The best solar lights in 2024, tested and reviewed

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Unlike mains-powered lights, solar lights are cheap and easy to install, and because these eco-friendly lights are powered by the sun, they&#;ll save you money on electricity bills and batteries. With the right lights, you can have effective, automatic garden lighting that won&#;t break the bank.

Solar lights can be used purely for ambience and decoration, or can have a more practical function such as illuminating a path or providing security lighting. Some of the most popular types include:

• Fairy lights: Think of the lights on a Christmas tree - they have small, dim LEDs, narrowly spaced along a wire, and are ideal for decorative lighting.
• String lights: The bigger, brighter cousin of fairy lights. Also on wire, but the bulbs of string lights are spaced out more widely than fairy lights, and are much brighter, for festival-style illumination.
• Spotlights: These solar lights are used for lighting up a single area or highlighting trees and shrubs. They also double as security lights, as they&#;re good for dark spots that could use brief bursts of bright light, like the front of sheds when you're locking or unlocking a door, or alleyways when you&#;re putting the bins out. If you&#;re looking for gentle mood lighting, these might not be for you.
• Fence lights: Small up or down lights, these sit on fence posts or can be mounted on walls, for lighting all the way along your boundary.
• Stake lights: These tend to be spiked stakes with bulbs at the top that provide low-level lighting, ideal for guiding the way along a path or softly lighting flowerbeds.
• Solar lanterns: LED bulbs housed in lanterns, designed to be hung up or freestanding on a table or patio.

Solar lights are powered by internal rechargeable batteries, charged through the day by a solar panel. The brighter the day, the more power is stored by the battery and the longer the light will shine. Light is produced by one or more LEDs; at dusk they turn on automatically, until turning off when the sun comes up. Solar energy can be used in the garden to power simple mechanisms like the water pumps in solar water features or - in this case - light bulbs, to make solar lights.

If you&#;re updating your social space, find inspiration with our round ups of the best garden furniture, parasols, garden loungers, deck chairs, and hammocks. To save some money on your favourite tools, take a look at the best Black Friday tool deals we've found for you.

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Buying solar lights - video

Best solar lights at a glance:

We put a range of solar lights to the test, using them in urban, suburban and rural gardens across the country. We&#;ve put these lights through months of different lighting and weather conditions. They&#;ve seen wind, rain, hail and sleet; cold snaps, heat waves, and even dust from the Sahara. As we evaluated each one, we assigned them scores, and the models that topped the test were awarded a BBC Gardeners&#; World Magazine Best Buy. Each review has a detailed list of pros and cons for clarity and has been rated according to set up, features, performance, and value for money. Only the stand-out solar lights have made our list, so you can buy with confidence.

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Buying solar lights - video

In every review we award the outstanding products our coveted Best Buy award. To see these and the others we recommend, browse our pick of the best solar lights below:

Best solar lights in

Madison solar drop bulb lights

RRP: £39.99

Our rating: 4.8/5

• Buy now from Amazon (£34.99)

Madison solar drop bulb lights BBC Gardeners World review

Pros

• Good quality with thick sturdy cable
• Helpful hanging holes
• Choice of three power saving lighting modes
• Two spare bulbs included

Cons

• No replacement bulbs available

A BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy winner for the best solar lights for parties, we were immediately impressed by the quality of these large, vintage-style string lights. With 10 glass bulbs strung along a thick UK weatherproof cable and a generous 3W solar panel, they're good looking and easy to use.
The lights come carefully packaged in cardboard and take around ten minutes to put together. All that's needed is slotting the stake together and into the solar panel and screwing in the bulbs - just take care to screw the bulbs in well or they will come loose and turn off in windy weather. The lights have a power button, so you can turn them off before you go to bed to protect wildlife and save energy , and there are also three light settings to choose from. Simply press the button on the back of the panel once for the brightest setting, then again for the first power saving mode and a third time for the dimmest power saving mode. The solar panel is frost resistant and large enough to power the lights through even grey winter days and the lights switch on as soon as the light starts to fade at dusk. They have a runtime of up to eight hours and in our test throughout the summer, they lasted through the night and right up until dawn. They come with two spare bulbs and a one year warranty. Our only niggle with these lights is that you can't buy replacement bulbs, so they have a finite life, once the bulbs start to go.

Dimensions: 7.25m in total, 45cm between each light, 3.3m from panel to forst bulb. Bulb hangs 19cm from cable

Buy the Madison solar drop bulb lights from Amazon

Usboo solar string lights

RRP : £12.99

Our rating: 4.5/5

• Buy now from Amazon (£9.99)

Usboo Solar String Lights

Pros:

• Bright light, but soft enough for atmospheric lighting
• Great value
• No rust or obvious weathering
• Compact solar panel
• On/off switch
• Eight lighting modes

Cons:

• No warranty
• Slow to turn on

A BBC Gardeners&#; World Magazine Best Buy winner for the best string lights, the plastic bulbs on the Usboo Solar String lights have a bubble glass effect, which casts soft light in all directions. They&#;re bright but have a golden glow, so your space is well-lit without being overwhelmed by light. After months of testing, they had no rust or obvious weathering, and have an excellent IP64 weatherproof rating. The solar panel is discrete and unnoticeable in a border, and thanks to an on/off switch as well as eight lighting modes, they&#;re easy to use and offer a range of lighting options. These lights are also available as a multicoloured set. However, there&#;s no warranty with these solar lights. We also found that while they turned on every night, they could be a little slow to turn on after overcast days.

Dimensions: &#;6.2m (4.2m of lights, 2m from panel to first light)

Buy the Usboo Solar String Lights from Amazon.

