Best Solar Lights for Gardens
Solar Garden Lights provide a wonderful low-light ambiance when dusk descends. They can illuminate pathways, garden walls, stairs, and other obstructions for safety. The best lights are generally extremely easy to install and are virtually maintenance free once they are set up. After a thorough review of the market, we have found that the best solar lights for gardens are the SolarGlow Premium Stainless Steel Garden Lights by signature garden.
Last update on 2024-11-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This set of six premium garden lights are positioned at a great price point. They are reasonably bright for garden use, look great, last for 8 hours+ on a full charge, and are covered under a lifetime warranty.
For a full review, please see below.
Runner Up: Best Solar Garden Lights
If the SolarGlow Premium lights are a bit too expensive for your tastes, consider their lower priced option, the SolarGlow garden light set.
This package comes with six lights, but the frame is plastic instead of steel. However, these are still covered under the unbeatable lifetime warranty, so you can be confident they will last season after season!
Last update on 2024-11-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
For a complete review of these garden lights, please see below.
Solar Landscape Light Reviews
Solar garden lights are easy to move around, should you wish to reconfigure your garden, and don’t require an electrician or a handyman to modify. They can increase your curb appeal, and also help guide guests to your house at night.
But which package offers the best solar garden lights?
There are many path light packages available at different price points, and different feature areas.
In this article, we will review several different packages of path lights, and determine the best solar garden lights for your needs.
See these articles for more information on hanging garden lights and string lights.
Last update on 2024-11-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. SolarGlow Set of Six Solar Landscape Path Lights
The SolarGlow Set of Six Solar Landscape Path Lights are a nice batch of garden lights at a friendly price point. They are about 4-5″ in diameter, shine at a brightness of 10 lumens per light, and are incredibly simple to install.
What’s Included
- Six garden lights
- Stakes for all lights
- Rechargeable batteries already installed in each unit
- Lifetime Warranty
Build Quality
These solar landscape lights are made of ABS plastic throughout and are not as durable as some of the stainless steel units reviewed elsewhere on this list. However, their price balances the materials out, and the plastic is still quite durable.
Also, as explained below SolarGlow offers a fantastic lifetime warranty on these units.
They are well sealed, and can generally handle water, frost, and snow without damage. There is no glass, so there is no danger of them shattering, and the plastic holds up well over time.
Installation
The SolarGlow landscape garden lights have no wires, so they are very simple to install anywhere you want some light.
All that is required to get them running is to flip the switch to turn the battery on (on the inside of the unit, under the LED panel), put them in the ground someplace where they will be exposed to the sun, and uncover the small solar cell at the top of each light.
Because the units are made of plastic, if your ground is particularly hard, you may want to use a piece of steel rebar, or some sort of other stake to make a pilot hole in the ground before you insert your plastic light.
If you start hammering the lights directly into hard ground, the plastic stakes will likely snap, and you’ll need to replace them. Best to use something else for a pilot hole, and then insert the light after.
User Experience
As they soak up the sun through the day, the SolarGlow path lights will charge up the 1000Ma batteries, and once the sun goes down, they will begin to glow.
They generally last 7-8 hours before they start to lose brightness, though that depends on how much sun they accumulate during the day. If you’re looking for something that will absolutely last all night, or you’re somewhere that has long dark nights, you may want another solution.
The SolarGlow LED lights are great for landscape accent lighting but are probably not ideal for a primary lighting source in the garden or patio area. As mentioned before, each solar path light is 10 lumens in brightness, which is equivalent to a traditional small flashlight bulb in brightness.
It’s not a huge amount of light, but it is enough to illuminate walkway steps, garden features, and to accent turns and grade changes.
The color cast by the lights is generally in the higher range. They cast a more blue-ish/white-ish light than a yellow cast light.
The color is pleasing, though it is a little colder than some of the other lights on this list.
There is no pattern or design cast by these SolarGlow lights.
The frames are black plastic, and blend in with the garden, unlike the bright metal of the stainless steel units elsewhere on this list.
