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The best solar lights in 2026, as tested by our reviews experts

Published: Wednesday, 4 March 2026 at 4:39 pm

Illuminate your garden with our tests of the best solar lights

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Solar lights are environmentally friendly lighting, and with a good set, you can create an ambience that lets you enjoy your garden long after dark. Powered by solar panels, they absorb daylight and convert it to electrical energy, charging your lights so they’re ready to go at night.

Unlike mains-powered lights, solar lights are cheap and easy to install, and because these eco-friendly lights are powered by the sun, they’ll save you money on electricity bills and batteries. With the right lights, you can have effective, automatic garden lighting that won’t break the bank.

Solar lights can be used purely for ambience and decoration, or can have a more practical function, such as illuminating a path or providing security lighting. Some of the most popular types include:

Solar lights are powered by internal rechargeable batteries, charged through the day by a solar panel. The brighter the day, the more power is stored by the battery, and the longer the light will shine. Light is produced by one or more LEDs; at dusk, they turn on automatically, turning off when the sun comes up. Solar energy can be used in the garden to power simple mechanisms like the water pumps in solar water features or – in this case – light bulbs, to make solar lights.

Caring for wildlife

Solar lights are much kinder to wildlife than mains-powered lighting. Often emitting a dimmer glow, they’re less likely to disturb nocturnal animals. So that you don’t disturb bugs and bats, try to angle your lights towards the ground, and opt for dimmer, less harsh lights where possible. Ideally, turn off your solar lights before you go to bed, and ensure some areas of your garden remain in darkness.

Flying Pipistrelle bat (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) - Getty images

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Our best solar lights to buy at a glance

Our 5 top-rated solar lights

Also recommended:

Comparison table: Best solar lights

ProductRatingRRPTypeOn/Off switchWarranty4lite Antheia LED spike light4.9/5£29.99SpikeYes4 yearsLights4fun 200 Starburst string lights4.8/5£39.99String lightsYes2 yearsLights4fun Set of three warm white hanging lights4.8/5£19.99HangingYes2 yearsMadison drop bulb lights4.8/5£39.99String lightsYes1 yearFirefly garden lights4.8/5£19.99Decorative borderYes1 yearDover Double PIR Light4.5/5£34.99SecurityYes1 yearDamasque lantern4.5/5£34.99LanternYes1 yearSolar fluted marker light4.5/5£21.99Stake lightNo1 yearT-Sun spotlight4.5/5£17.99SpotlightYesNo warranty

Our expertise

We put a range of solar lights to the test, using them in urban, suburban and rural gardens across the country. We’ve put these lights through months of different lighting and weather conditions. They’ve seen wind, rain, hail and sleet; cold snaps, heat waves, and even dust from the Sahara. As we evaluated each one, we assigned them scores, and the models that topped the test were awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy. Each review has a detailed list of pros and cons for clarity and has been rated according to set up, features, performance, and value for money. From 2026, you’ll only see newly awarded Best Buy badges on solar lights that score 4.5 out of 5 or higher. Anything rated 3.5 or above will still feature in our ‘Best of the rest’ list.

Jump to the best solar lights:

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Our 5 top-rated solar lights

1: 4lite Antheia outdoor LED solar-powered decorative bollard/spike light with PIR sensor

Our best solar spike and bollard lights

RRP: £29.99

Our rating: 4.9/5

A star rating of 4.9 out of 5.

Available from: Amazon (£29.99)

Best Buy solar spike and bollard lights: Antheia outdoor LED solar-powered decorative spike and bollard light with PIR sensor

Our best solar spike and bollard lights: Antheia outdoor LED solar-powered decorative spike and bollard light with PIR sensor

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

This stylish spike light is made from sturdy die-cast aluminium in matt black and has a large solar panel on the top. There’s a choice of mounting options: the light can be attached to the ground with the included screws or simply sunk into soil with the sturdy spike. There are also three different lighting modes. It can be set to switch on only when it detects movement, provide a continuous glow, or fade to a dimmer light until nearby motion is detected, when it becomes brighter. The warm white solar LED bulbs are bright enough to light a path, boundary or entranceway and offer up to 12 hours of light in the summer, although there’s an on/off switch to avoid disturbing neighbours or garden wildlife.

