Relaxing on your deck or patio in the evening is a pleasurable way to enjoy the warm summer nights. However, sitting outside by candlelight isn’t the best option. Sure, it’s romantic, but you can’t see further than three feet in front of you.
It would help if you had lights for your patio. Lighting gives you the best coverage of the outdoor living space. It allows you to enjoy the deck or patio with your family and friends without worrying about the candles dying. You have plenty of outdoor lighting options, but going with a solar-powered device is the best choice.
Why pay money for electricity to power your lights when you can get solar energy for free? Solar lights are efficient, and technology advanced a lot in the last decade. Now you get a system that lasts all night, without dimming.
Solar lights come in various configurations, but this review looks at the best solar string lights available. These systems are easy to set up and take down in a few minutes, and they suit use on the deck, patio, or porch. Let’s look at the top models for your yard.
Table of Contents
Our Top Picks
We looked through the top listings online to come up with our eight options for this review. From those eight, we selected these three models as our top solar string light picks.
We have an option for the best overall, premium, and budget models, giving you a choice to suit your needs and budget.
Last update on 2024-02-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- Best Pick: Mr. Beams Solar String Lights
These solar string lights from Mr. Beam win our award for the best overall solar lights in this review. You get a 54-foot cord with 24 S14 glass bulbs. The bulbs are crack resistant, offering 90-lumens of light and a non-intrusive low lighting effect that looks great in any outdoor living space. You get a stake-mounted solar panel with a 4,400-Mah battery included with your purchase. - Premium Pick: DGO Solar String Lights
These DGO solar string lights are our choice for the best premium model in this review. You get three lighting modes with cool and warm-white light and an RBG option with seven colors. There are 15 lights on a 48-foot cable, and you get S14 bulbs for crack and scratch-resistance. These lights are expensive, and they require you to purchase a separate solar panel and battery. However, if you’re looking for the best party lights for your yard, it’s a great option. - Budget Pick: JMEXSUSS Solar String Lights
Homeowners looking for the best budget buy in this review will get the most value out of these solar string lights from JMEXSUSS. You get 100 LEDs on a 32.8-foot wire. There are eight lighting modes, and you get a solar panel included with your purchase. There’s an automatic on/off function, and these lights come with an IP44 weatherproof rating.
Solar String Lights Reviews
After reading though our top picks, let’s unpack them in detail. We’ll also look at other string light models that are a good fit for your outdoor solar lighting solution.
Mr. Beams Solar String Lights
Bring some light into your yard with these solar string lights from Mr. Beam. These string lights provide you with a soft ambiance that’s ideal for use on the porch, patio, or deck. You get a string of 24 glass S14 bulbs featuring a soft warm-white glow creating an eye-pleasing aesthetic.
These string lights come with a 54-foot cord, featuring spacing of 1.7-feet between each light. You get a total lighting area of 18-feet, with each bulb using 0.6-Watts. The result is an energy-efficient setup that lasts throughout the night.
Mr Beams S14 Bulb Solar LED Weatherproof Outdoor String Lights, 54 feet, Black
- Mr. Beams Solar LED String Lights provide soft ambiance lighting ideal for decks, patios, porches, backyards, balconies, gazebos and outdoor living areas.
- Includes 24 glass S14 bulbs to create an elegant lighting style while providing a clear, decorative glow. The string lights also come with a solar panel that can be easily mounted in the ground or on a wall to ensure it receives direct sunlight.
- The string lights’ 54-foot cord has 24 bulbs and sockets with a 1. 7-foot spacing between each for a total of an 45. 11-foot lighted area. Each bulb uses 0. 6 watts.
- The string lights’ IP65 weather rating allows it to be used outdoors year-round for events and ambiance lighting.
- Installation is quick and easy. Simply hang and drape the string lights as desired along walls or fixtures. Additional mounting hardware or cable kit not included.
