Best Outdoor Solar Lights of 2021: Complete Reviews with Comparison
Are you looking at ways to cut down on your electricity bill? Fitting your garden or yard with the best outdoor solar lights is an excellent way to save some money. Also, they are a brilliant way to boost the aesthetic appeal of your outdoor space.
If you’re in the market for one, that’s great! We will not only review some high-quality outdoor solar lights but also provide you with a buyer’s guide and an FAQ section so that you can make an informed decision.
Best Outdoor Solar Lights
Comparison Chart
Best Outdoor Solar Lights Reviews
1. Nekteck Outdoor Solar Landscape Lights
The Nekteck Outdoor Solar Landscape Lights is an ideal choice for illuminating your pathway, yard, garden, or even driveway. This pair offers ample illumination, and you can even choose between different colors of light.
Product Highlights
The Nekteck Outdoor Solar Landscape Lights is a pair of two outdoor lights that offer dual purposes. By this, we mean that it can be either planted in the ground with the help of the attached stake or mounted to the wall. The screws to wall mount this light comes included.
What’s more, you also get not one but instead either a pack of two or four outdoor lights when you buy this product, thus providing great value for money. The lights have an automatic on and off sensor. This will kick in when the sun sets and turn off when the sun rises—that is, if it is charged fully the day before.
What’s also great about these lights is that they have an impressive lumen output of 200 each. Each light contains four LED lightbulbs, and these are both waterproof and heatproof. The light neck and panel are fully adjustable. This ensures that whatever you are trying to illuminate will be covered while its solar panel picks up the sunlight from whatever angle it needs to be at.
Depending on how much sunlight it receives, the lights can stay on for anywhere between six and 10 hours. It also takes only about four hours to charge fully, making this a great choice for areas with low sunlight hours.
What We Like
We like the fact that the light is fully adjustable; this makes it easy to place it wherever you would want without the fear of it not getting enough sunlight. We also liked how bright the light is and the fact that it comes with a protective film that keeps the panels more durable and weather-resistant.
What We Did Not Like
While the brand claims that it can remain lit for anywhere between six to 10 hours, we found that it is often close to the former and, at times, even lesser.
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2. LITOM Solar Landscape Spotlights
The LITOM Solar Landscape Spotlights is a powerful set of lights available in packs of two. Each of these lights contains 12 powerful LED lightbulbs, which guarantees ample illumination for your outdoor space.
Product Highlights
The LITOM Solar Landscape Spotlights can either be installed in the ground or on the wall. The necessary hardware to do either of them comes included with the light. There are three different light colors: warm white, cool white, and multicolor.
These lights have two brightness modes: a low mode that will last for 12 hours and a high mode that lasts for about six hours and reaches a maximum of 600 lumens. Once the sun sets and all the natural light decreases, the LITOM spotlight will automatically kick in.
In terms of its construction, this pair of outdoor lights is quite sturdy as it is made of a high-impact ABS plastic and has one of the highest waterproof rating, which is IP67. The lights are adjustable, too, and they come with a lithium rechargeable battery.
What We Like
The LITOM Solar Landscape Spotlights is a budget-friendly lighting option that will sufficiently illuminate your outdoor space. We like that there are two brightness modes, but the best parts about it is its sturdy construction and its IP67 waterproof rating. Furthermore, you also get a two-year warranty on it.
What We Did Not Like
One of the biggest drawbacks of this pair is how sensitive is it to light. These will not even turn on around other lighting or even when there is a full moon.
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3. Magictec Solar Spotlights
The Magictec Solar Spotlights is a great set of outdoor lights. These are fully adjustable and come with rechargeable batteries too. These are an easy-to-install set of lights that won’t break the bank.
Product Highlights
The Magictec Solar Spotlights is a pair of all-weather spotlights. They are durable, rugged, heatproof, and waterproof. They can be installed in the ground or mounted on the wall, and all the necessary screws to mount it are included in the package.
