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Solar fence lights can add ambience—and safety—to a garden, home exterior, or even patio space. Their batteries use energy captured from sunlight—no cords or power cables required. Over the course of the day, they store this energy and then convert it into useful light in the evening. These power-saving lights are an easy, streamlined way to add light to any outdoor space.
Nailed to a fence post, hung on hook, or even hung temporarily with double-sided tape, solar lights for fences can create a whole new look or provide practical illumination on the darkest nights.
The XLUX Solar Lights are our favorite for their durable build, color choices, and versatile installation options. These are just some of the features that make certain lights worth a look. We also spoke with an outdoor lighting expert to find out what else buyers will want to look for when shopping. Read on to find out what to look for and why these products made our list of the best solar fence lights.
- BEST OVERALL: XLUX Solar Lights
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Solpex Horizontal Warm White Solar Deck Lights Set
- BEST FAIRY LIGHTS: Brightown Solar Fairy Lights
- BEST FENCE CAP LIGHTS: Maggift 15 Lumen Solar Post Lights
- BEST MOTION-SENSOR LIGHTS: Zookki Solar Outdoor Lights
- BEST LANTERNS: Derynome Solar Lantern Outdoor Lights
- BEST SMART: Ring Solar Flood Light
- BEST WIDE-ANGLE: Aootek New Solar Motion Sensor Lights
- BEST STRING LIGHTS: Brightech Ambience Pro Solar String Lights
How We Chose the Best Solar Fence Lights
Solar fence lights come in a variety of styles and price points. We looked at approximately 20 products, researching features and reviews, before landing on these nine as our favorites. In choosing products for this guide, we sought out lights that were appropriately weather-resistant; that had color and brightness that made sense for their use, whether for security or ambient lighting; and that had positive feedback from previous purchasers.
Battery and charging time were also considered in composing this guide. All of the products selected can provide 5 to 10 hours of light after a full charge, although the amount of cloud cover and direct sunlight can impact the amount of stored energy the batteries receive.
Our Top Picks
This list comprises solar landscape lighting that offers a variety of features. Whether you’re looking for solar post-cap lights, outdoor string lights, downlit options, or something else, you can find them here.
Best Overall
XLUX Solar Lights
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 3.18 inches tall by 3.94 inches wide by 1.18 inches deep
- Ingress Protection (IP) rating: IPX6
- Brightness: 20 lumens for warm white; 30 lumens for white
Pros
- Provides an ample amount of light
- Available in warm white light or white light to suit a variety of needs
- Versatile design can be placed on fences, stairs, and rails
- Comes in black or silver housing to complement many color schemes
Cons
- Mounting tape is not included for temporary installation
- Users report that mounting with included screws is tricky
Waterproof and made from stainless steel, the XLUX solar lights are a durable, versatile option. With an IPX6 rating, they withstand direct contact with water, even at higher pressures. Offering 20 or 30 lumens depending on color, these solar yard lights are among the brighter options on the market for less than $50, and their simple design can easily suit a variety of outdoor spaces.
Get the XLUX solar fence lights at Amazon.
Best Bang For The Buck
Solpex Horizontal Warm White Solar Deck Lights Set
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 1.85 inches tall by 1.77 inches wide by 3.46 inches deep
- IP rating: IP44
- Brightness: 3 lumens
Pros
- Mounts easily on top of fence with provided tape strips or screws
- Downlight lighting method provides a soft, ambient glow
- Charges in just 5 hours on sunny days
- Convenient shape can be installed on fences, stairs, and rails
Cons
- Not bright enough to serve as task or security lighting
- IP44 rating may not be suitable for very wet climates
This 16-pack of warm white LED solar lights can light up any outdoor space with just 5 hours of charging on a clear and sunny day. Lights turn on automatically at dusk and turn off at dawn, saving energy and time. Downlit and flush-mounted to any fence rail, they offer a soft, ambient glow, making them ideal for common recreation areas. With a streamlined look, easy installation, and a great price, these lights make an attractive, budget-friendly addition to any yard.
Get the Solpex solar fence lights at Amazon or Walmart.
Best Fairy Lights
Brightown Solar Fairy Lights
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 1 strand: 33 feet; solar panel: 4 inches tall by 3.7 inches wide
- IP rating: IP65
- Brightness: Not listed
Pros
- Can be installed easily and without screws
- Features 8 different lighting modes including flashing, twinkling, and slow fade
- A whimsical way to add solar light to a fence area
- Also available in pure white
Cons
- Solar panel must be staked into the ground
- More for decoration than for visibility
These fairy lights from Brightown are easy to install. Once the included solar panel is in the ground, the lights can simply wrap around the fence. These ambient lights can stay lit for 8 to 10 hours on a full charge. For a simple, decorative product, these fence lights offer tons of great benefits. They can be easily removed; the solar panel stake can be moved if needed; and they can be set to different lighting modes—even twinkling like Christmas lights hanging on a tree—to easily change the mood outside.
