Best Solar Flagpole Lights for 2024

Flying the flag outside of the home symbolises national pride for many people.  

However, taking the flag down every night is a chore, particularly if you have mobility issues, and leaving it up unlit might be breaching local ordinances, especially in the U.S.

So, if you’re looking for a cost-effective way to light your flag, we suggest a quality solar flagpole light, like our top pick, the Solar Daisy. 

To make finding the right light for you as easy as possible, we’ve reviewed some of the best solar flagpole lights on the market and put together a comprehensive buying guide.

Best solar flagpole lights

To make sure you have the best selection of solar flagpole lights to choose from, we’ve split our reviews into different categories that cover particular requirements:

1. Our top pick – Solar Daisy Widebody Flagpole Light

Not everyone has the benefit of consistent sunshine. Part of what makes the Solar Daisy our top choice for the best solar flagpole light is that it can run for three days on a single full charge. 

While the design of the Solar Daisy is reasonably simple, it’s a disk that sits on the pole above your flag. However, it’s packed with advanced solar cell technology and intelligent power reserve circuitry that give you the best performance possible.

The light has been designed to provide 50% more light than other standard flag pole lights on the market. To make sure you get the best coverage, the Solar Daisy comes with proprietary intelligent automatic adjustable brightness that fades the light in and out to preserve battery life.

The Solar Daisy fits most 15ft to 25 ft flagpoles and can be combined with most 0.5-inch ornamental topper spindles. However, the shaft or spindle must be a maximum of 0.5 inches thick and a minimum of 1.5 inches long.

What we like:

• Power reserves – One full charge of the solar cells provides three nights of reserve power.
• Intelligent brightness – The Solar Daisy detects the local light conditions and changes the brightness to preserve battery power.
• Replaceable batteries – Should the 18650 batteries eventually fail, you can easily replace them.

What we don’t like:

• Dim – Some users reported that the intelligent automatic adjustable brightness system keeps the light relatively low in the evenings and mornings.

The Solar Daisy is bright, easy to fit, runs for three nights on a single charge, and comes packed with features that help maximize its battery life and illumination.

2. The runner up – Deneve Solar Flag Pole Light

Not only does Deneve produce excellent flagpole lights, but their U.S-based operations operate on a 100% zero-landfill policy. This means all materials left over from their production are recycled, including electronics.

The 20 LED lights provide 1300 lumens of light, and an increased number of photovoltaic cells over other models means that light stays bright for longer. This means the Deneve delivers 20% more light coverage than the standard flag pole lights currently on the market.

Installing the Deneve is remarkably easy. All you need to do is lower your pole, spin your ball shaft and nut off the pole. You then center the lights’ hole over the pole’s hole, re-insert your ball shaft and nut into both holes, tighten and raise your flag again. Don’t forget to turn the light on before you fit it.

What we like:

• Zero-landfill policy – All leftover materials produced by Deneve’s US-based operations are recycled, including electronics.
• Easy to fit – The fitting process for the light is simple and doesn’t require any tools. 
• Better coverage  – Brighter LEDs and more photovoltaic cells mean the Deneve provides 20% more coverage than other lights.

What we don’t like:

• Only fits specific poles –  The shaft or spindle of your pole must be at most 0.5 inches thick, and the length of the shaft or spindle must be a minimum of 1.5 inches long. Some users reported not measuring in advance and not being able to fit the light.

Deneve’s Solar Flag Pole Light provides excellent coverage, is easy to install, and, for the environmentally minded, the manufacturer’s zero-landfill policy is the icing on the cake.

3. Best multiway – Alpha 180X Solar Flagpole Light 

Most of the solar flagpole lights on this list change their brightness automatically in reaction to light conditions and battery levels. If you’d prefer to have manual control over your lights, then the Alpha 180X is an excellent choice.

The Alpha 180X comes with three light settings to choose from: high, normal, and low. Light is provided by 35 high-power LEDs, and an industrial-grade solar panel, with a junction box and solar cable, collects solar energy. The cable has recently been redesigned to make it thicker and waterproof for greater durability.

Mounting the Alpha 180X is simple. It comes with an adjustable U-bracket that fits around the pole, making it remarkably easy to attach.

What we like:

• Easy to fit – The adjustable U-bracket means the Alpha 180X fits most poles and is simple to fit.
• Bright – 35 high-power LED and an industrial-grade solar panel provides a lot of light coverage.
• Manual control  – Having three light settings means you have greater control over how bright your light is.

What we don’t like:

• Directional light – The design of the Alpha 180X means light comes from one side only, which reduces the overall light coverage.

If you want to be able to pick how might your light is, instead of it being done automatically, the Alpha 180X is a great choice. It’s easy to fit, super-bright, and very sturdy. 

