The 10 Best Solar String Lights (2024)

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more.

The 10 Best Solar String Lights (1)

Treehugger Tested & Approved

Our testers' top choice is Brightech’s Solar LED String Lights, thanks to an attractive design and super durable construction.

Do you want to spruce up your backyard oasis, patio, or even apartment balcony? String lights can add a festive twinkle to your space that’s perfect for romantic alfresco dinners in the summer, a relaxing outdoor happy hour, or holiday decorations. However, traditional string lights require being plugged in, which increases your electric bill and can contribute to planet-heating pollution unless your home is already powered by renewables.

Solar string lights run on energy from the sun and are handy if you don’t have an outdoor outlet available. Just make sure the charging panel is in a location that gets plenty of sun, and as darkness creeps in, watch as your outdoor space comes to life with light.

Here are the best solar string lights:

The Rundown

Jump to Review
Jump to Review
Jump to Review

Best Overall

Brightech Ambiance Pro Solar String Lights

The 10 Best Solar String Lights (2)

Our testers loved the look and feel of these durable lights from Brightech, and found the overall setup easy to install. The lights shine for six hours on a full solar charge and come with a two year warranty, making them our top overall choice. In our tests, we subjected these lights to freezing temperatures, water, and hit them with golf balls. Both the solar panel and the individual lights held up through it all.

The lights are powered by a solar panel, which can be positioned to get the most sun with either the included clip or ground steak. Using a sensor, the lights turn on automatically, but can also be shut off from the solar panel in case you need darkness, but this will also stop the lights from charging again in the morning. Each strand consists of 12 lights strung on a 27 foot line, with 6 feet of wire between the panel and the first bulb. There is also a 48 foot version available.

Just keep in mind that these lights just have one brightness setting.

Best Overall Runner-Up

MagicPro Solar String Lights

The 10 Best Solar String Lights (3)

These solar string lights are another great choice, thanks to four lighting modes and USB charging ability. Spice up any gathering with slow flash, quick flash, pulsating, or steady light modes and rest easy knowing the set is waterproof and the bulbs are shatterproof.

The lights can illuminate for up to 8 hours with a full charge (the solar panel requires a six to eight hour charge), and hold up well in different weather conditions. The warm white lights provide a cozy glow for birthday parties, wedding receptions, garden parties, and much more. This set allows you to connect 15 more bulbs if you want to illuminate a larger area.

Best Budget

Brightown 29 Feet Solar String Lights

The 10 Best Solar String Lights (4)

The price point for these lights is great, without sacrificing useful features. The lights are made of a shatterproof material that’s also IP44 waterproof and can withstand hot and cold temperatures, rain, and wind. The lights can stay lit for up to 16 hours after 4 to 8 hours of solar charging, and the 180-degree adjustable panel allows you to move it around for maximum sun exposure.

These lights can also be charged via USB if there’s no light during the day. The lights have four lighting modes, and the bulbs on this strand are spaced 1 foot apart for a total of 29 feet. You also don’t have to worry about the bulbs getting too hot, as they remain cool to the touch after hours of use.

Best Splurge

Pottery Barn Brass Solar Hanging String Lights

The 10 Best Solar String Lights (5)

Edison bulbs create a classic and tasteful look for any setting, and this set is even more elevated thanks to warm brushed brass bases instead of the typical black plastic. The cables are commercial grade, and the solar panel is 1.5 watts, to power the lights for 6 hours on a full charge.

The 28 foot strand has 12 LED bulbs, each of which is 1.75 inches in diameter and spaced 18 inches apart. The clear bulbs have an exposed filament look, adding to the vintage feel. They’re also made with Fair Trade certified labor, and are wet UL-listed for outdoor use.

Make trees sparkle, add a twinkle to your tent while camping, or create some magic to your garden with these fairy lights from DeVida. These lights feature a 55-foot strand with 120 LED lights, plus an extra-long lead wire to position the solar panel in the sun and out of the shade.

The extra length also means you can wrap trees and still have enough room to move the solar panel into optimal sunlight. DeVida delivers a quality product that is backed behind a family-owned U.S. company that donates a portion of net proceeds to charities.

The 10 Best Outdoor Solar Lights

Best Mini Bulbs

Sol 72 Outdoor Mini Solar String Lights

The 10 Best Solar String Lights (7)

Available in multiple colors, these mini string lights come with a panel and a solar rechargeable battery. Simply stake the panel into the ground (or mount on a wall) and allow the panel to get six to eight hours of full, direct sunlight. The lights will glow for seven to eight hours, creating the perfect environment for parties or simple outdoor dinners.

