It is always a good idea to illuminate the outdoor space that you have. Doing so will not only serve the decorative function but will provide the necessary security that you need.
To buy the best outdoor solar step lights, you would need a detailed guide. Well, we have your back! Here is the complete guide.
Buyer’s Guide
The buyer’s guide will help you get more information about the topic, so it is always a good idea to take a look at it before you research the best products in the market.
So below, there are the most important features you need to look out for:
Lighting Effects
Many solar lighting brands claim that they will be giving you a cozy and warm light, which is great to highlight the landscape.
But most LEDs are designed to emit a cool white light for the sake of security when it comes to lighting the steps. So their color depends upon your preference.
Brightness
The brightness of any light is measured in lumens. The more the lumens, the brighter the light will be.
The lumen count starts from 15-35 lumens, and that gives off a warm and soft light. The lumen output can go up to 700-800, which is brighter and even harsher.
If you are installing these for security purposes, you would need a brighter source of light.
However, gardens and landscapes don’t need very bright light so that lower lumen count will do.
Battery Capacity and Type
Knowing what kind of battery you should get will add up to the kind of function you want your lights to serve.
If your batteries don’t have enough capacity, and you are willing to use them for security purposes, then they won’t have enough brightness during the night.
Which means they won’t serve the purpose you want them to serve.
Intelligent Features
Solar lights offer intelligent features too, the ones you can avail of if you invest more money. Some of them can adjust the lumen output based on the weather.
This feature saves you energy, and they also run longer during the night. The lights with motion sensors also exist.
The more features you want, the more you’ll have to pay.
Top 15 Outdoor Solar Step Lights Reviews
Now, we shall talk about the best products available in the open market. It is difficult to decide what you want when you are faced with a sea of products inside the open market.So, my team and I have compiled the best possible products available in the market, for your ease.
1. JACKYLED Outdoor Solar Step Lights
Do you want to light up your porch while saving on electricity bills? Jackyled is what you need.
The wireless lights are easy to deal with; you would have no external source to entangle yourself in.
Compared to the older model, the latest model now has three LED light bulbs.
Sturdy steel core makes them heavy-duty and rust-free. The beam angle is lower, so they face the sun in order to charge more.
A waterproof build allows them to withstand different temperatures and weathers. The on and off function is automatic.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros:
- Easy screws installation
- Bright light
- Waterproof
- Sturdy body
- Lasts eight to ten hours
Cons:
- No motion detectors
- Don’t get tightly installed
2. BAXIA Technology Solar Lights
During the night, choose BAXIA solar lights to light up the great outdoors. Fitted with motion sensors, the lights will be able to detect light within the range of 125 degrees, and a distance of 14-16 feet also.
The 100 LED lights in every piece serve the security function pretty well. Just charge the light for six to eight hours during the night. The combined light of every LED produces up to 2000 lumens.
Made of high strength material, the BAXIA lights are waterproof, heatproof, dustproof, and frostproof, making them durable enough for outdoor use.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros:
- Motion sensors
- Batteries included
- Waterproof
- Wide detection range
- High lumen output
Cons:
- Nondimmable
- Don’t stay on for long after motion is detected
3. CLOUDY BAY Dimmable LED Step Light
Enhance the look of your home by getting the cloudy Bay lights for yourself. Giving off a sleek and graceful vibe, they serve not only as a reasonable light source but also as decoration.
Their lights point downward, so the illumination becomes more useful. Glared is minimized in that way. They have a warm white glow that has a romantic feel to it.
The color temperature of the lights is 3000k. The included rubber gasket is a seal against any incoming moisture.
Again, the lights are weatherproof, suitable for all conditions. You may also dim them however you like.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros:
- Dimmable
- Sleek look
- No glare
- Romantic color
- Splash resistance
- Rubber gasket protects from moisture
Cons:
- Not exactly waterproof
- No motion sensors
4. iThird Solar Step Lights
iThird solar-powered lights will give you eight to ten hours of light after being charged fully, which is a lot more than the usual amount of illumination that regular lights give you.
Screwing them into the surface will get them installed in no time. You will see that they are capable of withstanding years and years of wind, ice, rain, and snow, and yet function properly.
Their function is automatic; by dark, they will be on and will turn off during the day.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros:
- Long working time
- Easy installation
- Shorter charging time
- Automatic on and off
- Natural daylight color
Cons:
- Difficult to turn on
- Dim
5. JSOT Solar Step Lights
Fitting the size of your palm, the JSOT solar lights are not as small as they seem. As their lumen output is as high as 30. The auto on and off function will make them easier to deal with.
