If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Home Home Design & Decor Lighting 10 Best Outdoor Solar Lights to Illuminate Any Part of Your Landscape Set them out in the sun to charge and watch these fixtures light up your landscape for hours after dark. By Madeline Buiano Madeline Buiano Madeline Buiano is an associate editor at MarthaStewart.com, sharing her knowledge on a range of topics—from gardening and cleaning to home and pets. She has five years of writing and editing experience in the digital publishing industry. Editorial Guidelines Published on July 11, 2023 11:45AM EDT Photo: Courtesy of Home Depot, Amazon Whether you want to add ambience to your front porch or need to safely illuminate the perimeter around your pool, outdoor lighting can elevate any landscape. But if you're working with limited power outlets or you're looking for an energy saving solution, we recommend solar lights. These outdoor fixtures use energy from the sun to produce light, so you can place them anywhere in your yard without worrying about having nearby outlets. How to Hang Outdoor String Lights, According to the Pros How Outdoor Solar Lights Work Generally, solar lights need about six to eight hours of full sun exposure to work efficiently at night, but they could need more or less depending on the type and brand. "They consist of a solar panel, a rechargeable battery, and LED bulbs," says the team at Brightech, a contemporary lighting company. "During the day, the solar panel absorbs sunlight and converts it into electrical energy, which is stored in the battery. Then when it gets dark, the stored energy powers the LED bulbs, illuminating the surroundings." What to Look for When You Shop Before choosing solar lighting for your landscape, it's first important to think about what you want to use them for. Need to illuminate a large area of your yard? Bright spotlights are likely your best bet. Want to brighten a dimly lit walkway? A set of warm path lights are probably a better fit. Once you know what task you want your solar lights to accomplish, you can begin shopping. Whatever you do, make sure the iteration you buy has these two features: Weather-proof materials: Look for options that are water- and weatherproof, which will ensure they maintain their quality during inclement weather and won't rust overtime.Different light modes: Also search for options with more than one light mode. "Having solar lights with different modes is generally preferred," says the team at Brightech. "It gives you the flexibility to adjust the lighting according to your preference and specific requirements, whether it's a steady-on mode, motion-sensing mode, or dimming options." With all of these factors in mind, we rounded up some of the best outdoor solar lights on the market for you to shop now. From decorative string lights to wall mounted options, these solar lights will illuminate your space without you even needing to plug in a cord or flip a switch. 12 Patio Lights That Will Brighten Your Outdoor Space 01 of 10 Brightech Solar Power Remote Controlled Outdoor String Lights Courtesy of Amazon Add ambience to your deck or patio with these warm outdoor string lights, which run for five to six hours will a full charge. "These lights are great for anyone looking for a bit more control with their lights," says the team at Brightech. "The remote control feature allows convenient adjustment of settings without being confusing to operate." The string lights have 12 LED bulbs that are designed to handle serious wind, rain, and snow. Plus, the shatterproof bulbs can withstand heat of up to 122 degrees, so they can be left up year round. Price at time of publish: $39.99 Buy on Amazon 02 of 10 Smart Lighting Solar Motion Activated Outdoor Path Lights Courtesy of Home Depot Solar lights can also be a great safety feature for your home. These solar powered path lights turn on when they sense motion and are a great addition to walkways, driveways, or pathways. The lights shine up to 80 lumens of 360-degree white light, so they're ideal if you full illumination. Designed with smart controls, you can adjust the brightness, motion sensitivity, and set schedules all in one app. The lights have a very strong battery that keeps them running all night long. Price at time of publish: $34.99 Buy on Home Depot 03 of 10 Kemeco Solar Post Light Fixture Courtesy of Amazon If you have a post designed to hold a light fixture, this solar powered option from Kemeco is a great fit. It can be directly placed on a 3-inch column or fixed to any flat