The lights also feature a dual-mode button that allow you to choose to have the lights flash or shine steady. Don’t worry about wet weather, as the lights will still twinkle despite rainy conditions.

Most Colorful

Lemontec Solar String Lights

The 10 Best Solar String Lights (8)

These multicolored lights create a fairytale aesthetic and add a bit of whimsy to any outdoor space. The water droplet shape also adds an element of fun and creates an Alice-in-Wonderland-meets-mad-scientist’s-lab vibe.

A built-in sensor switches the lights on at night and off during the day while charging, and the lights can shift from colorful to warm white with the touch of a button. Don’t worry about wet weather, you can leave these lights outside and they’ll be fine after a rainstorm. These are perfect for night-time swims, groovy garden parties, children’s birthday parties, and even seasonal holiday decorating.

The 8 Best Outdoor Motion Sensor Lights

Best Festive

QiShi Fairy Blossom Solar Flower Garden Lights

The 10 Best Solar String Lights (9)

Time travel back to your childhood with these multicolor lights that are reminiscent of vintage multicolor holiday lights and all things Lisa Frank. The lights need to charge during the day for six to eight hours, but will illuminate for more than eight hours at night. Fifty flower lights dance across a 21-foot strand, providing light that’s also waterproof and can withstand heavy rain and snow.

Two switches on the set allow lights to either flash or shine steady. Users love these lights for indoor and outdoor uses—they’re perfect for little girls’ bedrooms, dreamy gardens, and anywhere you want to add a touch of color.

Best for Holidays

Supsoo Solar Christmas Lights

The 10 Best Solar String Lights (10)

Available in an array of colors, these solar lights from Supsoo help to create a magical holiday scene. Choose from warm white, green, blue, cool white, or multicolored lights that are perfect for decorating an outdoor Christmas tree, wrapping around the exterior of your house, and using throughout your holiday decor.

Eight different light modes also allow you to set the lights to twinkle, flash, fade, or steadily glow. On a full charge, the lights can shine for as long as 12 hours. The lead cable is also six feet long, allowing you to place the panel in the sunniest location for maximum charging. The set is also waterproof, so rest easy if there’s bad weather.

Best for Holidays Runner Up

Huacenmy Solar Snowflake String Lights

The 10 Best Solar String Lights (11)

Our tester found that these lights are a bit harder to set up than other string light options, because the shape of the snowflakes can get tangled more easily. However, once up, the effect is so charming that they're worth the extra effort. The solar panel has a steak to secure it to a sunny spot in the ground, and the strand is 30 feet long.

The 50 snowflake lights are lit by LED bulbs, and there are eight lighting modes, including twinkling, slow fade, chasing, slow-glow, and more. There are also multi-color and star-shaped versions of these lights.

Final Verdict

The MagicPro string lights offer a classic look, plus additional lighting modes and the ability to charge via USB, which gives them a leg up from many traditional, white solar lights.

If you want something more festive, consider the Lemontec water droplet lights, with their fun look and multicolored lights.

What to Look for in Solar String Lights

Size and Shape

Different types of string lights serve different purposes. For example, Edison bulbs offer a soft, glowing appearance that are great for romantic settings like patios and outdoor dining spaces. Rope lights, for example, serve a different purpose in that they’re often used more to light pathways like docks, fences, and pathways. When choosing your solar lights, be sure to consider what you’ll be using them for and the space you’re putting them in.

Brightness

You'll want to think about how bulbs are that you’re buying will illuminate your space. Many times, string lights won’t put out quite as much light as traditional lights, but many users are okay with that, as they’re trying to create an ambiance of soft light or add to a romantic setting. Although some products don't list the number of lumens produced by string lights, a higher number of lumens indicated a brighter bulb. If you really want to light up a space using string lights, you might want to consider getting additional strands.

Weather Resistance and Durability

Be sure that the outdoor string lights you purchase are weather-resistant, since they’ll be exposed to elements like rain, cold, and heat. Look for lights that are backed by a robust warranty, or that say they are "commercial grade" or "professional grade." These lights are more lightly to last you for many seasons. UL or IP listings are also a good indicator of durablility and quality.

