We put outdoor solar lights to the test: discover the top performers.

Best Overall

For those seeking a dependable dusk-to-dawn outdoor light, we highly recommend the Sansi floodlight. We swapped out an outdoor halogen lamp with this model and were delighted by the improvement. After six months of use in both rainy and snowy conditions, it continues to perform excellently. Its powerful brightness covers a broader area of our deck and yard, and we can easily adjust the light's direction thanks to its two movable arms.

While this floodlight lacks a motion sensor, the photocell sensor performs effectively, automatically turning the light off at dawn. Alternatively, you can control the light manually using the switch, since it is wired. We appreciate the LED bulb, which provides long-lasting, efficient illumination, saving money compared to halogen or incandescent bulbs.

Dimensions: 11 x 11 x 4 inches | Lumens: 6,000 | Operating Time: Dusk to dawn | Charging Time: N/A | Weather-Resistance Rating: IP65

Best Budget

Solar lights often follow the "you get what you pay for" rule, which is why we were pleasantly surprised by the performance of this affordable 200-lumen Beams light. The motion sensor illuminates the entire backyard when it detects movement. The light is mounted on a durable bracket, and even after enduring freezing temperatures, heavy rain, and strong winds, it remains securely in place.

As dog owners, we’ve tested it through nightly backyard patrols, enhancing safety for everyone. After six months, we're happy to report the light continues to perform well, and the motion sensor still operates flawlessly. We haven’t had to replace the batteries yet. While we’d appreciate a rechargeable battery option, this light offers exceptional value for the price.

Dimensions: 6.5 x x 4.42 inches | Lumens: 200 | Operating Time: Not specified | Charging Time: Not specified | Weather-Resistance Rating: IPX6

Best String Lights

Solar-powered string lights can enhance the charm of any outdoor gathering, and this 27-foot strand from Brightech is no exception. Featuring Edison bulbs that are powered by a solar panel, you can either stake the panel into the ground or attach it to a post for maximum exposure to the sun. While the brightness is fixed, you can adjust the arrangement of the bulbs to create either a soft, ambient glow or focused task lighting. Our only gripe is that it's not possible to connect more than one strand together.

During our testing, these durable plastic bulbs stood strong against water exposure, stray golf balls, and other outdoor disturbances. While the lights only remained on for about six hours—shorter than some of the other options we've reviewed—we appreciate the minimalist design that closely mirrors traditional string lights, plus the added benefit of not requiring an outlet.

Dimensions: 27 feet | Lumens: 100 | Operating Time: 5 to 6 hours | Charging Time: Not listed | Weather-Resistance Rating: Not listed

Top Choice for Deck Lighting

These Solpex solar lights withstood heavy rain during our tests. Considering their affordability and ease of setup, we'd definitely buy more. They illuminated our entire deck from dusk till dawn without the need for any additional lighting.

While we would have preferred to adjust the brightness and color in certain areas, our deck was bathed in a warm and steady glow. Although there is no motion sensor, we found it unnecessary for our needs.

Dimensions: 3.46 by 1.77 by 1.85 inches | Lumens: 3 | Operating Time: Dusk to dawn | Charging Time: 4 to 5 hours | Weather-Resistance Rating: Not listed

Top Spotlight Pick

After six months of testing through an Iowa winter filled with snow, we were impressed with how well these string lights held up. Their durability is remarkable, and they continue to perform just as well as when we first installed them. We placed four lights around our yard to enhance visibility and safety along our home's perimeter, and the results have been illuminating. The installation process was quick, with the hardest part being deciding the placement of each individual light.

While the lights charge during the day, especially on sunnier days, there's also a handy USB port for additional charging. The cool white illumination has three brightness levels, and we chose to keep ours on the brightest setting to enhance visibility in our yard at night. There's no motion sensor, though adding one would have been a nice touch. Unfortunately, the ball section of the mounting bracket broke off the stake, but the lights are otherwise still in great shape.

Dimensions: 5.7 by 4.3 by 2.4 inches | Lumens: 1,000 | Operating Time: From dusk till dawn | Charging Time: 2 days | Weather-Resistance Rating: IP65

Top Smart

Ring may have earned its reputation with its widely popular video doorbells, but the company also offers a variety of other products to enhance home security. One such product is the Ring Floodlight Cam. Even after six months of exposure to dust during testing, the light still appears as though it was just installed. Plus, the motion sensor continues to perform flawlessly.

We found this to be an efficient security light, with the added benefit of a 1080p HD video camera that lets us monitor our well-lit property even from indoors. We value the fact that the camera sends alerts whenever something triggers the sensor; recently, it’s been local traffic, but it gives us peace of mind knowing we’ll be notified of any potential intruders.