The spotlights are 180-degree adjustable, which enables the unit to catch sunlight at an optimum angle. Furthermore, the lights are automatic and switch on when the sun goes down.
This unit is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, is 18650 solar-powered, and operates at 2200 mAh. They function for roughly 10 hours when fully charged, and they come with two brightness modes.
The Magictec Solar Spotlights is available in packs of two. Each light has four powerful LED lightbulbs. There are also two colors of light you can choose from: warm white or white.
What We Like
These lights are made using premium-quality materials, and the LED incorporates high-quality compound semiconductor material, allowing each light to offer an output of 200 lumens. Furthermore, these are easy to install and maintain. There is no need for tools or a complicated wiring system to install it.
What We Did Not Like
The only issue we had with this product is its brightness. We would have liked if it was slightly brighter.
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4. Topmante Outdoor Solar Lights
The ones we’ve reviewed above were mostly pathway or driveway lights. With that said, you might be thrilled to know that the Topmante Outdoor Solar Lights is specifically designed to be wall-mounted. These come with motion sensors, too, making it ideal to use as a security lighting.
Product Highlights
You can buy the Topmante Outdoor Solar Lights either in packs of two or just one. Altogether, this light boasts 30 LED lightbulbs, of which seven are on both sides, and 16 are in the center. Furthermore, it has a 360-degree adjustable solar panel.
As mentioned, this comes with motion sensors. It can detect people up to 26 feet within a 120-degree angle. It will turn on and stay on for about 30 seconds when it detects motion and, thereafter, returns to being dim again.
This light boasts excellent construction, as well. It comes with an IP65 waterproof rating and is also heatproof. This allows it to withstand almost any extreme weather. The company offers a one-year warranty and a 45-day refund warranty on the product in case you are not satisfied with it.
What We Like
We like the fact that this light comes with motion sensors and can very well detect motion up to 26 feet away. It is also built quite well and is designed to survive extreme weather. We also liked that it has a 17% higher conversion rate and a 2000mAh battery.
What We Did Not Like
The downside of this light is its installation. While it does come with the necessary hardware, we found that the whole installation process can be a bit tedious and confusing.
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5. Gigalumi Outdoor Solar Lights
If you are looking for effective and aesthetically pleasing outdoor lights, the Gigalumi Outdoor Solar Lights is a perfect choice for you. These glass lamp lights not only look great but also have some impressive features that you won’t find in products in the same price range.
Product Highlights
Right off the bat, this outdoor lights’ design is something you will definitely like. It has a bronze-finished metal that makes it look not only elegant but also much stronger than plastic and stainless steel solar lights. This design makes it an ideal choice for beautifying your pathways, gardens, and patios.
This outdoor solar light is available in packs of six, and at its price point, it makes it worth every penny. The installation process is also a breeze. In fact, it will take no time and requires no tools or wiring either.
To install these lights, all you need to do is pull the tab out and switch it on. Then, leave it in a space with sufficient sunlight. This set also features auto on and off mechanism, which will kick in automatically when the sun goes down and will remain illuminated.
For every purchase, you get a rechargeable battery, which can offer up to eight hours of working time when it is fully charged. These are also weather-resistant and can easily withstand snow, frost, and rain.
What We Like
It goes without saying that this product’s design is something we really liked. While it can easily elevate any outdoor space’s aesthetic appeal, it also has a sturdy built and can withstand extreme weather too. It comes with a one-year warranty, as well.
What We Did Not Like
If you are looking to use this light on a pathway, then that’s all you will be able to do with it because the light is not very bright.
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Buyer’s Guide
We are certain that just by reading the reviews of these five outdoor solar lights, you will realize how fantastic they are. However, if you still need to know more about the outdoor solar lights before safely settling on just one option, we recommend that you check out all the top aspects of outdoor solar lights below.
Type
There are multiple kinds of outdoor solar lights that can be used on your lawn, garden, or patio. Every single one of them will serve a particular purpose, whether it is purely for illumination, security, or simply further beautify your well-kept garden.
