The best solar garden lights add much more than light to your yard. You can use them to line your driveway or flowerbeds, place accents around your porch, or as pieces of art on your tabletop or in your garden.
These lights come in a variety of colors, materials, and sizes so you can find the perfect product for your garden. There are a few things to think about when choosing the right solar garden lights. Let’s take a look.
There are a lot of reasons why it’s beneficial to use solar lights in your garden. Here are six of the main reasons why you should use solar lighting in your garden.
1
For garden lights that go into the ground, all you have to do is push the stake in where you want the light. There’s no wiring required so installation couldn’t be easier. Other types are even easier – just place them on a tabletop or hand them from a string, hook, or screw, depending on the style.
2
After you make sure that your lights are placed where they’re going to get enough sunlight during the day, you don’t have to do anything with them. They turn themselves off and on and charge automatically. Maintenance is simple. Just make sure the solar panel is clean so you can be sure your light is getting as much sun exposure as possible.
3
Solar lights are a good investment. While they may cost a little more upfront, they save you money over time. They don’t require electricity and won’t increase the cost of your electric bill, even though they’re on throughout most of the night.
4
These lights can go anywhere. Adding new electrical wired lighting can be very difficult and you’re limited in where you can place them. With solar lights, you can put them anywhere you want to as long as they’re in the sunlight. Because you don’t have to worry about wires or any kind of electrical hook-up, these lights can go just about anywhere, including in the farthest nooks and crannies of your garden. This also means you can get light in places where you didn’t think you could.
5
Most of these lights are weatherproof so you can leave them outside in your garden. If it rains, snows, or sleets, you don’t have to worry about bringing the lights inside. Although it varies from one product to another, for the most part, these lights are made out of durable materials like stainless steel and high-quality BPA plastic. Most uses LED lights, too, so they are designed to last for a long time.
6
There are a lot of different styles to choose from. Whether you’re looking for stake lights to place along your driveway, a cool lighted sculpture to put in your garden, or an accent for a tabletop, there are so many options available.
The 12 Best Solar Lights for the Garden or Yard
No matter what type of solar light you’re looking for, we have you covered. Here are 12 of the best products out there in a wide variety of styles.
1. Aityvert Solar Lights for Yard Garden Pathway Driveway
These flickering solar lights from Aityvert are a beautiful and safe alternative to real torches. They give off a soft, warm glow that looks like a campfire and brings a welcoming feel to your garden party or BBQ.
One of the things we like best about this set of four lights is that you have some versatility when it comes to installation. With the included accessories, these lights extend from 30.7 inches tall to 43 inches so you can customize your look to your landscaping.
These lights need six to eight hours to charge completely and turn on automatically at dusk to save power. In the summer, they can run for up to 12 hours with a full charge.
The waterproof design is extremely durable and can withstand all kinds of weather. Plus, they come with a one-year warranty.
2. Solar Lights Bright Pathway Outdoor Garden Landscape Lighting
Beau Jardin’s pathway lights have a stylish, modern design that creates a beautiful light pattern on the ground. The metal finish is available in a few different colors, too, so you can choose what works best for your garden: black, brown, silver, white, or chrome.
The solar panel is located on the top of the light which makes it easy to get enough sunlight to charge the battery. When fully charged, these lights can last between eight and 12 hours. They even turn on automatically at dusk to conserve power.
This pack comes with eight lights which lets you cover a large area. Since they’re waterproof, you don’t have to worry about rain, sleet, frost, or sleet. Plus, they’re made of durable ABS plastic and stainless steel and are built to last.
3. Enchanted Spaces Bronze Solar Path Light
Next up are these lights from Enchanted Spaces that really do live up to the brand’s name. The real glass lense and bright LED lights create a fun star-shape on the ground to add a little bit of fun and an eye-catching accent to your garden.
These lights feature real metal ground stakes which are much more durable than the plastic stakes you see with a lot of comparable lights. They’re 16 inches long and meant to be installed with four inches below the ground and 12 inches above.
The powder-coated aluminum construction looks great and is super tough. This pack of six lights is so durable, it’s covered by a hassle-free warranty for replacement parts. If something breaks, they’ll replace it.
4. TONULAX Solar Lights Outdoor Multi Color
If you’re looking for something a little different, take a look at these multi-colored lights from TONULAX. What’s so special about them? They’re designed to look like tiger lilies! The stems and leaves are supported with iron wire and can be bent and positioned at different angles.
The petals are made of fabric that looks like a real flower. They also use newly updated solar panels that are attached at the base of the stem. These panels are more efficient and charge faster, even in cloudy weather.
As far as weather is concerned, the solar panel is waterproof and the flowers and leaves can withstand rain and snow. These flower lights come in a pack of two and are a great way to add color to your yard during the day and accent lighting at night.