While it allows you to adjust sensor sensitivity and brightness, we found the default setting to be just right for our needs. If that ever changes, we appreciate that it’s simple to view the video feed and modify the light settings via the app. If you’re looking for more than just a standard floodlight for your property, this motion-sensor camera light offers good value.

Dimensions: 11.7 x 7.03 x 9.67 inches | Lumens: 2,000 | Operating Time: N/A | Charging Time: N/A | Weather-Resistance Rating: Not available

Best Strip

These programmable LED strip lights from Govee offer a perfect blend of practicality and aesthetic appeal, whether you're decorating for holidays or special events. After six months of use, we continue to be impressed by their reliability and seamless integration with the app, making them a great year-round outdoor lighting option.

The app provides an intuitive way to adjust colors and themes for your lighting setup, offering a seamless experience even in snowy conditions. You can control it directly from your phone, or connect to Alexa or Google Home for easy integration with your smart home system. Take some time to explore the app's various lighting modes to customize everything from steady lighting to dynamic light shows. It even features motion sensors for added security.

Dimensions: 32.8 feet | Lumens: 146 | Operating Time: N/A | Charging Time: N/A | Weather-Resistance Rating: IP65 (adapter is IP44)

Top Decorative Choice

This solar lantern from Pottery Barn creates a stunning golden glow that enhances any outdoor setting. Crafted from highly durable teak, its frame suits virtually every outdoor theme. The solar light arrives detached but is simple to assemble, and thanks to its pre-charged battery, you can begin using it immediately. The black stainless steel handle provides easy portability, making it convenient to move throughout your space or hang from a cord or even a tree branch.

A quick press of the power button on the solar pack lets you switch between smart mode, which automatically adjusts the light's intensity to remain lit all night, and forced mode, where you can manually control the brightness level. Although it holds up well in various weather conditions, it weighs only 3 pounds, so it's best to secure it on windy days to avoid it being blown away.

While this solar lantern is beautifully designed, it's more suited for creating ambiance rather than providing strong illumination. When turned on, we noticed that its light didn't cast far beyond the table it rested on. Therefore, you may need a few of these lanterns to brighten up your deck, patio, or small backyard, which can be costly. However, if you choose just one, it would certainly add an elegant touch to your outdoor decor.

Dimensions: 6 x 6 x 10.5 inches | Lumens: 300 | Operating Time: 4 hours on full power; 150 hours on dimmed setting | Charging Time: Not specified | Weather-Resistance Rating: Not specified

Final Thoughts

Our top pick is the Sansi Outdoor Integrated LED Floodlight due to its robust lighting capabilities, which enhance the safety of your home. Although it's a wired light, it comes equipped with a highly effective photocell sensor that ensures the light turns off at dawn. If you're after a more affordable option, the Beams Motion Sensing Spotlight offers excellent performance in harsh weather conditions and costs less than half the price of the Sansi Floodlight.

How We Tested

To determine the best outdoor solar lights, we tested 16 different models in our own yards. We assessed them based on their energy efficiency, ease of installation, functionality, design, and overall value. While the lights varied in style and type, we focused primarily on their brightness and whether they successfully followed the sun's natural cycles by turning on and off as expected.

Throughout our testing, we evaluated the brightness and coverage of the lights, ensuring they were sufficient for activities such as hosting backyard parties, walking the dog, and other outdoor tasks. For lights with adjustable settings, we explored various light intensities and color options.

For motion sensor lights, we assessed their sensitivity and detection range, as well as how long they remained on before dimming or turning off. Additionally, we observed their long-term performance, noting how well they endured the elements during both three- and six-month testing periods.

How to Shop for Solar Lights Like an Expert

Types of Lights and Materials

When choosing outdoor solar lights, consider the impact of weather conditions on their durability. For instance, in coastal climates where corrosion is common, opt for materials like copper or aluminum to ensure longevity. Durable materials such as teak (often used in outdoor furniture) are also a good choice. For this reason, we included the premium Pottery Barn Nellie Outdoor Lantern in our recommendations.

No matter what type of outdoor lights you decide on, it's important to ensure they come with a warranty. Yeates recommends selecting lights that offer a warranty of at least one year.

Setup and Aesthetic

The style and placement of your outdoor lights is entirely up to you. While string lights and fairy lights can create a magical atmosphere, you may only need a practical motion-sensor spotlight near your garage or front door.

Scharff suggests using lanterns when experimenting with solar lighting for your backyard. “This is a great opportunity for people to have fun with the design, as they aren’t tied down to a permanent location,” she explains.

For ground-based lighting, she advises homeowners to choose a sturdy design that can endure impact from lawnmowers, animals, foot traffic, or other environmental forces.

Light Intensity and Hue

Yeates refers to lighting as the “jewelry” of a space. The brightness level you choose will depend on its intended use. For instance, string lights provide a soft, ambient glow, while a floodlight offers security, potentially deterring intruders.

When it comes to outdoor lighting, color can mean different things based on the type of fixture. For decorative lights, it refers to actual colors in the spectrum. We recommend considering the Govee WiFi Outdoor LED Strip Lights for this purpose.

For white lights, you can opt for either cool light, which is a white light with a bluish tint, or warm light, which has a yellowish hue. Yeates favors warm lights because of the inviting glow they create. No matter which white light you select, she advises that all outdoor bulbs should either be cool or warm for a consistent appearance.

Durability Against Weather

Several lights in our selection come with weather-resistance ratings of IP65 or IP68. These ratings are internationally recognized standards that assess how well devices can withstand environmental elements, such as dust and water.

Understanding an IP rating: The '6' indicates dust resistance, while the '5' or '8' refers to the level of protection against low-pressure water jets. If you want your solar light to be long-lasting, be sure to check for these ratings.

Unique Features and Smart Technology

Many of the lights on our top outdoor solar lights list offer more than just basic illumination. If you're looking for enhanced security, consider models with motion sensors that activate the light when they detect movement from a person or animal.

Do you enjoy controlling your home systems via Alexa or Google Assistant? Opt for solar lights that feature app or smart home integration, allowing you to set up custom lighting schedules each day.

Other Outdoor Solar Lights Worth Considering

Frontgate Pro Series VI Solar Path Light: During our tests, we were impressed with how easy and quick the assembly was. While the light worked well from dusk till dawn, we felt the inability to adjust the brightness or the fixture itself limited its coverage. Additionally, considering its basic design, we found it a bit pricey.

Brightown Solar Fairy Lights: For those seeking charming, ambient lighting for their yard without being limited by an outlet, these fairy lights are an excellent choice. With eight different modes to choose from, they are surprisingly resilient in tough weather despite their delicate appearance. However, be aware that the lighting range is relatively small.

Common Questions You May Have

Where is the best location to install solar lights?

It may seem like placing solar lights anywhere in your yard is sufficient, but it’s crucial to consider which areas get the most sunlight. Depending on the type and design of your light, it may take anywhere from four to twelve hours to fully charge. While solar lights can charge in indirect sunlight, direct sunlight will speed up the process and give you a fully charged battery more quickly.

Take time to observe your yard over several sunny days to identify which areas absorb the most sunlight and for how long. This will guide you in positioning your solar lights for the best results. While it's possible to place them in shadier spots, you may need to adjust your expectations regarding brightness and the duration of light.

How long do solar lights typically last?

Although sunny days provide the best performance for your solar lights, they aren't entirely maintenance-free. Some upkeep is necessary if you want them to last beyond just a season or two.

To start, if your solar lights are not staying bright even on clear days, it might be time to clean the solar panels. If that doesn't help, it could be the battery. Yeates recommends changing the battery in solar lights once a year. She encourages consumers to try replacing the batteries before discarding malfunctioning lights to prevent unnecessary waste.

Yeates also advises that consumers opt for outdoor lights from established brands that have a long track record, and those that offer a warranty of at least one year to ensure product durability and longevity.

What is the ideal number of lumens for outdoor solar lights?

Lumens measure the brightness of a light bulb. A 400-lumen outdoor light is equivalent to a 40W bulb. Generally, the higher the lumens and wattage, the brighter the light will be.

The ideal brightness for your outdoor solar lights depends on personal preference and the purpose of the light. For a floodlight or spotlight intended for security, you should look for lights with a brightness between 700 and 1300 lumens. For motion sensor lights that only turn on when activated, lights between 300 and 700 lumens are a good choice.

The quantity of lights in a specific area also influences the required lumens for each individual light. For example, if you plan to place a light on each step leading to your deck, lights with a lumen rating of 100 or less should suffice.

Hear From Us

This article was written by Barbara Bellesi Zito, a lifestyle writer from Staten Island, NY. To curate this list of the best solar lights, 16 outdoor solar lights were tested, evaluating their design, weather resistance, and overall value. For expert recommendations, she consulted Andrea Scharff from Andrea Scharff Landscape Design and Ashley Yeates, founder of AYI & Associates, a firm focused on sustainable design.