Best Solar Lamp Posts for Eco-Friendly Illumination

Are you looking for a way to help light your outdoor spaces that won’t impact your bills or your carbon footprint?

With the price of solar-powered technology dropping rapidly, solar lamp posts have become an increasingly popular way to provide lighting without needing batteries or increasing your bills. 

So, if you’re looking for a lighting solution that runs on clean, renewable solar energy, we’ve pulled together reviews of some of the products on the market and answered some of the most common questions about installing and using a solar lamp post.  

The best solar lamp posts

As usual, we’ve looked into what people really value in their solar lamp posts and reviewed products we think best fit those consumer needs.

1. Our top pick – Sterno Home Outdoor Solar LED Street Light

The Sterno Home solar lamp post combines a vintage look with cutting-edge solar technology. This retro-inspired street lamp looks like wrought iron and has a lantern-style lamp head. It comes with four easy to assemble pieces, and the required wood or cement screws are shipped with it. 

The assembled dimensions of the lamp are 8.75x 8.75 x 76 inches.

The body of the lampost is made of sturdy cast aluminum and coated in a black corrosion-resistant finish. The lamp has clear glass lenses, and a 60-lumens warm white LED lightbulb that doesn’t require changing, making the model very low maintenance. 

This is actually the second generation of the Sterno Home solar lamp post. Compared to the first generation, the light in the Sterno Home solar lamp post has been made brighter, and it has two additional solar panels. 

These upgrades mean the lamp charges to full during the day and provides bright light for eight hours once night falls. The intelligent Dusk-to-Dawn system switches the light on in the evening and off in the morning to save battery power.

What we like:

• Brighter – One full charge of the solar cells provides eight hours of 60-lumens light during the night.
• Intelligent brightness – The Sterno Home solar lamp post detects the local light conditions and turns the light on and off at dusk and dawn to preserve the battery power.
• The vintage look – The classic design and wrought iron stylings give the lamp post a pleasant retro-inspired look.

What we don’t like:

• Maybe too bright – Some users reported that the upgraded brightness of the bulb could be a little too bright if the lamp post is installed outside of a bedroom window.

The Sterno Home solar lamp post is our top pick because of its solidity of its cast aluminum construction, solar cells’ power and battery life, upgraded LED light, and its pleasant retro-inspired finish.

2. Runner up – Gama Sonic 106BPLSG0 Outdoor Solar Lamp Post and Planter

Hot of the heels of our top pick, the Gama Sonic Outdoor Solar Lamp Post and Planter. The Gama Sonic and the Sterno Home have similar retro stylings and are made of similar materials. The Gama Sonic is constructed of weather-resistant and rust-resistant cast aluminum with a powder-coated black finish and beveled glass panes. 

The LED bulb in the Gama Sonic provides 80-lumens of light, and the integrated lithium-ion battery pack is designed to last for about three years, or approximately 1,000 charges. A dusk to dawn system ensures that the light comes on at the appropriate time.

The exact dimensions of the lamp post are 15 x 15 x 77 inches when fully assembled.

Instead of being fixed in place with screws, the Gama Sonic comes with a large planter fixed to the base that keeps the lamp post stable when filled with soil. However, if that doesn’t appeal to you, Gama Sonic has a huge range of different fitting options and looks available, from screw-fixed posts to pier and wall mounts. 

What we like:

• The planter – Adding a planter at the base of the lamp post means you sidestep a complicated mounting process, and you can add a little more green to your garden or patio. 
• The number of options – The Gamma Sonic line has many styles and mounting options to choose from.
• The construction – The weather-resistant and rust-resistant cast aluminum with a powder-coated black finish means you don’t have to worry about corrosion.

What we don’t like:

• Battery life – Some users reported that the battery life of the Gama Sonic lamp posts can start to degrade in a little as three months. Gama Sonic has been sending out replacement batteries for free, but three months isn’t great for a battery rated to last three years.

The Gama Sonic is sturdy, looks great, and provides a fantastic amount of light. The issues with the battery are the only thing that kept it off our top spot. 

3. Best aesthetics – Westcharm 3-Head LED Solar Lamp Post Light with Planter

Anything that emits light in the darkness is going to attract attention, and if you’re looking for a lamppost that combines great aesthetics with excellent performance, then the Westcharm 3-Head LED Solar Lamp Post is a great choice.

As with the Gama Sonic, the Westcharm comes with a planter as its base, which means you don’t have to worry about fixing it to the ground. Six bright white LEDs per head automatically turn on at dusk and off at dawn, and the three lamps provide eight hours of illumination on a full charge.

The lamp post itself is made of weather-resistant and rust-resistant aluminum with a durable powder-coated black finish and has dimensions of 22 x 22 x 79 inches. The planer measures 16 x 14 inches.

