Add Instant Curb Appeal With The Best Outdoor Solar Lights For Your Home (2024)

• Our Picks

• Other Options We Tested

• How We Tested

• What to Look For

• FAQ

• Why Trust The Spruce

Our top pick for most outdoor spaces is the AloftSun Motion Sensor Solar Landscape Spotlights. During testing, they withstood all of our durability tests, were easy to use, and were even bright enough to read under! These spotlights can detect motion from as much as 33 feet away, depending on the setting.

The three modes that operate from dusk until dawn—dim light/high light when motion is detected; no light/high light when motion is detected; or medium light/constantly on—give you options to suit your lighting needs and are simple to use. (It did, however, take us a few minutes at first to figure out how to trigger them.) Easy to put together (just two pieces), this two-pack of lights can either be staked into the ground (the method we tested) or mounted onto a wall with the included hardware.

We were impressed at how these lights held up during our durability tests. Since the manufacturer claims these lights have the highest waterproof rating and are frost-resistant, we sprinkled water on them, and then froze them for over an hour. After each test, the lights still worked just as well as before! We also dropped a golf ball on their solar light panel from a distance of 6 feet, and they still held up.

These spotlights feature 30 LED light chips, which help illuminate your pathway, garden, or yard easily, stand up to the elements, and are noted by the manufacturer to have a 40,000-hour lifespan. However, they do have a basic design and are more cool-toned (6500K) than some might prefer for a home. However, if you are looking for durable, bright lights with useful features at a great price, you can’t go wrong with this pick.

_{Dimensions: ‎11.81 x 5.43 x 4.33 inches | Lumens: Not listed | Charging time: 1-2 days first use, up to 8 hours on cloudy days | Operating time: 6-12 hours depending on setting |Weather Resistance Rating: IP68 | Color Temperature: 6500K}

If you are looking for wall-mountable lantern-style lights, this option from Home Zone is the perfect choice. You get a two-pack of preassembled lanterns that include wall brackets and screws (no tools included). We love how versatile this set is—you can place them on a table, on a garden hook, mount them to the wall, or carry them around by their handles when you need extra light. Plus, they come with a 1-year warranty.

Made of stainless steel and glass, these lights stood up to our durability testing, with no damage to the glass or solar panels. They are bright and cheery for an entryway but not as bright as other options we tested—we couldn’t read under them. With a simple, automatic dusk-to-dawn operation, these lights are simple to use but have no other features. They also need two AA batteries to operate, which eventually need replacing. However, we love their farmhouse style, affordable price, and the ability to have wall-mountable lights without needing electricity.

_{Dimensions: ‎8.66 x 6.3 x 10.04 inches| Lumens: 10 each | Charging Time: 8 hours | Operating time:Not listed | Weather Resistance Rating: Not listed | Color Temperature: 3000K}

Outdoor string lights can make your patio more inviting during the summer and add a festive touch during the winter holidays. In fact, we think they are versatile enough to leave up all year! This set from Brightech is 27 feet long, with no electricity required. Just stake the solar panel in the ground or clip it to a balcony or other surface and place the lights where you want them! These shatterproof plastic Edison-style bulbs not only look stylish but are durable as well, holding up well during our tests. Though the solar panel moved a bit when we hit it with a golf ball, it showed no damage. They have a 1,000-hour charge lifespan (around 2.5 years, according to the manufacturer) and are backed by a full 2-year warranty.

We loved the “moody lighting” these lights emitted but noted they were bright enough to read by only when the lights were gathered together and not strung out. Also, these did not stay lit as long as the others we tested (6 hours total). If you are mostly using them for decor or entertaining purposes, this shouldn’t be an issue. And although you can’t connect multiple strands together (as we hoped!), there is a 48-foot strand available if you have the space.

_{Dimensions: 27 feet long | Lumens: Not listed | Charging Time: 6 hours | Operating time: Up to 6 hours fully charged | Weather Resistance Rating: Not listed | Color Temperature: 3000K}

The Better Homes & Gardens Solar Dusk to Dawn Decorative Outdoor LED Light is a simple yet stylish way to add a wall sconce to your entryway. (Better Homes & Gardens is owned by The Spruce's parent company, Dotdash Meredith). We tested this light fixture at home and were most impressed by its easy installation, taking less than 10 minutes. We just had to attach the bracket to the wall with two screws and attach the light to the bracket.