Ideal by the front door, to light up when you arrive home, a few of these would also look great lining a path, although this could become expensive. Rated IP54, it’s tough enough for year-round use and comes with a four-year warranty. Taller bollard spike lights with the same features are also available. Our experts awarded the Antheia outdoor LED solar-powered decorative spike and bollard light a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for the best solar spike and bollard lights. Kay Maguire

Dimensions: Spike light dimensions: 160mm x 290mm (+200m spike)
Bollard spike dimensions: 160mm x 465mm (+200m spike)

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2: Lights4fun 200 Starburst solar USB string lights

Our best string lights

RRP: £39.99

Our rating: 4.8/5

A star rating of 4.8 out of 5.

Available from: Amazon (41.99) and Lights4fun (£39.99)

Best Buy string lights: Lights4fun 200 starburst solar USB string lights

Our best string lights: Lights4fun 200 starburst solar USB string lights

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

Awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for the best string lights, these sparklers have been well thought-out with a good range of features. With a clear cable and 10 clusters of 200 warm white LEDs these pretty string lights will create a twinkle in a tree or along a fence line. IP44 rated, they’re ideal for use outside and are rechargeable via the included USB cable as well as by solar.

There’s a good length of cable between the panel and the first set of lights, and they have an on/off button and a remote control, which can be used to set one of eight different modes, vary the brightness and choose between one of three timer options. The back of the panel also shows battery level and mode. They make an attractive feature, it’s just a shame they’re not a bit longer or available in different lengths. They have a two-year warranty. Kay Maguire

Dimensions: 10cm x 2mm and 2m cable

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3: Lights4fun set of three warm white hanging solar lights

Our best value solar light set

RRP: £19.99

Our rating: 4.8/ 5

A star rating of 4.8 out of 5.

Available from: Amazon (£20.99) and Lights4fun (£19.99)

Best Buy value solar light set: Lights4fun set of 3 warm white hanging solar lights

Our best value solar light set: Lights4fun set of 3 warm white hanging solar lights

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

This set of three sweet lights is simple to use and brings a soft glow to the garden after sunset. A silver hook on the top of each light makes them easy to hang on branches or string up and loop over a pergola, and a switch on the side ensures you can turn them off at the end of the night. Although they're entirely plastic, they stood up well to the weather in our test, and despite the small solar panel on the top of each light, they were the first to come on at dusk and lasted well into the morning in summer if not switched off.

IP 44 rated, they’re ideal for outdoor use, and though there are no extra modes or fancy features, these charming lights are simple to use, look great and come with a two-year warranty. We think they’re great value and awarded them a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for the best value solar light set. Kay Maguire

Dimensions: (H) 14.5, 12.5, 11.5 x (D) 10, 8, 8cm

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4: Madison solar drop bulb lights

Our best solar lights for parties

RRP: £39.99

Our rating: 4.8/5

A star rating of 4.8 out of 5.

Available from: Amazon (£39.99) and Lights4fun (£39.99)

Best Buy solar lights for parties: Madison solar drop bulb lights

Our best solar lights for parties: Madison solar drop bulb lights

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

A BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy for the best solar lights for parties, we were immediately impressed by the quality of these large, vintage-style string lights. With 10 glass bulbs strung along a thick UK weatherproof cable and a generous 3W solar panel, they're good-looking and easy to use. The lights come carefully packaged in cardboard and take around ten minutes to put together. All that's needed is slotting the stake together and into the solar panel and screwing in the bulbs - just take care to screw the bulbs in well, or they will come loose and turn off in windy weather.

The lights have a power button, so you can turn them off before you go to bed to protect wildlife and save energy, and there are also three light settings to choose from. Simply press the button on the back of the panel once for the brightest setting, then again for the first power saving mode and a third time for the dimmest power saving mode. The solar panel is frost-resistant and large enough to power the lights through even grey winter days, and the lights switch on as soon as the light starts to fade at dusk. They have a runtime of up to eight hours and, in our test throughout the summer, they lasted through the night and right up until dawn. They come with two spare bulbs and a one-year warranty. Our only niggle with these lights is that you can't buy replacement bulbs, so they have a finite life once the bulbs start to go. Kay Maguire

Dimensions: 7.25m in total, 45cm between each light, 3.3m from panel to first bulb. The bulb hangs 19cm from the cable.

