Solar lights for your garden are both a practical and pretty investment. The best solar garden lights do a great job of illuminating your outdoor space and offer the convenience and simplicity of a wireless setup.
Here, I’ve shared my reviews of the best-rated solar garden lights for UK gardens based on their performance power, design quality, affordability, ease of setup, and more.
Brand: GIGALUMI
Price: £
Size: Small
Quantity: 12-pack or 16-pack
Charge time: 6 hours
Light time: 8 hours
Brand: FLOWood
Price: £
Size: Small
Quantity: 8-pack or 12-pack
Charge time: 8 hours
Light time: 8 hours
Brand: btfarm
Price: £
Size: Small
Quantity: Various 8 or 15-metre packs
Charge time: 6-8 hours
Light time: 8-14 hours
Brand: GIGALUMI
Price: ££
Size: Small
Quantity: 6-pack
Charge time: 4-6 hours
Light time: 8 hours
Brand: Seklin
Price: ££
Size: Small
Quantity: 2-pack, 4-pack, or 6-pack
Charge time: 6-8 hours
Light time: 6+ hours
Brand: Lezonic
Price: £
Size: Small
Quantity: 30-100-pack
Charge time: 6-8 hours
Light time: 6-10 hours
Table of Contents
Best Solar-Powered Garden Lights
Best Pathway Lights: GIGALUMI Solar Lights
Best Ground Lights: FLOWood Solar Lights
Best String Lights: btfarm 2 Pack Solar String Lights
Best Ground Lanterns: GIGALUMI Solar Pathway Lights
Best Solar Security Lights: Seklin Outdoor Solar Lights
Best Multi-Coloured Lights: Lezonic Solar Fairy Lights
⭐ Reviews – Best Solar Garden Lights 2025
In my testing, I found that the GIGALUMI Solar Lights were the best landscaping and pathway lights out of all the solar garden lights I tried.
These stylish lights have spikes on their undersides and can be driven straight into the ground. They arrived charged, so they worked straight away on the first evening. They’re supposed to take 6 hours to recharge via sunlight in the day and light up for 8 hours overnight, which is about as good as it gets for solar lights. Because of their smaller size, I think they’re a great option for lighting up a pathway or garden borders.
Quick Specs:
Brand: GIGALUMI
Price: £
Size: Small
Quantity: 12-pack or 16-pack
Charge time: 6 hours
Light time: 8 hours
Best For:
Anyone looking for small, modern ground lights that they can use to light up a pathway or borders.
Pros:
The GIGALUMI Solar Lights are some of the most popular solar garden lights on Amazon, with more than 27,000 reviews, and have a great star rating of 4.3 out of 5.
I found the setup process really easy: I just had to turn on the power switch for each lamp (it’s on the underside of the lamp cover) then insert the lamps into the ground poles and install the ground stakes (the spikes that stick them into the floor).
You can choose between white light, warm light, and multi-coloured lights depending on what you prefer. They all cost pretty much the same, too.
Cons:
They’re just 2.2 inches wide and slightly over 14 inches tall, so they might be too small for your requirements.
The light emitted from these lamps is decent, but this is a low-light solution, so don’t expect them to make a huge difference.
The FLOWood Solar Lights are the best garden ground lights I have come across so far. Although they also have stakes to secure them in the ground, their design is different from the GIGALUMI lights. They’re disk lights with a circular shape, and they’re designed to sit on the surface of the ground rather than sticking out.
These lights take 8 hours to charge and light up for 8 hours. In my testing, they emitted a bright light even on overcast days.
Quick Specs:
Brand: FLOWood
Price: £
Size: Small
Quantity: 8-pack or 12-pack
Charge time: 8 hours
Light time: 8 hours
Best For:
Lighting up a garden or driveway with a back garden with lights that sit flush on the ground rather than sticking out.
Pros:
The FLOWood Solar Lights are also really popular and highly rated on Amazon, with more than 7,500 reviewers awarding it an average of 4.4 stars out of 5.
The lights have a quality build and are waterproof, dustproof, resistant to heat and frost, and made from anti-rust stainless steel.
It took me minutes to set them up with no tools needed. I just connected the spikes, inserted the switches, and stuck them in the ground.
You can choose between white light and warm light, costing around the same price.
Cons:
Some customers have had issues with a couple of lights not working.
The ground spikes are quite weak and you will need to take care not to snap them when you push the lights into the ground.
String lights are a lovely way to give your grade a cosy feel at night, and the btfarm Solar String Lights are the best I tested. They’re available in five colours: blue, warm light, cold light, orange purple, and multi-coloured (I went for warm light for the natural look), in separate 8-metre and 15-metre packs depending on the size of your garden and how many lights you need.
