The best solar garden lights to buy: an extensive guide

Length: 6.9 metres, 50 LEDsColour: Warm white, flashing and static functionsReview: "I bought 3 sets to go along the top of my back garden fences, they light up well and look really good. I am going to get some more. Very reasonable price too."

Length: 10 metres, 110 LEDsColour: Warm whiteReview: "I have these running along the top of a fence. Followed instructions to turn off and leave out for a couple of days to allow the battery to charge. Now switches on at dusk and still on at the early hours of the morning. Great protection given by plastic tube. Give a lovely warm glow."

Length: 7 metres, 50 LEDsColour: Warm white, 8 mode functionsReview: " To say I'm impressed is not to say anything. It's such a shame I can only upload either a video or pictures, as I would love to show you how cool they look in daylight. These are orange ud83dudc1d with white wings and without being on they make a great feature. When on , however, it's a really impressive sight. Different flicker modes, bright warm yellow colour of light, it has made a huge difference to our feature tree that was a sad sight before I got these ud83dudc1d."

Length: 3 metres, 10 LEDsColour: Warm whiteReview: "Purchased as wanted something cheap and cheerful for a small family celebration but wow! Great quality and lovely light. More white than Amber light and plastic holders although look like glass. Everyone asked where I had bought from, will be getting more."

Length: 8 metres, 50 LEDsColour: Multi-colouredReview: "I have 4x Strings of 50 Lights at the back of the garden. Already really efficient, hours lit up. They look lovely amongst the Ivy, Roses & Greenery on the Back Fence and are for 'artistic effect' and NOT to light the area (as brighter White Solars do). Highly recommended."

Length: 12 metres, 120 LEDsColour: Warm white, 8 mode functionsReview: "Came really quickly. Very very easy to assemble. Easy instructions to follow. Surprisingly long - get quite a lot for your money. Ideal to have two different sets of lights as they can be in different places without having to buy multiple packs. Would recommend keeping them on the paper and unravelling as you go. We made the mistake of unraveling them all moving them all around the house and garden. AND THEN trying to decorate with the unraveled lot. They obviously got tangled - which was completely our fault. But please - learn from our mistakes! We bought them as we wanted to make our back garden a little prettier during a major renovation! And it everything looks like a building site including our garden! It took me a while to figure out if they were on but realised that I hadn't been reading all the instructions! The lights only work when the solar panels aren't exposed to sunlight! Which makes sense! But also perfect for when it starts to go dark outside as you don't need to thing about turning them on. Provides perfect amount of ambient lighting for chilled evening in the garden during summer!"

Length: 4 metres, 20 LEDsColour: Warm whiteReview: "Ended up buying 4x of these. During the day they look quite realistic unless up really close, at night when the solar lights turn on they look lovely. The only downside was not as long as I thought they would be but still did the job."

Length: 17 metres, 100 LEDsColour: Warm white, 8 mode functionsReview: "So pretty, multiple settings but like mine on without flashing, don't forget to remove the protective film from the solar panel otherwise they will not charge up enough, do not seem to stay on through the night but a good few hours in the dark , I bought warm glow and they are lovely."

Length: 6 metres, 20 LEDsColour: Warm whiteReview: "Fun and atmospheric, really pleased with my purchase and impressed that even with really low light the solar cell still picks up enough light to provide a decent amount of energy to the lights. I will be buying more."

Length: 4.7 metres, 10 LEDsColour: Warm, fire animationReview: "The lights do look like real flames. My husband brought these lights awhile back and they look better than shown in the photos."

Size: 11.6 x 11.6 x 13.1 cmQuantity: 3 (4 LEDs each)Colour: Warm whiteReview: "I'm so happy with these lights, oh wow! Wasn't expecting them to be this cheap but be of good quality too. They've definitely transformed my front garden, buying loads more for my backyard."

Size: 0.1cm H x 0.09cm W x 0.03cm DQuantity: 4Colour: Cool whiteReview: "Cutely light up my garden path. Got to position the solar box correctly otherwise it won't charge. Even in these frosty weather conditions still charges and lights up."

