Have you been looking for the best solar string lights money can buy? If so, then look no further. We have compiled a list of the top 11 best solar string lights and all their specifications. Read on to find out how we ranked these products by taking into account things like battery life, warranty, brightness and more!
1 – INST Solar String Lights 55 ft
Solar String Light
This string of decorative lights is a little shorter than the previous one, plus it has about half the amount of bulbs. On the other hand, the INST Solar String Lights come in a bright blue color which looks very nice. They are easy to use, quite durable, and they add some nice ambiance to the mix too.
Summary
If you need solar lights that have a long battery life, the INST Solar String Lights are a good way to go. They require between 4 and 8 hours of direct sunlight to charge, which should be easily done on a beautiful day. On a single full charge, these things can last for up to 20 hours if you use the flashing mode, and up to 10 hours if you have them on the continuous light mode; yes, they come with 2 light modes, flashing and steady.
To charge the lights, simply insert the solar panel stake into the ground in an area close to where you are hanging the lights, and in an area that gets a lot of light. On a side note, the cable is not super long here, so to charge the lights, they need to be in close proximity to where the solar panel is. We like the INST Solar String Lights because they turn on at dusk or when the light of the day goes away. You can set them to turn on automatically or you can do it manually.
As we said, the INST Solar String Lights are blue lights that are fairly bright, and they make for the perfect Christmas decoration. You can use these solar lights for both indoor and outdoor purposes. They are fully waterproof, so a bit of snow or rain is not going to break them. With that being said, be careful not to drop them, as they are not terribly impact resistant. These lights are quite bright, which is nice because you can see them even when it is pitch black.
The Good
The good part about these lights, besides being a beautiful blue color, is that they are waterproof, plus they can be used for both indoor and outdoor purposes. They are easy to set up as well, not to mention that they last for a very long time on a single charge.
The Bad
As is the case with most solar lights, if the solar panel does not get direct sunlight, they simply won’t charge very well. Also, the cable here is a little short, so the solar panel needs to be close to the lights.
Pros
- Indoor and outdoor use
- Battery lasts a long time
- 2 light modes
- Easy to set up
Cons
- Not very impact resistant
- Require lots of direct sunlight
- Short cable
2 – Oak Leaf Solar Powered String Light 19.6 ft
Charge
Yet another great option to go with, the Oak Leaf Solar Powered String Light features a cool yellow color, they are easy to set up, and very energy efficient too. When it comes to outdoor lights for decorative purposes, these lights get the job done.
Summary
The Oak Leaf Solar Powered String Light is a total of 19.6 feet long, which is good for a little tree or patio, plus it features a total of 120 LED lights of a yellow color. They might not be that long, but they are fairly bright. The beautiful yellow color of these lights is actually very strong and can easily illuminate an area, plus it’s fine for decorative purposes too.
The wire here is made of copper and is surrounded by a coating to help keep them protected. We like the wire used here as it is thin, soft, and flexible, which makes it easy to shape in any way you want. They are totally waterproof, which makes them ideal for outdoor use, but keep in mind that these are not to be used for indoor purposes. Also, the wire is not super durable, so try not to bend it too much or too often.
The Oak Leaf Solar Powered String Light can be easily set up. Simply push the solar panel into the ground or attach it somewhere close to the lights. Keep in mind that these lights need good direct sunlight in order to function properly. They require about 6 to 8 hours of charging time in direct sunlight, which is admittedly quite a bit. However, with that being said, they can last up to 16 hours on a single charge, which is quite impressive if we do say so ourselves.
The Good
Perhaps the best part about the Oak Leaf Solar Powered String Light is that it can last for up to 16 hours on a single charge. Moreover, they are very easy to shape any way you want, plus they are totally waterproof. The cable might not be too long, but the lights are very bright, making it a perfect decorative piece.
