There are a lot of uses for solar landscape lights.
Some people may want something to illuminate a garden path or driveway, while others might be looking for something to add a little ambiance and character.
Luckily, there are plenty of great options to choose from. If you’re looking for the best solar landscape lights for your yard or garden, you’re in the right place.
Like all lighting, solar lights have their good and bad sides. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons.
Pros
In the long run, solar lights are very affordable because they don’t require electricity and won’t increase the cost of your utility bills.
Solar lights are convenient because they charge automatically in the sunlight and turn themselves off and on automatically.
Installation is easy. Because these lights are wireless, all you have to do is stick them in the ground or mount them on the wall using a simple screw.
Because they do not need electricity, solar lights can be placed just about anywhere, as long as there is adequate sun exposure.
Since there are no wires to worry about, solar lights can be placed in flower beds or gardens without the risk of hitting wires.
LED lights can last a long time – up to 20,000 hours!
Cons
Although solar lights are often less expensive in the long run, the upfront costs of buying the lights can be pricey.
How well solar lights charge depends on the weather. The bright summer sun is likely to have good results while overcast winter skies or rainy days may not give much battery life.
Solar lights are not as bright as electric lights because the power source isn’t as reliable.
Because they require so much sun exposure, these lights don’t work well in areas where there are lots of trees, shrubs, or shade which can limit placement somewhat.
The 10 Best Solar Landscape Lights on the Market
Whether you’re looking for something decorative, functional, or a perfect combination of the two, there are a lot of great options to choose from. Here are ten of the best solar landscape lights out there.
1. Nekteck Outdoor Solar Spotlights Wall Landscape Lighting
One of the things we really like about these solar lights from Nekteck is that you can choose from two modes – always on or automatic. The light angle can be adjusted up to 180 degrees so you can light just about any area of your home.
When fully charged, the bulbs can stay lit for as long as 10 hours. Another great thing about these lights is that you can adjust the solar panel up to 90 degrees. This is an easy way to make sure it’s getting the maximum amount of sun exposure possible.
This four-pack includes screws to mount the lights to a wall or simply use the stake to stick them into the ground. They’re covered by a 90-day money-back guarantee as well as a 2-year warranty and lifetime support from Nekteck.
2. Magictec Solar Spotlights LED Wall Landscape Lights
This two-pack of lights from Magictec is versatile and durable, a great choice for outdoor lighting. They can be installed into the ground using a simple stake or mounted to a wall with the included screws.
The light and solar panels are adjustable up to 180 degrees so you can position them exactly where you what them to accent your landscaping. When fully charged, the batteries last up to 10 hours and they automatically come on at dusk and turn off at sunrise to save power.
These lights have a durable, rugged design and are heatproof and waterproof, great for any kind of weather or climate. The warm white color is the perfect accent for any outdoor garden, pool, or flower bed.
3. Aityvert Solar Outdoor Waterproof Landscape Decoration Lighting
If you’re looking for something with a little more flair, check out these flickering flames torch lights from Aityvert. Create the warm glow of a torch without any oil or open flames. These lights use flickering LEDs to create a warm fire effect.
These lights have a built-in rechargeable battery that takes about six to eight hours to charge. In the summer when sunlight is bright and plentiful, they can last up to 12 hours. In the winter, up to five hours.
One of the best things about these lights is that they come with extendable spikes for installation. The longest is 43 inches long so you can create a truly unique look for your backyard decor. These lights are waterproof and covered by a 12-month warranty.
4. Solar Lights Bright Pathway Outdoor Garden Landscape Lighting
This eight-pack of solar light from Beau Jardin features a diamond glass cover that creates a gorgeous mandala pattern on the ground which adds a cool effect along paths and flowerbeds. The rust-proof stainless steel body looks modern and cool against the glass and is built to last.
Installation is easy, just push the spike into the ground where the solar panel is exposed to sunlight during the day. These lights automatically turn on when the sun goes down and off again at sunrise to conserve as much battery power as possible. When fully charged, they can last up to 12 hours.
These lights are resistant to rain, snow, frost, and sleet so they’re ideal for any environment. They give off a cool, bright white light that contrasts well against your home and the surrounding landscaping.
5. LITOM LED Solar Landscape Spotlights
This four-pack of solar lights from Litom has a wide 120-degree lighting angle and a larger solar panel so they’re a great choice when you need bright white outdoor lights. They automatically turn on when it gets dark and switch to power storage mode in the morning when the sun’s up.