Size: Dia. 25cm. Cable, 3m.Quantity: 4 (8 LEDs each)Colour: Cool whiteReview: "Very Pretty And Lights Work Very Well. These look really nice at night when the lights come on. They are more flexible than I expected, so wouldn't recommend them as stepping stones on soil..."

Size: H:12, W:11, D:13 cmQuantity: 4 (3 LEDs each)Colour: Cool whiteReview: "I purchased a second set of these to compliment the first set placed around the garden. If placing along borders or edges, be careful with the strimmer as it will take a chunk out of the side, letting rainwater in and rendering the product useless. Lovely bright lights which makes the garden looks like a flight path. Very happy with that though as it's a great deterrent for sneaky visitors!"

Size: H: 38.7, D: 6.8cm.Quantity: 18 Colour: MulticolouredReview: "Had these lights for a few weeks now, they are great and charge up even on cloudy days...provide a lovely colourful but subtle evening glow...love them!"

Size: 26.3 x 17.9 x 17.8 cmQuantity: 4Colour: Warm, fire animationReview: "These were super easy to install and set up. They seem well made with quality plastic materials. But most of all, they look amazing at night; very effective. You could easily be fooled to think that they are real flames inside. They emit the same brightness as you would get from an orange flickering flame and they create a cosy atmosphere. I love them. They stay lit all night. Very good value for money."

Size: ‎22.5 x 18.5 x 6 cmQuantity: 2 (8 LEDs each)Colour: Multicoloured (8 fixed colours, 1 auto-changing colour)Review: "I'm amazed by these. They're not like normal solar lights that I've had before and I'm glad I invested in them. They're sturdier than other lights I've tried. I've used the included spike but there were also two fixtures for attaching to a wall or fence or something. There are three settings for different brightness levels. The brighter they are the shorter the kit duration (obviously!). The photo is with them on the brightest setting. They turn on when it gets dark. Worth noting that it needs to be pretty dark before they'll activate. Kind of wish that was adjustable."

**Size: ‎**34.9 x 13.29 x 13.4 cmQuantity: 12 (8 LEDs each)Colour: Cool whiteReview: "Lovely little up lights projecting the flowers and highlighting them in the evening. They do look like we've been invaded by mini UFOs but I love them."

Size: 83cm H x 13.5cm W x 13.5cm DQuantity: 2 Colour: Cool whiteReview: "Very effective light with these lights only complaint I would have is I would have liked them just slightly taller. You receive the shepherd hook in three pieces for each light I think one more straight piece would have suited my needs better, having said that I love this item."

Size: H91 x W16.8 x D7.2cmMaterial: MetalColour: Orange glowReview: "Love these, had bought one for a friend a couple of years ago and was impressed with the effect so got myself a couple as soon as I saw them. Positioned in front of the fence they throw a fascinating pattern onto the fence, an added bonus to the torch itself."

Size: ‎32 x 18 x 18 cmMaterial: IronColour: Warm whiteReview: "Love the cosy feel these lamps give the garden. Although not as big as I expected, they are pretty, they don't give a great deal of light I'm afraid, but what they give out is a lovely patterned glow. If you're looking for a bright light these are not going to give you that, but I am still pleased with them."

Size: 40cm H x 8cm W x 6cm D Material: SteelColour: Cool white (120 LEDs overall)Review: "Brilliant bright and very effective just what I thought I was getting. The lights shine brightly all night and I'm impressed it charged up on overcast days I would recommend."

Size: H: 135cm, 20 branchesMaterial: PlasticColour: Warm white (200 LEDs overall, steady & flashing mode)Review: "I bought 2 of these to stand in flower pots. They look stunning I have had many many comments from the neighbours. So much so I have since ordered about 4 more for friends and family. Top tip- used one as a support to grow a clematis around inter twined with the lights it's beautiful. Highly recommended item."

Size: H: 60cm x D: 45cmMaterial: Handcrafted brushed metalColour: Cool whiteReview: "I now have two!! They are magic, everyone loves them. Fills the patio end to end with white lacy light which lasts for hours. Very, very pleased with them."