4. Best premium – MegaBrand Telescopic Aluminum Flag Pole with Solar Lights

If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution, then MegaBrand has you covered. This flagpole pack comes with a 25ft or 20ft telescopic gauge aluminum flag pole, an American national flag, a circular LED solar light with 26 super-bright LEDs, and a gold ball finial to mount on the top.

The only thing it doesn’t come with is a rope to run the flag up with. 

The pole itself comes in sections that fit together using friction collars, so you don’t need any specialized tools. MegaBrand recommends that you sink the flagpole a minimum of 16-inches into the ground, and the pole comes with a PVC sleeve to protect the aluminum.

If you want to fly the flag and prefer not to order the parts separately, the MegaBrand kit gives you everything you need on one simple to assemble package.

What we like:

• All in one – From the PVC ground sleeve at the bottom to the gold finial at the top, the MegaBrand package comes with everything you need.
• Easy to assemble – Friction collars mean the pole is easy to assemble, and you don’t need specific tools.
• Excellent quality  – All the parts of the Megabrand kit feel sturdy and well made.

What we don’t like:

• Not great in high winds – Some users report that the friction rings can come loose at higher wind speeds, causing the pole to lower.

If you want to fly the flag and make sure it is well lit, the MegaBrand Telescopic 16 Gauge Aluminum Flag Pole is a great way to make that happen in the easiest way possible. 

5. Longest warranty – Vont Solar Flag Pole Light

Vont actually started out as a group of friends attempting to make a better bike light; they’ve now turned their illumination expertise to creating a hugely durable solar flagpole light. 

The Vont Solar Flag Pole Light comes with an automatic daylight sensor that turns on at night and turns off at dawn. The light itself has 26 high-powered LEDs and an extended battery capacity to give it the best light coverage possible. The light is also waterproof.

Fitting the light is easy. Vont suggests it takes around 60 seconds to fit the light to most flagpoles from 15-25 feet without any extra tools. 

Best of all, the solar light is covered by Vont’s lifetime warranty which protects you against loss, theft, and defects in materials and workmanship for as long as you own the product.

What we like:

• Fully covered – A lifetime warranty that covers theft is a rare and valuable thing.
• Automatic – The light automatically detects changes in the ambient conditions and adjusts the light to suit.
• Easy fitting – The Vont solar light can be fitted to most flagpoles in around 60 seconds.

What we don’t like:

• Remember to turn it on – Despite being automatic, the light does have an on/off switch which isn’t mentioned in the instructions, which has led some users to have to take their flagpole back down after the initial mounting.

The Vont Solar Flag Pole Light is sturdy, bright, automatic, waterproof, and is fully covered by the exception lifetime warranty, making it a great ‘set and forget’ option.

6. Best commercial product – PolePalUSA Xtreme Commercial Solar Flagpole Light

Most of the lights we’ve reviewed on this list are for home use, but if you’re looking for a brighter flagpole light to use in a commercial setting, then the PolePalUSA Xtreme Commercial Solar Flagpole Light has what you need.

The light is powered by three separate solar panels that provide power to three ultra-bright lamps. The lamps make use of ultra-powerful CREE chip LEDs and a magnifying head to provide 200 and 600 LUX of illumination. The light heads have individually adjustable brightness and can be adjusted from spotlight to floodlight.

The lights are mounted at the base of the pole, pointing upwards. They come set for a six-inch flagpole, but PolePalUSA can adjust the light to fit a 12″ diameter pole at no additional cost.

What we like:

• Super bright – The addition of ultra-powerful CREE chip LEDs across three lights makes this the brightest solar light we’ve reviewed.
• Adaptable – Each light’s output is adjustable, and the lights can be switched from spotlight to floodlight by pushing/pulling on the light head.
• Free adjustments – PolePalUSA will adapt the fixings from six-inches to 12-inches for free.

What we don’t like:

• Return costs – If you have any issues with the light, it can be returned, but that does incur a 20% restocking fee.

Suppose you have a flagpole in a commercial setting or just want a really bright solar flagpole light for your home. In that case, the PolePalUSA Xtreme will give you exactly the level of ultra-illumination you’re looking for.

7. Best budget – Forup 26 LED Solar Flag Pole Light

The Forup solar light gives you excellent functionality for a very reasonable price. A top-mounted downlight, the Forup has 66 super-bright LEDs powered by six solar panels. 

Installation is simple and doesn’t require any tools, as with most downlights, and the Forup auto-illuminates at night to save on battery power. The light is IP65 water-resistant and constructed using high-grade silicone glue to seal the casing.

The Forup solar light can be fitted to most 15 – 25 foot flag poles with a 0.5-inch thick rod at the top.

What we like:

• Inexpensive and straightforward – Despite the budget price, the Forup solar light is durable and comes with all the functionality you’d expect from a more expensive model.
• Intelligently photosensitive – The Forup’s LED lights auto-illuminate at night.
• IP65 water-resistant – Built using high-grade silicone glue, the Forup is entirely water-resistant.