Get the Brightown solar fence lights at Amazon or Walmart.
Best Fence Cap Lights
Maggift 15 Lumen Solar Post Lights
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 2.4 inches tall by 4.95 inches wide by 4.95 inches deep
- IP rating: IP44
- Brightness: 15 lumens
Pros
- Fit directly onto most traditional fence posts
- Provides plenty of brightness for visibility at 15 lumens
- Available in black or white, with white light or color-changing light
Cons
- IP rating is only IP44; may not be suitable for areas with heavy downpours
- Plastic housing may not be as durable as metal
The Maggift fence post solar lights can fit 4-, 5-, and 6-inch square posts. With a low-profile design and warm white light (or color-changing), these rust-resistant lights lend an on-trend look to a traditional fence. When fully charged, they stay on for up to 8 hours, and they’re a quick way to add a refreshed look and some nice lighting to any outdoor area.
Get the Maggift solar fence lights at Amazon or Walmart.
Best Motion-Sensor Lights
Zookki Solar Outdoor Lights
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 5.1 inches tall by 4.3 inches wide by 2.7 inches deep
- IP rating: IP65
- Brightness: 400 lumens
Pros
- Can be mounted on walls or fence posts
- Offers motion-detection capability for security
- Features ABS plastic housing for greater durability
Cons
- May be too bright for ambient lighting
- Larger than many other solar fence lights
The Zookki solar outdoor lights have a lot to offer: 400 lumens of light, a wide range of motion detection, and sensors that can detect movement from up to 26 feet away. The lights have a rating of IP65, making them a solid, weather-resistant choice. These backyard solar lights are an excellent option for fence perimeters or fence posts on exterior gates.
Get the Zookki solar fence lights at Amazon.
Best Lanterns
Derynome Solar Lantern Outdoor Lights
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 6.69 inches in diameter by 11 inches tall
- IP rating: IP65
- Brightness: 15 lumens
Pros
- Can shine up to 10 hours with a full charge
- Easily removed from brackets for cleaning or battery replacement
- Lends a boutique look to any outdoor space
Cons
- Only available in a 2-pack
- May require a full 8 hours of sunlight to charge
The Derynome solar lantern outdoor lights, made from glass and black matte stainless steel, offer a soft, warm light for patios and garden areas. When charged fully with 8 hours of sunlight, they can stay lit for up to 10 hours. The lanterns hang from hooks and can be easily removed and taken apart for cleaning or battery replacement. With a transitional design and subtle matte black housing, these lanterns can complement a variety of styles and lighting schemes.
Get the Derynome solar fence lights at Amazon.
Best Smart
Ring Solar Flood Light
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 5.51 inches tall by 10.43 inches wide by 4.68 inches deep
- IP rating: IP66
- Brightness: 1200 lumens
Pros
- Motion detection and brightness are adjustable
- Available in black or white to match a variety of exteriors
- Alexa compatible for easy, hands-free voice commands
- When connected to hub, users can receive notifications through the app
Cons
- Ring Bridge and hub, sold separately, required for smart controls
Ring’s solar flood light is a smart choice, so to speak. When connected to the Ring Bridge, this 1200-lumen warm-white floodlight responds to smart controls. Users can adjust its brightness and level of motion sensitivity, set its timers, and link it to other Ring controls, like doorbells and cameras, within the home.
The one downside to this otherwise great solar outdoor lighting is the price.The Ring Bridge is sold separately, so those who don’t already have it will need to spend a little extra to take advantage of all of the light’s smart features.
Get the Ring solar fence lights at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.
Best Wide-Angle
Aootek New Solar Motion Sensor Lights
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 5.1 inches tall by 6.69 inches wide by 3.54 inches deep
- IP rating: IP65
- Brightness: 500 lumens
Pros
- Offers 2 motion-activated modes and permanent-on mode
- Made of ABS plastic for greater durability outdoors
- Wide angle of 270 degrees offers a broader area for illumination
Cons
- Some reviewers noted that they do not remain on for more than 5 to 6 hours, not the advertised 6 to 9 hours
The wide-angle Aootek motion sensor lights come in a pack of four and offer three different modes of use. The wide-angle illumination optimizes the lighting from these lights. Made of durable ABS plastic, they have a rating of IP65, making them a great weather-resistant option for outdoor security lights. For the price point and the added features, these lights are a worthy consideration for wide-angle solar fence lights.
