made of high-quality materials and is IP65 waterproof, this light lasts about twice as long as some of its competitors. It tolerates blizzards, rainstorms, and high temperatures and is predicted to last more than 30,000 hours.
This one also features a high-efficiency solar panel that charges 20 percent faster than most solar lights. Not only does this deliver a full battery faster but it also keeps the battery in better condition so it lasts longer.
2. URPOWER Solar Motion Sensor Outdoor Light
This set of four lights from URPOWER features a unique LED design. Each has eight LEDs so they’re brighter than lights that use four LEDs and last longer than those that use 12.
Use the motion sensor and the light comes on whenever it senses motion within 10 feet. You can also turn the light off when you don’t need it or set it to bright mode so it stays on all night.
Because these lights are waterproof and weather-resistant, they can be used in any climate, even extreme heat and frost. The solar panel is high-quality, too, taking only six to eight hours to completely charge the battery depending on sun exposure.
This set comes with everything you need for installation, including pillar hinges, installing screws, and key pins. Plus, since you get four lights, you can cover a large area or place them in various places around your home.
3. URPOWER Solar Powered LED Spotlight
Something we really like about these solar outdoor spotlights from URPOWER is that they’re so versatile. You can install them directly into the ground using the included stakes or mount them to the wall with the included hardware.
Another great thing about these lights is that both the solar panel and the light itself are fully adjustable. This means you can aim the spotlight wherever you need illumination and adjust the solar panel to get the most sun exposure possible.
Because these lights are also waterproof, you can place them anywhere outside your home, even if you live in a wet climate.
These lights automatically turn on at dusk and off when they sense the sunrise. Choose from high and low modes to control the brightness. Depending on how much sun exposure the lights get during the day and the brightness you choose, these lights can last between six and nine hours when the battery is fully charged.
4. Nekteck Solar Lights Outdoor
These upgraded lights from Nekteck produce 260 lumens, making full use of the solar energy they absorb during the day. This set comes in packs of two or four so you can get as many as you need to highlight your landscaping or line your driveway for safety.
Because these lights have an automatic dusk-to-dawn sensor, they’re never on when you don’t need them, extending the life of the battery. Depending on battery charge and brightness, these lights stay lit for between six and 10 hours. You can also manually turn them off on nights when you don’t need them to conserve power.
Another great thing about these lights is that you can install them in two ways. Use the stakes to quickly and easily install them into the ground or mount them to the wall using the included hardware.
To help get a fully charged battery, the solar panel is adjustable up to 120 degrees. They’re also larger so they absorb more sunlight faster than some other models, fully changing in about four to five hours.
5. Linkind 12 LEDs Landscape Solar Spotlights
There’s a lot to love about these solar spotlights from Linkind. For one thing, they’re available in three different colors: white light, warm light, and multi-colored. Each has 12 LEDs and 350 lumens, ideal for lighting up your environment.
You have a few options when it comes to settings, too. You can choose to have the lights always on in either high or low mode. With a full battery, the high setting lasts about six hours. Low mode lasts about 12 hours.
To get the most out of the battery life, choose the auto mode and the lights will come on at dusk and turn off when they sense the sun at dawn. You can install them directly into the ground with stakes or attach them to walls or trees using the included hardware.
These lights are made of durable ABS plastic and IP67 waterproof. They can tolerate all kinds of wet weather and keep working.
6. Awanber Solar Powered Lights Outdoor
This product from Awanber is a perfect choice for anyone looking for a single, large, bright spotlight. It features 30 bright LEDs that are super bright and perfect for an outdoor spotlight or security light.
In addition to being made from high-impact ABS plastic, this light is also IP65 waterproof. It stands up to rain, snow, and heat and is much more durable than most of its competitors.
Because the solar panel is separate from the light itself, you have more flexibility when installing. The solar panel connects to the light with a 10-foot cable. That means you can install the light on the side of the garage and put the solar panel on the roof for maximum sun exposure.
