The 9 Best Solar Lights of 2024 for Brightening Your Outdoor Space, According to Lab Testing

Best Overall

AloftSun Solar Motion Sensor Lights

AMAZON

Ease of Setup5/5
Design3/5
Brightness5/5
Value4/5
Features5/5

Why You Should Get It: If you're looking for a durable spotlight that stands up to water and offers motion-sensing options, this is a smart choice.

Keep in Mind: The lights are more functional than stylish.

The AloftSun Solar Motion Sensor Lights come in a pack of two and have a water protection rating of IP68, which is one of the highest ratings. In our tests, the lights stood up to pouring water and did not break when we dropped a golf ball on them from about 6 feet away.

The lights have an automatic on and off mode, meaning they'll shut off when it's light out so they can charge up in the sun and then turn back on in the evening as the sun goes down. Plus, the lights can detect motion within a 33-foot range.

Choose from three lighting modes including a dim, continuous light without motion sensing for 12 hours; a medium-bright, continuous light for six hours; or a bright, motion-sensing light. We found switching between modes a bit challenging at first, but it became much easier with time.

We felt the design of the lights was quite basic and not a very stylish option, but they do get the job done. We also felt the cool white color of the light is a little cooler than some might prefer for home use. However, the lights are expected to last for 40,000 or more hours, providing a good value for the cost and features.

The AloftSun Solar Motion Sensor Outdoor Lights are expected to last a minimum of 40,000 hours. BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

Key Terms to Know

IP Rating: Short for ingress protection, a product's IP rating is a grade on how well the device is protected against dust or liquids. The first number in an IP rating measures its protection against solids, like dust, and range from zero to six. The second number refers to water protection and ranges from zero to eight. The higher the rating, the greater protection.

Best String

Brightech Ambiance Pro Solar String Lights

AMAZON

Ease of Setup5/5
Design3.5/5
Brightness4/5
Value4/5
Features3/5

Why You Should Get It: For soft, pleasing light and shatterproof bulbs, these string lights are the way to go.

Keep in Mind: Multiple strands of lights cannot be connected together; each requires its own solar panel. But you can hang more than one strand next to each other.

Solar lights come in a variety of styles, including string lights. The Brightech Ambiance Pro Solar String Lights measure in at 27 feet long and feature 12 S14-size LED bulbs spaced at 20 inches apart, making for 20 feet of lighting total. The LED bulbs are expected to last 20,000 hours while the solar panel has a life of about two and a half years.

The solar string lights are meant to be durable with their shatterproof material and Brightech's WeatherTite technology. While no official waterproof rating is given, this technology is designed to help the lights handle 50 mile-per-hour winds along with rain and snow.

They're also resistant to temperatures as hot as 122 degrees Fahrenheit. The bulbs are made of plastic, but one tester said they are "clear, pretty, and don't seem cheap."

When we tested the lights with water and a dropped golf ball, the lights showed no damage. The removable solar panel did move, but it lacked visible evidence of damage. The lights also still worked after stowing them in the freezer, making testers confident that these lights can withstand winter conditions.

We found the lights give off a soft, clear, pleasing light that makes them ideal for decorating a patio. The design is sleek and simple and quite similar to non-solar string lights.

However, the strands of lights can't be connected to one another since each needs its own solar panel to charge. You can hang up multiple strings next to each other to give the appearance of them being connected, though.

Product Details: Number of lights included: 12 bulbs | Dimensions (of single light): 1.75 x 1 x 3.25 inches | Water protection rating: No rating given | Lighting color: Soft white | Battery type: Lithium ion rechargeable battery | Battery life: Five to six hours

The Brightech Ambiance Pro Solar String Lights are designed to be shatterproof and weather resistant. BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

Best Motion-Sensing

Linkind StarRay Solar Spotlights

AMAZON

Ease of Setup5/5
Design3/5
Brightness4/5
Value4/5
Features3/5

Why You Should Get It: If you'd like a sturdy motion-sensing solar light, our testers found this to be one of the best in this category.

Keep in Mind: The two "eye-shaped" lights resemble binoculars, which some may not love.

The Linkind StarRay Solar Spotlights come with an IP67 rating, meaning it's waterproof and will even keep dust particles out. Its 90 degree beam angle creates a more focused spotlight, and the spotlight head rotates 90 degrees vertically and 180 degrees horizontally, giving you more control over what the light shines on.

The lights have two modes. The first is a non-motion-sensing, lower brightness (about half power) that switches to a brighter light for 10 seconds when motion is detected. Once motion stops, the light dims itself.

The second mode keeps the light off when there's no motion then switches to a bright light for 25 seconds when motion is detected. We didn't notice a big difference between dim light and bright light modes, however.

