These Solar Pathway Lights Will Make Any Outdoor Space Brighter and More Brilliant (2024)

These Solar Pathway Lights Will Make Any Outdoor Space Brighter and More Brilliant (1)

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Solar pathway lights are becoming a favorite garden light among homeowners, and with good reason. They don’t require outlets, they're eco-friendly and energy-efficient, plus, thanks to the array of options flooding the market, they're increasingly easy on the eyes. You'll find mini adjustable spotlights and flush-mount disks, as well as attractive lanterns and floral and celestial designs. Compared to conventional outdoor lights, solar lights can also be much brighter, and you don’t need to worry about turning them on and off.

    What to Consider

    Solar pathway lights come in an incredible range of styles and sizes, so it will be easy to match them to your home’s architectural style. These lights are easy to install, without the hassle of wires and attachments. Simply stick them in the ground in a sunny area and they take care of themselves. Most models collect light throughout the day and automatically turn on at dusk, which adds to the overall security and safety of your property. If you want very bright lights, then seek out a higher number of lumens; landscaping ambience will clock in around 5 lumens, and a floodlight will deliver about 350 lumens.

    Before you click the “buy” button, assess the space you want to put the lights in, determine how many you’ll need, and decide where you can anchor them in the ground. Also, keep in mind that light duration hours represent averages taken during longer days of the year; expect wintertime run-time average to hover around 5 hours.

    How We Selected

    We reviewed hundreds of options, and have included lights in a number of sizes and styles, keeping a range of budget needs in mind. We also looked for lights that have a long battery life, solid construction, and get top ratings from customers. All of our lights are also made by companies with excellent customer service ratings.

    1

    Best Lantern

    Gigalumi Star and Moon Solar Pathway Lights

    These Solar Pathway Lights Will Make Any Outdoor Space Brighter and More Brilliant (12)

    These Solar Pathway Lights Will Make Any Outdoor Space Brighter and More Brilliant (13)

    1

    Best Lantern

    Gigalumi Star and Moon Solar Pathway Lights

    Key Specs

    • Lights Per Pack: 6
    • Total Height: 6.3 inches
    • Run-Time: Up to 8 hours
    • Options: 1 finish; 1 light color (warm white)

    This 6-pack of solar-powered pathway lights features star and crescent moon cutouts, which cast a pattern on the ground when the lanterns are illuminated.

    Stakes are included, and you also have the option of placing them directly on pavement (they look particularly festive lining steps). Without stakes, the lanterns measure just over 6 inches tall, and in-ground they're just over a foot high. They're made of rust-resistant metal and plastic, with a black powder-coated finish, and you can expect them to last for roughly 8 hours on a full charge.

    Reviewers say they’re “spectacular” and “magical at night.”

    2

    Traditional Style

    Beau Jardin Solar Pathway Lights

    These Solar Pathway Lights Will Make Any Outdoor Space Brighter and More Brilliant (14)

    These Solar Pathway Lights Will Make Any Outdoor Space Brighter and More Brilliant (15)

    2

    Traditional Style

    Beau Jardin Solar Pathway Lights

    Key Specs

    • Lights Per Pack: 8 (4-pack available)
    • Total Height: 16.5 inches
    • Run-Time: Up to 12 hours
    • Options: 3 finishes; 1 light color (cool white)

    These decorative solar pathway lights are ideal for homes and gardens with a more traditional aesthetic. Their extra-bright, high-contrast cool white LEDs boast up to 12 hours of brightness per charge, and they look vibrant in the dark thanks to their lamps, which are made of glass, not plastic, and feature a pretty lattice pattern.

    They come eight to a pack and the lights run on 900mAh batteries, plus they have a IP65 waterproof rating. They also get a big thumbs-up from customers, with more than 11,000 reviewers awarding the lights an average 4.6 stars. Choose from silver, bronze, or the black that's shown.