The Bad
For one, these things require between 6 to 8 hours of bright sunlight to charge properly, which is a definite downside. Also, the cable is quite short, which can be problematic, plus the Oak Leaf Solar Powered String Light cannot be used indoors.
Pros
- Very bright
- Waterproof
- Long battery life
- Easy to set up
Cons
- Long charging time
- Require bright sunlight
- Outdoor use only
3 – Hallomall LED Solar Powered String Lights 72 ft
To Bend And Shape
If you like yellow decorative string lights with a decent battery life, a high level of durability, and ones that are very long with lots of LED lights, the Hallomall LED Solar Powered String Lights are a good way to go. They have some other pretty neat features too that are worth mentioning as well.
Summary
The Hallomall LED Solar Powered String Lights look very nice. They feature a soft yellow glow that can easily illuminate an area, plus they are perfect for decorative purposes too. The copper wire used here is encased in plastic, making it very durable. Even a heavy rainstorm should not damage it. At the same time, the wire is also very thin and quite durable, making it easy to wrap these things around signs, banisters, trees, and more.
The Hallomall LED Solar Powered String Lights are 72 feet long, making them ideal for larger areas and purposes. At the same time, there are a total of 150 LED lights included here, all which are quite bright, which really helps to spruce up any terrace, veranda, or outdoor tree too. Yes, keep this in mind – these are outdoor lights and should not be used indoors. We like the Hallomall LED Solar Powered String Lights because they come in a steady mode and in a flashing mode, which you can use any way you want.
Do keep in mind that the battery life will last much longer with the flashing mode. The Hallomall LED Solar Powered String Lights require between 6 and 8 hours of charging under strong sunlight. On a single charge, with the steady light mode, they can last for up to 10 hours, which is pretty decent. However, keep in mind that they do need bright sunlight for the panel to charge properly. What is also neat here is that these lights will automatically turn on when it gets dark and turn off when daylight comes around.
The Good
The good part about the Hallomall LED Solar Powered String Lights is that they are very long and maneuverable; they are easy to bend and shape, plus they can cover a large area. The fact that they last for 10 hours, that they have 2 light modes, and come on automatically after dark are all bonuses as well.
The Bad
The bad part about these lights is, for one, that they cannot be used indoors. Second, they do require bright, steady, and constant sunlight for at least 6 hours for a decent charge. They will not work well after a long day of cloudiness.
Pros
- Very durable and waterproof
- Easy to shape
- Very long for a large area
- Works for a long time on a single charge
- Multiple light modes
Cons
- Outdoor use only
- Require strong and direct sunlight for at least 6 hours
4 – AMIR Solar Powered String Lights 33 ft
Various
These are also some fairly nice yellow solar string lights. Here you can choose between 100, 150, and 200 LED lights, with the cords being of various lengths. They are quite bright, easy to maneuver, and the battery life is pretty decent as well.
Summary
This particular option is 33 feet long and features 100 yellow LED lights, but you can also go with 2 longer options if you like. The flexible copper wire used to make these things is quite useful, as it is very durable, plus it easily bends so you can shape the AMIR Solar Powered String Lights any way you see fit.
The copper wire is also protected with a special coating to ensure a high level of durability, plus that they are waterproof as well; a little bit of rain will not harm these lights, making them great for outdoor use. With that being said, the AMIR Solar Powered String Lights are very energy efficient and barely give off any heat, making them ideal for indoor use as well. These lights will come on when it gets dark out, plus there is a steady light and a flashing light mode to choose from.
The AMIR Solar Powered String Lights are very easy to set up, which is also true for the solar panel. Simply pound the solar panel’s stake into the ground. Keep in mind that 33 feet of cord is not very much, so you do need to choose a good spot where there is lots of sun for the panel, but is also a good spot to set up the lights themselves. While the battery life is pretty decent, it’s not the best out there, and it still requires a lot of bright sunlight for hours in order to achieve a proper charge.
