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It’s well known that a bright light deters would-be thieves, but home dwellers either had to have wiring experience or pay a professional electrician to install outdoor lights until the advent of solar flood lights. Today’s solar flood lights open up a whole new world of illumination—they’re affordable, powerful, and many are a snap to install. My favorite was the GE Outdoor Security Flood Light thanks to its adjustability and overall illumination.
In the past few years, the solar flood light market has exploded, with manufacturers offering brighter lights in smaller packages. So I tested some of the top brands to see which ones lived up to their reputations.
The right flood lights for your home will depend on the size of the outdoor area you want to illuminate and whether you want the lights to remain on or if you prefer they come on only when motion is detected. Ahead, learn what else to consider when shopping for the best solar flood lights, discover the results of testing, and find out why the following models all earned a place in this lineup.
- BEST OVERALL: GE Outdoor Security Flood Light
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Urpower Solar Lights
- BEST DUSK-TO-DAWN: RuoKid 80W Solar Street Lights
- BEST OVERHEAD SECURITY: eLEDing Solar Powered LED Mini UFO Flood Light
- ALSO CONSIDER: Tin Sum Solar Energy 300W LED Solar Flood Lights
Our Top Picks
The following models had to meet very high standards to qualify for a spot in this lineup of the best solar flood lights. I installed each light—mounting it in a spot where I thought it was well suited, depending on style, brightness, and beam angle. I recorded the time of evening when it came on (dusk-to-dawn models) and noted its motion-detection abilities, among other tests. Each light received points, and those products with the most points at the end of the testing phase earned a well-deserved place among this list of the best solar flood lights.
Best Overall
GE Outdoor Security Flood Light
See It
What We Like
- Adjustability for timing, distance, and light temperature
- Sensitive, consistent motion detection
- Casts a wide, bright light
What We Don’t Like
- Nothing
Product Specs
- Lumens: 2,500
- Type: Motion detection and dusk-to-dawn
- IP rating: IP65
I’ve tested this GE solar flood light for a few months, and it’s a standout for sheer brightness and consistent motion-detection. The three light heads emit up to 2,500 lumens, which is roughly comparable to two 90-watt halogen floods, and it comes with the ability to select one of five white tones (from warm to cool daylight) so you can match it to your personal preference.
The setup was simple. I mounted the GE flood light on the garage and installed the solar panel next to it. Both are slightly under a roof eave, so not ideal sun exposure—yet it still charges enough to fire reliably every evening. The motion sensor is sensitive – even the cats set it off most nights, and it clearly illuminates up to 40 feet in a 240-degree arc. Users can also adjust the motion range (10/20/30/40 feet) to avoid false triggers, as well as the light-on duration (15/25/35/45 seconds).
Weather hasn’t fazed it. Through rain, wind, and hail, the GE flood light has remained steady and bright, and its IP65 rating means it will withstand blowing dust and rain. For garages, side yards, and driveways where you want strong, dependable illumination—this GE solar flood light is a top pick.
Get the GE solar flood light at Walmart.
Best Bang for the Buck
Urpower Solar Lights
See It
What We Like
- Bright, warm light emitted
- Installs with a single screw or a nail
- 4-pack is adequate for lighting larger areas
What We Don’t Like
- Relatively narrow range of illumination
Product Specs
- Lumens: 800 (per light)
- Type: Motion detection
- IP rating: IP65
Each of the small Urpower solar flood lights offers 800 lumens of warm, bright light—and when installed in the same general vicinity, such as a patio or a walkway, they create ample illumination.
I installed each of the four Urpower lights on trees near a small playground. When I walked within about 20 feet of the lights, they lit up and remained on as long as I was still moving in the area—eventually turning off about 30 minutes after I moved out of range. The width of the light beam from each light is about 100 degrees, so I got the best overall illumination by grouping them near one another—about 15 feet apart.
The Urpower lights don’t come with many bells and whistles, but they’re well made and quite bright for their size. When all four lights are on, they collectively throw 3,200 lumens of light. They suffered no problems after the snow and sleet storm, and when they were tested in the morning before dawn, they lit up just as brightly as the night before.
Get the Urpower solar lights at Amazon.
Best Dusk-to-Dawn
RuoKid 80W Solar Street Lights
See It
What We Like
- Produces a soft illumination up to 50 feet away
- Automatically comes on at dusk
- IP67 certified
What We Don’t Like
- Not as bright as some options
Product Specs
- Lumens: 1,500
- Type: Dusk-to-dawn
- IP rating: IP67
The RuoKid solar flood light comes with a large solar panel to catch and store as much solar energy as possible in its lithium-ion phosphate battery. It’s designed to be mounted on a wall
or a tall pole, and it comes with a metal pole and a bracket. With a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight, this dusk-to-dawn flood light remained lit up all night long. However, after a heavily overcast day, it only remained lit for about 5 hours.