What we like:

• The look – Most of the lamps on this list have a robust retro-inspired style, but the Westcharm doubles down on that with an almost Disney-esque look. 
• The brightness – If you’re looking for a lamp that throws out a lot of light, then the 60-70 lumens produced by each head from six bright white LEDs make the Westcharm a great choice.
• The planter – As with the Gama Sonic, the addition of a planter means you don’t have to mount the lamp post, and it’s easier to blend it into an existing garden.

What we don’t like:

• Also the look  – That same strong look that is going to be so attractive to some buyers is going to put others off, making the Westcharm a polarising choice.

Westcharm 3-Head LED Solar Lamp Post has a durable frame, is easy to install, puts out a lot of light, and we think it looks great, but we understand that not everyone will.

4. Best anchor lamp – Gama Sonic GS-105S-G Baytown Ez Anchor Lamp Post

The Gama Sonic Baytown Ez Anchor Lamp Post has all the same great features as its planter-mounted cousin that made our runner-up spot but with an anchor-style base fitting that makes it easy to install on soft ground.

As with the other Baytown, the Ez Anchor Lamp Post is made from durable cast aluminum with monocrystalline solar panels that are protected by weather-resistant tempered glass. 

The ten bright-white LEDs in the Ez Anchor Lamp Post provide 80-lumens of light and last for up to ten hours on a full battery charge. As with the other Gama Sonic, the integrated lithium-ion battery pack is designed to last for about three years, or approximately 1,000 charges. The dusk to dawn system means the lights come on automatically. 

The real change is the removal of the planet and the addition of the EZ-Anchor base made from heavy-duty rustproof, UV-protected black polyresin. The anchor base means your lamp post can easily be installed on any surface that isn’t concrete. All you need to do is use the included auger and turning bar to put the EZ-Anchor base in the ground and let the sun do the rest.

What we like:

• The EZ-Anchor base – The EZ-Anchor base comes with all the tools you need to mount your lamp post on any surface that isn’t concrete or a similar material.
• The number of options – The Gamma Sonic line has a huge number of styles and mounting options to choose from.
• Brighter lights – Unlike the planter-based version, the Ez Anchor Lamp Post comes with brighter ten bright-white LEDs that provide 80-lumens of light.

What we don’t like:

• Battery life – As with the other Gama Sonic, some users reported that the battery life can start to degrade in a little as three months. Gama Sonic has been sending out replacement batteries for free, but three months isn’t great for a battery rated to last three years.

The Gama Sonic EZ-Anchor base has all the great features and benefits of its planter-mounted sibling, with an easy-to-install soft-ground base. 

5. Best budget – iGlow Outdoor Garden Solar Lamp Post Light

If you’re looking for a simple, budget-friendly option for a solar lamp post, then the iGlow comes with a surprising amount of features for such a cost-effective choice. 

Made of weatherproof, durable rust-resistant cast aluminum tubes connected with plastic inserts, the iGlow comes with two ultra-bright white SMD LEDs that produce up to 100 lumens and are rated to last 100,000 hours. It also comes with a dusk to dawn system that controls when the light comes on and off.

The lithium-ion battery powering these lamps is rated to last up to three years before needing to be replaced. The total dimension of the lamp post is 8.5 x 8.5 x 78.5 when fully assembled. 

The iGlow comes with three anchor bolts, cast aluminum ground spikes, and the correct screws for either soft ground or cement, making it remarkably easy to mount.

What we like:

• Range of features – Despite its very reasonable price point, the iGlow has a great range of features comparable to much more expensive lamp posts.
• The bright lights – The two ultra-bright white SMD LEDs put out 100 lumens of light.
• Durable parts – The LEDs in the lamp are rated to last 100,000 hours, and the battery is rated to last for three years.

What we don’t like:

• The instructions – Many users have reported that the instructions shipped with the iGlow are so poorly written and printed as to be basically useless.

The iGlow might have a budget price, but it has all the features you might expect from any of the other lamp posts on this list.

6. Best premium – Gama Sonic GS-98B-S-WB Royal Bulb Lamp Post Outdoor Solar Light

If you’re looking to spend a little more to add some class to your outdoor spaces, then the Gama Sonic Royal is precisely what you need. 

The pole is constructed from rust-resistant cast aluminum with a premium powder-coated weathered bronze finish. The bulb uses new patented technology to give a 10-year lifespan and allows it to create a 360° light spread that is similar to an incandescent bulb.

The integrated photocell sensor can detect light and will automatically turn the lamp on at dusk and off once the sun comes up. The monocrystalline silicon solar panels themselves are protected by durable, easy-to-clean, tempered glass and provide enough energy for the LEDs to output 120 lumens for 10-hours on a full charge.