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5: Firefly garden solar lights

Our best solar lights for borders

RRP: £19.99

Our rating: 4.8/5

A star rating of 4.8 out of 5.

Available from: Amazon (£13.99)

Best Buy solar light for borders: Firefly garden solar light

Our best solar lights for borders: Firefly garden solar lights

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

This striking light creates eye-catching dots of light that sway in the wind and float above your plants when dotted through borders or along a pathway. It comes in two parts with six bulbs arranged on the end of bendy prongs with the solar panel at the base. It's very easy to put together: simply slot the light into the long metal stake and switch it on. The switch is conveniently situated on the back of the solar panel. It gives you the option of flashing or continuous light modes, and, on a full charge, the light has six hours of run time, coming on as soon as it's dusk. The plastic-coated prongs are weatherproof and light well, even in winter.

Although ours started to flop after a few months, this didn't detract from the effect of them at all. We would love a number of these dotted through borders around the garden and awarded it a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy for the best solar lights for borders. It's compact and easy to store, and comes with a one-year warranty. Kay Maguire

Dimensions: 35cm lights + 7cm base + 32cm spike

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Also recommended

Dover Solar Double PIR Light

Our best solar security light

RRP £34.99

Our rating 4.5/5

A star rating of 4.5 out of 5.

Available from: Amazon(£34.99)

Dover_Solar_Double_PIR_Light

Our best solar security light: Dover Solar Double PIR Light

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

Compact, functional, and easy to set up with clear instructions, this is a sturdy, yet affordable, solar-powered security light. With three adjustable lights, a central light that can pivot 90° up and down, plus two side lights that can adjust 360° up and down between the two, and a further 120° side to side, the unit is capable of covering a 180° field. The two PIR sensors can detect movement at 8m away, illuminating a wide range of situations, such as a front door, a side path or a driveway with 800 lumens of light.

Neat, highly adjustable and relatively unobtrusive, this light also features three modes of use, with the third mode shutting off after 20 seconds and recommended for winter use. With a 12-month warranty, a well-protected on/off switch, its ease of use and its highly weatherproof IP (ingress protection) 65 rating, this light is well deserving of its BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy award. Jane Moore

Damasque solar lantern

Our best solar lantern

RRP: £34.99

Our rating: 4.5/5

A star rating of 4.5 out of 5.

Available from: Amazon (£33.15) and Crocus (£29.74)

Damasque Solar Lantern - BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Our best solar lantern: Damasque Solar Lantern

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

Winner of a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for best solar lantern, this steel globe lantern has an antique bronze finish and an intricate Moroccan-style pattern that creates a beautiful display as the light shines through it. The bulb and batteries sit under the solar panel at the top of the globe, and this simple unit is easily lifted out to turn the light on and off. It doesn’t need any assembly, though you’ll need to charge it in a sunny spot in the off position for 48 hours. After this, turn it on, and when the light levels drop, it will flick on and provide up to six hours of bright light.

Great for a party or around an al fresco dining table, the lantern can be placed on the ground or on a table, or hung up from its handle. It has no flashing modes and is a reasonable price, towards the higher end of the lights in our test for one light, but it comes with a one-year warranty. The solar panel/bulb/battery unit is replaceable, and available from a number of retailers for a small charge, making this elegant solar light a great sustainable investment. Kay Maguire

Dimensions: 22cm x 23cm

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Solar Fluted Marker light ten pack

Our best solar stake lights

RRP: £21.99

Our rating: 4.5/5

A star rating of 4.5 out of 5.

Available from: Amazon (£23.95), Crocus (£18.69) and Waitrose (£19.79)

Solar Fluted Marker Light Ten Pack - BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Our best solar stake lights: Solar Fluted Marker Light Ten Pack

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

Winner of a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for best stake lights, these lights are ideal for guiding the way or dotting through beds in the garden. The stylish design has a brushed steel finish, and the fluted plastic gives off a lovely star-shaped glow around each light. Assembly is easy, and each light just needs charging for 48 hours in a sunny spot before use. After this, turn them on, and they’ll light up as soon as the light fades, staying lit for up to six hours.

Our one quibble is the absence of an on/off switch to override the automatic setting, so they will stay on late into the night. The pack generously includes ten lights, and comes with a one-year warranty, so overall they’re great value for money. Kay Maguire

Dimensions: 36cm x 4.7cm

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T-SUN LED solar spotlight

Our best solar spotlight

RRP: £17.99

Our rating: 4.5/5

A star rating of 4.5 out of 5.