While these don’t have the same brightening effect as a more conventional security light, they’re very pretty and versatile. They look great when illuminated and their solar-powered design eliminates the hassle of manually charging a battery, making them the best solar string lights on this list. These lights charge in full sunlight in 6-8 hours.
Quick Specs:
Brand: btfarm
Price: £
Size: Small
Quantity: Various 8-metre packs or 15-metre packs
Charge time: 6-8 hours
Light time: 8-14 hours
Best For:
Giving your garden a pretty upgrade with versatile fairy lights that can be wound around trees and plants, hung from fences, and used to accentuate borders on your home.
Pros:
The btfarm Solar String Lights have an overall star rating of 4.4 out of 5, from more than 1,500 customer reviews on Amazon.
I love the versatility of these lights. You can hang or wrap them however you want, creating your own pretty light displays in your garden.
The lights come with a solar unit that you can either mount on the wall or insert into the ground. Wall-mounting it up high is a great way to give it as much access to sunlight as possible.
I was spoilt for choice with the 8 different light modes, from slow fade to flashing (admittedly, that one could get annoying for the neighbours!).
Cons:
Again, a small number of customers complained about lights arriving broken or not working after a few months.
GIGALUMI Solar Pathway Lights are the best solar ground lanterns that we tested. These add a bit more decorative charm than conventional solar spotlights, and they’re available in three colours: warm white (which emits a warm glow), cold white (with more of a blueish hue), and flame red, with a flame-like effect.
I bought the warm white lights and used them to light up a pathway, and they served this purpose well. They don’t have the brightest bulb, but the bulb is quite small, so this was to be expected. They have stakes for pushing into the ground, so make sure your garden is suitable for this setup.
Quick Specs:
Brand: GIGALUMI
Price: ££
Size: Small
Quantity: 6-pack
Charge time: 4-6 hours
Light time: 8 hours
Best For:
People who like the solar lantern design and want a pretty, cosier approach to lighting up garden pathways or driveways.
Pros:
The GIGALUMI Solar Pathway Lights have a respectable 4.5-star average rating out of 5, from more than 5,000 Amazon customer reviews.
I loved the look of these lanterns—they were my favourite of all the solar lighting options I tested appearance-wise. I think solar lanterns have a prettier appearance than the more modern stake lights available today, although you might disagree (it’s definitely a thing of preference!).
The choice of three colours is great, depending on whether you want a soft light (go for the warm white) or a more striking glow (choose the cool white). I also think the flame effect choice works really well in this old-feel style of light.
The installation process is simple, with just 5 steps, and the spike is a decent length for sticking into the ground.
Cons:
A few customers noted that these were smaller than expected.
Unlike some other stake lights, there’s no way to alter the light intensity.
If bright, motion-activated outdoor security lights are what you’re looking for, I recommend the Seklin Outdoor Solar Lights as the best solar garden lights for you. You can buy the lights in a 2-pack, a 4-pack, and a 6-pack, available in just one colour (cool white), and they’re designed to be fixed to the exterior wall of your home.
These lights are ideal for bright illumination at night. They’re motion-activated, with a sensor that causes them to turn on when motion is detected. They have a wide-angle design, so they’ll light up a vast space, helping you to spot whatever triggered them to switch on.
Quick Specs:
Brand: Seklin
Price: ££
Size: Small
Quantity: 2-pack, 4-pack, or 6-pack
Charge time: 6-8 hours
Light time: 6+ hours
Best For:
Anyone looking to deter intruders or just keep an eye on people passing their house with motion-activated solar garden security lighting.
Pros:
The Seklin Outdoor Solar Lights have been reviewed by more than 5,000 customers on Amazon, with an average rating of 4.4 stars out of 5.
Sometimes, solar-powered lights only produce a soft glow, but these Seklin lights produce a bright light that you want in security lighting. After installing them outside, I found that motion detection triggered a bright light, which was exactly what I wanted.
The lights are smaller than your typical outdoor security light, which I personally preferred (I’m not a fan of bulky lighting). Their small size means you could install them on a tree branch or wooden garden feature rather than your home’s exterior if you prefer.
I found them easy to install, taking less than 10 minutes, and all screws for the installation were included (the manufacturer says you can also use double-sided tape).
Cons:
They take a few days to charge initially.
There are the usual complaints about some lights arriving broken or not working.
If you’re looking to add some colour to your garden during the night, I recommend the Lezonic Solar Fairy Lights. These solar fairy lights are alternating colours (red, green, blue, yellow, and pink), and their larger-bulb design prevents them from looking cheap or tacky. You can buy them in a few other interesting colours, too—aside from the more generic warm and cool light colours, there are also purple, green, and blue options.
