Solar deck lights are easy to install, convenient to use and best alternative to save energy/power. It is fitted with rechargeable batteries that charged during daytime and store the energy in solar panels and thereby lighten up the LED lights at night time automatically. They are easy to maintain but replace the battery to make it work durable and long lasting. The solar deck lights not only lighten up your dark nights but also secure your home in aesthetic way. Before buying a best solar deck lights, you have to consider these 2 main things for its easy selection.
Brightness – It represents the amount of light generated by the Measured in terms of lumens. One has to choose solar deck lights which provide maximum lumens with minimum power. In general, a normal incandescent bulb has 800 lumens whereas the LED light with many bulbs have 1000, 1800 or higher count of lumens to provide brighter light. Solar Panel – There are 4 types of solar panels – monocrystalline, polycrystalline, amorphous silicon and concentrated PV cell, in which PV cells and monocrystalline will have better efficiency rate and longer life. So, invest in a high-quality solar panel made with shield cover, which provides maximum output with minimum power supply.
Apart from these 2 main factors, you have to consider various other factors like batteries, recharge time and run time, color, illumination angle, durability, weather resistance, etc. which are clearly mentioned in the below Buying Guide. Also, to help you in the selection process, we came up with a list of some best-selling solar deck lights in the market. Just go through the guide and products to know how to choose your best solar powered deck lights, as per your requirement.
Best Solar Deck Lights
9 Best Solar Deck Lights Reviews
1. Aootek Solar lights
Solar lights Solar floodlights Solar gutter lights Solar spotlights Solar post lights Solar lanterns Solar Brick Paver Lights Solar Shed Lights Why Solar Lights not Working
First on our list is the Aootek 182, an outdoor motion sensor security deck light. This light is LED-based and has a large 15.3 inches solar panel and a PIR sensor for motion detection Aootek 182 has three operational lighting modes. In these, one is for security monitoring where the PIR motion sensor switches the light on automatically whenever there is someone walking by the sensor and then turns it off when the person leaves. The second mode is where the bulb emits light throughout the entire night. It becomes bright whenever it detects any movement within the sensor. Aootek uses an upgraded PIR motion sensor and has an ability to detect motion within 26 feet of distance. The PIR sensor has a wide angle of 120 degrees for detecting motion. It also comes with a very large 2200 mAH rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The panels have a good efficiency of 20/5% at the rate of 1.2 watts energy (3.7 Watts) making it a truly energy saviour. Built from heatproof and waterproof IP 65 weatherproof material, this solar light is great for not just for your deck area, but also for night time security. Its installation is also very simple and has a good panel angle that can be installed by the stairs also. But it does not have any warranty for it. What we liked about it
A single LED Light is of an energy rating 3.7 watts Solar panels of size 15.3 inches Includes Dimming and steady functions PIR Sensor Coverage of 26 feet long Sensor’s Wide-angle depth is of 120 degrees 2200 mAH lithium-ion battery Intelligent PIR motion sensor 0.5% conversion rate Solar panels
What we didn’t like about it
Does not have a warranty
2. Othway Solar Deck Lights
Othway is also a pathway deck light that is perfect not just for wall or height placement but also for staircase foot lighting. With a neat cut and a semi-oval shape, Othway adds aesthetic beauty to the decor and also works as a security lighting too. Installed within it are PIR motion sensors which trigger the light to turn on when someone passes by it. This illuminates your wall area or the staircase when someone is moving past it. While proving to be a security accessory, it also adds to a grandeur look to the area as well. With the lights made out of durable plastic material, the solar panels are built right onto the lights and are waterproof just like the lights. Their placement is solar sensitive and with a few hours of charge, they can work for the entire night. The lights are run by 1.2 Volt 600 mAH batteries. For winter, it may work for just about 5 hours due to the small availability of sunlight. It even has a steady light option which turns on to use the light without the sensor too. Much like the deck lights before, this one too does not need any special installation and is just plug and play. With a 60 days money-back window, the lights come with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty from the date of purchase. What we liked about it
Aesthetically pleasing design cut PIR Motion sensor for movement detection and automatic light on. 1.2 Volt 600 mAH battery 6 hours to charge 6 pieces of LED in each light Plug and Play 60 days money-back guarantee with 1-year manufacturer’s warranty
What we didn’t like about it
Could have had a better battery life
3. Sunface Solar Deck Lights
Next on the list are a set of Solar Deck Lights that have a very unique shape to them that almost look like wall lantern. When attached to the wall, the lights almost gives you a very vintage look to the wall. With two lighting modes, the light has can be switched between warm white to 7 changing colour lighting depending on your choice. Solar Powered, the LED lights are made out of ABS plastic and are highly durable in nature. Weatherproof and waterproof, the lights can withstand heavy wind, snow or any rain or conditions as such. Easy to install without any wires, the product comes with an automatic switch which will turn on the light at dusk and turn it off during the day (it automatically enters charging mode). Very tiny and compact in size, the actual light sizes less than the size of a standard iPhone. The product comes in a pack of six lights each and it comes with 12 months of manufacturer’s warranty from the date of purchase. It also has a 60 days money-back guarantee too. What we liked about it
Unique wall light design Solar panels on top of the light Simple and wireless installation 1-year manufacturer’s warranty and 60 days money-back window too
What we didn’t like about it
Not so bright light.
