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We spent several years testing mounted solar lights to narrow down our list of top picks.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Mountedsolar lightsare an excellent way to illuminate your home since they tap into a renewable resourcethe sun.
Another advantage of solar lights is they dont require any electricity, and therefore, wires.
An outdoor lighting fixture should be IP 66 or 67, he says.
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The motion sensitivity isnt adjustable, and there are no special features beyond basic functionality and the motion sensor.
It is a great choice for motion-activated lighting on porches or steps.
Given the one-piece design, it is especially easy to install on any flat surface.
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Setting up the light only takes about five minutes.
While the instructions included were helpful, they arent even necessary since set-up is quite intuitive.
Operating the light is also very simple.
Just push the on button and the light will automatically come on at dusk and turn off at dawn.
There is also an off button for those who dont want to have the light on all night.
A replaceable lithium-ion battery is included that charges during the day and turns on automatically at night.
The light is super bright and consists of long-lasting LEDs with a 3000K color temperature.
This is a nice, warm, neutral light that is not yellow.
Unfortunately, the brightness isn’t adjustable.
The main feature of this light, of course, is themotion sensor.
It has a built-in motion sensor with dual brightness.
When motion is detected, light will turn on to full brightness for 30 seconds.
We found the motion sensor to be fairly sensitive, picking up people and dogs walking by.
However, the sensitivity is not adjustable.
Another benefit of this product is the durable design that is built to last and withstand the elements.
It is made from metal, not plastic, and has some weight to it.
During the testing process, this light endured both wind and rain with no problems.
Finally, the simple black design helped it blend into the outdoor environment.
Product Details: Number of Lights Included:One |Dimensions of single light:6.80 x 4.30 x 7.50 in.
It is on the expensive side, fits a very specific style, and doesnt have a motion-activated sensor.
It is a bit heavy, however, making it a little challenging to hang.
The fixture uses an integrated lithium-ion battery pack that lasts for approximately five years.
We found this product to be built to last.
It is made of sturdy cast-aluminum that is both rust-resistant and weather-resistant.
We can’t imagine it rusting, falling down, or moving at all once installed properly.
It doesnt seem practical for modern orsmall houses.
Product Details: Number of Lights Included:One |Dimensions of single light:21 x 8.75 x 12.50 in.
These lights are very easy to install.
We used apower drillto screw into the siding and did not encounter any issues.
No additional parts were requiredjust a drill and the items that came in the box.
It only took about 10 minutes to install this fixture.
One of the best features is the accurate motion detection.
The lights automatically turn on when motion is detected after dusk.
you’re able to also adjust how sensitive the motion sensor reacts to movement.
However, the style is very basic, unlike some of the other lights on the market.
These lights are sturdy, dont look or feel cheap, and are weatherproof.
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We find this fixture to be small but powerful; the lights are very bright and clear.
Product Details: Number of Lights Included:Two |Dimensions of single light:8.6 x 8.6 x 6.2 in.
The overall design is a plus.
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Although plain, these lantern lights are attractive and giveentryways a classy feel.
We also love that these are Edison-pop in bulbs, which make the lighting more decorative.
We really like how these motion-sensor lights have multiple modes.
They also have a setting to stay half as bright throughout the night.
Therefore, this may not be the best option for people looking for a high security light.
The light is designed to provide automatic dusk-to-dawn performance after a full days charge.
Charging for six to eight hours can illuminate these fixtures for eight to10 hours.
This product is built to light up a 120-degree-wide sensing angle and 19-foot sensing distance.
It doesnt have motion activation and isnt bright enough for top security.
It is incredibly easy to install, taking only about six minutes.
Overall, this is a high-quality LED white outdoor light that provides a nice, warm glow.
The look of the design is traditional, which may not work for more modern homes.
It is waterproof and weather-resistant, and requires very little maintenance.
While it is more expensive than most of the lights on our list, it is still fairly priced.
Probably the biggest negative is that it doesnt have special features like different modes or motion-sensing capability.
Product Details: Number of Lights Included:One |Dimensions of single light:8.8 x 8.8 x 18.1 in.
The motion detector is an important feature for homeowners who want that capability for added safety and security.
This fixture also offers a decorative touch while illuminating outdoor spaces.
Finally, it is very affordable and easily available online.
We considered whether the lights included mounting brackets or needed to be purchased separately.
If the light had multiple prefs, we tested each to evaluate the differences.
We also considered how long the light stayed on after being activated.
Dusk-to-dawn lights were evaluated on their accuracy in turning on when the sun set.
Youll also want to determine your goal for installing lighting.
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IP rating on a fixture stands for ingress protection, explains Apfelstadt.
The first number relates to dust and the second number relates to moisture.
ensure that the first number is a 6, he advises: There’s a scale.
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Sixty-eight means I can submerse this underwater for 30 seconds and it’s still going to work.
So, an outdoor lighting fixture should be IP 66 or 67.
Brightness and Light Color
Brightness is measured in lumens (lm).
Lumen output and run time vary depending on the size of the solar panel and battery, Apfelstadt says.
There are solar lights that only produce 100 lumens and others that go over 1,000, he says.
Color temperature is measured in degrees kelvin (K).
Most of our testers preferred the warmer color for their outdoor mounted solar lights.
They blend in nicely with thestain of the deckand sit on the edge of the wood railing.
While they are affordable, we still felt they lacked features and flexibility.
LEPower Solar Security Lights
TheLEPower Solar Security Lightsare another affordable option with a straightforward setup.
However, there is no manual on/off control, limited adjustability, and no special features.
While the brightness is adequate for general use, we wish it illuminated the area more effectively.
Installation was easy, but the only feature they have is an on/off switch.
Your Questions, Answered
Do solar lights need batteries?
Yes, solar lights need rechargeable batteries to function.
Keep in mind that battery performance reduces dramatically in cloudy and rainy weather when the sun isnt as prominent.
Can you leave solar lights out in the rain?
The IP rating determines a fixtures ability to handle dust and moisture, Apfelstadt says.
The better the product, the higher the IP rating and the more waterproof and dustproof it is.
Do solar lights need direct sun or just daylight?
Placement is also important.
She covers home, lawn and garden, sustainability, nature, and wellness topics.
The company has been in business for 20 years and has won multiple international lighting design awards.
Apfelstadt also currently serves as the Vice President of the Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals (AOLP).
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What Is BHG Recommends?
In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
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The Kemeco Solar Post Light stood up well to our water tests, even though the manufacturer doesn’t provide a waterproof rating.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
