Solar deck lights have the benefit of being both cost-effective and environmentally friendly, making them an excellent addition to your deck or outdoor space.
However, when you’re looking for the best solar deck lights, it can be hard to know where to start. There are so many different types of lighting that will suit your needs best.
We considered some of the best solar deck lights on the market and found the Aootek Solar Deck Lights to be the best of the bunch, combining superior build quality with an affordable price tag. However, we also included some strong contenders and runners-up on this list.
The best solar deck lights to light up your outdoor area
As with all our reviews, we’ve started with our top pick and runner-up and then moved on to lights that stand out for their specific features.
1. Best overall – Aootek Solar Deck Lights
We’ve chosen the Aootek solar lights as the best solar deck lights available right now, because they combine affordability with quality.
They’re best for illuminating large areas of your outdoor space, thanks to the wide-angle design. They’re also IP65 weatherproof, which is great for outdoor use in almost any weather conditions.
The Aootek solar lights come with a Motion Sensor Detector and PIR sensor with a range of 26 feet within an angle of 120 degrees.
The 120 LED lights inside aren’t going anywhere anytime soon thanks to how well the ABS casing protects against rain and other elements that could wear down cheaper models.
Another excellent feature of these lights is how easy they are to install and use. They come with everything you need for quick and easy installation, and there are three optional lighting modes to fit your needs.
What we like:
- Durability – The ABS case is waterproof and heat resistant, making these lights ideal for outdoors.
- Waterproofing – IP65 weatherproof is the gold standard for outdoor lighting and electronics.
- Wide-angle – The wide-angle setting of these lights offersgreater light coverage.
What we don’t like:
- Very bright – The 120 LEDs in each light make these lights very bright indeed, which is a consideration if you live in a closely populated area.
Bright, durable, easy to install, and easy to use, the Aootek Solar Deck Lights provide excellent outdoor illumination.
2. Runner-up – Sunface Solar Deck Lights
The Sunface solar deck lights are another best seller for good reason. These are great outdoor lights with a decent light output of 120 LEDs that have an automatic on/off sensor when it is dark or during the day to help save power.
The Sunface solar deck lighting kit comes with easy installation instructions and two modes – one mode turns the LEDs on with a standard warm white glow, the other puts them in color-changing mode.
The high-efficiency polysilicon silicon Solar Panel converts up to 19.5% of the sunlight into electricity and produces eight hours of light after 6-8 hours of charging in direct sunlight.
The best part is that you can use them in all weather conditions because of their IP65 waterproofing and heat-proof ABS casing, and the solar panel comes with an 18-month warranty, which makes this product very reliable.
What we like:
- Color changing – The color changing option adds a nice splash of color to your outdoor area.
- Waterproofing – As with the Aootek lights, IP65 weatherproof is essentially the gold standard for outdoor lighting and electronics.
What we don’t like:
- No sensor – These lights don’t have a sensor function, just an on and off mode.
The Sunface Solar Deck Lights are an excellent way of adding both light and color to your deck.
3. Budget pick – OTHWAY Solar Fence Post Lights
The OTHWAY Solar Fence Post Lights are the best solar deck lights for anyone watching their budget – perfect for lighting up your driveway, garden, or patio for a reasonable price.
They come in a pack of four with each one having its own rechargeable battery that can be charged by the sun or an outlet if necessary and will last about 12 hours after just four to six hours charging during sunlight.
The best part is that they require no wiring whatsoever. Simply screen them to a fence or decking post, and they’re ready to be used.
They have 54 super bright LED lights that will light up your path perfectly at night, but best of all is their price because these best solar deck lights come in a pack for around $15.99, which makes it an incredible value for money.
Despite the low price, they also come with a day/night sensor that automatically turns them on and off.
They have a waterproof ABS casing, so you need not worry when it rains. They also have a sleek contemporary design that will look at home in any modern backyard or outdoor area.
What we like:
- Affordable – If you are looking for an inexpensive lighting solution, these lights are ideal.
- Weatherproof – While not IP65 waterproof, these lights do have a weatherproof ABS casing.
What we don’t like:
- No sensor – While these lights do have a day/night sensor, they do not have a movement sensor.
These inexpensive solar lights are simple, effective, and wallet-friendly. These inexpensive solar lights do exactly what they say on the tin.
4. Most stylish – LOFTEK Solar Deck Lights
We appreciate that not everyone is going to agree with us on the ‘most stylish’ category. However, we believe that the best solar deck lights should not only serve their purpose but be a good-looking addition to your home.
The LOFTEK Solar Deck Lights have a pleasant design cut into the protective cage around the lights that looks good and protects the lights from both cold and heat.
You can install them pretty much anywhere, which makes these solar deck lights not only unique and stylish but versatile as well.
With its sleek and modern design, this light looks great on any surface and is very reliable because of its ABS casing and IP54 waterproofing.
