14 Solar-Powered Lights From Amazon You'll Want In Your Backyard

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For those wanting to illuminate their backyards without the hassle of hardwiring, solar lights are an obvious choice. They require little more than a sunny spot to shine, making installation about as easy as it gets. What's more, if you shop on Amazon, there are lots of exciting solar-powered designs to choose from.

We've spent some time exploring the platform's virtual aisles to find some of its most unique solar-powered lights. Some will help to bolster your home's security, using motion sensors to make potential intruders think twice about their actions. Others are designed to make your yard safer, illuminating your steps and walkways to prevent your guests from falling foul of your landscaping. There are decorative options reminiscent of fireworks, and if you've moved to the city and miss the fireflies of the country, there are lights to scratch that itch, too. As we'll explain in more detail later, all products are rated at least 4.2 stars, and all have received at least 130 user reviews to-date.

Adding lights around your decking can make it more pleasant and much safer to use when the sun goes down. These Solar Deck Lights from SOLPEX are built to mount on your decking's steps, railings, and posts. For a regular retail price of $39.99, you get 16 lights, which seems like reasonable value for those with larger decks to illuminate.

They can charge in up to five hours, assuming that they receive plenty of sunlight. They're also straightforward to install, with screw holes for easy fastening to the wood of your deck. As for reviews, this particular set of solar lights scores 4.3 stars overall, with 68% of more than 16,750 buyers to-date awarding it top marks. They earn points for their brightness and ease of installation, and there are some who liked the set so much that they ordered another. "Great ambience for the deck," said one user, who added, "not too bright, not too low, perfect lighting."

One way to help burglar proof your backyard is to add motion-sensor lights. Tuffenough's LED Solar Security Lights come as a set of two for $32.99, each of which works to detect motion on a 270 degree arc. Larger sets are available, but if you just need to cover a small-to-medium-sized area, the 210 LEDs in each light can produce up to 2,500 lumens of light, which ought to be sufficient. You can also buy just a single light for $29.69.

Whatever you choose, there's plenty of customer feedback to help inform your decision. In fact, the lights have been reviewed by more than 41,500 buyers, and of those, 72% gave them 5 stars. They're scored 4.4 stars overall, and while they're sold as security lights, they've proven useful in a number of novel ways. "They have been so amazing with helping know where our black dog is in the back yard at night," said one buyer. Another, who needed something to deal with "a particularly wily skunk," explained that the lights are incredibly bright. In their own words, "Even if one of these fails, I'd rebuy. The skunks seem to hate them."

Amazon's lighting category is replete with ideas to illuminate your garden walkway, but solar stake lights are among the easiest to install and get working. These Solar Lights from DenicMic are a good example, offering buyers a pack of 10 for $22.99. They're designed to be staked into the ground, and feature stainless steel poles for durability. As for the lights, they emit a "starburst" pattern onto the ground after dark. You can choose from several colors, too, including both cool and warm white, along with purple, green, pink, and more.

As for reviews, again, there's no shortage of feedback to help inform your buying decisions. In this case, more than 10,000 users have offered their thoughts and feelings, with 78% giving the lights the full 5 stars. They're rated 4.5 stars overall. As for why, several buyers said that they're excellent decor for the spooky season, while others appreciated their lightweight, quality build. "I needed some lights to light up our path in the woods to our bonfire pit," said one. "Absolutely perfect."

Unlike the deck lights featured earlier, Lifengsoler's Clip-On Solar Lights require zero drilling. This makes them a useful prospect for renters who want to enjoy their garden after dark, without bending the laws of the landlord. They cost $44.99 for four, and those clips mean that you can easily reposition them should you need to. Motion sensors help to lend a greater degree of usability, too, whether you need security lighting or a way to find your dog after dark.

Some buyers have put the lights to work on their fences, outdoor cooking areas, and even around the perimeter of their chicken pen to ward off curious carnivores. In fact, more than 135 have offered their feedback to-date, and of those, 78% gave the lights top marks, lending to an overall score of 4.6. "These lights have worked out well," said one buyer, who explained that it's important to give them plenty of sunlight. "We're enjoying the fact that they can quickly be moved to a desired location. The lights are quite bright and the motion sensors work very well."

Using a classic Edison-style bulb, Greluna's Solar Pathway Lights offer an easy and innovative garden path upgrade that can immediately make your yard more inviting. They feature a classic lantern design, mounted on a metal stake that secures easily into the ground. Runtimes extend up to 10 hours, which should be plenty, unless you plan to pull an all-nighter. They're also available in several colors, including warm white, cool white, and a vibrant, moody purple.

