You will get the best experience with outdoor solar lights when you opt for lights with good solar panels and long lighting times. But besides that, ensure your choice can charge quickly and offers sufficient brightness. Such a selection will give you a complete experience.
The AiDot Linkind Solar Motion Sensor Porch Light is an excellent mix of function and performance. It offers some of the fastest charging rates and longest lighting times of all the solar lights we checked out.
Lighting Time
The lighting time of the AiDot Solar light is very impressive. As long as the lights are fully charged during the day, they will stay on throughout the night. Of course, when an outdoor light stays on throughout the night, it has fulfilled its primary purpose.
When fully charged, this device can stay on for over 16 hours. So, even if you do not get a lot of sunlight in your region, you might be able to work with it.
Charging Time
The charging rate was pretty short when we tested this product. On non-cloudy days, the lights typically got a full charge in less than 6 hours. But on cloud days, the charging time was 8-9 hours. This made this product one of the fastest – if not the fastest – in our review.
Then it also comes with a USB charging port for days when solar charging might be impossible.
Brightness
We had two options when it came to color temperature/brightness. The lights could switch between cool white lights and warm lights. Of course, the cool light mode with a color temperature of around 6500K was brighter than the warm light. The warm light mode, on the other hand, was the cozier option.
So, depending on what you want, you could switch between either mode.
Durability
From just handling this product, we could tell the build quality. We reckon the lights will last a long time, and damage from elements, like rain and snow, will not break them anytime soon.
Installation
The installation was straightforward, especially because all we needed to install the lights were already in the pack. Also, for the most part, we had to screw them to a wall.
Other Key Features
As the name says, the AiDot Linkind Solar Motion Sensor Porch Light has a motion sensor. So, it is not just an outdoor solar light; it can also serve as a security light. The detection range is also impressive, so the motion sensor function is not just an appendage.
One thing we liked about this product was the fact that we could detach the lights from their mounts and carry them around. If you ever need a lantern outside, you could just pull one of the lights off its mount instead of going inside to get a flashlight.
Pros
Long lighting times
Rapid charging even on cloudy days
Offers multiple color temperatures
Resistant to water and impact
Besides solar panel charging, you can charge it with a USB charger.
The Solar Motion Security Light 1600 Lumens performs impressively regarding how long the lights stay on and how fast they charge. But for us, the most impressive part of this product was the coverage.
The lights of this product covered a very wide angle – approximately 180 degrees for us. That coverage angle is remarkable compared to many other security lights in the market.
Lighting Time
We got more than 14 hours of lighting after charging the lights fully. Of course, that was more than enough for the night.
Charging Time
The Solar Motion Security Light 1600 Lumens changes rapidly. We typically get a full charge in 6 hours or less. Then since the solar panels are amorphous, charging was still pretty fast on cloudy days.
Brightness
The white lights of this device can shine as bright as 1600 lumens, which is very bright and covers a broad range. Overall, it was the brightness one would expect of a top-quality security light.
Durability
We sprinkled water over this device for about 5 minutes to confirm its resistance. Then when we were done, we tried switching it on, and it worked fine.
Installation
Since the pack came with the mounting hardware and the installation instructions were clear, we had no issues installing the lights.
Other Key Features
The motion sensor of the Solar Motion Security Light 1600 Lumens senses motion within a 180-degree angle and up to 49 feet away. This is even more sensitive than the previous product.
We would have loved it even better if the light came with an alternative power source like USB charging.
These solar string lights do not stay on as long as the Sanjicha String Lights. This is why we placed them as our second-best string lights. Nonetheless, they have all the qualities to be in the top 10.
Lighting Time
These solar-powered lights have a battery life of 5 to 6 hours after a full charge. So, do not count on them to last you all night.
Charging Time
Under ideal conditions, the battery should get a full charge within 6 hours. This makes it one of the fastest-charging products in our review. It even charges faster than the other string light in the review.
So, if you live in a place that does not get a lot of sunlight, this might be a better option for you.
Brightness
The string light emits 3000K warm white light. So, it should work perfectly if you ever need lights to create a restful atmosphere.
Durability
Made with commercial-grade materials, the Brightech Ambience Pro is weatherproof. So, leaving them in your outdoor space would not be a problem. The bulbs are also shatterproof and heat-resistant to a high degree. So, the overall durability is very decent.
Installation
Each bulb has a ring-like extension for easy attachment to hooks and guide wires. Then, stick the solar panel in the ground with a stake or attach it to your roof with a clip. So, overall, installation is straightforward.
Other Key Features
With this product, you can choose between a 27-feet and a 48-feet strand. So you are not stuck with one size. But then, you must manually switch the solar panel on to charge the battery.
Pros
Rapid charging time.
Highly durable.
Warm white light – perfect for creating a cozy outdoor atmosphere.