These solar lights have an internal Ni-MH AA 600mAh battery which charges after 6-8 hours and provides 10-12 hours of illumination. They also come with an automatic day/night sensor that turns them on and off.
What we like:
- The look – If you are looking for a slightly more decorative light, these lights are an excellent choice.
- The battery power- After only 6-8 hours of charging, these slightly larger than average 600mAh batteries provide 10-12 hours of illumination.
What we don’t like:
- The short warranty – While these lights do come with a 6-month warranty for product quality issues, that’s a little on the short side to see if they survive the winter.
Good looking and effective, the LOFTEK Solar Deck Lights add a little pleasant ambiance to your outdoor spaces.
5. Best large bundle – VOLISUN Solar Deck Lights (12-Pack)
If you have a larger garden or outdoor space you need lit, these solar deck lights from VOLISUN are a great option. These are definitely the best solar deck lights available in a large bundle.
They come in an incredibly large pack of 12, which means you get all the benefits of having these outdoor solar deck lights without worrying about how many you need to light your area and with no extra cost for more than one set.
These solar decks can be used on steps, fencing, decking, along paths, and over doorways, making them hugely multipurpose.
With an aluminum frame that is designed to be run over by cars and is IP67 waterproof, you can put these lights almost anywhere.
As solar lights, they require no wiring, and installation is done in just a few simple steps. The solar panels on the top of each deck light absorb energy during the day and automatically power up at night to emit their soft, white glow.
Each light emits around 400-500Lm, and a full eight-hour charge gives you a whopping 72 hours of illumination.
The solar deck lights come with an 18-month warranty, so you can be sure that these solar-powered garden lights are designed to stand the test of time.
What we like:
- The insane durability – Designed to be repeatedly driven over by cars and IP67 waterproof, the lights a hugely durable.
- The number of lights – You get 12 of these lights in one pack for a very reasonable price.
What we don’t like:
- The size and illumination – Designed primarily as driveway lights, each individual lamp only kicks out a moderate amount of light. This issue is somewhat undercut by the fact that you get enough lights to just put up more to increase the amount of light.
Hugely durable and good value, the VOLISUN lights are an amazing large bundle deal.
How to choose the right solar deck lights for your needs
Solar deck lights are fairly simple things, but there are some factors you’ll want to take into consideration when buying, including:
Brightness
How much of a solar deck light you need depends largely on the size of your solar deck. The best solar deck lights are bright enough for the job, without being too bright. Anything more than 100 lumens for small solar decks will probably be overkill and just a waste of energy.
If you live in a highly-populated area, you might also want to think about how a powerful light coming on and off in the night is going to impact your relationship with your neighbors.
As a general rule, multiple smaller lights will provide better coverage than one or two more powerful lights.
Materials & durability
An inexpensive solar spotlight may not last as long as one built from more durable materials.
Just like with any other electronic device, if you buy cheap now it’ll cost you again later down the line when they break after only two months, so don’t cut corners here!
Metal or ABS casings and any light with an IP65 waterproofing rating or above are the standards to aim for.
Aesthetics
When it comes to outdoor lighting, function usually trumps form, but solar lights are an exception.
You can choose solar lighting without worrying about your power bill, so you have the freedom to make them as beautiful as any other outdoor fixture!
Since you don’t have to run cabling to pay more per light, there’s no reason why they can’t provide a touch ambiance, even if you have to put up more lights to get good coverage.
Charging time/conditions
As with all solar lighting, the charging time of solar deck lights depends on solar exposure and weather conditions.
That means these lights will only provide illumination through the night if they are fully charged in direct sunlight during the day, so if you live somewhere where it’s often overcast or cloudy, solar lighting with a sensor function is probably the best idea.
The sensor means the lights only come on when needed, saving what battery power they were able to draw during the day.
Even if you have good solar conditions, you’ll want to place your solar panels so that they get the best exposure possible.
Installation
Installing solar deck lights is often as simple as sticking the solar panel to a railing and screwing in the light.
The first step is mounting solar panels on your deck or gazebo, for which you’ll need some screws, nuts, and bolts.
Some solar lights come with their own adhesive tape that can be stuck onto surfaces such as wood, plastic, or stone, but this solution tends not to be as durable as using screws.
You’ll want to make sure when ordering that your lights come with all the required fixings.
People often get caught out by the fact that solar lights often come with a small on/off switch you’ll need to find and hit before installing them.
The last thing you want to do is remember you haven’t turned them on just after you’ve put the ladder away.
The best solar deck lights
Solar deck lights are a great addition to your outdoor space and can be used to light up a garden pathway, decking, or patio area.
They’re solar-powered and therefore don’t require any wiring or add to your bills, making them a fantastic low-maintenance and low-effort way to add some eco-friendly lighting to your deck!
If you want affordable, quality deck lights, then the Aootek Solar Deck Lights are the best solar deck lights well worth your consideration. We found these to be the best solar deck lights among all the products we reviewed, though every light deserves its place on our list.
