The Uks Best Solar Lights For Your Home Deck
Nothing enhances the natural beauty of a classic wood deck like the right lighting. A soft glow along your structures edges sets a more relaxing atmosphere and allows you to enjoy the outdoors long after the sun has set. But there is more to deck lighting than just design.
Keeping your yard illuminated is safer, while lighting can even boost the appeal and value of your property.
There are plenty of lighting choices, but solar decking lights are the most convenient. To help you find the best, our expert team has tested and rated some of the most popular options in the UK. See all of our top picks below.
In this guide – we review our favourite deck lighting options…
The Best Solar Lights You Can Buy Today
Want to make your patio look like an outdoor bistro or Italian cafe? Brightechâs solar-powered string lights will do the trick. This string of LED bulbs are designed to look like retro Edison-style lights, which will cast a warm, gentle glow on your deck in the evening. The bulbs are made of shatterproof plastic, and are designed to withstand winds up to 50 miles per hour, as well as rain, snow, and temperatures up to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. When put to the test, these lights delivered in every respect here enduring two severe rainstorms, one tropical storm, heavy rainfall in a shower and four hours in the freezer, with no sign of damage.
The 12 Brightech Ambience Pro lights are connected on a 27-foot cord, with 20 inches between each light. . At the end is a solar panel, which can be clipped to a railing or some other platform, or staked into the ground. Thereâs no ambient light sensor, but the lights last for up to six hours on a full charge. The lights also come with a 3-year warranty.
These small flat disks lie flush with the ground, and provide accent lighting for garden beds and walkways. Each Aogist Solar Ground Light has a small 600 mAh battery that can provide illumination for up to eight hours. When we tested these solar lights, one didn’t work straight out of the box, which seems like an issue with quality control, but the other seven functioned effectively.
These lights are $30 apiece, but youâll also need the Ring Bridge to use them.
What Are The Best Solar Deck Post Lights To Use For Lighting Up Your Decks
Solar-powered deck lights can be an advantageous option to help you save lots of electricity costs. They should have high capacity batteries that can keep the deck lights on for over 12 hours after the sun has gone down. Best solar-powered lights in the market are fitted with light sensors that automatically switch the lights on and off. Additionally, they also have motion sensors that can cover a wide area of about 120 degrees
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What Do I Look For In The Best Solar Deck Lights
If youre thinking about purchasing a set of solar-powered deck lights, make sure your prospective model has the following features.
Light Brightness
The brightness of the light sets the ambiance on the deck. If you have a bright light, its going to cause a sense of discomfort in your guests.
We recommend looking for lighting systems that offer you two or three different lighting modes and colors. Warm white light is the best choice for entertaining guests on the patio. Warm white light emits a soft glow, sort of like a candle.
When you go to bed, or if no-one is using the deck, switch to cool white. This light is a good choice for security, lighting up the area to reduce criminal activity in your yard.
Solar Capacity and Quality
Look for lights that offer you the latest generation of solar technology. Modern solar panels on your deck lights can convert around 19% of sunlight into energy for your light. Your solar panel should be durable and weather resistant.
Battery
Look for deck lights that come with rechargeable batteries. Youll need a 600-Mah battery to provide your deck with eight hours of light.
Its important to note that lithium-ion batteries eventually start to lose capacity after around a year. Youll eventually start to see less and less performance out of your light, and youll need to replace the battery to restore its performance.
Fast Recharging and Long Run Time
Light Color
Lighting Angle and Range
Wireless Solar Decking Lights
The OutdoorLights Store’s wireless solar decking lights are easy to install and they’re designed to work all year round.
Both sleek and stylish, these lights are ideal to use for your decking, but also for illuminating a pathway, driveway, or garden.
Powered by a smart built-in solar panel, each lighting device comes with 8 LEDs that use dusk sensors to turn on the lights automatically after the sunsets.
Their wireless system makes it super easy to install these solar decking lights with no drilling required. Each light boasts a solid stainless-steel construction that can be walked over without any damage.
In addition, these lights have an IP65 rating so you can leave them outside all year round without having to worry about the rain or the wind.
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Do Solar Deck Lights Function When It Snows
Most solar deck lights tend to be appropriate for being installed outdoors for an extended period. This is all thanks to the advanced technology they are made with. But, extreme weather conditions can have an impact on how the solar panel charges.
Low temperatures and gloomy weather can affect the battery lifespan of the solar lights. When the day is short in winter and autumn, the solar light is less capable of charging fully.
If you notice, when it is cloudy or gloomy outside, the solar lights tend to illuminate only for a short time. On sunny days, they illuminate more excellently because the solar panel can charge more efficiently.