Sunna solar flame lantern

RRP: £149.99

Our rating: 4.5/5

Haloo Sunna Solar Flame Lantern BBC Gardeners' World Magazine review

Pros

• High quality
• Good features
• Weather resistant
• Choice of size and colour

Cons

• Expensive
• Tricky to clean
• Doesn't give off a lot of light

This large, well built lantern has a contemporary design and makes a striking feature on the patio, deck, or by the front door. We awarded it a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy for the best solar lantern for patios. It only casts a gentle glow, which is not bright enough to eat by but it creates a lovely ambience and would be very atmospheric if you had a few dotted around. It's sturdily made from metal with a strong handle to carry it around and although it's reasonably heavy at 3.6k, this helps make it feel substantial and together with the wide base, ensures it remains upright.It has a Roman numeral sundial design around the large solar panel and beneath this is the long bulb that offers a choice of three settings - solid, candle or flame, both of which flicker atmospherically. This can be adjusted by a large switch on the side of the panel and comes on as soon as the light levels drop. It remains on for six hours until automatically switching off and this useful feature ensures the light doesn't stay on all night if you forget to switch it off, with the on/off switch that's situated beneath the panel. The lantern is waterproof and feels durable and long lasting but it is awkward to clean if leaves and dust blows in through the slats and settles on or around the light. Despite its high cost it's value for money, comes with a 12 month warranty and there's a choice of two sizes (50.8 cm and 63.5cm) and three colours. The lantern comes in grey, forest green or textured brown.

Dimensions: 51 cm x 29 cm

Damasque solar lantern

RRP: £34.99

Our rating: 4.5/5

Damasque Solar Lantern

Pros:

• No assembly
• Easy on/off switch
• Great atmospheric effect
• Replacement panel / bulb available
• Stood up well to the weather

Cons:

• Expensive
• Takes up room in storage

Winner of a BBC Gardeners&#; World Magazine Best Buy Award for Best solar lantern, this steel globe lantern has an antique bronze finish and an intricate Moroccan-style pattern that creates a beautiful display as the light shines through it. The bulb and batteries sit under the solar panel in the top of the globe and this simple unit is easily lifted out to turn the light on and off. It also doesn&#;t need any assembly, though you&#;ll need to charge it in a sunny spot in the off position for 48 hours. After this, turn it on and when the light levels drop it will flick on and provide up to six hours of bright light. Great for a party or around an al fresco dining table the lantern can be stood on the ground or on a table or hung up from its handle. It has no flashing modes and is a reasonable price, towards the higher end of the lights in our test for one light, but it comes with a one-year warranty and the solar panel/bulb/battery unit is replaceable and available from a number of retailers for a small charge, making this elegant solar light a great sustainable investment.

Dimensions: 22cm x 23cm

Buy the Damasque Solar Lantern from Crocus and Amazon

Firefly garden solar light

RRP: £14.99

Our rating: 4.8/5

• Buy now from Solar Centre

Firefly garden solar light BBC Gardeners' World Magazine review

Pros

• Eye catching design
• Easy too use and store
• Simple on/off switch
• Weatherproof

Cons

• Ideally you need more than one
• Flops after a while

This striking light creates eye-catching dots of light that sway in the wind and float above your plants when dotted through borders or along a pathway. It comes in two parts with six bulbs arranged on the end of bendy prongs with the solar panel at the base. It's very easy to put together, simply slot the light into the long metal stake and switch it on. The switch is conveniently situated on the back of the solar panel and also gives you the option of flashing or continuous light modes and on a full charge the light has six hours of run time and comes on as soon as it's dusk. The plastic coated prongs are weather proof and light well, even through wintering and although ours started to flop after a few months, this didn't detract from the effect of them at all. We would love a number of these dotted through borders around the garden and awarded it a BBC Gardeners World Magazine Best Buy award for the best solar light for borders. It's compact and easy to store and comes with a one year warranty.

Dimensions: 35cm lights + 7cm base + 32cm spike

Solar Fluted marker light ten pack

RRP: £21.99

Our rating: 4.5/5

Solar Fluted Marker Light Ten Pack

Pros:

• Simple, stylish design
• Easy-to-use
• Attractive glow
• Great value
• Long lasting

Cons:

• No on/off switch

Winner of a BBC Gardeners&#; World Magazine Best Buy Award for Best Stake Lights, these lights are ideal for guiding the way or dotting through beds in the garden. The stylish design has a brushed steel finish, and the fluted plastic gives off a lovely star shaped glow around each light. Assembly is easy and each light just needs charging for 48 hours in a sunny spot before use. After this, turn them on and they&#;ll light up as soon as the light fades, staying lit for up to six hours. Our one quibble is the absence of an on/off switch to override the automatic setting, so they will stay on late into the night. The pack generously includes ten lights, and comes with a one-year warranty, so overall they&#;re great value for money.

Dimensions: 36cm x 4.7cm

Buy the Solar Fluted Marker Light Ten pack from Crocus and The Glow Company

T-SUN LED solar spotlight

RRP: £17.99

Our rating: 4.5/5

• Buy now from Amazon (£17.99)

T-SUN LED Solar Spotlight

Pros:

• Excellent weather resistance (IP65)
• Bright
• Easy-to-use
• Adjustable angle of lights and solar panel
• On/off switch
• Multiple colours available

Cons:

• No warranty
• Can be slow to switch on
• Conspicuous solar panel

This Best Buy-winning solar spotlight is remarkably good value. The brightest on test at a whopping 250 lumens, we like the adjustable bulb and solar panel angles, as well as the effective stake for positioning it at the base of trees. The on/off switch is handy, too. You can also take the stake out and screw the light to fence posts or walls if needed. We found that it gave dramatic lighting to trees and shrubs and would make a great light for a shed or alleyway. While the light is very white, these spotlights are also available in a range of other colours if you&#;d like a softer effect. However, bear in mind this light doesn&#;t come with a warranty, and can be slow to turn on after dark. Like all solar spotlights, the solar panel is relatively large, so can be hard to hide.