4. Siedinlar Solar Deck Lights
Siedinlar is more of driveway lights than to be used on decks. If you have a long driveway and need to illuminate either side of the driveway, you can take the Siedinlar outdoor lights as they are one of the best solar powered driveway lights. With an elegant circular design, the build of the light is made out of premium aluminium alloy. Wireless in design, the lights need no connection whatsoever. Just plant on the ground and it is good to go. They have a relatively smaller battery of 1.2 v ni-mh rechargeable batteries but they are more than enough to power the normal charged LEDs. As the solar panels are integrated within the top of the light, they will procure the required light throughout the day for about 6 or 8 hours (3 or 5 hours for full battery charge). After charging, they will automatically turn on and stay lit for 12 to 15 hours at night. Made out of IP 68 Waterproof material (along with the aforementioned aluminium), the lights are protected against any harsh weather such as rain, snow or any blizzards too. Just make sure that they are firmly fixed to the ground. Furthermore, they also have something called the Resistance to Pressure of up to 20 tonnes. This means that even if a truck passes over them by accident or just cause, they won’t be damaged and thus they can be virtually placed anywhere you want to light. These lights come with 12 months of manufacturer’s warranty from the date of purchase and also have a 24 hours customer support service too. What we liked about it
Disc-shaped driveway solar lights Very robust build that has a pressure resistance of about 20 tonnes that makes it not lose shape even if a truck passes over it. 1.2 volt battery that can store up charge max in 5 hours and light for about 12 hours Strong build with IP 68 build material including aluminium for the panels and lights that can withstand any weather 12 months manufacturer’s warranty and 24 hours customer support
What we didn’t like about it
Nothing specific to mention
5. Jackyled Solar Deck Lights
Next on our list is Jackyled’s solar deck lights. This solar deck uses upgraded LED bulbs with a large size panel to collect more sunlight for optimizing efficiency and providing a longer working time. Jackyled’s solar deck light comes with a 2V 120MA wide polycrystalline silicon solar panel that absorbs light for 6 to 8 hours to fully recharge the 1000mAh battery. With this capacity, you can power the LED solar lights for about 8 to 10 hours on a single charge. When you turn on the auto mode, the LED lights will turn on automatically at the evening or whenever the sunlight decreases and will turn off automatically at dawn. Each outdoor light comes with 3 LEDs that provide sufficient illumination to light up your path. The solar deck lights are made of premium quality stainless steel and lamp shell. They are protected from harsh weather conditions by the IP44 weatherproof feature. The lights are capable of working efficiently under the temperature range of 140 F to 1220 F. Jackyled’s solar deck lights come with a screwing mechanism that allows for fast and easy installation. There is no wiring required and the screws for installation are included in the package. You can install this deck light even on uneven terrains. One major drawback of this solar deck light is that it does not come with warranty. What we liked about it
2V 120mAh polycrystalline solar panel Rechargeable battery with 1000mAh capacity Battery reaches full capacity in 6 to 8 hours Powers LEDs for 8 to 10 hours on a full charge Provides 30 lumens of light Auto mode for automatic turning on/off of LEDs Each outdoor light has 3 LEDs Made of durable stainless steel with IP44 weatherproof feature Easy and fast installation
What we didn’t like about it
Does not have warranty No motion detection
6. Gigalumi Solar Deck Lights
Yet another set of wall-based deck solar lights, the Gigalumi is an 8 pack LED-based waterproof automatic outdoor solar wall light with a decorative design. Speaking of the design, the Gigalumi lights have a retro-esque design and when you hang it by the wall it really gives an ambient feel while being a deck light. Automatic in its operation, the 120mA solar panels of the light are on top of it and are powered by 600 MAH AA Ni-Mh batteries and with just about 6 to 8 hours of solar charge, they will work for about 8 to 10 hours throughout the night. Easy to install and use, you can either use screws to place it by the wall or simple double-sided tape can also do the trick. The lights are made out of highly weatherproof materials and can withstand any weather. They come with a 60 days replacement window and a 1-year manufacturers’ warranty from the date of purchase. What we liked about it