The Good
The good part about the AMIR Solar Powered String Lights is that they have superior durability and are waterproof. They also don’t give off much heat, making them ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. Being easy to maneuver and bend into shape is another big bonus here. Coming with various light modes is pretty neat too.
The Bad
The shortest version of the AMIR Solar Powered String Lights is only 33 feet long, which can be problematic when trying to set them up while also finding a good place for the solar panel. On that same note, without really bright sunlight for at least 7 hours, these will not charge right.
Pros
- Very bright and beautiful
- Indoor and outdoor use
- Durable and waterproof
- Easy to bend into shape
Cons
- Cable is a little short
- Requires tons of sunlight to charge right
5 – Litom Solar String Light 72ft
8 Different
This set of string lights is very easy to install and very practical to use. It is suitable for decorating your garden, steps, fences etc.
Summary
This set of string lights is very easy to install and very practical to use. It is suitable for decorating your garden, steps, fences etc. These solar string lights have an IP44 waterproof certificate and a ultra eco-friendly charging system. Charging during the day for 6-8 hours will give the 1.2V 1200mAh batteries enough power to light up your lawn, garden or front porch during the night. What makes this set more attractive than most of the others in this review is the fact that it has 2 different switches and 8 different modes.
The first switch is for power and it logically has two modes, the ON and the OFF mode. The other one is the converting switch and it consists of 8 modes of different combinations. Some of the modes are twinkle/flash, SLO-GLO, steady on etc. These modes will help keep the lights seem fresh and new for many seasons of use.
After considering the available features and summarizing reviews, we are sure that this product will be the right fit for anyone who wants a simple set of eco-friendly solar string lights for garden or lawn decoration. This product will satisfy with its 8 different modes packed in a simple, average priced set.
The Good
The strings are surprisingly thin and long so you will be able to wrap them around trees or shrubbery. One of the main advantages of this product is certainly the 8 different patterns it has. The design of this products is one of the major pros because the solar panel is small and black and it’s hardly noticeable. It easily collects enough energy during the day just by being positioned correctly in the Sun for 6-8 hours.
The Bad
However, this product has its flaws. One of the things which make this product less valuable is very poorly written manual. People have found it hard adjusting the modes and some people who used this product had their mode reset to the first value after the battery loses power. The customers need to be warned in the manual that these kinds of problems may occur. As far as the warranty details are concerned, the disclaimer offers a full warranty and if you get a defective product, they claim that a single call would be sufficient for you to get a replacement or a refund.
Pros
- Very bright and beautiful
- Indoor and outdoor use
- Durable and waterproof
- Easy to bend into shape
Cons
- Cable is a little short
- Requires tons of sunlight to charge right
6 – GDEALER Solar String Lights 20ft
Customer Service
This string of 30 crystal solar-powered balls will give your front yard an exquisite look. These solar string lights have two switches, one is the regular power switch with two modes(ON and OFF) and the other one is the Mode convert switch(Flashing lights mode).
Summary
The solar panel has a 59in long garden spike and if it absorbs enough sunshine during the day, it can work more than 8 hours during the night with its built-in rechargeable Ni-MH battery. This product gives the customer an elegant look because the crystal lights will give a shimmering, silky effect to your garden or lawn. Some of the users were a bit unsatisfied with the lack of bright light.
These bulbs are smaller than regular light bulbs and give a slightly brighter light than the regular Christmas light but they give a beautiful and durable light effect to your garden.
One of the best aspects of this product is its ecological awareness because it powers itself solely on solar energy and it does so even in gloomy or rainy days.
The Good
This set is easy to install and it’s efficient enough to illuminate a small area with a silky smooth effect until the sunset. Some people are unsatisfied with the length of the string but the product info clearly states that the length from the solar panel to the first LED bulb is 59in and that the spacing between two LEDs is 7.8in. I guess the only major remark is the amount of light you want.
The Bad
If you’re looking for solar string lights which will illuminate your entire backyard or a larger garden, you should look elsewhere. This product is suitable for the ones who want a regular priced string of solar lights to illuminate a smaller patio or a portion of your yard.
