Illuminate Your Outdoor Space With Our Fave Solar Pathway Lights (2024)

Our Top Picks

Our best overall pick for their brightness and durability, this Urpower Solar Lights Outdoor set was designed with wet weather and water exposure in mind. It's a great option if you want to light up your pathway, and you can leave outside all year without worry. The durable plastic casing protects these lights from all weather conditions. During our tests, water, golf balls, and freezing were no match for this light’s performance—and the adjustable solar panel allows you to switch the panel’s angle on overcast days.

While testing, they stayed illuminated for a full eight-hour period overnight. Simply designed, each light in this set has a power switch and two different brightness settings. We found both to be pretty bright: While it was possible to read a book under the lower setting, we read easily under the higher light setting. We also love that these lights can also be mounted on a wall rather than a pathway, which makes them a great option for a variety of outdoor lighting needs.

Keep in mind that these lights have a screw that supports the solar panel, but it can be difficult to maneuver to change the angle of the panel when needed. Overall, we appreciated the value of these lights, even if their spotlight design may not be suited for everyone.

_{Dimensions: 10.55 X 4.76 inches | Lumens: 200 | Charging Time: 4-6 hours | Operating Time: Up to 6 hours | Lights in Set: 2 | Weather Resistance: IP64}

If you want to add just one light to your landscape but want it to stand out, we love this option from Better Homes & Gardens (Better Homes & Gardens is owned by The Spruce's parent company, Dotdash Meredith). We didn't test this option, but we love the light's different style from the other options on our list that resemble overhead lighting. In this case, it is tall enough, at 17 inches, to draw focus to a favorite plant, ground cover, or walkway.

This metal lighting fixture has a black matte finish and an IPX4 rating, meaning it can handle water splashed at it from all angles. However, it might not withstand the heaviest rain, so you might want to store it in stormy weather to be safe. It provides 20 lumens of light, so it's bright enough to illuminate part of a path.

While it doesn't offer any brightness settings or other features, it's easy to install and operate—it has an on/off switch, and when on, it should operate for up to 8 hours at night. Keep in mind that it might be top-heavy compared to lantern-style lights, so make sure you are securing it on firm ground.

_{Dimensions: 7.99 x 6.30 x 17.32 inches | Lumens: 20 | Charging Time: Not listed | Operating Time: 8 hours | Lights in Set: 1 | Weather Resistance: IPX4}

If you are willing to pay more for a durable, effective, and sturdy pair of pathway lights that should last season after season, we recommend the Frontgate Pro Series VI Path Light set, which impressed us during testing. These lights feature a weather-proof, cast-aluminum housing that protects the lithium-phosphate battery and lights and fares better than plastic housing. The aluminum stakes also prevent breakage during installation.

While testing in our lab, these lights easily passed our “rain” and “hail” tests. However, they did not re-illuminate after being in a freezer for an hour (so they may need to warm up and recharge before they light up again after a freezing cold day). The tops of these lights measure 7.25 inches in diameter, making the solar panel (larger than other models) better for cloudy days, winter performance, and shaded areas.

These solar lights come in a set of two, making them an investment to line a full pathway. Despite the limited quantity, these solar lights are a reliable, quality pick. They have 60 lumens per light, enough tolight up your yard if spread apart, and have a longer lifetime with an advanced lithium-phosphate battery.

_{Dimensions: 20.5 x 7.25 inches | Lumens: 60 | Charging Time: 8 hours | Operating Time: Up to 8 hours | Lights in Set: 2 | Weather Resistance: Not listed}

Large solar pathway lights, like these we tested from Alfiot, can be especially helpful if you have a long footpath and want each light to cover a larger area. The most innovative feature of these solar lights is that you can add an extension to the pole to reach up to 22.5 inches tall. Depending on the area you wish to illuminate, a taller light may add more light and safety to your pathway.

The light itself is also over 8 inches tall, so these are a great large option for anyone looking for visible, attractive lights to light their path. We charged these overnight, flipped the on-switch, and then staked them into our backyard (very easily with little force). We were impressed with how long these lights stayed on after being fully charged; the majority of the lights remained on through the morning, even as the sun was rising.

We must note that these were not the brightest lights we tested. For safety reasons, we opted to use a spotlight in our backyard, so we recommend pairing these with another light or purchasing another set to increase their brightness (which we opted to do in our space). However, the tall lights did not waver during New Jersey winds and rain, so we still love this option for durability and long-lasting light.

_{Dimensions: 3 x 26.5 (with extension) inches | Lumens: Not Listed | Charging Time: Not listed | Operating Time: 12-14 hours | Lights in Set: 4, 6, 8 | Weather Resistance: IP65}

The Rayolon Solar Ground Lights are a modern, minimally designed set that can line a pathway, driveway, or pool deck. While testing these lights, we found that they provided a warm white light, with eight LED bulbs in each of the 12 units. However, they were not bright enough to read under independently, so you would want to line them up next to each other for enough light to illuminate a path.

We found that they held up during our durability tests. Just note that they did not stand up well to being frozen (they wouldn't stay lit for long), so you may want to store them if your area experiences a frigid winter. We do want to point out a few other small issues to keep in mind: To ensure they reach their maximum brightness, allow three days of charging before installing them in the ground.