The 10 Best Solar String Lights (12)

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do you hang solar string lights

    You can hang outdoor string lights from trees, railing, posts, ceiling beams, and more. You’ll need to measure the distance of the space you’re planning to hang lights from to determine how many feet of lights you’ll need. If you want to drape your lights or have them wrapped around beams or hung loosely from posts, you’ll need to add to your footage.

    You can use small hooks if you’re hanging lights from beams and posts. If you’re draping lights from a railing, simply drape the lights to your liking, and secure them with twine, wire, or even zip-ties. Or you can consider purchasing gutter clips, which allow you to attach string lights to gutters or awnings without making any holes.

  • Can solar string lights start a fire?

    Solar string lights harness their power from energy from the solar panels that charge the batteries. While the risk for a fire is low, it can happen, especially if your solar lights contain lithium-ion batteries. Check to make sure you know what kind of batteries your string lights contain, as cheaper materials can sometimes put off more heat and cause a fire to start in the light’s casing. Overall, it is not likely that your solar lights will catch on fire, but it can happen.

  • Can you use solar string lights indoors?

    Yes. Some solar lights come with USB charging capabilities, and if that’s the case, you can definitely use that USB charging port to power the lights and use them inside. You can also place the solar panel near a bright window to gather sunlight for charging.

Why Trust Treehugger?

Treehugger is committed to helping readers reduce the environmental impact of our day-to-day lives. To make this list, we researched the market to find the best options available. Treehugger also tested top products, to get insights into how these lights perform in real-world conditions.

Author Amanda Ogle is a veteran reporter who loves writing about sustainability and believes it is important that we all strive to be as environmentally friendly as we can. She loves educating consumers on sustainable products and the importance of knowing what they’re buying.

The 9 Best Patio Umbrellas and Stands

The 10 Best Solar String Lights (2024)

FAQs

How do you make solar string lights brighter? ›

The first step is checking the batteries. Even though the recharging is done by the sun, batteries power solar lights while they're shining. The most common reason for dimming solar lights is that the rechargeable batteries are dying. If the battery is low, it's important to remove the battery right away.

Are outdoor solar string lights worth it? ›

Solar panels can reduce or eliminate your electricity bill and keep your house powered just by sunlight as your power source. Either way, you can invest in outdoor LED solar string lights to upgrade your garden decor and light up your outside space without adding to your electricity bill.

How long do solar powered string lights last? ›

Solar lights typically last for between 6 and 10 hours each night and operate for 2 to 5 years. By bringing your solar lights inside during the winter, it is possible to extend their expected lifespan.

Why do only some of my solar string lights work? ›

The most likely cause is the battery. For one reason or another, it's not holding or receiving enough charge.

How do you make solar lights last all night? ›

Here are 5 top tips to enjoy your outdoor solar lights for a longer time.
  1. Know Where To Place Your Solar Lights. ...
  2. Clean Your Solar Panels. ...
  3. Avoid Obstructions. ...
  4. Charge The Batteries Before Use And Replace Them If Needed. ...
  5. Do Not Place Near Street Lamps.

How can I boost my solar lights? ›

Use mirrors to redirect sunlight to your lights, if needed.

This will increase the chances of the panels receiving as much sunlight as possible. For best results, position the mirrors diagonally on the ground so that they're in a fixed position and lay the solar panels alongside them.

What is the downside of solar lights? ›

Weather Dependent: Solar street lights rely on the sun to power the lights, which means that they may not work effectively in areas with limited sunlight. This can be a disadvantage in areas that experience long periods of overcast or rainy weather.

Which are better, LED or solar lights? ›

Generally, solar lights are not as bright as LED lights and may not stay lit all night long, making them a poor choice for security and safety lighting purposes. Solar options do require some maintenance as you need to ensure panels are keep clean and clear for proper charging.

How many lumens should outdoor string lights be? ›

The best range of lumens for outdoor lighting is 12 to 1,300 lumens. How many lumens you need for outdoor landscape lighting is between 50 and 700. The amount of brightness most people want changes based on location.

Are you supposed to leave solar lights on all the time? ›

If you want the outdoor solar light to continue to work all day every day, you can simply leave the on/off switch in the on position. If you want to charge the outdoor solar light and use the light at a later time (such as a weekend party), you can turn the on/off switch to off until you are ready to use it.

Should solar lights be on or off to charge? ›

Many solar powered lights will still charge if they are not turned on, and by turning them off you actually allow the battery to get a full charge over several days of sunlight. It is an idea to do this regularly with solar lights.