These string lights emit a warm glow and are a great option for hanging from your garden fence or stringing overhead on a walkway or decking area. They’re one of the more affordable options on this list, making them a great value for money if you’re looking to deviate from the typical solar light design and colour.
Quick Specs:
Brand: Lezonic
Price: £
Size: Small
Quantity: 30-100-pack
Charge time: 6-8 hours
Light time: 6-10 hours
Best For:
Adding some colour to your garden with a more exciting take on the typical white or yellow solar fairy lights.
Pros:
The Lezonic Solar Fairy Lights are another exceptionally popular product on Amazon, with more than 15,000 reviews totaling an average of 4.3 stars out of 5.
I got the multicoloured lights for my garden and was pleased with their soft, steady light in the evening. They’re not too bold, and there’s a good range of colours, so I reckon you could keep them up all year without looking like you’d forgotten to take the Christmas decorations down.
Aside from the colour choices, there are also a few different light modes, so you can choose between flickering, flashing mode, and constant light (there are a few “rave” modes that admittedly you would probably never use!).
You get so much value for your money with this lighting option, with the 50-pack costing less than £10 (at the time of my review). There are different cable lengths depending on your garden size, from 30 bulbs all the way up to 100.
Cons:
Some customers found that the light modes changed independently.
A few people had issues with the longevity of the bulbs and cord.
🧾 8 Features To Look For In The Best Solar Garden Lights
When you’re choosing between solar lights for your garden in the UK, look for the following features:
💡 Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency should be one of your top priorities. Opt for LED lights as they use significantly less power compared to traditional bulbs and have a longer lifespan. This not only reduces your electricity bills but also minimizes how often you’ll need to replace bulbs making them a sustainable choice for your garden.
🌦 Weather Resistance
Garden lights are exposed to various weather conditions, so it’s essential that they’re durable enough to withstand rain, snow, harsh sunlight, and frost.
Look for lights that are rated for outdoor use, typically indicated by an IP (Ingress Protection) rating. An IP65 rating, for example, tells you that the lights are dust-tight and can withstand water jets, making them suitable for gardens that get rain or moisture. Durable garden lights are generally made from high-quality materials such as stainless steel or strong plastics.
📱 Smart Features
Incorporating smart technology into your garden lighting is a great way to add convenience and improve functionality. You can control smart garden lights remotely via smartphone apps, which allows you to adjust brightness, set schedules, or change colors without physically accessing each light.
Some solar lighting options have motion sensors, providing added security and energy savings by automatically turning on when movement is detected or when it’s dark outside.
🎨 Aesthetic Appeal
Garden lights come in a variety of styles and designs, so you can choose the best solar lights that complement your garden’s overall look.
You’re guaranteed to find a style to match your taste, whether you prefer modern minimalist fixtures, classic lanterns, or decorative fairy lights. Consider the color temperature of the lights as well; warmer tones create a cozy ambiance, while cooler tones have a more modern appearance that some people prefer.
☀️ Good Charge Time
The charge time of solar garden lights directly impacts how well they perform, especially in places with limited sunlight.
Most solar lights need around 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight to reach a full charge, though this varies depending on the model and the size of the solar panel.
To get the best performance, place your solar lights (or the small solar panel they come with, if this is separate) in areas that get plenty of exposure throughout the day. If your garden has more shade, consider lights with high-efficiency panels that are designed to work effectively with less sunlight.
🌙 Long Light Duration
Light duration, or how long your solar lights stay lit after sunset, will determine the timeframe that your garden is lit up overnight.
Depending on the quality of the battery and solar panel, most solar lights will provide between 6 to 12 hours of light on a full charge. Many models come with sensors that automatically turn the lights on at dusk and off at dawn, which helps maximize their runtime.
If your garden doesn’t get full sun, look for solar lights that are advertised to last longer on a partial charge or have backup battery options.
🔧 Easy Installation and Maintenance
Ease of installation and maintenance is another important factor to consider. Look for garden lights that come with clear instructions and all necessary mounting hardware to simplify the setup process.
Solar lights are a great low maintenance option as you can usually simply assemble them (if necessary), then install them and their solar panels where you’d like them in the garden, saving you time and effort compared to more complex wiring systems. Also, choosing lights with replaceable parts, such as bulbs or batteries, means you can maintain them easily without having to replace the whole thing.
💰 Good Cost-Effectiveness
Finally, consider the overall cost-effectiveness of the garden lights you choose. While higher-priced options often offer better quality and more features, there are plenty of affordable lights that provide excellent performance and durability.
Evaluate the initial cost alongside durability considerations to determine the best value for your investment. It’s a good idea to read customer reviews and compare different brands to help you find garden lights that meet your budget without compromising on quality.
Important note: this review was last updated in January 2025 We apologise if pricing or availability has since changed for any of the products mentioned above.