10 Best solar lights

Solar energy, a renewable form of energy, is growing in popularity given its advantages over other forms of energy. Many households today are starting to prefer solar energy and are using solar powered lights.

Given its many benefits like it being a non-polluting and renewable form of energy, its growing popularity should not come as a surprise.

Solar lights are available in various forms, sizes and purposes due to this growing popularity and demand.

Whether you want to install a solar light indoors or outdoors, they are sensible choices to fulfill your lighting purposes.

If you have decided to invest in a solar light but do not know where to start, here would be a nice place!

Let us have a quick look at how solar lights work and what the benefits of solar lights are before diving into the 10 best solar lights.

10 best solar lights in 2019

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10 best solar lights Reviews in 2019

I have compiled a list of the 10 best solar lights available in the market. These lights have some of the best features there can be in a solar light and I highly recommend them for use.

1. BlackLemon 2-in-1 Waterproof 4 LED Solar Spotlight

Specifications:

Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.6 x 4 inches

Weight: 1.8 lbs

Lithium-ion Battery: 2200 mAh

LED quantity: 4

This solar light is very impressive and even though it is a bit expensive, I think it is well worth the money.

It can be either wall mounted or installed on the ground, and I liked the freedom to choose my installation options. If you choose to mount it on a wall, you do not need to buy additional screws as they come inside the package with the lights.

As this solar light is made for outdoors use, it is weatherproof and is made from thick, durable plastic. It looks like it will stand the test of time. The thick glass on the LED protects the light from damages as well.

Another feature that I liked personally was the built-in solar panel. The solar panel is fairly large, and can store sunlight and emit light for about 11 hours when fully charged. You can adjust this solar panel so that it faces direct sunlight for optimal charge.

Its range is about 10 feet, which is good for a solar spotlight. Additionally, there is a switch to moderate the light intensity, which I thought was a very clever feature. As the package describes, it can be used for your garden or patio area, driveway, and your pool area.

This product will not disappoint you because it delivers everything it promises.

Features I liked:

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2. MicroSolar Solar Home System

Specifications:

Dimensions: 11.6 x 7.8 x 3.8 inches

Weight: 3.1 pounds

LED quantity: 20

Battery: 3.7v 4000mAh lithium battery

Bulb diameter: 120 millimeters

This solar light by MicroSolar is an excellent solar light for indoor use. The light comes with a solar panel, two 20 LED solar lamps, a USB cell phone charging port and extension cable.

The solar panel is made from aluminium and is naturally weather-proof. It can with withstand extreme weather conditions and is very sturdy.

The light itself is very bright, gives off a natural white light and is easy on the eyes. The fixture has an on/off cord that hangs from the light itself. The 4 watt bulb can easily light up an entire room.

The battery lasts satisfactorily long enough on a full charge. It takes about 6 hours to charge fully and can work for about 7-8 hours. The battery comes built in with the light so you do not have to worry about replacing them.

It is very easy to install and it comes with screws, nuts and metal supports for its installation as well. All you need to do is use a screwdriver to install this solar light in your preferred location. The extension cable that comes with the light is 16.4 feet long, which is long enough to connect your light to the solar panel even if it is placed far away from the light.

Even though this is for indoors use, you can place it outdoors in spaces such as your porch, deck, shed or garage. This light is a very good option if you want to invest in a good indoor solar lighting system!

Features I liked:

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3. Magictec Super Bright Solar Motion Sensor Light

Specifications:

Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 4.5 inches

Weight: 1.5 lbs

LED quantity: 45

Batteries required: No (built-in batteries)

Lumen rating: 450 lumens

This solar light is the epitome of versatile solar light. Magictec solar lights have strong motion detectors that can detect motion up to 30 feet away.