Cons
You must switch the solar panel on to charge the battery.
With these solar lights, you get long lighting times, a durable body, a fairly rapid charging rate, and decent brightness.
Lighting Time
The AmeriTop Solar Lights Outdoor has a battery life of 6-8 hours when fully charged. While these time ranges should suffice for an all-night illumination, these floodlights offer relatively longer times.
Charging Time
It takes up to eight hours to get a full charge after exposure to enough solar energy. So, you can consider buying it if you get a moderate to long duration of direct sunlight in your region.
Brightness
AmeriTop has a luminous flux of around 800 lumens. This brightness level is fair compared to the other lights in this review. Nonetheless, it might still be effective as a security light.
The fact that it has a color temperature of up to 6500K favors visibility in a way. Of course, you can get more units if one unit does not suffice for your security needs. Alternatively, you may go for one of the brighter ones.
Durability
Made with high-impact ABS, AmeriTop is not one to crack readily. Then with the IP 65 rating, you wouldn’t have to worry about the elements damaging your solar light.
Installation
The AmeriTop solar lights are primed for easy installation. You do not have to fiddle with wires. Just screw the solar-powered light on any exterior wall or surface you desire, and you are good.
Other Key Features
Designed with 3 light fixtures, the outdoor solar lights cover up to 270 degrees – more than many other products in our review. Since it can detect motion, the lights automatically turn on when they detect movement within a 26-feet radius and a 180-degree angle.
The solar panels are made up of polycrystalline cells. Interestingly, these cells have a rated efficiency of up to 20% – at least 5-7% higher than the average efficiency of polycrystalline cells.
Pros
The lighting time is decent.
It charges pretty fast.
Decent brightness.
Resistant to water and impact.
The solar panel is highly efficient for a polycrystalline solar panel.
The MAGGIFT Solar Path Lights had some of the best specs of all the solar pathway lights we came across. This is why they come in as our best solar path lights. With these path lights, you get long lighting times, rapid charging, and decent durability.
Lighting Time
Since these path lights have a 10-hour battery life, your outdoor areas will comfortably remain illuminated through the night.
Charging Time
These solar lights should get a full charge within 6 to 8 hours of exposure to optimal sunlight. This is good enough for use in regions with moderate to long direct sunlight durations.
Cleaning their solar panels regularly can also help maintain their charging time.
Brightness
The solar path lights come with 12 units of landscape path lights. Each one of these lights has a luminous flux of 1 lumen. So, in total, you get 12 lumens from a pack. The bulbs give off a warm light, not a bright light. But since the product is more decorative than illuminative, its low brightness should not be an issue.
Durability
These outdoor solar lights are made with ABS plastic. So, it should resist impact and heat to high degrees. But it has an IP 44 rating, which is not very impressive water resistance. While the lights resist water splashes, heavy downpours may be an issue.
Installation
They are easy to install. Push the stake into the soil around the path to be decorated, and you are done.
Other Key Features
It comes with a NiMH rechargeable battery. So, its battery may not last as those with lithium batteries. However, the rechargeable battery resists extreme temperature changes better than lithium-ion batteries.
Pros
Remarkable lighting time.
Charging time is pretty fast.
It gives off a warm white light, making it perfect for decoration.
It has an impact-resistant body.
Cons
The water resistance of this product could be better.
Its battery life may not be as long as a lithium-ion battery will.
This product is a brand of solar-powered spotlight. It offers decent operation time, rapid charging, and durability.
Lighting Time
Depending on the brightness, the URPOWER Solar Lights can stay on for 6-10 hours when fully charged. So, with it, you can keep your outdoor space lit through the night.
This solar spotlight operates in two brightness levels: low and high light modes. When on the low, it can stay on for up to 10 hours. But on high, it has a battery life of around 6 hours.
Charging Time
The charging rate is impressive; you can get a full charge within 4 to 5 hours of exposure to maximum sunlight.
If you clean their solar panels regularly, they should meet the said charging rate. If you live in a region that does not get long durations of direct sunlight, you should consider this product.
Brightness
The brightness of this solar spotlight is not super impressive. But for a solar spotlight, cool white light with a luminous flux of 200 lumens is still good enough.
Durability
With a body made from ABS plastic, the URPOWER is pretty sturdy. However, it has an IP64 rating. While this means it can resist water spray from all directions, it may not resist a heavy downpour.
Installation
Installation is uncomplicated. You may install these lights in the ground by driving the stake through the soil. Alternatively, you may mount it on a wall using the screws provided.
Other Key Features
The URPOWER does not use a motion sensor. Instead, it comes on automatically when it’s dark. If you press the switch once, it will light up in low-light mode. But when you press the switch twice, you activate the high/bright light mode.
Pros
Decent lighting times – enough for an all-nighter.