A neat and tiny design that can stick up on the wall with double tape 600 mAH Ni Mh batteries that can run for 10 hours on 6 hours of solar charge 120mA weather and waterproof solar panels 1-year manufacturer’s warranty and 60 days risk-free replacement window
What we didn’t like about it
Could have had a higher brightness
7. Caifang Solar Deck Lights
Next on our list are 16 pieces set of small and no set up required lights which have a 90-degree angle design for the solar panels and the lights. Looking more like clip-on lights, these lights have tiny 3 lumens brightness with 0.12 wattage and have a warm white colour. Built out of waterproof material, the lights can withstand any weather conditions and can be placed not just on the decks but on staircases and many more. With a warm glow, the lights automatically on and off function, the panels charge for about 5 to 6 hours of charge and can light up for about 8 hours overnight. These lights do not have any warranty. What we liked about it
16 pieces of very small design of lights 3 lumens brightness with 0.12 wattage 6 hours of charge with 8 hours of power Easy to set up Automatic on and off Made out of waterproof material
What we didn’t like about it
No warranty
8. Jsot Solar Deck Outdoor Lights
If you are looking for easy to install and maintain lights to illuminate your driveway or backyard, then JSOT solar outdoor lights are the perfect choice. It comes in an 8 pack of deck lights with advanced solar panel efficiency. They can be installed on walkway, fence post, railing, pool, backyard, stairs, and garden areas. They are equipped with high quality stainless steel shades which make it durable enough to withstand weather and environmental conditions like wind, ice, snow and rain. As it doesn’t require any wires or electric sockets to install, it can be used for decorative purposes as well like holidays, weddings, Halloween, Christmas, pool parties, and weddings. On a full charge, it can provide continuous illumination for 9 hours. The charging time required for full charge is 6 to 8 hours of sun exposure. These lights also come with automatic light sensor functionality. So they will charge up automatically during the day without any manual interference. And light up when they sense darkness or during the nights. Being solar panel equipped, it will save you money on electricity bills. It not only acts as decorative lighting, but also acts as protection against thefts. What We Liked About It:
Wireless installation Waterproof Long lasting performance High efficiency Worry-free guarantee Auto-charging 9 hours of continuous illumination Eco-friendly Pack of 8 lights
What We Didn’t Like About It:
Not corrosion resistant
9. TIJNN Solar Deck Lights
TIJNN solar lights are the perfect way to illuminate your pathways, deck and patios at an affordable price range. This product comes in a set of 6 solar lights. It has two lighting modes that include warm white and 7-color changing mode. You can install them on patios, porch, garden, fence, deck, gutter, stair and other areas. As these solar lights come with polysilicon silicon, it charges quicker than other products. With just 4 to 5 hours of sun light exposure, it can provide 10 hours of continuous lighting. These lights have automatic turn on at dusk and off at dawn sensors. So, you don’t have to worry about the manual intervention. They are equipped with IP65 technology which makes it waterproof. Apart from that, it is also weather resistant. Heat-proof plastic construction, so no matter how harsh the sun is, these lights will not be affected. They are easy to install as the installation process doesn’t confusing wires. It comes with 12-month warranty and 60-days money-back guarantee. What We Liked
2 different light modes Easy installation process 10 hours of light backup on complete charge Automatic turn on/off Weather-resistant Heatproof plastic construction IP65 technology
What We Didn’t Like
Some people experienced issues with light intensity
How to Pick the Best Solar Deck Lights:
The solar deck lights are self-contained units, which are wireless and won’t require any special installation and also easy to use. They won’t consume power and thereby automatically turn on night time (when dark) and turn off at daytime (when bright) without any hassle. They are environment friendly and they inbuilt batteries gets charged and powered by sunlight naturally.
How does the solar deck lights work?