The flood light emits 1,500 lumens of light, so it’s an ideal choice for adding soft illumination to large areas such as entire driveways. It’s not streetlight-bright, but it’s suitable for seeing to a distance of about 50 feet. With the included remote control, I was able to turn off the light or pre-program it to go off after 2 or 5 hours. The light is rated IP67, making it among the most watertight of our picks—it is impervious to dust and it will withstand powerful jets of water.
I mounted this on a tall pole, but it could also be mounted to the side of a house where it can receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight.
Get the RuoKid solar flood light at Amazon or Walmart.
Best Overhead Security
eLEDing Solar Powered LED Mini UFO Flood Light
See It
What We Like
- Lights up the ground within 25 feet
- Several different operating modes
- Has an IP65 rating
What We Don’t Like
- Not as bright as some options
Product Specs
- Lumens: 500
- Type: Combination (motion detection or dusk-to-dawn)
- IP rating: IP65
The wide, circular light from the eLEDing overhead solar flood light clearly illuminates the ground below, unlike some solar lights that are prone to shining outward but not lighting up the area directly beneath the light.
This dusk-to-dawn light turned out to be one of my favorites because it didn’t shine light in my eyes from where I installed it—above the door of a garden shed. It provides 500 lumens of white light, which is sufficient for lighting up the area of about 25 feet in a semicircular pattern. A frosted light cover helps soften the light—making it more of a white glow than a harsh beam. I found it well suited for installation over garage doors, side-entry doors, or even on a wall or a tall fence overlooking a path.
The eLEDing light offers a combination of modes—it can be set to come on at dusk and stay on, or it can be set to light up only when it detects motion. I found it worked best when set to motion detection because the battery ran out in less than 4 hours on the dusk-to-dawn mode. The eLEDing light turned on when it detected motion about 15 feet away and stayed on for about 30 seconds after I moved out of range. The light comes with an IP65 rating, and it was not affected by the snow and sleet storm we experienced.
Get the eLEDing solar flood light at The Home Depot, Amazon, or Wayfair.
Also Consider
Tin Sum Solar Energy 300W LED Solar Flood Lights
See It
What We Like
- Comes on at dusk and stays on until the battery dies
- Can be controlled via remote
- Bright light
What We Don’t Like
- Rechargeable battery depletes in less than 6 hours
- Not as bright as advertised
Product Specs
- Lumens: Advertised as 24,000 (hands-on visual test estimated 4,500)
- Type: Dusk-to-dawn (and remote operated)
- IP rating: IP67
The Tin Sum Solar Energy flood light is advertised as being 24,000 lumens but compared to the other lights I tested, I’d estimate it’s closer to about 4,500 lumens. Still, it’s a nice light that comes on when the sun sets and stays on until the rechargeable battery is depleted. It never remained on until dawn for me, but it did stay on for 6 hours following a sunny day when it received a full charge.
I installed the flood light on a tree overlooking my dogs’ play yard entrance, and I had no problem seeing the gate clearly at night from a window in the house—about 150 feet away. Before, however, I had to carry a flashlight when taking the dogs out and bringing them back in—with the Tin Sum Solar Energy flood light, I didn’t need to carry any additional light.
I found the best way (for me) to use the light was to turn it on and off via the included remote control. I would switch it on as I went to the play yard and leave it on while the dogs were in the yard. I would switch it back off when we went indoors. I had to be within about 20 feet of the sensor for the remote to work. The light is rated IP67, and it withstood the snow and sleet storm we had without any problems.
Get the Tim Sun Solar Energy flood light at Amazon.
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Tested the Best Solar Flood Lights
When selecting the best solar flood lights, there are a few basic things that savvy shoppers think about. According to Dara Greaney, the CEO and founder of LEDLightExpert.com with 8 years of experience as an LED light expert in San Diego County, California, says shoppers should “consider how they are going to mount the light and what they want the light for. Customers also have to choose between dusk to dawn settings, motion sensors, or using a remote.” He also adds, “the more lumens a product has, the better.”
I was also looking for a number of other factors that indicated quality when testing solar flood lights. I carefully inspected each light right out of the package to determine whether it contained durable materials and to see if it was well made. Each was rated on a scale of 0 to 4, with 4 being the best rating.
The testing process involved mounting the lights on a non-moving object, such as a building or a tree, and noting how easy it was to install. Again, points were given for straightforward installation and whether all of the supplies needed for installation were included in the package.
After the lights were mounted, I tested their various modes—some were strictly dusk-to-dawn models while others featured motion detection. Some were adaptable to either. I noted when the dusk-to-dawn models came on after dark. I tested those with motion sensors by seeing how close I needed to get before the sensors detected my presence and came on.