What does s and f mean on solar lights? ›

Set switch (located on the back of solar case) to “S (steady on)” OR “F (flash)” position. Charge the solar. product by placing it under direct sunlight for at least 8 hours. 2. The light will work automatically.

Can I put normal batteries in solar lights? ›

The short answer is no. Regular batteries do not work in solar lights in the long term. If you use regular alkaline batteries, they will last only a week at most. You can't use regular batteries in solar garden lights because they are designed to be disposed of once they run out of power.

What do W and C mean on solar lights? ›

“W” position means the product will turn to white light, “C” position means the product will turn to flame effect. 4. Push the W/OFF/C switch to the “OFF” position to deactivate the device. Replacing the Batteries. If the light stops working after it has been used for a long time (approx.

How to increase brightness in solar light? ›

Positioning the solar panel facing south in the correct direction can maximise exposure to sunlight. Replace Batteries: If your solar lighting system is old, the batteries will probably not hold a charge. If they can't provide enough power to the LED bulb, you'll experience reduced brightness.

Why is my solar light not as bright? ›

One common reason for solar lights not being bright is insufficient charging of the solar panels. This can happen when there is continuous cloudy weather, storms, or rainy days. In such cases, the panels may not charge fully, resulting in inadequate energy to light up the bulbs.

What makes a solar light brighter? ›

The higher the lumens rating is, the brighter the light will be. If you have fewer lumens, you will thus have a dimmer light.

Why are my LED string lights not bright? ›

The answer is likely voltage drop. While the voltage of every LED strip light decreases from the power source to the end of the strip, most individual five meter LED strips are designed so that dimming from typical voltage reduction is not noticeable.

References

Top Articles
5 Best Solar String Lights - Apr. 2024 - BestReviews
Luci Solar String Lights Tested & Reviewed
NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration hiring NOAA Commissioned Officer: Inter-Service Transfer in Spokane Valley, WA | LinkedIn
Safety Jackpot Login
Dannys U Pull - Self-Service Automotive Recycling
Cintas Pay Bill
Voordelige mode in topkwaliteit shoppen
Hallowed Sepulchre Instances & More
Planets Visible Tonight Virginia
Best Pawn Shops Near Me
Lesson 2 Homework 4.1
The Binding of Isaac
Programmieren (kinder)leicht gemacht – mit Scratch! - fobizz
Bahsid Mclean Uncensored Photo
Crossword Nexus Solver
9044906381
Used Sawmill For Sale - Craigslist Near Tennessee
Straight Talk Phones With 7 Inch Screen
Swedestats
Yakimacraigslist
My Homework Lesson 11 Volume Of Composite Figures Answer Key
Craigslist Appomattox Va
Daytonaskipthegames
Tyrone Unblocked Games Bitlife
Tripadvisor Napa Restaurants
The Listings Project New York
CVS Health’s MinuteClinic Introduces New Virtual Care Offering
Gen 50 Kjv
Jailfunds Send Message
Mobile crane from the Netherlands, used mobile crane for sale from the Netherlands
Dailymotion
La Qua Brothers Funeral Home
The Ultimate Guide to Obtaining Bark in Conan Exiles: Tips and Tricks for the Best Results
Fbsm Greenville Sc
Eaccess Kankakee
Staar English 1 April 2022 Answer Key
Sinai Sdn 2023
Skill Boss Guru
Mckinley rugzak - Mode accessoires kopen? Ruime keuze
Rochester Ny Missed Connections
Eastern New Mexico News Obituaries
Puretalkusa.com/Amac
Setx Sports
Craigslist Com St Cloud Mn
Ucla Basketball Bruinzone
Meee Ruh
Slug Menace Rs3
Where Is Darla-Jean Stanton Now
Spongebob Meme Pic
Deviantart Rwby
Comenity/Banter
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Edmund Hettinger DC

Last Updated:

Views: 5726

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (58 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Edmund Hettinger DC

Birthday: 1994-08-17

Address: 2033 Gerhold Pine, Port Jocelyn, VA 12101-5654

Phone: +8524399971620

Job: Central Manufacturing Supervisor

Hobby: Jogging, Metalworking, Tai chi, Shopping, Puzzles, Rock climbing, Crocheting

Introduction: My name is Edmund Hettinger DC, I am a adventurous, colorful, gifted, determined, precious, open, colorful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.