Over the course of several days, we tested 27 different solar lights at our Lab in Des Moines, Iowa, including path lights, spotlights, lanterns, wall-mounted, and string lights. After assembling and charging them in sunlight for the time specified by the manufacturer’s instructions, we evaluated their assembly, brightness, features, design, value, and durability. And then we went beyond: We froze them, read under them, and dropped golf balls on their solar panels. We even video-recorded them overnight to make sure they truly stayed on from dusk until dawn! To test wall-mounted lights, we sent 18 options to testers across the country to install on their own homes. Based on our testing and Sheva’s thoughtful guidance, the AloftSun Motion Sensor Solar Landscape Spotlights is our top choice. We found it to be highly durable, bright, and versatile, with three different lighting modes and two installation methods (wall or ground.) Here are the best outdoor solar lights to install around your home, all tested by The Spruce. We were impressed at how these lights held up during our durability tests. Since the manufacturer claims these lights have the highest waterproof rating and are frost-resistant, we sprinkled water on them, then froze them for over an hour. After each test, the lights still worked as well as before! We also dropped a golf ball on their solar light panel from a distance of 6 feet, and they still held up.  These spotlights feature 30 LED light chips, which help illuminate your pathway or yard easily, stand up to the elements, and are noted by the manufacturer to have a 40,000-hour lifespan. However, they are not particularly stylish. And they are more cool-toned (6500K) than our tester prefers for their home. However, if you are looking for durable, bright lights with useful features, you can’t go wrong with this pick. Price at time of publish: $33 Made of stainless steel and glass, these lights stood up to our durability testing, with no damage to the glass or solar panels. They are bright and cheery for an entryway but not as bright as other options we tested—we couldn’t read under them. With a simple, automatic dusk-to-dawn operation, these lights are simple to use but have no other features. They also need two AA batteries to operate, which eventually need replacing. However, we love their farmhouse-style, affordable price, and the ability to have wall-mountable lights without needing electricity. Price at time of publish: $40 We also found these lights to be as durable as they were aesthetically pleasing, holding up well during watering, freezing, and being impacted with a golf ball. Made of aluminum, glass, and plastic, they stand 18 inches tall and have only three pieces to assemble, which we found to be easy. Like many of these solar lights, they feature dusk-to-dawn operation and stayed lit for 8 hours (after an 8-hour charge). They offer no other settings or special features and only come in packs of 10. However, if you are looking for a great set of path lights, this option stands out. Price at time of publish: $114 The manufacturer lists these spotlights as being weather resistant, and they back this claim with a lifetime warranty. Despite what we put them through, we noticed no changes in their brightness or anything else. Although these lights turn on automatically at night, they don’t offer any other lighting features besides two brightness settings. However, if you are looking for bright spotlights that can withstand the elements, these should be your go-to. Price at time of publish: $27 Our tester loved the “moody lighting” these lights emitted but noted they were bright enough to read by only when the lights were gathered together and not strung out. Also, they did not stay lit as long as the others we tested (6 hours total). If you are mostly using them for decor or entertaining purposes, this shouldn’t be an issue. And although you can’t connect multiple strands together (as our tester hoped!), there is a 48-foot strand available if you have the space. Price at time of publish: $30 We especially appreciate the eight lighting modes, including combination, waves, sequential, slow glow, chasing/flash, slow fade, twinkle/flash, and steady-on, so you can choose fun options for gatherings or holidays. After turning on automatically at night, these lights have up to 10-hour runtime, but inexplicably, they did turn off for 60-second increments during our overnight testing. Also, you have to be sure to place the solar light panels where they can get light, which may limit placement options a bit. However, this two-pack is a great budget option, especially if you are looking for string lights or want to add a fun element to your outdoor decor. Price at time of publish: $16 Both of our testers found the fixture to be easy to put together, with just two pieces. While using the mounting base, however, we found it a bit top-heavy. If using the mounting base, we recommend also using the mounting bracket to screw it securely to a step to correct any concern over top-heaviness. We found both methods easy to install, and once set up, we loved how this aluminum light fixture’s lantern style and ripple glass added a nice glow. Despite the ripple glass, the light shines so brightly that we could even read around it while testing. And our tester at home said, “It is bright enough to illuminate the front but is not bright enough to be a true security light.” We noted that the only feature, aside from its solar capabilities, is an on/off switch. Our lab testing also revealed some conflicting results. On the one hand, the frosted glass shattered during our golf ball test; on the other, the solar panels still worked. The manufacturer claims the product is weatherproof