Skip to main content

HappySprout may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

3 of the best solar garden lights for a bright and eco-friendly yard

It’s important to decorate your garden with stunning flowers and veggies, but it’s also vital that your garden be well lit. Whether for parties, late-night harvesting, or quiet nights reading in the warm summer air, solar lights make a fantastic addition to any garden. They can transform a backyard into a cozy after-dinner area, light up a walkway for safe navigation, or bring attention to a favorite tree. Here we’ll be going over the essential considerations to keep in mind while shopping for solar garden lights. We’ll also include a few of our favorites you might want to add to your landscaping.

pathway light
Quality Stock Arts / Shutterstock

What to consider when buying a solar garden light

Not all solar garden lights are created equal; there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind.

Recommended Videos

Cost

The cost is one of the most important aspects of purchasing a new item for almost everyone. Although solar garden lights are very similar in price, it’s still crucial to consider how much you’re willing to spend on lights before you go looking. Having a better idea of your budget will help you find the ideal solution.

Ease of install

If you need something easy to put up for a party this weekend, you won’t want to buy a setup that’ll take hours to put together. Instead, finding a solar light that’s easy to install will make life easier and allow you to get back to doing other things like gardening!

Lifespan

Outdoor products never last as long as their indoor cousins, so it’s not surprising to find that solar garden lights have a shorter shelf life than other indoor lights. However, this doesn’t mean you should have to replace your garden lights every year or bring them in during the winter. Instead, look for a light that can withstand the types of weather you often see and be sure to care for the light properly so it can last a long time.

Aesthetic

Of course, you should like the way your new lights look! If they don’t suit the aesthetic of your garden, you’ll likely be disappointed and tempted to go looking for other options. So be sure you’re looking for a light that’s going to suit the rest of your garden, or at least blend in and not take away from your garden ornaments.

MAGGIFT Solar Pathway Lights

These pathway lights by MAGGIFT are ideal for lighting the way during the darker hours of the day. Whether it’s the path from the driveway to the house or the deck to the flower garden, these lights will soak up sun rays and provide you with plenty of light to see your way.

You get 12 lights for $28.99, and they have a very classic look that’s sure to suit almost any style. All you have to do is stick them in the ground! The only downside to these lights is the material they’re made with. The plastic allows them to be affordable, but it’s not likely to hold up under harsh weather as well as other metal options would.

Brightown Outdoor Solar String Lights

These solar string lights are the perfect solution to give your outdoor space a glowing, cozy feel. In addition, they’re pretty easy to install: The solar panel is simply pushed into the ground while the lights can be wrapped, tacked, or taped however you want. The strings are 33 feet long and have 100 lights per string. In this bundle, you get two string lights for $15.98; they each have eight different light modes that suit any situation.

spot lights
Image used with permission by copyright holder

InnoGear Solar Lights Outdoor

Sometimes you wish you could show off your favorite part of the garden even at night! With these lights by InnoGear, you’ll be able to shine a spotlight onto your prized tree, bush, or flowers, all with solar power! The solar panel is easily maneuvered to get the best angle for sunlight absorption. All you have to do is stick these in the ground and they’re ready to do. They’re also heavy-duty and will last quite a long time, even in harsh conditions. You get a pack of 4 for $49.99.

In interior design, lighting is everything, and the same goes for the garden! What’s the use of all that work if you can’t see it at night too? Use these lighting options to bring another layer of design to your garden and enjoy your outdoor space even after the sun goes down.

Topics
Rebecca Wolken
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Rebecca's has written for Bob Villa and a Cincinnati based remodeling company. When she's not writing about home remodeling…
Can you DIY your own outdoor solar lights? What you need to know
Home project tools

The idea of using sustainable power sources has become increasingly popular over the past few years. They’re seen as solutions to environmental issues like the pollution produced by industrial power plants. Plus, who doesn’t want to generate their own power, save money, and in some cases sell excess energy back to the local power plant?

That’s where DIY outdoor solar lights come into the picture. While you probably won’t generate enough power to sell energy back to a local power plant with this specific alternative to traditional electric lighting, you can still save money and help the environment in the long-term. In the article below, we’ll go over some of the benefits of using outdoor solar lights on your property and show you what to do when embarking on a DIY outdoor lamps project.

Read more
Good, better, best: Heat lamps to keep your patio warm this fall
Outdoor heat lamp

Many people enjoy spending evenings out on their front porches or back patios. However, as summer transitions into fall, temperatures begin to drop in many different areas. When that happens, it can be difficult to extend those warm, lazy summer evenings into the cooler parts of the year. A fantastic solution to this issue is to purchase heat lamps.

Buying patio lamps is an excellent idea for keeping family and guests warm when you want to sit outside in the late evenings. There’s no reason to stop socializing when the best patio heat lamps on the market can keep you warm and cozy. Plus, some types will also give off a bit of light, enhancing the space with a soft, warm glow.

Read more
7 landscaping lighting tips and tricks you’re going to love
Outdoor backyard lighting

After this last year of being cooped up at home, we all want to enjoy ourself outside, especially if outside involves a beautiful space where you can host gatherings. After all, spending time with friends and family after work can be good for one's mental health. Of course, you need good lighting for it to truly be enjoyable.

However, suppose you've got any kind of outdoor space. Whether that's a balcony, backyard, porch, or garden, you can't just throw up any old light and call it good. You've got to consider both functionality and aesthetics. You also need to think about longevity. How long are your outdoor lights going to last? How interesting can you make the lighting setup?

Read more