Warranty
As a significant incentive, SolarGlow offers a lifetime warranty on these units should they break. If you have a problem with your lights, simply contact them through Amazon and let them know your order number and your issue, and they will ship out replacements to you free of charge.
That is a significant bonus, and it is nice to know they stand behind their products like that.
The Bottom Line
For the price, these solar garden lights are pretty hard to beat. Though the build quality is not the best on our list, the fact that these come with a lifetime warranty means that you can get replacements for any of the lights that break, or fail, over time.
The SolarGlow LED path lights are an excellent buy, and are our runner-up choice among the best solar pathway lights.
- GARDEN BEAUTY - Beautify your outdoor garden, pathways, and landscape;...
- NO-HASSLE INSTALLATION - Simple, easy installation out of the box; No...
- ALL WEATHER-RESISTANT - No worries about rain, snow, frost, or sleet;...
- WEATHER-RESISTANT! No worries about rain, snow, frost, or sleet;...
Last update on 2024-11-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
2. GardenJoy 10 Pack of Outdoor Solar Garden Lights
The GardenJoy 10 Pack of Outdoor Solar Lights is another excellent package at a can’t-be-beat price point. As with the SolarGlow lights, these are made of plastic, but are reasonably solid and are capable of handling the elements without difficulty.
What’s Included
- Set of 10 Solar Garden Lanterns
- Stakes Are Included (8″ and 12″ lengths)
- Batteries Included (already installed)
- 1 Year Warranty
Build Quality
The lights in the GardenJoy 10 Pack of solar path lights are well made and attractive. They are certainly not as durable as some of the other stainless steel units on this list, but the plastic is well made, and these units should last a good while.
GardenJoy offers a 1-year money back guarantee, which is helpful, though not as good as some of the other warranties offered.
There is no glass in these units, the clear area is made of plastic as well. There is little danger of them shattering, and they withstand the rain and snow very well.
Installation
These units are very simple to install and require no wires or other mechanisms to get them up and running. All you need to do is remove the tab from the battery compartment in order to get the battery livened up, and then turn the switch to the ON position in order to get the light to begin to charge.
Put these someplace where they receive some rays, and once dusk hits, they will begin to glow.
Like the SolarGlow plastic units, the shafts on the GardenJoy solar lights are made of plastic and are hollow. Because of this design, it would be wise to create a pilot hole in the ground using some rebar or solid metal, if the ground is solid.
Trying to hammer these plastic lights directly into the ground will likely break them, so it is best to start out with a metal bar to create your hole where you want to install these lights.
User Experience
The amount of light these lights cast off is 0.06w at 1.2v per light. They are fairly bright, as solar garden lights go, but are not capable of lighting a patio or garden area fully on their own.
If you are looking for supplementary accent lighting, these may be a good choice, but if you want task lighting, you may want to look elsewhere.
They can be installed in two configurations, an 8″ stake and a 12″ stake. You can stagger the height of the lights for effect, or you can simply allow them to be inserted more deeply into the ground for security.
The color temperature of these lights is a clear, bright white, more in the blue-ish cast than in the yellow cast. The light is pleasing, and it is directed down and out to help illuminate garden paths, etc.
There is no pattern or design to the light expressed by these units. Like the SolarGlow plastic lights, these are black and blend in nicely with garden features.
Warranty
GardenJoy offers a 1-year money back guarantee on these lights, which certainly gives us some comfort, while not being as good as the lifetime warranty offered by SolarGlow.
The Bottom Line
The GardenBliss solar lamp package comes with 10 lights, and for the price, is an excellent option for simple garden illumination.
GardenJoy’s 1-year warranty gives comfort, and these solar lights are a good choice for outdoor path lighting.
Last update on 2024-11-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
3. Sogrand 8Pack 4Color Stainless Steel Outdoor Solar Lights
The 8 Pack of stainless steel color solar lights, made by Sogrand, is an interesting option for garden lighting. Each of the lights features a colored bulb, with two red, green, blue, and yellow lights in each box.
These lights cast an interesting pattern, as well, drawing the eye and bringing an unusual dynamic to garden lighting than some of the other items on this list.
