Best Solar Landscape Lighting

Written by John Ho on December 27, 2020
Best Solar Landscape Lighting

No one likes walking through dull pathways, driveways, and other not so nicely lit outdoor areas around the house, they look super unsafe especially during the nighttime. Not only are dimly lit areas unsafe, but they also don't give out a good impression to the visitors of your house.

People do not feel comfortable around dark areas and your house does not give out a welcoming vibe. Moreover, lighting the outside areas of your house is essential for maintaining a vision for seeing stuff.

Since most people already know that having solar pathlight around your house is more serene than not having them, so I am not going to explain more things that you miss out on without a well-lit exterior. Instead, I am going to talk about the reason why people do not install landscape lights and then give you a way out of how to avoid that issue.

Coming to why most people skip path lighting, and that is clearly because they are really expensive to run. It's easy to install a bunch of landscape lights around but the impact that they have in terms of electricity costs is just over the roof. However, what if I tell you that there is a solution to this, by installing 'solar' landscape lights you can say farewell to the days you spent panicking about the electricity costs of your landscape lighting. You can simply install solar landscape lights outside of your house and they will run from the energy they will extract from the sun. They are not even connected to the, to begin with. These lights open a window of possibilities for anyone who was previously struggling with their electricity bill and could not afford to increase it more by installing some additional load.

Now that you know how effective solar landscape lighting can be when it comes to cost-cutting, you can hook some up at your home. But, the issue here is that you have been newly introduced to the concept of this type of landscape lighting, so I am pretty sure that you must have no idea about where you should look to get some solar landscape lighting that will work best in your situation. If that is the case, then do not fret yet, I have got you covered with the 5 best solar lights that are arguably the most appreciated for a pleasing view. I have thoroughly researched and then reviewed these solar landscape lights one by one below so you can choose the one that fits perfectly with your requirements. I have made sure that all the 5 lights have some diversity; string, ring, yard, garden lights, path lights or for landscaping so everyone can find something to light up their landscapes.

Information You Should Know About Solar Landscape Lighting

Here is some valuable information that you should keep in mind when buying solar landscape lighting for your needs.

How does solar landscape lighting work?

Well, unless you're an electrical engineer or closely related to how electrical systems work which I am sure most of you won't be, then the only information that you should care about is that these lights charge through the sun during the daytime and then utilize that energy at night. In case, you are curious about the technical aspects, then you can find the working mechanism of solar panels in detail here.

Are solar landscape lights high-maintenance?

The immediate question that pops up in people's minds after hearing the word 'solar' is 'how expensive is it to maintain?'. The truth is that solar landscape lights are not at all hard to maintain as their maintenance cost is pretty low. In fact, it is much lower than the cost of maintaining traditional lighting systems since they do not have to be connected to the grid.

Is solar landscape lighting wet-weather friendly?

Of course, one of your biggest worries after installing your lights outside your house would be that they will be able to withstand rain, snow, or water in general. Luckily, most of the solar landscape lights are up to IP-67 rating water-resistant so living through extreme weather conditions is a breeze for them. However, if you are residing in an area where the rain is harsh, make sure that whatever solar landscape lighting you are buying is at least water-resistant.

Can you still charge solar landscape lights without the sun?

You know what, there is no need to fear overcast days when you install solar lights. Because, even when the sun bails out on you, there are still plenty of other ways you can charge solar lights. For instance, you can always hook them with a grid and then charge them like you charge a conventional light, or you can also charge by placing a bright LED or incandescent light close to the solar receptors of the light because LEDs and incandescent bulbs emit the same photons as the sun. So there are a lot of options and you would never feel left behind the charging plethora even on a cloudy day.

Type of batteries used in solar landscape lighting

It is essential to use the right type of batteries with solar landscape lighting to avoid damaging them. The type of batteries that is compatible with solar lights is the rechargeable batteries. Using any battery other than this type of battery can cause your solar lights to not function properly.

Benefits of using solar landscape lights

  • Environmental friendly.
  • Use solar energy to operate.
  • Save loads of money on electricity bills.
  • Low-maintenance.

What brand solar lights should you buy?