Dimensions: &#;29.01cm x 9.5cm x 34.01cm

Buy the T-SUN LED Solar Spotlight from Amazon

The best of the rest

Although some models didn&#;t quite achieve a BBC Gardeners&#; World Magazine Best Buy award, they still have great features that make them worth recommending. Browse our pick of the best of the rest on test.

Best solar string and fairy lights

Snowdrop colour changing solar USB lights

RRP: £34.99

Our rating: 4/5

• Buy now from Solar Centre

Snowdrop Colour Changing Solar USB Lights BBC Gardeners' World Magazine review

Pros

• Remote control and USB charging option
• Bead lights make them sturdy and easy to wrap
• Long run time
• Power saving mode to save energy

Cons

• Remote control only works close up
• No white light
• Cost

These pretty LED fairy lights have beads strung along the cable which makes them easy to wrap around trees or pergolas to stunning effect. They're don't take long to put together, you just need to attach the panel to the stake and there are 50 bulbs dotted along the cable which can be charged by the large solar panel alone or by USB, using a universal USB - C cable. This is best done indoors, which can be tricky depending on where the lights are strung. On full charge the lights have a run time of 10 hours and the charging point and on/off and mode buttons sit behind the panel. However, these lights also come with an intuitive remote control that allows you to change colour and mode rather than bending down and fiddling behind the solar panel. We found it worked best quite close to the lights and didn't work at a distance, which was a bit frustrating but using the remote is still easier than the mode button on the solar panel. The best feature of these lights is the number of colours and combinations available, with single colours in every shade of the rainbow to choose from and show at the same time. We couldn't find a simple white light in all that choice but they make a great feature for parties and for Christmas, plus they have a power saving mode that almost doubles their run time in the winter. Our lights however, did need a USB boost once the light levels stated to drop on dull days in the autumn and winter. They're reasonably pricy for the length of lights but they come with a one year warranty.

Dimensions: 6.8m (5 metres of lights, 1.9 metres from panel to first light)

Buy the Snowdrop colour changing solar USB lights from Solar Centre

Carnival solar festoon lights

RRP: £39.99

Our rating: 4.3/5

• Buy now from Lights4fun (£29.99)

Pros:

• Two-year warranty
• Tough plastic bulbs
• Discrete solar panel
• On/off switch
• Multiple lighting modes
• Three metre lead

Cons:

• Average IP rating
• Dim
• Slow to turn on

These string lights are good quality and although the bulbs look like glass, they&#;re made of tough plastic and more than capable of holding up to accidental knocks. The solar panel is discrete, and they&#;re easy to control through an on/off switch and eight lighting modes. There&#;s also generous three metre lead of cable between the panel and the first light, so there&#;s a lot of slack to play with when you&#;re setting these up. However, despite being a white light we found these lights a little dim, especially from a distance. They could also sometimes be slow to turn on, and have a weather resistance rating of IP44.

Dimensions: 7.75m (4.75m of lights, 3m from panel to first light)

Buy 20 Warm White Carnival Solar Festoon Lights from Lights4fun

Smart Solar 100 warm white string lights

RRP: £24.95

Our rating: 4/5

• Buy now from Sarah Raven (£24.95)

Smart Solar 100 Warm White String Lights

Pros:

• Easy to assemble
• Great for trailing
• On/off switch
• Strong, mellow glow

Cons:

• Functional look
• One year warranty

With 12 metres of cable and 100 lights these are just the thing for trailing through a hedge or shrub and provide an enchanting warm glow. They&#;re easy to assemble and use, simply slot the spike into the stake and allow the lights to charge for 48 hours in the off position. Once fully charged, they&#;ll stay lit for up to six hours. They have an on/off button and the choice of steady light as well as flashing modes. The flexible cable means they drape, loop and trail well. Available in different lengths, including 50 (7m) and 200 (24m) lights, there&#;s two metres between the solar panel and the first light so it&#;s easy to place in shade while ensuring the panel is still catching the sun. They come with a warranty of a year.

Dimensions: 12m (10m of lights, 2m from panel to first light)

Buy 100 Warm White String Lights from Sarah Raven

Lumify USB solar fairy lights - white 100 LEDs

RRP: £39.99

Our rating: 4/5

Pros:

• Solar panel can be mounted on a wall, or staked in the ground
• USB charge indicator light
• On/off switch
• Eight different modes
• No weathering

Cons:

• Comparatively expensive

This string of solar fairy lights has 100 white LEDs along 10 metres of wire, which means they&#;re ideal for running along fences, or using to decorate eating areas. There&#;s also two metres of cable between the solar panel and the first LED bulb, so check this provides enough distance if you need to position the panel in the sun and string the lights up in a shady spot. We like that it comes with a stake as well as a wall mount, which gives plenty of flexibility when it comes to setting up your solar panel. If you have a north-facing garden and charging outdoors is an issue, there&#;s also a USB cable, which provides enough power for 12 consecutive nights on a single indoor charge. While they turn on and off automatically you can also do this manually by using the on/off switch. As with many fairy lights on test, you can choose between a range of different modes, and these lights offer eight options, from a steady glow to various flashing sequences. We also like that they have a power saving mode, which reduces brightness but doubles the runtime during overcast conditions and winter months. Despite all the features, these lights are expensive compared to the other options we tested and come with just a year&#;s warranty.