After being fully charged, the lights stay on for at least 9 hours, though changes in weather do affect their efficiency. Despite snow, rain, or sun, you will not notice a decreased efficiency.
The installation process involves using two screws or double-sided adhesives only, so it becomes easy.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros:
- Automatic on and off
- Weatherproof
- Easy installation
- Batteries are included
Cons:
- Slightly dim
- No motion sensors
6. DenicMic Solar Step Lights
Pick an edge, and mount them on it. The installation will take less than a minute. Cut the costs of electricity, and switch to an eco-friendly, greener option.
Built-in light sensors will make the lights function on their own; you won’t have to turn them on and off every day.
Not just a safe source of lighting, these LED solar deck lights also provide safe and warm lighting for your stairs, deck, or porch.
Their lumen output is 3. Almost 4-5 hours of direct sunlight will be enough to charge them fully.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros:
- Warm white light
- Eco-friendly
- Automatic on and off
- Less charging time
Cons:
- Adhesive mounting isn’t strong enough
- Not motion sensitive
7. JSOT Solar Deck Lights
Decorate your garden and save tons on electricity bills with JSOT lights. Charging will take six to eight hours, but it will last from eight to ten hours. Solar panel is designed in such a way that it charges faster.
You can either screw the lights in place or secure them with adhesives. They are waterproof and made out of silicone so that they can be used for years and years, and their efficiency still won’t be affected.
The panel is tilted at an angle of thirty degrees to optimize the sunlight intake.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros:
- Tilted panel
- Improved panel design
- Long-lasting battery
- Two mounting methods
Cons:
- Double-sided tape not included
- Anchors bend easily
8. HARMONICBYI Solar Step Lights
Harmonic is a renowned lighting brand, especially known for its solar deck lights. Compared to other step lights, the level of weather resistance in these lights is way more.
They have a warm, white-colored light. Lumen output of three is enough for this color of lighting. Compared to other lights, these are more resistant to rusting as well.
Charge them for four to five hours under direct sunlight, and they will last the entire night.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros:
- Rust free
- Durable
- Weather-resistant
- Automatic work mode
Cons:
- Made of cheap plastic
- No motion sensors
9. WESTINGHOUSE Solar Step Lights
What sets them apart from other lights is their unique round design. Being that way, they are able to function both ways, up and down. Intelligent function is a handy feature, and they do it.
When the battery does not charge enough during the day, and there is less amount of energy for the night, the brightness is regulated so that it lasts the entire night.
Solar panel is amorphous, so it manages to charge when the sunlight is low.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros:
- Weather-resistant
- Aesthetic look
- Durable
- Intelligent function
- Work both ways
- Auto on and off
- Charges when sunlight is low
Cons:
- Not bright enough
10. BJOUR Solar Step Lights
BJOUR solar lights feature the LED floodlights, which means more brightness and no spotlights. Which is handy if you don’t just want to illuminate one spot only, where the light is pointing.
The color they emit is warm white, with a lumen output of 10-12. You can mount them either flatly, or even vertically, in places. Battery life lasts up to eight hours after being fully charged.
The lights turn on and off automatically, as they are sensitive to light.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros:
- Features floodlights
- More brightness
- More lumen output
- More run time
Cons:
- Not dimmable
- No motion sensors
11. SOLPEX Solar Step Lights
Avoid clumsy falls on the stairway by installing solpex solar deck lights. These lights are suitable for protecting the eyes, and especially if children are around.
There is no glare because the lights are practically really warm and soothing to look at. Charging time is only four to five hours, and the run time is a lot more than that.
The fact that they can be fixed around the edge makes them fall-proof, you will surely not trip over them.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros:
- Secured over the edge
- Warm and soothing
- Automatic work mode
- Waterproof
- Easy installation
Cons:
- Not as bright as advertised
- No motion sensors
12. AUSPICE Solar Step Lights
It is great to have a bunch of lights that are not overpowering but emit just the right amount of light. This set has three-lumen output per light, and the color of the lights will be warm and comforting.
High brightness is responsible for high security. The fact that they are waterproof will enable you to let them sit outside throughout the year, and not worry at all.
The light goes around the edge and doesn’t let you fall by tripping over it.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros:
- High brightness
- Takes less time to charge
- Automatic work mode
- Rust free
Cons:
- Fill up with water
13. HOSL Solar Step Lights
One good thing about these lights is that every single piece is tested, so you will not receive a package with defected pieces. All mounting hardware is included in the package.
Lights are fitted with sensors to ensure the correct timings of automatic sensors. The stainless steel body is resistant to corrosion. The floodlight LEDs will ensure a wide angle of illumination.
