Best Outdoor Solar Lanterns (2022)
Outdoor lighting can set a calming mood for your nights. With solar-powered outdoor lanterns, you can enjoy relaxing on your patio, deck, or in your garden all evening long.
How does a solar-powered lantern work? Are solar-powered lanterns any good?
As Overstock explains it, the solar cell of each light produces energy, which charges the battery in the daytime. The energy stops being produced at night; the photoresistor detects the absence of light, activating the battery and turning on the solar light.
Solar-powered lanterns are good because they can last longer than regular lights. It’s also been said that they shine brighter too.
And of course best of all, they’re eco-friendly, because no electricity is used to power them. Here are some of the best solar-powered lanterns you can buy.
1. CGVOVOT Waterproof Outdoor Solar Powered Lantern
This outdoor lighting is made of metal and has flower patterns where the light shines through. The light automatically goes out whenever it encounters sunlight.
It’ll fully charge itself during the day and then turn on at night. Be sure you have the switch turned to “ON.” Use your hand to cover the solar panel to see if it emits light.
This particular brand is waterproof. That means it can withstand rain, sleet, snow, and frost.
The material of the body is hardened iron, and the surface is made with anti-rust spray paint. With that much durability, it could possibly be great for camping.
The CGVOVOT lantern has hang rings that allow you to hang it on trees or your porch. If you prefer to sit it down, you can place it on your tabletops or ledges.
It’s one of the highest-rated solar-powered lanterns on Amazon, which is a good sign you’ll be getting great quality. It can last for about 10 hours or more once it’s been fully charged.
Price: 46.87
2. TomCare Outdoor Hanging Solar Lights
TomCare offers a flickering flame design lantern that looks like real dancing flames. It’s described as giving a welcoming ambiance to your space.
It comes with a hanging clamp and a hook, making it easy to place it wherever you want it to be. Similar to the previous brand, it is waterproof. Be mindful that this product is made with ABS plastic, so if you prefer a plastic-free product, consider other options on this list.
TomCare includes a rechargeable battery with the lantern. Once you turn it on, it will automatically turn on and off, so you don’t have to worry about flipping any switches.
Remember that it can only be on in a dark location. Keep it far from other light sources.
One reviewer noted they stay on for about six to eight hours in the winter and 12 hours in the summer. Keep in mind that cloudy and rainy days will affect how much charge any solar-powered lantern will get in a day.
Price: 39.99
3. Walensee Solar Lights
Walensee Solar Lights has a similar flame design as the previous brand listed. It features an extra pipe that allows you to adjust the height of the solar touch from 30.7 inches to 43 inches.
This lantern is fairly tall compared to the other ones listed. It’s also somewhat large weighing 4.22 pounds.
The light is said to stay on for up to 12 hours after being fully charged. The charge time takes around five to eight hours under sunlight. If you live in a really hot climate, be careful keeping the torch out too long, as the plastic poles can melt, causing the torch to start leaning.
Price: 53.99
4. SHYMERY Solar Metal Lanterns Outdoor Hanging Light
SHYMERY makes its solar-powered lantern panels out of polysilicon. The capacity of the battery allows the lantern to discharge for up to 8 hours.
Like the others on this list, this product is waterproof and also dustproof. It’ll be able to withstand the worst of weather, such as rain and snow.
SHYMERY offers a pack of two solar-powered lanterns that have an 18-month warranty. The company describes their lighting as ideal for decorating your road, courtyard lighting, and other outdoor and indoor uses.
The lantern is fully charged in sunlight after six to eight hours and can work for up to 10 hours. Keep it away from street lights and any other lighting so it will be able to light up at night.
The product is made with glass and plastic with a bronze finish. The bulb used is an LED bulb.
Price: 43.99
5. newvivid Outdoor Solar Lantern
Newvivid features a variety of beautiful designs for their lantern. Among the designs they sell include:
Beyond that, you can get up to 10 hours of lighting at night. Newvivid says the lifetime of their lanterns is about 10000 hours.
The lantern features an LED bulb and comes with batteries. It has an antique finish and weighs only 1.5 pounds.
Price: 33.99
6. Hapjoy Solar Powered Lanterns
The design of this lantern is like something you would carry in the middle ages. It has a cool ancient look to it with an antique bronze finish.
Made with waterproof silicone, the Hapjoy lantern can withstand rain, snow, and high temperatures. The company describes its product as providing a festive and mysterious feel to your outdoor area.
The lantern needs to be charged in full and direct sunlight for about six to eight hours. Like other brands, it also needs to be kept away from street lights and other lighting to be able to light up. One reviewer described Hapjoy’s solar-powered lantern as even nicer than pictured.
Price: 32.99
7. DBF Solar Lights Crackle Glass Ball
DBF’s glass bowl solar light provides a uniquely amazing glow to your outdoor setting. It has a rope handle that allows you to easily hang it on a hook outside.
