Please note that the bright white and bright warm white colours use more power than the standard 8 colours so runtimes in these two colour modes will be reduced. For a choice of unusual solar lights for your garden, take a look at our multi-coloured and colour-changing lights. Offering a unique way to brighten up the outdoors, our patterned lanterns and sphere lights are sure to make your garden stand out from the crowd. Stake lights: These tend to be spiked stakes with bulbs at the top that provide low-level lighting, ideal for guiding the way along a path or softly lighting flowerbeds. Why You Should Get It: For soft, pleasing light and shatterproof bulbs, these string lights are the way to go. We observed that the lights worked well, even after a stay in the freezer. They withstood the impact of a golf ball and resisted water damage. With a rating of IPX7, these have an impressive ability to resist water. This rating is generally given to lights that are waterproof and can even be submerged in water for a short time.

In Indoor Mode your Shapelight will operate much like a normal mains powered light. It will turn on when you switch it on and turn off when you switch it off. Unlike Outdoor Mode, Shapelights will work in lit conditions in Indoor Mode and there is no timer to turn them off automatically after 7 hours. There is probably a huge list of reasons to choose solar lights over normal lights, however, we’re going to discuss just a few here. Installing a solar light in your location will be much easier and cheaper than trenching grid power at the same location. It also ensures safety and easy maintenance. These lights usually come with a life span of 20 - 30 years, so you don't have to replace them every now and then. Since these lights are fully powered by solar energy, they are considered to be a green alternative to traditional lighting. Another important reason to choose a solar light is its low energy cost. These lights do not require electricity to run, helping you save on your energy bills.

Benefits of Buying Solar Light Sets:

During testing, we subjected the lights to our water, freezer, and golf ball tests—and they passed all three. They turned on upon impact with the golf ball but turned off afterward and worked as usual. Overall, these are the best solar lights if you're looking for ambient patio lighting. Why You Should Get It: If you simply want a no-frills spotlight, this solar light set provides great value for its features. We felt the design of the lights was quite basic and not a very stylish option, but they do get the job done. We also felt the cool white color of the light is a little cooler than some might prefer for home use. However, the lights are expected to last for 40,000 or more hours, providing a good value for the cost and features. The best solar lights have special features like on/off switches, timers, or motion sensors. Some solar lights, like the Brightown Outdoor Solar String Lights, even have different light settings like a slow fade or twinkle. Solar lights, compared to low voltage and line voltage outdoor lights, are safer and more DIY-friendly since there's little to no wiring required at all," says Sarah Jameson, marketing director of Green Building Elements. "In most cases, there is no need to bring in an electrician to install it."

In Outdoor Mode your Shapelight will turn on automatically after dark and turn off 7 hours later which conserves charge for subsequent evenings. Others use solar lighting as a portable lighting option. Jameson says, "A lot of people who enjoy camping outdoors typically opt for solar-powered lanterns and bulbs as they are portable and self-sustaining for their power." Battery Our team of experts at our testing lab in Des Moines, Iowa, put 27 outdoor solar lights to the test. We assembled them, sprinkled them with water, dropped a golf ball on them (from 6 feet away on the light and from 4 feet on the solar panel), and even stashed them in the freezer for an hour to see how well they held up to cold temperatures. We also timed how long the lights stayed on from dusk to dawn. Why You Should Get It: If you'd like a sturdy motion-sensing solar light, our testers found this to be one of the best solar lights in this category. Fence lights: Small up or down lights, these sit on fence posts or can be mounted on walls, for lighting all the way along your boundary.For a simple spotlight, consider this set of two. Its three pieces are easy to assemble and can either be staked into the ground or mounted on a wall with the included screws. With batteries that charge via solar panels throughout the day, solar lights can effectively help your household lower its carbon footprint. Installation is easy, because there are no wires to contend with and, because the market for solar lights has boomed as clean energy becomes more popular, there are tons of options, ensuring that you can find the lights that are perfect for your home. Choose from three lighting modes including a dim, continuous light without motion sensing for 12 hours; a medium-bright, continuous light for six hours; or a bright, motion-sensing light. We found switching between modes a bit challenging at first, but it became much easier with time. Why You Should Get It: These solar lights are perfect for those looking for a soft, ambient outdoor lighting option. They're also available in seven colors. For simple lights that sit flush with the ground, consider this set of four solar lights. Their warm lighting is perfect for lighting walkways with basic illumination at night, and the lights virtually disappear during the day thanks to their minimalist design.

No installation is required for the lights themselves, other than hanging them up or placing them around a centerpiece table arrangement. Testers said it was simple to install the solar panel onto the stake provided, so the lights can charge during the day. Its IP65 rating means it is a water resistant solar light option. We observed no damage to either the light or the solar panel when we subjected them to water and golf ball tests. Post-freezer, the lights still worked as well. Ultimately, we found these to be a good deal for their price and practicality. The lights have two modes. The first is a non-motion-sensing, lower brightness (about half power) that switches to a brighter light for 10 seconds when motion is detected. Once motion stops, the light dims itself. The second mode keeps the light off when there's no motion then switches to a bright light for 25 seconds when motion is detected. We didn't notice a big difference between dim light and bright light modes, however. Solar lights come in a variety of styles, including string lights. This string measures in at 27 feet long and features 12 S14-size LED bulbs spaced at 20 inches apart, making for 20 feet of lighting total. The LED bulbs are expected to last 20,000 hours while the solar panel has a life of about two and a half years.The solar string lights are meant to be durable with their shatterproof material and Brightech's WeatherTite technology. While no official waterproof rating is given, this technology is designed to help the lights handle 50 mile-per-hour winds along with rain and snow. They're also resistant to temperatures as hot as 122 degrees Fahrenheit. The bulbs are made of plastic, but one tester said they are "clear, pretty, and don't seem cheap."

Before purchasing a solar light, ask yourself exactly what you need so you can find a solar light that best suits your needs. We chose the AloftSun Solar Motion Sensor Outdoor Lights as the overall best outdoor solar lights for their durability, water resistance, and motion-sensing capabilities. If you're looking for a set of string lights, testers loved the Brightech Ambience Pro Solar Powered Outdoor String Lights, because they held up to water and freezing temperatures. And, while the bulbs are made of plastic, testers said they were clear and didn't look inexpensive. Brightening up your outdoor living area can drastically improve the way your garden or patio looks, and it might even inspire you to spend more time outside when the weather is warm. One great way to illuminate your outdoor space is with solar lights.These lights will be fine in normal rain and snow showers, but you may want to bring them inside during heavy downpours combined with wind. You'll often see the water protection listed as an IP rating, an international standard that looks like "IP45." Why You Should Get It: These in-ground lights sit flush with your terrain for a minimalist look that is barely noticeable during daytime. The 6 Pro Series VI Solar Path Lights offers an elegant look to light your pathway. After the light and water test, the lights still worked. However, because of the price, we didn't feel that the performance or design justified the high price tag.