The Best Outdoor Solar Lights
When it is time to find the best outdoor solar lights for your garden, it can be tough to know where to look. With a whole host of choice out there you may feel a little overwhelmed by all the various different options that you have to consider. Luckily for you, that’s where I come in! I know the frustration of shopping around for hours to try and find the best outdoor solar lights because I’ve done it myself.
That’s why I’ve taken a close look at 5 of the best on the market so that you can get a clear idea of what’s available. Oh and one more thing! I’ve also added a handy buyer’s guide at the end of this article so that you know exactly where you need to go to find all the answers to those burning questions you’ll have after reading my thoughts!
Now, without further ado let’s take a closer look at the best outdoor solar lights.
Plow & Hearth – Best Outdoor Solar Spot Lights
The first thing to say about the best outdoor solar lights is that they should come in any style you want them to.
That may sound pretty obvious but when you start shopping around you’ll see that a lot of brands opt for the same old design that leaves little room for incorporating them into a beautifully crafted country style garden.
Luckily for us though, this is where Plow & Hearth aren’t afraid to do things differently…
The first thing that will strike you about their latest offering is that they know a thing or two about style. By combining a robust aluminum body with some luxurious powder coating, they’ve created a classical looking solar-powered light that is entirely in-keeping with even the most ornate of gardens.
I really like that they’ve put in the effort required to do this because it gives gardens of all shapes and sizes the option to incorporate them without having to sacrifice the overall theme that’s been so carefully cultivated across the seasons.
6 LEDs for Extra Brightness
A few solar lights in the early days had a reputation for being quite dim and not really worth investing in. With the latest generation being led by Plow & Hearth you’ll be pleased to know that things couldn’t be more different today!
Ideal for lighting your path in the winter months or adding some beautiful ambiance as you sit outside with food and drinks and entertain at sunset during those long summer evenings.
Instant Install
When I first looked at the ornate glassware and the classically styled aluminum body I thought that the installation might be a little bit tricky. Fortunately for you, I’m delighted to say that after a closer look I couldn’t have been more wrong.
- A classic style that isn’t afraid to change the way you think about solar powered lighting
- Ultra-robust aluminum body is built to last and ideal for outdoor use
- Professional grade glass is the perfect barrier between the ultra-bright LEDs and the night sky
- Because of how heavy duty the aluminum body is you may find that if you’re using them in a damp lawn or loose soil that they may need some adjustment to stay upright. To be fair, this is easily dealt with and not something that would put me off adding them to my own garden!
Final Verdict
A finely crafted eco-friendly light, that has to be on my shortlist as it’s a fantastic candidate for one of the best outdoor solar lights on the market today.
The digging required to keep them upright is very minimal, and I think you’ll find that pales in comparison to the joy you’ll get from having found something that is the perfect blend of aesthetics and functionality.
Vivii – Best Outdoor Solar Motion Lights
I’m a big believer in the right tool for the job, so it’s fantastic from my point of view that I’ve come across this latest offering from the team at Vivii.
We’ve already looked at lights you can use to illuminate a path across your lawn or around the edge of your seating area, but there’s a whole host of other places you may want to add a touch of illumination when the sun says: ‘goodbye’ for the night.
What Vivii have done here is take the tried and trusted outside passageway style light and reinvent it with the addition of solar power. I particularly like this because it allows you to add the right combination of functionality and safety to your outdoor spaces without enlarging your carbon footprint.
That is what all of the best outdoor solar lights should do, and something that the Vivii does as well as any entry on my list in my opinion!
30 LEDs
With 30 LEDs at your disposal, the Vivii make seeing where you’re going as easy as if the sun were at its zenith. This is great because it means that you’ll never have to venture out with a torch in the depths of winter when you go in search of your log pile to keep the fire going!
It will just quietly go about its business in the background while you come and go as you please.
Integrated Dimmer
The integrated dimmer is a nice touch because it gives you that extra little bit of functionality that is often hard to come by when you’re trying to narrow down your options. What I absolutely liked was how well it interfaces with the motion detector.