Setup involves assembling three pieces, including screwing the light into the base. Once assembled, we found the light to be simple and streamlined. However, it did remind us of a pair of binoculars, which we didn't love. The lights are sturdy though and are a good option for a security light or for illuminating sidewalks.

We appreciated that the light and the solar panel are located on one unit—the solar panel is less obvious. The light stood up quite well to our water and golf ball tests but flashed three times before turning off after we placed it in the freezer.

With this in mind, we'd recommend bringing these lights indoors in winter if your location experiences freezing temperatures.

The Linkind StarRay Solar Spotlight has a focused 90-degree beam and a head that rotates 90 degrees horizontally and 180 degrees vertically. BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

Best Path Lights

Hampton Bay Jefferson Solar Landscape Path Lights

THE HOME DEPOT

Ease of Setup5/5
Design3/5
Brightness4/5
Value5/5
Features3/5

Why You Should Get It: These cracked glass solar lights add a stylish sparkle to sidewalks and garden paths.

Keep in Mind: They only have one setting, so you can't adjust the brightness.

The Hampton Bay Jefferson Solar Landscape Path Lights come in three pieces that are easy to assemble. They come on automatically as it begins to get dark, running for up to eight hours once they're fully charged.

We found these LED lights to be bright enough to read a book by when we were close to them but not when farther away. Since there is only one setting, you can't adjust the brightness of the lights.

Made with glass, they have a cracked look for a stylish appearance. Some may not find this appealing, as it looks a bit like the glass is broken. When the lights are on, the cracked glass lends a sparkling quality to the light.

Though they're decorative and made with glass, we found that they stood up well to our water and golf ball impact tests. Plus, they still worked after a stint in the freezer, assuring us that they'll be fine in cold winter climates.

Their weather-resistant aluminum material is to thank for the sturdiness of these lights. They were given a rating of IPX4, meaning they'll withstand some sprays or splashes of water from all directions.

The lights come with heavy duty plastic spikes for easy installation along a pathway or sidewalk, making them one of the best solar lights for pathways.

The Hampton Bay Jefferson Solar Landscape Path Lights held up well during our durability tests. BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

Best Spotlight

Urpower Outdoor Solar Lights

AMAZON

Ease of Setup5/5
Design4/5
Brightness3.5/5
Value4/5
Features4/5

Why You Should Get It: If you simply want a no-frills spotlight, this solar light set provides great value for its features.

Keep in Mind: The solar panel sticks up from this light, a look which some may not like.

For a simple spotlight, consider the Urpower Outdoor Solar Lights. Its three pieces are easy to assemble and can either be staked into the ground or mounted on a wall with the included screws. You can choose from either high or low light mode, making this a simple solar light to operate.

We found the low light mode quite dim, meaning we weren't able to read with just that light setting alone. The high setting, on the other hand, provided plenty of light for reading, making us confident that this setting would adequately illuminate your yard.

The light is easy to use, but it doesn't offer much in the way of aesthetics. The solar panel sticks up and away from the light. The solar panel is adjustable by 150 degrees though, and the spotlight itself is adjustable by up to 90 degrees, providing more flexibility.

Its IP65 rating means it is a water resistant solar light option. We observed no damage to either the light or the solar panel when we subjected them to water and golf ball tests. Post-freezer, the lights still worked as well. Ultimately, we found these to be a good deal for their price and practicality.

The IP65 rating makes the Urpower Outdoor Solar Lights a water-resistant option. BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

Best Wall-Mount

Home Zone Security Solar Wall Lanterns

AMAZON

Ease of Setup5/5
Design4.5/5
Brightness3.5/5
Value4/5
Features3/5

Why You Should Get It: The lanterns have a soft orange glow and include mounting hardware.

Keep in Mind: The lights don't have a manual on and off switch.

Our choice for the best solar light that can be wall mounted, the Home Zone Security Solar Wall Lanterns come fully assembled, making for a convenient start to installing them on a wall or fence. However, installation isn't even required for these lights if you choose to simply set them on a patio table or deck railing.

They do come with a wall mounting option so you can install them for a hanging lantern if you prefer. Of course, that requires some basic household tools like a hammer.

Made of aluminum and glass, these lantern solar lights are an attractive option for adding light to your backyard. They have LED lights as well as an automatic on and off sensor. Though convenient, there's no switch or button to manually turn the lamp on and off, making this solar light a fairly basic one without lots of features or customization options.

We found the light to be a warm, orange hue that's not bright enough for reading, but they do give off plenty of light to illuminate a walkway. Plus, the lights held up to our golf ball, water, and freezer tests, making us confident that they'll thrive in a variety of weather conditions.