There is no specific brand of solar lights that makes the best of the best. Many brands offer great products that are good value for money.

However, what you should avoid is buying solar landscape lighting from brands that have a bad reputation even if you can save a good deal of money buying from them. Low-quality products never offer value in the long-term.

All the products I have listed below come from reputable brands and you definitely will not face any quality issues buying any light from the list. Usually, good lights have an automatic mode and other great features as well.

How long do solar landscape lights last?

We have already established the fact that solar landscape lights are quite durable and can live through tough weather conditions. But, after all, it is a machine, and machines wear out. If we talk about the total lifetime of solar landscape lights, it is estimated that they last for about 3-4 years with routine maintenance.

Reviews Of The Top 5 Best Solar Landscape Lighting Products

Below, I have reviewed the 5 solar landscape lighting products that I think are the most perfect in the business.

BOAER Hanging Solar Lights For Outdoor (Best Overall)

What purpose does it serve best?

If you want to make your garden look majestic and elegant during the night, BOAER Hanging Solar Lights For Outdoor are the one for you. Their stainless steel build speaks of luxury and hints that the lights are made to stand out among the rest.

You can turn on these lights whenever you invite some friends or colleagues over for dinner and they all will surely be left dazzled by the beauty of these lights. In short, this solar landscape light is not just an ordinary solar outdoor light that you just use for vision during the nighttime, BOAER Hanging Solar Light Outdoor goes a step beyond and proves that it can add personality to your landscape areas.

Design

The design of the BOAER Hanging Solar Lights Outdoor is unique and interesting at the same time. The light cover of this solar landscape lighting product is of a balloon shape with flower patterns around it. This balloon-shaped light cover hangs from a circular solar power. The complete construction of the light is done from metal and is pretty durable. The total structure is about 16.9 inches long in height and 5.1 inches wide.

What is the best attribute?

If I had to choose one best feature of this solar landscape light, that would probably be its aesthetics. There is no denying the fact that the pattern of light this solar light emits is truly gorgeous. It completely enhances the atmosphere and makes it aesthetically pleasing.

So even though this solar landscape light packs a lot of noteworthy features. I am still going to call the aesthetics of this light its best attribute because that one quirk makes it stand out in front of all the other solar landscape lights.

Final verdict

As I have already applauded the aesthetics of this light many times before, so you might have already gotten what this light is best for. There is a caveat though, this solar landscape light is not at all budget-friendly. In fact, it only targets the audience which is seeking a premium quality light so it clearly can't come at a cheaper price point.

However, if you are not from an audience that is looking for a premium built and the ultimate eye-catching solar landscape light. You can surely find all the other features that this light carries at a much cheaper price tag.

So it really boils down to personal preference - whether you want to pay a premium to get a premium or you are good with a little cheaper build with the same features at a bargain price.

Pros

  • Creates beautiful patterns of light.
  • Made from premium materials.
  • Durable.
  • Long battery life.
  • Automatically turns on and off through sensor.
  • Weatherproof.

Cons

  • Not budget-friendly.

Foxdott Solar Lights Outdoor, 12Pack solar pathway lights outdoor (Best Budget)

What purpose does it serve best?

These stick pathway solar landscape lights are for people who are looking for a decently built solar outdoor light packed with a lot of features at a budget price range. Because Foxdott Solar Lights Outdoor, 12Pack solar pathway lights outdoor offers all of these features and also comes at a very affordable price.

Its stainless steel build and variety of features offer a lot so it is probably a fantastic option for anyone who is on a budget.

Design

Although Foxdott Solar Lights Outdoor, 12Pack solar pathway lights outdoor comes at a budget price point but its design and build quality do not reflect that from any angle.

The entire build of the solar light is made of durable stainless steel. On the top, there is a solar panel present to extract light from the sun. Below that is the light, and the whole structure stands on a sharp pencil-like stick which makes it easier to install in the grass, pavements, etc.

What is the best attribute?

The value for money that Foxdott Solar Lights Outdoor, 12Pack solar pathway lights outdoor provides is amazing. It seriously has a lot of features that you can rely on. Not only is this solar landscape light boat loaded with plenty of features but its build is also pretty rugged which makes this solar landscape light durable, to say the least.