This is a great bit of thinking from Vivii and tells me straight away that they care about the user experience of each and every one of their customers.
- 30 LEDs for superior illumination over large distances
- Integrated dimmer automatically kicks in when you’re far away enough to preserve the stored charge
- Easily wall mountable which makes it ideal for illuminating paths along the side of your home
- It’s a hard task trying to find an area that the Vivii can improve upon. If I were being ultra-critical I would say that if you were to mount the light too high, then the PIR sensor that detects your motion may be a little difficult to clean and maintain should it develop a problem. But like I said, that’s me being ultra-critical!
Final Verdict
A great piece of food thought if you’re looking to create your own shortlist of the best outdoor solar lights. Easily wall mountable and automatically activated by its onboard motion sensor, the Vivii is an excellent option if you need to add some illumination to paths down the side of your home for example.
I think you’ll be seriously impressed by the brightness, and not to mention the integrated dimmer that preserves the stored charge harvested from the sun’s rays. Highly recommended for the homeowner who likes to shop for nothing but the best and loves to keep their hands free!
MicroSolar – Best Outdoor Solar Led Lights
MicroSolar is a name that has been in the industry for a long time, and with good reason!
They know their way around the eco-friendly world of solar powered lighting and have consistently created reliable and durable products that are perfect for prolonged outdoor use.
For this reason alone I was delighted when I got the chance to take a closer look at their latest creation.
By shipping it with its own 10 W solar panel, they’re certainly making a statement that other brands will find hard to match over the coming years.
By giving you everything you need to enhance your home’s green credentials they’re certainly pushing hard to ensure solar lighting becomes one of this years must-haves, but how do they stack up against the competition on my list? Let’s jump in and take a closer look at everything they bring to the table…
120 LEDs for Uncompromising Brightness
First of all, you have the inherent brightness of each LED, because not all LEDs are created equal. Some brands will be a lot brighter than others which is why it pays to go with a premium name like MicroSolar, or the others on this list.
The second thing that severely affects brightness, at least over prolong periods of usage, is the reliability and durability of the LEDs used. Think of it like this; it’s no use investing in a monstrous looking 1000 LEDs solar lamp if in a couple of months half of them have burned out or died.
What you’re looking for is a product that is the whole package. In this case, that means something that’s been specifically designed to stand up to the rigors of prolonged outdoor usage. Which nicely leads me onto my next point…
100% Waterproof
That is so important because there’s nothing more frustrating than having to buy a replacement or upgrade in a couple of months all because the original design you spent your hard earned money on wasn’t fit for purpose in the first place!
With MicroSolar I can’t see this being an issue because you’re investing in, what is in my opinion, one of the most durable weather-proofed solar lights on the market today.
- Professionally weather-proofed by a team that knows exactly what they’re doing
- Robust design that’s build to endure the elements and last for years to come
- Large-scale solar panel maximizes solar flux and minimizes recharging time
- If I were being very critical, I would say that the installation is perhaps slightly more difficult than some of the other candidates on my list. This is primarily due to the size of the solar panel, which to be fair I have listed as definite plus point! As I say, I am being highly critical, but it’s worth considering if you decide to take a closer look at this product
Final Verdict
I was so impressed by the MicroSolar because it combined ease of use and a robust design with quick charging times and some of the very best weather-proofing you’re ever likely to see. This for me means it has more than earned its place of my shortlist of 5 of the best the market has to offer right now.
If you love sound engineering that looks like it will last forever and ever, then I strongly suggest you take a closer look at this product before you make your final decision on what to buy. Highly recommended!
Gama Sonic – Best Outdoor Solar Path Lights
The latest offering from the team at Gama Sonic is known simply as ‘Windsor.’
This regal name tells you everything you need to know about the style that you’ll be adding to your home.
I really liked the old style design because it allows you to make a feature of your outdoor lighting without having to sacrifice brightness and functionality.
There’s far more to it than just looking good so let’s take a closer look at what I found when I looked into it.