The solar panel is large and adjustable to 180 degrees so it’s easy to get the most exposure possible. Incredibly, a fully charged battery lasts for between 16 and 18 hours. A sensor turns the light on when it gets dark outside and dims after four hours to get the longest battery life possible.
7. Aityvert Solar Flickering Flames Torch Lights Outdoor
For a solar light that also delivers a lot of styles, take a look at these torch lights from Aityvert. The flickering flames offer a nice bit of ambiance as they see to flicker in the wind. They’re great for everyday use but also make a great addition to campouts and garden parties.
These lights feature a high-capacity battery that powers the bulb for between five and 10 hours, depending on how much sun exposure the solar panel gets during the day. Use the manual on/off button or the automatic dusk-to-dawn setting to conserve battery life.
Because these lights are so easy to install, you can place them anywhere around your yard or garden. Just use the stakes to insert them into the ground right where you need them.
These lights are IP65 waterproof and dustproof and can tolerate wet, dry, hot, and cold weather. They’re covered by a 12-month warranty and 24-hour customer service, too, so if they don’t perform as expected, just get in touch.
8. Enchanted Spaces Bronze Solar Path Light
Sometimes, you want something that will not only bring some light to your yard but also a little more visual interest. If that sounds like you, take a look at these path lights from Enchanted Spaces.
The updated design features a larger solar panel, extra bright LEDs, and longer battery life. A solid metal ground stake adds even more durability and the glass lens creates a gorgeous, whimsical star pattern on the ground.
These lights are available in bronze, black, copper, and silver so you can choose the one that looks best in your yard. Each is made of stainless steel and waterproof so you can place them anywhere without worrying about durability.
Each light illuminates a four-foot by four-foot area and projects a 360-degree light pattern. They’re 16 inches tall from tip to tip so you have some leeway when it comes to installation. These lights are also covered by a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee so you have nothing to lose!
9. GIGALUMI Hanging Solar Mason Jar Lid Lights
These lights from GIGALUMI might just be the most adorable and whimsical solar lights we’ve ever seen. This set consists of six mason jars, each filled with fairy lights. They’re ideal for nightly use but also make a great decoration for the holidays or a summer garden party that goes late into the night.
You can either set these jar lights on the ground or hang them using the attached metal handle. Because they’re so easy to set up, you can set them somewhere with bright, direct sunlight during the day and easily move them to where you need them at night.
The solar panel is located right on the top of the jar where it’s easily exposed to direct sunlight. With a full charge, these lights last about eight hours. They’re weatherproof and can tolerate rain, hot sun, and a little bit of snow plus they’re covered by a 90-day warranty.
10. Brightech Ambience Pro Solar Powered Outdoor String Lights
Another unique option for your yard is these solar-powered outdoor Edison-style string lights from Brightech. These lights are great for any occasion but are a particularly cool addition to an outdoor BBQ or party that goes late into the night.
It takes about six hours of direct sunlight for a full charge which powers these lights for between five and six hours. There’s an on/off switch on the back of the panel so you can conserve battery life until you need it.
These commercial-grade lights feature shatterproof plastic bulbs and are completely weatherproof. They can tolerate rain, snow, and even 50 mph winds. Both the bulbs and the battery are replaceable and the product comes with a three-year warranty.
Each string is 27 feet long with 12 bulbs with 20 inches between each. You can simply string them up as you would any other string lights or use the small rubber rings about each bulb to attach them to a hook.
11. Sunlitec Solar String LED Lights
Sunlitec string lights are a great addition to any backyard or patio. Each set of string lights is about 27 feet long with 25 high-quality round LED bulbs and you can safely connect two sets or 50 bulbs together. Each has a 50,000 lifetime and is protected against rain and other inclement weather.
One of the great things about these lights is you can use them both indoors and outdoors as there are two ways to change them. Place the charging panel in the sun to run on solar power or use a USB charger if the weather is bad or you’re using them inside your home.
It takes these lights about eight hours to fully charge in the sunlight and four hours when using the USB charger. They’re covered by a one-year 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. Note that this doesn’t cover the bulbs, though they’re easily replaceable.