Pros
- Highly rated customer service
- Solar Panel can still charge batteries even in cloudy conditions
- Easy to install
Cons
- String length may be short for your needs
- Not as bright as other solar string light options
7 – Addlon Solar String Lights 72 ft
Solar Panel
The third product in this review is Addlon solar string lights 72 ft 200 LEDS. They are a very popular and highly rated set of solar string lights.
Summary
These lights have an extremely good weatherproofing to them. IP65 weatherproof rating means it will withstand any sort of rain or dust that comes in contact. It can even withstand water from a jet stream so anything less than throwing it in your bathtub will be protected from. This is a huge benefit as most users will be placing these outside, and it does not matter how bright and beautiful your lights are if they don’t work!
Having only two working modes is a slight set back however still very useful for most outdoor/indoor applications. These two modes are steady on and flash.
Larger upgraded solar panels on this specific item also help get these batteries charged faster and easier. Not requiring as much direct sunlight and charging faster allows more versatility in using these. Charging time 6-8 hours which allows for an operation time of 8-15 hours, that easily covers all uses for these lights either indoors or out.
Customers are generally satisfied with this product, although there are some remarks regarding this set of solar string lights. The only major remarks were the ones which happened because the customers weren’t following the manual which isn’t thorough enough, to be honest.
The Good
The customer service is really friendly and willing to help in any circumstances. The average life of this set is 50000 hours and the seller gives a 30 day money back guarantee. After those 30 days they offer replacement or full refund on defective products. That can be very helpful deciding on a new set of lights to purchase. They also have a customer support number where they offer troubleshooting for any sort of issue you may be having.
The Bad
Other than a couple of flaws and some ‘dead on arrival’ reported from customers, this product has everything you could ask for. Long, durable lighting. Eco-friendly and simple set of solar string lights of remarkable design. Some of the customers have used them underwater without issues.
Pros
- Durable
- Eco-friendly
- Great design
- IP65 Waterproof certificate
Cons
- Light may not be as bright as you need
- Solar panel placement is more specific than other similar products
8 – Lemontec Water Drop Solar String Lights 20ft
Solar Panel
The fourth product on our list is a 2 Pack Solar Strings Lights from Lemontec. What makes this product(or as we might say products) special is that you get two sets of these perfectly designed solar string lights for a considerably small amount of money.
Summary
The lights come in different hues and this product is waterproof which means it doesn’t have to be dismantled during rainy days. It has two switches, on and off and a bi-mode button.
The lights are set to automatically set to switch on when it turns dark and to switch off at dawn. The warranty is made to make their customers happy, as they say, because there’s a 30-day money back guarantee.
The practicality of these solar string lights has been remarkable. Even though the price may be confusing, they are above their price range for sure. These lights are handy and good for the environment. They seem to be perfect for decorating your yard, patio, and garden for Christmas because you’ll add a nice holiday touch to your front yard. These lights are also waterproof so there’s no need to worry about the weather.
The Good
The best thing about them is that they’ll make sure you have a festive atmosphere because they turn on and off automatically. You must be careful and note that 20ft. of length includes the cord extension to the solar box. You may find out that this set is too short for your porch if you’re not aware of this fact. Otherwise, the solar panel needs about 4 hours of Sun exposure to be able to shine all night. That’s possible because it has a smart system which turns off right at dawn and turns on when it gets dark.
The Bad
However, you shouldn’t expect these lights to provide you with the daylight feeling in your yard. It will rather give you a warm and pleasant ambient since these lights aren’t bright as most of the products in this review. These are rather used mainly for decoration and to create a romantic atmosphere wherever you may place them.