When installing each light, dig a shallow hole for the stake to prevent breakage.Also, since they are small and low to the ground, avoid stepping on them once installed. Dirt and debris can easily cover them, preventing the solar panels from charging—check on them occasionally, and clean the solar panels if they become covered. Despite these few drawbacks, we think these are a great low-profile choice.

_{Dimensions: 4.72 x 4.92 x 5.2 inches | Lumens: Not Listed | Charging Time: 8 hours | Operating Time: 6-8 hours | Lights in Set: 12 | Weather Resistance: IP65}

Are you looking for a light that can be installed on a wall or used as a ground stake while also acting as a spotlight? If so, you might be interested in the Lerekam Solar Spot Lights. We tested these solar lights in our home for over three months and were blown away by how well they illuminated the designated locations.

We installed the solar light near the side of our house, facing our gate, and discovered that it provided an impressive 10 feet x 10 feet of lighted area. At 1000 lumens (the highest on our list), we found that the light's maximum range was roughly 25 feet, which is rather good for a solar-powered light.

Setting up the lights was also a breeze. We spent more time deciding where to put the lights than we did putting them together—there are only four basic steps to set up. Even though we only tested the lights on the ground, they may also be screwed to the wall, making it a versatile alternative for your outdoor lighting needs.

While the lights have three brightness levels (high, medium, and low), we found that the high option provided the greatest light in our intended area. Keep in mind, however, that these lights are not motion-censored. Instead, they switch on around nightfall, providing a continuous supply of light all night. We liked that they have held up to several storms without any issues.

_{Dimensions: ‎4.3 x 5.7 x 2.4 inches | Lumens: 1000 | Charging Time: Not listed | Operating Time: 8-25 hours | Lights in Set: 2 | Weather Resistance: IP65}

If you want a set of lights to brighten up a longer portion of your sidewalk, path, or around your garden, we love this vintage-inspired set from Hampton Bay. While we didn't personally test this set, we love that each light is 15 inches tall when installed and offers 14 lumens. It doesn't feature brightness settings or motion detection, but the lights have an on/off switch, so they automatically turn on at dusk. The charge should last for up to 8 hours.

We love that this set is offered in eight different colors—choose from more traditional options that blend into your landscape or a fun pop of color. They are weather resistant, but with an IP4 rating, they can't be submerged in water (which shouldn't be an issue unless your area experiences flooding).

_{Dimensions: 5.25 x 15 inches | Lumens: 14 | Charging Time: Not listed | Operating Time: 8 hours | Lights in Set: 4 | Weather Resistance: IPX5}

Want to illuminate an area at night that doesn't get much sunlight during the day? Each of the two T-Sunnus Solar-Powered LED Spotlights in this set comes with a separate, corded solar panel, so you can easily install them in a shaded area and guarantee a full charge every day.

You can adjust the angle of the solar panels and the light heads to aim them in the desired directions. Two brightness settings offer up to 200 lumens each, enough brightness to see the details of your yard. You can switch between a bright spotlight and a dimmer pathway light.

While they can be placed in the shade during the day, avoid placing the solar panels under any porch or security lights that come on at night (the spotlight won't turn on if the light is detected). Also note that the cords between each light and solar panel are about 10 feet long, which can limit your placement options, especially when covering a particularly large pathway. Despite these few placement concerns, we think these lights are an excellent option for shady areas, especially if you don't mind the traditional spotlight shape.

_{Dimensions: Not Listed | Lumens: 200 | Charging Time: 8-10 hours | Operating Time: 8-10 hours on high light mode; 14-18 hours on low light mode | Lights in Set: 2 | Weather Resistance: IP65}

Final Verdict

Our best overall pick is the Urpower Solar Lights Outdoor set. This pair of bright lights held up well to all of our durability tests, and offers two brightness settings, as well as two placement options (wall-mounted or staked into the ground). If you want to splurge on a pair of lantern-style lights that add curb appeal, we also love the Frontgate Pro Series VI Solar Path Light, our best splurge pick.

FAQ

• How do solar pathway lights work?

  Solar lights absorb sunlight through solar panels that store electricity, which powers the bulbs. Some solar lights operate on rechargeable batteries. Others have batteries that can last as long as four years before needing to be replaced.

• How do you install solar pathway lights?

  While each style of our recommended solar pathway light has different assembly instructions, all install in the ground via stakes. If your purchased lights’ stakes seem fragile, we recommend digging shallow holes before pressing them into the ground to prevent breakage. Be sure to install solar pathway lights in an area that enjoys direct sunlight and isn’t covered by other lights in the evening; panels don’t activate if they’re exposed to other light.

• How do you clean and maintain solar pathway lights?

  Solar lights don’t absorb sunlight if the solar panel is dirty or covered with ice or snow. “Prior to cleaning your solar pathway lights, review your manufacturer’s instructions,” Kunkle says. “However, most solar pathway lights can be cleaned with a soft dryclothwithout any cleaners that have chemicals, solvents or harsh abrasives.” Keep in mind that low-profile lights need more frequent checking.

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