What’s Included
- 8 Stainless Steel Solar Garden Lights
- Colored Bulbs
- Stakes
- Batteries (already installed)
Build Quality
The Sogrand solar path lights are made of stainless steel and plastic and are quite rugged. The main frame is made of stainless steel, though there is some plastic found on the interior of these units. For the most part, they are among the better-made units out there.
However, unfortunately, Sogrand does not offer a warranty for these units, which is a marked negative.
Installation
Similar to the other units on this list, installation is very simple. Each light comes disassembled in three pieces, a lamp, a stake, and a pole. Attach the three pieces, and you’re pretty well all set.
In order to complete the installation, you’ll need to take off the stainless steel ring, and (gently) twist off the top in order to expose the on/off switch.
Once you hit the switch, you should be all set to insert the stake into the ground and let it soak up some sun.
These units are stainless steel and are definitely stronger than some of the other units on this list. However, we would still suggest you don’t go smashing them into the ground with a hammer without a pilot hole first. If your ground is really solid, we would suggest using a piece of rebar to start things off.
User Experience
These units feature are about 1 3/4″ wide and 14″ long. a 300mA battery, and consequently don’t last as long as some of the other units on this list. They tend to glow for 3-4 hours, depending on how much sun they’ve soaked up during the day, and that’s about it.
They are advertised at up to 8 hours of illumination, and that may depend on where they are placed and how much sun they collect during the day.
They are rather small and don’t cast a huge amount of light, and they really can barely illuminate a pathway. The Sogrand lights are great accent lights, and the color feature makes them an interesting option, but if you are trying to even light up a pathway, you may want to look elsewhere on the list.
If you simply want some accent lighting in a garden bed or a wall, these may work well. At best they are accent lighting.
The Bottom Line
If you really like the idea of colored garden lights, these may be a good choice for exterior lighting.
If color isn’t important to you, we would suggest you look to one of the other packages, as there are better quality versions at a similar price point.
Given that these do not offer a warranty, you may want to consider other options.
Last update on 2024-11-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
4. SolarGlow Premium Super Bright Stainless Steel 6 Light Package
The SolarGlow Premium Super Bright Stainless Steel LED+ garden light package is the most expensive package on our list, however, it also provides the brightest light output of any of the units on this list. SolarGlow lights are manufactured by Signature Garden.
These lights clock in at 15 lumens each, and feature stainless steel construction AND the same lifetime warranty SolarGlow offers on its other LED path lighting options.
What’s Included
- Six LED Solar Lights
- Six Stakes
- Batteries Included (already installed)
- Lifetime Warranty
Build Quality
The SolarGlow Premium garden lights are built of stainless steel, with a clear plastic lens around the LED light, and a plastic spike at the end of a stainless steel rod. The build quality of these units is very solid, and they can withstand the elements without difficulty.
Should there be a lot of snow out in the garden, it may be best to clean these off before the snow melts, but otherwise they should be long-lived outdoors.
Installation
Installation of these lights is quite simple, and there are no wires or other mechanisms needed to get going.
Once you have them in the holes, simply remove the plastic cover over the solar cell, and pop open the cap to reveal the battery. Turn the switch to the ON position (located near the battery).
Once the units charge up, they will start to glow at night.
Like the other stainless steel units on this list, these units have a plastic spike, and we do not recommend wacking these lights with a hammer!
If you have hard ground, start with a pilot hole using a piece of rebar, and then insert the light after you’ve got the hole.
User Experience
These units are a great product, and the brighter lights make a significant difference compared to some of the other units on this list. They put out a good deal more light than any of the others, and they send out light for 8+ hours if they are exposed to a good deal of sunlight to start off with.
They do a good job of illuminating pathways, outcroppings, walls, etc. and while they still aren’t bright enough to be a primary light source, they are among the brightest solar lights available.
Warranty
The other huge plus to the SolarGlow light packages is the lifetime warranty on these items. The build quality is quite high for these units, but even still, they can break or go out, and there is significant peace of mind to be had in knowing that you can easily replace broken or dead lights for free.