Last update on 2024-02-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
These solar string lights from Mr. Beam feature a stake-mounted solar panel, converting up to 18% of all solar energy on the panel into electricity for your lights. These lights operate for eight to ten hours on a single charge, with a 4,400-Mah battery pack powering the lights.
These lights offer quick and easy installation; just drape them around your railings or balustrades or off the wall. Each bulb produces 90-lumens of light for a low-light effect that brightens up the exterior living areas around your home.
These bulbs come with a maximum operating temperature of 140F and an IP65 weatherproof rating. You get a maximum of 880-watts per run for low-cost lighting around your home.
What We Liked
- 24-bulbs with 1.7-foot spacing.
- Soft warm-white color.
- 4,400-Mah solar-powered battery.
- Efficient solar technology.
- 90-lumens output per bulb.
- Eight to ten hours operation on a full charge.
Available to Purchase From:
Other Reviews:
DGO Solar String Lights
If you’re looking to brighten up your yard with some solar string lights, try this setup from DGO. These lights are the ideal choice for versatility. You get color options for warm and cool-white light, as well as an RGB mode that rotates through seven colors.
Whether you’re relaxing with friends on the deck or hosting a party, these lights have a lighting mode to suit any occasion. These lights come with a commercial-grade design, featuring shatterproof bulbs that last a lifetime. They don’t scratch or dull in the sun, and you get consistent operation for years.
- Choose your preferred light color from red, green, blue, warm white, sunlight white, light blue, purple, and cyan (please note that only one of the same colors can be lit at a time); Adjust modes from gradient, skip, automatic, and flash; Simply press the remote control to control the speed of color conversion or adjust the brightness of the light bulb. ⚠️ Up to 3 light strings of the same type can be connected.
- Adopting the most advanced LED chip technology, this RGB light string emits true colored light through transparent bulbs. It will create the best atmosphere and aesthetic lighting show for any courtyard, deck, backyard, porch, caf é, party, holiday, etc.
- The entire bundle of this courtyard string light is heavy-duty and commercial grade: the thickest wires, strongest eyelets, waterproof connectors and 15 sockets, 18 anti shake E26 Edison LED bulbs, and 3 spare.
- With the built-in ring, you can flexibly install it on a flat surface with screws, or hang it from above with zippers or other ring fasteners (excluding installation hardware). Each wire harness has end-to-end connections, and this coffee string light can be connected to each other.
- Your satisfaction is our primary goal. If for any reason you are not satisfied with your purchase within 12 months, please contact us through the Amazon message box. We will do our best to solve your problem.
$59.99 
Last update on 2024-02-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The advanced LED chip technology in these lights provides a powerful lighting action, and you get an IP65 weatherproof rating that’s resistant to snow, rain, wind, sun, and other extreme weather events. These solar string lights come with a 48-foot cable, 15 light positions, and 1.6-Watt S14 bulbs.
The bulbs are IP65 water-resistant against rain and extreme weather. These lights last 10-times longer than standard outdoor incandescent lightbulbs. The S14 certification on these bulbs means they are shatterproof and resistant to scratching.
These lights also come with a remote, giving you full control over the lighting effect on your patio or deck. If you’re looking for the best premium outdoor solar lighting in this review, these lights are a top choice.
What We Liked
- Three lighting modes, with warm, cool, and RGB effects.
- Remote control.
- S14 bulbs for long service life.
- IP65 weather rating.
- Scratch-resistant and shatterproof.
- 15-bulbs on a 48-foot wire.
Available to Purchase From:
Other Reviews:
JMEXSUSS Solar Wire String Lights
Homeowners looking for an affordable way to light up their yard will love these solar string lights from JMEXSUSS. You get a string of cool white lights with 100 LEDs and a 32.8-foot silver wire. These lights make for the ideal decorative touch on the patio or around the deck.
The wire isn’t visible in the dark, creating a mesmerizing visual effect with the cool white LEDs. You get eight lighting modes, featuring Waves, Fading, Combination, Chasing, Fireflies, Twinkle, Slow Fade, and a Steady-on function.