The solar deck lights work on a mechanism of storing sun’s energy during daytime and then convert this energy as light at night time. The deck lights use solar cells to collect and store the solar energy. Also, it uses battery (li-ion), LED lights, control panel, etc. So, the solar cells will grab the sunlight, which is heavy in the morning to charge up their inbuilt battery, connected with cells using wire. Then the battery gets power up and lighten during night time. However, the photoresistor alert system in solar panel will alert and prevent overcharging and all these are pre-programmed internally to make this solar deck lights works perfectly. Some models made with motion sensors to lighten up when there is any object/person moving for safety and security. One can easily install these solar lights even without any electrical knowledge. All you need is to search the proper place, where you have to install and fix them properly to grab sunlight and finally turn on the switch while using it for first time to get charge at daytime and lights turn on at night time automatically.
Things To Consider before Buying Solar Deck Lights:
One should know what factors to consider and how to choose the best one before purchasing the solar deck lights. Here are the key factors you have to check while choosing deck lights to grab the best one that suits perfect for your requirement.
1. Brightness:
It is the amount of light generated, which is measured in terms of lumens (light output). The solar light which provides maximum brightness with minimum power is considered as best option. Here are a few things which you have to check while considering brightness before purchasing deck lights.
To know the light brightness, you have to check out the lumens count, just like checking wattage for household bulbs. In case of less lumens, make sure to install more of the lights to get the required lighting. But never ever go for high lumens ridiculously. Generally, a high-performance model will provide a brightness of about 120 lumens whereas a low performance model will provide less than 100 lumens. When compared with singular deck lights, the string deck lights will generate less lumens per bulb. So, here you simply multiply the number of lights X lumens in the strand to produce your required brightness. For an equivalent of 4 square feet radius, you have to install a light with 15 – 30 lumens for perfect brightness all around the home.
2. Quality of Solar Panel & its Capacity:
Since the deck lights has to work on various weather conditions and there maybe a chance of breaking up the solar panel. So, once has to choose a high-quality solar panel, which is made with shield cover to enjoy better lifetime. In general, there are 4 types of solar panel types – polycrystalline solar panels (p-SI), monocrystalline solar panels (Mono-SI), concentrated PV cell (CVP) and Thin-Film – Amorphous silicon solar panels (A – SI), in which CVP and Mono-SI will come with longer life and best efficiency rate while other two panel types available with low price range and less warranty period. The capacity of solar panel will depend on its wattage and voltage. Simply a solar panel should provide maximum output wattage by consuming minimum power.
3. Batteries:
The sun’s rays will directly strike on the solar panels, which in turn power up the in-built batteries of solar deck lights. The batteries will generate the essential power required to lighten up the solar deck lights to prevent night darkness. So, it’s essential to check the battery before purchasing this solar deck lights. For longer lighting you have to choose larger battery (more mAH rating). The solar deck lights come with different kinds of batteries like lithium-ion batteries, lead acid batteries, lithium iron phosphate batteries and Ni-MH batteries. Among all these batteries, lithium ion batteries are long lasting and most widely used one.
4. Recharge Time & Run Time:
A few models take less time (below 5 hours) to charge completely and provide lighting for more than 8 hours. Whereas some low-quality solar deck lights will consume more time to get charged and also provides less power to illuminate the lights. So, one has to check the recharge time and run time of a given solar deck lights before buying. Choosing a deck light with less recharge time will help to illuminate the light even in any climatic changes or whenever having less sunlight.
5. Color:
The color temperature is generally measured in terms of Kelvin (K) degrees and the neutral LED light color is the most common solar deck light color. The color with lower temperature will produce a warmer light whereas the higher temperature will produce a cooler and whiter light. If you want to create a soft ambience or lighten up the landscape area then prefer to use warm lights or multicolored lights. Here a table that let you understand about the color temperature and which light color suits best for different rooms.
6. Illumination Range and Angle:
Its essential to know how much feet the solar deck lights will cover by knowing its angle of illumination. So that you came to know how far this light will reach and thereby you can plan for the number of lights you have to install for proper lighting. For instance, want to cover large area then you have to fix more number of lights and vice versa. Although, string deck lights will provide great range of lighting but when dispersed won’t give much illumination. Hence the angle of illumination will affect the lighting and let you know where and how to install the lights. Prefer to fix the downward lighting with wide-angle more than 180°. You can also install these deck lights on the edges of steps to lighten it up.
7. Styles:
As technology improves continuously and various new models are revealing every year. Every new version of solar deck lamp is meant to glow and illuminate the area more brightly when compared with the previous version. So, there are various styles of solar deck lamps are available to decorate your home differently. The lamps with different colors and materials will let you set a fun and warm light setting in your deck to lighten and stylish the area.