So the fact that this solar landscape light provides such a great value for money makes it its best attribute.

Final verdict

I think that there are not many reasons not to buy and install Foxdott Solar Lights Outdoor, 12Pack solar pathway lights unless you want something particularly fancy. Then, you can distance yourself from this solar landscape light. Because this cheaply priced solar outdoor light can only do enough.

On the other hand, if you want a feature-packed solar landscape light with solid build quality, then Foxdott Solar Lights Outdoor, 12Pack is the best budget-friendly available out there.

Pros

  • Comes at an affordable price.
  • Easy to install.
  • Motion sensing.
  • Weatherproof.
  • Stainless steel design at a low cost.
  • Ergonomic design.
  • Comes with a post.

Cons

  • No light patterns like stars etc.

GIGALUMI 8 Pack Solar Pathway Lights Outdoor

What purpose does it serve best?

GIGALUMI 8 Pack Solar Pathway Lights Outdoor might have a plastic built and may not feel premium upon hand touch, but that surely does not mean that they do not look absolutely fantastic from a distance. Someone who is on a budget constraint and can't buy the expensive solar landscape lights that produce a unique pattern of light can definitely purchase GIGALUMI 8 Pack Solar Pathway Lights Outdoor and satisfy their need for a flashy solar landscape light and can make their outdoor areas get a premium touch without paying the premium price.

Design

The design of the GIGALUMI 8 Pack Solar Pathway Lights Outdoor is very lamp-like. On the bottom of the solar light, there is a single spike present to easily mount the light on the surface. Above the spike is the rectangle-shaped light cover with LEDs inside of it, the light cover has boxes all over it to create a beautiful pattern of light. On the roof of the solar landscape light, a 2 V solar panel is present so that sunlight can reach it efficiently. The whole structure is completely built from plastic and is 15 inches long in height and 3 inches wide in breadth.

What is the best attribute?

I love how easy it is to install GIGALUMI 8 Pack Solar Pathway Lights Outdoor outside of your house. The spikes allow you to just plug the whole solar landscape light into the ground within just a few minutes. While you require professional help to install many solar lights outside of your house, the case with GIGALUMI 8 Pack Solar Pathway Lights Outdoor is pretty different, you can install these lights all by yourself.

Moreover, there are also no wires involved in the installation which makes the process much easier.

Final verdict

If you are the type of person who looks for premium touch in cheap products, then GIGALUMI 8 Pack Solar Pathway Lights Outdoor can be your ideal buy. Its pattern design which enables fancy feeling light to emit out surely adds some extravaganza vibe to your landscape areas. Also, there are plenty of other reasons to buy this light aside from this one, for starters, it has a water resistance rating which can grant you the comfort of your solar landscape lights staying safe during harsh weather, and the fact that these lights are super easy to install.

Not only this, but there is also a 60-day warranty that you get with these solar lights so that is a bonus. However, one thing that ticks me off in the case of these solar landscape lights are plastic built, plastic is never a reliable material and it will surely start wearing off in a few years especially after going through a few rough rounds of weather. And there are solar landscape lights present in this list (Foxdott Solar Lights Outdoor, 12Pack solar pathway lights outdoors) that are cheaper and have a stainless steel build. So unless you really want that pattern design at a bargain, there are presumably better options available.

Pros

  • Easy to install.
  • Has a water resistance rating.
  • Pattern light.
  • Beautiful design.
  • 60 days warranty.

Cons

  • Has a plastic build.

10 Pack Color Changing Solar Lights Outdoor

What purpose does it serve best?

10 Pack Color Changing Solar Lights Outdoor changes to seven different colors including red, green, blue, and more. All of these colors look spectacular and add a versatile personality in the outdoors where they are installed. This solar landscape light could be great for gifting to people because of its beautiful color changing trait. People usually love colorful and vibrant gifts. However, aside from gifting these lights, you can also install them in your own gardens, patios, and lawns. Their water-resistant capabilities will also be really helpful in making them last for a long period.