- 【2 Pack White Solar String Lights】 JMEXSUSS Solar String lights outdoor waterproof come with brighter 100 LEDs with a wider 360° lighting angle & 150° adjustable solar panel. The 33 ft high-quality copper wire fairy lights are ideal for decorating your gardens, patio, yard, deck, stage, Christmas, holiday, etc. What's more, in the dark, the wire fades invisible, leaving only the bright lights, creating a classy and romantic atmosphere.
- 【8 Lighting Modes Solar Christmas Lights】 8 modes which include Waves, Combination, Fading, Fireflies, Chasing, Twinkle, Fading slowly, and Steady-on. Best gifts for girls and moms. The solar outdoor Christmas lights will intelligently remember your last choice lighting mode, no need to reset every time.
- 【Flexible & Durable】 Flexible copper wire can easily build the shapes you want, you can bend the copper into a heart shape or pentacle and also wrap the solar fairy lights around tree trunks or any Christmas decorations. Solar fairy lights for outside waterproof will not overheat after using them for many hours and are environmentally friendly, durable, and safe to use.
- 【Garden & Tree Decorations】 Apparently, our Christmas solar lights and garden & tree do go together. During Christmas, your garden will magically transform into a wonderland that is decorated with white solar string lights. You also can put these solar led string lights on the back fence, tree trunks, bush, etc. And it made your backyard very charming at Christmas.
- 【AUTO ON/OFF &Solar Powered】 Our solar twinkle lights are charged by solar energy, which not only does not require high electricity bills but also saves energy and protects the environment. With a built-in sensor, it charges in the day auto-on at dusk(about 8 hours), and auto-off at dawn. Life becomes more efficient and more convenient because of JMEXSUSS fairy string lights.
$13.99
Last update on 2024-02-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
These lights operate off solar power, with the solar stake included with your purchase. Connect the panel to the stake without using any tools, and set it up in a sunny spot in your yard. These lights operate for eight to ten hours off a single charge.
You get an automatic on/off function, with sensors detecting fading light conditions and the sunrise. These lights come with an IP44 weather rating, and they operate in rain and snow conditions. The wire offers 360-degree flexion, letting you twist it around fixtures.
What We Liked
- Tin silver wire disappears from view at night.
- 100 LEDs on a 32.8-foot wire.
- 8 lighting modes.
- Operates for eight to ten hours off a single charge.
- Automatic on/off operation.
Available to Purchase From:
JMEXSUSS Round Solar String Lights
These string lights from JMEXSUSS are another attractive solar lighting option for your yard. There’s a 3.5-inch gap between each LED, and you get a 6.6-foot lead wire to the solar panel. The panel offers a 270-degree adjustment to suit the sun’s angle as it passes overhead during the daytime. You get an eight to ten-hour service life off a single charge.
These lights come with a 75.5-foot wire, featuring LEDs spaced 3.5″ apart. There’s a 6.6-foot lead cable leading to the solar panel, with a thin silver wire connecting the lights.
- 【Transform Your Space with Enchanting Solar Christmas Lights】Elevate your décor game with our exquisite Warm White 200 LED Solar String Lights, offered in a convenient 2-pack! Create a magical ambiance that captivates your guests and infuses warmth into any occasion. Each light boasts a total length of 75.5 ft, with a generous 65.6 ft light string, providing the perfect canvas to illuminate your garden, terrace, yard, or any space you desire.
- 【Endless Sparkling Possibilities with 8 Mesmerizing Modes】 Unleash your creativity with 8 enchanting lighting modes at your fingertips - combination, in a wave, sequential, slo-glo, chasing/flash, slow fade, twinkle/flash, and steady on. The built-in memory function ensures your preferred mode is remembered, eliminating the need to reset it daily. Effortlessly customize the ambiance and watch as the lights dance to your chosen rhythm, turning your gatherings into unforgettable experiences.
