The 11 Best Outdoor Solar Lights of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

AloftSun Solar Motion Sensor Lights

$25 at Amazon

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

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

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

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

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

Best Budget

Hampton Bay Outdoor Solar Spotlight

$30 at Amazon
$10 at Home Depot

If you are looking for an affordable spotlight, we loved testing this option from Hampton Bay. The light has a basic and intuitive design, but it’s perfect for highlighting a fountain or landscape feature that you love in your yard. The solar panel on top of the light is adjustable, so you can tilt it to the optimal angle for charging and catching the sun. Once dusk comes, the light will turn on automatically and shut off when the sun rises.

While very basic, we were surprised at the lack of directions included with this light. This made it slightly harder to install and set up, but once we found the on/off switch. (it’s right under the solar panel covered by a plastic knob for weather resistance), everything became clearer. Just turn it on, stake it into the ground, adjust the solar panel, and wait for the sun to go down. The light is designed to run for eight hours when fully charged.

At 55 lumens, this light is relatively bright and works well as landscape lighting. However, we think a set of these lights would work even better at illuminating your yard. Luckily, they cost less than $10, so grabbing a few for your backyard isn’t a huge expense. Also, we had no issues with durability when testing this light outdoors for weeks.

_{Dimensions: ‎3.5 x 8.1 inches | Lumens: 55 each | Charging Time: Not Listed | Operating time: 8 hours | Weather Resistance Rating: IPX5 | Color Temperature: 3000}

Best String Lights

Brightech Ambiance Pro Solar String Lights

$26 at Amazon
$40 at Home Depot
View on Brightech.com

Outdoor string lights can make your patio more inviting during the summer and add a festive touch during the winter holidays. In fact, we think they are versatile enough to leave up all year! This set from Brightech is 27 feet long, with no electricity required. Just stake the solar panel in the ground or clip it to a balcony or other surface and place the lights where you want them.

These shatterproof plastic Edison-style bulbs not only look stylish but are durable as well, holding up well during our tests. Though the solar panel moved a bit when we hit it with a golf ball, it showed no damage. They have a 1,000-hour charge lifespan (around 2.5 years, according to the manufacturer) and are backed by a full 2-year warranty. 

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

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

Best Wall-Mounted

Better Homes & Gardens Solar Dusk to Dawn Decorative Light

$50 at Walmart

The Better Homes & Gardens Solar Dusk to Dawn Decorative Outdoor LED Light is a simple yet stylish way to add a wall sconce to your entryway. (Better Homes & Gardens is owned by The Spruce’s parent company, Dotdash Meredith). Installation took us less than 10 minutes, and during three months of testing, we are happy to report that the light withstood rain, wind, and even hail without any issues.

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

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

Best Decorative

Brightown LED Solar Powered Fairy Lights

$14 at Amazon
$19 at Walmart
View on Brightown.com

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

However, we especially loved the eight lighting modes, including combination, waves, sequential, slow glow, chasing/flash, slow fade, twinkle/flash, and steady-on, so you can choose fun options for gatherings or holidays. After turning on automatically at night, these lights have an up to 10-hour runtime, but inexplicably, they did turn off for 60-second increments during our overnight testing.

Also, you have to be sure to place the solar light panels where they can get light, which may limit placement options a bit. However, this two-pack is a great budget option, especially if you are looking for string lights or want to add a fun element to your outdoor decor.

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

Best for Post

Kemeco Solar Post Light

$100 at Amazon

A light post can add a stylish, vintage look to your decor while illuminating your entryway. With the Kemeco Solar Post Light Fixture, which we tested and loved, you have many more options on where to add it to your outdoor space, with no electricity or wires needed. You can mount this light to a post (not included) or to its included mounting base and place it just about anywhere.

We tested both installation methods—at our lab, we assembled the light to the mounting base and placed it on a step, and during our at-home test, we assembled and installed the light on an existing round pole. We also noted that screws and a bracket were included for both a round or square pole, which isn’t listed on the manufacturer’s product description.

In both settings, we found the light easy to put together with just two pieces. While using the mounting base, however, we found it a bit top-heavy. If you choose to use the mounting base, we recommend also using the mounting bracket to screw it securely to a step to correct any concern over top-heaviness.

We found both methods easy to install, and once set up, we loved how this aluminum light fixture’s lantern style and ripple glass added a nice glow. Despite the ripple glass, the light shines so brightly that we could even read around it while testing. While it’s certainly still bright, this light isn’t bright enough to be a security spotlight.

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

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

Best Motion-Sensor

Linkind StarRay Solar Spotlights

$33 at Amazon

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

Aside from their motion sensor feature, we also love their versatility and streamlined design. You can stake them in the ground or mount them on a wall with the included hardware. The light and solar panel are on the same unit and can be pivoted up to 90 degrees vertically (180 degrees horizontally), so you can angle the light exactly where you want it to shine.