Design

The design of the 10 Pack Color Changing Solar Lights Outdoor is pretty simple yet ergonomic. On the roof of the light cover lies a solar panel that is used to harness energy from the sun. Below that, there is the light cover itself which has color-changing LEDs inside. All of this structure lies on a detachable spike which is used for easily installing the solar landscape light on the ground. In total, the light is 16.1 inches long in height and 3.8 inches wide in width.

What is the best attribute?

The color-changing ability of this solar landscape light makes it unique in its own way. None of the other solar lights in this list come with color-changing capabilities. So 10 Pack Color Changing Solar Lights Outdoor is the light for you if you are someone who is heavily invested in buying colorful stuff or if your garden has a vibrant theme, you can make it more vibrant by adding Pack Color Changing Solar Lights Outdoor to it.

Final verdict

My final verdict about this solar landscape light would probably be that it is recommended if you want to complete a color theme of your garden or just want to give something vibrant to a person who loves vibrancy around them. Because only one flaw that these lights have is that they are made from plastic so if you are not into plastic products, be aware. Otherwise, they carry all the essential features of a good solar landscape light.

Pros

  • Colour changing lights.
  • Water-resistant.
  • Easy to install.
  • Good battery hours.
  • Sleek design.

Cons

  • Built from hard plastic.

Garden Solar Lights, Cracked Glass Ball Waterproof Warm White LED (Editor's choice)

What purpose does it serve best?

If you ask me what purpose do these solar landscape lights do best, I would definitely say that they are best for lighting pathways. There is just something about these lights, maybe their round design that looks really good on pathways. If you will install them outside of your office or home, you will definitely get a lot of motion around and people will definitely be stopping to just stare at the uniqueness of the lights.

Design

The design of the Garden Solar Lights, Cracked Glass Ball Waterproof Warm White LED is one of its kind. The top of the light cover is fully rounded off to make it look like a ball from the top. The whole ball-like glass structure is sitting on a plate that has an on and off switch present on it. You can also attach a spike below the plate to make the solar landscape light standstill on the ground. The complete body without the spike is 3.35 inches high in height and 3.94 inches wide in width.

What is the best attribute?

I absolutely love the premium vibe of the Garden Solar Lights, Cracked Glass Ball Waterproof Warm White LED since the manufacturers have made quite a different approach here. And that approach definitely paid off because this solar landscape light looks like a wonder sitting on pathways, driveways, etc. It just enhances the experience of people coming in and out. So I do not know what other people think but I am surely a fan of this rounded solar light especially when it is on and produces its warm white colors in its full glory. It is definitely a sight to behold during the nighttime.

Final verdict

Maybe, just maybe, this verdict might be a little biased since I absolutely adore the design of the Garden Solar Lights, Cracked Glass Ball Waterproof Warm White LED. But I kid you not, this is the cheapest solar landscape light you will find that would make your pathways, and other outdoor places look absolutely stunning. The light that it emits is gorgeous too, and there are all the basic features present in this light as well including the automatic on and off feature. There is one catch though, that the glass build of this solar light can break so unless you are not playing football around them, you are pretty much good to go.

Pros

  • Beautiful design.
  • Water-resistant.
  • Easy to install.
  • Use of premium materials.
  • Motion sensing.
  • Warm light, pleasant to see.

Cons

  • The glass structure can break easily.

FAQs

Conclusion

After reading the complete review. By now, users would definitely be convinced on their decision of which solar lights are best for their illumination needs. However, if there are still some confusion left in your mind and all that extensive reading went in vain for you, do not fret yet, let me help you out. What I have done is that I have picked the best solar landscape lighting from the list, it is definitely based on my personal opinion but still, it can help you in picking the right light for yourself.

The solar landscape light that I have picked is BOAER Hanging Solar Lights For Outdoor mainly because it is a complete package. It is gorgeous, is built from premium materials, and has all the bells and whistles of a high-end solar landscape light like sensing etc. So in my opinion, if you still could not pick a solar landscape light, this is the one for you unless you crave string lights, it is again your choice. After all, there are a plenty of choices and a lot of reviewers. Happy buying on Amazon!

Article written by John Ho
Our goal is to provide you with comprehensive and thorough solar-energy product guides, which will leave you confident that you have made the right purchase decision for your home.

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