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1
best decorative solar lights
Solar Powered Lights
1
best decorative solar lights
Solar Powered Lights
Credit: EtsyPros
- Attached solar panel
- Simple installation
- Inexpensive
- Aesthetically pleasing
Cons
- Lumens not listed
These decorative solar lights are the perfect way to illuminate a path or give your garden a subtle glow in the evenings and night. The solar attachment is on the roof of the lantern, so you won't have to worry about setting up a separate unit with a connecting cord. Installation is a breeze by simply connecting the four different parts and placing the spike in the ground. The lights need a minimum of four hours of sunlight a day, but eight is recommended for full-strength light through the entire night. Finally, coming in a set of 12, these in-ground lights are a bargain.
2
best smart light
Ring Ring Solar Floodlight
2
best smart light
Ring Ring Solar Floodlight
Credit: AmazonPros
- Connects to smart home system
- Includes motion detector
- Decently bright
Cons
- Expensive
Compatible with Ring Bridge or newer Echo models, the Ring solar floodlight provides motion-detection while also connecting to your home's smart system, enabling users to turn lights on and off by just saying the word. Additionally, users can set their floodlight on a schedule and enable phone notifications any time the motion detector senses movement. It's a splurge, but if you're looking for top-of-the-line home security and/or a security light that connects to your smart home system, then this is the best bet for you.
3
best spotlight
Hampton Bay Solar Black LED Spotlight
3
best spotlight
Hampton Bay Solar Black LED Spotlight
Credit: Home DepotPros
- Good price
- Remote panel
- 8 hours of light
Cons
- Dim light
- Attached to cord
Spotlights can add an attractive ambiance when shining on plants or decoration throughout your garden or highlight your home to passerby, particularly during the holiday season. This set of three connects to a remote solar panel through cords to provide gentle light anywhere outdoors. One major perk to the remote panel is that you can place it in the sunniest part of your yard so it can receive an ample charge. The lights automatically switch on in the evenings and stay on for up to 8 hours, depending on the charge they received the previous day.
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4
best fairy light
Brightown Outdoor Solar String Lights
4
best fairy light
Brightown Outdoor Solar String Lights
Now 10% Off
Credit: AmazonPros
- Inexpensive
- Long strands
- Remote panel
- Plenty of modes
- Different color options
Cons
- Not very bright
We love the gentle glow fairy lights provide when hung up around a porch or patio, but they're not your best option if you're looking for a light that will provide plenty of brightness. While fairy lights don't provide tons of brightness, though, these do boast eight different lighting modes, including twinkle and flashing. The lights come on two strands totaling 33 ft with two separate solar panels and stay on for 8-10 hours each night.
5
best string light
Baxstel Outdoor String Lights
5
best string light
Baxstel Outdoor String Lights
Credit: AmazonPros
- Long strand
- Remote panel
- Shatterproof
- Waterproof
Cons
- Panel is a bit bulky
If you're looking for more of a typical string light, then this is the option you'll want for your home. This one-strand string light is 50 feet in length and has 16 bulbs total, so it spans a decent distance. Additionally, the lights have been optimized for outdoor use through plastic bulbs and a thickened, waterproof cord. The remote panel attaches to the cord and reviewers attest that they do last all night long.
6
best security light
Aootek Security Lights
6
best security light
Aootek Security Lights
Credit: AmazonPros
- Inexpensive
- 26 ft. motion detection
- Bright light
- Pack of 2
Cons
- Not aesthetically pleasing
Inexpensive security lights can be hard to come by, but these fill the bill—and in a two-pack, at that. These motion-detecting lights feature a 120-degree movement sensing range and 270-degree light range. The solar panel is affixed to the top and the light attaches to your home through screws. The light includes three different brightness modes and contains reflectors to amplify the brightness. Each one is heat- and frost-resistant as well as water-proof so they're truly out of sight and out of mind, unless they activate, of course.
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7
best in-ground light
SOLPEX Solar Ground Lights
7
best in-ground light
SOLPEX Solar Ground Lights
Credit: AmazonPros
- Inexpensive
- Built-in panel
- Inconspicuous
Cons
- Lumens not listed
In-ground lights are fixed to the ground through stakes and lay flush with grass or other garden covering, projecting light upwards. They are great for adding ambiance to your garden in the evenings or even as path lights for directing guests. These solar-powered lights have a panel in the center which is surrounded by eight miniature LED bulbs. We love these in particular because they are photosensitive, meaning they adjust brightness throughout the evening, giving off more light the darker it gets. They're also waterproof and should hold up to weeding and other general wear and tear.
8
best hanging light
August Grove Outdoor Hanging Light
8
best hanging light
August Grove Outdoor Hanging Light
Credit: WayfairPros
- Beautiful
- Built-in panel
Cons
- On the pricier side
- Not super bright
Filled with solar-powered fairy lights, this decorative lantern is not just a source of light but also a gorgeous decorative piece for your porch. Glass ovals pieced together create a distinct light pattern that provides the most subtle glow. While this hanging light does have a bit of brightness, we wouldn't advise it as your only source of light. The solar panel is embedded into the lid and the light is offered in a variety of different color options.
9
best deck light
KANSTAR Outdoor Solar Powered Deck Light
9
best deck light
KANSTAR Outdoor Solar Powered Deck Light
Credit: WayfairPros
- Waterproof and durable
- Two installation methods
- Color changing
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Good price
Deck lights aren't just aesthetically pleasing, they can also help prevent trips and falls for you or your guests. This option includes two different install methods, either using an adhesive patch or screws for a more secure fit. Each light includes an individual solar panel and varying color options, so users can create a variety of multi-colored lights all from one pack. We also love how aesthetically pleasing these deck lights are, making them suitable along fence posts or even your home.
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10
best mounted light
Charlton Home Multi-Mount Lantern Head
10
best mounted light
Charlton Home Multi-Mount Lantern Head
Credit: WayfairPros
- Multi-mount
- Built-in panel
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Durable
- Waterproof
Cons
- Expensive
Even if your home isn't wired for mounted front door lights, that doesn't mean you can't have them! This mounted lantern can be secured by either the side or the bottom, giving it a variety of uses and locations. While many users attach it to a pole to create a light post, you could also secure it to a wall via the side. This mounted light is extremely durable, made of cast aluminum and a weather-resistant coating that's designed to last for three years. The interior of the lantern contains reflectors to amplify the light's bounce.
Commerce Editor
Hannah Jones is the Commerce Editor for Country Living. Her eye is always on the next up-and-coming products to include in gift guides and she's ready to test everything from dog beds to garden tools for product reviews. When she’s not scoping out the latest and greatest items on the market, you can find her hanging with her two rescue dogs.
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