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Shedding light on the best options for your yard.
Photo:Real Simple
Its a smarter choice for the planetand your wallet.
If they had special features, like a motion sensor, those performed as promised.
It doesnt have any advanced features, like timers or brightness adjustments.
PHOTO: Amazon
The Urpower Beams are our favorite solar lights for so many reasons.
Plus, a pack of four costs just $37a little over $9 per light.
The reach on these LED lights is great, too.
PHOTO: Real Simple
The light will shut off after 30 seconds of inactivity.
Dimensions:5 x 6 x 9 in.
The finish only comes in black, and there are no extra features.
If youve always wanted wall-mounted lights but are disinterested in hard wiring, we dont blame you.
This dusk-to-dawn light automatically turns on when the sun sets and powers off in the morning.
It casts a cool white glow over 10 feet (more than our overall best pick).
Just note this light has a lot fewer lumens than our overall best.
Its built to withstand the elements, too.
Despite the big fall, it didnt break.
Dimensions:5 x 9 x 11 in.|Battery Life:12 hrs.
They have to go in the ground, so you must have grass or dirt to stake them.
The stake easily slides into the ground, and despite its lightweight build, the fixture feels robust.
They automatically illuminate at dusk and remain lit until dawn.
The light is still vibrant as ever.
Dimensions:7 x 21 in.
They only cast light about a foot away.
They cast a soft glow a foot away max, making them more decorative than anything.
Theyre really cozyperfect for relaxing outside on warm-weather nights.
Dimensions:33 ft. |Battery Life:810 hrs.
They have the shortest battery life on our list, and you cant connect multiple sets together.
The string lights in your college dorm room or patio have an eco-friendly upgrade.
Take it from us: Setup does not get easier than that.
Durability-wise, these are top notch.
Dimensions:27 ft. |Battery Life:56 hrs.
Its top-heavy, so it needs to be reinforced to double-check it doesnt fall over.
Its even bright enough to read a book under.
Setup is fairly simple.
Since the panels are made from real glass, they can shatter if they fall.
It runs reliably from dusk until dawn and holds up well against rain and standard outdoor conditions.
Dimensions:9 x 9 x 18 in.
PHOTO: Wayfair
After the initial setup, we powered them on and waited for the sun to set.
When there was rain or high winds, were they damaged at all?
The ones that impressed us most made it to the list above.
PHOTO: Real Simple
In general, the higher the lumens, the brighter the light.
Some security floodlights can exceed 1,000 lumens for maximum visibility.
Colorandtemperaturealso play a role.
Most can power a light for six to 12 hours on a full charge depending on the weather.
On sunny days, itll be at its best.
On cloudy days, there will be less sunlight available to charge it.
If that happens, youll get a shorter runtime or dimmer light.
All of the lights we tested passed our weather tests.
Questions You Might Ask
Do solar lights lose their brightness over time?
Solar lights can lose brightness over time, but its usually gradual and depends on a few factors.
The most common culprit is a worn-out rechargeable battery, which naturally occurs after repeated charging cycles.
This is a must for keeping track of two wacky doodles and a springer spaniel at night.
Additional reporting was done by writerChristine Winder.
PHOTO: Frontgate
PHOTO: Real Simple
PHOTO: Amazon
PHOTO: Real Simple
PHOTO: Amazon
PHOTO: Real Simple
PHOTO: Amazon
PHOTO: Real Simple
Real Simple
We tested the freezing rating of all solar lights by placing them in a freezer.Real Simple
