The Best Solar String Lights Tested in 2024
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Illuminate your yard or balcony and create a festive atmosphere with a string of eco-friendly solar lights.
Solar string lights illuminate your outdoor space while adding sparkle and whimsy, creating a pleasant atmosphere for entertaining or relaxing outdoors. You can hang them over a dining table, weave them into the beams of a pergola, or string them from trees to turn your backyard into an atmospheric oasis.
Compared to standard outdoor string lights, solar-powered options are useful if you don’t have a conveniently placed electrical outlet. They’re also an energy-efficient option because solar panels don’t add to your electricity bill. With that in mind, keep reading for our tips on selecting the best solar string lights for your outdoor space and to learn more about these featured picks.
- BEST OVERALL: Brightech Ambience Pro Solar String Lights
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Sanjicha Waterproof LED Solar String Lights
- BEST GLOBE LIGHTS: Sunlitec Waterproof Indoor/Outdoor Solar String Lights
- BEST LIGHT EFFECTS: Supsoo LED 8-Mode Solar String Lights
- BEST WATERPROOF: MagicPro Waterproof Heavy-Duty Solar String Lights
- BEST EDISON LIGHTS: Sufeimas Waterproof LED Solar String Lights
- BEST WATERDROP: Brightown Outdoor Crystal Globe Solar String Lights
- BEST WITH BRASS SOCKET: Brightech Glow LED Edison Bulb Solar String Lights
How We Tested the Best Solar String Lights
Many of the solar string lighting sets in this guide are constructed for year-round usage and can be used indoors, if desired. Some solar string light sets stand out for their extra features as well, including multiple lighting modes and USB charging. We tested the solar string lights for sun-charge time, runtime, and brightness.
After unboxing them, we switched on the solar panels and laid them in the sun for 12 hours to fully charge. We hung the lights close enough to one another so that we could compare brightness and installed the solar panels where they would receive direct sunlight for at least 8 hours during the day. After observing and recording the results on three different nights, we noted our impression of the appearance and quality of each set.
Testing Stats
Products tested: 8
Hours spent testing: 7 to 10 hours
Tests performed: 2 to 3
Average price: $33
Our Top Picks
We tested the following solar string lights with key features like length, brightness, bulb style, and runtime top of mind. These picks offer a variety of choices for a top-notch string of solar lights that will suit your needs, style, and budget.
Best Overall
Brightech Ambience Pro Solar String Lights
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Installation 5/5; Light Quality 4.6/5; Appearance 5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4.3/5
Product Specs
- Bulb type: 12 S14 LED bulbs, 20-inch spacing
- Length: 27 feet
- Runtime: 5 to 6 hours
Pros
- The full-size S14 light bulbs provide an attractive vintage aesthetic
- The heavy-duty components are heat-resistant up to 122 degrees Fahrenheit
- The shatterproof and weatherproof bulbs are appropriate for indoor or outdoor use
Cons
- Larger, heavier bulbs require extra planning and hardware for a secure installation
- Limited size; the 27-foot 12-bulb string may not be enough for a full installation
Most high-quality solar lights use LED bulbs because they are long lasting and emit plenty of light but very little heat, making them a safe choice for many settings. These LED Edison-style bulbs have a vintage look and last 5 to 6 hours on a full charge. Six hours of direct sunlight fully charges the solar panel.
The light strand features 12 bulbs spaced 20 inches apart to span 20 feet. A 6-foot wire connects to the solar panel to allow for placement in the sunniest location. The bulbs are protected with shatterproof plastic shells that resist heat up to 122 degrees Fahrenheit.
To determine the warmth of a light bulb, find the color temperature in Kelvins (K). The lower the number, the warmer the light. This set of lights is available in both warm white (2700K) and a slightly cooler soft white (3000K).
After testing the Brightech Ambience solar string lights, we were impressed by the heavy-duty feel and classic appearance. Although we had to use a few extra fasteners to hang them in order to eliminate unwanted sagging, we preferred the sturdy feel and refined look of this LED light set for a semipermanent patio or deck installation. Along those same lines, we appreciated the ability to easily replace individual bulbs if they break or when they eventually burn out.
From an operational standpoint, the large solar panel was a nice addition. It easily recharged the battery within one sunny day, providing enough electricity for the advertised 5 to 6 hours of runtime. Also, in testing we noted an important but subtle difference between this light set and some of the others we tested. This solar panel had a sliding on/off switch that made it much easier to know the status of the lights, compared to those with push-button switches. Plus, this panel included an adjustable-angle mounting bracket with built-in options for mounting on a ground stake, onto a squeeze clamp, or onto other surfaces via a screw mount.