Pros
- Durable
- Eco-friendly
- Great design
- IP65 Waterproof certificate
Cons
- Light may not be as bright as you need
- Solar panel placement is more specific than other similar products
9 – Ankway Solar String Lights 72ft
Copper Wire
The next product we wanted to present to you is the Ankway’s Solar String Lights. As the rest of the products on this list, this one is also solar powered. There’s no battery and you won’t need electricity for these lights.
Summary
These are the perfect choice if you want a white delicate light for your patio, pathway, garden etc. They stand out because of their bendable features. These solar string lights are made from bendable copper which means you will be able to decorate your front yard anyway you want. There’s an automatic system of switching on and off depending on the level of daylight outside.
roof which means they’re a good choice for any season. This product is safely wrapped and has a 12-month warranty. The seller encourages the customers to contact him with any questions or requests.This product has many satisfied customers behind it.
The Good
The favorite thing customers are emphasizing is that this product is from bendable copper so it gives them the ability to decorate even the tree in their garden, not only patios and yards. It’s solar powered so it’s eco-friendly and economical. We can recommend this product even if you need an alternate lighting source when you go camping. These string lights may work up to 9 hours depending on the level of sunshine they get during the day.
The Bad
There are different modes and patterns such as constant light, fading light, blinking light as well as different flashing speed patterns. As far as the downsides are concerned, there aren’t many to speak of. The product may look larger on pictures but these led lights are fairy lights which mean that they are mainly used for decoration and give a nice warm look to your yard. There are some useful directions given from the seller on how to use this product which isn’t expensive at all. 72 feet of 200 LEDs copper wire strings lights is enough to decorate your whole yard and illuminate it with warm white light the 200 led lights have to offer.
Pros
- Bendable copper
- Eco-friendly
- Different lighting patterns
- 12-month warranty
Cons
- More for decoration
- Not as bright as other products
10 – GDEALER Water Drop Solar String Lights 20ft
String Lights
The tenth product on our list is Gdealer’s multicolored Solar String Lights. These lights aren’t your typical everyday solar string lights. This product offers an outstanding variety of options for a reasonable price.
Summary
It works on the same principle as the other products in this list. The solar panel absorbs sunshine during the day so that the lights can work for more than eight consecutive hours during nighttime.
There are two switches on this product. The first switch is for power (ON and OFF) and it has the option of light control and charging when turned on. The other switch is used for switching between Modes(a flashing mode converter). With this product, you get a 20cm garden spike as well. The string is 20ft long and has 30 water drop lights. It is suitable for usage in your front yard, porch, garden, patio, windows etc.
The warranty should be discussed with the seller. The seller may be willing to give you a new set of lights even after a couple of months of usage.
People who enjoy decorating are thrilled with the multicolored effect these lights provide. The vibrant colors and the sturdy, durable cord and solar panel make up for the return policy of just 30 days. However, the seller is willing to exchange defective products even after the first month of usage so that’s a nice aspect of this product.
The Good
These lights are a perfect means of decoration for your garden because they’re not too bright and they have the right subtle holiday lighting intensity and on top of that they’re eco-friendly. Furthermore, they have a reasonable price and not a single expense after buying them so you get a good deal with buying this set.
The Bad
The strings are very light and easy to hang on trees, patios or your windows. Multicolored lights will shine until dawn if you expose the solar panel to the sunshine at least 4-6 hours a day. The very easy setup process, the multicolored lights and different modes of lighting with just a couple of minor flaws recommend this product as a good value purchase.
Pros
- Reasonable price
- Durable
- Easy installation process
- Multicolored lights
Cons
- Short return policy
- Not too bright
11 – LTE 50 LED Solar Flower String Lights 23ft
String Lights
Finally, the last product we would like to present is the LTE LIGHTING EVEN set of solar string lights. This set of solar string lights is environmentally friendly and easy to install.
Summary
There are no additional costs because it works on solar energy. As for most of the products, we must mention that there is an on/off switch and several different modes. The most popular modes as flashlight and steady on light. There’s a with light sensor and these lights turn on automatically at dusk and turn off at down.
