Solar lights are becoming more popular as homeowners look for ways to spruce up their exterior space with minimal effort. They even have a few security benefits, including reducing dark areas around your home, giving burglars fewer places to hide.
Solar lights also add a nice touch to spruce up your lawn in a matter of minutes. They’re easy to install and keep clean. Best of all, solar lights are powered by natural daylight and reduce air pollution, without requiring any wires or plugs. We narrowed down the best solar lights, features and factors to consider as you look to add extra security
What to Look for in a Solar Light
There are a few key factors to look for when buying solar lights for your home. Some popular features include:
Built-in Motion Sensor: Some solar lights have a motion sensor that detects activity and increases brightness once people are detected. You’ll never have to guess whether something’s happening outside of your home with this feature.
Multiple Colors: Many solar lights come in a variety of colors to illuminate warmer whites or multicolored lights depending on your preference. Most solar lights only offer one color lighting option that depends on the number of lumens.
Various Lighting Modes: The best solar lights let you switch between lighting modes. Common solar light modes include the bright mode to shine brighter than usual for darker areas. There’s also the dim light mode to shine less light. Other light modes are also available, and you can switch between types with the push of a button.
Comparing the Types of Solar Lights
There are different types of solar lights to install around your home exterior. Whether it’s your garden, patio or pathway, solar lights illuminate your home at nighttime with barely any work required on your end. Some lights are designed to blend into your landscape, while some are more bulky and heavy. It all depends on placement and common use. Here are different types of solar lights to choose from.
- String Lights: These lights are often hung outside of restaurants, patios or other areas.
- Light Fixtures: These are often mounted outside of your home or installed in gardens using a stake.
- Disc Lights: Disc lights sit flat in the ground to blend in with grass and other landscaping. They’re easy to mow over.
- Spotlights: Spotlights are made of different fixtures and stakes to stick in the ground. Spotlights are the most common type of solar lights that illuminate stairways, patios and backyards well.
Our take
The Aootek solar lights can be used three ways: as a security light, an all-night light and smart brightness control to shine at night and brighten once motion is detected. They have a built-in motion sensor to detect activity up to 26 feet away at 120 degrees. These solar lights include a rechargeable battery and solar panel. They’re waterproof and heatproof to withstand extreme weather conditions.
Stand-out features include
Our take
These spotlights come in a variety of four variations of light intensities, including one color light option. The lights also have two brightness level modes for low and high light preferences. The low light mode lasts for 12 hours, while the high light mode lasts 6 hours. These LITOM waterproof solar lights can be placed in the ground or mount to the wall with screws. Each light has 12 LEDs and is designed to stay on in darkness.
Our take
These BAXIA Technology solar lights have 28 LEDs with a 120-degree motion detector to detect motion within up to 16 feet away. A full 8-hour charge will keep these waterproof solar lights working all night long. It’s backed by a 180-day limited product guarantee and 1-year warranty.t can also be mounted to a wall or garage.
Our take
The SEZAC motion sensor light comes with three working light modes, including a dim long light, strong light and motion sensor light mode. The solar lights can detect motion within up to 16 feet using a 150-degree motion sensor. The lights are waterproof and include rechargeable lithium batteries to keep your lights working when you need it most. They’re easy to install with 3M double-sided tape.
Stand-out features include
- Pack of 6 lights - plenty to illuminate your home
- IP65 waterproof
- Includes three lighting modes
Our take
You’ll get six LED Solar Deck solar lights with two-mode lighting and seven color modes. These lights charge during the day to automatically come on at night. It also includes a battery backup to keep your lights working. The lights are easy to install with the included screws and are made of durable plastic. They’re also backed by a 1-year warranty and 60-day money-back guarantee.
Stand-out features include
- Seven color modes
- Simple, 3-step installtaion
- 1-year warranty and 60-day money-back guarantee
Compare the Best Solar Lights
| Aootek LED Solar Lights | LITOM Waterproof Landscaping Spotlights | BAXIA Technology Outdoor Solar Lights | SEZAC Wireless Motion Sensor Lights | Solar Deck LED Outdoor Lights | Dekugaa Solar Ground LED Lights | Solpex Outdoor Solar Pathway Lights | Brightech Ambience Pro Waterproof Solar LED Outdoor String Lights | MagicPro Motion Sensor Solar Lights | Kemeco LED Aluminum Solar Post Light | |
Price
| $43.50 | $89.99 | $59.99 | $39.99 | $49.99 | $29.99 | $42.99 | $44.99 | $69.99 | $99.98 |
Number of Lights Included
| 4 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 1 | |
Motion Sensor
| Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | No |
Charging Hours Needed
| Up to 9 | Up to 8 | Up to 8 | Up to 10 | N/A | Up to 8 | Up to 6 | Up to 6 | Up to 5 | Up to 8 |
Battery Required
| Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions About Solar Lights
Most are easy to self-install using a stake or a few screws. Check with your local listings for more complex set-ups and assistance.
Yes, most solar lights will use their backup power source to keep your home lit at night during rain and snow.
Most solar lights last a few years, but it depends on a number of factors including the lighting mode, lumens and battery. Some batteries or panels will need to be replaced for your lights to work longer. Generally, they last at least four years.
Most solar lights can be cleaned using a damp cloth to wipe away dust and dirt.