Dimensions: 10m (8m of lights, 2m from panel to first light)

Buy the Lumify USB Solar Fairy Lights - White 100 LEDs from The Solar Centre, and Amazon

Geo solar string lights, 10 LEDs

RRP: £22.99

Our rating: 3.5/5

• Buy now from Crocus (£22.99)

Geo Solar String Lights, 10 LEDs - BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Pros:

• Easy to assemble and use
• Auto or flashing mode
• On/off switch
• Nice feature during the day
• No sign of weathering or rust

Cons:

• Few bulbs for the price
• Short length
• One-year warranty

These modern lights have 10 bulbs set within geometric copper wire and give off a warm white glow. Assembly is simple &#; just attach the spike to the stake and charge for 48 hours in the off position before the first use. Once they&#;re fully charged, these lights will stay lit for up to six hours. The cable is short but these lights look good draped along a fence or branch and are particularly striking during the day. They can be set to steady light or flashing mode and turned off at the end of the night. They come with just a one-year warranty.

Dimensions: 3.8m long (1.8m of lights, 2m from panel to first light)

The company is the world’s best automatic led solar & sensor wall light supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

Buy the Geo Solar String Lights, 10 LEDs from Crocus

Best solar lanterns

Solar urbane black lantern

RRP: from £15.95

Our rating: 4.5/5

Solar Urbane Black Lantern

Pros:

• Easy to set up
• Versatile - hang up or stand on the ground or on a tabletop
• Realistic candle effect

Cons:

• No on/off switch

This pretty lantern needs no assembly other than leaving it to charge for 48 hours in the off position and is a good choice if you don&#;t have a south-facing garden, because you can leave it in the sunniest spot during the day to charge and then move it to a shady corner to add a warm glow once it&#;s dusk. While it looks as if it&#;s made from metal, it&#;s actually plastic, which means it won&#;t rust and is light enough to hang in trees and shrubs with thinner branches. However, this will make it less desirable if you&#;re looking for a sustainable option. In addition to hanging it up, you can also set it on the ground or on a tabletop next to seating or eating areas to enjoy the realistic flicker of the candle-light. It&#;s worth noting there isn&#;t an on/off switch to override the automatic setting, so it&#;ll stay on late into the night.

Dimensions: Small: 25cm x180cm diameter; Large: 36cm x 18cm diameter

Buy the Solar Urbane Black Lantern from Glow.co.uk and B&Q

TrueFlame USB solar crook lantern

RRP: £29.99

Our rating: 4.5/5

TrueFlame USB Solar Crook Lantern

Pros:

• Easy to set up
• USB connection for quick charge
• Versatile - comes with a crook to hang, or set on the ground or a table top
• On/off switch
• No sign of rust or weathering

Cons:

• Comparatively pricey

We think this is a super lantern if you like traditional designs. Easy to set up, you simply need to attach the crook to the pole, but it does take three days to initially charge if it&#;s outside. However, it&#;s one of the few lanterns on test that comes with a USB cable. This lets you charge the light from a USB plug, which takes just a few hours and is a useful option if you can&#;t wait for it to be charged by sunlight or want to give it a boost if it&#;s overcast or wintery. After that, simply press the on/off switch on the base of the lantern for three seconds, and you&#;re ready to go. We like that this lantern is truly versatile thanks to a crook, pole and spike, which can be pushed into borders or the lawn, as well as a handle so you can hang it from a tree, or stand it on the ground or on a tabletop. It also features a power saving mode, to help increase performance if it hasn&#;t fully charged, and it has a one-year warranty.

Dimensions: 19.5cm x 12.5cm x 67cm, 84cm height with spike

Buy the TrueFlame USB Solar Crook Lantern from Solar Centre, Amazon, Glow.co.uk

Agadir garden solar lantern

RRP: £24.99

Our rating: 4/5

Agadir Garden Solar Lantern

Pros:

• Striking design
• Simple to use
• Turns on quickly

Cons:

• Slight rusting
• Average IP rating

This striking solar lantern is just the thing for adding a gentle glow on a doorstep or in a dark corner and it looks beautiful hung amongst foliage. Quick to turn on after dark, it lit up even during the early sunsets before the clocks went forward and it's easy-to-use, with an on/off switch so you can save power and protect wildlife. However, it was pipped to the post by the Damasque lantern as its parts aren&#;t replaceable and its light is a little dim. You can create a beautiful atmosphere, but you can&#;t do much by the light. We also felt that the IP44 rating could be better, and after a few weeks we noticed rust at the corners of the lantern and under the handle at the top. That said, it comes with a good two-year warranty.

Dimensions: 43cm x 15.5cm x 15.5cm

Best solar stake lights

Mini London solar post lights

RRP: £34.99

Our rating: 4/5

Mini London Solar Post Lights

Pros:

• Easy to use
• On/off switch
• Power saving mode

Cons:

• Two out of the four lights stopped working during the test
• Comparatively expensive

These stylish stainless steel post lights, would look equally at home in a traditional or contemporary setting. There&#;s almost no assembly required, simply twist the spike into the base of the individual posts, peel off the plastic sticker protecting the solar panel and push them into the ground. Charge for 48 hours in the off position, and you&#;re ready to go. Automatically turning on at dusk there's also an on/off switch as well as a power-saving mode. This is a useful feature if you don&#;t have the optimal conditions to charge the solar panel as it slightly dims the light and doubles the run time, but you&#;ll need to lift out the solar panel to access these controls. The standard setting emits a soft glow that lasts up to 10 hours from a single charge in daylight, and strikes a good balance between illuminating a path, without the risk of interfering with wildlife too much. Recommended for use in a south-facing garden, on test they worked in a southwest-facing plot and turned on after overcast weather. However, two of the four lights stopped working during the test, and they come with just the average, one-year warranty. As they&#;re sold in a pack of four, if you pay the full RRP, they&#;re just under £9 each, whereas the other sets reviewed in our test included more lights and ranged from £2 to £6 per light. Each component of the light - the spike, light, solar panel - can be taken apart for compact storage. While we like the look of these post lights, as well as the level of light they provide, they don&#;t offer the best value for money.

