The 6 Best Solar Pathway Lights 2024 - Solar Pathway Light Reviews

Nov 10, 2024

A green and easy way to have a more attractive—and secure—outdoor space.

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Solar pathway lights are a favorite garden light among homeowners, and with good reason. They don’t require outlets, they’re eco-friendly and energy-efficient, plus, thanks to the array of options available, they’re increasingly easy on the eyes.

Solar pathway lights come in a range of styles and sizes, so it’s easy to match them to your home’s architectural style. Unlike conventional outdoor lighting that requires installation, with solar lights you don’t need to worry about turning them on and off. These lights are easy to set up, without the hassle of wires and attachments. Simply stick them in the ground in a sunny area and they take care of themselves.

These are the best solar pathway lights we recommend, along with advice on what to consider to find the right option for your property.

As we mention above, most solar pathways lights are designed to stake directly into the ground. But within that broad category, you’ll find mini adjustable spotlights and flush-mount disks, as well as attractive lanterns and floral and celestial designs. While looking at different options, determine how many you’ll need, and decide where you can anchor them in the ground. Think about potential issues like surrounding landscaping and maintenance around them to prevent accidental run-ins with lawn mowers and lawn edgers.

Most models collect light throughout the day and automatically turn on at dusk, which adds to the overall security and safety of your property. If you want very bright lights, then seek out a higher number of lumens; landscaping ambience gives about five lumens and a floodlight delivers about 350 lumens. Keep in mind that light duration hours represent averages taken during longer days of the year; expect wintertime run-time average to hover around five hours.

Most solar pathway lights offer some level of water resistance. Manufacturers use the Ingress Protection (IP) scale to indicate how well lights can withstand exposure to both dust and water. An IP rating features two numbers: The first rates dust resistance on a scale of 1-6; the second rates water resistance from 1-7. For a long-lasting light you can leave out all year, look for a rating of IP65 or higher.

We used our deep knowledge and expertise in outdoor landscaping and home improvement to inform our search for the best solar pathway lights. We also relied heavily on past research in covering outdoor lighting. To make our selections, we compared each models’ body materials, weather resistance, bulb brightness, and overall aesthetics, and sought to find options in a range of different styles and price points. We also looked for pathway lights that offered value in terms of the number of lights per pack. Our final list covers the best options across categories, including “best overall” and “best value.”

These decorative solar pathway lights are ideal for homes and gardens with a more traditional aesthetic.

Their extra-bright, high-contrast cool white LEDs offer up to 12 estimated hours of brightness per charge, and they look vibrant in the dark thanks to their lamps, which are made of glass—not plastic—and feature a pretty lattice pattern. They also offer three lighting modes, including a multicolor option.

They come eight to a pack and the lights run on 900mAh batteries, plus they have a IP65 waterproof rating. Choose from silver, bronze, or the black that’s shown. The only thing worth noting is they may grow dimmer over time.

The stylish, double-ringed lantern design of these solar pathway lights will elevate any outdoor space. Coming in both 8- and 12-pack options at under $50, you’ll get a little more for your money compared to other options on this list. The lights are also made from relatively sturdy plastic that’s decently weather-resistant.

With a full-charge, you can expect up to an estimated 12 hours of illumination. However, the only main drawback is that the lights provide only 4 lumens of brightness. This level of brightness is able to give enough light to reveal the way forward, but those looking for extremely radiant lights may want to consider other options.

A bollard is a squat, wide pole attached to quays and ships to moor boats, but it's become a catchall term used to describe short, cylindrical posts installed vertically in the ground—just like these mini solar pathway lights. These lights feature a sleek, modern look, with a brushed chrome finish and a warm white frosted light that's roughly 6 lumens bright.

The lights’ low lumen output does limit their visibility, but they come in a six-pack and will stay on for up to an estimated 8 hours on a full charge. Its stainless steel material also helps it withstand most harsh weather.

With an output of 150 lumens each, these solar pathway lights will deliver serious brightness wherever they’re installed. You can expect them to shine for up to an estimated 8 hours on high and up to 12 hours on low. These lights are also made from solid metal, providing excellent durability that can withstand most weather.

Even in the event that your lights end up taking some hits from bad rain or snow, you can rest easy, as this option comes with a 1-year guarantee that covers any weather damage. Just note that the lights come with a small solar panel that's required for installation. Moreover, each spotlight also has a 9.8-foot connecting cord, which can limit placement.

This solar pathway light is a 40-inch-tall stainless steel garden staff, topped with a crescent moon cradling a glass LED dome. It’s designed to be more of a solo garden accent piece than to light a long pathway, so bear this in mind if you're looking for more practical solar lights.

This light can last up to roughly 8 hours on a full charge, and is made from waterproof metal. Although it's definitely sturdier than plastic options, the bulb that's held inside the moon is prone to wobbling around. Minus that drawback, this bulb provides up 8 lumens of brightness, offering decent illumination to showcase its unique design.

For those who want a more subtle light path, these disks go directly into the ground, barely peeking above the surface. Available in 4-, 8-, 12-, and 16-pack options, each light is made from tough stainless steel that can weather most harsh conditions.

While its subtly is certainly a standout feature, this also extends to the light's brightness level. Among all our picks, these lights have the lowest lumen rating, so expect to use a lot of them if you want to have a properly lit pathway.

The multi-pack of 16 fixtures helps offset this issue to some degree, but if you want a more subtle look overall, this many lights may be overkill.

This four-pack of tiki torch-style solar lights is a wonderful way to welcome guests up your pathway, but many also use these lights as a decorative element at outdoor barbecues or while camping. The LED “flames” cast a safe, moody glow that offers exceptional brightness—2200 lumens to be exact.

The solar torches can be installed at two heights: roughly 30 inches, and 43 inches with an included extension pole. For those who want pathway lights that stick out a little less, these relatively large lights may be too noticeable. But if that doesn’t bother you, know that you’ll get up to an estimated 12 hours of light with each charge.

These solar pathway lights feature an attractive, crackled glass fixture hung on a 2-foot-tall stainless steel black powder-coated post. The lights cast a warm white glow, and each have an output of 10 lumens, providing ample visibility.

The lights pair well with traditional and rustic homes, though their design is versatile enough to work in more contemporary settings, too. The only thing worth noting is that its glass fixture does mean it's more fragile than other durable, metallic options. However, the lights come with a 1-year warranty, providing a safety net in case they get damaged.

Josiah is the Digital Content Producer for the commerce team at Popular Mechanics, Best Products, Runner’s World, and Bicycling Magazine. He also writes for “BIO Buys”—a column on Biography.com—giving readers the lowdown on what products their favorite celebs are using. In another life, Josiah was an editor at ThePioneerWoman.com, where he sharpened his expertise on all things lifestyle, food-news, and entertainment. Outside work related matters, he’s a fan of Studio Ghibli films, unimportant reality TV drama, and melancholy Lorde songs.

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