    3

    Best “Moon” Light

    Homeimpro Moon Crackle Stake Light

    These Solar Pathway Lights Will Make Any Outdoor Space Brighter and More Brilliant (16)

    These Solar Pathway Lights Will Make Any Outdoor Space Brighter and More Brilliant (17)

    3

    Best “Moon” Light

    Homeimpro Moon Crackle Stake Light

    Now 28% Off

    Key Specs

    • Lights Per Pack: 1
    • Total Height: 40 inches
    • Run-Time: Up to 6 hours
    • Options: 1 finish; 1 light color (warm white)

    This Moon Crackle light is a 40-inch-tall stainless steel garden staff, topped with a crescent moon cradling a glass LED dome. It's designed to be more of a solo garden accent piece than to light a long pathway, and its run time is roughly 6 hours on a full charge. Still, reviewers adore it, with an average rating of 4.6 stars from nearly 8,200 customers.

    One says it’s “everything I had hoped it would be. It’s bright, yet subtle, and nothing short of beautiful.”

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    4

    Mega Wattage

    Aponuo Solar Pathway Spotlights

    These Solar Pathway Lights Will Make Any Outdoor Space Brighter and More Brilliant (18)

    These Solar Pathway Lights Will Make Any Outdoor Space Brighter and More Brilliant (19)

    4

    Mega Wattage

    Aponuo Solar Pathway Spotlights

    Key Specs

    • Lights Per Pack: 4 (2-pack available)
    • Total Height: 2.2 inches (light); 6.1 inches (panel)
    • Run-Time: Up to 12 hours
    • Options: 1 finish; 3 light colors (multi; warm or cool white)

    With an output of 150 lumens each, these solar pathway lights will deliver serious brightness wherever they're installed. You can expect them to shine for up to 8 hours on high and up to 12 hours on low.

    Customers say they use them to showcase sculptures, fountains, and other landscaping features, in addition to providing much-needed illumination for navigation in extra-dark areas.

    These lights are highly reviewed by those seeking “powerful lights,” but note that they must be installed with a small solar panel that's included. (Each spotlight has a 9.8-foot connecting cord.)

    5

    Best for Color

    Nupostai Color-Changing Solar Pathway Lights

    These Solar Pathway Lights Will Make Any Outdoor Space Brighter and More Brilliant (20)

    These Solar Pathway Lights Will Make Any Outdoor Space Brighter and More Brilliant (21)

    5

    Best for Color

    Nupostai Color-Changing Solar Pathway Lights

    Key Specs

    • Lights Per Pack: 6 (8-pack available)
    • Total Height: 16.4 inches
    • Run-Time: Up to 13 hours
    • Options: 1 finish; 2 light colors (multi; warm white)

    This six-pack of solar pathway lights is a great way to add a splash of color to your property year-round—not just during the holidays. They feature two lighting modes, so you also have the option of switching to warm-white LEDs, and both cast a sunflower-style design on the ground.

    The pathway lights are said to stay bright for up to 13 hours, with an average charging time of 6 to 8 hours. They also have an IP67 waterproof rating, which is higher than some other sets we cover, and they are frost-resistant.

    6

    Best Modern Design

    Sunwind Bollard Solar Pathway Lights

    These Solar Pathway Lights Will Make Any Outdoor Space Brighter and More Brilliant (22)

    6

    Best Modern Design

    Sunwind Bollard Solar Pathway Lights

    Key Specs

    • Lights Per Pack: 6
    • Total Height: 15.7 inches
    • Run-Time: Up to 8 hours
    • Options: 1 finish; 1 color (warm white)

    A bollard is a squat, wide pole attached to quays and ships to moor boats, but it's become a catchall term used to describe short, cylindrical posts installed vertically in the ground—just like these mini solar pathway lights.

    They have a sleek, modern look, with a brushed chrome finish and a warm white frosted light that's roughly 6 lumens bright. The lights come in a six-pack and will stay on for up to 8 hours on a full charge.

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    7

    Best Hanging Lanterns

    Home Zone Solar Pathway Lights

    These Solar Pathway Lights Will Make Any Outdoor Space Brighter and More Brilliant (23)

    7

    Best Hanging Lanterns

    Home Zone Solar Pathway Lights

    Key Specs

    • Lights Per Pack: 4 (2-, 6-, and 8-pack available)
    • Total Height: 24 inches
    • Run-Time: Not provided
    • Options: 1 finish; 1 light color

    These solar pathway lights feature an attractive, crackled glass fixture hung on a 2-foot-tall stainless steel black powder-coated post. They're incredibly easy to install and cast a warm white glow, and each have an output of 10 lumens. The lights pair well with traditional and rustic homes, though their design is versatile enough to work in more contemporary settings, too.