surface with the included mounting base. It needs to charge in a place with full sunlight, but once it does, it has a dusk-to-dawn feature that will ensure it runs all night long. Made with durable cast-aluminum and ripple glass, this solar light is waterproof and weather-resistant. Price at time of publish: $99.98 Buy on Amazon 04 of 10 Brightown Solar Rope String Lights Courtesy of Walmart With a whopping eight light settings—ranging from twinkle to slow fade—these twinkle lights can be adjusted to meet your mood. After just four to six hours of sunlight, the light can work for up to 10 hours. The copper wire is protected by a waterproof membrane that's designed to withstand inclement weather, so you can wrap them around trees, balconies, stair banisters, and more without worrying about damage. Price at time of publish: $23.99 Buy on Walmart 05 of 10 Home Zone Security Solar Wall Hanging Lights Courtesy of Amazon Perfect for a porch or deck, this set of two wall lights can be mounted on any type of surface, including brick, concrete, aluminum, and wood. The unique hanging design allows each lantern to function as a portable light, so you can carry it with you if you need to walk through your yard at night. The aluminum-glass construction provides maximum durability (it's better than plastic lighting, which can warp and fade over time). The lights can run for eight hours on a full charge. Price at time of publish: $29.08 Buy on Amazon 06 of 10 AloftSun Solar Motion Sensor Outdoor Lights Courtesy of Amazon Ideal if you're looking to brighten a large area of your yard, these motion activated lights offer a stronger, more uniform brightness level than some other options on the market. The solar powered lights have a built-in sensor and spotlights with a 120 degree detection angle and 33-foot sensing range, which can be triggered by humans, animals, and cars. They can be mounted to your wall or staked into the ground, giving you options when it comes to placement. Price at time of publish: $29.99 Buy on Amazon 07 of 10 URPOWER Adjustable Outdoor Solar Spot Lights Courtesy of Amazon This set of solar lights has a bigger solar panel that ensures eight to 10 hours of illumination after charging in the sun for just four to five hours. The lights, which have a built-in rechargeable battery, can withstand rain and other extreme weather conditions and can either be staked in the grass or wall-mounted. There's two lighting modes (high and low light mode), so you can adjust the lights to your liking. Price at time of publish: $29.99 Buy on Amazon 08 of 10 Brightech Ambience Pro Solar Powered Outdoor String Lights Courtesy of Amazon Looking for a truly low maintenance option? "These lights are perfect for a setup-and-go solution," says the team at Brightech. "Once the panel is turned on and the lights are mounted, they will automatically turn on at night, requiring no further adjustment or tinkering." The 48-foot long string can last for up to 2.5 years before the battery needs to be replaced and is designed to withstand winds up to 50 miles per hour, rain, and snow. They last five to six hours on a full charge and need six hours of direct sunlight. Price at time of publish: $59.99 Buy on Amazon 09 of 10 Jefferson Solar LED Landscape Path Lights Courtesy of Home Depot Illuminating your entire walkway is made easier with this budget-friendly complete set. It comes with 10 water- and rust-resistant solar powered lights that have an eight hour run time when fully charged. Install the lights in seconds by simply staking them into the ground and watch as their crackle-glass lens creates a beautiful light pattern. The set comes with rechargeable batteries, so you can easily replace them when the time comes. Price at time of publish: $114 Buy on Home Depot 10 of 10 Vont LED Outdoor Solar Lights Courtesy of Amazon With more than a dozed LEDs that provide a 120 degree lighting angle, these solar lights can illuminate your whole backyard. Choose between low mode (which runs for 12 hours) and high mode (which runs for six hours) to cast a glow you're happy with. Made of high-impact material with a wireless waterproof design, these lights were built to withstand rain and other extreme conditions. Price at time of publish: $29.99 Buy on Amazon Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit More Good Things Shop Martha's Way Day Deals on Wayfair—More Than 70% Off Furniture, Home Décor, and More 10 Bulbs to Plant in the Spring for Late Summer Blooms How to Make a Flower Crown to Wear at Your Next Special Celebration