12. Brightown LED Solar Powered Fairy Lights
Fairy lights are an ideal way to add a bit of glimmer and whimsy to any space but it’s not always easy to figure out how to use them outdoors. Until now. These solar-powered fairy lights from Brightown easily create the dreamy look you’ve been looking for.
Each string is 33 feet long with 100 bright LED lights. Each is made using high-quality copper wire, making it easy to bend into the shape you need to create your look. They’re IP65 waterproof and tolerate any weather, whether it’s hot, cold, raining, or snowing.
One of the best things about these lights is how versatile they are. Not only can you put them just about anywhere but there are also eight lighting modes to choose from: on, slow fade, twinkle, chasing, fireflies, fast fade, waves, and combination. You can create just about any look you want.
These lights are covered by a one-year quality guarantee. With a full charge, they run for between six to eight hours and turn on and off automatically.
How to Install Solar Yard Lights?
How you install your solar yard lights really depends on the style you choose. There are a few installation options to consider.
One of the easiest methods is using stakes to install the lights directly into the ground. The only thing you have to look out for is large rocks or tree roots that can damage the spike if you try to force it into the ground.
Most of the lights that come with spikes also include mounting hardware that allows you to mount the light to a wall or tree. This is a little more complicated as you need to use a drill with the right bit but, generally, it’s still pretty straightforward.
String lights are also pretty easy to install. These are very similar to Christmas lights only you don’t have to worry about plugging them into an outlet, which makes installation really easy.
You can drape these lights over beams or install hooks to drape them across. Some designs even have small rings that make it easy to hang using a hook or a nail.
Another option is fairy lights, which are similar to string lights but a bit different. Think of fairy lights as tiny string lights. The bulbs are usually really small, and they’re attached to a thin wire. These lights can be used anywhere but are commonly placed inside jars or other glass containers.
Why Don’t My Solar Yard Lights Work?
The most common reason why your solar lights aren’t working is that they’re not getting enough sun exposure during the day to adequately charge the battery. There are a few reasons this can happen.
It’s important to make sure the solar panel is positioned so it’s in direct sunlight during the day. This isn’t always easy to do. Sometimes, you may have a big tree in your yard that blocks the sun. Other times, the weather may not cooperate and the sun will be hiding behind clouds all day.
Reposition the lights or angle the solar panels in a different way if you can. Another thing you can do is make sure the solar panels are clean.
It’s really easy for solar panels to get covered in dirt, especially if you’re using the kind that you stick in the ground. Any time it rains, the water settles on the solar panels which can leave behind dirt and grime.
If you can, remove your in-ground solar lights before mowing the lawn or doing other yard work. This prevents grass clippings, dirt, and mud from getting on the panels in the first place.
Clean your panels regularly to make sure they’re giving you the best results. The lights you choose should include specific cleaning instructions but here’s a general rundown of how to go about it.
The first thing to do for a thorough cleaning is to take apart the light. Again, you should have received instructions for this with your lights. BE very careful with all the pieces as you will need to put it all back together when you’re done.
Find the battery and check for any oxidation or damage. Most of the lights we chose are waterproof so this shouldn’t be an issue but it’s always important to check. If you see any use a small, soft bristle brush to clean it away.
If you’ve had your lights for more than a year or so, it’s worth thinking about changing the battery at this time.
Next, clean the solar panel. Use a damp, lint-free cloth and remove any dust, dirt, or water spots. Don’t use a brush or anything too rough. These panels are very sensitive so you have to be careful not to damage them.
Finally, put everything back together and allow the battery to charge. Hopefully, your lights will come back on at dusk. If not, it may be time to change the battery or contact support.
Conclusion
The best solar yard lights for you depend on the look you’re trying to create. There are so many options to choose from so we included a little bit of everything to help you find the one you’re looking for.
Great article!
These solar devices can offer cozy and beautiful lighting that could accentuate my decors or illuminate the way to my outdoor areas. That’s what makes them useful investments for me.
Great article!
These solar devices can offer cozy and beautiful lighting that could accentuate my decors or illuminate the way to my outdoor areas. That’s what makes them useful investments for me.