As with the other Gama Sonic models on this list, the Royal has multiple mounting options, including pier, post, and wall sconces, and the option to have two more lamp heads. 

What we like:

• The look – The aged bronze finish adds a pleasing touch of class without sacrificing the durability of rust-resistant cast aluminum.
• The new LEDs – New patented technology means the bulbs in the Royal have a 10-year lifespan and emit light that looks like it comes from an incandescent bulb.
• The number of options – The Gama Sonic Royal has a huge number of mounting options to choose from and the further option to add two additional lamp heads.

What we don’t like:

• The instructions – As with the other Gama Sonic, some users reported that the battery life can start to degrade in a little as three months. Gama Sonic has been sending out replacement batteries for free, but three months isn’t great for a battery rated to last three years.

The Gama Sonic Royal certainty lives up to its premium sounding name with a fantastic looking finish and patented technology that gives you the warm glow of an incandescent bulb coupled with the energy-saving potential of LEDs.

Best solar lamp posts: a buyer’s guide

Now that we’ve given you a rundown of what we think are some of the best LED solar lamps on the market, let’s run through what you should look for when buying one for your home:

What are the pros and cons of solar lamp posts?

There are specific pros and cons associated with solar lamp posts that you should be aware of before purchasing one.

Pros	Cons
Solar cell technology has rapidly dropped in price in recent years, making solar lamp posts much more affordable.	There is still an environmental impact associated with the manufacture of solar lamp posts, so they aren’t entirely green.
Solar lamp posts are environmentally friendly and don’t add to your utility bills.	You’ll need to fit the pole yourself, which can be complicated and time-consuming, especially if you’re fitting it into concrete.
Solar cells, LED bulbs, and lithium-ion batteries all last for years before they need replacing.	Most solar lamp posts have a dusk and dawn system, which is convenient but means you don’t have any control over when the light comes on and goes off.
The lighter aluminum poles can be placed on a variety of surfaces and are easy to install.

What features should I look for?

When it comes to solar lamp posts, there are a couple of crucial features that you’re going to need. These include:

A dusk to dawn system

Ideally, you’ll want your solar lamp post to be ‘set and forget’. A dusk to dawn system means your lamp post automatically detects the lighting conditions outside and turns the light on and off when needed. 

This means you won’t need to worry about controlling the lights manually, and you lamp won’t waste battery power by being on during the day.

A durable frame

Most of the solar lamp posts on our list are made from weather-resistant and rust-resistant cast aluminum with some sort of coating. The aluminum means the poles are nice and light, while the coating means you don’t have to worry about the elements corroding your lamp post.

Getting a heavy steel post can make it challenging to mount correctly, while plastic posts are prone to bending in heavy winds.

Well made parts

The principal replacement parts for a solar lamp post are the solar cells, the LEDs, and batteries. Ideally, you’ll want to look for a solar lamp post where all of these are rated to last multiple years. 

Most of the poles we reviewed have battery lives of around three years, LEDs that last for hundreds of thousands of hours, and solar panels that are protected by tempered glass.

Solar lamp post FAQs

Now you have an idea of what to look for in a solar lamp post, we’ve put together some of the most commonly asked questions about solar lamp posts and answered them for you.

Are solar lamp posts worth it?

How well a solar lamp post suits you is going to depend on your personal circumstances. However, while there is an environmental cost associated with their manufacture, there is no arguing with the fact that they are greener than installing a grid-connected lamp post.

They also benefit from being low maintenance, affordable, easy to install, and not adding anything to your utility bills.

How do you install a solar lamp post?

How you install your solar lamp post is going to depend on its fitting and the surface you want to install it on.

• The easiest way to install a solar lamp post is to buy one that has a planter as its base. All you need to do is fill the planter with flowers and soil, and it will be heavy enough to keep the lamp post stable.

• EZ-anchors are a great way to fit your lamp post into soft ground. Essentially, they work like large screws that are turned into the dirt to secure your post. 

• The most complicated way to fit your lamp post is fitting it to a hard surface like concrete, which will require you to drill holes into the hard surface and screw the pole to the floor.

Looking for something smaller to light your outdoor space? Check out our posts about the best solar fence lights and solar driveway lights.

The best solar lamp posts

Getting a solar lamp post means you can light your outdoor spaces with a durable, easy-to-use, low-maintenance, and environmentally-friendly light source. Having read our buyer’s guide, you’ll know exactly what to look for, and our reviews are there to streamline your search for the best post for your circumstances.

If there’s a solar lamp post that you’ve had great results from and you think we should have featured it on this list, we’d love to hear from you – so be sure to hit us up on social media, or drop us an email