Solar lights are a great way to add ambiance to your yard, patio, or deck without having to worry about installing wires. They’re easy to put together and can be staked in the ground or mounted on a wall with the included hardware. Some even pivot up to 120 degrees, which makes them ideal for illuminating specific areas around your home.

How They Work

Outdoor solar lights rely on photovoltaic panels to convert sunlight into electricity that charges batteries during the day, then turns on at night. These batteries are typically rechargeable, and the best solar lights feature a battery that can be swapped out in the event of a problem.

Choosing a Good Location

The best places for outdoor solar lights are sheltered from wind and shaded by vegetation. You should also look for locations that receive 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day, as this is the best way for solar cells to charge up and provide power to your lighting system.

Batteries and Battery Life

Rechargeable batteries are important to the operation of solar lights because they store the electricity that comes from the sun. They usually last for about a year, but they will need to be replaced at some point, so it’s smart to buy a light with a battery that can be replaced in the future.

In addition, some solar lights have an ambient light sensor that will switch on automatically when it gets dark, and others are motion-sensing and only turn on when they detect activity nearby. If you’re looking for a solar light that’s particularly bright, check out one with a large bulb, which will make it more likely to illuminate your entire yard.

Lumens are another important factor to consider when shopping for outdoor solar lights, as these can vary from 5 lumens for landscape ambiance to 350 lumens for a strong spotlight or floodlight. The more lumens a light has, the brighter it will be.

You can also check how long the LEDs will last, which is an important factor to consider if you’re planning on using these lights for longer periods of time. Most outdoor solar lights use AA or AAA batteries, which are easily replaceable.

The best outdoor solar lights also include a remote control, which allows you to set the brightness of your lights and the time they’re on. You’ll also find models that can be manually controlled, so you can choose whether you want to have them on or off at a certain time of day.

Battery Life

The length of a light’s battery life will depend on how much power it needs to run, and whether or not you have any other sources of energy on your property (such as gas or electric). In some cases, you may need multiple batteries, so you’ll need to shop around to find the right battery type for your needs.

Some of the top-rated solar lights on this list feature multiple strands, which is ideal for adding a soft glow to your garden or yard while keeping costs down. These strands come in different shapes and colors, and they’re designed to be hung up on the same pole or in a row next to each other.