The motion sensor of the AiDot Linkind Solar Pathway Lights 4 Pack uses PIR technology. So, we weren’t surprised that its motion sensing was the best we experienced in this review.
One reason why we think this had the best motion detection was that there were fewer cases of false detections. Also, the motion sensor consumed less power compared to the motion sensors in the others.
Lighting Time
While its lighting time isn’t the longest, it offers more than enough to last the whole night. At the least, when fully charged, it can stay on for over 8 hours and up to 10 hours.
Charging Time
With a solar panel efficiency of up to 22%, we weren’t surprised to see this product get a full charge in 6 hours.
Brightness
These solar lights do not fall short when it comes to brightness. Unlike the other AiDot light in this review, you get only 6500K white lights. Each light gives off 200 lumens, so you get 800 lumens, which is more than bright enough for most outdoor areas.
Durability
We tried sprinkling water on these IP67-rated lights for 5 minutes and were convinced of their water resistance. So, the lights should do just fine in all kinds of weather.
Installation
Installing the lights of the AiDot Linkind Solar Pathway Lights 4 Pack was easy. Since they came with stakes, all we had to do was stick the stakes in the ground, and that was it. You may also choose to mount the lights on walls, fences, stairs, and other similar surfaces.
The Solar Powered String Lights 12 Led Bulbs was a beautiful, cozy light in our space. But beyond that, it has the overall quality expected of one of the best outdoor solar lights.
Lighting Time
When fully charged, the lights of this product can stay on for 8-10 hours to experience its delightful ambiance throughout the night.
Charging Time
On most sunny days, charging took about 6-8 hours, which is okay. The amorphous solar panels were helpful on cloudy days as they ensured the charging rate wasn’t too slow.
Brightness
The Solar Powered String Lights 12 Led Bulbs isn’t the type of product one gets for its brightness. But then, even though the bulbs emit warm lights, they are still pretty bright and beautiful.
Durability
The ABS plastic body of this product stretches to a fair degree. So, it isn’t the type to readily break under impact. The seals are also topnotch; they don’t seem to give way to any kind of ingress, which is why the lights are weather-resistant.
Installation
The installation instructions are straightforward, whether you want to use the mounting bracket or ground stake. We didn’t have to fuss too much while trying to install ours. The 30 feet of cable also made things easier for us. We were able to adjust the distance between the bulbs as needed, and this made the installation/design flexible.
Other Key Features
Since this is a string light, there was barely any limit to the spots we could install. There was no stopping from the patio to the garden, balcony, and backyard.
The intense brightness of the Solar Flood Light Dusk to Dawn 6500K (200W-400W) was its most impressive feature for us. No surprise, we chose it as our best flood lights.
The lights of this product were not just intensely bright, but they shined over a very large area. So, as far as floodlights go, they fit the bill.
Lighting Time
We were impressed by the lighting time of this solar flood light. We got around 13 hours of lighting from it following a full charge. But then, going by the manufacturer’s description, lighting can last about 12 to 14 hours following a full charge. Of course, that’s great and within the range of the longest lighting times in this review.
When used in dim mode, you can get more than 30 hours of lighting.
Charging Time
It takes about six to eight hours under maximum sun exposure to get a full charge on these flood lights. This should be good enough in areas with high to moderate sunshine.
Brightness
As we’ve hinted, brightness is this product’s most impressive feature. The 6500K cool light with up to 30,000 lumens of brightness significantly summarizes that quality.
Durability
Overall, the Solar Flood Light Dusk to Dawn 6500K (200W-400W) is durable. At the least, it is weather-resistant to most elements, especially rain and snow.
Installation
Depending on where you intend to install them, installing the floodlights may not be the easiest. But then, the instructions are pretty straightforward. So, while it might take some effort, you’ll eventually get it done.
Other Key Features
This product comes with a remote control. So, besides the dawn-to-dusk control, you can control its functions yourself without getting to the lights. It also features a motion sensor.
Pros
The lighting time is remarkable.
The charging time is decent.
The lights are very bright.
It is pretty durable: the body is sufficiently waterproof.
Beyond its unique design, the Kooper Outdoor Light offers long lighting, rapid charging, easy installation, and decent durability.
Lighting Time
These decorative solar garden lights stay on for 8 to 10 hours after a full charge. So, it will probably last you through the night.
Charging Time
This outdoor lighting only takes 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight to charge fully. So, if you live in a low-sunlight area, this is perfect for you.
Brightness
The Kooper Outdoor Solar Lights come in a flower-petal design, perfect for solar garden lights. The product consists of 4 different light colors, which, when clustered, are bright enough for use in lawns, gardens, walkways, and driveways.
Durability
Rated IP65 and made with ABS plastic, the Kooper Solar Lights hold up pretty well in various kinds of weather. So you do not have to worry about them too much.
Installation
The flowers come with an iron stake, so you can readily stick them into the ground without sweat.
