13 Best Solar String Lights for Sustainable Designs | Buyer’s Guide

Solar-powered lights are definitely a lifesaver.

They give your outdoor patios a touch of aesthetics and creativity while also helping you to ‘go green’. So, if you are looking for some bright and colorful solar lights that will help you enjoy the festivities to the fullest, we can help you out!

Today, we are going to guide you through an extensive list of products that have different practicalities and creative style, but deliver what you are essentially looking for – an eco-friendly alternative to making your festive seasons bright, attractive and exciting-without racking up a hefty energy bill.

In this guide of 13 Best Solar String Lights, we have picked our personal favorites that are affordable, durable and run off an infinite supply of renewable energy. We have narrowed down our search  by focusing on the costs, customer reviews, user-friendliness, creativity and ease of installation.

So, let us begin without any further ado!

Best Solar String Lights

1. LED Solar Icicle String Lights by Supsoo

Let’s kick off this list of reviews with one of our favourite picks; the icicle-shaped string lights by Supsoo. These solar-powered lights, look extremely fashionable and classy and can be a great choice for Christmas or Thanksgiving decorations.

One of the most appealing aspects of this product is its durable exterior built. These short strings of mini bulbs mimic natural icicles and are able to withstand severe weather conditions, including heavy snowfall and rain.

Experience

This product is practical for quite a long list of reasons. Firstly, one of its most commendable features is its unique memory function. It saves your last mode settings in its memory chip and eliminates the necessity of resetting the power after every use.

Moreover, it also has an auto on-off feature which automatically switches on the lights at night and again switches them off during the day time. Besides the power button, the light also has a dedicated switch and a remote control system as well, with which you can toggle between its eight different modes of lighting.

However, we feel the signal strength of the remote could have been better, as it doesn’t work properly beyond a distance of 10ft.

Another noticeable aspect of this product is the quality of its brightness. Though these lights are comparatively smaller than other Supsoo products, their warm ethereal glow is still bright enough to light up your fence, dining room or the garden radiantly. Also, due to its low voltage, the bulbs do not get heated up much and can be safely used around kids and children.

The product comes with a handy user manual that clearly explains the installation process and has a dedicated button for controlling its power which is quite easy to operate.

2. Multi-Color Solar String Lights by Jar Owl

Those who prefer the traditional thicker wired lights, instead of the thin-wired fairy lights, can opt to buy this set from Jar Owl. They do not get tangled easily and also aids easy installation.  Like most Jar-Owl products, this one is also made up of remarkably sturdy and durable materials and will last you for many years to come. .

Experience

If you are looking for budget solar-powered lights but also want it to deliver quality and durability, you should definitely go for the Jar Owl multi coloured solar lights. We really liked its sturdy, water-resistant wiring system that has reportedly survived extreme weather conditions (from heavy rains to thundersnow and hailstorm). Also, as it is remote operated, and you will be able to control its operations comfortably from your room during the chilly winter evenings.

The wirings, as well as the light bulbs, are made up of IP65 waterproof coatings, so you can leave them outdoors all year-round and still expect them to work just fine. And in case things don’t go as expected, you can ask for a replacement as the manufacturer offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on the lights and it also comes with a 12 months warranty card.

The wire is really long i.e., its 72ft with 200 LEDs spaced 4” apart from each other. It completely covers the perimeter of rooftops and can be an apt choice for making colourful homemade hanging chandeliers.

And, while most lights tend to get discharged after only a few hours of service, the 1200mAh Ni-MH battery ensures they stay for 6-8 hours even at 100% brightness (and for over 8 to 12 hours at 25% brightness).

Also, the colors are warm, as generally preferred by the customers, and are available in red, orange, blue, green or warm white and automatically lights up at dusk.

On the flip side, we felt the lights could have been a little bit brighter as it doesn’t seem to shine that much in places which are directly affected by streetlights.

3. TOFU LED Solar String Lights

This one by TOFU has an outstanding waterproof rating and are equipped to handle the regular wear and tear of outdoor use. The T10 classic bulbs are a lot larger than usual solar string bulbs, and the quality of its luminescence is also one of a kind. Once lit, it seems like the bulbs are filled with tiny fireflies, and delivers a very warm and nostalgic glow.

Experience

We were genuinely impressed by the 2-way power-supply mode, which allows the light to run on both solar power as well as battery power. Usually, the solar panel charges the lithium batteries throughout the day time and stays lit for over 8 hours at night. However, during unfavorable weather conditions and cloudy days, the seperate battery slot lets you run the lights from a secondary battery source as well.

Most features of this product surpass the other competitors in the market in terms of convenience. For example, the LEDs include a hook at the top, which are spaced at 1 ½ ft distance from the next one, to aid easy hanging of the lights in the outdoors.

The LEDs are also made of IP65 commercial grade waterproof material that can withstand extreme weather conditions like rain, snowfall or damp climates. And to avoid breakage, the bulbs are made out of temperature-resistant waterproof silicone plastic shells. These shells have higher water repellency and light transmission than glass, and can also be recycled.