Size: H 200 x W 18 x D 18 cmMaterial: Powder-coated stainless steel post, tough plastic lantern frame with glass panesColour: Warm white, intelligent light adjusts from 200 to 100, 75, 50 or 25 lumensReview: "Gives good light. Easy to put together but wobbled a bit in stormy weather - overall is as described and works well. Very pleased."

Size: H 21, W 12, D 12 cmQuantity: 4Colour: Warm whiteReview: "These look great in my trees at end of the garden. Sometimes one or two lose power before others but they must be shaded by branches. Still last a few hours in the dark every night."

Size: H 40.5, W 11, D 11Quantity: 1Colour: Cool white, "dancing light from crackle ball"Review: "The first night it was out I thought it looked amazing and even during the day it's lovely hearing the wind chime. So nice I went and bought another one the next day."

Size: 13cm H x 12.8cm W x 13cm DQuantity: 1 (six hummingbirds attached)Colour: Multicoloured (transitions throughout each bird)Review: "This looks lovely in the evening. It looks like a wind charm but doesn't make a noise so no worries there. I like it. It is just like the photo at night."

Size: 16 x 10.92 x 19 cmQuantity: 2Colour: Warm whiteReview: "What a beautiful pair of lights. I've always liked victorian/Tudor looking lamps and saw my neighbours had a different set which took my fancy. I started searching and came across these little beauties! They are small but lovely, bright (not too bright but bright enough) and lovely to look at! They let of a stunning patterned light around the walls (as shown in the photos) if I'm being totally honest, the photos really don't do the lights any justice! As for installation, luckily I'm handy with a drill and installed them myself but for those that aren't so handy with a drill you would have to look into someone doing it for you which if it costs you more money, I can assure you, they are worth it! Thank you!"

**Size: ‎**12.5 x 9 x 5 cmQuantity: 4Colour: Cool white (three modes including motion sensor)Review: "We live in an unlit cul-de-sac. It is pitch black at night. I was looking for bright solar light with a motion sensor to light up the back of the house as a deterrent to intruders. These lights have been just amazing, not only are they very bright, they have several useful settings. I like mine illuminated for as long as possible after dark. During the summer months, they stay alight all night (7-8 hours) which is perfect. I chose the second setting, which gives constant lighting on a medium level of brightness and motion sensor that that switches on bright light when movement is detected, just perfect. Setting one gives constant lighting without motion sensing and the third setting is motion sensing only and very bright when movement is detected. I have recommended these to neighbours who are all delighted with them. I have three just resting on a patio table and one is screwed onto the fence and as you can see from the photograph, there is ample lighting for security purposes."

Size: ‎23.6 x 8.8 x 6.7 cmQuantity: 6Colour: Warm white/multi-colouredReview: "Quality LED lights suitable for hanging over the edge of decking, a fence or a wall - or whatever else you can think of. the light is in two parts - the main unit and the diffuser (the clear part) which spreads the light. The diffuser clips into the main unit. Comes complete with double sided adhesive pads and nails to secure - you can use one or the other, or both. Brightness is good. Obviously the brighter the day, the brighter the lights at night. They don't necessarily need blazing sun neither, so you can expect them to light up fairly bright for as long as the day isn't dull. Gives a fantastic atmosphere at a cheap price. Recommended."

**Size: ‎**37.1 x 8.3 x 8 cmMaterial: IronColour: Multi-coloured Review: "I love watching these lights out my window at night or sitting next to them with an evening outdoors drink... they are so pretty and colourful and bright and change colour. They were bigger than I expected and therefore the colours are brighter. I could sit and watch them for ages! My only small negative is that the stems are so long that I couldn't push them right into my plant pots so the solar panel is not at soil level. This would not be a problem if pushed straight into a looser soil flower bed."

Size: H 80, W 10, D 10, L 80cm.Material: PlasticColour: Warm whiteReview: "These are really pretty lights They give a warm glowing effect to what was once a boring planter at my front door at night time. They are well constructed, the brown wires camouflage into the soil easily and are eye-catching during the day when not lit as well as at night. Really happy."