Dimensions: 27.8cm x 6.1cm

Buy the Mini London Solar Post Lights from Solar Centre and Amazon

4 Marrakesh Moroccan solar stake lights

RRP: £24.99

Our rating: 4/5

• Buy now from Lights4Fun (£18.99)

4 Marrakesh Moroccan Solar Stake Lights

Pros:

• Warm but bright light
• Long stake
• Compact
• Plastic so no rust

Cons:

• Fiddly to reach on/off switch
• One light broke just as we finished the test

These lights are perfect for bringing depth to borders and flower beds. They cast warm but bright light with a gorgeous dappled effect thanks to the Moroccan-inspired pattern. We like the long stake, which allows them good clearance amongst most plants in a flowerbed and they&#;re compact, so they don&#;t take up too much room. Because they&#;re plastic, we didn&#;t see any rusting, weathering, or fading. We also love the two-year warranty. However, it&#;s fiddly to reach the on/off switch, and the instructions don&#;t show where to find it either. You have to pop the solar panel off these lights to switch them on, but if you don&#;t know this you could easily be surprised when they haven&#;t switched on. We also saw the value of running such a long test, as one of the four lights stopped working just as we were writing up our results.

Dimensions: 40cm x 6.5cm x 6.5cm

Buy 4 Marrakesh Moroccan Solar Stake Lights from Lights4Fun

Best solar spotlights

Set of 2 Atlas solar spotlights

RRP: £44.99

Our rating: 4.3/5

• Buy now from Lights4Fun (£44.99)

Set of 2 Atlas Solar Spotlights

Pros:

• Long cable between lights and panel
• No signs of rusting
• Switch on early
• Bright but golden colour
• Two-year warranty

Cons:

• Expensive
• Fiddly to set up

These lights are fiddly to set up, requiring them to be screwed into the solar panel as well as to the stakes. However, they&#;re hard-wearing and showed no signs of rust weathering after months outside. They offer fantastic brightness, but unlike some of the other spotlights we tested, they&#;re a golden colour, so they&#;re bright but never harsh to look at. We love the generous 4m cable, which means you have a lot of options with where you can put your lights. They switch on early, about half an hour after sunset, and look great in the dusk. We also love the generous two-year warranty. However, £40 is a lot of money for two solar lights.

Dimensions: 4cm x 4.5cm x 8cm for each light; 17cm x 13cm solar panel; 4m cable

Buy a Set of 2 Atlas Solar Spotlights from Lights4Fun

Lutec solar superspot LED spike light with integrated solar panel

RRP: £17.00

Our rating: 4/5

Buy now from Wickes (£16) and Outdoor-Lights.co.uk (£17.99)

Wickes Lutec Solar Superspot LED Spike Light with Integrated Solar Panel

Pros:

• Easy-to-use
• Flashing mode
• Can be screwed permanently in place
• Above-average IP54 rating
• No signs of weathering

Cons:

• No warranty

This tough, no-frills spotlight has a large solar panel that produces a bright white light ideal for uplighting a tree, illuminating a sign or positioning near a path or steps. Available in inconspicuous black, it just needs the stake and spike putting together and it&#;s ready to go. There&#;s a choice between steady light and flashing mode and a large on/off switch if you need to turn the light off when you&#;re away, or at the end of the day. It comes with screws to give you the option of attaching it permanently to a deck but the bulbs in this light are not replaceable, so once they&#;re gone you will need to buy a new light, and this light has no warranty.

Dimensions: 15.6xm x 35.5cm x 10.2cm

Buy the Lutec Solar Superspot LED Spike Light with Integrated Solar Panel from Wickes and Outdoor-Lights.co.uk

Caring for wildlife

Solar lights are much kinder to wildlife than mains-powered lighting. Often emitting a dimmer glow, they&#;re less likely to disturb nocturnal animals. So that you don&#;t disturb bugs and bats, try to angle your lights towards the ground, and opt for dimmer, less harsh lights where possible. Ideally, turn off your solar lights before you go to bed, and ensure some areas of your garden remain in darkness.

How to choose the best solar lights?

For such a small appliance, there can be a lot to consider. While not every manufacturer gives all these specifications, before you choose, look out for:

Solar panel size

As a rule of thumb, the bigger the panel, the brighter the lights, and the longer they'll stay lit. That said, lots of lights run perfectly well with smaller solar panels, so just check you're happy with the lighting effect they provide and their run time. For larger solar panels, like those that power solar spotlights, consider if the panel&#;s going to be visible, as it may be unsightly.

Cable length

With string and fairy lights, try to keep an eye out for how much cable there is between the solar panel and the first bulb. At least a metre of this lead-in is useful, as it means you have more flexibility when placing your solar panel. With enough cable, you can still put your panel in a sunny spot and trail your lights up a trellis a few metres away, even if it&#;s in the shade.

Brightness

Lumens is a measure of how bright your lights are. Atmospheric mood lights can be as low as 5 or 10 lumens while more practical spotlights are usually 100-200 lumens.

Lighting modes

Dimming, glowing, and twinkling light modes create ambience and enhance social areas of the garden but they'll also extend your lights&#; lifetime and how long they&#;ll light up on a given night. Some lights also have a power saving mode, which reduces the brightness of the bulbs but doubles the runtime, so your lights turn on for longer during overcast weather and after the shorter hours of daylight in winter.

Motion sensors

Particularly relevant for solar spotlights, motion sensors make lights come on as you approach or when there's activity nearby. This can extend your lights&#; lifetime and as they only light up in short bursts, they&#;re also less dependent on natural light levels, working just as well in the winter as the bright summer months.

On-off switch

A useful feature so you can switch off your solar lights and keep your neighbours happy and protect local wildlife.