It contains three modes so that you can use the solar light according to where you want to install it:

• Full-on mode. From sunset to sunrise, the solar light will remain on and at full brightness (charge this should be from 8-10 hours). At daybreak, the light will turn off automatically.
• Reduced light mode. After sunset, the solar light will remain on, but at a reduced brightness. When the motion detector detects movement, the solar light will automatically go to full brightness and remain there for 15 seconds, then the light will automatically return to reduced brightness.
• Motion Detector Only mode. After sunset, the solar light acts solely as a motion detector. The light only turns on when it detects movement otherwise it is off at all other times.. When movement is detected, the light will turn on to full brightness and remain on for 15 seconds, and then the light will automatically turn itself off.

The lights are pretty bright when motion is detected and they have a quick response time. When set on reduced light mode, they are quite dim and can be used as accent lights.

This light contains 45 LED lights, so you can rest assured regarding the brightness. I would use these lights for outdoor security lighting because it gives off a bright, bluish white light.

Features I liked:

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4. LUTEC Indoor Solar Light

Specifications:

Dimensions: 5.8 x 5 x 5 inches

Weight: 1 lb

Voltage: 3.7 volts

Material: ABS plastic

Bulb type: LED

This little solar light by LUTEC is a gem of a solar light. Even though it is small, it’s performance does not fall short at all!

One of the greatest pros of this light is its versatility: you can use it as a night lamp, a decorative lamp, an emergency light or even as a camping light. The compact size and design (it only weighs about 0.80 lbs and is 4.72 x 4.72 x 5.12 inches in dimension) of this light makes it easy to store or carry depending on what you want to use it for.

It takes only about 6-7 hours for it to fully charge in the sunlight. Moreover, it has three operating modes depending on the level of brightness you want:

• 1 touch: Runs for 4 hours on 100 lumens
• 2 touch: Runs for 10 hours on 40 lumens
• 3 touch: Runs for 40 hours on 10 lumens

You can easily see how this light was designed to be versatile based on its modes. The power button is touch sensitive, so you can lightly brush your finger on it to turn it on/off or change the lighting modes!

Design-wise, this solar light is made from ABS plastic which makes it durable and resistant to most forms of damage. The glass has a frosted effect and the light it emits has a soft glow.

The light itself does not heat when turned on for a long time, so it is safe to use around kids and in kids’ nurseries and rooms. It is classified under Electrical Protection Class III.

Features I liked:

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5. Esky Solar Powered Multi-Color Changing Led Light – Great Kit For Garden Decorations And Flower Beds

Specifications:

Weight: 1 lb

Dimensions: 3.6 x 15.7 x 4.1 inches

Batteries required: Yes (AAA size)

Style: Hummingbird, Butterfly and Dragonfly

Color: Multicolor

Finish: Chrome

This solar light by Esky is probably one of the prettiest looking solar lights available in the market. They come in packs of three, with a butterfly, a hummingbird and a dragonfly light each.

This light changes colors beautifully from red, violet, blue to green and can work from dusk to dawn. The bright colors it gives off is perfect for decorative lighting, especially during spring and summer. I have to admit, looking at this light can be quite therapeutic!

It is very easy to install, and will only take about a couple of minutes to have them up and running. All you have to do is set them up on the spikes included in the package and viola, your lights are ready!

The lights are weatherproof and can stand rain and snow. They are made of sturdy plastic so you do not need to worry about them breaking easily. I would glue the spikes together while installing them so that moving them from one place to another is easy.

They can work for up to seven hours and come on automatically at dark. They look good in almost any place, but I liked to set mine up in my yard and along the flower beds.

All in all, this is a very dainty looking solar light and is also sturdy and strong at the same time.

Features I liked:

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6. JOJOO Solar String Lights

Specifications:

Dimensions: 6.8 x 3.3 x 3.1 inches solar panel, length of light 4.9M/ 16ft, distance between each light is 5.9inch/ 15cm; power cord length: 2 meters/ 6.6ft; the leaf width: 3cm/ 1inch

Weight: 8.2 ounces

Voltage: 2 volts

Wattage: 0.03 watts

This is a very pretty solar light and can be used especially for festive purposes. The leaf detail on the bulb is what caught my attention.