Also, we found that these lights withstood our water and golf ball tests without sustaining damage. But when frozen, they strobed three times before turning off. The price for the Linkind StarRay LED seems a little high for a single light, but we found it works as described and feels sturdy. We recommend it either for landscape lighting or for lighting pathways and security.

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

Best Hanging

Derynome Solar Lantern Outdoor Lights

$39 at Amazon

Requiring a small footprint for the hanging bracket, the Derynome Solar Lantern Outdoor Lights give you all of the benefits of wall-mounted lights with little effort—you will need a drill and need to make sure the holes are level, but only two screws are needed.  We installed both of these lights at one of our homes (one on an enclosed side porch and the other on a front porch post) in less than 15 minutes, not including the time it took to locate a drill.

Once the brackets were installed, it only took seconds to hang the lantern on the hook. Keep in mind, though, that the lantern feels sturdy and durable but is lightweight (just over 3 pounds) and can swing around on the hook—make sure you hang it at a height that is accessible for when you need to remove it. We did note after rainy and windy weather (although not extreme), the lantern never blew off. The on/off switch is located inside the lantern, but it was easy to twist the lantern to access it. When on, the lantern will go on and off automatically (dusk until dawn). 

The bracket extends 5 inches from the wall, so even with a small overhang, the solar panel is more likely to get sun. In fact, we installed them under a little overhang, and they were still able to get the sunlight they needed to remain lit overnight. But since they are so easy to install, if you find you need a sunnier spot, it’s relatively easy to rehang.

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

Best Smart

Ring Solar Floodlight

$90 at Amazon
$90 at Home Depot
$90 at Lowe’s

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

As with other solar lights, you need to ensure that the solar panel on this smart outdoor light gets enough sunlight to fully charge each day. Since the Ring Smart Floodlight has a solar panel that hangs on a long cord, you have more options on where you can install the light.

The solar panel is large and matches the color of the floodlight. Since this light is available in both black and white finishes, we found the white finish helped the solar panel to blend into the siding of a home. You can also choose to recharge the battery separately using the USB cord.

After setting up the app, you will be impressed with the abundance of features you can use with this smart home product.  Not only can you turn the light on and off via the app, but you can also schedule when the light will be activated, adjust motion sensitivity, adjust the brightness, and more. We found all of these features to be very useful but do wish the light was as bright as the previous floodlight installed at one of our homes (although we did like the warmness of this Ring light).

It was bright enough to serve its purpose as a floodlight and think this floodlight is the ideal choice for homeowners who already have multiple smart devices integrated in their home. This light can also work with other Ring devices and lights through the Ring app.

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

Best Pathway Lights

Alfiot Solar Pathway Lights

$59 at Amazon

These solar pathway lights from Alfiot are perfect for guiding your path to and from your house after dusk. During testing, we loved that you could extend the height of these lights by 7 inches with the included extension pole. We also love the look of the lights, adding a modern flair to your front or backyard.

We enjoyed the simple installation (just stake them into the ground and press the on button) and the lifespan of these lights when fully charged. We charged them fully before installation and were surprised to find that many in the set were still on after sunrise the next morning.

One thing to note is that these weren’t the brightest lights we tested. We paired them with a spotlight to highlight features in our yard and add extra security and safety. However, you can always purchase another set of these pathway lights (which we did) to increase the brightness and scope of the light. They come in packs of four, six, or eight. We found the warm white light very soft and attractive, but there’s a cool white version available too.

_{Dimensions: 3 x 26.5 (with extension) inches | Lumens: Not Listed | Charging Time: Not Listed | Operating time: 12-14 hours | Weather Resistance Rating: IP65 | Color Temperature: Not Listed}

Best Lantern

Lumabase Solar Silver Lantern

$28 at Amazon
$28 at Walmart
$20 at Home Depot

During testing, we loved the stylish look of this lantern from Lumabase which is a fantastic option for attractive outdoor lighting for a front porch or back patio. We used this on our porch, in our doorway, and on an outdoor table for added ambiance on warm nights, proving it looks equally beautiful hung on the side of your home or used as a centerpiece.

To turn the lantern on, use the switch at its base. The on-and-off wording can be hard to see, so we recommend doing this in a bright room or in the daytime to ensure it’s actually on when you want to use it at night. Right as the sun sets, the lantern emits an orange glow and a flickering effect to mimic a candle. It’s not extremely bright, so we recommend using it as a decorative lighting option, rather than your only source of light for safety or security purposes.

Still, this decorative lantern stood up beautifully to the elements. We experienced hail, rain, and wind during the weeks-long testing period and the lantern remained unharmed when left outdoors uncovered. Therefore, we love this lantern as a durable and attractive addition to your outdoor lighting setup.

_{Dimensions: 5.5 x 5.5 x 13.5 inches | Lumens: Not Listed | Charging Time: Not Listed | Operating time: 6-7 hours | Weather Resistance Rating: Not Listed | Color Temperature: Not Listed}