The 9 Best Solar Flood Lights of 2024, Tested

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Solar flood lights offer a measure of security and illumination without access to an electrical outlet. I tested some of the top solar flood lights on the market to determine if they were as bright—and as good—as their manufacturers claim.

It’s well known that a bright light deters would-be thieves but home dwellers either had to have wiring experience or pay a professional electrician to install outdoor lights until the advent of solar-powered lighting. Today’s solar flood lights open up a whole new world of illumination and home security—they’re affordable, powerful, and many are a snap to install.

In the past few years, the solar flood light market has exploded, with manufacturers offering brighter lights in smaller packages. So I tested some of the top brands to see which ones lived up to their reputations. My favorite were the Westinghouse Security Light 1000 Lumens Solar Lights thanks to its ease of installation, waterproof rating, and overall illumination.

The best solar flood lights for your home will depend on the size of the area you want to illuminate and whether you want the lights to remain on or if you prefer they come on only when motion is detected. Ahead, learn what else to consider when shopping for solar flood lights, discover the results of my hands-on tests, and find out why the following models all earned a place in this lineup.

1. BEST OVERALL: Westinghouse Security Light 1000 Lumens Solar Lights
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Nacinic LED Solar Motion Sensor (6500K, 2 Pack)
3. BEST UPGRADE: Werise Outdoor Solar Street Lights
4. BEST MOTION-ACTIVATED: TBI Security Solar Lights Outdoor 216 LED
5. BEST DUSK-TO-DAWN: RuoKid 80W Solar Street Lights Outdoor, Dusk to Dawn
6. BEST FOR SMALL AREA: Urpower Solar Lights Outdoor, 40 LED Motion Sensor
7. BEST OVERHEAD SECURITY: eLEDing Solar Powered LED Mini UFO Flood Light 
8. BEST FOR WALKWAY: Otdair Solar Security Lights, 3 Head Sensor, 2 Pack
9. ALSO CONSIDER: Tin Sum Solar Energy 300W LED Solar Flood Lights

Our Top Picks

The following models had to meet very high standards to qualify for a spot in this lineup of the best solar flood lights. I installed each light—mounting it in a spot where I thought it was well suited, depending on style, brightness, and beam angle. I recorded the time of evening when it came on (dusk-to-dawn models) and noted its motion-detection abilities, among other tests. Each light received points, and those products with the most points at the end of the testing phase earned a well-deserved place among this list of the best solar flood lights.

Best Overall

Westinghouse Security Light 1000 Lumens Solar Lights

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Product Specs 

• Lumens: 1,000
• Type: Motion detection
• IP rating: IPX4

What We Like

• Emits a clear, white light
• Detects motion about 20 feet away
• Stays on for 30 seconds after no more motion is detected
• Long cord allows installing solar panel 9.5 feet away from the light

What We Don’t Like

• Doesn’t illuminate more than 30 feet away

The Westinghouse solar flood light emits a 1,000-lumen bright light at a 120-degree angle when it detects motion within about 20 feet of its sensor. Once triggered by motion, the light stays on for 30 seconds before turning back off. The Westinghouse flood light features a built-in 2,000 mAh lithium-ion battery. I was able to mount the light under an eave on the east side of a garage and install the solar panel (via a 9-foot cord) on the south of the garage. The long cord allowed me to put the light where I wanted it—not just on the sunny side of the garage.

This light comes with an IPX4 moisture rating—a rating usually reserved for flashlights to indicate that they will withstand an occasional splash of water without suffering damage. This means the flood light will stand up to some rain and snow but to be on the safe side, I installed it under the eave for added protection.

Right after sunset, I walked past the light, and it came on. It remained on while I walked nearby, but it shut off about 30 seconds after I moved out of range. While it didn’t have quite the illumination range as some of the other lights, it does provide about 30 feet of bright white and clear light. We got a snow/sleet storm during the weeks I was testing the solar lights, and this Westinghouse light was covered in a thin layer of ice for a couple of days. After the ice melted away, it still performed well.