    8

    Best Starburst Lights

    Epic Gadget Solar Pathway Lights (2-Pack)

    These Solar Pathway Lights Will Make Any Outdoor Space Brighter and More Brilliant (24)

    These Solar Pathway Lights Will Make Any Outdoor Space Brighter and More Brilliant (25)

    8

    Best Starburst Lights

    Epic Gadget Solar Pathway Lights (2-Pack)

    Now 35% Off

    Key Specs

    • Lights Per Pack: 2
    • Total Height: 10.5 inches
    • Run-Time: Up to 8 hours
    • Options: 1 finish; 1 light color (multi)

    If you are hoping to spark conversation with your pathway lights, this two-pack of firework solar lights may be the way to go.

    The multicolor string lights are solar-powered and waterproof, with flexible branches that can be shaped as desired. Each measures 10.5 inches in diameter, and features 105 small lights. They add brightness and fun to walkways, and party hosts love to set them up around the yard for whimsical touches of sparkle.

    9

    Most Subtle Lights

    VeRosky Disk LED Solar Pathway Lights

    These Solar Pathway Lights Will Make Any Outdoor Space Brighter and More Brilliant (26)

    9

    Most Subtle Lights

    VeRosky Disk LED Solar Pathway Lights

    Key Specs

    • Lights Per Pack: 8
    • Total Height: 5.3 inches
    • Run Time: Up to 10 hours
    • Options: 1 finish; 1 light color (warm white)

    This 8-pack of solar pathway lights provides enough brightness— without drawing attention to themselves—and get an impressive average rating of 4.8 stars from more than 4,000 reviewers. The silver disks sit flush with the ground and have an IP65 waterproof rating, and shine for up to 10 hours after a full day of charging.

    Each disk has two ground spikes, a 5.4-inch panel, and warm white LED bulbs. They run on replaceable built-in 600 mAh batteries.

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    10

    Best Tiki-Style

    Aityvert Solar Flickering Flame Torch Lights

    These Solar Pathway Lights Will Make Any Outdoor Space Brighter and More Brilliant (27)

    These Solar Pathway Lights Will Make Any Outdoor Space Brighter and More Brilliant (28)

    10

    Best Tiki-Style

    Aityvert Solar Flickering Flame Torch Lights

    Key Specs

    • Lights Per Pack: 4 ( 1- and 2-pack available)
    • Total Height: 43 inches
    • Run-Time: Up to 12 hours (summer); 5 hours (winter)
    • Options: 1 finish; 1 light color (warm white)

    This four-pack of tiki-torch-style lights is a wonderful way to welcome guests up your pathway, but many also use these lights as a decorative element at outdoor barbecues or while camping.

    The LED “flames” cast a safe, moody glow. The solar torches can be installed at two heights: roughly 30 inches, and 43 inches with an included extension pole. They come with a built-in rechargeable battery that gives light for 12 hours in summer and 5 hours in winter, when fully charged.

    Reviewers “LOVE these lights,” calling them “amazing,” “realistic” and “beautiful."

    These Solar Pathway Lights Will Make Any Outdoor Space Brighter and More Brilliant (29)

    Kathleen Willcox

    Kathleen Willcox is a journalist who writes about parenting, technology, shopping, food and wine. Her work appears in a variety of publications, including Popular Mechanics, Wine Enthusiast and SevenFifty Daily. She is based in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., where she lives with her husband and twins.

    These Solar Pathway Lights Will Make Any Outdoor Space Brighter and More Brilliant (2024)

    FAQs

    Are solar-powered pathway lights worth it? ›

    Long-Term Savings Potential. Unlike with wired landscape lighting, solar powered landscape lighting won't affect your monthly utility bill. Those savings may seem minimal, but add up over time: For example, it could cost about $60 per year to power a 100-watt street light.

    How many lumens should solar path lights be? ›

    If you're installing path lights along your walkway, 100 to 200 lumens is recommended.