Easily Mountable
Something I think you’re going to love about this old style lantern design is that it’s not intended to be wall mounted. In fact, it is actually designed to be freestanding.
This is a very nice way of being able to add a little bit of character to your garden or driveway that will be sure to get the neighbors talking! The fixtures that attach it to the top of the post look to be secure and robust which I think is really important given that you will have it outdoors in all weathers.
Automatically-Activated
One issue many people find with outdoor lights is that if you forget to turn them on you need to venture outside in the dark with your flashlight to turn them on manually. What I was very impressed by with the Gama Sonic is how well the auto-on feature works.
Similar devices rely on a timer and need to be continuously adjusted and fiddled with as the seasons come and go. By responding to the ambient light, it is able to turn on at dusk and then turn itself off again when the sun rises.
That is extremely handy as it ensures that the solar cell will always be charged no matter what time of year it is.
- Durable cast aluminum is built to last and comes fully rustproofed
- A uniquely stylish design that is a great way to add some character to your outdoor spaces
- Easy to mount on a standard 3-inch post
- One small thing to say is that you do need to source your own mounting post. I’m including this here because I’m being ultra-critical and I want you to avoid any disappointment. Especially, that which could stem from buying a lantern, but forgetting the post, and have to wait an extra day before you can see it erected in all its glory
Final Verdict
In my opinion, Windsor is one of the very best lanterns on the market because it perfectly combines style and functionality. I like that the body is so durable and completely rustproof because that means it will stand the test of time no matter what the weather decides to do where you live.
Another thing that caught my eye was how easy it is to mount. The fixtures are easy to operate and clearly built by people who know what they’re doing.
This will give you the confidence you need to be able to erect it in a matter of minutes without the fuss that often comes with jobs like this.
Lastly, I’d like to say that I thought the actual brightness of the LEDs was right up there with the others on this list. They’re undoubtedly durable and luminous enough to last for years to come.
So, I suggest you take a closer look at the specifications if this stylish offering has caught your eye. Highly recommended for the buyer who wants their home to look its best all year round.
InnoGear – Best Outdoor Solar Landscape Lights
These folks know what they’re doing when it comes to creating solar-powered lighting; you only have to look at their latest offering to see that!
What stood out to me straight away is that they absolutely believe in the utility of their product and give you four of them in every pack.
This is great in my opinion because you’re bound to find all manner of uses for them once they arrive. Something that’s particularly handy is the motion sensor.
That means that rather than using them as decorative lawn lanterns you can use them to illuminate things like alleyways and side entrances without having to operate a switch manually.
I liked this application because you’ll never have to swap out a battery on what you’ll come to view as a critical safety device in and around your home.
Durable Sensors
Something that impresses me about the InnoGear is the durability of the PIR sensors. They’re clearly at home when used outside and are more than rugged enough to withstand some heavy wind and rain.
I think this is especially important because it’s the sensors that will allow you to make full use of each light. After all, it’s no good having an automatic light that you have to resort to manually operating is it?
In addition to the sensor durability, I think I should say something about the range. At approximately 15-feet they’re competitive with all the other leading candidates on the market.
You may be tempted to search for a light with an even larger activation perimeter, say 30-feet, but it’s just going to become annoying if your front porch is illuminated all night long by every passing traffic, isn’t it?
30 LEDs in Each Unit
In my opinion, you can’t put a price on the quality of the light you get when you opt for one of the best solar powered options on the market. It will not only keep you safe, but it will make life so much easier, particularly in those dark winter months when it can be all too easy to slip and twist your ankle.
When I initially saw that you got four lights in each pack, I wondered whether this was because they would be quite dim unless used together. Fortunately, I’m delighted to say that I couldn’t have been more wrong!
I think this will make all the difference to your safety and is certainly something that will be of benefit to you for years to come. Plus, because they give you four in each pack, you can tweak their position until you have covered every spot that you need to.
