The 5 Best Solar String Lights Reviewed (2024)

Solar outdoor string lights are a great way to add ambiance and practical lighting to all of your outdoor spaces. You don’t need to worry about being close to an outlet with solar string lights, and the wide variety of designs and colors available provide unmatched flexibility to customize your yard. 

We searched high and low for the top-rated solar string lights, so you don’t have to. Here are our expert picks for the best solar outdoor string lights of 2024:

1. Best Overall: Brightech Ambience Pro Solar Powered Outdoor String Lights

2. Best Budget: Brightown Solar String Outdoor Crystal Globe Lights

3. Best Remote Controlled:  KYY Solar String Lights

4. Best Classic Solar String Lights: Minetom Solar String Lights - 100 LEDs

5. Best Solar Fairy String Lights: BHCLIGHT Solar String Fairy Lights

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Best overall outdoor solar string lights: Brightech Ambience Pro Solar Powered Outdoor String Lights

Brightech’s Ambience Pro Solar Powered Outdoor String Lights snagged best overall on our list because of its impressive customer review scores — 4.5 stars with over 32,000 reviews on Amazon. Few other solar string light options came close to this level of customer satisfaction. 

These Edison bulb-style lights are what most people are looking for when it comes to solar string lights for their outdoor living spaces, patios, and pergolas. They’re on trend, without being so on trend that they’ll be dated in a few years. The classic look stands the test of time and helps make it a best-selling product. 

These LED solar string lights are also weather-resistant and good quality. Customer reviews highlight the durability of the wiring, but it doesn’t sacrifice the look. There’s a two-year warranty for these lights, which will stay on for up to 6 hours on a full charge.

However, Brightech’s 27-foot length is short, coming with just 12 bulbs. You can order longer strings, but the price will go up. We’ve seen a few cheaper options with more bulbs and a longer wire, but it’s hard to beat the consumer reviews. 

Features: 12 LED Bulbs | Weatherproof | 5-6 hours on a full charge| 2-year warranty | 120 Volts | 1 watt

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Best budget solar string lights: Brightown Solar String Outdoor Crystal Globe Lights

Brightown’s solar globe string lights are the best choice if you’re looking to upgrade your backyard’s ambiance on a budget. They’re cheaper than competitors at just $16.98 for 60 globe lights and 36 feet, and they look great! 

Just because the price is low doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice features. With eight lighting modes like twinkle, slow flash, or fade, you can choose the exact vibe for your next outdoor hangout. There are also different light color options, so whether you want a warm white light or multicolor globes, you’ll have the perfect aesthetic. 

What really caught our eye is that the Brightown solar globe lights were certified Climate Neutral by Climate Partner, meaning that the product’s carbon footprint was offset. If you’re looking for a sustainable choice, these should be at the top of your list. 

As with any product, there are a few things to be wary of. Customer reviews note that the quality of the wiring could be better and some found that the bulbs were too small and didn’t provide enough light. Keep this in mind when designing your space, and consider your lighting needs. 

Features: 60 LED bulbs | Waterproof | 6-8 hour charge time | 8-12 hour working time | 2 Volts | 

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Best remote-controlled solar-string lights: KYY Solar LED String Lights

Many solar string lights for sale today automatically turn on and off based on how much light they sense. Remote-controlled options are great if you don’t want to rely on the automatic feature, your yard gets a lot of light from street lights that could impact when automatic lights come on, or if you just don’t want your solar string lights to come on every night. 

We found that the KYY Solar LED string lights seemed to fit the bill for the best remote-controlled solar string lights. The remote control can change the brightness, color temperature, and light mode for great customization of your space. 

KYY boasts up to 30 hours of use after a single 8-hour charge, making it one of the longest-lasting solar string lights we’ve found. You can charge these solar string lights with the included solar panel during the day, or you can charge them inside using a USB cable. This provides some peace of mind that you can use your lights at night even if you have a cloudy or rainy day. 

The shatterproof bulbs hold up against the wind, and you don’t have to worry about shattered glass if they fall. But, we did see some customers state that the KYY lights had a short lifespan and didn’t even last them an entire season. Most reviews were positive, though — with an average review score of 4.4 stars with over 2,600 reviews. 

Features: 16 LED Bulbs | Waterproof | USB Charging| Remote Controlled | Timer | Dimmable | 1 watt

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Best classic solar string lights: Minetom Solar String Lights - 100 LEDs

Not everyone is looking for bistro lights to decorate their yard. These Minetom Solar String Lights look just like traditional Christmas lights, but instead of driving up your electricity bill like Clark Griswold, they run on solar power. 

There are many solar Christmas light options, but we liked Minetom’s price point and color and length options. You won’t break the bank trying to wrap the tree in your front yard in these solar lights, even if you need a few strands. 

A benefit of these solar string lights is that they’re easy to install. Almost everyone has experience hanging holiday lights, and they generally have a simpler installation than Edison bulb strings, which may require special mounts or zip ties. 

Some buyers noted that the lights aren’t as bright as they’d like, but that may have to do with improperly positioning the solar panel. Also, reviews say they don’t last long, with some reporting that they don’t last an entire season. 

