Solar Garden Lights are functional, and can add beauty to your garden – highlighting all of your hard work.
I personally think that wandering through a beautiful garden at night, while soft path lights illuminate it, is magical. String lights also make the outdoors “otherworldly, and you can find out more about outdoor solar lights in this article that includes string lights.
There are many reason for solar garden lights.
- Highlighting the beauty of your garden
- Safety – illuminating the space
- Work – working in your garden after you come home from work is very relaxing
- Fun, lighting for kids
- Creating a magical space to disconnect
This article will provide my favorite options for solar lighting, along with consumer feedback on performance.
Table of contents
My Favorite Solar Garden Lights
There are many types of solar garden lights, and trying to make a choice can be difficult. I’ll explain how they work and help narrow down your options.
Ultimately though, solar garden light choices often boil down to how they look, and I’ll provide a few of my favorites.
Following my “Favorites List” is more information on what exactly a solar light is, how it works, and what to look for when you are deciding on the light that works for your garden.
| Item | Description | Purchase | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | AlJoLife 12Pack Solar Lights | These are great simple, attractive path lights for any garden. They also have great reviews, and look nice along foot paths and between rows. | [maxbutton id="9"] |
 | Solar Garden Decorative Lights | These small garden solar fairies will light up your garden and add delight for small smiles. The even have a monocrystalline solar panel for more efficiency and an upgraded battery. | [maxbutton id="10"] |
 | GIGALUMI Solar Pathway Lights 8 Pack | Are you looking for a bright white light that gives off a pretty pattern. These lights are one of the few that receive five stars and rave reviews. | [maxbutton id="11"] |
 | Solar Garden Decorative Lights | These Copper Wire Lights are some of my favorites. Not only are they pretty but I can bend them into whatever shape I want. | [maxbutton id="12"] |
 | RUILAIYA BOAER Flamingo Solar Pathway Lights | Seriously - who does not want a bright pink flamingo in their garden?! This fella is 36" tall and when fully charged lasts up to 9 hours! | [maxbutton id="13"] |
 | TomCare Solar Lights Outdoor 8 Pack Flickering Flames Solar Torches | If you are looking to add some flickering flames to your garden and give it a slightly tropical ambiance, these are great solar garden lights with great reviews! | [maxbutton id="14"] |
 | Metal OWL LED Decorative Garden Lights | This decorative metal Owl comes on at dusk and lasts up to 6 hours or after everyone goes to sleep. This is a pretty sharp solar garden light with a lot of positive feedback! | [maxbutton id="15"] |
Solar Garden Light Choices
Solar garden lights come in all different shapes and sizes. They are used for many reasons, and in many cases, people choose what they want based on personal preferences.
Whether you want beauty, functionality, or fun, there are no lack of choices.
- Colorful Fairy Lights
- Pink Flamingos
- Simple Soft While Lights
- Colored Flowers
The list goes on and on!
Before describing each type of light and highlighting some of the top products, let me briefly explain what a solar light is and how it functions.
What is a Solar Light?
A solar light receives light during the day when the sun is out, stores it in a rechargeable battery, and releases the stored energy at night as light after the sun goes down.
A solar light does not need to be connected to a power outlet, and it does not need its battery often replaced because it usually comes with a rechargeable battery. In some instances, the manufacturers build the batteries into the lights, and they cannot be replaced.
Simply put, the solar light provides light for you at night when the sun is down with little or no maintenance.
How Do Solar Lights Work?
Solar lights consist of 3 main parts.
- A solar panel
- A rechargeable battery
- A load – Light Source (LED)
Basically, Photovoltaic cells in the solar panels absorb sunlight during the day, charging the battery and lights the bulb at night.
How to Choose a Solar Garden Light
Regardless of the type of light you Choose, there are basic requirements you should consider before making a purchase.
Battery Power – In regards to battery power (mAH), the higher the mAH the better the battery. What you really want to know though is how long your light will stay on after it gets dark, or how long a full charge will last you.
Brightness – Every manufacturer will tell you they have the brightest solar light. Check the lumens. Other than Solar String Lights, they should be listed. Point of Reference – 40 lumens = 400 watt light bulb.
Your choice will depend on where you use the lights, but below are some general guidelines.
- Step lights: 12-100 lumens
- Hardscape lights (on walls): 50-185 lumens
- Landscape/Garden lights: 50-300 lumens
- Path/Garden lights: 100-200 lumens
- Landscape spotlights: 120 lumens
- Lamp posts: 120-180 lumens
- Pond/pool lights: 200-400 lumens
- Motion sensor lights: 300-700 lumens
- Floodlights: 700-1300 lumens
LED Bulb – Most good outdoor solar lights now use more efficient LED bulbs. These produce a bright white light so consider tinted glass or a cover. Larger bulbs and high-quality photovoltaic cells produce better light.
Charging Rate (Watts) – Solar panels are rated in watts, and higher is better. If your lights don’t fully charge during the day, it does not matter how long they hold a charge at night. If your lights are in a shaded area, place a solar panel in a sunny area and wire it to the lights.
Weather Resistance – Many manufacturers claim their lights are waterproof or weather resistant. Look for common ratings – IP44, IP65, IP66, etc. The higher the rating, the more resistant the light.
For more information, use this IP rating checker.
Conclusion
Solar Garden Lights provide safety, ambiance, and beauty to any yard. You can provide subtle touches of color or light up areas where you need access and visibility.
With so many options and the cost-effectiveness of many options, there is no reason you should not consider Solar Garden lights. These lights provide beauty, fun, and safety for your whole family!
FAQ
This depends on how you use them. If decorative, you can place the amongst your plants. If you need light and safety then locate them alongside paths and in dark areas.
There are so many good brands now that the best thing to find the lights you like the most, and then study the reviews before making a choice. I chose my favorites based on how they look, reviews, and the specifications I wanted.
Check the lumens on the light. The higher the better. Also decide if you want a “white” LED light or a “soft white” LED light. The regular white bulb will give off a brighter, slightly more harsh light.