and wasn’t damaged when we poured water directly above it in the lab. Our at-home tester hasn’t reported any issues with the light being damaged by storms so far and remarked that it seems high quality and sturdy. Price at time of publish: $100 Aside from their motion sensor feature, we also love their versatility and streamlined design. You can stake them in the ground or mount them on a wall with the included hardware. The light and solar panel are on the same unit and can be pivoted up to 90 degrees vertically (180 degrees horizontally), so you can angle the light exactly where you want it to shine. Also, we found that these lights withstood our water and golf ball tests without sustaining damage. But when frozen, they strobed three times before turning off. The price for the Linkind StarRay LED seems a little high for a single light, but we found it works as described and feels sturdy. We recommend it either for landscape lighting or for lighting pathways and security. Price at time of publish: $33 Our tester installed both of these lights on her home (one on an enclosed side porch and the other on a front porch post) in less than 15 minutes, not including the time it took to locate a drill. Once the brackets were installed, it only took seconds to hang the lantern on the hook. Keep in mind, though, that the lantern feels sturdy and durable but is lightweight (just over 3 pounds) and can swing around on the hook—make sure you hang it at a height that is accessible for when you need to remove it. Our tester did note that after rainy and windy weather (although not extreme), surprisingly, the lantern never blew off. The on/off switch is located inside the lantern, but our tester found it easy to twist the lantern to access it. When on, the lantern will go on and off automatically (dusk until dawn).  The bracket extends 5 inches from the wall, so even with a small overhang, the solar panel is more likely to get sun. In fact, our tester installed them under a little overhang, and they were still able to get the sunlight they needed to remain lit overnight. But since they are so easy to install, if you find you need a sunnier spot, it’s relatively easy to rehang it. Although a little brighter, this pick is very similar in style, price, weight, and durability to our lab-tested, Best Budget option, the Home Zone Solar Wall Lanterns. However, the Derynome Solar Lantern Outdoor Lights have an on/off switch and are available in three different colors (black, white, and bronze). We also like that the battery lasts longer. If you are looking for a lantern you can place on a table though, the Home Zone pick is the better choice, with a wider base.  Price at time of publish: $39 As with other solar lights, you need to ensure that the solar panel gets enough sunlight to fully charge each day. Since the Ring Smart Floodlight has a solar panel that hangs on a long cord, you have more options on where you can install the light. The solar panel is large and matches the color of the floodlight. As our tester noted, “I think its minimal look makes it blend into my white siding very well! The solar panel is a little big but it’s also a sleek design. Being that it hangs below the light itself, I don’t think it’s gaudy or unattractive.” You can also choose to recharge the battery separately using the USB cord. After setting up the app, you will be impressed with the abundance of features you can expect from a smart home product.  Not only can you turn the light on and off via the app, but you can also schedule when the light will be activated, adjust motion sensitivity, adjust the brightness, and more. Our tester found all of these features to be very useful but did wish the light was as bright as the previous floodlight installed at their home (although they appreciated the warmness of the light). They did find it bright enough to serve its purpose as a floodlight and noted, “I think this is great for the homeowner who already has multiple smart products around their home.” This light can work with other Ring devices and lights through the Ring app. Price at time of publish: $110 After putting them together, we let all the lights charge in full sunlight for the time specified in their instructions. We then took each to a dark room to run through all of their features, including any motion sensors and lighting modes and noted how easy it was to cycle through those. (If the lights didn’t turn on automatically, we searched for an accessible and functioning on/off switch.) For lights with motion sensors, we had testers exit the room, wait 2 minutes, then re-enter and note whether the lights turned on without any prompting. Then, we evaluated each light’s brightness by attempting to read a book under it. Next, for the lights we tested in our lab, we wanted to see how each product withstood the elements, including rain, hail, and winter’s subfreezing temperatures. To simulate rain, we sprinkled water on them from a watering can; “hail” took the form of a golf ball, dropped from 6 feet above the fixture and 4 feet above the solar panel. Then, we froze each light for an hour. After each test, we noted any changes and checked to see that all the features were still working. For lights we sent to our testers’ homes, we asked them to let us know how the lights have withstood any inclement weather over a period of one month (so far). After our lab tests, we took them outside and evaluated how easy they were to install, when applicable. After making sure the lights were on the appropriate setting (dusk-to-dawn mode, turned on, or left alone if automatic), we set up a video camera and recorded each overnight. We then reviewed the recording, noting when each light turned on and off and any anomalies.