- 【Effortless Installation & Worry-Free Power】 Savor the convenience of solar energy! Charge during the day, and our lights automatically come to life at night, bathing your space in captivating radiance for up to 8 hours. The oversized solar panels with ground stakes ensure easy positioning, while the 75.5-foot light string is perfect for elegantly draping around trees or structures. Embrace hassle-free, eco-friendly power without any utility electric costs!
- 【Durable & Weather-Resistant for Year-Round Use】 Rest assured, our solar Christmas lights are designed to withstand all nature's elements. IP44-rated waterproof protection keeps them shining bright through rain or snow, making them ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. The insulated copper wire maintains a low temperature, guaranteeing safe touch even after hours of illumination. Trust in our high-quality solar string lights for outside, specially crafted to meet your every decorative need.
- 【Your Satisfaction is Our Priority】 We take immense pride in our products, and your satisfaction is our utmost priority. Count on our lights to provide captivating brilliance and long-lasting performance. In the unlikely event of any issues, our dedicated support team is here to assist you promptly, ensuring you experience pure enchantment with our Christmas solar lights.
$25.99
Last update on 2024-02-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
You can twist the wire around obstacles, using it to position the lights. These lights come with eight lighting modes, including Waves, Fading, Combination, Chasing, Fireflies, Twinkle, Slow Fade, and a Steady-on function.
These lights come with an IP44 waterproof rating, and you can leave them outdoors as a permanent fixture. You get 200 LEDs along the length of the wire, with automatic on/off operation.
You get a solar panel and stake included with your purchase, and the solar panel swivels 270-degrees on the stake for the optimal light collection angle. Mount these lights anywhere in your yard for a mesmerizing effect.
What We Liked
- 200 LEDs on a 75.5-foot wire.
- IP44 waterproof rating.
- Eight lighting modes.
- Solar panel twists 270-degrees.
- Warm white glow.
- Automatic on/off operation.
Available to Purchase From:
HUPULL Solar String Lights
The decorative solar string lights from HUPULL are another excellent choice for lighting up your deck or patio. These lights come on a 98.6-foot copper wire, with 200 LEDs spaced every 3.5-inches. You can twist the copper wire 360-degrees, allowing for a customizable setup for your deck or patio.
You get eight lighting modes with these lights, including Steady On, Waves, Chasing, Combination, Fading, Twinkle, Fireflies, and Slow Fade. The warm orange glow from these lights provides a subtle effect around the outdoor living area.
Sale
- 【2024 New Upgraded Solar String Lights Outdoor Waterproof】: Super Bright 2-Pack Each 72ft 200 LEDs String Lights with Upgraded LED Bulbs, Higher Conversion with Larger Size Solar Panel, Larger Capacity Battery(1800mAh ), IP65 Waterproof Performance.
- 【Widely Used Solar Fairy Lights Outdoor Decorations】: This starbright solar lights is a great choice for Outdoor Decorations, Patio, Garden, Yard, Porch, Roof, Tree, Wedding, Christmas, Party, Fence, Restaurant, Hotel, Commercial building, Shopping center etc.
- 【Quick Charging Technology & Energy-Saving & High Efficiency】: This outdoor string lights charging by solar energy, have no extra utility electric cost, and no need to replace the battery. it can work up to 10-12 hours after being fully charged (6-8 hours).
- 【8 Lighting Modes & Memory Function & Auto On/Off】: These solar twinkle lights have the On/Off button and mode button. You can select 8 different modes to satisfy your diverse needs by pressing the mode button.And the built-in memory chip saves your last modes setting, so there is no need to reset it again.
- NOTES* : 1. Please power ON first before charging, and it will be charged automatically. 2. Be sure the solar panel is in a sunny location – not in a shady area – and the solar panel faces the sun.
$21.99
Last update on 2024-02-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
These lights come with a solar-powered operation. You get a solar panel and stake included with your purchase and an easy snap-together setup with no need for any tools. These lights operate for up to 10-hours off a single charge, with an eight-hour charging time.
