Where to buy solar lights – a product tester reveals where to buy lights that look good and actually work

Solar lights are an inexpensive, simple way to bring illumination to your garden. They don't cost anything to run and they're easy to set up - just switch on the solar panel and they should give you automatic light for years.

However, while that should be the case, it isn't always. It's easy to buy a dud set of solar festoon or path lights that don't provide any light and break within a month.

I've tested lots of solar lights over the years so know all the tricks for finding a set that actually works. These are the best retailers for solar lights, and some examples of your options.

Amazon

Amazon has a poor reputation for solar lights, and some of that is well-founded. There are a lot of cheap, low-quality lights on Amazon. However, you can save a lot of money if you know what you're looking for.

People buy bad solar lights from Amazon because they don't know how to spot good lights. You need lights of at least 100 lumens, which will ensure that they're bright enough for practical lighting.

You also need to find lights that are at least IP65 rated - this is a measure of weatherproofing, and the minimum standard for outdoor electronics. Lights with these two measures will be bright and robust, unlike most of the lights on Amazon. Then, see if you can find reviews that mention how long the lights have lasted. Good lights will have reviews that say they've lasted for five years or more.

I've spent time finding the best options, and there are a few sets of solar lights on Amazon that you should consider.

Lamps Plus

If Amazon lights aren't for you, you need a dedicated lighting store like Lamps Plus. Lamps Plus has a huge range of solar light fixtures, and they're usually made from hard-wearing metal rather than flimsy plastic.

The trade-off, of course, is that these lights are more expensive than other brands. Few of their solar lights are available as multi-packs, so you need a bigger budget to light your garden.

Wayfair

Like Amazon, Wayfair has lots of poorly-made options, but there are hidden gems that can save you a lot of money. Unlike Amazon, Wayfair has large, free-standing solar lamps that are great for illuminating a patio.

Lights.com

Lights.com doesn't have a huge range of solar lights, but they have the best collection of solar lanterns I've seen. The company also has a 90-day returns policy. For any other product this warranty is incredibly short, but by solar light standards it's worth having.

Anthropologie

After a while, solar lights can look pretty samey. However, Anthropologie have lots of unique solar lights that are perfect to adding interest to a dull patio space.

However, a word of warning - not all of their lights are high-quality, so make sure to do your research before you buy, as some reviewers have found that their lights didn't work for very long.

FAQs

Are solar lights safe?

Used properly, solar lights are perfectly safe. Just don't tamper with the battery - like any product with a lithium battery, whether a phone, video game controller, or even a car, a solar lights can be a fire hazard when badly damaged.

My final tip when buying solar lights is to look out for lights with adjustable solar panels. One of the best ways to ensure your solar lights work in winter is to tilt the panel to match the lower angle of the sun in the sky. This should help your lights to run even as the weather turns wetter, colder, and darker.