Typically, there are four main categories, which are:
- Garden Lights
Garden solar lights are ideal for setting the mood of your outdoor space or for decoration purposes, whether you want to entertain your guests or enjoy your own outdoor space. These kinds of lights are not all that bright, but they do emit a nice warm glow that is ideal for illuminating plant beds at night.
- Path Lights
Solar path lights are quite similar to garden solar lights, but these are slightly brighter in comparison. Both of these are staked into areas where you need them. However, a majority of the garden lights are not weatherproof. In fact, they will have to be removed after summer.
On the other hand, path lights last longer and have weatherproof materials in their construction. More often than not, these lights also have a patterned design.
- Spotlights
If you need brighter lights, especially if you want to highlight something in your garden or lawn, then solar spotlights are the way to go. These are a much more powerful source of light.
- Motion-Sensing Lights
Motion-sensing solar lights are pretty much self-explanatory. They can double as a deterrent for potential intruders and can also illuminate a path when you enter or leave your home.
Other than these, wall solar lights, hanging solar lights, lamp post solar lights, string solar lights, and flagpole solar lights are other choices you might want to consider. Choosing one among these types entirely depends on your path or the area that you’re trying to light up.
Whether or not you have the wall space or ground space available to install them is also a significant consideration.
Lumen Output
An important factor that you need to consider when looking for outdoor solar lights is the brightness or the lumen output that it offers. You will often find people ending up purchasing cheaper solar outdoor lights, but you can tell right away how dim it is. Hence, you must ensure that you buy solar outdoor lights that have a decently high lumen rate.
Do note that the lumen output represents the brightness in the lights, which means the higher the lumen output, the brighter the light will be.
You will often find cheap outdoor solar lights emitting only between one and nine lumens. Of course, these will generate some amount of brightness, but it will not be enough to illuminate a path appropriately.
If you are looking for a decent amount of illumination, you will need outdoor solar lights that have a lumen output ranging between 10 and 30 lumens. You can also settle for much higher lumen output if you want extremely bright lighting.
Durability
Most outdoor solar lights are built using high-quality and durable materials because they are meant to be used outdoors, regardless of the weather. High-quality ones are engineered typically with a combination of glass and metal, ensuring that these lights are sturdier and more capable of lasting much longer compared to regular ones.
You will also notice that several solar path lights are made using plastic cuts, so opting for one made completely out of plastic is not a good idea. Choosing any solar outdoor lights that are made using plastic materials will almost definitely struggle against extreme rain and heat. They are only ideal if your area experiences pleasant weather conditions all year long.
In addition, you need to pay close attention to the solar panel’s quality. This is because it will be able to determine how quickly the light will convert sun energy into usable energy. It is ideal to select higher-efficiency solar panels as these panels are made using the latest technology that can offer a conversion rate of up to 20%.
Having a higher rate of conversion will mean that you will need lesser space for a specified wattage. This ultimately results in having smaller panels that are generating much more energy.
Battery Specs
When you look for outdoor solar lights, you will notice that a majority of them run on different types of batteries. However, there are two types that are most commonly used, and these are nickel-cadmium (NiCD) and nickel-metal hydride (NiMH).
Both of these batteries are quite different from each other. For instance, the NiCD batteries are capable of lasting for only about two years. These batteries must be disposed of properly as they are capable of being hazardous to the environment if done correctly.
On the other hand, NiMH batteries tend to last much longer than its counterpart and can even be disposed of in any manner without the fear of any environmental repercussions. It gets very clear from this that the latter battery is the better choice.
Adjustability
Outdoor solar lights will typically need about three to eight hours of sunlight in a day so that it can charge. Areas that are south-facing are an ideal place for solar panels. That does not mean that north-facing parts do not receive any light, though. It will, but it’ll only be slightly lesser.
