Sustainability made simple

7 Outdoor Solar Lights to Brighten Up Your Yard

best outdoor solar lights
Photo: CC0 Public Domain / Unsplash - Randy Fath

Anyone who has access to their own personal outdoor space knows just how magical it can be — especially at night. To help you make the most of your yard, we’ve rounded up 7 of the best outdoor solar lights so you can reap the benefits of the sun all night long. 

Who doesn’t love spending summer nights hanging out in the backyard with friends or family? When the sun goes down, having the right lighting can help create a cozy and intimate atmosphere. That’s where outdoor solar lights come in! Use them to jazz up your outdoor space, light up a path or driveway, or even use them as a security feature.

For the sake of our planet, renewable resources are the only way forward. Technology that can harness the power of the wind, waves, and sun is constantly improving and becoming more accessible. If you’re looking for ways to decrease your carbon footprint, switching out your outdoor lighting for a more energy efficient option is an easy way to get started. Let’s take a look at some of the best outdoor solar lights for your yard. 

Best Outdoor Solar Lanterns

Solight Solar Puff Collapsable Lantern 

Solight Solar Puff Collapsable Lantern (Screenshot: Solight Design/ Amazon)
  • Perfect for any camping trip due to its lightweight and portable design
  • Made from recycled sail cloth
  • 12 hour output on an 8 hour charge
  • Velcro handle makes it easy to hang
  • LED Light with two modes: 60 lumens on low and 90 lumens on high
  • Dusk to dawn mode
  • Available on Amazon**

Otdair Solar Wall Lantern 

Otdair Solar Wall Lantern
Otdair Solar Wall Lantern (Screenshot: ‎Otdair/ Amazon)
  • Mount them on the wall, or hang them from a shepherd’s hook 
  • Long lasting LED bulb with 25 lumens
  • Weather resistant stainless steel frame and glass housing
  • 6-8 hours charge provides 8-10 hours light 
  • Automatic dusk to dawn mode 
  • Available on Amazon** 

Best Outdoor Solar Path Lights

Haitral Low Voltage Path Lights 

These solar lights by Haitral will light up your garden path in the night.
These solar lights by Haitral will light up your garden path in the night. (Screenshot: Haitral/ Wayfair)
  • Stick them straight into the ground for flush lighting 
  • Runs for 8 hours on a 6 hour charge 
  • Made of stainless steel and chrome 
  • Suitable for all-weather use — IP65 waterproof 
  • Automatic dusk to dawn mode
  • Integrated LED brightness 200 lumens
  • Lasts up to 50,000 hours
  • Available at Wayfair

Maggift Solar Pathway Lights

Maggift Solar Pathway Lights
Maggift Outdoor Solar Pathway Lights (Screenshot: ‎MAGGIFT/ Amazon)
  • Adds a beautiful decorative shadow on the ground when lit 
  • Has a metal cap, anti-rust metal pole, and glass around the bulb 
  • 6 to 8 hours charge for 6 hours of light 
  • Waterproof IP44 LED bulb with 25 lumens
  • available on Amazon**

Decorative Outdoor Solar Lights

The Glow Solar String Lights and the Rasberry 1 -Light 87'' H Solar Powered Lamp Post will brighten up your garden.
The Glow Solar String Lights and the Rasberry 1 -Light 87” H Solar Powered Lamp Post will brighten up your garden. (Screenshot: Brightech, Alcott Hill®/ Wayfair)

Alcott Hill Lamp Post 

  • Rust resistant cast aluminium and beveled glass 
  • 19th century lamp design 
  • 120 lumens LED bulb
  • Automated dusk to dawn 
  • 10 hours of operation on a full charge 
  • Battery pack lasts 3 years and can be replaced for longer use 
  • Available at wayfair

Brightech Glow Solar String Lights

  • Hang on the fence, a gazebo or pergola
  • 1.5 watt solar panel for outdoor use 
  • Automatic dusk to dawn 
  • Brass sockets with Edison style bulbs 
  • 5-6 hours of light for 6 hour charge 
  • Weatherproof
  • Available e.g. at Brightech

Best Solar Security Lights

Baixa Technology Solar Motion Sensor Security Lights

Baixa Technology Solar Motion Sensor Security Lights
Baixa Technology Solar Motion Sensor Security Lights (Screenshot: BAXIA TECHNOLOGY/ Amazon)
  • Mount on the side of your home 
  • Long product life 
  • 28 powerful LEDs with 400 lumens 
  • 120 degree angle and 10 ft. distance for detection 
  • 8 hours of sun exposure will provide lighting all night long
  • Waterproof IP65 and very durable 
  • Available on Amazon**

Benefits of Solar Lighting

best outdoor solar lights
Without the sun’s light and heat, life on Earth would cease to exist. (Photo: CC0 Public Domain / Unsplash - Mayur Gala )

Making the switch to solar lighting is good for the environment, and good for your wallet.

  • Environmentally Friendly: The sun’s energy is a renewable resource, and by relying on solar power instead of other non-renewable energy sources, you’re helping to lower your carbon footprint!
  • Cost Effective: After you’ve purchased your patio lights, you don’t need to spend money on maintenance, installation, or even energy consumption. You can light up your yard without raising your electric bill. 
  • Low Maintenance: The majority of outdoor solar lights can easily be installed or put in place and then left alone. You don’t need to worry about wires or weather. Just be sure to read the manufacturer label for any advice or special care.

What to Watch Out For

Most of the time, manufacturers use plastic materials for the outdoor solar lighting. This is mainly due to the fact that plastic materials are more weather resistant. In order to make the most of your outdoor solar lights, consider bringing them inside in the winter if you aren’t going to be using them. This will help extend the product life, which means producing less trash. Looking for outdoor solar lights that have replaceable battery packs is another great way to extend the life even further.

Remember: Be careful about where you place any sort of outdoor lighting because artificial light tends to confuse insects. The light throws off their internal clock, which can have detrimental effects on their lifespan. If you don’t need your lights to be on all night, switch them off to help protect the bugs.

** Links to retailers marked with ** or underlined orange are partially partner links: If you buy here, you actively support Utopia.org, because we will receive a small part of the sales proceeds. More info.

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