This was a really nice-looking light set with plenty of installation flexibility, providing bright light for the advertised 6-hour runtime, and heavy-duty hardware for a long working life. At 27 feet long with just 12 bulbs, one string may not be enough for a complete patio installation, but it’s a great starting point, and the price is right for adding on more as needed.
Read our full review: Brightech Ambience Pro Solar String Lights
Get the Brightech Ambience solar string lights at Amazon, Target, Oriental Trading, or Brightech.
Best Bang for the Buck
Sanjicha Waterproof LED Solar String Lights
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Installation 5/5; Light Quality 4/5; Appearance 5/5; Durability 4/5; Value 4.6/5
Product Specs
- Bulb type: 200 warm white micro LEDs, 4-inch spacing
- Length: 72 feet
- Runtime: 10 to 12 hours
Pros
- Charges quickly in full direct sunshine and runs a long time per charge
- Lightweight string bulbs are easy to install just about anywhere
- Budget-friendly price point for 2 strings of quality LED fairy lights
- Copper wire adds a decorative element in the daytime as well
Cons
- Tiny fairy lights provide a lower light level, which may not be adequate for all applications
- The power button does not have an on/off indicator
Add a little flair to any outdoor space with this cost-effective two-pack of Sanjicha LED solar string lights. Each of the decorative copper-colored light strings measures 72 feet long and holds 200 micro LED fairy lights. A push-button selector allows you to choose from firefly, flashing, waves, fading, chasing/flashing, slow fade, twinkle, and steady lighting modes.
Choose a favorite and the built-in memory function automatically selects the last mode setting. The small solar panel that attaches to the included ground stake fully charges the integrated battery in about 8 hours, providing up to 12 hours of runtime per charge. An IP65 waterproof rating makes the Sanjicha solar fairy lights a great option for any outdoor location.
We installed the Sanjicha lights on a wire topiary form in a front porch planter with the ground stake and solar panel inserted in the soil. The long length allowed us to thoroughly wrap and weave the lights all over the form for an excellent decorative effect at night—and in the daytime, too, thanks to the copper wire color. The lights charged fully every day, including some slightly overcast days during the test period, and consistently ran for 10.5 to 11 hours every night.
Because the lights were rolled up neatly on a thin, flat framework, they were easy to install without tangles, but uninstalling neatly required a bit more care and effort. The only real negative point was the push-button power switch that did not indicate “on” or “off.” Also, buyers should note that the muted light level produced by a single strand of these fairy lights is far less bright than that emitted by the small globe lights and waterdrop lights reviewed later in our lineup. But, they have a convenient low profile that makes them a great choice for wrapping handrails, posts, arbors, and other architectural elements at a budget-friendly price.
Get the Sanjicha solar string lights at Amazon or Walmart.
Best Globe Lights
Sunlitec Waterproof Indoor/Outdoor Solar String Lights
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Installation 4/5; Light Quality 4.6/5; Appearance 4/5; Durability 4/5; Value 4.3/5
Product Specs
- Bulb type: 25 G40 LED bulbs, 12-inch spacing
- Length: 27 feet
- Runtime: Up to 8 hours
Pros
- Large G40 bulbs are replaceable and have a working life of 50,000 hours
- 25 bulbs at 12-inch spacing provides the brightest lighting in our test group
- 3-watt 5-volt solar panel and 3.7-volt 2.0-amp-hour (Ah) lithium-ion battery deliver excellent runtime
- Includes micro-USB charger for alternative power on cloudy days
Cons
- Larger, heavier bulbs require more planning and hardware for secure installation
- Short distance from the solar panel to the first bulb at only 24 inches
- Glass bulbs increase the potential for breakage; should be hung away from high-traffic areas
Folks who like the look of globe lights may want to check out this Sunlitec set that has 25 large solar light bulbs spaced 10 inches apart. This 27-foot set can be used either indoors or outdoors. For indoor use, a micro-USB charger is provided. It takes 5 to 8 hours to charge the battery using solar power or 4 hours with the USB charger. Having both options ensures the lights can illuminate even on a cloudy or rainy day. On a full charge, the lights shine for up to 8 hours. The string’s color temperature is 3000K, giving them a versatile neutral color that is neither too cool nor too warm.
We wanted to install the Sunlitec globe solar string lights around the rim of a patio umbrella, using cable ties to fasten it to the umbrella frame. But the 2-foot wire from the solar panel to the first light made this configuration impractical, so instead we set it up beneath the covered deck rafters. Since the lights were spaced just 12 inches apart along the cable, the condensed light was easily bright enough to read by. This was the brightest light set of our whole test, but with a cooler, bluer quality at 3000K. We preferred the warmth of 2700K.
