Outdoor solar lights work wireless thanks to a small solar panel that stores energy during the day. The night lighting is via LEDs, which absorb a very low voltage and illuminate ten times more than normal incandescent lights. The lamps can be placed anywhere in the house and the garden and do not use electricity.
Among the many sales models, the best outdoor solar lights are equipped with motion sensors and timers that optimize their consumption even more, entering into operation only when necessary. But first, let’s see how to distinguish the types of solar lights for outdoor use.
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How to choose outdoor solar lights: Types and Characteristics
Outdoor lighting with solar energy requires a few measures to get the best out of the lamps. Here are the characteristics to be assessed at the time of purchase.
Light Structure
Outdoor lights comprise a small solar panel connected to a spotlight or a street lamp, sometimes into the spotlight’s body. Sometimes it can have a minimum distance and can be connected by cable. In some models, the same solar panel feeds more light points.
The lamps’ design and structure also respond to aesthetic requirements, so we can choose between elegant lights to match the garden furniture or simple essential spotlights. In addition, we can limit a path with many small light sources or choose a powerful solar light that can illuminate several square meters.
Positioning and fixing of the lights
Whatever the design of the solar lights, we choose the most important thing to think about is positioning. We then decide which point in the garden or house to illuminate and decide the bollard light or spotlight orientation. At the same time, we need to place the solar panel exposed to the sun for most of the day.
Sometimes the two points are coincidental, but sometimes the spot to place the spotlight could be in the shade during the day, so it is necessary to choose a spotlight with a detached solar panel to be mounted not far, even behind the corner of the spotlight. The solar garden lights can be fixed to the wall with appropriate screws or stuck in the ground (or in a vase).
LED: Quantity and quality of light
As mentioned, the lighting is done by LED. Depending on the type and number of LEDs, the quality of the light will be different. We can choose a cold white light or a warm light. We can choose a powerful headlight or a soft light. The intensity of the light is indicated in lumens LM. To compare, 400 LM corresponds to approximately 40 watts in intensity (but not of energy as they absorb about 1/5).
Light sensor
The crepuscular sensor serves the lamps to start up once the sun goes down. We can determine if the lamps should stay on continuously through switches and settings or respond to the motion sensor.
Motion sensor
The best outdoor solar lights are equipped with motion sensors when an object enters its action field. Each lamp will have a sensor calibrated for a certain distance and angle. It is important to consider this parameter to choose the right lamp. We admit we want to place a lamp that illuminates our path once we arrive at the driveway.
We will have to consider the distance meters and the angle to place the spotlight in the right spot of the garden, a wall, or an external wall of the house. Once the lamp is on, a timer will manage the automatic shut-off after a certain time. Also, in this case, the top-range lamps allow us to calibrate the timer. We can also exclude the motion sensor depending on our needs.
Duration of the charge
Outdoor solar lights can last between 4 and 10 hours at their maximum charge. If we rely on the motion sensor, lamps with a short duration will also be fine because they will only light up a few times a night. On the contrary, if we need lamps always on, we must orient ourselves towards models that guarantee a long life to ensure they can cover all-night hours.
Rain and humidity resistance
Most outdoor lamps are also waterproof. In this regard, we will often reference the IP64 or IP65 certificate. Rain and moisture resistance is essential for the duration and operation of the lamps. However, we can find some outdoor lamp models designed to be placed on terraces, balconies, and verandas. They do not necessarily have the right degree of impermeability because they are positioned under a canopy.
USB charging option
Some models are equipped with USB output, which is useful for recharging the battery during rainy or particularly dark days. Of course, it is not an indispensable feature, but in the event of prolonged periods of bad weather, it can be handy to charge the lights and have sufficient lighting for the night.
The best outdoor solar lights to buy
Below is the list of the best selected outdoor solar lights in a price range between $10 and $50.
- 【Remote Control & 3 Lighting Modes】:Each solar motion sensor light is equipped with...
- 【Super Bright Solar Motion Sensor Lights】:The solar outdoor lights equipped with 210...
- 【Wide Angle Illumination & PIR Motion Inductor】:3 adjustable heads design can...
- Three Optional Modes 1. Permanent On all night mode (the lights turn on automatically...
- Sensitive PIR Motion Inductor: With Motion Sensor Detector and PIR sensor can detects...
- High-efficient LED step lights with wide-angle illumination can improve the lighting...
- NYMPHY Outdoor Lights 4 Pack: Equipped with 56 amazing LEDs (market leading). Solar...
- NYMPHY Flood Lights are Waterproof, Frostproof, and Weatherproof: Using ABS high-strength...
- High-Efficient & Long-Lasting: NYMPHY Solar lights choose polycrystalline silicon solar...
- 【Upgraded More Sensitive and Powerful Dual PIR Motion Detector】Our solar outdoor...
- 【Upgraded Unique Extra-Large Tempered Glass Solar Panel】Our flood lights is Equipped...
- 【4-Head Design and Wider Illumination Area】 The upgraded version features a creative...
- 1.Enhanced PIR Motion Inductor:Hmcity Solar Lights Outdoor bring 3 lighting modes 1....
- 2.High Efficient Solar Panel:Adopted monocrystalline silicon solar cells, the conversion...
- 3.Wider lighting Angle & Larger Coverage: Equipped with 120 led upgraded high power LEDs &...
- Solar garden lights: Each solar lights has 8 LEDs, adopt of the advanced, LED...
- Protection Design: Made of stainless steel and plastic, waterproof and durable design....
- Integrated light sensor: Garden light with integrated light sensor, the landscape light...
- 【Unique and Enchanting Design】Solar outdoor walkway lights are designed to provide an...
- 【Long-Lasting and Hassle-Free】Our solar garden lights charge for 6-8 hours in direct...
- 【Efficient Solar Power】Equipped with upgraded solar panels, our outdoor lights are...
- 【Warm Light without Dazzling】Warm white led of this deck light is enough for you to...
- 【Automatic Work Mode】The solar stair light has no switch, just pull out the insulator...
- 【Widespread Use】The solar fence lights outdoor perfect for illuminating stairs, paths,...
- 3 Lighting Modes & Motion Sensor: From constant illumination mode to motion sensor mode,...
- All-Weather Waterproof Design: Constructed with high-quality waterproof materials and...
- High-efficiency Solar Panel: Our solar-powered outdoor lights rely entirely on solar...
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