5. WOSPORTS Solar Lights Outdoor Garden Stake Flower Lights
Another floral option is this three-pack from WOSPORTS. They look like a real lily with large petals from bright ambient lighting. Each light cycles through seven different colors which adds a lot of character to your garden.
The stems and leaves are made of durable fabric shaped by iron wire so you can reshape them any way you want. Each light has its own waterproof solar panel for easy charging. With a full battery, these lights last between six and eight hours overnight.
This set comes with two white lilies and one purple. They’re pretty tall, too, about 25 inches from top to bottom. When properly installed, the lily sits about 13 inches above the ground to create a very colorful, fun look.
6. CGN Garden Solar Lights Outdoor
These solar lights from CGN are a great choice for someone who wants something a little more modern and funky in their garden. These cylindrical lights are clear with stationery bubbles scattered throughout. The color automatically switches between red, green, blue, and clear.
The light is 27.5 inches long from top to bottom and the tubes themselves are 8.8 inches tall and one inch in diameter, an ideal side for a bright pop of color along a path or tucked into your landscaping.
Because these lights are waterproof and weather-resistant, you can use them in any environment without worrying about rain or snow. They take about four to five hours of sun to fully charge and last up to eight hours overnight and come with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
7. Pandawill Color Changing Mosaic Solar Light
This color-changing mosaic light from Pandawill is an amazing accent to your backyard table, deck, or porch. It’s an orb-shaped light covered with a colorful glass tile mosaic that even looks great in the day.
The top-mounted solar panel charges the battery during the day. Once fully charged, it powers the light for about eight hours overnight, automatically turning itself off and on according to the amount of outside light to save energy.
One of the great things about this light is you can choose from two different settings using a simple switch on the bottom. Single-mode gives off a soft white light that twinkles through the glass mosaic while color-changing mode cycles through red, green, and blue lights.
8. Homeimpro Garden Solar Lights
This unique design is a great addition to your garden. Not only does it act as a solar light but it’s also a gorgeous piece of art to add to your landscaping. It automatically charges during the day and turns on at dusk. With a full battery, it lasts for up to six hours.
It features a crescent-moon shaped sculpture with a glass orb sitting inside. The cracked finish of the orb shining through the intricate details of the stainless steel moon creates a gorgeous effect in your garden or against the wall of your home.
Not only does this light look great, but it’s also built very well. The durable construction and weather-resistant features make it a great addition to any garden, no matter what the climate or time of year.
9. TAKE ME Solar Pathway Lights Garden Outdoor
There are a lot of great things about these pathway lights from Take Me but the thing that stands out the most is the intricate pattern it creates on the ground. The cone-shaped lamp features detailed petal-like cutouts and the light flickers for a real flame effect.
The light and the stake are both made of metal which makes these lights extremely durable. Plus, they’re waterproof and corrosion-resistant so you don’t have to worry about leaving them out on rainy days.
This light charges during the day and turns on automatically at night. With a full charge, it lasts about eight hours overnight. These are the perfect choice for lining a path or walkway but would also look great along the front of your home or tucked into the garden.
10. Bright Zeal Solar Stake Lights
Another set of garden lights that are gorgeous enough to be considered art is this set of lights from Bright Zeal. It includes three delicate-looking flowers: a lily, a dandelion, and a sunflower. Each is made of BPA-free plastic and has a stainless steel stake for easy installation.
These lights automatically charge during the day and last for up to eight hours at night. They cycle through different colors, including red, yellow, green, and purple, about one color every six seconds or so.
The stainless steel stake is corrosion-resistant, durable, and lightweight. As for the plastic, it’s water-resistant, lightweight, and won’t stain over time. These lights are a great choice if you’re looking for a fun, colorful accent for your garden, patio, or yard.
11. GIGALUMI Solar Lights Outdoor Christmas Yard Decoration
These lights from Gigialumi are a perfect combination of a classic, simple design with just the right amount of color to create a nice accent in your yard. A rechargeable battery is included and powers the light for eight to 10 hours when fully charged.
Crackle glass orbs create an interesting visual effect and you can choose between white light and color-changing, which slowly transitions between red, green, and blue.
The weatherproof design means you don’t have to worry about these lights on days when it rains or snows. And, just in case, they’re covered by a one-year replacement or risk-free refund warranty.
12. TAKE ME Solar Lantern Outdoor Hanging
Finally, the Take Me solar lantern is a great choice for a table accent or to hang on a porch, deck, or even inside near a window.
Just make sure it gets enough sun exposure during the day to charge the battery and it will last between five and eight hours overnight.
One of the nice things about this light is that you can choose the lighting mode you want. The single light mode uses only white light while the color-changing mode slowly fades between red, green, and blue.
The lantern itself is made of metal and the crackle finish of the glass creates a cool lighting effect that’s particularly noticeable when the light is placed on a table. If you choose to hang it out in the open, don’t worry – it’s weatherproof and made to last.
How to Install Solar Garden Lights?