The solar panel acts as the control hub for your lights, featuring a 1,800-Mah lithium-ion battery that lasts for hours. The solar panel is efficient, converting around 18% of light to energy to power the LEDs. You also get an auto on/off function that turns the lights off at sunrise and on at sunset.
You get IP65 weather-resistance with these lights. This rating makes them suitable to leave out in the rain and snow without damaging the LEDs or connections. The insulated copper wire doesn’t present a shock risk if you touch the wire during operation.
What We Liked
- 400 warm white LEDs on a 98.6-foot wire.
- Solar panel included.
- Automatic on/off operation.
- Eight lighting modes.
- IP65 weatherproof rating.
Available to Purchase From:
BrightTown Solar String Lights
If you’re looking for a decorative aesthetic on your porch, patio, or deck, consider these round lights from Brightown. You get a 36.5-foot string with 60 warm-white LEDs. These lights come with eight lighting modes, including Steady on, wave, combination, sequential, gradual, slow fade, chasing flash, and twinkle flash.
The dedicated solar panel absorbs 18% of sunlight, converting it into energy. The solar panels store the energy in an 800-Mah battery, providing you up to eight to ten hours of light of a single charge.
Sale
- 【Solar Powered & Auto On/Off】Solar energy supply, adjustable monocrystalline silicon solar panel with better conversion rate of energy, no need to replace the battery or extra utility electric cost; Light sensor controls the solar globe lights auto on at dark and auto off at daytime.
- 【IP65 Waterproof & Easy to Install】The outdoor string lights can withstand all kinds of weather, including rain and snow; No wiring, no electricity cost. Put on wall, window, door, floor, ceiling, grass, Christmas tree or building, adding perfect atmosphere for your home and garden.
- 【8 Different Modes & 2 Switches】The solar patio lights have On/Off button and mode button with 8 different modes: In waves, Combination, Sequential, Slo-glo, Chasing/Flash, Slow Fade, Twinkle/Flash and Steady On; You can select different lights to satisfy your diverse needs.
- 【Wide Application & Memory Function】The solar globe string lights with built-in memory chip save your last modes setting and no need to reset mode every day; Perfect decoration for terrace, pergola, bistro, backyard, deck, patio, garden, Christmas, holiday, wedding, party and other celebration occasions.
- 【Energy-Saving & Quality Customer Service】Please Power ON the outdoor solar globe lights first before charging and it will be charged automatically, ensure the solar panel is in a sunny location; Brightown provides worry-free 12-month, life time technology support and friendly customer service. If you have any questions with our products, Please feel free to contact us.
$13.58
Last update on 2024-02-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The bulbs feature an intricate design, with a bubbling effect in the glass that diffuses the light. You get a subtle light effect that’s great for creating a relaxing ambiance on your deck or patio.
These lights come with automatic on/off operation, turning on during dusk when the light gets low. They also switch off when the sunrises. You get an IP65 weatherproof rating making the lights resistant to rain and bad weather.
What We Liked
- 5-foot string and 60 bulbs.
- IP65 weatherproof rating.
- 800-Mah battery.
- Attractive bulb design disperses light.
- Automatic on/off operation.
- Eight lighting modes.
Available to Purchase From:
Other Reviews:
JMEXSUSS Short Solar String Lights
This set of solar string lights is another excellent product from JMEXSUSS. These string lights feature a 66-foot wire with 200 cool-white LEDs. It’s a great choice for a decorative feature and suits the deck, patio, porch, or even trees and bushes around your yard.
The silver wire won’t shock you if you touch it during operation, and you can twist the wire 360-degrees to fit on any surface. You get eight lighting modes with these lights, including Steady on, wave, combination, sequential, gradual, slow fade, chasing flash, and twinkle flash.
- [Solar Christmas Lights] Solar Christmas lights with 200 LED bulbs on 66 ft high-quality copper wire, with a steady 360 degree viewing angle, Our solar Christmas lights can be wrapped around outdoor patio trees or decorated indoor Christmas trees to add to the festive atmosphere.