The item comes in two modes called auto seven color changing and amber warm. Amber warm provides warm ambient lighting that’s not too bright. Auto 7 color changing gives you different color options that can be more festive for different seasons.
The globe is made of high-quality glass that’s waterproof. The only other material the lantern is made with is stainless steel, making it a plastic-free product.
DBF Solar Light is meant for outdoor use only. There are no batteries required, and it uses an LED bulb.
Price: 32.59
8. Kooper Solar Lantern
Kooper Solar-Powered lanterns are made of metal, allowing them to last pretty long. It can sit on any surface, from a tabletop to the ground. It also can be hung on a hook, a tree, or your patio.
It has a floral pattern that’ll create a nice look for your outdoor area. It’s waterproof, frost-proof, and also resistant to heat.
It takes four to six hours to charge and lasts up to eight hours. The charging will take longer in the winter. Before first-time use, it’s recommended to give it 10 to 12 hours in direct sunlight.
They do note the charging efficiency may depend on geographical location, seasonal light availability, and weather conditions. Be sure to wipe the lantern regularly with a soft cloth to absorb as much sunlight as possible.
Kooper describes their lighting as best for decorative purposes and not necessarily for illumination. If you’d prefer your lantern to be decorative and be used for illumination, consider the earlier options on this list.
Price: 25.99
9. Home Zone Security Solar Wall Lantern Lights
If you’re looking for a more functional solar lantern, the Home Zone security lantern might be for you. It’s a solar wall light designed to make your property more secure. You can have them mounted with installation brackets just about anywhere around your home.
It has an LED bulb for long-lasting use, and the aluminum housing helps keep it protected. The package includes mounting screws and brackets, a lighting fixture, and an instruction manual.
Price: 39.99
10. ROSHWEY Solar Powered Lantern
The ROSHWEY solar-powered lantern stays illuminated for eight to ten hours after being charged for six to eight hours. It’s made with glass, so be careful not to bump it against any objects.
The broken glass pattern provides a creative lighting pattern. A reviewer described the lighting as absolutely stunning and well-made.
Price: 32.99
11. OKEER Outdoor Solar Powered Lanterns
OKEER Lanterns have one of the longest-lasting lighting times on this list. The company expresses that the lighting can last up to 15 hours after being charged in the sun for four to five hours.
You can have this lantern set to one color or changeable colors. You can use it for decoration for your outdoor space or for security. The brand offers a 12-month warranty if there are any issues.
Price: 58.99
12. YEHOBU Outdoor Solar Powered Lantern Light
The YEHOBU lantern is said to be able to stay lit for up to 15 hours. It only needs to be charged in the sun for about four to five hours. It can be sat down on a table or hung on any area you can hook it to.
One thing unique about this lantern brand is that it can be charged in the winter using a USB device. Make sure to remember that the batteries aren’t included with this product.
Price: 34.99
13. Sunklly Hanging solar lights
The Sunklly solar light comes with eight color modes for the dancing flames. The colors are red, blue, purple, yellow, green, light purple, cyan, and orange.
The company notes it’s suitable for decorating a balcony gallery yard or windowsill. The lantern is both weather-resistant and waterproof.
Price 55.99
14. LeiDrail Garden Hanging Lanterns
LeiDrail Lanterns provides warm white LED lighting for around 10 hours a night. It takes about six to eight hours under sunlight to fully charge it.
A reviewer described the lighting pattern as simply beautiful. It’s one of the cheaper lanterns, so this might be a great deal to get.
Price: 12.00
15. Steady Doggie Solar Powered Lantern
The Steady Doggie lantern has a nice candle design on the inside. It uses an LED light bulb and has a retro style that looks nice and rustic.
The lantern is made of metal and has a bronze finish. This particular one is meant to be used for above-ground pools.
How many hours can solar-powered lanterns be used?
Some solar lights last around 4-5 hours, while others may last around 12+ hours or longer. It’ll depend on various factors such as the brand and the amount of direct sunlight charge.
How bright are solar powered lanterns?
Solar-powered lanterns vary in brightness from as little as 40 lumens to as high as 360 lumens. Be sure to read the product descriptions to find out the number of lumens a specific solar-powered lantern has.
What are solar lights made of?
Unite To Light notes that solar lights are made up of four components. Those components are the solar panel, light fixture, control electronics, and battery.
Do you leave solar lights on all the time?
Solar-powered lanterns will stay on as long as they have energy during the nighttime and then turn off during the daytime. You don’t have to be concerned with turning it on or off manually.
Can you charge a solar panel with a flashlight?
Flashlights are able to charge the solar panels on your lantern. But in general, the companies listed here recommend charging it in sunlight.
Do solar lights charge on cloudy days?
Solar lights can be charged on a cloudy day and even a rainy day. It just won’t get as much energy as it would in direct sunlight.
How long does it take solar lights to work?
Since solar-powered lanterns turn on once in darkness, you should expect it to come on instantly when it’s nighttime. Make sure you have the switch on, and the lantern is not too close to other bright light sources.
