Shopping for the best solar lights for your walkways and your garden can be a mind-boggling process. There is a huge spectrum of products available, many of them look exactly like one another, and it is hard to gauge their quality without having tested them yourself.

If you are lighting a heavily trafficked path or walkway – or just trying to add a glowing accent to your garden – solar lights are a great way to bring warmth and light into your landscape without needing to hire a landscape architect or even an electrician.

The small and flexible lights that are available today are designed as stand-alone units. The solar panel, LED light bulbs, and mounting stakes are all contained together in one small decorative housing. There are some important differences between the various offerings on the market, though, and we are going to take a close look at them below.

**Below, you will find more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices and read customer reviews on Amazon.

Factors to Consider When Purchasing Solar Lights

Quality and durability are probably the most important factors you will need to consider. But you also need to consider the area that will be lit by each light, how many individual lights are necessary, and how much you are willing to spend to procure all of the lights you need.

What Challenges Are Presented by Your Local Climate?

Quality and durability are the most important factors you need to consider. After all, these lights are going to be left outside week after week and month after month. They need to be strong enough to stand up to punishing UV sunlight; well-sealed to withstand relentless rainfall; with tough circuitry that will survive freezing temperatures without failing.

You can ensure that you’re picking the best lights for your local climate by examining customer reviews and reading about what successes and failures have been shared by others who live in a similar climate.

If you live in Arizona, snow is obviously not a huge factor for you. But you need to be absolutely sure that the lights you choose will stand up to the intense UV light of direct afternoon sunshine. If you live in Minnesota, intense sunshine is less of a concern, but you will need to choose lights that will survive the occasional unexpected snowfall and light freeze. In Seattle, you may be immune to heavy frost and intense sunshine – but your lights need to be extremely well insulated to protect against the constant humidity and rainfall.

How Many Lights Do You Need?

If you are lighting a path or walkway, you will need to consider the area of illumination provided by each light. Measure the length of your walkway, and divide the total length by the area that is illuminated by the light you are considering. Consider installing extra solar lights around obstacles like steps and footbridges. And also consider installing extra lights around areas of interest like planting beds, fountains, and sitting areas.

If you will be using the lights as aesthetic accents, rather than to functionally light a walkway, the number of solar lights you need is really up to you. Consider the area that is illuminated by each light, and consider the intensity of lighting that will best accentuate the feature that you want to draw attention to. Keep in mind that if you overdo it with these lights, you might accidentally detract attention away from the feature you intended to accent. A little accent goes a long way, and you will find that the soft light emitted by a few of these lights provides a lovely contrast to the ambient darkness in your nighttime landscape.

How Much Are You Willing to Spend?

Pricing solar lights can be tricky. The price given is usually for a pack of multiple lights – and the number of lights included in a pack can vary from 2 to 10 or more. To shop with certainty, break the price down to understand the cost per light – and make your decision accordingly.

As with most things… you get what you pay for. You can choose the cheapest option to make a quick and affordable improvement in your landscape, but cheaper lights will not last as long as more quality products. For a long and reliable lifespan, choose the highest quality solar lights.

Product Reviews

Conclusion – Which are the Best Solar Lights?

The best choice for you will depend on your unique circumstance.

If you are looking for the highest quality product that will last the longest time in harsh conditions, then the Moonrays 91754 are the lights for you. We didn’t find any other lights with an equal reputation for quality and longevity.

If you are looking for the least expensive product for a very long walkway or a special event, then definitely give the GardenJoy lights a try. At only about $ per light, there is no better value on the marketplace today.

For an unusual appeal that helps your landscape to stand out in the neighborhood, check out Westinghouse’s color-changing lights. These will last in challenging wet environments… They won’t last all night long, but they look great while they’re working.