Get the Westinghouse solar flood light at Amazon.

Best Bang for the Buck

Nacinic LED Solar Motion Sensor (6500K, 2 Pack)

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 Product Specs 

• Lumens: 650; dimmable to a 25-lumen glow
• Type: Motion detection or dusk-to-dawn (adjustable)
• IP rating: IP65

What We Like

• Affordable compared to other options on the market
• 2-pack of lights for ample ground coverage and nighttime security
• Choose between dusk-to-dawn or motion-detection modes

 What We Don’t Like

• Short battery life on dusk-to-dawn mode; may not be ideal for some users’ preferences

It’s not necessary to spend a lot to take advantage of the peace of mind that a flood light provides. The Nacinic LED solar flood light turned on when I was about 15 feet from its sensor when set in motion-detection mode. I also tested it in dusk-to-dawn mode at full intensity and then in dimmable intensity that lights up to full intensity when it senses motion but then dims after 20 seconds to low intensity. In full-intensity, dusk-to-dawn mode, the Nacinic light stayed on for only 4 hours because the high-intensity light quickly depleted the rechargeable battery. I preferred the low-intensity, motion-detection mode because the battery lasted all through the night.

The Nacinic flood light features a 2,200 mAh lithium-ion battery. Its 288 LEDs cast 650 lumens of bright light at a wide 270-degree angle. The flood light comes in a two-pack, and each light features an IP rating of 65, meaning it is completely dust-tight and will resist damage from jets of water, such as being sprayed with a garden hose or being in the path of an impact sprinkler. It withstood sleet and ice, and didn’t seem negatively affected.

Those who are looking for a budget-friendly flood light solution may want to consider this Nacinic solar light. It offers the longest security (timewise) if it’s in low-intensity, motion-detection mode.

Get the Nacinic solar flood lights at Amazon.

Best Upgrade

Werise Outdoor Solar Street Lights

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Product Specs 

• Lumens: 24,000
• Type: Dusk-to-dawn (adjustable intensity)
• IP rating: IP65

What We Like

• Very bright light emitted; suitable for long driveways, commercial spaces, and more
• Adjustable light intensity to suit individual users’ preferences
• Remote control included with purchase for easy adjustments

 What We Don’t Like

• Must be installed at the peak of the gable or on a pole

With 24,000 lumens to draw from, the Werise 400-watt solar street light offers plenty of light for larger areas. I was impressed by the quality of the light and the two solar panels that power it. However, be aware that this light must either be

installed on a tall flagpole

—or, as I installed it—at the tip of the wall, so the panels sit higher than the roofline. The configuration of the solar panels requires clearance that can’t be accomplished by installing it lower on a wall.

This is a bright light, and I found it easily lit an area up to 75 feet away—quite an accomplishment! It’s a dusk-to-dawn light, and when it comes on—prepare for a flash of brilliance. But, this high light intensity drains the powerful batteries within a few hours. For that reason, I used the included remote to turn it on when I wanted to light up the area and then turned it back off. After a sunny day, the Werise light stayed lit for nearly 4 hours on the high intensity setting. It comes with the option of switching to a dimmer mode, and in that mode, it never went out. Even after a couple of cloudy days, the light continued to work in the dimmer mode.

The light also weathered an ice and sleet storm and kept working fine. Some assembly must be done to configure the solar panels, but it’s not too complex.

Get the Werise solar light at Walmart.

Best Motion-Activated

TBI Security Solar Lights Outdoor 216 LED

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Product Specs 

• Lumens: 2,200
• Type: Motion detection
• IP rating: IP65

What We Like

• Adjustable light direction; all 3 lights are on a 270-degree angle
• Clear, white light emitted; illuminates at over 40 feet away
• Comes with IP65 certification that locks out dust and some moisture

 What We Don’t Like

• Relatively narrow light beam that can leave areas of darkness
• Not completely waterproof; may need to be installed under a cover

With 216 LEDs on a front panel and two adjustable side panels, the TBI Security Solar Light offers a wide range of illumination. I was able to adjust the direction of the lights to illuminate a 180-degree angle by rotating and tilting its three light heads. The manufacturer says the panels are adjustable to 355 degrees, but the greatest degree of directional illumination realistically available is about 270 degrees—and that’s only if the light is installed on the corner of a building. Otherwise, the building itself will block the light.