What to Look For in Outdoor Solar Lights 

Type

Outdoor solar lights fall into three general types based on their light output: motion-activated, dusk-to-dawn, and timer-controlled. Because of solar cell size and battery capacity, the gathered solar energy is a limited resource, so consider when you want the lights to shine and for how long. Timer-controlled solar lights give you the most control since you can specify the time they turn on and for how long.  Dusk-to-dawn solar lights use sensors to automatically illuminate when daylight dwindles and should have the lights remain on until sunrise. In regions with more limited sun, especially during winter, dusk-to-dawn lights may have trouble storing enough solar energy to stay bright for an extended period each night. Motion-activated lights turn on when triggered by movement and conserve solar energy reserves, such as the AloftSun Motion Sensor Solar Landscape Spotlights, our Best Overall pick for its bright lighting, three modes, and two installation methods. This style is often used for floodlights or for specific lighting needs, such as outside your back door. Our Best Smart pick, the Ring Smart Lighting Solar Floodlight, offers all of the benefits of a smart home device, including being able to set the lighting schedule, adjust the brightness, and adjust the motion detection settings, all from an app.

Installation

Where you want to use solar lights determines how you install them. Some outdoor solar lights mount like traditional light fixtures, using screws. For path lighting, solar lights with stakes are quick and easy to install—just push them into the ground, and you’re ready to go. “Brick lights are great for illuminating gardens and pathways, as they can be installed into pavement or dirt,” says Sheva Knopfler, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Lights.com, a well-known online lighting retailer. Another option that is typically easy to install is solar-powered string lights. These typically have a solar panel that needs to be placed where it can receive a good amount of sun daily. For example, the Brightech Solar LED String Lights, our favorite tested string lights, can provide ambiance to your outdoor space all year long. Wall lights, which are similar to string lights in effect, are also an option some retailers offer. “Wall lights are great for general lighting around the perimeter of your space,” Knopfler adds. 

Brightness

Lumens determine brightness: from 5 lumens for landscaping ambiance to 350 lumens or more for a strong spotlight or floodlight. Your needs depend on your desired location and application. During testing, we noted that not all products listed their lumen ratings on the package. Keep in mind that different retailers will offer different solar brightness options, which are all designed for different purposes. “Depending on size, color, and placement in relation to the sun, most of our solar lights could produce up to 20 lumens,” Knopler says. “These lights are meant to be layered, so you can customize your brightness by placing them closer or further away from each other.”

Why Trust The Spruce?

Jenica Currie is the Associate Commerce Editor for outdoor, gardening, and home improvement at The Spruce. She has tested dozens of products at home and in the Lab, including artificial Christmas trees, clothing racks, bean bag chairs, fans, and vacuums. She spends her weekends gardening and working on other projects to improve the outdoor space around her home (including adding path lights along her driveway!). For this article, she used our test results and researched dozens of top-rated outdoor solar lights to compile this list of the best available options. She also personally installed and is testing the Derynome Solar Lantern Outdoor Lights on her front porch. Emma Phelps, an Updates Writer for The Spruce, provided research assistance for this article. She reached out to Sheva Knopfler, the Co-Founder and Creative Director of Lights.com, to learn more about best practices for choosing, installing, and caring for solar lights.

What Is Spruce Approved?

Here at The Spruce, we want to ensure we fully stand behind every product we recommend, and that when we say something is the best, we mean it. You might have noticed The Spruce Approved badge next to the products on this list. Every product with this badge has been rigorously tested in person and carefully selected by our expert team of lab testers and editors. In most cases, we buy all these products ourselves, though occasionally we get samples provided to us directly by companies. No matter how we procure products, they all go through the same tests and must meet the same strict criteria to make the best-of cut. We also pride ourselves on transparency and will always let you know if we received a product for free.