Weather resistance

The ingress protection (IP) rating indicates how easily dust and water can enter electronics and therefore how weatherproof and water resistant lights are. You may have seen this if you&#;ve ever shopped for outdoor tech like wildlife cameras or wearable tech like sports headphones. This rating isn&#;t always given but if you see it, look for solar lights with an IP rating of 44 and above, which means they&#;ll be weather resistant.

How we tested solar lights

We tested a variety of solar lights, putting them through their paces in a range of urban, suburban and rural gardens across the country. They were subjected to changing weather and hours of daylight for over six months. They were then assessed according to the following criteria with equal marks attributed to each:

• Set Up. Assessed the clarity of instructions, how easy the solar lights were to assemble and set up, how long this took, if any extra tools were needed and how easy the lights were to store over winter.
• Features. Checked cable length, and IP rating and marks were given for on/off switches, multiple lighting modes, as well as any extra features such as power saving modes and USB charging .
• Performance. This focused on the hours needed to charge and the lights&#; runtime after a full charge. We looked at how soon after sunset the lights switched on, and checked the lights&#; brightness to see if they provided practical or aesthetic lighting. We made sure to check if the lights worked on overcast days, and finally if there was any sign of degradation or rusting.
• Value for Money. Considered all of the above plus any special features, RRP and warranty.

For more information on our testing process see How we Review.

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This review was last updated in November . We apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.

To find the best mounted solar lights, we tested 19 models in real-world conditions and noted qualities such as ease of setup, brightness, bonus features (like smart capabilities and motion sensing), and more. For expert advice, we spoke to Knopfler and Amber Freda , a garden and landscape designer, to get their tips on selecting mounted solar lights to suit your outdoor space.

&#;When shopping for your mounted solar lights, make sure to consider placement and purpose of the lights,&#; says Sheva Knopfler , co-founder and creative director of Lights.com. &#;How bright do you need the space illuminated? Are you buying the lights for safety or convenience? Consider how the light will look and function in your space.&#;

Whether you want to add ambiance to your patio or strong illumination to dark areas around your home, mounted solar lights can transform your outdoor space. Solar lights require no outlets or electricity, so you can rely on something as routine as the sunrise to brighten your yard.

We were impressed with the value and quality of these lanterns, as they come in packs of two. These lights have a weather-resistance rating of IP65 and are constructed with a durable ABS plastic material that is weatherproof, fade-proof, and anti-corrosion, so you can be sure these outdoor solar lights will last for years to come.

There are three modes to choose from, which can be adjusted with the click of a button. The motion-sensor mode can detect movement at a 120-degree angle with a 19-foot range, which will trigger the lights to turn on for 15 seconds. Another mode offers a muted light throughout the night, which is kicked into high gear when the motion sensors are activated. The final setting is at half brightness with no motion sensing, which is ideal for people who want these lights purely for ambiance.

These solar wall lanterns strike the balance between security lights and purely ambient lighting, making them a great choice for someone who wants a bit of both in their outdoor space. The Edison-style bulbs make the lighting more decorative, but when the sensor goes off, the light is bright enough to get someone's attention.

With a vintage cross-frame design and ripple glass construction, this durable aluminum light gives off an attractive glow, adding warm light and a welcoming touch to your outdoor space. While these outdoor mounted solar lights have a superb brightness of 135 lumens, they don't have motion-sensing capabilities, so this pick probably isn&#;t ideal for security purposes.

If your yard has an existing round pole, installation can take just six minutes, according to our testing. We also noted that the solar light can be mounted on a square pole with the fixtures and screws included in the kit. For anyone without a post (or those who would prefer to set up the light elsewhere), you can affix this solar light onto any flat surface with the included mounting base.

We gave the Kemeco Solar Post Light a perfect score for its ease of installation, design, brightness, and durability. If you want the look of a traditional light post with the addition of solar energy, this pick can enhance your garden, yard, entryway, or driveway&#;no wiring required.

If you want to mount this light on a post, you&#;ll need to purchase one separately.

We also loved how easy it was to install and set up these lights&#;it took about five minutes, though you may need additional mounting brackets if you plan to hang these on siding. While these mounted solar lights are ideal for those who want added security in their outdoor space, we wish they had more settings to choose from.

With an IP65 rating and a durable ABS construction, this light is also durable enough to endure inclement weather and outdoor elements. During our testing, these lights survived a massive storm and worked seamlessly the next morning.

If you want added security to your home at an affordable price, opt for the Ameritop Outdoor Mounting Solar Lights. The smart motion sensor can detect movement up to 26 feet away and will stay illuminated until there is no active motion within the sensor&#;s field&#;the lights will automatically turn off after 15 seconds of stillness. The two lights produce a beaming 800 lumens, which you can angle by moving the adjustable heads.

As for installation, no assembly is required other than attaching the brackets to the wall with a drill. The stainless steel and glass construction is durable enough for long-term use and has a waterproof rating of IP65, which means they can withstand rain. That said, the manufacturer notes that these lanterns could become damaged in high winds or severe storms, as the hook design makes them more susceptible to swinging.

These lightweight lanterns add a soft, warm ambiance to any outdoor space, and we loved how versatile they are. They have a hook so you can carry them as a lantern or hang them anywhere in your yard. While these lanterns don&#;t have an array of bonus features, they are a great choice for people who want a simple yet elegant outdoor lighting solution. Plus, they have a minimalistic design that looks sleek anywhere.

We tested the longevity of the solar power by checking the lights throughout the night and early morning and found that the dim setting ran smoothly throughout. These solar lights come fully assembled, and installation only took five minutes. While these outdoor mounted solar lights are one of the best options for security and durability, their design is tech-forward and simple. So if you want a stylish option for subtle, ambient lighting, you may want to look elsewhere.

