Outdoor Lighting

Modern solar lights also have more efficient photovoltaic cells and batteries that perform all year round. In addition, outdoor solar bulbs are also easy to install. You can place them virtually anywhere you need light as they don’t need plug-in power sources. However, when shopping for outdoor solar lights, it’s important to choose the right solar light for the function you want it to perform. In this guide, we’ll guide you through the process of choosing the right garden solar lights.

Discover the Different Types of Solar Garden Lights

It’s crucial to take into account how the outdoor solar lights will be used. For example, do you want to light an entryway? Or do you want to create a focal point in your garden? Does your back gate need lighting for easy access to the yard? Here are the most common types of solar garden lights based on intended use and installation.

Path Lights

These are the most common outdoor solar lights. Their purpose is to illuminate pathways. They usually come with stakes that are inserted into the ground on a sidewalk or driveway. A solar panel mounted on top of the device generates the electricity that powers the light. However, the pathway should have plenty of sunlight for these solar lights to work properly.

Spot Lights

Solar spotlights are the brightest of all outdoor solar lights. They create a bright beam of light that can be directed at a specific area and can be used to provide guidance or for security purposes. Spotlights can be mounted in different ways and adjusted to illuminate the light in any direction.

Post Lights

These solar garden lights are similar to path lights. The only difference is that they are fixed to a post instead of being inserted into the ground.

String Lights

String lights are a great choice if you're looking for lights to create a warm and inviting atmosphere in your garden. They feature multiple lights on a long cable that can be fixed whenever possible. This could be your flowerbed or deck. String lights are specifically used as decorative lights.

Wall Lights

These solar powered lights come in different forms, including spotlights, lanterns, and floodlights. Outdoor wall lights can be fixed along the walls or fencing to illuminate the area for security or safety purposes.  

Flood Lights

Often used for security lighting, flood lights have a wide-angle design that makes it possible to flood a large area with bright illumination. They often come with motion sensors that activate when needed.

Step Lights

If you’re struggling with stairs around your outside space, such as those leading to the deck or porch, you may want to install step lights. These solar powered lights will illuminate the stairs, making it easier and safer for you to access your outside space at night.

What Brightness Level Should You Choose?

When it comes to choosing the brightness level of your outdoor solar light, you have to take into account its intended use. For example, if you’re looking for a solar light for your patio dining area, choose a dimmer, softer option. For security lighting, go for a brighter light to heighten your overall awareness and protect your property from intruders.

The brightness of a bulb is measured in lumens. Brighter bulbs have a higher lumen rating. Most indoor night lights have less than 50 lumens, while floodlights produce about 1,000 lumens. Path lights and step lights emit around 100 to 200 lumens. For security lighting, choose a light that produces over 70 lumens.

Some solar garden lights have on and off switches, while others feature adjustable settings. Automatic on-off, adjustable brightness and motion-sensing are some of the settings you would find on these solar powered lights.

What Battery Type And Capacity Is Best?

There are four different types of batteries you can find in solar powered garden lights. These include lithium-ion, lead acid, NiCad, and NiMH. If you're looking for longer lasting battery, choose a lithium-ion battery. They have a higher capacity and can work for longer hours. Their small size also makes them a popular choice among buyers.

However, this does not mean other batteries aren't great. Lead acid and NiMH are also good options. They have higher capacities, which makes them powerful. This brings us to another crucial aspect of solar batteries – capacity. Battery capacity is measured in milliamps hour (mAh). The higher the mAh, the longer the battery will last.

Here is the mAh of the different battery types.

• Lithium-ion batteries – 2000 to 6000 mAh

• Lead acid batteries – 4000 to 6000 mAh

• NiMH batteries – 2000 mAh

• NiCad batteries – 600 mAh

Battery Charging and Runtime

Solar garden lights harness energy from the sun and store it in batteries for later use. It usually takes 6 to 8 hours to charge the batteries fully. Once fully charged, the solar light can last for 4 to 8 hours. Where you install the solar garden light will have an impact on the amount of time required to charge the battery and the life span of the battery.

Your outdoor solar light will perform better on sunny days. If you want to light an entryway in a shaded area, use a separate solar panel placed in an area that receives more sunlight. You may find outdoor solar lights with ambient light sensors that switch on the lights automatically when the sun sets. However, some come with manual on and off switches.

If you want more control over your solar lights' battery life, choose lights with manual on-off switches. You can also opt for motion-sensing solar lights that switch on when someone passes by.

Which Bulb Type Should You Choose?

The bulb is the main component of solar light as it’s responsible for providing light. There are a few different types of solar lights used in outdoor solar lights. They include LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), Halogen, HID (High-Density Discharge), and CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lamp).

However, when it comes to outdoor solar lights, LED is the best option. Here are the benefits of using LED bulbs.

• They use up to 75% less energy, making them a more energy-efficient option than other bulbs.

• When it comes to durability, they last up to 25 times longer than regular bulbs.

• With a lifespan of more than 50,000 hours, LED bulbs will remain maintenance-free for the time they'll be in use.  

• They also have a compact design, which makes it possible to create compact fixtures.

Installation

Solar garden lights are easy to install as they are designed for people who are looking for a simple garden solar lighting solution for their outdoor space. The installation process of a solar garden light is often determined by the lighting type and where you intend to install it. String lights are some of the easiest outdoor solar lights to install. They can be loosely attached or around something.

Wall lights require mounting and may come with screws and other hardware to help with mounting. One thing to keep in mind when looking for a place to mount the lights is how they will look during the day. For instance, if you want to install the lights in an open area, choose options with attractive designs so they will boost the appearance of your outdoor space.

Choosing the Right Material for Your Solar Garden Light

Outdoor solar lights have to withstand harsh weather conditions. For this reason, it’s important to choose a waterproof solar light constructed from high-quality materials that can stand the test of time. Plastic, aluminum, and stainless steel are some of the materials used to make outdoor solar lights. They are all great materials that can withstand the elements. So, it's essentially up to you to choose the material you prefer.

Do Solar Lights Work In Winter?

Solar garden lights work perfectly well in winter. Even in the thickest clouds, a small amount of light can penetrate and reach your solar light. Your solar panel will still be able to absorb the light. It may not be as much compared to a sunny day, but enough energy will be collected to provide light at night.

Shop the Best Outdoor Solar Lights at vidaxl

If you're looking for the best garden solar lighting solution, browse our extensive selection of solar garden lights. Since solar lights are 100% reliant on energy from the sun, which is converted to electric current, you won't need power cables, and there's also the added advantage of easy installation. Our outdoor garden light collection includes path, post, wall, spot, and string lights.

In addition, all our solar lights come with the best batteries that will supply power to your lights for a long time. They are also made from high-quality material, so you can be sure they will last for many years in your outdoor space, providing the much-needed light in your outdoor living area. Most importantly, our solar lights are easy to install, require little maintenance, and work perfectly in winter. They are value for money for anyone looking for the right lighting solution for their outdoor space. You can never go wrong with solar garden lights, regardless of the climate in your region.