Denicmic Solar Deck Lights
Designed with an automated switch and a built-in sensor, these solar lights for patio decks work like a charm. You dont need to operate them manually because the light turns on at dusk and turns off at sunrise. These solar-powered deck lights are furnished with a premium quality rechargeable battery.
Plus, they emit safe lighting and can ensure elegant adornment for your steps, railing, deck, and stairs. Their waterproof, simple, and sleek design makes these solar fixtures an excellent option for those looking for reliable solar lighting systems. They are less time-consuming and less of a hassle to set up wherever needed and liked.
The sticky tapes and screws required for the setup process are included in the kit. Also, the kit contains 16 packs of solar fence lights that emit warm white illumination. Having them installed in your outdoor area wont add up to your electricity consumption. So, theres no need to spend more money on electricity.
What sets this solar lighting system apart from other options is that it is adequate to illuminate stairs, fences, and decks. Many homeowners who have used these solar fixtures are impressed by their excellence in a broad range of outdoor applications.
Be that as it may, it would have been better if the installation screws were made rust-proof. As you know, rust formation can bring about damage over time. Hopefully, the manufacturer considers this the next time they manufacture installation screws.
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Are Solar Deck Lights Wise Investments
Purchasing a solar lighting unit for your deck can be one of the smartest decisions you can make for your place.
This is because you wont only take advantage of an economical solution, but you can also do your part in preserving the planet we live in.
As you know, solar lighting systems are eco-friendly, energy-saving, and money-saving. All these are clear indications that these products are smart investments to consider for homeowners.
What Is The Quality Of The Product
If you want to buy solar lights for decking that will last, you should look for quality before anything else. You should first look at the material used to make the product. You dont want something that will fall apart after a few months of use. The best way to check the quality is by reading reviews from other users who have already tried out the product. If they say that its worth buying, then it probably is. Quality can also be checked by looking at the price of the item. If its too cheap, there is likely something wrong with it.
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Designing A Solar Deck Lighting Plan
Before you rush out to purchase solar lights for deck posts you should first develop a design blueprint for what lighting you need.
Begin by sketching out a blueprint of your deck or work with a professional to help you do this. Once this is in hand, step out onto your deck and take a look around to see where you need lighting. It is most helpful to do this at dusk or at night as you will better be able to judge where you need illumination.
Common areas to focus on lighting up include seating, around a BBQ grill, hot tub or other outdoor feature, or to highlight containers plants, outdoor art, etc. On your deck blueprint you should accurately mark where your posts are located as well as the size of the posts. When buying solar light deck post caps you will want to buy the appropriate size if you are shopping by yourself.
If youre on a budget you dont need to go all out with solar deck lighting like you would need to with a wire electric lighting system. This is a great help for homeowners that can only afford a few lights at a time. Also, this makes it easy for homeowners to gradually switch to solar lighting over time by replacing old lights already installed on their deck.
Davinci Flexfit Solar Powered Lights 44 55 66
The Davinci Flexfit solar outdoor lights are one of our all-time favorite lights for mailboxs.
These lights will provide you with bright lighting for around 8 hours at night. However, it also needs about 8 hours of sunlight to fully charge the batteries.
While this run/charge time ratio isnt perfect, it would definitely suffice most people.
What I really like about those beautiful solar lights is that you can easily install them on 4×4, 5×5, or even 6×6 mailbox. This is a really great addition as it makes the installation process much easier.
Pros
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Siedinlar Solar Driveway Deck Lights
For those who seek the most durable lights on the market, this solar deck light is your go-to product.
The Siedinlar solar deck lamps can literally be run over by a car or even a truck and still wont break, to be exact they are resistant to pressure up to 20 tons.
Not only resistance to pressure, but also Siedinlar offers the highest water and weatherproof materials with a factor of IP68.
What is also pretty impressive is their running time 15 hours of high brightness with only about 6 hours of recharging, not only they excel with their materials, but also their panels and batteries.
In terms of water resistance, these little babies have an IP rating of IP68, which wont only protect from water jets but also water submergion and thats the reason they are mainly used as solar dock lights.
Last but not least, the 1-year warranty on them makes them a catch, in my opinion, they are durable, stylish, and did I mention that they light for 15 hours? I did? Yeah, they do.
The last thing for real- you should notice that they dont come with a security motion sensor, so if you are looking for such a feature, you should consider other choices on here.
Pros
Performance And Recharge Time
The overall performance of a solar fence light can be divided into 2 parts which are the standby period and the time needed to completely recharge the battery. As we mentioned before, large-capacity batteries are obviously better for better reliability. But you should also consider the fact that large batteries take a longer time to charge which affects the performance drastically. If there is a lack of sunlight on a cloudy day, the installed solar panels wont be able to charge the batteries completely which further reduces the run time at night.