Features: 100 LED Bulbs | 4-6 hour charge time | 10 hours of lighting | Waterproof |

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Best solar string fairy lights: BHCLIGHT Solar String Fairy Lights

Fairy lights are a great way to add charm to an outdoor space and elevate a boring garden to something out of a fantasy novel. 

BHCLIGHT solar fairy lights come at a lower price and have a whimsical look. Many people use them to add a pop of light to their bushes or even make DIY mason jar crafts to make solar-powered lights for steps and walkways. 

Solar fairy lights can be quite fragile because of their design, so handling them with care is important. That being said, the BHCLIGHT fairy lights are rated for outdoor use. If you’re looking for solar lights to illuminate your yard, these fairy lights might not be right. Fairy lights aren’t usually used as a primary light source but mostly to add ambiance.

Features: 100 LED Lights (x2) |Auto on/off | Copper wire | Waterproof | 3 volts 

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How do solar string lights work?

Solar string lights are becoming more popular for outdoor lighting because of their convenience. They work just like traditional Christmas lights and other outdoor string lights, but they are powered by sunlight instead of needing an outlet.

Most solar string light sets come with a few different components:

• The string of lights

• A solar panel

• A rechargeable battery 

You can hang the solar lights anywhere you would put other types of string lights. But you need to make sure that there is an unshaded spot for the solar panel to absorb sunlight. Some solar string lights come with solar panel steaks, which can be placed right on your lawn, while others can be mounted on top of structures like decks and pergolas. 

Sunlight hits the solar panels and is turned into electricity, which is stored in a rechargeable battery, usually located at the back of the solar panel. Most solar light batteries take six to eight hours to completely charge, so you want to mount your panel somewhere that will get uninterrupted direct sunlight. 

Then, when the sun goes down, the energy stored in that battery will power the lights, illuminating your outdoor space, even if there’s no outlet in sight.

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Factors to consider when choosing solar string lights

Finding the best solar string lights can be overwhelming. There are thousands of options on the internet, and some of them are incredibly hard to differentiate. Here are some key things to look out for when looking for solar outdoor string lights that meet your needs:

• Brightness: Look for how many Lumens a set of solar lights is rated for to get an idea of how bright they will be. If the lumen rating isn’t listed, check the customer reviews to see what others have to say. Most solar string lights are for ambiance lighting, so if you want something a little brighter, consider solar shed lights. 

• Battery life: You’ll likely want your solar string lights to remain on for a few hours per night. Check the battery life to see how long the rechargeable battery will power the lights for. 

• Charge time: Keep an eye out for charge times when comparing outdoor solar lights. Most solar lights have batteries that require six to eight hours of full sunlight. Unfortunately, you won’t always have full sun, which lengthens charge time and impacts how long your lights can run later. 

• Length and number of lights: Customer reviews frequently mention the length of solar light cords didn’t meet their needs. Double-check how long a strand of solar lights is and compare it to the area you’re trying to illuminate so you get the proper length for your project. 

• Style: Solar string lights come in many different styles. Many homeowners like the modern feel of Edison bulbs for solar patio lighting. But that might not be the style you’re going for! From fairy lights to classic Christmas lights, there are tons of solar string lights to choose from. 

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How to hang solar string lights: installation tips

Hanging solar string lights is easy! But there are a few things to know to ensure your solar lights last as long as possible. 

1. Plan where you want to hang your lights: Identify where you want to put solar string lights and measure the space to purchase the right amount of lights. You don’t want to fall short! Luckily, you don’t have to worry about the lights reaching a power source.

2. Find the right spot for the solar panel: You want to place the solar panel somewhere it will get maximum sunlight. If you have a gazebo or covered patio, fastening the panel to the roof can be a great way to get the most sun possible. 

3. Get the proper fastening equipment for the style of lights you want: Not all styles of solar lights will be hung the same way. Edison-style bulbs often have a hole at the top to zip-tie the bulbs to a structure. They may break if you hang the lights directly from the wire with a hook. On the other hand, Christmas-style solar lights don’t have that issue.

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Solar string light troubleshooting and maintenance 

Solar string lights can sometimes be a hit-or-miss purchase, but good quality ones should last about two years of regular use. 

One common issue people find is that their solar string lights aren’t turning on. Before you assume the lights are duds, check that the solar panel is on and collecting sunlight. Many solar string light panels have an on and off button on the back of the panel. 

If the panel is on, you may need to replace the battery. Solar string lights usually come with a rechargeable lithium battery. You can find these on sites like Amazon or check with the brand you bought the lights from to see if they sell replacement batteries. 

Another key to having your solar string lights last is to install them properly. They could break if you don’t hang the lights according to the manufacturer’s instructions. You’ll also want to ensure the lights and panels are debris-free to operate properly.

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Make your house a solar-powered home

Solar string lights are incredibly versatile and can make any outdoor space go from dark and drab to bright and lively, especially since you don’t need to worry about outlets. 

The variety of styles, design flexibility, and the fact that solar string lights don’t add to your electricity bills make them a popular addition to many backyards and porches.  

You don’t have to stop at solar string lights. You can have an entirely solar-powered home and drastically reduce your high electric bills and carbon footprint. If you’re interested in solar panels, SolarReviews can give you a free estimate of how much you can expect to pay to make the switch.