The Bottom Line: Best Solar Path Lights
The SolarGlow Premium Stainless Path light set is an outstanding choice for a long-lived, bright, high-quality solar lighting solution.
Your garden or patio will be bathed in bright, continuous light, and if the lights should go dim, you can get replacements from the company for free! It’s hard to beat that deal.
While these units are relatively expensive, the warranty is unbeatable, and the build quality is excellent. In the long term, they may actually be the cheapest! The Solar Glow Premium package are the best solar lights for gardens available.
- WEATHER-RESISTANT! No worries about rain, snow, frost, or sleet;...
- GARDEN BEAUTY! Beautify your outdoor garden, pathways, and landscape;...
- NO-HASSLE INSTALLATION! Simple, EASY installation out of the box!...
- NO-HASSLE INSTALLATION! Simple, EASY installation out of the box!...
Last update on 2024-11-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
5. Oak Leaf Stainless Solar Path Light 12 Light Package
The Oak Leaf stainless solar path light set is a nice pack of garden lights. This package comes with 12 solar lights and is of a good build quality. The frame of these lights is attractive, and the overall system is quite nice.
What’s Included
- 12 Solar Lights
- 12 Stakes
- Batteries Included (already installed)
Build Quality
The Oak Leaf Solar Garden Path Lights are made of stainless steel with some plastic. The lens is made of plastic, though it is quite high quality and works well. The post is made of metal, but the stake is plastic. Care should be used when installing these units in the ground if your ground is hard.
Overall, the build quality of these units is quite high. These are capable of handling rain and light snow. If you want to use them in heavier snow, be sure to clear the snow from them.
Installation
In order to get things rolling, you need to remove the tab from the battery compartment to enable the battery. Charge these lights for 24 hours in the OFF position. Once they have been charged, remove the top part of the solar light, and turn the switch to the ON position. Place the top back on, and these should start glowing at night.
The Oak Leaf Solar Garden Lights are made of stainless steel, but we still would encourage you to not smash them with a hammer in order to get them into rough ground.
If you’re having trouble getting them in, we would suggest using a piece of rebar to get a pilot hole, and then inserting them into the hole. The stake is made of plastic, so it is possible to break that part, though the shaft is made of stainless steel.
User Experience
These units are about 1.2″ in diameter and have a rod about 14″ long that can be inserted into the ground. The battery is 300mA and lasts pretty well if it is charged in a good deal of sun. These units charge pretty quickly and can last 8 hours+ if charged nicely.
Each light produces 1.2 lumens.
The Oak Leaf light system is bright enough to light up a pathway, stairs, and accent features, though, like most solar lights, they should not be used a primary exterior lighting/task lighting.
They are great for accents, but these are supplemental lights.
The Oak Leaf solar lights put out a soft white light, which is quite pleasing. The soft white is a little nicer than some of the other blueish-white lights that can be found on this list.
The Bottom Line: Decent Solar Garden Path Lights
The Oak Leaf path light package is a good choice for exterior lighting. These units are covered by a 30-day money back guarantee, so you can test them out to see if they suit your needs.
The 12 pack of lights can cover a good deal of area, and the glow is pleasing and strong. For an all-around lighting solution with solid build quality, the Oak Leaf package is a good choice.
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Conclusion: The Best Solar Pathway Lights
When it comes down to it, the warranty SolarGlow offers on its two lighting packages make them the two most compelling solar landscape light packages on the list. If you want the most illumination per light, and the best build quality, we recommend the Premium Stainless Path Light Package.
If you prefer to save a bit of money knowing that the lifetime warranty is still in place, and purchase the standard SolarGlow light package, that makes sense too. Either of these offerings is unbeatable, as you know that any broken or problematic lights can be replaced free of charge.
Now go get creative and light up your garden!
Last update on 2024-11-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
I like the SolarGlow lights but Amazon keeps linking me to Signature Garden brand. Are they the same?
Yes, they are the same. The company Signature Garden has a line of excellent solar garden lights that they brand under the name SolarGlow. This past summer they stopped using the SolarGlow brand on some of their models, but others still say SolarGlow.