Best Outdoor Solar Hanging Lanterns of 2021: Complete Reviews With Comparisons

1. VPWHEN Outdoor Solar Hanging Lantern

VPWHEN Solar Light specializes in decorative solar lanterns for outdoor applications.

Its selection is a bit limited for now, but this consists only of high-quality products.

The Outdoor Solar Hanging Lantern is one of its bestsellers. It features a unique cracked glass design that many people find compelling.

It is ideal for those who want to balance cost and value.

Product Highlights

VPWHEN’s version of the solar hanging lantern is an excellent addition to your outdoor space.

Here are some of its best features:

• Unique Design

This hanging lantern sports a cracked glass design that diffuses light in distinctive patterns.

It also gives the light fixture a unique texture that looks beautiful even when the light is out.

Inside, you will find 30 high-quality LED bulbs arranged in a string, giving you a total brightness of six lumens.

It emits a soft but warm yellow glow that will look good on your porch, garden, or any outdoor setting.

• Efficient Solar Panel

Each lantern has a solar panel that can charge the lantern to full capacity within six to eight hours.

A fully charged VPWHEN lantern can illuminate your home for eight to 10 hours.

The system does not need any wires, as the power is stored directly into the rechargeable battery.

As such, it is a cost-effective and environment-friendly way to brighten up your home.

• Durable Construction

With a rating of IP65, the VPWHEN Solar Hanging Lantern is virtually weatherproof.

Plus, it meets the strict international standards for outdoor lighting fixtures.

The enclosure is built from stainless steel and high-quality glass, while the cap is ABS plastic.

The overall construction is very solid, making it ideal for outdoor use.

• Easy Maintenance

VPWHEN solar lanterns are durable, but you do have to take some precautionary steps to keep them performing at the optimal level.

The good thing is that these maintenance steps are very easy to do. 

For instance, you must wipe the solar panels clean, but you only have to do this every three months.

Also, you will need to charge the lanterns once a month if you are not using them.

The Good

The best thing about the VPWHEN Outdoor Solar Hanging Lantern is its unique cracked glass design.

It is visually striking whether the light is on or not. As such, it will look good whether you hang it on your porch or set it on the ground. 

The Bad

The product is fairly new in the market, which means that it hasn’t been tested by many users yet.

2. JMADENQ Solar Lantern

The JMADENQ Solar Lantern has a modern look, which is indicative of its functionality.

Still, with all the features it can offer, it comes with a surprisingly low price tag.

It is not as decorative as some would like. However, what it lacks in aesthetics, it makes up for with serviceability.

Product Highlights

The JMADENQ Solar lantern offers many benefits, including the following:

• Dual Power Supply Design

You can charge this solar lantern in two ways: exposing it to direct sunlight or using the USB port.

This feature will come in handy when the weather condition is not optimal.

The solar charging time depends on how much sunlight is available, but three to five hours is enough for USB charging.

The lantern can provide light for five to six hours on a full charge.

• Additional Function

The JMADENQ Solar Lantern also doubles as a flashlight.

It comes with a foldable design and a side button that allows you to switch from one mode to another.

Its style and size are ideal for either configuration.

It has a stainless-steel handle for hanging, but you can remove this when you use it as a flashlight.

• Backup Phone Charger

Each JMADENQ Solar Lantern has a USB output you can use to charge your phone or any other handheld device.

As you can imagine, this will come in handy when you go camping and your smartphone runs out of juice.

• Compact and Easy to Transport

Its collapsible design makes it very easy to transport. You can just fold it and stick it into your backpack.

It weighs 1.37 pounds, so you do not need to spend much energy to carry it around.

• Versatile Illumination

This solar lantern is small, but it comes with a powerful omnidirectional LED bulb.

It is rated at 60 lumens when in lantern mode and 20 lumens in flashlight mode.

With this rating, you’d be able to use it to light up pathways at home or illuminate your campsite.

It will also be useful in emergency situations when the power is out.