The light not only looks pretty but operates well too. It has an auto turn on/off mode so you don’t have to turn it on in the evenings and off in the morning, which I think is a smart effort saving feature.

It takes around 6 hours to fully charge and can work for 10 to 14 hours. It has two lighting modes: steady and flashing, which you can use as you desire.

The battery is a rechargeable AA size battery and you can easily replace it if needed. The lights are supposed to have a long lifespan of 10,000 hours which makes it worth the investment!

The light is a soft golden colour and is not harsh on the eyes. An added plus is that this light is waterproof, so you can use it outdoors too.

This solar light is a pretty decorative light. You can use it either indoors or outdoors, on your porch, etc. It is ideal for parties, festive events, weddings, etc.

Features I liked:

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7. GDEALER Solar Outdoor String Lights

Specifications:

Length: 6m

Length from solar panel to first LED: 150cm

Spacing between 2 LEDs: 20cm

Charging time: approx. 12 hours, may be varied due to weather conditions

Working time: 8-10 hours

LEDs: 30 pcs

Modes: steady & flashing

Light color: white/warm white/blue/multi color

Life time: up to 5000 hours

Switch: Power ON/OFF, MODE

This solar light by GDEALER is perfect for festivities like Christmas, New Year or even for day to day use! This is a smart alternative to traditional string lights.

The lights are wired directly to the solar panel so you do not have to worry about setting it up. All you have to do is place it on your garden, porch, deck or gate and set up the solar panel. It is as simple as that.

The length of the lights is 20 ft so it covers a pretty large area. There are 30 waterproof LED lights that can stay on for eight to ten hours.

The lights give a soft glow unlike other types of festive lights that are mostly neon and hard on the eyes. This can be used indoors too, as the length between the first LED bulb and the solar panel is 150 cm so a little strategic planning can transform your whole room on special occasions.

This light has two modes, one where it stays on steadily and another where it flashes on and off. However you prefer your light, it can be used to meet your needs.

With a long life of up to 5000 hours, you can expect these lights to last a long time so it is a smart investment for your festive lighting.

Features I liked:

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8. MicroSolar Super Bright Solar Shed Light

Specifications:

Dimensions: 8 x 6.9 x 6.6 inches

Weight: 1.9 lbs

Batteries: Lithium ion batteries included

Voltage: 3 volts

Fixture features: NATURAL WHITE (Not Bluish) 60 pcs LED, 3w, 330 Lumen, 2w polycrystalline solar panel with 16.4 foot wire, 3.7v 4000mAh lithium battery, LED power adjustable, Optional 16.4 foot extension wire

Bulb diameter: 120 millimeters

This solar light is strictly meant for indoor use and comes with a solar panel and an optional 16.4 feet extension wire.

It is very easy to install. All you have to do is place the solar panel in a good spot with plenty sunlight, run the extension wire from it and hang the light in your desired place.

The light takes around 6-8 hours to charge in the sunlight. It has 3 working modes:

• Full power mode
• Medium power mode
• Low power mode

The full power mode works for around 5 to 6 hours, medium power works for 10 to 12 hours and low power works for 15 to 18 hours. You can adjust this as per your needs.

The light fixture is made of plastic and has a pull string to turn the light on/off and adjusting the working modes. The pull string is very sturdy and you do not have to worry about breaking it.

As for the light, the colour is a natural white hue. The light has 60 LEDs and gives a brightness output of 360 lumens. It is bright enough to light a medium sized room very well.

Overall, the battery life and the performance of the light seem satisfactory. You will not regret investing in this light!