Available from: Amazon (£17.99)

T-SUN LED Solar Spotlight - BBC Gardeners' world Magazine

Our best solar spotlight: T-SUN LED Solar Spotlight

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

This BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy solar spotlight is remarkably good value. The brightest on test at a whopping 250 lumens, we like the adjustable bulb and solar panel angles, as well as the effective stake for positioning it at the base of trees. The on/off switch is handy, too. You can also take the stake out and screw the light to fence posts or walls if needed. We found that it gave dramatic lighting to trees and shrubs and would make a great light for a shed or alleyway.

While the light is very white, these spotlights are also available in a range of other colours if you’d like a softer effect. However, bear in mind this light doesn’t come with a warranty, and can be slow to turn on after dark. Like all solar spotlights, the solar panel is relatively large, so it can be hard to hide. Kay Maguire

Dimensions: ‎29.01cm x 9.5cm x 34.01cm

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Best of the rest

Although some models didn’t quite achieve a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy award, they still have great features that make them worth recommending. Browse our pick of the best of the rest.

Best of the rest: solar string and fairy lights

4lite Antheia Solar powered festoon lights

RRP: £34.99

Our rating: 4.3/5

A star rating of 4.3 out of 5.

Available from: Amazon (£29.99), Currys (£32.99) and Robert Dyas (£28.99)

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4lite Antheia 6.1m Outdoor LED Solar-Powered Festoon Lights

4lite Antheia 6.1m Outdoor LED Solar-Powered Festoon Lights

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

These string lights have 10 plastic warm white bulbs spread along the cable every 50cm, and each has a hook on the top for easy hanging. The solar panel is a good size, although not as large as the Madison solar drop lights, and with a clear on/ off button, charging indicator and mode adjustor, with eight different lighting modes to choose from. There’s a reasonable 1.5 cable length from the solar panel to the first light.

They come with both a mounting bracket plus wall plugs and screws, and a ground stake, offering the choice of mounting the panel on a wall or fence or on the ground. They’re rated IP44, so are suitable for outdoor use, but we found the cable thinner and less sturdy than others in the test. They come with a four-year warranty. Kay Maguire

Dimensions: 6.1 m (1.5cm + 9 x 50cm + 10cm)

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Carnival solar festoon lights

RRP: £39.99

Our rating: 4.3/5

A star rating of 4.3 out of 5.

Available from: Lights4fun (£24.99)

20 Warm White Carnival Solar Festoon Lights - BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

20 Warm White Carnival Solar Festoon Lights

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

These string lights are good quality and, although the bulbs look like glass, they’re made of tough plastic and more than capable of holding up to accidental knocks. The solar panel is discrete, and they’re easy to control through an on/off switch and eight lighting modes. There’s also a generous three-metre lead of cable between the panel and the first light, so there’s a lot of slack to play with when you’re setting these up.

However, despite being a white light, we found these lights a little dim, especially from a distance. They could also sometimes be slow to turn on, and have a weather resistance rating of IP44. Kay Maguire

Dimensions: 7.75m (4.75m of lights, 3m from panel to first light)

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Lumify USB solar fairy lights - white 100 LEDs

RRP: £39.99

Our rating: 4/5

A star rating of 4 out of 5.

Available from: Amazon (39.99) and B&Q (29.99)

2048-1365-gw-solar-lights-Lumify-USB-Solar-Fairy-Lights (1)

Lumify USB solar fairy lights

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

This string of solar fairy lights has 100 white LEDs along 10m of wire, which means they’re ideal for running along fences or using to decorate eating areas. There’s also two metres of cable between the solar panel and the first LED bulb, so check this provides enough distance if you need to position the panel in the sun and string the lights up in a shady spot. We like that it comes with a stake as well as a wall mount, which gives plenty of flexibility when it comes to setting up your solar panel. If you have a north-facing garden and charging outdoors is an issue, there’s also a USB cable, which provides enough power for 12 consecutive nights on a single indoor charge. While they turn on and off automatically, you can also do this manually by using the on/off switch.

