Best solar shed lights
Check out our top five picks
Solar lights work by storing the power of the sun during the day for use at night. Because these systems are small, they don’t require much energy to work and are usually pretty cost-effective. According to Joshua Pearce, a sustainability professor at Ivey Business School in London, Ontario, solar lights are often best for any sort of outdoor lighting. They’re easy to install and often cheaper than other solutions.
“The big advantage of solar lights is that they eliminate the need to run electric lines to your lighting,” he said. “Solar has come down so far in cost. It is often the most cost-effective solution — whether you are lighting your garden or a massive parking lot.”
For your next gardening or outdoor project, consider these solar shed lights:
- HMCITY Outdoor Solar Lights
- AmeriTop Outdoor Solar Lights
- HULPPRE Solar Shed Light
- Aqonsie Solar Pendant Light
- Flyhoom Portable Solar Light Bulb with Remote and Timer
| HMCITY Outdoor Solar Lights | AmeriTop Outdoor Solar Lights | HULPPRE Solar Shed Light | Aqonsie Solar Pendant Light | Flyhoom Portable Solar Light Bulb | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon rating* | 4.4 stars | 4.5 stars | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars |
| Reviews on Amazon* | 8,869 | 2,788 | 80 | 323 | 629 |
| Price* | $21.99 | $37.99 | $35.98 | $33.99 | $26.98 |
| Brightness (lumens) | N/A | 800 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 280 |
| Life span (hours) | 30,000 | 15,000 | 50,000 | N/A | N/A |
Compare our top 5 solar shed lights
We chose our top solar shed lights by looking at popular options on Amazon and comparing price, brightness, life span, battery capacity and reviews.
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The HMCITY Outdoor Solar Lights two-pack has a built-in solar panel and 120 LED bulbs. It has a wide-angle design and is motion-activated, lighting up to 200 feet for 30 seconds when triggered. With three lighting modes, you can set it up to stay on all night, use it for security with motion triggering or use smart brightness control. With the smart control setting, which is unique to this model, the light stays on all night but gets brighter when triggered by motion.
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The AmeriTop Outdoor Solar Lights two-pack offers 128 LEDs and 800 lumens with three adjustable heads that can be moved to ensure the area is lighted how you prefer. Each light offers 270-degree, wide-angle illumination with motion sensors that detect movement up to 26 feet away. The light will turn off after 30 seconds of no movement. If you stay active in the sensor area, bright mode will remain on for added security.
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The HULPPRE Solar Shed Light is appropriate for both indoor and outdoor settings and offers 360-degree lighting via 180 LEDs. Equipped with a high-efficiency solar panel, this light can stay on for up to 12 hours per charge. The design is unique in that it looks like a traditional electrical light, which makes it a good option for areas where aesthetics matter more. The light has five modes and comes with a remote control.
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The Aqonsie Solar Pendant Light has four large LED panels that can be adjusted 120 degrees up and down to direct the light exactly where it's needed. Because the light fixture and the solar panel are separate, it can be used both indoors and outdoors. This solar shed light has four lighting modes you can adjust with a remote control, including a new all-day induction lighting setting for daytime use. At 1,000 lumens, the lighting level is good for most uses.
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The Flyhoom Portable Solar Light Bulb two-pack offers ultimate flexibility. If you’re looking for a solar bulb that’s ideal for multiple situations, this is a great solution. It has three lighting settings, plus an SOS setting and timing functions. On the lowest setting (40 lumens), it can stay on for 20 hours. Using the attached clip hook, it can hang over a workbench or move with you around the yard. It can also USB-charge inside on rainy days for maximum portability and functionality.
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*Amazon ratings and prices are accurate as of publishing.
What to look for in solar shed lighting
Lighting a shed is pretty simple, but there are a few things to consider when picking out which type of light you want:
- Use: You can buy lights rated for either indoor or outdoor use. Indoor lights have a cord attached that connects them to the solar panel outside (usually on the roof). For these lights, make sure the power cord length is adequate for where you’ll want to place it. Outdoor lights usually have a solar panel directly on the system and don’t require a cord.
- Brightness: The brighter the bulb, the fewer you’ll need to use in a single area. If you want ambient lighting, a lumen as low as 50 per square foot will be fine. But if you plan on working in your shed and need the most light possible, look for a rating closer to 500 lumens per square foot. If necessary, use more than one light to achieve this.
- Battery life: While solar shed lights work off sunlight power, they also have a built-in battery. Batteries can run for different amounts of time with one full charge. So, if you plan to work in your shed for more than four hours at a time, be sure to purchase a light that will last at least that long. Three-, eight- and 12-hour ratings are typical.
- Life span: Solar lights have life spans based on how many hours they’ll last before replacement is required — usually anywhere between 30,000 and 100,000 hours. Cheaper options hover around 5,000 hours.
- Warranty: Look for a solar shed light with a minimum warranty of one year. Anything over that is a nice bonus.
FAQ
How many watts of solar do I need to light a shed?
Most solar lights have a wattage of between 35 and 50. The number of lumens is the better factor to consider, though — it defines how much light is put out by a bulb. Wattage refers to how much energy the bulb consumes. In lumens, you should aim for at least 500 per square foot.
How long do solar shed lights last?
Solar-powered lights can stay on anywhere from four to 12 hours at a time before needing a charge. Most also can last up to 30,000 hours before needing to be replaced.
Is it OK to leave solar lights out in the winter?
Solar lights are designed to withstand all types of weather, so it’s OK to leave them out during the winter. However, if you have harsh weather often and your solar lights are frequently exposed to extreme conditions, you may find that changing batteries more often is required.