One of the nice things about these lights is that you can adjust the brightness. In low light mode, the lights will stay on for about 12 hours; in high light mode, you get about six hours. They require about five hours of direct sunlight to charge.
These lights are made using high-impact ABS plastic and are built to last a long time. The IP67 waterproof design withstands wet weather and you can either insert them into your lawn or mount them on a wall. They’re covered by a 24-month warranty.
6. Solar Moon Powered Garden Lights
These solar moonlights from Abastic are as beautiful as they are functional. They’re made of rustproof premium iron with a vintage copper finish that adds a stunning accent to your yard or garden and the crackle-glass bulb creates a cool dreamy effect.
The battery charges fully after about six hours of sun exposure and lasts for more than 12 hours in the right conditions. To conserve energy, these lights turn on automatically at dusk and begin charging when the sun comes up in the morning.
This design is easy to install and weather-resistant so you don’t have to worry about frost, sleet, rain, or snow. They are also covered by a 60-day money-back guarantee as well as 18 months of after-sales service.
7. MAGGIFT Hanging Solar Lights
For something a little more decorative, take a look at this set of hanging shepherd light lanterns. Assembly is easy, just screw the poles together, push the stake into the ground, and hang the lantern. Note that these lights are only four lumens so they are meant more for decoration.
Something we really like is how tall these lights are. At 26 inches from top to bottom, they can be used as a focal point in your landscape design or integrated as a cool accent, adding a warm glow to the surrounding ground.
Charging time is about eight hours in direct sunlight. In the right conditions, the light lasts between eight and 10 hours. They’re weather-resistant, too, so you don’t have to worry about rain, frost, or snow and they’re covered by a 180-day warranty.
8. GIGALUMI Solar Ground Lights
These lights from Gigalumi are a little different than what we’ve seen so far and are the perfect way to add more modern lighting look to your yard. You get eight-disc lights in this kit and each is installed by pushing the attached stake right into the ground.
Each light contains eight LEDs so they’re bright enough to light up a path or accents a flower bed or the front of your home. They need about four to six hours of good sunlight to charge and last for between eight and ten hours. Plus, they automatically turn off and on to conserve energy.
The IP65 grade waterproof design means that you don’t have to worry about snow, sleet, rain, or frost so you can use these lights in any climate. They’re also covered by a 90-day satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not happy, return them for a full refund.
9. TomCare Metal Flickering Flame Solar Torches Lights
To create a whole new look, try the flickering flame solar torches from TomCare. These lights are made of high-quality metal with a rust-resistant finish and ABS plastic stakes and poles for easy installation.
The realistic flame design features a warm yellow glow that flickers to resemble a real torch. They’re equipped with high-efficiency solar panels that fully charge the battery in about eight hours. In summer, these torches can last up to 10 hours. (In winter, you get closer to five).
These lights are waterproof and suitable for all weather conditions and add a warm and interesting touch to your yard. Plus, they’re covered by a 45-day money-back guarantee and 12-month warranty.
10. Fertgo Garden Solar Lights Outdoor Decorative
These solar lights from Fertgo are the most interesting and unique option on our list. This owl-shaped iron lamp serves as a cool landscape light at night and an eye-catching piece of art during the day.
This adorable light automatically turns on at dusk and lasts for up to eight hours when fully charged. Installation is simple, too, just press the plastic stake into the ground and you’re done. It’s waterproof and corrosion-resistant so it’s suitable for any climate or environment.
If you’re looking for an adorable sculpture for your lawn, this is a great option. The 10 LED lights add just the right amount of ambiance. Line a walkway or accent your landscaping with a few of these cute lights to add a jolt of personality to your lawn.
How Does Solar Landscape Lighting Work?
The most important part of any solar light is the solar panel or, more specifically, the solar cells that make up the panel. This is where light from the sun is actually converted into an electrical current.
Inside this solar cell are layers of silicone and different chemicals creating spaces with a positive charge and electrons, which has a negative charge. As the sunlight travels through the solar cell, it excites the electrons and they move into the spaces that are positively charged.
From here, the electrons become an electrical current, traveling through the wires inside the cell and into the battery where it’s stored. This process happens constantly when the cell is exposed to sunlight, charging the battery over the day.