What we don’t like:

• No great in cold climates – Users have reported that the case has a habit of cracking if repeatedly exposed to below zero temperatures.

The Forup 26 LED Solar Flag Pole Light is an excellent budget option, giving you the intelligent illumination you need without breaking the bank.

Solar flag pole light buyer’s guide

Now you’ve seen our top picks for each type of solar flag pole light, here is all the relevant information you’ll need to pick the best light for your specific circumstances.  

Why do I need a solar flagpole light?

There are a couple of reasons why you might need a flagpole light and a range of benefits you can access by using a solar-powered one, including:

Respecting the flag code

If you live in the United States and want to fly Old Glory outside your home, then you may legally need a flag pole light. 

The United States Flag Code, Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 6a states that:

 “It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.”

While the flag code has no provision for enforcement and no associated fines or penalties, many people choose to abide by it out of respect for the flag and its symbolism.

Eco-friendly

The primary reason for using a solar flagpole light is that it generates its own electricity from the sun and doesn’t draw from the national grid. Solar lights are inherently eco-friendly as they don’t need electricity produced by oil or coal-fired power plants to run.

This is particularly true if you choose to buy from companies like Deneve, whose U.S-based operations operate on a 100% zero-landfill policy.

Cost-saving

As an added benefit to using an environmentally-friendly solution to light your flag, you get to save on your electricity bills. Instead of having to pay to light your flag every night, a solar light simply draws that energy from the sun, providing you with free illumination.

Low maintenance

Most solar flag pole lights are designed to be low-effort and low-maintenance. Most of the lights we’ve featured in our reviews are at least water-resistant and use an auto-illumination function to turn themselves on and off at dusk and dawn.

What should I look for in a solar flagpole light?

If you’re planning on buying yourself a solar flagpole light for personal or commercial purposes, here are some critical factors to consider:

Total brightness

If you’re looking for a flagpole light for a commercial setting, you might want to consider how bright the illumination is. If you’re using it for advertising, you’ll want to make sure the light you buy has both the brightness and coverage to keep your flag visible.

This is why we suggested the PolePalUSA Xtreme, because of its use of ultra-powerful CREE chip LEDs and magnifying lenses.

On the other hand, if you’re using it to illuminate a flag outside your home, you’ll want a more balanced setup that prosperity lights your flag, but isn’t so bright that it’s going to annoy the neighbors. 

Overall design

The design of your flagpole light is also going to influence how useful it is to you. Most of the lights on our list are disk or UFO shaped. This means they are mounted above the flag, usually on the pole’s final, and project their light down.

There are, however, other options. Some lights use U-brackets that can be attached below the light to project light up or at an angle. How useful each design is going to be will depend on your circumstances.

Added features

Many of the lights on our list come with a range of additional features the improve their utility. Some of the most useful include automatic illumination that saves battery life by only turning the light on during the night, full waterproofing, an easy attachment system, and a warranty against mechanical faults.

User-friendliness

When it comes to mounting a light at the top of a flagpole, you’ll want that process to be as easy as possible. Most of the lights we’ve reviewed don’t need to have any additional tools. All you need to do is unscrew the finial at the top, slip the disk over the fitting, and screw the finial back into place.

Before you buy a light, it is always a good idea to make sure its measurements line up with your flagpole. It’s also worth remembering that even though a light might be advertised as coming on automatically, it might need to be turned on before you fix it in place. 

FAQ

To make sure you’ve got all the information you need, we’ve collected and answered some of the most common questions about solar flagpole lights:

Is it mandatory to illuminate a flag?

This is going to depend entirely on where you live, but as a rule, no. 

Even the United States Flag Code, which mandates that “the flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness,” only applies to the Stars and Stripes and has no enforcement mechanisms associated with it.

Most people choose to illuminate their flags after dark for commercial purposes, out of respect for the flag, or just so the flag they went to the effort of raising can be seen after dark.

Are solar flagpole lights easy to install?

Generally, yes, they are. Most of the lights on our list can be fitted quickly and easily, either by attaching them at the top of the pole under the finial, or around the pole itself using a U-bracket.

How do solar flagpole lights work?

Nearly all solar lights make use of photovoltaic panels that convert the light of the sun into DC electricity. That electricity is then stored in a lithium battery and used when the light detects that the sun has gone down.

How bright the light is and how long the battery lasts depends on the model you buy and your local weather conditions.

The best solar flagpole lights 

Solar flagpole lights are a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly way of ensuring that your flag can be seen at any time of the day or night.

By following our guide, you’ll know exactly what kind of light suits you best and what models or functions you should look for. We’ve also included reviews of what we think are some of the best models on the market to make your decision-making more straightforward.