- [8 Modes& Memory Function] Solar fairy lights with 8 Modes:Waves, Combination, Fading, Fireflies, Chasing, Twinkle, Fading slowly, and Steady-on. Different modes meet your needs for different moods. In addition, our solar fairy lights built-in memory function, which can remember the last mode selection without setting it again. Relax and enjoy life by choosing our white solar fairy lights!
- [Energy Saving]: The solar string lights outdoor, work up to 8 hours after 8-12 hours fully charged, no extra electricity bills, save you money. Flip the switch, the solar string lights outdoor light up automatically at night and off during the day. The solar string lights are perfect for decorating the patio, entrance, yard, garden, etc.
- [IP44 Waterproof]: Our LED solar Christmas lights are IP44 Waterproof, it withstands all kinds of weather, including heavy rain and snow. When you use it outdoors，grain-sized LED beads for full wrap treatment, our LED solar string lights outdoor can challenge rain and snow.Don't any worry of short circuits or weather damage.
- [Service After-sales] Package includes 2x200 LED solar fairy lights, 2x solar panels and 12-Months After-Sales Service. If there is any problem with our solar fairy lights, just feel free to contact us, We'll help you solve your problem.
$17.99
Last update on 2024-02-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
These lights attach to a staked solar panel included with your purchase. The panel’s fitment to the stake doesn’t require tools, and you can swivel the head 270-degrees on the stake. The panel absorbs sunlight, covering around 18% of it to electricity to power the lights. On a full charge, you can expect a service life of eight to ten hours.
These lights also come with an automatic on/off function, switching on in low-light conditions and turning off when the panel detects the early morning sun. These lights come with an IP44 waterproof rating, making them resistant to rain and extreme weather conditions.
What We Liked
- 200 Cool white LEDs on a 66-foot wire.
- Silver wire disappears from view at night.
- Solar panel swivels 270-degrees.
- 8 to 10-hour service life.
- Automatic on/off operation.
- IP44 waterproof rating.
Available to Purchase From:
Honche Solar String Lights
These Honche solar string lights are a stylish and funky choice for your yard. If you’re looking to bring some color into your yard, then these solar string lights are your best option. They’re a great choice for entertainment areas, bringing excitement to the ambiance in the outdoor area.
You get 100 color LEDs on a 33-foot wire, with a 6.6-foot lead wire connecting to the solar panel. The solar panel is efficient, powering the lights to a full charge in around eight hours. You can expect a service life of eight to ten hours from this setup on a full charge.
Sale
- WATERPROOF WITH IP67 - beautiful solar-powered decorative LED Christmas Tubed String Lights are specifically engineered to be extremely durable and completely waterproof IP67 so you can use them both inside and outside your home., You can use it decorate your Fish Tank & Swimming Pool.
- FIND THE PERFECT MATCH - It doesn't matter what kind of theme you're going for or pieces of decoration you're using, our solar string lights come in two variants, RGB and Warm white, so you'll definitely find the perfect match your porch.
- USE THEM ANYWHERE YOU WANT-Super Flexible to bend and go throgh anything -premium-quality solar christmas decorations string Lights come with 100pcs Super bright LED Bulbs, Easy to string thru lattice, wire or anything. Very flexible to make a DIY design, or outline. Don't have to worry about breaking bulbs or coming of sockets. Can use anywhere with the solar charge as long as sun is able to charge base.
- SAVE ON ENERGY COSTS - Why pay extra for electricity when using traditional Christmas lights when you can just switch to solar powered led lights that uses the power of the Sun, which costs absolutely nothing, to do the exact same thing.
- SET AND FORGET - Our solar Christmas fairy lights are designed to be so easy to use, all you have to do is lay them out the way you want and you're all set. They turn on & off automatically. Give yourself the gift of a truly magical Christmas season! Add it solar Christmas lights to your cart NOW!
$14.44
Last update on 2024-02-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
These lights feature eight lighting modes; Steady on, slow fade, flicker, quicker flicker, slower glow, sequential, and waves. You get a solar stake included with your purchase and a high-quality solar panel. The panel converts up to 18% of sunlight into energy to power the lights.