Features I liked:

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9. Motion Sensor Night Light

Specifications:

Dimensions: 3.5 x 1.6 x 3.5 inches

Weight: 2.6 ounces

Battery: Lithium-ion battery included

Voltage: 5 volts

Luminance: 72 lumens

Bulb type: LED

Number of bulbs: 6

This solar light by Lenova is a neat, easy to use light. It is easy to install, all you have to do is unbox it, tape it on your desired location and start using it right away!

The light comes with a lithium ion battery and a USB charging cable. It only takes 2 hours to charge fully. The built-in battery is said to last about 3 months after full charging.

Another feature of this light is that it detects motion and light and turns on or off accordingly. This makes it perfect to use as a night light in your bedroom or near the stair areas. The light turns off after 20 seconds of detecting no motion, which I think is just the right amount of time to turn off.

The compact clover-shaped design is unique and is designed in such a way to provide enough light without having to strain your eyes.

Features I liked:

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10. Moonrays 91381 Payton Solar LED Plastic Path Light, 2X-Brighter, 8-Pack, Black

Specifications:

Weight: 2.5 lbs

Dimensions: 15.9 x 4.7 x 4.7 inches

Luminous flux: 2 lm

Batteries required: Yes, rechargeable AA batteries included

Color temperature: 3000 Kelvin, warm white

Another model of a pretty solar light, the Moonrays Payton solar light is a decent solar light for your outdoor decorative lighting purposes.

The light is made of durable plastic and has a hammered glass effect. This means that it gives off 2.4 lumens “splintered” light effect about 360 degrees and covers up to 12 inches of area.

It is very easy to install. All you have to do is stake it to the ground.

Its charging time is 8-10 hours and can remain fully lighted for around 8 hours.

These solar lights come 8 in a pack pre-assembled and with pre-charged AA NiCD batteries.

One thing that you have to know is that these lights are strictly meant for decorative purposes. They work great for your garden or along walkways and as accent lights. But if you are looking for strong outdoor lighting, this might not be what you are looking for.

Features I liked:

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How do solar lights work?

Solar lights use solar-cell technology in a very straightforward manner. Basically, solar cells convert solar energy to electricity by absorbing the sunlight through a silicon semiconductor, which causes electrons to move freely, and thus produces current.

The main components inside a solar light are the battery, the LED and the controller board. The solar cells are directly wired to a standard AA sized battery.

During daytime, the solar cells produce enough power to charge the battery. At night, the cells stop producing power, and when the photodetector senses little or no light, it activates the battery and turns the LED on.

Why use solar lights?

Solar lights have many advantages over normal lights. Let me list a few of these advantages below:

1. Low energy costs

Solar lights are less expensive compared to normal lighting and can help you save a lot on your energy bills. They perform the same as an electric light, if not better, but for a much lesser cost.

In most solar lights available today, you will not need additional hardwiring while setting them up, so you only need to pay the upfront costs. This way, they cut down on wiring and other additional costs as well. This also makes solar lights much safer to use in outdoor areas, such as a swimming pool.

2. Less maintenance

Solar lights do not need as much maintenance as traditional electric lights do. Since most solar lights are designed for outdoor use, they are sturdy and in most cases, weatherproof.

They also have fewer individual parts and as a result, you will not need to constantly repair or buy new parts to replace them.

3. Environmental benefits

Perhaps the most important benefit to use solar lights is that they are environment friendly. These lights use sunlight and convert it to light energy, and not heat energy. So they do not give off emissions.

Another thing is that since sunlight is a renewable source of energy, you do not need to fear running out of it as opposed to other non-renewable energy sources like oils or coal.

4. Versatility

Solar lights are extremely versatile. You can use them as you want and as per your needs.

Whether you want to light your outdoors or indoors areas, solar lights come in a variety of sizes and have different features so that you can get the exact lighting for your home that you want.

5. Easy installation

As I said before, solar lights do not need to be wired. This will save you a lot of hassle while setting up your solar light.

Installing a solar light is very easy. All you have to do is find a good spot, then either hang it or stalk it to the ground.