As with many fairy lights on test, you can choose between a range of different modes, and these lights offer eight options, from a steady glow to various flashing sequences. We also like that they have a power-saving mode, which reduces brightness but doubles the runtime during overcast conditions and winter months. Despite all the features, these lights are expensive compared to the other options we tested and come with just one year’s warranty. Kay Maguire

Dimensions: 10m (8m of lights, 2m from panel to first light)

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Best of the rest: solar security lights

Eco Wedge Elite Remote Control Solar Light with PIR

RRP £49.99

Our rating 4/5

A star rating of 4 out of 5.

Available from: B&Q (£44.99) and The Solar Centre (£39.99)

Eco_Wedge_Elite_Remote_Control_Solar_Light_with_PIR

Eco Wedge Elite Remote Control Solar Light with PIR

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

Compact, self-contained and looking less like a security light than others on test, this powerful 1000 lumen light nonetheless detects motion at some 10m distance and is capable of triggering up to 500 times per night for 15 seconds at a time. It’s operated by remote control which works up to 8m away, but the actual switch is on the light itself. The instructions are clear, although in tiny print which is makes setting up more difficult than it needs to be, especially as it has five different modes of operation. Of these, only two are recommended for winter use.

In Mode 4, after sunset the lamp illuminates at medium brightness, but it will switch to Mode 2 after the battery level drops below 60 per cent. If the battery level is below 60% when selecting Mode 4, then the lamp will automatically switch to Mode 2. It’s a little complicated if all you want is a PIR security light, but with a warranty of 12 months and an IP65 weatherproof rating, nonetheless this compact light offers a neat and stylish solution to security lighting for the home and garden. Jane Moore

Angeles Black Solar-powered Integrated LED Floodlight

RRP £34

Our rating 3.75/5

A star rating of 3.8 out of 5.

Available from: B&Q (£34)

Angeles_Black_Solar-powered_Integrated_LED_Floodlight

Angeles Black Solar-powered Integrated LED Floodlight

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

This substantial, no-frills light offers practicality and versatility, featuring a large adjustable solar panel, plus two lamps that can be moved to illuminate with a narrow angle or up to 90° wide, depending on requirements. An IP rating of 44 offers weather protection, and the unit feels sturdy and robust, coping soundly with winter weather. Installation is straightforward and uncomplicated via clear pictorial instructions, and the light has two modes of operation: one offering full 800 lumens of brightness on a PIR function, while the other is a steady light for up to six hours at a muted 80 lumens.

The two modes are operated by the on/off switch, which is a little awkward to access once installed and which does lack firmness in operation, but the light is bright, the operation is unfussy and the Angleles also features a generous two-year guarantee. Jane Moore

Argos Home Solar PIR Floodlight

RRP £50

Our rating 3.5/5

A star rating of 3.5 out of 5.

Available from: Argos (£50)

Argos_Home_Solar_PIR_Floodlight

Argos Home Solar PIR Floodlight

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

With a 12-month warranty and easy-to-follow instructions, this is a simple and functional solar security light useful for many locations. The solar panel is large and is adjustable in three up-and-down positions to gain maximum sunlight for charging, while the two lamps can be swivelled into the ideal position. It’s easy to install and straightforward to operate with an on/off switch that is well-protected from the weather.

Three controls adjust the settings; one adjusts illumination from 8 to 60 seconds, while another sets the light to illuminate once it detects movement from 5-8m away. The third features an uncomplicated moon logo for nighttime operation, with a sun logo for use in the daytime also. Easy to operate and swift to set up, this is a practical and undemanding security lighting option. Jane Moore

Best of the rest: solar lanterns

Solar Urbane black lantern

RRP: £11.95

Our rating: 4.5/5

A star rating of 4.5 out of 5.

Available from: Glow (£8.95)

Solar Urbane Black Lantern - BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Solar Urbane Black Lantern

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

This pretty lantern needs no assembly other than leaving it to charge for 48 hours in the off position, and it's a good choice if you don’t have a south-facing garden, because you can leave it in the sunniest spot during the day to charge and then move it to a shady corner to add a warm glow once it’s dusk. While it appears to be made from metal, it’s actually plastic, which means it won’t rust and is light enough to hang in trees and shrubs with thinner branches.

