Solar power lighting

What are the best solar lights?

We chose the AloftSun Solar Motion Sensor Outdoor Lights as the overall best solar lights for their durability, water resistance, and motion-sensing capabilities. If you're looking for a set of string lights, we loved the Brightech Ambience Pro Solar Powered Outdoor String Lights, because they held up to water and freezing temperatures.

How do solar outdoor lights work?

All solar outdoor lights draw power from the sun during daylight hours and store that power in a battery, or batteries, housed inside the lights. When the sun sets, the lights use that stored power to produce light. Some models come on automatically at dusk, and some can or must be turned on manually.

What are solar landscape lights?

Solar landscape lights —also called spotlights, path lights, or walkway lights—are typically installed in loose dirt with an included plastic stake and are meant to illuminate walkways, garden beds, or a patio’s perimeter. Solar deck lights come in two common varieties.

How do I choose a solar light?

Some solar lights have on/off switches, timers, or motion sensors. More advanced models like the Brightown Outdoor Solar String Lights offer different light settings like a slow fade or twinkle. Before purchasing a solar light, ask yourself exactly what you need so you can find one that best suits your needs.

What are the best solar powered outdoor string lights?

If you're looking for a set of string lights, we loved the Brightech Ambience Pro Solar Powered Outdoor String Lights, because they held up to water and freezing temperatures. At our testing lab in Des Moines, Iowa, we put 27 outdoor solar lights to the test.

What are the different types of outdoor solar lights?

Based on their light output, outdoor solar lights fall into three general types: motion-activated, dusk-to-dawn, and timer-controlled. Because of solar cell size and battery capacity, the solar energy gathered is a limited resource, so consider when you want the lights to shine and for how long.