Thanks to this Solar Light Test you will never be looking for your keyhole at night agian 

Here at TestplusReview, we want to help you choose the best solar lights. We have extensively researched and compared solar lights in our Solar Lights review.

What is a Solar Light?

Solar lighting relies on the power of the sun and solar energy: these lights do not require an electrical supply. They are an eco-friendly alternative to traditional lighting and ideal for illuminating backyards, patios and outdoor spaces.

Solar powered lights are a practical and extremely environmentally friendly option. They can be placed and moved anywhere, unlike fixed electrical lights.
Solar lighting can save you up to 80% in running costs.

Solar lights provide a soft glow for several hours at night. Specially designed batteries store energy from the sun during the day. The solar lights then use this stored solar power when they automatically switch on at dusk.

Solar lighting is an excellent option for illuminating your patio, walkway, or backyard. Solar lighting:

• Shows off your home and it’s features;
• Creates a warm ambiance, style and charm;
• Provides safety and security for your outdoor living spaces;
• Saves energy and is environmentally friendly.

Which different kinds of Solar Lights are available?

Solar lights are water resistant and are designed to withstand the weather conditions of outdoor use. They can be sited outdoors on your patio, lawn, bushes, or backyard to improve the ambiance and all without electricity.

What sort of lighting do you need? Do you want to light up a path? A patio? Plant borders? Once you know what you want the lights to do, you can choose the right solar light for you. The range and functions of solar lights continues to grow:

• Solar Path Lights – for driveways and paths.
• Solar Wall Lights – for lighting up the veranda, patio or garage.
• Solar Landscape Lights – for lighting up the backyard, trees or plants.
• Solar String Lights – for hanging on trees, along walls or fences.
• Solar Security Lights – for improving security and safety.

What to consider when buying a Solar Light?

Range
The range and brightness of the light of outdoor lighting is measured in lumens or candle feet.
• If you want a less focused glow, then choose incandescent light.

• If you want a more focused range then choose LED lights. LEDs create a softer and more subdued lighting effect. LEDs give decorative lighting around your home and patio and can focus on a particular spot.

Brightness
Light bulbs and LEDs are rated in lumens, whilst indicator LEDs tend to be rated in candelas. The difference is that lumens measure light output at the source, while candelas measure the light that falls on a surface. LED bulbs produce a brighter light and last much longer than other bulbs.

LED (light emitting diode) lights are about five times more efficient in their energy usage than incandescent bulbs. An average 100 W incandescent bulb produces about 1,700 lumens or about 17 lumens per watt. In comparison, LED lights produce anywhere from 65 – 90 lumens per watt (Wattage measures power consumption, not brightness).

The brightness of your solar lights will depend on how well they recharge and the quality of the rechargeable solar battery, which will self-discharge over time. To ensure maximum brightness, it is recommended that you charge your solar lights at least every three months so the battery lasts its lifespan of 1 – 2 years.

Number of Lights
How many lights you want will depend on the purpose and type of the solar light.
If you have trees or bushes in your grounds, then string solar lights add an attractive and colorful light feature at night and illuminate your backyard.

Changeable setting
Many lights have multiple light settings so you can change the mood and ambient lighting depending on the occasion. Features such as Blinking/Flashing and Steady modes are ideal if you want to change your lighting to brighten any party or subtly illuminate a dinner party.

Location 
Solar lights need to be exposed to direct sunlight during the day. Their solar cells convert energy from the sun into electricity. Most lights require eight hours of sunshine to fully charge their batteries so they shine throughout the night. Although solar lighting requires little maintenance, it is recommended that you keep them clean and unobstructed – shade, dirt, debris & fallen leaves will all reduce their effectiveness.

The 6 Solar Lights in our solar lights comparison:

1. Kenroy Home KEH-60503
2. Sunforce 81256 Solar Motion Light
3. Kenroy Home Landfall
4. Nekteck Outdoor Solar Powered Motion Sensor LED Wall Mount Light
5. Moonrays 91754 Richmond-Style Path Light
6. Moonrays 91129 solar powered LED globe string lights

Kenroy Home KEH-60503

If you want a string of beautiful lights then the Kenroy Home KEH-60503 is perfect for you. It lets you place practical solar lighting wherever you like. These strings of lights will decorate your landscaping, illuminate walkways and paths or draw attention to flower beds. There is an eight feet space between each solar powered string light, so you can place these 0.1 watt LED lights wherever and however you desire.

The timer control lets you decide when and how long these solar lights will stay on. You can choose for the lights to be lit for four-, five- or six-hour periods, starting at dusk. It is a versatile solution and can be buried either in the ground or on your deck for illumination. These solar lights allow you to draw attention to a special feature.

PROS: Adjustable stake and bracket set. Rechargeable 3.6-volt batteries. Timer and power switch.
CONS: Installation into the ground can be tricky and time consuming.
VERDICT: With such an impressive range of features and user-friendly controls and settings, the Kenroy Home KEH-60503 is an affordable favourite for many families.

Sunforce 81256

If you are looking for a solar security light, then Sunforce 81256 Solar Motion Light is top of the range. With a detection range of 180 degrees, it brightly lights a 30-foot area with 60 LEDs. Using the three dials, you choose the light level; adjust the sensitivity of the motion detector and how long you want the lights on at night. The 5.7-inch x 8.85-inch x 8.10-inch light includes 60 LEDs, a pack of 6-volt rechargeable AA batteries and a 6-volt solar panel.