The main aspect of these lights is the delicate atmosphere they will provide. They are easy to install and practical since they’re 23ft long. They’re suitable for patios, windows or ceiling decoration.
What makes this product unique is the extravagant flower design which gives you a perfectly warm and comfortable atmosphere for parties, holidays, weddings or just a simple garden decoration. The lack of light may prove to be an issue if you’re looking for a set which will illuminate your whole yard because these lights aren’t very bright.
The Good
They are rather used as a decoration and for creating a warm, delicate atmosphere. However, they are very cheap and you won’t be making too much of a risk if you’re looking for a low budget decoration for a party. The solar panel will collect enough energy if it’s exposed to sunlight for 6 hours to enable the lights to flash all night until dawn.
The Bad
The flowers give a nice and a subtle feeling but not a very bright light so you should define your priorities and decide whether this set of solar string lights is the right one for you. If you’re looking for a subtle, delicate decoration for your patio, we highly recommend this product.
Pros
- Environmentally friendly
- Durable
- Easy installation process
- Subtle lighting
Cons
- Weaker brightness
- Not too bright
Conclusion
When it comes down to it, we would recommend the INST Solar String Lights 55 ft. These have a good battery life, charge very well, they are waterproof, and they look absolutely beautiful. If you would like something a little more decorative, we would recommend the Oak Leaf Solar Powered String Light, as they are very elegant looking.
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Solar String Lights Buyer’s Guide
Just so you know what to look for when buying solar string lights, let’s quickly talk about the most important considerations to keep in mind before you make a final purchase.
Battery Life and Charging
Of course, one of the main things to keep in mind before shopping is how long the lights actually last for on a single charge. Some solar lights only last for 4 or 6 hours, while others can last for 20 or more. It does depend on if the lights are steady or flashing, but at any rate, the longer the battery life the better. Yes, this will also depend on the battery being used in conjunction with the solar panel, as well as the panel itself, not to mention the amount of sunlight available. The average seems to be about 7 hours of charging time, which should allow for at least 10 hours of steady use.
Cord Length and Design
This might seem odd to mention, but because these are solar lights, they are attached to the solar panel via a cord. So, if you want the lights to be easy to set up, the cord needs to be long enough so you can put the lights where you want while also being able to find a good place for the solar panel. At the same time, the cord should also be easily bendable and shapeable so you can set them up wherever you see fit. Moreover, a high level of durability, plus being waterproof is important too.
Indoor/Outdoor
Another thing to always pay attention to before you purchase any solar string lights is what area they are meant for. Some solar string lights are strictly for indoor use, others only for outdoor use, and the best ones can handle both. Keep in mind that solar string lights which can be used indoors and outdoors will be more expensive.
Light Modes
Some solar string lights can only be turned on or off. Others have a switch which can be used to activate them, but they will automatically turn on or off depending on the ambient light around them. We personally like the ones which allow you to choose between a steady light mode and a flashing mode.
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Solar String Light FAQ
How long do the batteries on solar string lights last for?
Generally speaking, the batteries in the solar string light charging panels will last for about 2 years, maybe 3 years if you are conservative with their use.
What is the minimum average amount of time solar string lights need to charge for?
On average, you can expect these kind of lights to require at least 4 hours of strong and direct sunlight to charge, with around 6 hours being the norm.
Will winter ruin my solar lights?
This really depends on the climate where you live. Some solar string lights are very durable and can handle some wetness and cold, while others cannot. You just have to read the packaging on a specific string light to see what it can handle and what it can’t.
Will they still charge on cloudy days?
Simply put, no not really. While they will be able to pick up some light through cloud cover, where it might take 6 hours to charge them on a sunny day, on a cloudy day it could take well over a whole day.
Can solar lights be charged indoors?
Some solar string lights can be used indoors, but charging them is a bit harder inside. Incandescent and fluorescent lights will help the panel to charge the battery, but not as well as real sunlight.