Then again, this entirely depends on where exactly your home is. On average, a house can receive up to five and a half hours of sunlight in a day. Some can receive lesser than that, while others can receive much more.
In case if your house does not receive as much sunlight, you need to choose an outdoor solar light that is adjustable. When an outdoor solar light can be adjusted, it ensures that it is capable of maximizing the amount of sunlight that it receives.
It is important to note that even if your outdoor solar light does not receive ample light to charge fully, it will still work. However, the light will be a bit dimmer than usual in comparison to a light that is fully charged.
Best Outdoor Solar Lights FAQ
1. What is the highest lumens for solar lights?
The highest lumens for solar lights depend on the type of light you are buying. Solar path lights tend to have a very low lumen output, and the highest they can go to is about 20.
On the other hand, low-voltage solar lights tend to have a lumen output of only one or two. Motion-sensor solar lights can go as high as 500. On the other hand, solar flood lights can have a lumen output as high as 1400.
Depending on the kind of light you need for your outdoors, you will have to select the light and the lumen output appropriately.
2. How long do outdoor solar lights last?
In most cases, you will find the batteries in outdoor solar lights lasting for about three or four years before you need to replace them. The LEDs in them, however, can last for 10 years or longer. You will clearly know that you will have to change certain parts when they become unable to maintain its charge to keep the area illuminated at night.
There are also a couple of other factors that can affect your outdoor solar light’s lifespan. For one, its placement in relation to other kinds of artificial light could enhance or diminish its longevity. You also need to ensure that the light is placed in direct sunlight and at a distance from any house or street lighting, as being too close could throw the sensors off and cause it to turn on in low-light conditions.
Even how clean you keep the solar panels can affect how long the lights last. If your lights are placed in a garden or other area that gets dirty quickly, then ensure that you would have to wipe the panels every week or two so that they can get enough sunlight.
3. How many lumens do I need for outdoor security lighting?
For security lighting, you will often find people opting for flood solar lights or motion-sensor solar lights. There are quite a few flood lighting types that are meant to illuminate certain areas of your outdoor space.
Typically, wall pack lights are used to illuminate pathways and area lights are used to illuminate larger areas, such as the whole yard or the parking lot. These lights would be unnecessary if you are just looking to light up pathways. This is because they tend to have a very high lumen output.
Solar flood lights will typically have a lumen output ranging between 800 and 1400 lumens. For security lighting, we recommend choosing lights with a higher lumen output because the more lumen they emit, the more secure your outdoor space will be.
As an added security measure, you can also install motion-sensor solar lights. These typically have a lumen output of 300 to 700 lumens, and they tend to have a range, so its brightness could vary. What’s great, they only illuminate when an object crosses its path.
4. Why are my solar lights not very bright?
There can be a number of reasons why your solar lights are not very bright, including:
- Dirty Solar Panel
As mentioned, if your solar panel is dirty, it will be unable to charge the battery. This results in dimmer lights and reduced lighting time.
- Not Getting Enough Sunlight
If you didn’t place your solar outdoor light on a spot where it can get sufficient sunlight, it will definitely not be bright enough at night. This is for the obvious reason that it won’t be able to charge its batteries fully.
- Battery Issue
There is often a possibility, especially if you have been using your solar light for a while, that the battery will be worn out. When this happens, all you need to do is simply replace the battery.
5. Do solar lights work on cloudy days?
Contrary to popular belief, solar lights also work on cloudy days. However, they are not as effective as they would have been on a sunny day.
Conclusion
After reviewing some of the best outdoor solar lights on the market, we believe that the Nekteck Outdoor Solar Landscape Lights is an excellent choice. This is not to say that the other options are bad, but this one is a perfect option. This pair of solar lights provides ample illumination and boasts an impressive battery life and a strong build. It is a perfect combination of simplicity and performance.
If you think that this is not the right outdoor solar light for you, we are certain that with the detailed buyer’s guide and the FAQ section, you will be able to make an informed decision before you make a purchase.