The Good

If you want a solar lantern that provides sufficient illumination, this product is a great option. 

Plus, it offers multiple functionalities, such as backup phone charging and flashlight mode.  

The Bad

Unfortunately, its design is not very decorative. Still, it does have a sleek and modern appearance that might appeal to some people.

3. EXCMARK Outdoor Solar Hanging Lantern

EXCMARK manufactures different types of outdoor solar lighting products and accessories.

The Outdoor Solar Hanging Lantern is one of its high-tier offerings.

You can hang it for optimum illumination, set it on your tabletop, or place it on the ground.

In a nutshell, it is a decorative solar lantern designed for budget-conscious buyers.

Product Highlights

This solar lantern comes at a reasonable price point, which is surprising if you consider its many features.

• Stylish Design

The lantern’s enclosure is made from a bronze-colored metal that features a beautiful floral design.

It will enhance your garden, patio, or any other outdoor space even when its light is out.

When used at night, it creates a visually striking shadow pattern that can set the mood and create a relaxing atmosphere.

It is an excellent investment that will maximize your return in terms of functionality and aesthetics.

• Ease of Use

Another thing you’ll like about the EXCMARK Solar Lantern is that it is very easy to install.

You do not have to worry about wires or tools when setting it up on your garden or patio.

Once you have found a place for it, you can just leave it and let it do its work.

The light sensor allows it to turn on automatically when it gets dark and off again at dawn.

• Long Run Time

The EXCMARK Solar Lantern boasts a 600 mAh rechargeable battery.

It takes six to eight hours of exposure to direct sunlight to charge fully, after which it can run for eight hours.

However, if the weather or its location is not favorable, it might not perform as well as you’d like.

• Durability

The lantern enclosure is crafted beautifully from sturdy metal and given a bronze finish.

What’s more, it has a waterproof rating of IP44, which means that it is resistant to moisture and small particles.

It is also splashproof and can withstand most weather conditions.

The Good

One thing that makes the EXCMARK Outdoor Solar Hanging Lantern stand out is its ornamental design.

It is beautifully crafted from metal with a bronze finish and would be a great addition to any outdoor space.

To top it all off, the shadow that it casts at night is even more stunning.

The Bad

This solar lantern is a great ornamental lighting fixture, but it does not offer much in terms of illumination. 

Also, its IP rating of 44 is a bit lower than those of other brands.

4. Shymery Solar Hanging Lantern

Shymery is a brand under Zorui, a company known for producing outdoor solar lanterns and flameless LED candles.

This solar hanging lantern is among its top-tier products and one of its highest-rated options.

Consequently, it can be more expensive than other brands.

If you do not mind the higher price tag, you will find that it has much to offer in terms of quality and value.

Product Highlights

The Shymery Solar Hanging Lantern is a premium product, and it offers features that you will not find in other brands.

• High-Capacity Battery

The Shymery Solar Hanging Lantern comes with a large battery with twice the capacity of most other outdoor lanterns.

Even better, it only takes six to eight hours to charge fully, which is not different from smaller rechargeable solar batteries. 

This is due in large part to the upgraded solar panel.

When fully charged, the lantern glows for eight to 10 hours straight.

A sensor built into the system will automatically turn the lantern on or off, depending on the light conditions outside.

• Highly Durable Build

This solar lantern is waterproof, weatherproof, and dustproof, so you can leave it outside and rest easy that it will withstand extreme conditions. 

This is true whether it is raining hard or snowing. 

Moreover, its solid construction is backed by an 18-month warranty from the manufacturer.

• Stylish Design

With a toughened glass pane and cross grid enclosure, this solar lantern looks like the vintage lamps used in the old days.

It has a unique rustic look that goes well with any outdoor space.

You will also like that it has LED bulbs that flicker, mimicking the behavior of a real flame. 

If you are looking for a natural-looking light fixture, this is a great option.

• Easy Installation

If you do not enjoy handling tools, you’ll appreciate that this solar lantern is easy to set up and use.