However, this will make it less desirable if you’re looking for a sustainable option. In addition to hanging it up, you can also set it on the ground or on a tabletop next to seating or eating areas to enjoy the realistic flicker of the candlelight. It’s worth noting there isn’t an on/off switch to override the automatic setting, so it’ll stay on late into the night. Kay Maguire

Dimensions: Small: 25cm x 180cm diameter. Large: 36cm x 18cm diameter

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TrueFlame USB solar crook lantern

RRP: £29.99

Our rating: 4.5/5

A star rating of 4.5 out of 5.

Available from: Amazon (£29.99), Glow (£19.75) and The Range (£25.49)

TrueFlame USB Solar Crook Lantern - BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

TrueFlame USB Solar Crook Lantern

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

We think this is a super lantern if you like traditional designs. Easy to set up, you simply need to attach the crook to the pole, but it does take three days to initially charge if it’s outside. However, it’s one of the few lanterns on test that comes with a USB cable. This lets you charge the light from a USB plug, which takes just a few hours, and is a useful option if you can’t wait for it to be charged by sunlight or want to give it a boost if it’s overcast or wintery. After that, simply press the on/off switch on the base of the lantern for three seconds, and you’re ready to go.

We like that this lantern is truly versatile thanks to a crook, pole and spike, which can be pushed into borders or the lawn, as well as a handle so you can hang it from a tree, or stand it on the ground or on a tabletop. It also features a power-saving mode to help increase performance if it hasn’t been fully charged, and it has a one-year warranty. Kay Maguire

Dimensions: 19.5cm x 12.5cm x 67cm, 84cm height with spike

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Best of the rest: solar stake lights

Four Marrakesh Moroccan solar stake lights

RRP: £29.99

Our rating: 4/5

A star rating of 4 out of 5.

Available from: Amazon (£24.99) and Lights4fun (£29.99)

4 Marrakesh Moroccan Solar Stake Lights - BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

4 Marrakesh Moroccan Solar Stake Lights

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

These lights are perfect for bringing depth to borders and flower beds. They cast warm but bright light with a gorgeous dappled effect thanks to the Moroccan-inspired pattern. We like the long stake, which allows them good clearance amongst most plants in a flowerbed, and they’re compact, so they don’t take up too much room. Because they’re plastic, we didn’t see any rusting, weathering, or fading. We also love the two-year warranty.

However, it’s fiddly to reach the on/off switch, and the instructions don’t show where to find it either. You have to pop the solar panel off these lights to switch them on, but if you don’t know this, you could easily be surprised when they don’t switch on. We also saw the value of running such a long test, as one of the four lights stopped working just as we were writing up our results. Kay Maguire

Dimensions: 40cm x 6.5cm x 6.5cm

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If you’re updating your social space, find inspiration with our round-ups of the best garden furniture, parasols, garden loungers, deck chairs, and hammocks. Planning late-night suppers with friends and family? Check out our reviews of the best charcoal BBQs, gas BBQs, and pizza ovens, all in collaboration with Good Food.

How to choose the best solar lights?

For such a small appliance, there can be a lot to consider. While not every manufacturer gives all these specifications, before you choose, look out for:

Solar panel size. As a rule of thumb, the bigger the panel, the brighter the lights, and the longer they'll stay lit. That said, lots of lights run perfectly well with smaller solar panels, so just check you're happy with the lighting effect they provide and their runtime. For larger solar panels, like those that power solar spotlights, consider if the panel’s going to be visible, as it may be unsightly.

On-off switch. A very useful feature, you can switch off your solar lights at the end of the evening and protect local wildlife and keep your neighbours happy.

Cable length. With string and fairy lights, keep an eye out for how much cable there is between the solar panel and the first bulb. At least a metre of this lead-in is useful, as it means you have more flexibility when placing your solar panel. With enough cable, you can still put your panel in a sunny spot and trail your lights up a trellis a few metres away, even if it’s in the shade.

Brightness. Lumens is a measure of how bright your lights are. Atmospheric mood lights can be as low as 5 or 10 lumens, while more practical spotlights are usually 100-200 lumens.

Lighting modes. Dimming, glowing, and twinkling light modes create ambience and enhance social areas of the garden, but they'll also extend your lights’ lifetime and how long they’ll light up on a given night. Some lights also have a power-saving mode, which reduces the brightness of the bulbs but doubles the runtime, so your lights turn on for longer during overcast weather and after the shorter hours of daylight in winter.