With an impressive brightness of 2,500 lumens, these mounted solar lights from Aootek are the most powerful on our list. We loved these heavy-duty lights&#;which come in sets of four&#;for their value, reliability, and variety of light settings. The lights are designed with three modes: security, which utilizes the automatic motion sensor to activate the light, &#;smart brightness control&#; that keeps the light on all night with increased brightness when there is detected motion, and an all-night option that automatically turns on at dusk.

This lighting is not as stylish as some of our other selections.

This motion-sensing floodlight has an impressive brightness of 1,200 lumens, which can illuminate any driveway or backyard&#;but it may be too bright for those who are looking for decorative ambient lighting . We also appreciate that it comes in two colors&#;black and white&#;so you can choose the option that best matches your outdoor decor.

During our testing, we found that it was easy to toggle between all the settings on a smartphone. Via the app, you can turn the lights on, set up motion alerts, change the brightness, adjust the motion sensitivity, and even create light scheduling.

For the tech-savvy shopper, the Ring Solar Floodlight can be integrated into your existing smart home setup. It offers all the customizable smart controls and compatibility you could want. You&#;ll need a Ring Bridge (which is an additional cost) or a compatible Echo device for the full functionality of this light. But once it&#;s set up and synced to the Bridge, you can customize the brightness, motion sensitivity, and schedules&#;plus connect with other devices like Ring doorbells, cameras, and Alexa-enabled devices.

It has a brightness of 120 lumens and an impressive 10-hour runtime on a full charge. And like the other lights we tested, this one requires ample sunlight&#;so be sure to place it in an area with plenty of daytime exposure. Unlike some of our other selections, this light doesn&#;t offer many bonus features, like adjustable brightness or motion sensitivity, but it has an effective dusk-to-dawn mode. Even so, what it lacks in features it makes up for in design details. It&#;s worth noting that during our testing, we found that this pick is rather large and heavy, so it may not be suitable for smaller homes or spaces.

The Alcott Hill Rasberry Wall Light looks similar to a hard-wired light&#;the size, weight, and detail of design make it a statement piece to add to your outdoor area. If you want to splurge on an ornate, vintage wall lantern with tons of details that look hard-wired, this pick might be for you.

The lights are made with weather-resistant and waterproof materials that can endure year-round use and a no-frills design that prioritizes functionality over style. While we don&#;t recommend these lights for anyone who wants an ambient or dimmable outdoor mounted solar light, if you want impressive illumination on a budget, this pick is for you.

You can toggle between three modes&#;one that uses the motion sensor and turns on with nearby movement, one that stays on at a fixed brightness throughout the night, and a third mode that keeps the lights on and bumps up the brightness when any motion is detected. While the manufacturer doesn&#;t list the lumens of these lights, they were bright enough to illuminate the yard and provide an added sense of security during testing.

Outfitting your outdoor space with bright, motion-sensor lights doesn&#;t need to be an expensive endeavor&#;especially with the HMCity Outdoor Mounting Solar Lights. We were impressed with the ease of installation and setup, ample brightness, and durability. This mounted outdoor solar light is ideal for security purposes, as the motion sensors trigger powerful lights to brighten your entryway, porch, or deck.

While this pick only comes with one unit per package, the light has two adjustable heads that can swivel to cover a larger space or two separate areas. It can illuminate any backyard, large patio, or driveway, making it versatile enough for most outdoor spaces. However, keep in mind that the spotlight may be too bright and harsh for people looking strictly for ambient lighting.

Installation was a breeze, though you will need a power drill to set up this light. (All the mounting hardware comes included in the box.) We also appreciate how durable this mounted solar light is. Even after a heavy storm, there was no damage to the light fixture. The light was accurate and quick when sensing motion&#;it detected cars on a busy street, but we could also adjust it to only detect nearby movement.

The Maxsa Solar-Powered Dual-Head LED Security Spotlight had a near-perfect performance throughout our testing. While this pick is relatively low profile, it boasts 220 lumens with adjustable brightness, motion sensors, and customizable light durations that allow you to modify how long the lights stay on after detecting motion&#;anywhere from 10 seconds to four minutes. You can also set the motion sensor&#;s range to as close as 10 feet or as far as 40 feet away.

Final Verdict

Overall, we recommend the Maxsa Solar-Powered Dual-Head LED Security Spotlight for its 160 lumens of brightness, motion sensor capabilities, and light activity time, which allows you to tailor the light&#;s functionality depending on your needs. For a budget-friendly pick, we recommend the HMCity Outdoor Mounting Solar Lights, which includes motion sensors, too. 

Our Testing Process

We tested 19 outdoor mounted solar lights and assessed each model based on ease of installation, features, design, brightness, durability, and value over two weeks. First, we unpacked the lights and noted whether any assembly was required, then evaluated the quality of the parts and how easily they connected during the process. We also timed the assembly process from start to finish. 

After assembling the lights, we followed the manufacturer&#;s instructions for installation&#;observing how challenging the instructions were, whether the light included the required mounting hardware, and the duration of the entire installation process, again using a timer from start to finish. 

Once we installed the lights, we spent the following two weeks reviewing the functionality of each model. We took note of whether the light dimmed or faded, recharged reliably, and if we had to make adjustments to properly recharge the solar panels. While the brightness of solar lights depends partially on the type of fixture and whether they&#;re ambient or security lights, we also considered whether the illumination was in alignment with each type.

Many of the outdoor mounted solar lights we reviewed have unique features, like multiple settings and colors, motion sensors, dusk-to-dawn modes, and smart capabilities. We utilized each of these additional functions (when applicable) and noted their ease of use and effectiveness. If there were any significant weather events or adverse conditions during the testing period, we evaluated each product&#;s durability&#;like whether the lights were damaged or became less effective over time. 

After evaluating the mounted solar lights for two weeks, we reviewed the price of each product and scored its overall value, factoring in its performance in the above tests.