Price-wise, they usually sell for $39.99, which buys a set of 12. That's pretty good value, even by the standards of other products in this guide. They're also well-rated at 4.3 stars, with 71% of more than 2,690 reviewers awarding the lights full marks. Reasons behind this vary, but as one buyer happily summed it up, "This item is definitely recommended! It makes my walkway light up and pop. Color is bright and vibrant." Just bear in mind that a minority of users have noticed problems with long-term durability, including several who said their lights struggled to last for more than one year.

Designed to lie low to the ground, INCX's Solar Ground Lights suit yards where a sleek, modern aesthetic is the order of the day. They can be used like the previous stake lights; simply stake them into the ground to illuminate your walkways and make life safer for those navigating them after dark. And since they're IP65 rated, they're designed to withstand wet weather, which is good to know since they're made to sit closer to the ground.

They're priced in the same ballpark as other sets listed thus far, costing $37.99 for a total of 12 lights. And like the previous set, they're rated 4.3 stars overall. That's the result of more than 13,450 reviews, which is impressive, especially considering 69% of those awarded the set 5 stars. They lose marks in certain areas, with several users receiving dud lights, and others whose lights malfunctioned from condensation. Where these lights shine is their ease of installation, brightness, and in one case, durability in the face of a lawn mower. "These solar lights are perfect for the backyard!" said one buyer. "They stay lit for a long time, even after several cloudy or rainy days, which really impressed me."

If you're hoping to turn your garden into a festival-style retreat, the easiest way to start is to hang string lights all across your yard. It's not for everybody, but if it's what you have in your mind's eye, then why not? Brightown's Solar String Lights are just one among the countless string-light products available on Amazon. They set themselves apart with a reassuring 4.4-star rating thanks to more than 2,975 user reviews, 75% of which gave them top marks. They're designed with a cord and separate solar panel, which you can position in a nice sunny spot to ensure your bulbs have plenty of juice. They also come in various colors, each of which uses classic Edison-style bulbs. As for size, you can buy sets to cover up to 202 feet.

For a 52-feet set, they currently cost $39.99, and while they're primarily designed as a solar solution, they can also be recharged via USB, should the sun decide not to shine. When fully charged, the set can deliver up to 30 hours (or more) of runtime. Users are also given plenty of control over how their lighting looks, with a remote control that enables various modes and brightness settings. "The best solar lights yet!" said one happy shopper. "They are amazing! I love the fact that you can plug the battery in & charge it."

It's hard to overstate the importance of outdoor step lights. Not only do they highlight your yard's carefully-designed hardscape features, but they also make them far safer to use after dark. Volisun's Solar Stair Lights are designed for this reason, and can be easily installed at the base of each stair riser, thus making them easier to see. Like other products, they're available in various colors, including warm white, cool white, blue, and green. They're also available in packs of different sizes, depending on the number of steps you need to secure.

Price wise, $35.99 currently buys six lights. It also affords the backing of a 4.5-star rating. To-date, more than 3,830 buyers have offered their feedback, and out of those, a very respectable 77% gave the solar lights 5 stars. As for why, it seems that they simply do what they're designed to do. "Great solution to dark spaces and deck steps," said one user, who added that they're "Really bright when fully charged." In the words of another, "These have been fabulous! Still working after quite some time! They've also stayed put."

Before we dive into the product, we'll admit that it's not for everyone. However, if you're looking to have a little fun with your lighting, and you don't need it to dovetail with a sleek, modern yard design, Gigalumi's Solar Firework Lights could be worth considering. They cost $15.99 for two. Each has 120 LEDs, which are mounted on flexible copper wires, allowing you to arrange your lights in an array of styles — fireworks included. On a full charge, they can run for up to 10 hours per night.

Reading the reviews, this set is mostly promising, with 70% of more than 4,490 users having awarded the set top marks. It's a little lower rated than other sets featured thus far, sitting currently on an overall score of 4.2. Some users have had issues with durability, which is worth bearing in mind if you need your lights to last. That's not true of every user, though, in fact one explained, "These garden lights are just as described and still going strong after a couple of months." They added that they live in an area with high winds, and admitted that the copper wires do tend to "bend" in the breeze. Even still, they explained, "I have placed them in our garden and planter boxes and love the look of these magical bright lights."