The panel charges an 800-Mah lithium-ion battery, with a polysilicon rear panel providing optimal light absorption and conversion to power your lights. You also get an automatic on/off function with these lights. The sensor in the solar panel detects fading light, switching on in low light conditions. The lights turn off and start charging when the solar sensors detect the sunrise.
What We Liked
- Colorful lighting design.
- Eight lighting modes.
- Automatic on/off.
- 100 color LEDs.
- 800-Mah lithium-ion battery.
Available to Purchase From:
Solar String Lights Buyers Guide
After reading through our reviews of the best solar string lights, you probably have a few models in mind for your yard.
This section unpacks everything you need to know about solar string lights and what to look for in the best set for your patio, deck, or porch.
How Do Solar String Lights Work?
Solar string lights work on power converted by solar panels into electrical energy. As a result, they don’t need any connection to an electrical outlet. The result is free electricity for your lights and no addition to your monthly electric bill.
The solar panel absorbs sunlight, conveying between 18% to 19% of the light energy into electricity to charge the onboard lithium-ion battery pack. Typically, it takes between six to eight hours for the battery to reach a full charge, giving you eight to ten hours of lighting time in the evening.
The solar panel also includes sensors, detecting the fading light in the evening., When dusk arrives, the lights turn on by themselves, and they turn off automatically as the sun rises the following morning. As a result, you get a maintenance-free lighting system for your outdoor living areas.
The lithium-ion battery needs replacing every other year to keep your lighting system operating at full capacity. Fortunately, the batteries are readily available and affordable.
What are the Types of Solar String Lights?
Solar string lights come in a variety of options. You have fairy lights with small LEDs providing a low-light glow or large S14 bulbs producing more light.
Either option is good for your yard. However, the s14 bulbs typically have between 12 to 15-lights on the string, whereas fairy lights come with up to 400-LEDs on a string and wire lengths up to 100-feet.
What Do I Look for In Solar String Lights?
So, what do you look for in the best solar string lights for your outdoor living area? Let’s unpack the features of the best models in this review.
Light/ Lumen Output
The light or lumen output of the system refers to the amount of light the bulb produces. Lumen counts under 100 are softer light, while above 100-lumens starts to provide a stronger light source.
Your choice of lumen count depends on how you use your outdoor area. If you need to light up a big space, it’s better to go with a higher lumen count. If you’re lighting a smaller, more intimate environment, lumen counts below 90 are your best option.
The capacity of the Solar Panel
Solar panel technology progressed significantly over the last decade. The older generations of solar panels were inefficient, resulting in minimal lighting times that only last a few hours.
However, recent solar tech innovations mean that the panels absorb more light, converting around 18% to 20% of the solar energy into electricity.
Battery Life and Charging Time
Your battery size determines the longevity of your lighting system over the evening. Batteries under 600-Mah struggle to make it through the entire might without running out of energy.
However, some models come with battery capacities as high as 4,400-Mah, ensuring your battery always has a charge to power your lighting system optimally.
You’ll need to look for a solar panel that charges your battery in less than eight hours. Anything more than this, and the battery won’t reach full charge before the sun sets, resulting in less operational time during the evening.
Light Type
When choosing your LEDs, make sure you understand the different color types offered by each system. Typically, LEDs come with a 3000K color brightness, ideal for soft lighting on your porch or deck.
You have the following three options when selecting your colors.
- Warm White – This color provides a soft amber glow from the LEDs. It’s ideal for creating an intimate ambiance around the patio or deck without feeling intrusive. However, warm-white light won’t light up the area as well as cool white.
- Cool White – This color provides your outdoor living area with that clear, white light that you see in security lights. It’s not the best choice for creating an atmosphere on your deck or patio. However, it’s a good choice if you want to light up the area as bright as possible.
