Why solar lights should be the next home upgrade you consider

Solar upgrades for your home are always a bright idea, especially once warmer weather arrives and the days become a little longer. Outdoor solar lights can be a low-lift, high-impact addition to your yard, garden, or patio since they’re powered by solar energy, and can illuminate your space (sustainably!) from dusk to dawn.

From backyard string lights to motion-sensor flood lights, there are options on the market for every outdoor area that are energy-efficient, easy to install, and eco-friendly. 

One of the main benefits of solar lights is that they don’t require electricity or wiring to operate, and are charged by absorbing sunlight throughout the day. That solar energy is captured by the light’s solar panel and stored in its rechargeable battery, which allows the light to operate through the night. Since they don’t need to be tied to the grid, solar lights can save you money over time on your monthly electric bills. They also tend to last longer and use less energy than incandescent lights, eliminating the need for frequent bulb replacements—a low-maintenance win.

We’ve compiled a list of the best solar lights based on product reviews, ratings, features, and each light’s solar specifications. We’ll also walk through what to keep in mind during the buying process. Here’s how you can add some sunlight-powered ambiance to your yard with our top solar light recommendations.

The first step when buying solar lights is deciding what type of lighting will work for your setup. Ask yourself: What’s my budget? How much brightness do I need? What purpose will the lights serve? What are the sunniest spots in my yard? 

From there, you can decide on a solar light design that’s just the right mix of form and function: string lights, spotlights, lanterns, pathway lights, and fence lights are just a few of the many different types of solar lights available.

One key factor you’ll want to think about is placement. Direct sunlight is ideal for solar lights to get a fast, full charge. While they can still charge on cloudy days, shading or poor weather conditions will impact charging time and battery life. For maximum sun exposure, stick to the sunny spots in your yard, and orient each light’s solar panel to be south facing when you can. 

You may also want to look for app-controlled solar lights with adjustable settings, which will allow you to control the lights’ brightness and runtime based on weather, energy consumption levels, and your preferred schedule.

Energizer Solar LED Pathway Lights - $75

These Solar LED Pathway Lights from Energizer come highly recommended from one of our Product Managers here at EnergySage. Their 30-lumen LED chip emits a warm, white glow, ideal for lighting up a walkway or garden bed. They offer up to eight hours of runtime off a single charge, and are coated in durable die-cast aluminum and stainless steel to withstand the elements.

Litom Wireless Outdoor Solar Landscaping Lights - $22

LITOM’s Solar Landscape Lights are quite bright at 600 lumens, meaning they’ll have no trouble illuminating even the darkest corners of your property. They feature 12 LEDs per light and two lighting modes: low light and high light mode, along with an energy storage mode, and will automatically switch between them when they detect changes in brightness. They’re also equipped with a motion detection feature for homeowners who are looking for a little extra security. These lights will shine for six to 12 hours, depending on the charge and setting.

Ring Solar Pathlight - $35

If you’re a fan of other Ring products, the Ring Solar Pathlight will be a welcome addition to your collection. Pathlights are Alexa-compatible and can be controlled through the Ring app, where you can adjust brightness, receive notifications when they detect movement, and more. One thing to note: You’ll need a Ring Bridge, or a supported Echo device like the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) to enable customizable smart controls. 

NYMPHY Outdoor Solar Lights - $40

Another EnergySage staffer gave this 4-pack of NYMPHY Solar Lights his stamp of approval, stating that they “amazingly worked through the coldest days of the winter.” More than 14,000 Amazon shoppers agree: they’ve earned a 4.4-star rating, with multiple reviewers praising their durability, longevity, and ease of installation. They feature three brightness settings, an IP68 waterproof rating, and 56 LEDs per light.

Artika Blaze 20 LED Bulb Outdoor Solar String Lights - $34

The Artika Blaze solar lights have gone viral time and time again as a Costco fan favorite—but they’re also available at Walmart. They come as a 42-foot strand with 20 bulbs per string, and offer four different lighting modes to suit your mood. Also included is a 10-foot extension cord and multiple mounting options (screws, mount clamp, and ground stake). When sunlight is limited during the winter months or at night, you can conveniently recharge them via USB-C cable.

Brightech Ambience Pro LED Outdoor String Lights - $22

Brightech’s heavy-duty solar LED string lights have a durable rubberized cord with a timeless Edison-style bulb design. Each strand measures 27 feet and includes 12 shatterproof LED bulbs that emit a cozy, soft white glow. Built to withstand outdoor conditions—including heat up to 122°F—they'll transform your backyard for years to come.

Aootek Solar Motion Sensor Lights - $17

This four-pack of motion-activated, solar-powered LED lights are an Amazon No. 1 bestseller in their category, accumulating close to 50,000 reviews and a 4.4-star rating. They feature built-in motion sensors that use passive infrared technology to activate all 128 bright LEDs when movement is detected up to 36 feet away across a 120° field. Users can choose from three lighting modes: motion-activated, always-on, and a smart brightness mode that adjusts based on activity. They’re also designed to be heatproof and waterproof with an IP65 rating. 

Sunforce Solar Motion Security Light - $35

This solar-powered security light is another crowd-pleaser for Costco and Amazon shoppers alike. It stands out thanks to its adjustable brightness, movement detection range, mounts, and light duration control, which can go from 30 to 120 seconds. The LED bulbs can deliver a maximum brightness of up to 2000 lumens across a wide angle, and detect motion up to 30 feet away within a 120° field of view.