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When it comes to landscape lighting, both style and function are key.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
However, choosing the right combination of style and function can be challenging.
Plenty of landscape lighting options exist, including solar and electric options.
Youll want to bring these lights indoors when temperatures dip below freezing.
Credit: The Home Depot
Assembling them was a cinch, taking just five minutes to put together the set of four lights.
Operating them is super simple, too, since there are no controls to muddle with.
Simply place these staked lights into the ground and let them charge via sunlight.
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Laura Miller
Theyll light up at dusk and turn off when dawn arrives.
On cloudy days, the light doesnt shine quite as brightly, but its still plenty adequate.
The stakes are about 31 inches tall and adjust to fit multiple types of paths and landscaping needs.
Theyre not marked as water resistant and no water-protection rating is given.
Overall, these path lights give off a welcoming, cozy glow thats just right for illuminating a path.
Product Details:Power pop in:Solar |Dimensions:4.61 x 31.61 x 3.6 in.
Thesesolar-powered lightsoffer water-resistant illumination in spotlight form.
In fact, choosing where to place the lights was the hardest part of the process!
Theres no motion sensor, but they automatically switch on and off thanks to the light sensor.
Product Details:Power pop in:Solar |Dimensions:3.2 x 4.8 x 1.8 in.
Its challenging to toggle between lighting modes at first.
The lights also have a rating of IP68, which is especially good for areas with heavy rain.
The no-frills design wont bring much to the table in terms of aesthetics.
Product Details:Power pop in:Solar |Dimensions:4.33 x 5.43 x 11.81 in.
Installation will take some time.
When you plan to useoutdoor lightingfrequently, it makes sense to invest in a more permanent lighting option.
you could connect up to three sets together for lighting larger areas.
you might control the color, jot down, and brightness of the lights by using the app.
Want to sync the lights with music?
Its no problem, since these integrate with smart home features and have a built-in mic.
This light has a simple design with no options for choosing various lighting modes.
If youre looking for in-ground lights, these are a solid pick.
Youll need to assemble three pieces together for each light, but its a quick process.
Once assembled, you just flip the switch to turn the light on or off.
They kept out water during our testing process, which matches with their IP65 rating.
Product Details:Power throw in:Solar |Dimensions:5.2 x 4.72 x 4.92 in.
The brightness isnt adjustable and theres no off switch.
Theres nothing like enjoying a mild evening outside on a deck.
Theyre meant to be fastened to the deck or railing via screw, which may not appeal to everyone.
Installation wasnt particularly hard, but the instructions could have been clearer.
Once positioned, remove the tab and allow the lights to charge for up to 12 hours.
After the sun sets, the lights come on automatically and provide light throughout the night.
The warm, white light offers the right amount of ambience for entertaining.
However, you wont be able to adjust the brightness or otherwise customize the look of the lights.
Product Details:Power jot down:Solar |Dimensions:1.77 x 1.85 x 3.46 in.
Our Testing Process
Weve been testing outdoor lighting since 2022.
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We observed other features and how well they worked, such as timers and brightness-level adjustment.
First, consider the overall look of your home and garden.
Are you going for a more formal look or a more relaxed atmosphere?
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Dave DeCarlo
You may want to consider the new outdoor smart lighting solutions that can add personalized aesthetic touches tolandscape lighting.
Youll also get to choose from spotlights or path lights when shopping for the perfect landscape lighting option.
Many people looking to illuminate a tree may automatically reach for one brightspotlight.
Whether you choose path lights depends on the ambiance youd like to create.
Keep in mind that path lights could create a runway-like effect, according to Lindenberger.
Some people may not mind this style of lighting, while others may shy away from it.
Lindenberger tends to recommend downlighting or ambient lighting to subtly frame walkways and enhance the overall aesthetic.
But there are other outdoor lighting options worth checking into, such asstring lights or mounted lightsandoutdoor safety floodlights.
Installation is usually pretty simple.
Most landscape lighting fixtures come with all the necessary hardware and instructions, Diaz says.
Lindenberger provides some examples of IP ratings commonly seen in landscape lighting options.
If youre after lights that will stand up to heavy downpours, you may want to opt for IP67.
After some underwater lighting?
Reach for an IP68 rating, which will allow you to submerse the lights in ponds or water fountains.
Its important to understand the water protection rating for a few reasons.
However, the cost was high for a single unit and the bulb inside of it isnt replaceable.
Your Questions, Answered
How bright should landscape lights be?
How many landscape lights do I need?
Layering your landscape lighting close together requires more individual lights but offers brighter results.
Do you need a license to install landscape lighting?
However, she recommends contacting a professional if installation requires any wiring or electrical work.
Its also worth noting that a high-voltage option will require an electrician.
Additionally, Brittany took into consideration power source and lighting pop in to find the best landscape lighting.
What Is BHG Recommends?
Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed ourBHG Recommends seal of approval.
In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.
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The AloftSun Solar Motion Sensor Outdoor Lights remained undamaged after our golf ball durability test.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson
Credit: Amazon
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Alicia Dolieslager
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Credit: Solpex
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Robert Dencklau
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Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