I recorded how long it took for the lights’ rechargeable batteries to run out, and I tested all additional functions, including the use of remote controls and on-light adjustments. While solar flood lights are not complex items, they do vary quite a bit in intensity and design. During testing, we experienced sleet and a snowstorm that left the lights covered in a thin layer of ice for almost 48 hours, so I could see whether the inclement weather impacted their performance.
After testing, I added up the points for each light and then determined the individual awards depending on their strongest points. Along with their positive aspects, I noted their downsides so our readers could make a well-informed buying choice.
What to Consider When Choosing Solar Flood Lights
Once installed, solar flood lights don’t cost a dime to operate—their built-in solar panels gather energy from the sun and store it in their internal batteries until nighttime. Solar flood lights can be installed just about anywhere, although they’ll provide the brightest light if they’re located in direct sunshine during the day. Before selecting solar lights for your property, consider the following.
Light Brightness and Coverage
The intensity of lights is measured in lumens and the higher the lumens, the brighter the light will be. For comparison, a standard 100-watt incandescent bulb (which is no longer sold) produces about 1,600 lumens, while an indoor night-light produces about 20 lumens. Most solar flood lights will state the lumens in the product’s description.
The breadth of the beam also plays a role in the light’s overall brightness: the narrower the beam of light, the brighter it will seem. Flood lights typically cast light over a 50- to 280-degree arc outward from the light itself, so a light can illuminate a narrow walkway or light up an entire backyard.
As Greaney suggests, solar flood lights should “be used primarily for safety and should be placed in areas with no access to power. Some of these areas may include second entrances, by trash cans, parking lots, any area basically that is a security concern.” Though most solar flood lights are most likely being used for keeping residential areas safe, “solar lights can also help customers and employees get to their cars safely.”
Dusk-to-Dawn vs. Motion Detection
Dusk-to-dawn flood lights come on when the sun sets in the evening, and they stay on all night, or until their internal battery charge is depleted. They are an excellent option for those who want to illuminate a property with continuous light.
The downside of dawn-to-dusk solar lights is if the previous day was overcast or rainy, their batteries may not charge to maximum capacity. If this happens, the flood light may stay on only a few hours before it dims and goes out.
Motion-detection flood lights turn on only when they sense motion, and they remain on for a predetermined amount of time, usually 20 to 30 seconds, before turning back off. Because motion-detection lighting uses less battery power, it is more likely to function all night long.
Battery Type and Capacity
Solar flood lights come with rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that charge with daylight and use the stored energy at night to power the lights. The batteries are built in and are rated by their capacity in milliamp-hours (mAh).
The higher the rating, the larger the battery’s capacity. Most solar flood lights come with ratings ranging from around 2,000 mAh to 3,600 mAh.
Charging and Runtime
Solar flood lights require ample sunlight to charge, usually 6 to 8 hours for a full charge. Once charged, the battery will power the light for 3 to 8 hours, depending on whether the flood light runs continuously or turns on only when it detects motion. Dusk-to-dawn solar lights require large-capacity batteries.
They also usually have oversize solar panels, which enable them to draw and store as much solar energy as possible during the day so they can remain on all night long.
Bulb Types
Virtually all of today’s solar flood lights feature bright light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that cast intense light beams without heating up or drawing a lot of power. This is why LEDs are a perfect choice for providing intense security light.
Ingress Protection Rating
The extent to which an outdoor light resists damage from debris and moisture is known as its ingress protection (IP) rating, which is a two-digit number.
- The first number represents how well the light resists damage from solid items and ranges from 1 to 6, with 6 being the tightest seal, capable of keeping out even fine dust.
- The second number, which ranges from 1 to 8, represents how well the light resists water. A rating of 8 means that it’s completely watertight. Most flood lights come with ratings of 65 to 67.
FAQs
Solar flood lights are still relatively new to the outdoor lighting market. Still, with constant advances in LED technology, they offer a convenient alternative to hardwired flood lights, and you can install them virtually anywhere the sun shines. If this is your first time shopping for a solar flood light, you likely have some questions.
The brightest solar flood light in this lineup is the Werise solar light, which provides a very bright 24,000 lumens of pure white light.
A solar flood light’s useful life will vary based on the quality of its construction and the conditions it’s exposed to, but on average, most users should be able to get 50,000 hours of light out of a high-quality solar flood light.
Install the light where it still receives direct sun rays but where it’s protected from the harshest weather, such as in a sheltered spot under a roof eave. You’re better off investing in a high-quality light rather than trying to prolong the life of a cheaply built version. In addition, if the light offers motion-detection mode, by using that mode, it will only light up when someone comes within range, which will keep the battery from running down.
Meet the Tester
Glenda Taylor is a product tester and writer specializing in the construction, remodeling, and real estate industries. She and her husband own a general contracting company, and Taylor is experienced in both residential and commercial building applications. She tests a wide range of power tools as well as other home improvement, household, and lawn-and-garden products.
