Affordable, effective and easy to install, there are lots of reasons to consider the best outdoor solar lights to illuminate your garden. Unlike mains-powered options, which require an electrician, or battery-powered models that have ongoing costs, you simply put them up and leave them to it.
While solar lights are obviously most effective during sunny periods, the good news is that – contrary to popular belief – they still work all year round, even on cloudy winter days.
To help you find the best outdoor solar lights for your garden – that both perform well and look stylish – we've tested six of the top options out there and shared our honest thoughts below.
The best outdoor solar lights
Best stake solar lights
My top choice for lining lawns is these beautiful Moroccan-style stake lights, which come with four in a pack and measure 40cm in height. They were easy to insert into both my lawn and in between the decking, making them a versatile choice for different areas of the garden.
The LED bulbs produce a lovely warm white glow and on a full day's charge, you can expect up to six hours of illumination. While I would have preferred a metal design for a more high-quality feel, you can't tell the difference once they've been installed, and the solar panel blends in pretty well.
With an IP44 waterproof rating, these lights can withstand typical outdoor conditions, including splashes of water.
Reasons to buy: Pretty design, easy to install, batteries included.
Reasons to avoid: Plastic feel when up close.
Best solar lights for stairs
Made with 24 LEDs, these solar lights sit perfectly in the corners of stairs to make them more visible at night – and come with a very reasonable price tag of under £17 for four. You may also want to use them on the top of your fence using the screws or tape included.
Thanks to their IP65 waterproof rating, they can withstand whatever weather is thrown at them – making them a durable choice come rain, snow, frost or heat. They reach full charge after five to eight hours, providing 10 to 12 hours of light.
I wasn't a fan of the plasticky design when I initially took them out of the box, but once illuminated, they blend in well with my decking.
Reasons to buy: Easy to install, affordable, durable.
Reasons to avoid: Plastic feel.
Best solar floodlight
If you're looking to level up your garden security, we recommend this solar-panelled floodlight, which features a 2K camera with an ultra-wide view and AI detection – without the need for a subscription to see the footage.
Our tester, Gabriella Dyson, was impressed that she could adjust the lights' colour temperature and brightness from 3000K (soft, warm) to 6000K (cold, daylight-bright), which can also be linked to certain triggers.
However, t's worth bearing in mind that you will need a MicroSD card (like this one from Amazon) to get live view, real-time alerts and manual control.
Read our full Reolink Floodlight Cam review.
Reasons to buy: Camera included, adjustable brightness.
Reasons to avoid: A little bulky, MicroSD card might be needed.
Best solar LED strips
Dimmable, cuttable and budget-friendly, these solar strips are a great way to highlight your favourite garden features – from planters and seating to pergolas or balconies.
The self-adhesive design makes them a dream to mount, and I like how you can choose from eight modes and multiple colour options to create your desired mood, as well as setting a timer function.
The IP65 rating means they are a durable choice for all weather conditions, but you can even use them indoors and charge them with USB-C should you wish. The instructions weren't the clearest, but a quick YouTube search and I found out how to do it.
Reasons to buy: Remote-controlled, cuttable, waterproof.
Reasons to avoid: Minimal instructions.
Best outdoor solar lights for pathways
These warm white solar lights are ideal for guiding guests through your pathways and can be stuck onto concrete, decking and fences with the included adhesive. Our tester, Joseph Mullane, said they add clear visibility to walkways without glare and were very easy to install.
The lights come in three colours (brown, white and grey), so you can choose a colour to complement your outdoor flooring. They are made from a durable material with an IP44 rating to protect against heat, snow and rain.
Their ultra-low-maintenance design turns off automatically at dawn, and on a full charge, they will stay lit for up to eight hours.
Reasons to buy: Easy to intall, no glare, three colours.
Reasons to avoid: A bit bulky-looking.
Best solar ground lights
Installation doesn't get easier than these ground lights by Torchtree – I set them up in under two minutes by simply twisting them into my lawn and was happy with the slimline design.
After six to eight hours of charging, these lights can deliver eight to 10 hours of illumination and feature an automatic on/off function depending on the time of day, along with a hardy IP65 weatherproof rating.
Whether you want to put them in grass or pots, I highly recommend these lights for those looking for something ultra-quick and easy – and they're a bargain at under £14 for a pack of eight.
Reasons to buy: Hassle-free installation, affordable, durable.
Reasons to avoid: One colour option.
How we tested the best outdoor solar lights
To help you find the best outdoor solar lights for your garden, the Homebuilding & Renovating team have been testing the top-rated options on the market, and have included a range of different styles, prices and purposes to give you a good selection.
When it comes to testing the products in our homes, we take the following into consideration:
Price: Is the light good value for money compared to other options out there? Does the price reflect the quality and durability?
Weather rating: Does the light have a durable weather rating to withstand rain, snow and shine?
Design and build: Does the light look attractive in our garden? Does the build feel durable? Do the stakes feel sturdy? Are the components well made?
Performance: Does the light reliably turn on at night? How long does it take to charge to reach full performance? What colour is the light? Does the light illuminate the garden effectively? Can the light be adjusted?
For more information, read our page on how we test products.
Who tested the best outdoor solar lights?
Wondering who is behind this buying guide? Meet our review panel below:
Megan joined the Homebuilding & Renovating team in 2025 as Content Editor. Working alongside homes and interiors experts, she’s passionate about providing accurate guidance and creative inspiration to help readers transform their living spaces. She tested the Moroccan Solar Stake Lights, Solar Stair Lights, Solar LED Strips and Torchtree Ground Solar Lights.
Gabriella is an interiors journalist and has a wealth of experience creating interiors content. She was Homebuilding & Renovating's former Assistant Editor and former Head of Solved at sister brand Homes & Gardens. She tested the Reolink Solar Floodlight Cam.
Former news editor, Joseph, previously contributed to publications like Today's Media and Chambers & Partners, where he specialised in covering news relevant to conveyancers and industry professionals. He tested the GIGALUMI Solar Deck Lights.
Photos from testing the best outdoor solar lights
How to choose the best outdoor solar lights
When it comes to choosing the best outdoor solar lights, have a think about the following:
Purpose: Where do you intend to use the lights in your garden? This will make a difference to the style you choose and the brightness. For example, bright white lights are usually chosen for security floodlights, while you may prefer a softer, warm glow to illuminate a pathway or plant feature.
IP rating: The IP rating is another key consideration – this tells you how well the light will be protected against the elements and should ideally be above IP44, but IP65 is best for exposed areas.
Sunlight exposure: If you intend to place your solar lights where there is little sunlight, choose a model that has a separate solar panel, which can be placed in a different location.
Model |
Price |
Suitable for |
IP rating |
Colour temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
£29.99 (four-pack) |
Lawns or pots |
IP44 |
Warm white |
|
£16.99 (four-pack) |
Stairs and fences |
IP65 |
Warm white |
|
£99.99 |
Walls |
IP66 |
Multiple options |
|
£18.99 |
Walls, fences, patios, pergolas and more |
IP65 |
Multiple options |
|
£22.99 (16-pack) |
Decking, pathways and fences |
IP44 |
Warm white |
|
£13.22 (eight-pack) |
Lawns and pots |
IP65 |
Warm white or bright white |
Wondering whether solar lights need direct sunlight? Our expert guide has all the information you need to know. You may also want to read our advice on how to make garden lighting look expensive.
Edited by Beth Murton.