For one, it is solar-powered, which means that there are no wires required.

You’ll simply have to hang it up or lay it on a garden table to enjoy its soft, warm glow.

The Good

The best thing about the Shymery Solar Hanging Lantern is its vintage design.

It looks unique and will go well with any outdoor setting.

Also, its battery has twice the capacity of those from other brands. 

The Bad

This solar lantern is a bit more expensive than other brands or models.

5. Pearlstar Solar Hanging Light

The Pearlstar Solar Hanging Light is another lighting fixture that uses a vintage design.

What sets it apart from others is that it comes with a much smaller price tag.

It is perfect for budget-conscious buyers looking for a more affordable alternative.

There’s no doubt it will look great hanging on a wall, on a tree, or set on top of a table.

Product Highlights

This solar lantern is very affordable, but this is not a reflection of the quality or value it can offer.

• Stylish Vintage Style

The Pearlstar Solar Hanging Light features a unique vintage design reminiscent of the old oil lanterns from many years ago.

It even comes with a patina finish that completes the aged and rustic look.

When it lights up at night, it casts a beautiful pattern that is both relaxing and mood-enhancing.

• Weather-Resistant Build

This solar lantern may have adopted a vintage style, but it is made from new-age high-impact ABS plastic.

What’s more, it is rated IP44, which means that it can stand up to bad weather conditions.

Resistant to water and physical contact, it is ideal for the outdoor setting.

• Easy to Install

This solar panel comes with a durable handle, making it effortless to hang on a wall or a light stand.

It has a flat bottom, so you can also set it on a table or anything with a flat surface. 

Either way, it will make a great addition to your outdoor space.

• Automatic Lighting

Like the top solar lantern brands, this product has a sensor that can detect the amount of light in its surroundings.

This component allows it to turn on at dusk and off when daylight starts breaking.

While it charges automatically during the day, make sure you set it on an area with maximum exposure to sunlight.

The Good

If you want a solar lantern with a unique and rustic look, this product is a great option.

It is also very affordable, making it the perfect choice for people with a limited budget. 

The Bad

It is mainly intended for decorative purposes, so it might not offer sufficient illumination for pathways.

Buyer’s Guide

More and more products have emerged in the market as the demand for solar lighting solutions increases.

If you want to streamline your selection process, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind.

Design

If you are looking for solar lamps to enhance your outdoor space, the first thing you need to consider is the design.

Solar lamps come in all sizes and shapes, so you will surely find one that suits your taste.

Color and Brightness

The next thing you need to look at is the color and brightness of the solar lamp.

If you want to set a cozy and relaxing ambiance, five to 40 lumens should do the trick.

At this range, you get the look and feel of a hanging lantern.

If you want to light up pathways or enhance security, you should look for a brighter solar lamp.

Battery Capacity

If you want your solar hanging lantern to last through the night, look for one with a large battery.

The higher the capacity to store energy, the longer it will run on a full charge.

Outdoor Solar Hanging Lantern FAQs

1. Do solar lights stay on all night?

The best outdoor solar hanging lanterns can easily stay on all night, as long as they receive sufficient sunlight for a full charge.

2. Are solar outdoor lights worth it?

Solar outdoor lights are cost-effective and take advantage of the sun’s inexhaustible energy.

They are suitable for the environment and easy on the budget, making them a worthwhile investment.

3. How can I make my solar lights last longer?

To maximize your solar light’s service life, clean the solar panels at least once a month. 

For this, you will want to use a clean cloth; add dish soap if needed.

It would be best to place the solar lamp where the sunlight is optimal and there are no obstructions.

4. Should you turn off solar lights in winter?

Solar lights are designed to survive all weather conditions, even when it’s snowing.

However, you can take decorative solar lights inside during winter to keep them in the best possible condition.

5. How many lumens do I need for a large backyard?

Outdoor lights should fall between 12 to 1,300 lumens. The exact brightness depends on its application and exact location. 

For landscaped yards, 50 to 700 lumens is an acceptable range.