Besides adding curb appeal, the light detects motion up to 25 feet away, which is an added bonus. While this light doesn't offer additional features, or the brightness of an electrical light fixture, we do love its "set it and forget it" qualities. It simply starts working once it is charged and goes on at a lower level of warm, yellow light from dusk to dawn unless motion is detected (it returns to this energy-saving mode 30 seconds after motion is detected). Even in the lower light setting, it was bright enough to illuminate the area up to 10 feet away, including where we parked our car.

During our testing period, there were a number of storms and we are happy to report that the light withstood the rain and wind without any issues.

_{Dimensions: ‎7.70 x 6.10 x 13.5 Inches| Lumens: 200 | Charging Time: Not listed | Operating time:Not listed | Weather Resistance Rating: Not listed | Color Temperature: Not listed}

Solar path lights allow you to illuminate a walkway or driveway without having to worry about having outdoor electricity or extension cords. Aside from being stylish and durable, this 10-pack from Hampton Bay is a great value, especially if you have a longer area to illuminate. We loved the “sparkly effect” these lights display on the ground, as well as their unique crackle look on the glass. Plus, they are as practical as they are stylish: the light they give off is so bright we were able to read under them while testing.

We also found these lights passed all of our durability tests, holding up well during watering, freezing, and being impacted with a golf ball. Made of aluminum, glass, and plastic, they stand 18 inches tall and have only three pieces to assemble, which we found to be easy. Like many of these solar lights, they feature dusk-to-dawn operation and stay lit for 8 hours (after an 8-hour charge). They offer no other settings or special features and only come in packs of 10. However, if you are looking for a great set of path lights, this option stands out.

_{Dimensions: ‎18.1 x 4.92 x 4.92 inches | Lumens: 10 | Charging Time: 10-12 hours | Operating time: 8 hours | Weather Resistance Rating: IPX4 | Color Temperature: 3000K}

For anaffordable lighting option that adds ambianceto your outdoor space, we recommend the 33-foot-long Brightown Outdoor Solar string lights. Available in seven colors (we tested white), these fairy lights survived all of our durability tests and were easy to install, with only two stakes needed for the solar panels. And because they are solar-powered, you don’t need electricity for them to work, unlike many other outdoor string lights. Just note that they are not a great option if you want to add bright light outdoors.

However, we especially appreciated the eight lighting modes, including combination, waves, sequential, slow glow, chasing/flash, slow fade, twinkle/flash, and steady-on, so you can choose fun options for gatherings or holidays. After turning on automatically at night, these lights have an up to 10-hour runtime, but inexplicably, they did turn off for 60-second increments during our overnight testing. Also, you have to be sure to place the solar light panels where they can get light, which may limit placement options a bit. However, this two-pack is a great budget option, especially if you are looking for string lights or want to add a fun element to your outdoor decor.

_{Dimensions: ‎33 feet long | Lumens: Not listed | Charging Time: Not listed | Operating time: 8-10 hours after fully charged | Weather Resistance Rating: IP65 | Color Temperature: 2700K}

A light post can add a stylish, vintage look to your decor while illuminating your entryway. And with the Kemeco Solar Post Light Fixture, you have many more options on where to add it to your outdoor space, with no electricity or wires needed. You can mount this light to a post (not included) or to its included mounting base and place it just about anywhere. We tested both installation methods—at our lab, we assembled the light to the mounting base and placed it on a step, and during our at-home test, we assembled and installed the light on an existing round pole. We also noted that screws and a bracket were included for both a round or square pole, which isn't listed on the manufacturer's product description.

In both settings, we found the light easy to put together with just two pieces. While using the mounting base, however, we found it a bit top-heavy. If you choose to use the mounting base, we recommend also using the mounting bracket to screw it securely to a step to correct any concern over top-heaviness. We found both methods easy to install, and once set up, we loved how this aluminum light fixture’s lantern style and ripple glass added a nice glow. Despite the ripple glass, the light shines so brightly that we could even read around it while testing. While it's certainly still bright, this light isn't bright enough to be a security spotlight.

We noted that the only feature, aside from its solar capabilities, is an on/off switch. Our lab testing also revealed some conflicting results. On the one hand, the frosted glass shattered during our golf ball test; on the other, the solar panels still worked. The manufacturer claims the product is weatherproof and wasn’t damaged when we poured water directly above it in the lab. We also haven't noticed any issues with the light being damaged by storms so far in our real-world testing.