We appreciated the large 3-watt solar panel’s ability to charge the battery in just 8 hours and that the lights actually provided an impressive 8-hour runtime—the longest runtime of all the large-bulb styles we tested. However, we questioned durability for two reasons: the glass bulbs, which are a notable breaking hazard, and the lighter-weight cable (compared with that used in our Best Overall pick and a few others). But the price was also half that of our top pick, so if these lights last half as long, then we consider it a fair price.
Get the Sunlitec solar string lights at Amazon.
Best Light Effects
Supsoo LED 8-Mode Solar String Lights
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Installation 4/5; Light Quality 4/5; Appearance 5/5; Durability 4/5; Value 4.3/5
Product Specs
- Bulb type: 30 globe LEDs, 7.5-inch spacing
- Length: 20 feet
- Runtime: Up to 12 hours
Pros
- 8 different lighting modes to choose from for different occasions; suitable for practical use or entertaining
- Approximately 1-inch-diameter opaque globe lights emit soft white light
- Battery charges fully in about 8 hours and the lights run 8 to 12 hours per charge
- LEDS are closely spaced for a more dramatic effect when lit
Cons
- Small size limits the functionality to highlighting or accessorizing
- Single-use string light, about the same material quality as standard holiday lights
Lights in motion can bring attention to a focal point or add a layer of excitement to the atmosphere. Supsoo eight-mode globe solar string lights feature opaque LEDS that emit soft white light and adjust to eight different lighting modes. The 20-foot light strand is equipped with 30 bulbs, spaced 7.5 inches apart, or about the same spacing as standard holiday lights. These lights come with an IP65 waterproof rating for all-weather outdoor use. After charging for 8 hours, the lights run up to 12 hours.
The roughly quarter-size LEDs, close bulb spacing, and smaller solar panel on the Supsoo solar string lights inspired us to create a tabletop centerpiece by simply piling them into a clear jar. In “twinkle” mode, they added just enough light and motion to capture some attention without becoming a total distraction. The battery was fully charged after 8 hours and the lights stayed on for about 11 hours per charge.
The size and opacity of the globes really made a fun and bold statement when the lights were in motion, although the color was much whiter than they appeared in the Amazon listing. We really liked these lights as a highlight feature, but because of the short string length, they seemed impractical for lighting up a large space. The wiring is about the same material as holiday lights, and the bulbs are not replaceable, so the low price is probably about right.
Get the Supsoo solar string lights at Amazon.
Best Waterproof
MagicPro Waterproof Heavy-Duty Solar String Lights
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Installation 5/5; Light Quality 4/5; Appearance 4/5; Durability 4/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Bulb type: 15 S14 LEDs, 34-inch spacing
- Length: 44 feet
- Runtime: Up to 8 hours
Pros
- Larger bulbs and longer strand is capable of lighting up larger patios, backyards, and pool spaces
- Can be charged with a micro-USB cable or the included 3-watt solar panel
- Shatterproof LED bulbs and an IPX5 waterproof rating for outdoor use in all weather
- Affordable price point among Edison-style LED string lights
Cons
- Wider LED spacing with 34 inches between bulbs makes the lighted space less bright overall
- More expensive than other types of string light sets
A few splashes shouldn’t put the damper on this versatile set of string lights from MagicPro thanks to an excellent waterproofing rating of IPX5, meaning it can withstand even strong water jets. The lights can function via solar power or with a micro-USB cable, both indoors and outdoors. The string is 44 feet long and features 15 Edison-style LED bulbs. Multiple strands can be connected for larger spaces.
The solar panel and integrated rechargeable battery take 6 to 8 hours of continuous sunlight to charge completely, and can then power the lights for up to 8 hours. The lights have four modes: steady, slow flash, quick flash, and pulsating. The solar light bulbs are also shatterproof.
We installed the MagicPro waterproof solar string lights over an outdoor seating area by attaching them to overhead tree branches with cable ties. Each bulb fixture had its own hang loop, so securing the lights was not a problem. The charge time and runtime were accurate as listed: Our lights fully charged in a little over 7 hours and then ran for about 8.25 hours per charge.
We also liked that the S14 bulbs were replaceable, and the overall construction of this set felt substantial, much like our Best Overall pick. However, the lights were spaced 34 inches apart along the wire, or 14 inches further apart than our top pick, so the overall lighting effect was reduced. Those with a large outdoor space to light will appreciate the spread lighting effect, but they might consider adding supplemental lights where added brightness is needed.
Get the MagicPro solar string lights at Amazon.