We researched popular outdoor solar lights of various styles and selected 27 to test in our Labin Des Moines, Iowa. We installed 18 wall-mounted solar lights in our own homes. We evaluated each on a wide and thorough array of attributes that included ease of assembly and installation, feature set, brightness, durability, and value. These spotlights are the only outdoor solar lights on our list with motion-sensing technology—meaning they have a built-in sensor that can detect movement within a 33-foot range and 120-degree angle—and in our testing, we found that it worked as expected. According to the manufacturer, the light will be triggered by people, animals, and cars, but not by wind, rain, or frost. Given the IP68 weather-resistance rating, the AloftSun Motion Sensor Solar Spotlights unsurprisingly survived all our durability testing. Solar-powered landscape lights can be used to make specific outdoor features such as trees, fountains, or statues look their best during the hours of darkness. This set of two lights comes 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.

Not all solar lights are suitable for coastal areas, as the salty air and high levels of humidity can cause damage to the light fixtures and reduce their lifespan. The corrosive effects of saltwater can cause rust and corrosion to metal parts, and the high levels of humidity can cause moisture to seep into the electrical components, leading to malfunctions or electrical shorts. Need to know 20 lights, 14.4m long (1.9m to the first light, then 14.4m, with bulbs spaced at 80cm), USB chargeable as well as charging from the sun, claimed battery life of 12 nights from a full USB charge, eight light settings, warm white light.

Proper maintenance and cleaning of solar lights is important to ensure they continue to function properly and provide effective lighting for your outdoor space. Here are some tips on how to clean and maintain solar lights: Solar lights can still work in indirect sunlight and on cloudy days, but they may not stay on as long. For best results, place your solar light in a location that gets several hours of direct sunlight each day. PowerBee says this larger solar panel means the lights should stay on for longer, and that they'll work over winter, which not many solar lights claim. We've found this to be spot on. These lights have been shining brightly around a tree in our test garden for three years now; they're often still shining brightly in the early hours of the morning (6am), even in the depths of winter. 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. We put 27 outdoor solar lights to the test in our testing lab in Des Moines, Iowa. Expert testers evaluated lights based on their quality, brightness levels, dusk-to-dawn sensors, and motion detection abilities, if relevant. We also put the lights through durability tests, placing them in the freezer, sprinkling them with water, and dropping a golf ball on them to see if they held up.

Need to know 300 lights, 30m long (2m to the first light, then 28m with bulbs evenly spaced), USB-chargeable as well as solar, eight light settings, warm white light. Always refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations and instructions for specific guidance on installing your particular style of solar light. Some solar lights may require additional steps or tools for installation. When installing solar lights, you'll need to consider both where you need light during the night and where you receive direct sunlight during the day. "In general, the best places to install solar lights would be along pathways and for highlighting focal features—whether that be a structural plant in the landscape, a water feature, or a sculptural element," says Singleton. We observed that the lights worked well, even after a stay in the freezer. They withstood the impact of a golf ball and resisted water damage. With a rating of IPX7, these have an impressive ability to resist water. This rating is generally given to lights that are waterproof and can even be submerged in water for a short time.

Choose the location: Select the location where you want to install the solar light, making sure that it will receive direct sunlight for most of the day. Avoid installing solar lights in areas that are shaded or obstructed by trees or buildings. The Ring Solar Floodlight is a mounted outdoor light that can be controlled from an app on your smartphone. That might make it seem like it’s hard to set up, but in our testing, it took us less than 10 minutes to install this smart light and get it ready to use. It arrived fully assembled and with a half-charged battery, and the instructions were extremely easy to follow. Unlike many other options on our list, the solar panel for the Ring floodlight isn’t directly attached to the lights. Instead, it’s a separate unit with a long cord—but we like that this makes it easier to place the panel in direct sunlight. The light is weather resistant, standing up well to our water tests, though 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.

Overall, while solar lights are designed to be weather resistant and can withstand a range of weather conditions, it’s important to choose high-quality solar lights that are specifically rated for outdoor use and have a high degree of weather resistance for your specific environment. This can help your solar lights to last for many years, and continue to provide effective and efficient lighting for your outdoor space. For lights with multiple settings, we cycled through the various patterns and colors and took note of how easy it was to change the mode. For lights with a motion sensor (such as the AloftSun Motion Sensor Solar Spotlights), we set each model to the motion-detection mode, exited the room, waited two minutes, and then returned to the room at a distance of at least two feet from the light, noting how well the sensor registered movement. The first number indicates how well the item is protected against solid objects like dust, and the second number indicates how well it's protected against liquids. The latter ranges from zero to nine, and the higher the number, the more protected it is from water.

Before purchasing a solar light, ask yourself exactly what you need so you can find a solar light that best suits your needs. 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. With batteries that charge via solar panels throughout the day, solar lights can effectively help your household lower its carbon footprint. Installation is easy, because there are no wires to contend with and, because the market for solar lights has boomed as clean energy becomes more popular, there are tons of options, ensuring that you can find the lights that are perfect for your home.

The best outdoor solar lights have a battery that can eventually be replaced if it stops working. "Technically, solar lights require rechargeable batteries to act as storage for the electrical energy collected from the sun," Jameson says. Though these are marketed as dusk-to-dawn lights, the manufacturer doesn’t specify exactly how long they should stay on—and we found they had the shortest operating time out of all those on our list, at just 4 hours and 15 minutes. But if you’re just looking to light the way for comings and goings at night, this is likely more than enough time. Our team of experts at our testing lab in Des Moines, Iowa, put 27 outdoor solar lights to the test. We assembled them, sprinkled them with water, dropped a golf ball on them (from 6 feet away on the light and from 4 feet on the solar panel), and even stashed them in the freezer for an hour to see how well they held up to cold temperatures. We also timed how long the lights stayed on from dusk to dawn. Post Lights: Post lights serve a similar purpose as path lights, but rather than being inserted into the ground, they're fixed to a post in your yard. Solar lights are also environmentally friendly and will be completely free to run! We have a great selection of outside solar lights, perfect for any garden or outdoor space,Installing these lights is quite simple, with one option being to simply connect the light to a spoke and drive the spoke into the ground. Screws come with the light if you'd rather mount it, providing a bit of flexibility in how you're able to put the lights to use. 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.