_{Dimensions: 8.8 x 8.8 x 18.1 including 5.5-inch mounting base| Lumens: 130-145 | Charging Time: At least 8 hours | Operating time: 6-8 hours | Weather Resistance Rating: Not listed | Color Temperature: 3000K}

A floodlight is a great way to increase the visibility around your home. Solar-powered floodlights, like the Lepower Solar Security Light 1000LM, are a great option if you don't have access to an electrical outlet, since they can be installed anywhere. It took us only 20 minutes to install this floodlight on a tree facing our backyard gate (where we did not have the option for wired lighting). While we noted that it wasn't as bright as a wired floodlight we've used in the past, we appreciated the extra lighting on an otherwise dark part of our yard.

This light has a 15-foot cable that gives you the flexibility to install the light anywhere while making sure the solar panel is in a place that gets adequate light. Although we didn't experience extreme weather during testing, the light has a weather resistance rating of IP 65, so it should be able to handle inclement weather. We also appreciate that it can detect motion up to 72 feet away. Just keep in mind that it doesn't offer extra features, like the smart capabilities of the Ring Solar Flood Light, our best smart pick. For example, it doesn't even have an on-and-off switch. But we think it is a simple, budget-friendly way to add a floodlight to your property.

_{Dimensions: ‎10 x 8.5 x 4.8 inches| Lumens: 1000 | Charging Time: Not listed | Operating time: Not listed | Weather Resistance Rating: IP65 | Color Temperature: 5500K-6000K}

Solar-powered lights with motion sensors allow you to add lighting when and where you need it. The Linkind StarRay LED Solar Motion Sensor Landscape Spotlights have two modes to suit your needs. You can choose to have them turn on for 25 seconds when motion is detected or to operate constantly at half light and only brighten for 10 seconds when motion is detected. (We noted that on the second mode, the difference between half-light and full-light was hardly detectable, although both modes are bright enough that we could read under them.) Although they are powered during the day, these lights do not automatically turn on at dusk unless you select one of those modes.

Aside from their motion sensor feature, we also love their versatility and streamlined design. You can stake them in the ground or mount them on a wall with the included hardware. The light and solar panel are on the same unit and can be pivoted up to 90 degrees vertically (180 degrees horizontally), so you can angle the light exactly where you want it to shine. Also, we found that these lights withstood our water and golf ball tests without sustaining damage. But when frozen, they strobed three times before turning off.

The price for the Linkind StarRay LED seems a little high for a single light, but we found it works as described and feels sturdy. We recommend it either for landscape lighting or for lighting pathways and security.

_{Dimensions:‎11.4 x 6.26 x 3.94 inches | Lumens: Not listed | Charging Time: Not listed | Operating time: 6-12 hours | Weather Resistance Rating: IP67 | Color Temperature: 6500K}

Wall-mounted lights can help you save space, but they can be a little intimidating and time-consuming to install. Plus, there could be many reasons you can’t install them in the location you want to, including lack of sunlight or surface space. Requiring a small footprint for the hanging bracket, the Derynome Solar Lantern Outdoor Lights give you all of the benefits of wall-mounted lights with little effort—you will need a drill and need to make sure the holes are level, but only two screws are needed.

We installed both of these lights at one of our homes (one on an enclosed side porch and the other on a front porch post) in less than 15 minutes, not including the time it took to locate a drill. Once the brackets were installed, it only took seconds to hang the lantern on the hook. Keep in mind, though, that the lantern feels sturdy and durable but is lightweight (just over 3 pounds) and can swing around on the hook—make sure you hang it at a height that is accessible for when you need to remove it. We did note after rainy and windy weather (although not extreme), the lantern never blew off. The on/off switch is located inside the lantern, but it was easy to twist the lantern to access it. When on, the lantern will go on and off automatically (dusk until dawn).

The bracket extends 5 inches from the wall, so even with a small overhang, the solar panel is more likely to get sun. In fact, we installed them under a little overhang, and they were still able to get the sunlight they needed to remain lit overnight. But since they are so easy to install, if you find you need a sunnier spot, it’s relatively easy to rehang. Although a little brighter, this pick is very similar in style, price, weight, and durability to our lab-tested, best budget option, the Home Zone Solar Wall Lanterns. However, the Derynome Solar Lantern Outdoor Lights have an on/off switch and are available in three different colors (black, white, and bronze). We also like that the battery lasts longer. If you are looking for a lantern you can place on a table though, the Home Zone pick is the better choice, with a wider base.

_{Dimensions: ‎11 x 6 x 6 inches | Lumens: 15 each | Charging Time: 6 hours | Operating time: 8 hours | Weather Resistance Rating: IP65 | Color Temperature: 3000}

The Ring Smart Lighting Solar Floodlight is a great way to upgrade your existing floodlight and tap into the benefits of smart home features. We did just that in one of our homes: We removed a traditional motion sensor light (keeping the existing plate) and quickly installed this Ring Smart Light, utilizing the easy-to-follow, illustrated directions (which are also helpful if you are installing a light for the first time). Keep in mind, you will also need to buy and install the Ring Bridge to utilize all of the smart features (if you don't have it already), although it was easy to plug in, install the app, and set up.

As with other solar lights, you need to ensure that the solar panel on this smart outdoor light gets enough sunlight to fully charge each day. Since the Ring Smart Floodlight has a solar panel that hangs on a long cord, you have more options on where you can install the light. The solar panel is large and matches the color of the floodlight. Since this light is available in both black and white finishes, we found the white finish helped the solar panel to blend into the siding of a home. You can also choose to recharge the battery separately using the USB cord.

After setting up the app, you will be impressed with the abundance of features you can use with this smart home product. Not only can you turn the light on and off via the app, but you can also schedule when the light will be activated, adjust motion sensitivity, adjust the brightness, and more. We found all of these features to be very useful but do wish the light was as bright as the previous floodlight installed at one of our homes (although we did appreciate the warmness of this Ring light). It was bright enough to serve its purpose as a floodlight and think this floodlight is the ideal choice for homeowners who already have multiple smart devices integrated in their home. This light can also work with other Ring devices and lights through the Ring app.

_{Dimensions: 5.51 x 10.43 x 4.68 inches | Lumens: Up to 1200 (adjustable) | Charging Time: Not listed | Operating time: Not listed |Weather Resistance Rating: IP66 | Color Temperature: 3500}

Final Verdict

Durable and versatile, the AloftSun Motion Sensor Solar Landscape Spotlights are our best overall pick with three easy-to-use lighting modes and two installation methods, so you can have bright light when and where you need it. We also love our best budget pick, the Home Zone Solar Wall Lanterns, 2-Pack, a stylish and affordable way to brighten up your doorway without worrying about electricity. Easy to mount on the wall, this set is built to withstand the elements and features an on/off switch.

Watch Behind-the-Scenes Action From Our Solar Light Testing

FAQ

• How do outdoor solar lights work?

  Typically, outdoor solar lights contain several key components, including solar cells, rechargeable batteries, photoresistors, and lightbulbs. During the day, solar cells convert the sun’s rays into electricity, which the batteries store. At night, photoresistors detect the absence of ambient light and switch on the units. The light stays on until the batteries run out or the photoresistors detect light in the morning.

• Do outdoor solar lights need direct sunlight?

  Solar lights placed in bright, direct light collect more energy in their batteries, which means your light stays on longer. For best results, place your solar light in a location that gets several hours of direct sunlight. However, solar lights still work in indirect light or on cloudy days—they just won’t collect as much energy and may not stay on as long.

• How do you install outdoor solar lights?

  To install solar lights, follow the product instructions. Some lights are designed to be mounted to the wall using screws, while others have stakes that you stick in the ground. For the best results, arrange your product's solar panel in a way that it gets several hours of sunlight throughout the day.

• Where’s the best place to install outdoor solar lights?

  To get the best results from your outdoor solar lights, place them where they get 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight. If they’re designed to be wall-mounted, consider placing them up high, so they’re closer to the sun. Ensure that your lights aren't in an inconvenient location, like in the path of your lawn mower, blocking a window, or encased in shadow.

• How long do outdoor solar lights last?

  In general, batteries in outdoor solar lights last 3 to 4 years before needing replacement. Some manufacturers sell replacement batteries, while others require you to buy an entirely new fixture. You can help increase your solar lights' life span by cleaning the panels regularly and protecting them from harsh winter weather. "LED lights can last up to 10 years, so if your solar lights are properly cared for and protected from extreme elements, they could last a decade," Knopfler adds.

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