Motion sensors. Particularly relevant for solar spotlights, motion sensors make lights come on as you approach or when there's activity nearby. This can extend your lights’ lifetime and, as they only light up in short bursts, they’re also less dependent on natural light levels, working just as well in the winter as the bright summer months.

Weather resistance. The ingress protection (IP) rating indicates how easily dust and water can enter electronics and, therefore, how weatherproof and water-resistant the lights are. You may have seen this if you’ve ever shopped for outdoor tech like wildlife cameras or wearable tech like sports headphones. This rating isn’t always given, but if you see it, look for solar lights with an IP rating of 44 and above, which means they’ll be weather-resistant.

How we tested solar lights

We tested a variety of solar lights, putting them through their paces in a range of urban, suburban and rural gardens across the country. They were subjected to changing weather and hours of daylight for over six months. They were then assessed according to the following criteria, with equal marks attributed to each:

For more information on our testing process, see How we review

How to use lighting in your garden design

It’s useful to think of garden lighting as a design feature rather than just a functional necessity. It can help create a relaxing atmosphere, transforming your garden into an evening retreat. Think about the style of lighting, and what you want it to achieve, whether it be boldly showcasing trees or shrubs, or adding a subtle glow around a patio. If you want to create a space to entertain, consider the amount of light required. Do you need enough light to read, or is ambient, atmospheric lighting for drinks with friends that you’re after?

Factoring lighting into a design will really transform what you get from your space. If you’re planning on spending lots of time in the garden in the evening, you might also want to consider growing plants with white or night-scented flowers. Here are more tips on creating a night garden.

Meet our testing panel

Oliver Parsons, Strategic Projects Editor
Oliver is a gardener and magazine journalist of 20 years’ experience. He trained as a professional horticulturalist at RHS Garden Hyde Hall in Chelmsford and has also worked for Gardening Which?, as a freelance gardener and with the gardening team at Down House in Kent. He is now Strategic Projects Editor at BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine and GardenersWorld.com, heading up our reviews desk, Apple News output and weekly newsletter.

Kay Maguire, Magazines Editor
Kay trained at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and has been writing and making films about gardening ever since. She has written for websites and magazines, including The Garden and Amateur Gardening, was Horticultural Editor on BBC Gardeners' World Magazine for five years, and has also written several books on a range of gardening topics from growing house plants to making the most of a small space. After several years as Reviews Editor, building up our reviews section into a leading resource for UK gardeners, she has now become Magazines Editor for BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, responsible for all print output.

Harry Duncton, Freelance Powered Tools Tester
Harry has a wealth of experience, from being a language teacher to a tree surgeon, and has built this into a career writing about all things DIY and gardening. A passionate believer in self-reliance, his aim is to inspire others to give it a go themselves and not worry about making a few mistakes along the way. A regular contributor to popular DIY blogs and a recent addition to the BBC Gardeners' World Magazine team, he loves tracking down the best new tools and writing about them.

Sue Fisher, Freelance Garden Writer
Sue’s extensive horticultural career spans over 40 years, starting with a decade in the garden centre and nursery industry before developing into an accomplished gardening writer, designer and speaker. Sue writes regularly for BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, GardenersWorld.com and Garden Answers magazine. She has written 10 books on subjects including container gardening, plants for small gardens and designing with colour, and she has co-authored other books with some of the biggest names in gardening.

Emma Crawforth, Horticulture Editor
Emma holds the Kew Diploma in Horticulture and has been working in horticulture for 18 years, including roles in public gardens, a plant nursery supplying plants for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and a training college for young horticulturists. She looks after an ornamental, fruit and veg garden at home and regularly undertakes trips to see plants growing in their natural habitats. She is the author of the Kew Publications book, Things to Do with Plants.

Jane Moore, Freelance Garden Writer
In a horticultural career spanning 30 years, Jane has been a head gardener at a Benedictine Abbey, a writer for national gardening magazines and newspapers, a researcher on BBC gardening programmes and a TV presenter on BBC Gardeners’ World. Among her many accolades are a Chelsea Flower Show medal, several awards from the Garden Media Guild and her books are published worldwide. She has spent 30 years working as a hands-on head gardener, using tools on a daily basis.

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This review was last updated in March 2026. We apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.

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