The switches for on and off are also included, for the times when you need to decide when they work and when they shouldn’t.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros:
- Stainless steel body
- Rustproof
- Automatic function
- Waterproof
Cons:
- Not too bright
- No intelligent functions
14. CLAONER Solar Step Lights
Here comes a product with intelligent features. Claoner solar lights have motion sensors, so their security feature is enhanced.
There are three different modes of sensitivity, the medium-light, the dim light, and the strong light.
They illuminate up to a 150-degree angle. The installation is simple, and you won’t have to spend much time on it either.
Made of high impact material, the glass won’t crack if it receives a blow.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros:
- Motion sensors
- High impact glass
- High lumen output
- Three modes of motion sensors
Cons:
- No automatic function
- Not bright enough
15. ROSHWEY Solar Step Lights
The better the solar conversion rate, the more will be the run time. These lights have a very suitable solar energy to electricity ratio. Save the environment by installing eco-friendly lights.
After charging for six hours, they tend to stay on for eight to ten hours. Light sensors allow them to work automatically.
The mounting methods are simple, you can use either two screws, or adhesive tape to fix them in place.
More photo & price on amazon.com
Pros:
- More run time
- Light sensors
- Simple mounting
Cons:
- None
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do outdoor solar lights stop working?
Most of the time, the solar light not working is because of the fault on the battery’s part.
They could either not be receiving the amount of charge that they are supposed to during the day, or they are draining what they are receiving.
How much do solar batteries cost?
Solar batteries can cost from $5000 to $7000. Per kilowatt-hour, that’ll be from $400 to $750. These prices are only for the battery.
The cost mentioned does not involve the installation charges or the additional equipment required.
How do you charge solar lights without the sun?
If there isn’t enough sunlight, the solar lights can be charged using incandescent bulbs. A solar cell has the same reaction towards incandescent light as it has towards the sun.
The solar panel detects light of a certain wavelength, and the wavelength of incandescent is the same as sunlight.
Calculators and watches use this technology too.
How long do solar lights stay on at nights?
Solar lights need direct sunlight to charge fully. The number of hours it stays on at night depends on the amount of sunlight it received during the previous day.
Usually, solar lights require six hours of sunlight to charge fully, and they stay on for eight hours on a fully charged battery.
Do you leave solar lights switched on?
Most of the solar lights do not charge if their switch is still on. If you turn them off, it is better.
Primarily because that is either the only way they will charge or because this way, they will be able to charge fully.
It is a good idea to turn the solar lights off every day.
How do solar lights turn on at night?
There is a photoreceptor on the lights. It detects the dark and turns the LED lights on.
The battery then supplies power to these led lights, and they stay on throughout the night.
The sunlight is converted into energy, and the batteries store it.
Can you replace batteries in solar lights?
Generally, yes, you can. Most of the solar lights allow you to remove the cover and change the battery.
That is because batteries are the first thing to wear out in the entire mechanism, so they should be replaceable for the system to last long enough.
All you have to do is to remove the cover, detach the old batteries, and fit the new ones in there that have the same specifications.
How long do solar batteries last in outdoor lighting?
The sunlight that falls on solar panels is used to generate electricity. This electricity is stored in the batteries.
The solar lights usually fail when the batteries fail. The batteries typically last for two years until they are too worn out to hold enough charge.
They need to be replaced, and once they are, the lights will start working again.
The entire mechanism will last 25 years, though.
Is it okay to leave solar lights out in the winter?
The short, it is totally alright to leave the solar lights outside in the winter.
They are designed to be waterproof so that you can leave them outside for the entire year. They will resist weather changes.
The decorative kind is not very heavy duty, though. You can store them during winter, to avoid unnecessary damages.
Can solar lights charge inside?
Solar lights need to be placed under direct sunlight in order to be charged.
If not that, then they at least need another source of natural light, and that is incandescent bulbs.
If they have sufficient light indoors, then well and good, but if they don’t, then they have to be placed outside.
Conclusion
The above guide had all that you needed to know before proceeding to make the right purchase.
We hope that you manage to buy the best product meant for you.
Read Also:
- Different Types Of Solar Lights
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- Best Indoor Solar Lights
- Best Hanging Solar Lights
- Best Battery Operated LED Puck Lights
- Best Solar Rope Lights Reviews
- Best Solar String Lights
- Best Solar Shed Lights Reviews
- Best Solar Gutter Lights Reviews
- Best Solar Flood Lights Reviews
Thanks for sharing! This JACKYLED solar deck step lights are the ideal pick for homeowners looking for long-lasting operation and quick charging features and functions.
Great article! Solar step lights can transform any spot into a more inviting and accessible one. they are great investments if I’d like to light up areas that have low lighting conditions.