Installation is different depending on the type of lights you’re using but one thing is for sure: it’s always easy. Because these lights don’t require any wiring or electricity, installation is pretty simple.
Stake lights. Stake lights are the most popular style and they’re super easy to install. All you have to do is insert them into the ground where you want them and that’s it. Just keep in mind, if the ground is particularly hard or has a lot of rocks, it’s best to dig a small hole first.
Hanging lights. Some lights can be hung from hooks or using screws. These lantern-style lights are easy to hang. Just make sure they’re exposed to enough sunlight to charge the battery during the day.
Table lights. These are the easiest to install. All you have to do is place them on the table. Again, just make sure they get enough sunlight to charge their battery.
It’s always important to read the instructions that are included with the light you choose because you never know if there’s something special you need to know. Generally, though, these lights are very easy to install and set up.
How to Make Solar Garden Lights Brighter?
There are a few things you can do to make your solar garden lights brighter. Some easy, some a little more involved. Basically, it all has to do with whether or not the solar panel is effectively charging the battery.
The thing to remember about solar garden lights is that they use tiny solar panels to recharge the battery every day. Over time, the solar panel, battery, or both may become ineffective.
Here are some things you can do to make your solar lights brighter.
1. Look at the solar panel first thing in the morning to make the most of the sunlight. Make sure there isn’t any debris or dirt on the surface and, if there is, wipe the panel clean. Anything that blocks the solar cells in the panel can affect how well the panel works.
2. Keep an eye on your lights throughout the day to make sure they’re getting consistent sunlight. Just because they’re in bright sunlight in the morning doesn’t mean the sun doesn’t change throughout the day.
3. If you notice that the lights are in the shade for a large part of the day, it’s a good idea to move the light into an area of the garden where there’s more sun exposure. Sometimes, it can be as simple as moving the light a few inches away from their original position.
4. Check the light after dusk. Cleaning the solar panel and making sure the light received enough sunlight should make the light brighter overnight.
5. If there isn’t much difference in how bright the light is, use a screwdriver to remove the top of the panel. Clean out any debris on the inside of the light. Most of these lights have pretty good housing that keeps out debris but it doesn’t hurt to check.
6. Check the battery area to make sure there isn’t any debris or corrosion. If you see any, use fine-grit sandpaper on the terminals to remove it. This helps to improve the contact between the battery and the terminals.
7. If this still doesn’t work to brighten the light, consider getting a new battery. Once the new battery is in place, let it charge in direct sunlight as long as possible for the best results.
Why are My Solar Garden Lights not Working?
If your solar garden lights aren’t working at all, there are a few things that could be going on, especially if it’s the first time you’re using them.
1. You need to turn them on. While these lights are automatic, you do need to turn them on the first time you take them out of the box. Be sure to follow the directions carefully.
2. There’s a pull-tag on the battery. This is pretty common with new lights, too. The pull-tag prevents the battery from contacting the terminals when the lights are in the warehouse. When it’s time to use them, the pull tag has to be removed or the battery won’t work.
3. It’s not dark enough yet. Automatic lights turn on when they detect low light. If the sensor is too close to another light or if the sun is not quite low enough, the sensor may not be ready to turn the light on.
4. The battery isn’t charged. This can happen for a lot of reasons but they all boil down to the solar panel not getting enough sunlight. Clean the panel and reposition the light as needed to make sure it’s getting enough sun during the day.
5. The weather isn’t cooperating. Your solar light can be in the perfect place but if the sun isn’t cooperating, there’s not much you can do. Too many clouds or too much snow or rain and the battery won’t charge.
6. It’s winter. Believe it or not, that can be enough. The sun shines stronger and longer in the summer. There just may not be enough light in the winter to charge the battery.
Conclusion
There are a lot of things to think about when choosing the best solar garden light for your home. Keep in mind, no matter which one you end up going with, they all have some basic things in common.
Solar garden lights are easy to install because you don’t need to worry about electricity or wires. You can put them anywhere and they’re really easy to maintain. They turn on and off automatically and only require a little bit of simple maintenance.
There are a lot of great options out there for all different styles and tastes. Whether you want to add a pop of color or a piece of art, there’s a solar garden light that’s perfect for you.
I have owned a handful of solar lights, but these by GIGALUMI are by far the coolest. I was confused at first because getting them out of the box they were clear glass and on the box shows colored ones, but the light is what gives them the color. And even cooler each one changes color!
I have owned a handful of solar lights, but these by GIGALUMI are by far the coolest. I was confused at first because getting them out of the box they were clear glass and on the box shows colored ones, but the light is what gives them the color. And even cooler each one changes color!
The Bright Zeal Solar Stake Lights is also great. They are so bright and transition so beautifully. What a great addition to our outside decor!
TONULAX solar lights are very beautiful but they don’t have many features. The second option for me is WOSPORTS light because it has many pros.
I bought awesome WOSPORTS garden lights because of this article. These lights are really beautiful and work efficiently.