Moving away from the staked or screwed-in lights featured up until now, Kooper's Solar Lanterns can be hung from a hook or allowed to set the mood on your patio table. Solar panels on the top keep them charged (provided they're placed in a sunny spot), and when they turn on, they mimic real flames. This adds a cozy, ambient glow to your space, and while you probably won't need them to, they can run for up to 12 hours on a full charge. As for price, $37.99 buys four lanterns, which is ideal if you have a large deck or patio to work with.

They're rated 4.5 stars overall. More than 3,330 users have weighed in on this particular product, and of those, 79% said that they're worth having. "I love these so much," said one, who complimented the lantern's beautiful flickering effect. "The lights last all night and into the morning. Easy installation. They look so beautiful flickering in my back yard."

We're back to stake-style lights, but with a slight design-based twist. IkeeRuic's Solar Torch Lights are more reminiscent of tiki torches than standard modern stake lights. Like the previous lanterns, these lights offer a flickering flame-style light, but since they're staked, they can be positioned anywhere that the ground's soft enough to allow it. You'll get six for $29.99, which represents decent value in the wider context of this guide. And in the reviews, the majority of users have said that they'd recommend them.

The set is rated 4.3 stars overall, which admittedly isn't the highest in this article. Still, it's the result of more than 10,200 reviews, including 69% who awarded it the full 5 stars. "Running strong and long," said one buyer, who added that their lights are now into their second year of use. Another, who admitted that the instructions took some working out, explained, "Flickering flames make them look like real candles." The only thing to bear in mind before you buy is that some users were surprised by how small the lights were. Therefore, it pays to check the specs before tossing these lights in your basket.

One of the cheapest sets of lights featured to this point, JKIMK's Solar Globe Lights currently retail for $11.90, which buys two. They're also available in sets of four, six, and eight. In any case, the globes feature an attractive, cracked-glass style design. They can be placed anywhere in your garden to lend a unique and sculptural touch when the sun goes down. On your lawn or in your flower beds, the included ground stakes help to keep them securely in place. You can also choose from three colors, including warm white, gradient red, and multicolor.

They earn a 4.3 star rating overall, with 70% of more than 7,040 buyers awarding them full marks. One user, who bought them to help their mom create a magical fairy garden, explained, "She loves them and they look great in any garden/walkway." Another buyer, who admitted that the lights are smaller than they expected, nevertheless said they're "very pretty" and a "great option for garden decorating." Just note that, if you need your lights to last all night, some buyers have faced problems with short runtimes. A small percentage of buyers have also voiced concerns over durability.

Instead of fireworks, these Solar Lights from ASMAD give the illusion of fireflies in whichever corner you decide to place them. They feature LEDs on stalks, which "protrude" from your flower beds, lending them visual interest after dark. Once in situ, they're designed to sway in the wind, just like the real deal. As for price, they come in packs of four, which cost $22.98.

This all sounds quite gimmicky, and you could be forgiven for being dubious. Yet they're rated 4.5 stars overall — the result of more than 9,125 reviews to-date. In fact, 75% of reviewers have awarded the lights top marks, including one who said, "The ASMAD solar outdoor lights have easily become our favorite purchase for our yard and garden." They added that they were simple to set up, charge easily, and that overall, "The lights add a welcoming touch to our landscaping."

This set of Solar Fairy Lights from Joomer is suited to those who need to light a large area without spending a fortune to do it. It features two coils of sturdy, yet flexible copper wire lights. Together, they extend to 80 feet, and since they're flexible, they can easily be fixed to various surfaces, including walls, fences, porches, and more. Each roll features a stake-mounted solar panel, which you can position somewhere sunny to ensure plenty of charge. After dark, you can choose from eight modes to set the mood on different occasions. You can also choose from various colors before you buy, including warm white, cool white, red, orange and purple, blue, and more.

With an overall rating of 4.3, reviews are largely favorable. Over 7,700 users have reviewed the set, and out of those, 70% gave the lights 5 stars. As one user put it, "These little lights are awesome, there are a lot of them and work really well...For the money they are worth it!" One of the main limiting factors is runtime. Some users said that they maxed out at just a few hours per night, which is worth knowing if you need them to glow until sunrise.

In order to find quality solar-powered lights on Amazon, we focused our search on products with a minimum overall rating of 4.2 stars. To ensure that those ratings represented an accurate depiction of the products' quality, we aimed to ensure each product had at least 100 reviews from real users. In our final list, no product has received feedback from less than 130 Amazon shoppers.