- They come as a pack of four and great when used together or individually
- Easy to wall mount and move as you find the perfect spot for each lamp
- Durable and clearly designed to last for years in even the most demanding of weather conditions
- One possible drawback here would be that the motion sensors may be a little hard to access and clean if they become obscured by debris if they mounted high up. That is a minor criticism, and more relates to how you use them rather than how they actually perform. However, it’s something that I think is worth considering if you’re going to be mounting a lot of them over the coming months. Personally, I still highly recommend them, and it wouldn’t put me off adding some to my home
Final Verdict
I highly rate this four pack because of how durable and reliable they are. It’s not often you find an outdoor accessory that does what it says and looks like it will last for years to come.
So, it’s even better when you find out they come in packs of four!
I would happily recommend this product to anyone who wants to add a reliable outdoor safety feature to their home that they can trust all year round. Add to the mix that it is solar powered so you’ll never be swapping out batteries by flashlight ever again, and I think you have a contender for the next addition to your home!
Best Outdoor Solar Lights – Buyer’s Guide
So there we have it folks, 5 of the very best for you to take a closer look at as you weigh everything up. If you have any burning questions about what you’ve just read, why not take a look at my handy buyer’s guide below. It covers everything you need to know so that you can find your perfect match with the click of a button.
Contents:
What is Solar Power?
Solar power is an incredibly smart way of harvesting the sun’s rays and turning them into electrical energy that you can then use to power a whole host of devices.
The principle is inspired by photosynthesis: the process plants use to capture the sun’s rays using their leaves and then convert them into food that fuels their growth and repair.
Is Solar Power Eco-friendly?
Eco-friendly, green, low carbon, whatever you want to call it solar power does the job!
The perfect combination if ever there were one!
Is Solar Power Safe?
That makes it perfect for use in and around the home, especially if you have pets and young children. There are no issues with the safety of solar power and because it automatically recharges you’ll never have to swap out batteries in the dark either!
Why Solar Power?
One of the main reasons people frequently complain about outdoor lighting is that you have to remember to switch it on and off. Forget to turn it on, and you’ll be walking outside in the dark with your flashlight to sort everything out.
Forget to turn your lights off, and you’ll either be going through a lot of batteries quickly, or your power bill will get bigger and bigger and bigger!
The great thing about solar powered lights is that they’re powered by the sun, so you don’t pay for any of the electricity: it’s completely free!
The other thing is that many of the lights on this list have built-in ambient light sensors. That is important to know because it allows your light to come on at dusk and turn off at dawn.
Now, what could be better than that?
Will My Lights Work When the Sun Isn’t Shining?
Absolutely! The thing about solar power technology is that it stores the electrical energy derived from sunshine in a battery.
This is why you’ll have read in a lot of the specifications that each of the lights comes with a Li-ion battery. They have them to store the charge captured by the solar panels so that it can be used at a later date to power the LEDs.
How Long Will My Lights Take to Charge?
They’re incredibly efficient and are designed with low light levels, and bad weather in mind so don’t worry if you live in an area that isn’t known for sunshine.
Are there Other Solar Powered Products on the Market?
This makes them ideal for powering your phone or laptop when you’re on the move, or in the event of a power cut striking without warning.
Solar Panels and Solar Cells, What’s the Difference?
There isn’t one! They’re just two names for the same thing. There’s no right or wrong one to use, and it’s really just a matter of personal choice.
You’ll find that different manufacturers have their own terminology, but they’re all selling the same thing: green energy that’s free to use.
Wall Mounted or Pole Mounted?
This really comes down to what you’re trying to achieve. If you want a proximity activated light that illuminates your front porch or the side entrance to your garage, then a wall mounted light would make the most sense.
If instead, you want to make a real feature of your light then a pole mounted light with a really unique ornate body is more along the lines of what you’ll be asking for.
Is There Much Maintenance Required?
Virtually none! As with everything you install outdoors you’ll want to clean your lights from time to time to get the full use out of them.
That would be particularly true of lights with onboard motion sensors in the case by chance a small piece of debris was obscuring the sensor and causing it not to function as it should.
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