- RGB – These lights offer you a rotating color pattern, switching between the colors at timed intervals. The RGB lighting is a great choice for hosting parties, providing an exciting feel to the lighting. However, RGB is an expensive accessory, and you’ll pay a higher price tag for this option.
Sensors
As mentioned, the solar panels in your system feature a light sensor that detects fading light. When the sun goes down, the sensors automatically activate your lights. When the sun rises in the morning, the sensor turns the lights off, putting the system back into charging mode.
Bulb Types and LED Quality
The bulbs and LEDs in your lights play a significant role in the quality of your lighting system. Make sure you’re choosing a product with top-quality LEDs for the best service life.
All the systems in this review come with high-quality LEDs. S14 bulbs are the best choice if you’re going for a larger bulb type. S12 lights don’t crack, and they are scratch-resistant.
Length and Design
Solar string lights come in various lengths to suit your needs. Typically, the larger lights come in shorter lengths, up to 48-feet. However, most of them allow for daisy-chaining, letting you add multiple systems and solar panels to the setup.
Large bulb designs also have wider spaces between the lights because the bulbs have a stronger lighting effect than fairy lights. Fairy lights are thin strings with small LEDs attached to the wire every three inches or so.
These lights have a lower light emission, but they make up for it with more lights on the string, providing a subtle and intimate lighting effect for your yard.
Price and Your Budget
Solar lights can vary in price, but they aren’t terribly expensive. You can pick up a set of lights for less than $15, with top models costing you around $60.
Check out the options in this review, and set your budget.
Fitment and Installation
All the solar string light solutions in this review come with easy fitment and installation. You can have them ready to go in minutes. The solar panels stake into the ground for an easy setup and connection to your lights.
There’s no need for professional installation. It’s easy to hold these lights in place with a few basic fasteners. You can also wind fairy string lights around fixtures like wall posts and even bushes or trees. The flexible wire makes it easy to attach the lights to any surface.
Service Life and Warranty
Check the manufacturer’s warranty when picking up your lights. If you buy your string lights through Amazon, you get hassle-free returns if you don’t like the product.
Solar String Lights FAQs
Do solar string lights turn themselves off?
Yes, most models have a light sensor in the solar panel. These sensors detect low light conditions at night, turning on the lights. The sensors also detect the rising sun, turning off at daybreak.
Do solar string lights charge in overcast conditions?
Yes, your solar panel will pick up sunlight on cloudy days. However, you’re not going to get the same charging capacity as a bright sunny day.
What is the service life of solar string lights?
Most solar string lights last for between eight to 15-years, depending on the LED’s quality and the frequency of use.
Where can I buy the best solar string lights?
We recommend picking up your solar string lights from Amazon, the world’s largest online marketplace. Amazon has the best range of solar string lights at the best prices. If you’re a Prime member, you’ll get fast and free shipping to your door and buyer protection on your order.
Solar String Lights – The Verdict
Solar string lights help you light up your outdoor living space. You have plenty of options for bulbs and LEDs, with different colors and lighting modes available to suit any patio, deck, or porch.
After reading through the products in this review, you probably have your eye on a preferred system for your yard. However, if you’re on the fence with your purchase design, we understand. With so many great models to choose from, it might be a bit frustrating to settle on the right system for your yard.
If that’s the case, why not trust one of our top picks? We have an option to suit any yard or budget.
- The Mr. Beams Solar String Lights are our top choice for the best overall solar string light system in this review. You get 12 warm-white bulbs, providing a low-light effect on your porch, patio, or deck. The S12 bulbs are crack and scratch-resistant, and you get efficient charging with an eight to ten-hour service life.
- The DGO Solar String Lights are our choice for the best premium solar string lights in this review. These lights offer you three lighting modes, with cool-white, warm-white, and RGB colors. You get S12 bulbs and remote control included with your purchase.
- The JMEXSUSS Solar String Lights are our top pick for the best budget solar string lights in this review. These lights come with a silver string that disappears at night and 100 cool-white LEDs on a 32.8-foot wire. You get automatic on/off operation and eight lighting modes.
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