I was impressed by the light’s motion sensor—it picked up my movement from about 38 feet away. It has a powerful 2,200-mAh lithium-ion battery and features 2,200 lumens of intensity. It isn’t a super-bright light, but it’s sufficient for seeing while walking at night and it illuminates to about 40 feet away.

The TBI light is rated IP65 to lock out dust and to withstand occasional rain—though the snow and sleet storm didn’t adversely affect it. It worked just as well after the storm as it did before.

Once triggered by motion, the TBI flood light remained on for about 30 seconds after I moved out of range of the sensor. As long as I was moving within range, it remained on. A slight downside is that areas of darkness were apparent between the light beams if I adjusted the sidelights outward more than 45 degrees. This wasn’t a disadvantage for me, as I set the main light on the center of the patio and positioned each of the sidelights toward two side gates. However, for someone who wants a solid field of illumination, this could be a small disadvantage.

Get the TBI solar lights at Amazon, Walmart, or Newegg.

Best Dusk-to-Dawn

RuoKid 80W Solar Street Lights Outdoor, Dusk to Dawn

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Product Specs 

• Lumens: 1,500
• Type: Dusk-to-dawn
• IP rating: IP67

What We Like

• Produces a soft illumination up to 50 feet away; suitable for lawns, driveways, and commercial spaces
• Automatically comes on at dusk; can also be programmed to go off after 2 to 5 hours
• Comes with an IP67 certification; one of the most watertight options on this list

 What We Don’t Like

• Not as bright as some comparable options on this list

The RuoKid solar flood light comes with a large solar panel to catch and store as much solar energy as possible in its lithium-ion phosphate battery. It’s designed to be

mounted on a wall

or a tall pole, and it comes with a metal pole and a bracket. With a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight, this dusk-to-dawn flood light remained lit up all night long. However, after a heavily overcast day, it only remained lit for about 5 hours.

The flood light emits 1,500 lumens of light, so it’s an ideal choice for adding soft illumination to large areas such as entire driveways. It’s not streetlight-bright, but it’s suitable for seeing to a distance of about 50 feet. With the included remote control, I was able to turn off the light or pre-program it to go off after 2 or 5 hours. The light is rated IP67, making it among the most watertight of our picks—it is impervious to dust and it will withstand powerful jets of water.

I mounted this on a tall pole, but it could also be mounted to the side of a house where it can receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight.

Get the RuoKid solar flood light at Amazonor Walmart.

Best for Small Area

Urpower Solar Lights Outdoor, 40 LED Motion Sensor

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Product Specs 

• Lumens: 800 (per light)
• Type: Motion detection
• IP rating: IP65

What We Like

• Bright, warm light emitted; illuminates 16 to 26 feet of space
• Installs with a single screw or a nail for convenience
• 4-pack is adequate for lighting larger areas like long driveways or commercial spaces

 What We Don’t Like

• Relatively narrow range of illumination (about 100 degrees) per light

Each of the small Urpower solar flood lights offers 800 lumens of warm, bright light—and when installed in the same general vicinity, such as a patio or a walkway, they create ample illumination.

I installed each of the four Urpower lights on trees near a small playground. When I walked within about 20 feet of the lights, they lit up and remained on as long as I was still moving in the area—eventually turning off about 30 minutes after I moved out of range. The width of the light beam from each light is about 100 degrees, so I got the best overall illumination by grouping them near one another—about 15 feet apart.

The Urpower lights don’t come with many bells and whistles, but they’re well made and quite bright for their size. When all four lights are on, they collectively throw 3,200 lumens of light. They suffered no problems after the snow and sleet storm, and when they were tested in the morning before dawn, they lit up just as brightly as the night before.

Get the Urpower solar lights at Amazon or