PROS: On and off switch. Gives added security around your home or property, especially darkened areas around garages, homes and pathways. You can customise settings to suit your needs. Has up to a 30-foot, 180-degree range of coverage.
CONS: Needs to be left out in the sun for three days to fully charge. The motion sensor may be too efficient for some as it moves back and forth continually in a 180-degree sweep to cover the area.
VERDICT: The Sunforce 81256 Solar Motion Light is a solar motion detector that shines light in large areas.

Kenroy Home Landfall

The Kenroy Home Landfall Solar Lamp has a contemporary design. Although it may look like an indoor lamp, this solar LED light will transform your outdoor space and bring the inside, outside. With three LED bulbs on a solar disc and a 10-foot power cord attached to the base of the lamp, this neutral-colored light gives you the flexibility of using it both outdoors and indoors – perfect for emergency lighting or sleepovers in the backyard.

Measuring 16 inches in diameter by 60.5 inches high, the spool shaped body of the bronze lamp includes felt feet to guard against scratching surfaces. The lampshade measures 12 inches in diameter at the top and 16 inches in diameter at the base.

PROS: On/off switch. LED bulbs shine light as far as 65.62 feet. Beam angle of 120 degrees. Sturdy weather resistant design. Replacement parts are also available. One-year warranty and 90-day return policy.
CONS: Neutral-colored outdoor solar light may be too bland for some people.
VERDICT: Decorate your indoor or outdoor seating area with style with this contemporary-styled lamp, which provides convenient indoor and outdoor lighting. You can use it indoors with electricity, or you can remove the solar disc and take it outdoors to charge.

Nekteck Outdoor Solar Powered Motion Sensor LED Wall Mount Light

If you want outdoor lighting and extra security for your home, then the Nekteck Outdoor Solar Powered Motion Sensor LED Wall Mount Light is ideal for you.
With its bright LED lights, it illuminates your backyard, paths and enhances your outdoor space. Measuring 7.3 inch x 4.9 inch x 1.2 inch and constructed from durable Aluminium, this solar light mounts easily to walls and posts. It provides white light, emitting 200-lumen LED. When motion is detected, Nekteck Outdoor Solar Powered Motion Sensor LED offers maximum brightness illumination across a wide area.

PROS: All-Weather Design. Detection range of up to 3 meter. Adjustable horizontally and vertically up to 90 degrees. Easy to install and mount to posts. 200 Lumens.
CONS: Only 25 Super bright LEDs. Only has 2 MODES: CDS + motion-motivated; CDS steady on.
VERDICT: A good compromise between focused solar lighting and general lighting.

Moonrays 91754 Richmond-Style Path Light

The Moonrays 91754 Richmond-Style Path Light is Moonrays brightest light and provides light for up to 8-hours on a full battery charge. Sold in a 2-pack, each LED is 25 times brighter than traditional 1.2 lumen solar lights and will always remain cool to the touch. The LED bulb will never need to be replaced. The Moonrays 91754 Richmond-Style Path Light comes with a 1-year limited warranty.

PROS: Each light emits 30-lumens from the .35-watt LED. 360-degree vision. Beam angle of 120 degrees.
CONS: Price may put some people off.
VERDICT: Fitted with a convex lens which provides greater light output, this light enlarges the area of illumination, making this a perfect solution for lighting paths and drives.

Moonrays 91129 solar powered LED globe string lights

If you are seeking an affordable solar light, then the Moonrays 91129 solar powered LED globe string lights provide a flexible solution. They add ambient mood lighting to trees, backyards and outdoor living dining areas and pagodas. The 10 LEDs on the string provide a warm white light. The LED bulb will never need to be replaced and remains cool to the touch, making this ideal for families who require a child-friendly lighting option. You have a choice of installation options: the remote solar panel can be mounted on a wall or clipped to a stake in the ground.

PROS: Choice of fixings, one-year warranty. Child-friendly – safe to touch LED.
CONS: Only 1 rechargeable battery, making it dimmer than others. Low-level lighting.
VERDICT: With long-term energy savings and no wiring, this is a perfect lighting solution for families who want to light up their backyards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I use solar lights for?

• They are great for lighting up outdoor areas, helping to provide low-level accent lighting during the evening and night.

Where is the best place to put solar lights?

• When placing solar lights in your outdoor space, it’s a good idea to position them in a sunny spot. Otherwise, if your solar lights are obstructed, they will not get a full charge during the day, and will be less effective.

Conclusion

So, you’ve read our solar lights review. Isn’t it time you changed the mood of your home or patio with charming solar lights? WE have found the best solar light for you.

Our solar lights test review recommends:

Our solar lights comparison winner is Sunforce 81256. You have full control with an on and off switch and you can customise settings to suit your needs. Has up to a 30-foot, 180-degree range of coverage. This provides added security around your home or property, lighting up dark areas around garages, homes and pathways.

In our solar lights test our price-performance ratio winner is the Moonrays 91754 Richmond-Style Path Light because the warm white LED is 30 lumens, which is 25 times brighter than standard path lights. It also comes with 3 rechargeable batteries, which can be replaced by the user, meaning this solar light will last and complement your backyard for years and years