Other Options We Tested
Ring Solar Pathlight: This path light was one of the brighter models we tested, but we struggled to get it to connect to the Ring Bridge, which is required for smart capabilities. This struggle left us frustrated, but we will note that this light survived both our water and golf ball drop tests. For the price, we think you can easily purchase a pack of solar lights without the smart features, if they’re not a must on your buying list.
Aogist Solar Ground Lights: While there wasn’t anything particularly wrong with this set of lights, they just didn’t impress us as much compared to other designs. Frankly, we found them a bit boring, and we question their durability against a work boot or a bike tire. They did survive and function after our water, freeze, and golf ball drop tests, but we still think there are better sets available that will last multiple seasons.
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Beau Jardin 4-Pack Solar Pathway Lights: With the number of rave reviews online, we had high hopes for this pathway light set. The ground spikes on these lights felt loose, and our suspicions were confirmed when we attempted to remove the lights from styrofoam after our water tests. They are also very dim, so we were not able to read with the amount of light they put out.
How We Tested The Outdoor Solar Lights
We researched popular outdoor solar lights of various styles and selected 27 to test in our Lab in Des Moines, Iowa. We installed 18 wall-mounted solar lights in our own homes. We evaluated each on a wide and thorough array of attributes that included ease of assembly and installation, feature set, brightness, durability, and value.
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 exited the room, waited 2 minutes, then re-entered, and we noted whether the lights turned on without any prompting. Then, we evaluated each light’s brightness by attempting to read a book under it.
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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 used in our homes, we noted how the lights have faired against any inclement weather over a period of one month (so far).
After our lab tests, we took the lights 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.
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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.
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Outdoor