8. Weather Resistant & Durability:
Generally, we use solar lights on outside around the home or deck. So, it has to be weather resistant to work on different climatic conditions like rain or snowfall. Or else the solar panel will be affected by moisture and thereby provides dull light or less runtime. It should be waterproof to avoid any short-circuit of electrical components while raining and has to be heat resistant to prevent damaging the light due to excess heat. Always, prefer to use the weather resistant solar panel and solar deck lights to get relief from these problems. Also, one has to consider the construction material and its build quality of these lights. Mostly these are made with either metal or plastic, in which the metal one will hold up effectively whereas the plastic may easily break. In case, if you prefer to use plastic lights, then ensure that they made with heavy duty plastic to hold up effectively for a longer time.
9. Settings:
A few high-end models offer brightness with multiple settings to provide the user with a greater control over setting the illumination and ambience, as per their requirement. But to make the solar deck lights last longer, you have to use them on lower setting. However, most people don’t require lighting throughout the night and if you’re one among them, then prefer to use a motion activated lights, which turns on whenever some one walks through it and turns off automatically after some time, without lighting all the time.
10. Auto On/Off:
There are a few models which let you turn on and off manually. This makes us tedious and we may forget to turn them on in every evening and turn off them in every morning. So, its always preferred to choose the model which comes with auto on/off. All you need is to turn on the light in morning after its installation and it will perform its task of turning on/off automatically.
11. Accessories:
Although, there are so many accessories such as anchor, expansion pillar hinge, batteries, screws, and user manual provided by most of the branded products. All you need is to check whether the given solar deck lights consist of all required accessories or not before its purchase.
12. Lifespan:
Generally, the LED in this solar deck lights will have to last longer for operating thousands of hours, which reach 7 – 15 years. Also, a good quality solar PV cells will last around 20 years. One has to check the battery performance as it has to last longer and most tend to last for 2 – 4 years.
13. Price:
The price should always match the quality of the solar deck lights. Avoid spending huge amount of cash on purchasing not the right deck lights without considering the purpose or even the lighting required. Also, won’t get tempted to purchase the light which comes at less cost. So, segregate your choice depending on the money you want to spend on solar lights by simply narrow down your options, which comes within your price range.
14. Warranty:
To secure your money spent on the product, you have to choose the solar deck lights that comes with a warranty to replace or repair, especially when there is any defect or fault in product. Most of these lights comes with a minimum warranty of 1 year against any manufacturing defects. A few other models may offer a warranty of 3 – 5 years. So, choose your best.
Tips and Precautions:
The solar deck light is specially designed to install on the deck surfaces like stairs, posts, surface and rails. Here are some tips and precautions which you have to follow them for its proper usage.
Make sure to turn on the switch before using it and place them on sunny place to charge for about 6 – 8 hours. Fix them in a sunny area to charge and illuminate the area at night time. Ensure that the surface of solar panel should be clean to get enough sunlight. While purchasing & installing the deck lights, you have to ensure that they are easy to install and use, automatic or manual turning switch on/off on dusk and dawn, will they charge properly on day time, & choose weatherproof (both water resistance and heat resistance). Always make sure to charge the panels (either inbuilt or separate one) for about 8 hours of direct sun light to provide enough lighting in the night. In case, if you won’t have any direct sunlight then simply fix the lights around the house where they get proper sunlight. You can also enjoy the deck lights in a shaded area by positioning a remote photovoltaic panel on the roof or else in sunny area of yard then it has to be wired to solar deck lights in shady areas.
Conclusion:
Out of all the entries, the Aootek Solar lights with its security motion sensors is the best pick for a deck light. With its upgraded solar panel of size 15.3 inches and comes with 3 activity modes. For that motion sensing, it has an intelligent PIR sensor. It’s 2,200 mAH large-capacity lithium-ion battery and a 120 degrees wide-angle and 26 feet coverage all combine to make it one of the best Solar Deck Lights to buy online. While that was our list, we are intrigued by what you think? Did we miss out on anything? Or do you have any questions to ask us? If so, feel free to write to us in the comments section below and our product team will write back to you as soon as possible. Now I don’t have to worry, I can see my drive way from a far. very happy with it and the price is great! The lights are so pretty very different. They light up pretty well and last and very long time after they get full solar charge. These lights are pretty bright and so far have been staying on for over 12 hours a night. Very sturdy as a few cars have already run over them with no issues. Comment * Name * Email * Website
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