Other Key Features
The decorative outdoor solar lights come with a color-changing sensor, adding an extra dimension to its allure. They also have a night sensor, so the lights go on and off automatically.
Pros
Unique design.
Rapid charging.
Stays on for a long.
Highly weatherproof.
Cons
The battery capacity could be higher.
Buyer’s Guide
Rapid Charging
Solar-powered outdoor lights perform better when they charge fast and are highly durable. The sun will not be around at night to power solar garden lights, which is why they come with batteries.
The batteries store solar energy generated by the solar panel during the day. Then when night falls, they release the stored energy to the lights so that they can come on.
These batteries need the sun to get a charge. But they can only do so when the sun is up. Therefore, whenever you select outdoor solar lights, choose one that can get a full charge within the average sunlight duration of your region.
Suppose you want your outdoor solar lights to get a full charge within the average of 6 peak sun hours in your region, a 12V/40Ah lithium battery powers the lights. Then you should opt for a solar panel with a capacity of at least 80W to ensure your outdoor solar lights can get a full charge within the available hours.
Lighting Time
An outdoor solar light that cannot stay on throughout the night is undesirable; lights are useless when off. So, when choosing solar lights for outdoor spaces, pay attention to the lighting time range. Good outdoor solar lights typically offer long light times.
Brightness and Color Temperature
The brightness setting and color temperature depend on your intended use of the lights. If you need the light for security or a dark driveway, go for solar path lights or floodlights with high luminous flux and high color temperatures.
These solar-powered garden lights offer more illuminance than other types, and they should be able to reveal anyone or anything trying to hide in the shadows.
Conversely, opt for those with low color temperatures if you need decorative or path lighting. In this case, you may choose any luminous flux (brightness) you want. Lights with low color temperatures are better for decoration because they are visually appealing and relaxing.
Types of Solar Outdoor Lights
Pathway Lights: With the light from pathway lights illuminating your walkway, moving around at night certainly becomes less complicated. But beyond that, pathway lights are an aesthetic way to welcome people to your home.
Disk Lights: Solar disk lights help illuminate outdoor areas (such as walkways) while making the most of the available space. Since they lay flat at the point of installation, they rarely get in the way of anything else.
Dock Lights: Adding solar lights to residential docks is a thoughtful way of improving safety. But apart from that, solar dock lights can bring some life to docks and the water around them.
Security Lights: These lights illuminate entrances and dark paths, preventing intruders from using the said places as cover. Solar-powered security lights typically come with a motion sensor, so they will light up if anything moves within their range.
Flood Lights: These lights are ideal for lighting up outdoor spaces. Their design is similar to those of security lights. However, solar flood lights do not always come with a motion sensor.
Tiki Torches: Solar-powered tiki torch lights beautify outdoor spaces with their lights, and they are perfect for creating warm, tropical settings. So, whether you are having a party or hanging out outdoors, you may want to try them.
Deck Lights: Solar deck lights are one of the best options for illuminating places like steps, rails, posts, patio roofs, walls, trees, and eaves. Besides their decorative appeal, they make moving around the areas less complicated at night.
Step Lights: Step solar lights are just right for keeping your outdoor stairwell beautiful. Apart from visual appeal, they can also help keep you from tripping while moving up and down the stairs when it’s dark.
Flagpole Lights: These lights are a type of solar light that keeps flags illuminated in the dark. Solar flagpole lights typically come on automatically at dusk and then go off at dawn.
Gutter Lights: Solar gutter lights are designed for attachment to your roof’s gutters. They illuminate walkways, gardens, and patios and even offer some security.
Lamp Posts: One prominent benefit of using solar lamp posts is the ease of installation. You can place solar lamp posts in virtually any location. But apart from that, you do not have to fiddle with wires to make the solar post lights work.
Lanterns: Lanterns are portable solar electric systems. Solar lanterns have solar panels, LED bulbs, and a rechargeable battery. Thanks to their portability, you can readily carry them around.
Seasonal and Decorative Lights: The name gives this one away: decorative lights like solar Christmas lights are used for beautification. String lights and fairy lights are the most common types of decorative lights. They present as multiple light bulbs attached to each other with an electrical wire as a string. While string lights are commonly used for decorating Christmas trees, they are also useful for other decorations.
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Adeyomola Kazeem
Adeyomola loves the purity that comes with solar energy. He believes that with the yellow dwarf star already brimming with energy, the world does not need to deplete non-renewable energy sources. Especially since said energy sources might be harmful to our world.He has had hands-on experiences creating solar energy panels himself and has worked closely with solar engineers. In a bid to preserve environmental integrity, Adeyomola would rather walk certain distances instead of driving or taking a bus. He sometimes spends his free time planting and tending to plants or wondering why we underutilize the biggest star in our solar system.
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