The run time is not identical on each day because of the changes in the atmosphere, especially sunlight and its availability. An approximate run time is provided with each solar fence light and you should choose the one that at least offers you 7 to 8 hours of backup which is efficient from evening to dawn. Also, you should pay attention to the required charging time of the solar panel and make sure that enough sunlight is available in your region to charge the batteries on a daily basis.
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Our Top 10 Best Solar Deck Lights Of 2022
In the past, the only way to enjoy the last few hours of the day was to either sit in darkness or blind yourself with a dazzling floodlight.
And during romantic evenings, both of these can really kill the ambiance!
Luckily thats not the case anymore. Introducing solar deck lights!
But what are they? How do they work and are they worth buying?
Weve put together this complete guide and rounded up the best solar deck lights on the market.
Our buyers guide has everything you need to know before buying your new solar lights, from how long they last to why the weather resistance and solar capacity are important.
Want to know more? Awesome, lets jump straight in!
Geekhom Solar Deck Lights
When youre buying solar deck lights, they must be not only functional but attractive, too. These unique deck lights from GEEKHOM will add a stunning and glamorous touch to any lawn or decking area.
The GEEKHOM solar deck lights have 2 available modes to meet different needs. The warm white mode is perfect for everyday use while the 7-color changing mode is ideal for parties or evening festivities. Easy to operate, simply use the inside button to switch between the 2 modes.
It features a functional solar panel thats powered entirely by the sun, so no extra batteries or electricity are needed! Simply place the lights where they can get plenty of sunlight and theyll be fully charged in just 4-5 hours.
The deck lights automatically turn on once dusk falls and turn off at dawn to avoid wasting the charge. The acrylic and ABS outer shell mean the lights are very durable and the IP55 waterproof rating means they can withstand rain and other adverse weather conditions.
You can install them in 2 different ways either facing forward or back, making them suitable for the patio, railings, deck posts, or lawn. No wires make installing it super easy, simply use the included screws to attach them wherever you want.
Your purchase will also come complete with a 2-year warranty and a 60-day money-back guarantee for peace of mind. For any queries, the customer service team is always on hand to help.
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How To Install Solar Deck Lights
Here is the installation guide for solar deck lights:
- Carefully pinpoint the setout. You can do so by placing the solar-powered lights along the deck and spacing them out equally.
- After that, you may start drawing around the bottom of each solar lighting unit.
- From there, you can begin cutting the hole. Do this by puncturing a hole in the deck with an 8 mm bit.
- Then, youll need to cut the line using a jigsaw. Be sure to tidy up any uneven edges.
- Lastly, you can turn on the solar-powered fixtures. You can do this by pressing the button below. From there, attach the solar fixtures into the holes. The automatic function of the solar device will start to work.
Solar Deck Lights The Verdict
Lighting up your deck for the evening creates an ambiance that makes it enjoyable to spend the evening outdoors. Solar lights dont require any maintenance other than replacing the battery every year to 18-months.
After reading through the reviews and buyers guide, you should have a good idea of the right solar deck lights for your home. However, we understand if youre having a hard time settling on your preferred settings.
If thats the case, why not go with one of our top picks?
- Sunface Solar Deck Lights are our top choice for the best overall deck lights in this review. You get an attractive design, with an option for three color modes, including RGB lighting in seven colors. These lights are easy to install, and they come with a 12-month warranty.
- Greluna Solar Deck Lights are our choice for the best premium buy in this review. You get three lighting modes with RGB lighting in seven colors. These lights are weather and water-resistant, and they come with automatic operation.
- Surface Decorative Solar Deck Lights are our choice for the best budget buy in this review. You get an attractive design, easy installation, and a 12-month warranty. These lights are an excellent choice for homeowners looking for an affordable deck lighting solution.
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Solar Lights For Decking Buying Guide
You may have a special project that requires a solar lights for decking. If you dont already know which is the best one, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the selection available. Were here to help! Weve compiled this buying guide, which has everything you need to choose the right product for your needs. Read on to discover the best and how to spot a fake.
Here are a few tips to consider before making a purchase:
- Find a good quality product: The quality of the product is important. You want to ensure that it will work perfectly and last for years, so buy high-quality products only.
- Take a close look at durability: If the product doesnt last long, then whats the point of buying it? You need something that will last for years, so look for user experiences and build.
- Does the brand have a good reputation: Many brands are selling similar products, but it is important to know which ones are reputable and have good customer service if something goes wrong.
- How do users feel about the product: Look at other users feedback on their experience with solar lights for decking. This will give you an idea of how well it works and whether or not they think it was worth the money they spent on it.
- Warranty policy: A warranty is a guarantee that if anything goes wrong with your product within a certain period. You can get it repaired or replaced without having to pay any extra charges or only pay a small fee.