Some customers have also reported that the lights stood  firm against severe winds up to 50MPH and still worked quite well.

And adding to the convenience, the product  also comes with a 45 days money-back and 3 years replacement guarantee.

The only drawback is that it doesn’t give you the option of adjusting the levels of brightness, however, that’s understandable, given its price range.

4. SEMILITS Honey Bees Lights

The SEMELITS honey bee shaped lights have received multiple positive reviews from a wide customer base due to its creative and innovative design and outstanding performance. They are especially loved  by children and ideal for outdoor decorations during birthday celebrations and other joyful events.

Experience

These mini outdoor solar lights look wonderful in outdoor patios or yard and can be an awesome choice for adorning the flower pots and trees of your garden. Also, its wire is very flexible, and you can easily bend them and wrap them around plants without worrying about damaging any of its parts.

The product also comes with a powerful nickel-metal hydride battery that lasts for about 8 hours once it’s fully charged. We conducted a number of quality checks  to ensure that the material is durable and genuinely waterproof as promised by the manufacturer. And we are happy to tell you that the results were quite satisfactory.

The bees are made up of really strong plastic and weren’t easily broken during the tests. We found the sheath is made up of IP65 plastic that’s capable of handling extreme weather conditions.

Honestly, judging the quality of its materials, it can be said to be one of the best products you will get at this price range.

5. SKYFIRE Solar Flower String Lights

When it comes to choosing a light with an innovative and appealing design, the SKYFIRE string lights deserves a special mention. These cherry blossom shaped solar lights give off a soft, warm aura that is ideal for indoor/out decorations and can also be used as a nightlight.

It has a great lighting capacity and works for 10 hours straight on one full charge.

Experience

The cherry blossoms look stunning in your home as well as outdoor patios and always adds a magical feeling to your parties. It consists of 50 LEDs which feature a cool yellow color, and the copper wiring makes it easy to mold them along any object.

It features 2 different modes – constant on and flashing, which you can choose as per your mood and according to the occasion. The light is 22.3 ft in length and each bulb is situated at a distance of .33 ft from each other, which helps them to cover a considerable area. This helps them create an elegant and pleasant atmosphere throughout your garden.

Also, the lights have excellent waterproof rating and continue to provide a high level of illumination even during the rainy seasons. Plus, they are made up of advanced solar batteries that ensure 17% energy conservation, and on a full charge, the 600 mA battery works for over 10 hours!

Most importantly, the installation process of these lights is quite easy and effortless, so, you can hang them wherever you want to, without much hassle.

6. Icicle Solar String Lights Fairy Copper Wire

In case you are short on budget but looking for a creative alternative to plain fairy lights it will be a good idea to opt for these cheaper picks. Besides going easy on your pockets, they still deliver aesthetics and usability and can be an apt solution for your lighting needs.

Experience

Most customers who have used these lights were highly satisfied with the durability of the product and left a positive review conforming that it had last them for years.  Its performance is not influenced by weather changes or seasonal and geographic changes. Like most solar lights, the Icicle solar strings are made up of IP65 waterproof material and can withstand all kinds of weather.

However, a feature that stands out as compared to its competitors is that it doesn’t get heated up even after prolonged use and is safe to use around children. The gorgeous lights have eight different modes to suit all your moods and also comes in various color combinations.

You can opt to buy any one from the various choice of colors (red, green, warm white, blue, pink  and yellow) or install all of them together in your ceiling. Though the bulbs are a little smaller than the regular string lights available in the market, the shades are quite brights and spread out to illuminate the entire room to give it a warm starry and gorgeous look .

7. Joomer 2 Pack Waterproof Globe Solar String Light

Joomer’s solar string lights are yet another stunning globe-shaped lights available in the market that boasts of superior quality. These beautiful warm lights are made up of premium quality waterproof materials and work perfectly even during the snowy and frosty Christmas days.

It also has in-built sensors which are able to control the lights automatically when it’s dark outside and gets switched off during the daytime.

Experience

Most customers who used these lights were especially pleased with it due to its ease of use. It doesn’t get tangled, and you can set it up quite easily in your patio, without any additional help. It instantly adds a festive glow to your place.

The solar panels are quite large and effectively collects a sufficient amount of sunlight through the day and ensure the lights stay lit up for more than 8 hours straight after one full charge. We also found that the product has a built-in memory chip that remembers your last settings. So, you won’t need to reset its modes manually every time.

Also, each pack includes 30 LEDs and comes with a 20ft long stand (including the 6.5ft lead cable) which is long enough to cover large rooftops, hall rooms and gardens comfortably.

8. FOXLUX Solar String Lights

FORLUX holds a reputable position in the solar light industry, and after thorough scrutiny, we arrived at the conclusion, that its for all the right reasons. These vintage style lights have a 3000mAh super-large capacity solar panels  that auto charges during the day to keep your porches and patios lighted throughout the night.