How to Shop for Mounted Solar Lights Like a Pro 

Brightness

Before selecting mounted solar lights or more traditional types of outdoor lights for your yard, consider how bright you want your outdoor space to be. Brightness is typically measured in lumens, and the higher the number, the brighter the light will be. If you&#;re adding solar lights for ambient or accent lighting, opt for a product with a maximum of 100 to 200 lumens. But for those who are in search of a security light, we recommend significantly bumping up the brightness to between 700 and 1,300 lumens.

Space

You&#;ll need to consider the size of the outdoor space you want to illuminate. The larger the space, the more lights (or brighter lights) you will typically need. While lighting up a pathway or steps won&#;t require as much light, areas like a large patio could benefit from more light, depending on your desired effect.

&#;Lighting can really help make an outdoor space come alive at night,&#; Freda says. &#;It adds soft ambient lighting that can turn beautiful plants or trees into interesting focal points in the garden.&#;

You should also think about how your solar lights will mesh with your existing decor and color palette. &#;I would look for a color that goes with the trim or furniture that&#;s usually in the space already,&#; Freda adds. &#;The most common colors are black or brown, so take a look at the space ahead of time and make sure you find a good match that makes sense with the aesthetic.&#;

Sun Exposure 

How well your mounted solar lights function greatly depends on the amount of sunlight they get every day, so the more sun exposure, the better. For lights to stay on for eight hours, they&#;ll need at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight during the day. That said, solar lights can still charge with indirect sunlight or even in shade, though their output will decrease. If you plan on using your solar lights daily, we recommend installing them in places with as much direct sunlight as possible. 

Weather-Resistance Rating

Most outdoor mounted solar lighting is designed with materials that can withstand inclement weather, low temperatures, water, and direct sunlight. But if durability and quality are high on your list of considerations, look for products with high weather-resistance ratings. This is often listed on product listings as an Ingress Protection (IP) rating, like IP65. The first number is how well it can stand up to dust and debris, while the second number refers to how airtight it is. The higher the number, the more durable the light. And if you see an X in the IP rating, keep in mind that the light does not offer any protection in that category. 

Special Features

While these features aren&#;t a must on outdoor mounted solar lights, they can add functionality and enhance your user experience.

Multiple Modes: Creating a dreamy outdoor landscape can be as simple as installing outdoor solar lights with various patterns and/or color modes. This feature can transform the ambiance of your patio, garden, or deck by simply pressing a button. "It can also be used to highlight other features, such as a fountain or statue," Freda says.

Smart Capabilities: For those who want to seamlessly set timers and adjust brightness from their , mounted solar lights with smart capabilities can allow you to remotely toggle between settings. The Ring Solar Floodlight stood out in our testing for its smart capabilities that can be integrated into your existing smart-home setup, with either a Bridge (sold separately) or a compatible Echo device.

Motion Sensors: Whether you&#;re lighting a pitch-black pathway or integrating an outdoor security light, a motion sensor will come in handy. Rather than burning through the charge, motion sensor solar lights turn on only when necessary, ensuring they don&#;t run out of battery. Most solar lights with motion sensors can be toggled to a traditional mode, so you can opt for either function depending on the occasion. 

Dusk-to-Dawn Modes: Rather than turning on your solar-powered lights every night, some options come with a convenient dusk-to-dawn mode that will automatically turn on the lights around sunset and turn them off around sunrise. This is especially helpful for people who would rather &#;set and forget&#; their solar lights.

More Mounted Solar Lights to Consider

Gama Sonic Solar Barn Light: These mounted solar lights were very easy to install, however we found that they were lacking in terms of features and brightness settings. We also wished that there was a way to hide the unsightly 7-foot cord.

Tuffenough Outdoor Solar Lights With Wall Mount and Motion Sensor: These motion sensor lights have multiple modes and an impressive brightness of 2,500 lumens. While they are a quality option for those who want solar lights for security purposes, they don't have any additional standout features.

Questions You Might Ask

What are the brightest outdoor solar lights? 

The brightness of most lights is communicated in lumens, which measure how much light is emitted per second. The brightest lights on this list are the Aootek Mounted Outdoor Solar Lights, with 2,500 lumens, according to the manufacturer. 

Are mounted outdoor solar lights worth it?

Since mounted outdoor solar lights don&#;t use electricity, they might help you save money in the long run&#;especially since they don&#;t require an electrician or expert assembly. &#;Solar lights are usually pretty reasonably priced compared to electric lights, and they are also better for the environment, two factors which make them worth the investment,&#; Freda says.

Plus, there are plenty of benefits to using solar lights outside your home. &#;Lights can deter home invaders and pests like raccoons,&#; Knopfler says. &#;Outdoor lighting is great when you come home late and need to find your keys, or safely make your way up pathways and stairs.&#;

How long do solar lights last?

Once installed, outdoor solar lights can function for years to come with very little maintenance, making them an ideal choice for any backyard, garden, patio, or path. The batteries can last for two to three years before they need replacement, while the LED bulbs used in solar lights can last for 10 years or more. 

Take Our Word for It

This article was written by Quinn Gawronski, associate commerce editor for Real Simple, who has three years of experience writing and editing product reviews and roundups. To compile this list, we tested 19 outdoor mounted solar lights and evaluated them on setup, brightness, bonus features, durability, and overall value. We observed the functionality of these outdoor mounted solar lights for two weeks before providing feedback based on their experience. For expert tips, we consulted with Amber Freda, a New York City-based landscape designer, and Sheva Knopfler, co-founder and creative director of Lights.com, for their tips for selecting the best outdoor mounted solar lights for your space.

What Is Real Simple Selects?

Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team&#;put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn't an option. All products go through the same rigorous process, whether they are purchased or sent by the company.

Love our recommendations? Check out more products that have earned the Real Simple Selects, from humidifiers to cordless vacuums. 

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