Size: 23.5cm diameterMaterial: UnknownColour: Orange glow (crackle ball effect)Review: "It looks very decorative during the day and has a lovely bright orange light when lit at night."

Size: H32 x W25 x D20cmMaterial: Resin, bronze-effect finish (although reviews have described it as gold)Colour: Warm white (crackle ball effect)Review: "Definitely not bronze but beautiful gold Buddha, looks stunning both lit and unlit. Lovely features and good light. Anyone who has been to China will know that all the Buddhas are gold and so this one looks truly authentic. This is my second purchase- a gift for my daughter who is equally thrilled!"

Size: 103cm high and 50cm wideMaterial: PlasticColour: UnknownReview: "This is so fab and easy to put together... nice and sturdy when you fill it up. I'm really pleased with it."

Size: 85.7 cm H x 11 cm W x 14.5 cm DMaterial: Glass & MetalColour: Warm, flame effectReview: "Great addition to my garden, it looks lovely during the day and even better when it lights up at night. I would highly recommend it."

Size: Dia. 13 x H 36.5cm.Material: Tough polyresinColour: Cool white (rotating light)Review: "This is the second solar lighthouse that I have purchased from Coopers of Stortford, and it is really quite amazing. Adding the rotating light within the top of the lighthouse makes it just that bit special, and it is actually quite bright when in operation. It is well made, sturdy, very competitively priced, and a pleasure to own."

Size: H 27, W 15, D 18.5 cm.Material: Bronze coloured resinColour: Warm whiteReview: "This is a brilliant little solar light. I've even brought it inside a few times because it looks so lovely on my table on an evening."

Size: 19.5 x 10 x 15.5cmMaterial: Hand-painted polyresinColour: Cool white & colour-changing optionReview: "I am very happy with this little dog. It is really cute and the light stays on for over hours."

Size: H 18.5cm W 22cm D 13cmMaterial: Hand-painted resinColour: Warm white (3 LEDs total)Review: "this squirrel solar light makes me smile when I go into the kitchen and look out the back."

Size: H 21.5 x W 30 x D 15cmMaterial: MetalColour: Colour-changing scroll patternReview: "My Dolly sheep has just arrived and she's so lovely chewing her daisy!!! Got to order another one! She's the image of one of the characters from Sean the Sheep!"

Size: 21.6 x 21 x 15.2 cmMaterial: IronColour: Warm white (6 fast flashing light lines and 36 highlight lights on the line)Review: " I bought this water can as a feature for the garden. I was expecting it to be small but it's not, it's just the right size. It's made of very good material so will have the longevity that I was after. When lit the watering can projects a pretty flower pattern around it as it has a light inside. The LEDs coming from the spout are a nice length which you can bend to create flowing shapes. The crook it stands on is also made of sturdy material. So all in all a very good buy and will buy another."

Size: 19cm H x 28cm W x 11cm DMaterial: PlasticColour: Cool whiteReview: "Love these, just added a little character to my little front garden space, the solar element is subtle but a nice addition would have been just as good without, pricing for this product is spot on."

Size: H 8.5 x W 6 x L 13.5cm.Material: AcrylicColour: Cool white (8 sparkling white LEDs)Review: "I love them, they look good on the windowsill without the lights on but when lit up they are super."

Size: 11cm H x 18cm W x 24cm DMaterial: PlasticColour: Cool whiteReview: "I've put it away for next year, it looks lovely."

Size: 33 x 15 x 25cmMaterial: Hand-painted polyresinColour: Cool white or colour-changing optionReview: "Very nice product but beware the heavy glass globe almost makes it fall over. The solution is to unscrew the globe and fill the hare's body with something heavy - I used builder's pebbles".

Size: 86cm H x 2.5cm W x 14cm DMaterial: MetalColour: Cool whiteReview: "This peacock was a wonderful addition to our garden. It not only looks lovely at night time but adds a real blast of colour in the garden. Great quality and easy to put together."