Get the Aootek solar fence lights at Amazon or Walmart.
Best String Lights
Brightech Ambience Pro Solar String Lights
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 27 feet
- IP rating: IP55
- Brightness: Not specified
Pros
- Great bistro-style option for ambient-style lighting
- Can easily be strung along fence lines and fence posts
- Bulbs are shatterproof plastic
- Available in 2 color temperatures: soft white (3000 kelvins) and warm white (2700 kelvins)
Cons
- Multiple strings cannot be connected to one another
- Reviewers have noted that these are not very bright
These shatterproof Edison-style bulbs offer a vintage feel to any outdoor area, whether on a fence or elsewhere. The 27-foot string has 12 LED bulbs; they also offer a 48-foot strand with 15 total bulbs. The included solar panel can be staked into the ground or clipped on a fence to optimize sun exposure and clear space. Fully charged, they stay lit for approximately 5 to 6 hours, and for a delicate look, it’s hard to beat these string lights.
Get the Brightech solar fence lights at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing Solar Fence Lights
Although design is an important component to think about when shopping for solar lights for outside, you may also want to consider type, weather resistance, battery life, recharging time, brightness, color, and additional features. These important considerations are detailed below.
Type
Solar lights are typically motion activated, timer controlled, or in dusk-to-dawn mode. Some lights offer a combination of these features and may be controlled by the user.
- Timer-controlled solar lights allow you to choose when the lights turn on and off, which preserves battery power to provide brighter lighting.
- Motion-activated solar lights turn on when they detect movement. These outdoor motion sensor lights tend to be bright and are a good choice for security.
- Dusk-to-dawn lights use sensors to detect sunlight, turn on at dusk, and remain illuminated until the sun rises. These lights often use the most energy, so if there has not been enough continuous sunlight to charge the battery, these lights may not be bright enough at night.
Battery Life and Recharging Time
Most solar batteries can power lights for fencing for approximately 6 to 12 hours, though this depends both on the size and age of the battery as well as how much sunlight it sees during its charging hours. A year or so after installation, the batteries for this equipment may begin to degrade, so they hold less of a charge over time. But they can be easily replaced.
To minimize this issue, seek out lights with high-capacity batteries that store a lot of power. Lithium-ion batteries tend to be a better fit for this type of lighting since they are durable and efficient and can store more solar energy than other types of batteries.
Brightness and Color
The measurement used to determine lighting brightness is called lumens. The higher the number of lumens, the brighter the light. Nick Schriver, general manager of Outdoor Lighting by Decorating Elves in St. Petersburg, Florida, and the president of the Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals, says ambient lighting should be “soft, but not too bright,” typically ranging up to 200 lumens. Motion-sensor lighting, usually used for security, should generally fall in the 600 to 1200 lumens range, Schriver says.
Most solar fence lighting is “warm white.” A color’s temperature in lighting is measured in kelvins, and this measurement can help you choose the correct color in outdoor lighting. According to Schriver, the ideal kelvin range for outdoor lighting is anywhere from 2700K to 3000K. “It’s going to give you your cleanest look; it’s going to be the most adjustable; it’s going to illuminate things well,” he says. “It’s going to be consistent.”
Additional Features
Many backyard solar lights offer even more user-friendly features, too. Some lighting comes with Wi-Fi capability, allowing for lighting to be controlled by a smartphone. Some lights also offer color-change capability. Many are designed to be placed just about anywhere you would need them. They could be used as solar path lights, solar deck lights, and more.
Consumers may also want to check the IP rating of their solar lights. For the best weather resistance in most seasons and regions, solar lights should have a rating of IP65 or higher, though IP44 is also suitable in many conditions.
The first number rates the product’s ability to prevent solid materials, like dust, from entering the housing on a scale of 1 to 6. The second number refers to its ability to prevent water from seeping into the housing, or its water resistance, on a scale from 1 to 9. Common water-resistance ratings can range from a 4, which means the product is splashproof; to a 5, which means the light can handle jets of water; to an 8, which can handle immersion in water.
FAQs
Learn more about how solar lights function, their safety, and what maintenance they may require.
Solar lights still charge on rainy days, though they will not charge as much. Solar lights charge most efficiently on days when the sky is clear and bright.
Yes, it is still important to keep the solar panels clean and clear so that they can do their job in catching and storing solar energy. Once a month, clean the solar panels and check for any obstructions.