    How do I make my solar lights brighter? ›

    The first step is checking the batteries. Even though the recharging is done by the sun, batteries power solar lights while they're shining. The most common reason for dimming solar lights is that the rechargeable batteries are dying. If the battery is low, it's important to remove the battery right away.

    What are good outdoor solar lights? ›

    Compare
    ProductsProduct LinksBrightness
    Best Decorative: Brightown LED Solar Powered Fairy Lights$14 at Amazon4/5
    Best for Post: Kemeco Solar Post Light$100 at Amazon5/5
    Best Motion-Sensor: Linkind StarRay Solar Spotlights$33 at Amazon4/5
    Best Hanging: Derynome Solar Lantern Outdoor Lights$39 at Amazon4/5
    5 more rows
    Apr 9, 2024

    What is the downside of solar lights? ›

    disadvantage: seasonal power supply

    However, when the weather starts getting cold, and the sunlight weaker, becoming insufficient as early as 4 PM, photovoltaic cells perform less well, while low temperatures reduce the efficiency of batteries.

    How many years do solar pathway lights last? ›

    Yes, like all technology, eventually solar lights wear out. The typical lifespan of a solar light is between 2 and 5 years, depending on the area's weather conditions and the quality of the materials.

    Is 10 lumens bright enough for pathway lights? ›

    Path lighting is used to illuminate your way around your outdoors and is also decorative. These lights are crucial because they impact how safely people will be able to move about your outdoor space in the dark. Lighting between 100 to 200 lumens would be best for your outdoor path.

    Is 3000 lumens bright for outdoors? ›

    The number of lumens needed for outdoor lighting depends on the purpose and location of the light. For example, a porch light may require 800-1000 lumens, while a floodlight may need 2000-3000 lumens. For pathway lighting, 100-200 lumens per light are sufficient.

    Is 8000 lumens too bright? ›

    For indoor lighting, a general guideline is to aim for a lumen output of around 1,500-3,000 lumens for living spaces, and 4,000-8,000 lumens for kitchens and bathrooms.

    What is a good brightness for solar lights? ›

    Are Your Outdoor LED Lights Bright Enough?
    LED Outdoor LightRecommended LumensGama Sonic Lights
    Security Lights700-1400Security and Utility Solar Lights
    Decorative Wall Lights50-150Solar Wall Lights
    Decorative Post Lights100-400Residential Solar Post Lights
    Pedestrian Post Lights500-2000Commercial Solar Post Lights
    2 more rows

    Why are my solar lights not as bright? ›

    The most common culprits include battery problems, dirty solar panels, shaded solar panels, LED problems, or other technical issues. Firstly, battery problems are one of the most common reasons why solar lights become dim.

    How do I increase the brightness of my lights? ›

    Key Points
    1. More LEDs can mean more light. ...
    2. Cleaning your lights helps a lot. ...
    3. Using high color temperature and reflectors boosts brightness. ...
    4. Short wires or loose connections can be bad for the bulb's brightness over time. ...
    5. Keeping LEDs cool also helps their glow last longer since heat can cause damage over time.
    Nov 6, 2023

    Are solar pathway lights worth it? ›

    Not only will you save money on your electric bill, but you will also be helping the environment by using renewable energy. The only time that is not worth investing in solar garden lights is if you live in an area that doesn't get enough sunshine.

    Why do solar lights fail so quickly? ›

    The most likely cause is the battery. For one reason or another, it's not holding or receiving enough charge.

    Are solar lights a good investment? ›

    You won't need to replace the LED fixtures as often, you save a lot of money on trenching, and don't need to worry about buying expensive permits. Solar lights are incredibly cheap and clean alternatives to traditional power. In fact, renewable sources have already demonstrated to be cheaper than fossil fuel options.

    Are solar or LED outdoor lights better? ›

    Generally, solar lights are not as bright as LED lights and may not stay lit all night long, making them a poor choice for security and safety lighting purposes. Solar options do require some maintenance as you need to ensure panels are keep clean and clear for proper charging.

    Do solar lights give off enough light? ›

    Even the most expensive and highest quality solar lights can't compare to a custom designed outdoor lighting system. These fixtures might use high quality LED lamps, but can only produce focused beams of light with only enough energy to shine up to 400 lumens, only equivalent to a 40W incandescent bulb.

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