How to choose good solar lights

Installing solar lights to your home is a form of an investment- you have to be sure that what you are ready to invest in will fully serve your needs.

There are some things you have to consider before investing in solar lights for your home. These are a few things you should consider:

1. Intended use

One of the first things to consider before buying a solar light is its intended use. What do you intend to do with your solar light? Where do you want to install it? What area do you want lighted?

I have said before that solar lights are versatile in regards to its uses. You can use solar lights to light up walkways, an outdoor space, on your patio for an ambient lighting, or on your driveway. You can also use solar lights to light up an indoor area, your bedroom, the hallway, etc.

You need to decide on what solar light to buy with its use in mind. If you are looking to light up a walkway, you could use either low lights or tall lamps. If you want to light up your patio, buying more decorative style of lights, like string lights or blown-glass lights, are the better option.

For an indoors solar light, you have to consider things such as the number of LED bulbs on the light, the size of the room you want to install the light in, whether the light is child-friendly or not, etc.

Once you decide on its use, you can go on to consider a few more things.

2. Brightness

The brightness of the solar light is another important thing to consider. Brightness of light is measured in lumens and it can vary according to each model of solar light. Solar lights generally have a higher lumen rating than traditional lights.

You need to decide on the level of brightness of your solar light according to its intended purpose.

If you want to use it to light small areas like walkways, you will need about 100 lumens. However, you will need a much higher rating if you want to light a bigger area. If you are using your solar lights as outdoor security floodlights, you will want around 700 to 1300 lumens.

3. Batteries

Solar lights use batteries to give off light. There are mainly two kinds of solar lights available- one with replaceable batteries and another with built-in batteries.

The lights with replaceable batteries have a longer life. You can replace the battery after the current battery runs out or stops working.

Usually in lights with built-in batteries, they must be discarded and replaced with new ones after it runs out of its battery. An upside to this kind of light is that it is cheaper than the battery-replaceable models.

You can choose which type to get according to your needs.

4. Range

The range of the solar light refers to the area it sheds light on. Again, this varies according to the model of the solar light.

Some lights have a small range of 2 feet while some have a large range of up to 38 feet. The range of light also depends on its intended use.

You could want your solar light to be of a small range if you want to light up walkways or small indoor areas. Whereas, you will need a bigger range if you want to light up a bigger space or use your solar light as security floodlights.

5. The hue

Since most solar lights use LED bulbs, they will emit a bright white light. If you want a different type of hue, then you need to look for lights labeled as “amber” or “soft white”.

The hue of the solar light will also depend on its use. If you use your solar lights for ambient lighting, then bright white will probably not be a good option compared to softer hues. Choose the hue according to the purpose as well.

6. Choosing a style

Solar lighting is available in many different styles that can be fit to illuminate different areas.

For distinguishing a walkway or the perimeter of a patio, I advise you to use fixtures with ground stakes. Rope lighting is very convenient to wrap around railings, furniture, or even branches to create a focal point. Individual solar lanterns can be fastened to walls or even the trunks of trees to light the way.

Also, string lights come in many colors and material that will create a festive vibe for an outdoor party.

Indoor lights are basically the same structure, with a light fixture and a solar panel accompanying it, but that does not mean it will not come in different styles! A little research will get you various styles of indoor lights that you can choose from.

The Best Picks

All the solar lights mentioned in this list are among the best the market has to offer today. If I had to choose, I would have to say the BlackLemon 2-in-1 solar light and the MicroSolar LED with USB port win my vote. With all its great features like light intensity options and installation options, the BlackLemon solar light is definitely a smart investment for fulfilling your outdoor solar lighting needs. The features of MicroSolar LED that stood out for me were the USB port charging option and the brightness of the light.

Now that you have read this handy guide and neat list, you are ready to invest in a solar light!

Whatever solar light you choose, just make sure that it meets your lighting needs and fulfills your purposes well. Please comment below if you know other products that could have been on this list!