Experience

We loved how bright the lights are and were particularly impressed by the quality and flexibility of these heavy-duty bulbs. They are made up of a rubber stand design that guarantees performance even under heavy thundershowers and snow. Plus, they are capable of loading more voltage which in turn allows it to stay lit for a significant period of time. And interestingly, though the lights run on solar power, there is a standby mode which maintains your hall room ambience during the snowy winters as well.

While testing the product, we were truly impressed to observe that while most of the regular Edison bulbs use tungsten filaments, FOXLUX use LED filaments that don’t get burned out easily. And, while most solar lights with Tungsten filaments have a lifespan of 1000 hours, many verified online customers reported that the product had last them for over 25000 hours.

What deserves special mention is that the lights come with all the necessary accessories (along with one spare piece of a light bulb) and a comprehensive guide for ease of installation. The helpful guide explains each and every step in detail so that you are able to set up the lights quickly without any hassle.

Additionally, each of the light is attached to a hanging socket that further aids the installation process.

9. ALED Light Solar LED Lanterns

One of the most striking features of these solar string lamps is its accordion-shaped body that also works like a lantern when you extend it. Did you like making origami paper lanterns in school? Then you will be happy to know that these solar-powered bulbs look exactly like the traditional ones made of paper.

Their warm yellow luminescence and creative origami-style design brings back the nostalgia of childhood art and craft classes, besides spicing up your cozy dinner dates and birthday parties,

Experience

We were especially impressed by the fact that the accordion-shaped body of these lanterns easily cinches and collapses, and creates a unique pattern on the floors when the lights are turned on.

If you are an outdoor enthusiast, you can also take these multi-purpose solar lanterns to your hiking, camping, fishing, sailing, and  kayaking trips. Just hang them up near your camping sites and tents, and it will instantly add an atmosphere of relaxation and serenity to the space.

Also, we particularly tested the IP65 tarpaulin cloth and found that it’s made up of 100% waterproof materials that last for years to come. They are perfect for the winter months and look beautiful against the frosty backyard fences. You’ll just need to select any one of the 2 different modes (flash mode  and steady mode) as per your preference and enjoy the soothing effect of the lights.

Most customers reported that they were particularly thrilled with the battery performance. Upon full charge, the lights shine brightly for up to 15 hours on the steady mode and more than 20 hours on the twinkling mode.

But for the best results, you must charge them under full sunlight for 2-3 days before first use.

10. Goodia Moroccan Solar String Christmas Lights

Want to give your living room a distinctive, out of the ordinary appearance this Christmas? Then we would recommend you to go for these solar-powered Moroccan lights. They create a warm amber coloured ambience unlike most of its competitors that have cool undertones and gives a chic romantic effect to your room.

Experience

Needless to say, one of the most appealing features of these lights is its intricately designed globular bulbs that display wonderful patterns of light. Most of the users loved and especially appreciated their Moroccan style construction, saying, that makes the lights look a lot more expensive than they actually are!

The lights also have high durability and are 100% waterproof. Also, they are very energy efficient and don’t give off much heat, which makes them ideal for both outdoor as well as indoor use.

The unique and striking design of the Moroccan orbs adapts to any decor, and the warm lights leave a silky-elegant effect to your garden and lawn. Also, it’s worth mentioning that despite being smaller than regular solar lights, they are enough for illuminating average-sized patios as the lights are quite bright and can be noticed from far.

You won’t need to switch them on every day as these automatic lights are made up of new technologically evolved sensors that can detect the changing lighting conditions of its surroundings. This enables them to auto operate itself, and they switch themselves off when there is sufficient sunlight and turns on during dusk.

11. Chinety Solar String Crystal Balls

The crystal balls of this product are designed with monocrystalline silicon solar cells that have the highest photoelectric conversion efficiency as compared to the other t solar cells available in the market. If you look at it from a close range, it seems like the bulb is made up of tiny fireflies that adds a magical light effect to the surroundings.

Experience

We really liked the premium quality brightness of these lights. The colourful lights instantly change your surrounding ambience and elevate the party mood, giving it a touch of happiness. It also has 8 different modes that you can select to match the mood of any party, be it a wedding, or any other festival.

Also, it lights up automatically in the evening, saving you the ordeal of going out every time to switch it on manually. Also, it comes with an instruction manual which makes it easy to install and the large solar panels play its part to offer long working hours. The panel absorbs enough sunlight throughout the day and stays lit for more than 12 hours straight.

On bright sunny days, you can expect it to run smoothly for even up to 15 hours before it gets completely discharged. However, you will need to keep the solar panel under direct sunlight for about 3 days before you use it for the first time.

The lights also deliver on quality and are made up of heavy-duty, durable monocrystalline silicon solar cells. These cells have a photoelectric conversion efficiency of about 19 %, and have a