At dusk, sunlight no longer hits the solar cells so the process stops. Automatic solar lights have a photoreceptor that detects when it’s dark and turns on the light. In the morning, the photoreceptor detects the sun, turns off the light, and the process starts all over again.
Where to Place Solar Landscape Lights?
Here are some tips to help you figure out the best place for solar lights in your yard.
Decide what you want to illuminate. This not only determines the type of light you should get but also how many of them you’ll need. For example, you’ll need more lights to line a walkway than to highlight a flower bed.
Remember that solar lights aren’t quite as bright as electric lights so you may need more lights placed closer together to get the same effect, especially if you’re planning to line a walkway.
Don’t place your lights in a straight line if you can help it. This creates a runway effect which can take away from the overall feel of your yard.
That said, don’t overdo it. Landscape lighting is meant to be a nice accent that adds to the look and feel of your home and a little extra safety and security. These lights aren’t supposed to light up your whole yard.
If you have a particular tree, architectural feature, or plant that you want to draw attention to, use landscape lighting to give it a little extra attention.
Some of these lights can be mounted to a wall rather than inserted into the ground. This creates a whole different look and can be useful in taking advantage of interesting architectural details of your home.
If your light is more of a decorative addition to your landscaping rather than a functional one, make sure you place it in an area where it’s in plain sight. You don’t want to buy a beautifully sculptured light and then place it where no one will be able to see it.
When planning your layout, avoid areas where your lights are prone to damage. For example, don’t place the lights in the path of a lawnmower or weed whacker or too close to the edge of a driveway where they may get run over or bumped easily.
Before deciding where to place your lights, don’t forget to take a look at your yard from inside your house. Make sure none of the lights shine into the windows, especially if you’re wall-mounting them.
Try to find an area where the lights will be exposed to the most amount of sunlight possible. A little in the morning or afternoon probably isn’t going to be enough as most of these lights need about five hours or so of direct sunlight to fully charge.
Choose a spot where the soil isn’t too hard or rocky. If it is, don’t try to force the stake into the ground. Instead, use a shovel to break up the ground a little bit first so you don’t run the risk of breaking the spike.
6 Reasons Your Solar Light is Not Working
Here are six of the most common reasons why your solar lights may not be working.
1. There’s an on/off switch you didn’t know about. This is pretty common if you’re using your solar lights for the first time. Be sure to read the directions included with your lights so you don’t miss this important step when installing them.
2. You didn’t remove the pull tag. Again, this is a pretty common scenario if your lights are brand new, right out of the box. A lot of lights come with a tab on the battery connection that has to be removed before the battery can power the light.
3. It’s too bright outside. Remember, these lights use a light sensor to detect the light level and automatically turn on when it gets dark enough. They won’t come on during the day and it may take a while for the sunlight to disappear enough to trigger the light at dusk.
4. The light isn’t placed properly. The solar panel itself needs to be in direct sunlight long enough to get a full charge. You have to be very careful where you place the lights to get the best results.
For example, if you place your light in a flower bed that gets bright sun in the morning but is in the shade the rest of the day, this isn’t likely enough solar power to keep the lights glowing all night.
Making sure you install solar lights in the right place is one of the most important factors when it comes to battery life and power.
5. There isn’t enough sun. If you know that your solar light is placed in an area with plenty of sun exposure, it’s likely that there just isn’t enough sun to charge the battery. If the weather is cloudy, rainy, or snowy, the battery is probably not getting enough sun.
Another thing to keep in mind is that winter light is not as strong as summer light and the sun isn’t up for as long. You may never get the same performance from your solar lights in the winter that you do in the summer.
6. The solar panel is dirty. If your light is in direct sunlight and still isn’t working at night, the solar panel may be dirty. Be sure to clean your solar panel regularly to prevent this from happening.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a lot of different types of solar landscape lights and a lot of different ways to use them. When it comes to which is the best solar landscape lighting, the first thing to consider is what type of effect you want to create and take it from there.
Do you want to illuminate the walking path to your front door or create a warm, welcoming feel for a late-night garden party? Are your lights purely functional? Or are they designed to be more decorative? All of these affect not only what light you choose but also where you install them.
We chose a nice variety of solar landscape lighting for you to choose from, some being more decorative and others more functional. All of these lights are easy to install and make a huge impact on the look and feel of your lawn and garden when the sun goes down.
Leave a Reply