The Home Zone Security Solar Wall Lantern gives off a warm orange light. BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

Best Lamp Post Style

Kemeco Solar Post Light

AMAZON

Ease of Setup5/5
Design5/5
Brightness5/5
Durability5/5
Value4/5

Why You Should Get It: The panels are made with frosted glass for an elevated look.

Keep in Mind: The glass shattered when testers dropped a golf ball on it from a height of six feet, so you'll want to protect the light if there's a threat of hail.

The Kemeco Solar Post Light has the look of a traditional lamp post with the energy-efficient benefits of solar power. It comes in black or white, giving you style options to match your home or outdoor patio are.

The light is weather resistant, standing up well to our water tests, though the exact level of water resistance isn't given by the manufacturer. The frame is made from aluminum and frosted glass, which gives it its attractive appearance.

However, the glass did not stand up to our golf ball test, with the glass shattering after impact. The solar panels on the light did not shatter. With this in mind, we recommend covering and protecting the light if hail is in your local weather forecast.

We found the lights to give off a pleasing, beautiful glow, which was bright enough for us to read by. Keep in mind that this lamp doesn't include any additional features, making it a stylish yet very basic option.

We found the lantern to be top heavy, so it's worth noting that you'll need to properly secure the lantern to a post. It may take a bit more work, but the style, lighting, and functionality will be worth it.

The Kemeco Solar Post Light stood up well to our water tests, even though the manufacturer doesn't provide a waterproof rating. BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

Best for Patios

Brightown Outdoor Solar String Lights

AMAZON

Ease of Setup5/5
Design4/5
Brightness2/5
Value4.5/5
Features4.5/5

Why You Should Get It: These solar lights are perfect for those looking for a soft, ambient outdoor lighting option. They're also available in seven colors.

Keep in Mind: These don't give off bright light, so you won't get high visibility with them.

Adding ambient lighting to a patio or deck is simple with these solar string lights. Coming in a pack of two, the Brightown Outdoor Solar String Lights are 33 feet long and has 100 LED bulbs.

The bulbs light up in all directions and give off a pure white glow. While the lights aren't bright enough for reading—they only illuminated an area within one foot during testing—they're a great choice for accent lighting.

No installation is required for the lights themselves, other than hanging them up or placing them around a centerpiece table arrangement. Testers said it was simple to install the solar panel onto the stake provided, so the lights can charge during the day.

The lights have eight different modes (combination, waves, sequential, slow glow, chasing/flash, slow fade, twinkle, and steady), providing plenty of ambient lighting options to choose from.

While we tested the pure white lights, the set is also available in blue, warm white, green, purple, orange, and multicolor. They can stay illuminated for up to 10 hours, and you can set them to turn on and off automatically or use the manual power switch.

During testing, we subjected the lights to our water, freezer, and golf ball tests—and they passed all three. They turned on upon impact with the golf ball but turned off afterward and worked as usual. Overall, these are the best option if you're looking for ambient patio lighting.

Product Details: Number of lights included: Two strings | Dimensions (of single light): 33-foot string | Water protection rating: IP65 | Lighting color: Pure white (six other colors also available) | Battery type: Ni-MH AA rechargeable battery | Battery life: Eight to 10 hours

The Brighton LED Solar Powered Fairy Lights stay on for up to 10 hours on one charge. BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON

Best In-Ground

Rayolon Solar Ground Lights

AMAZON

Ease of Setup5/5
Design3/5
Brightness3/5
Value4/5
Features2.5/5

Why You Should Get It: These in-ground lights sit flush with your terrain for a minimalist look that is barely noticeable during daytime.

Keep in Mind: The lights aren't very bright, so you may need to purchase more than one set of lights if you want more illumination.

For simple lights that sit flush with the ground, the Rayolon Solar Ground Lights are a great option. Their warm lighting is perfect for lighting walkways with basic illumination at night, and the lights virtually disappear during the day thanks to their minimalist design.

The lights are meant to sit flush with the ground, though you may notice the silver rim around the light if you place them in the grass. These are rated as IP65, or deemed water resistant to splashes.

We tested these lights by dropping a golf ball onto them and getting them wet. They held up well, although the light wouldn't stay on as long after we stored it in the freezer for a bit, so you may want to bring these inside during winter.

These lights provide a nice ambient look, but you may need to purchase more than four to provide enough lighting for a longer path or sidewalk. There are also sets of eight and 12 available, giving you some options to choose from.

You'll just need to assemble three pieces for these lights, including a base, and testers said it was easy and quick to get the lights up and running.

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON