Our Favorite LED & Solar Powered Outdoor Lanterns to Brighten Up Your Space
Updated: Mar. 28, 2024
Outdoor lanterns bring ambience and light to your backyard or patio, allowing you to spend more time enjoying the great outdoors.
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Outdoor lanterns are portable or hanging light fixtures designed specifically to be used outside. “Outdoor lanterns are built to withstand outdoor conditions like rain, snow and temperature variations by being built with weather-resistant materials,” explains Joel Worthington, President of Mr. Electric.
“Outdoor lantern lights are best for defining your space and increasing your safety in outdoor areas,” says Gary McCoy, a lighting expert and store manager at Lowe’s. “They can also add a touch of whimsy to your outdoor decor.” With so many different styles available, we found the best options on the market.
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Maggift Hanging Solar Lantern
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Family Initial Personalized Lantern Set
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Hanging Solar-Powered Lanterns
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Candelier Candle Lantern
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LED Color Changing Glow Balls
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Solar Garden Lantern
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Outdoor Wall Sconce
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AlpenGlow 500 Rechargeable Lantern
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Floral Lace Solar Lantern
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Outdoor LED Candle Pineapple Lantern Set
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Normandy Lantern
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Maggift Hanging Solar Lights
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Stansport Small Hurricane Lantern
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Maggift Hanging Solar Lantern
This pair of solar-powered hanging lanterns melds style with affordability. The round outdoor lanterns feature ornate cut-outs that cast a pretty pattern when illuminated, and they provide up to eight hours of light when fully charged. Reviewers rave about how beautiful they are as accent lighting when placed around a garden.
“My aunt and uncle gave me four of these for Christmas. I fell in love and ordered another four sets,” writes Brian Rozzi, a verified Amazon reviewer. “I have them decorating my perennial garden on one side of the house, my front garden and my stairs. They provide a soft, gentle light.”
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Family Initial Personalized Lantern Set
Add personalized flair to any outdoor space with this timeless Family Initial personalized lantern set. It comes as a three-piece set with the largest offering the initial of your choice, plus four lines of customized text. Two smaller lanterns act as handsome flanks or accent pieces. Use them outside or bring them indoors for a rustic addition to an entryway table thanks to their classic black antique finished metal and glass design.
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Hanging Solar-Powered Lanterns
These hanging solar-powered lanterns are cordless, self-sustained pieces that offer timeless appeal with vintage encasements. Choose from three metal finishes and enjoy hanging them just about anywhere you have hooks. Clear glass and sturdy metal deliver the right amount of ambient, warm lighting for nighttime gatherings and meals under the stars. Hang them by your front porch, from a fence post, a wall or anywhere else—they’re portable. The solar batteries promise up to eight hours of light per charge.
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Candelier Candle Lantern
Perfect for providing cozy ambient light for backyard gatherings, the Candlelier from UCO features three long-burn candles. Enclosed in UCO’s metal frame (available in four color options), each candle offers nine hours of burn time. The sliding glass chimney makes lighting an easy task, while a hanging hook lets you display this conversation-starting lantern anywhere you wish. It’s also handy for emergencies as it provides long-lasting light and up to 5000 BTUs of heat.
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LED Color Changing Glow Balls
For a fun, modern vibe, place these color-changing balls around your patio or pool area. The lanterns come in four sizes, and you can choose between a gentle white light, colored light or color-changing pattern. Tech lovers will love the Glow Balls, which come with a remote control and charging station. Thanks to their waterproof design, they can even float in the pool for a truly unique display.
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Solar Garden Lantern
Perfect for anyone who appreciates classic style, these solar garden lanterns are traditional and versatile. The outdoor lanterns come with a copper exterior finish and diamond panes. Set them on a table or hang them up. The solar-powered battery delivers up to eight hours of light per charge with a candle-like glow.
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Outdoor Wall Sconce
Looking for a wall-mounted outdoor lantern? The Bowery wall sconce has a sleek, simple design that blends well with a variety of aesthetics. Though this weather-resistant lantern must be hardwired during installation, its clear glass panes are perfect for displaying a cool vintage-style light bulb.
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AlpenGlow 500 Rechargeable Lantern
The AlpenGlow 500 rechargeable lantern offers a mood-brightening subtle glow inspired by the sun’s cozy light. It uses high-efficiency LED technology to deliver glowing colors that feel more like an art installation than a ho-hum lantern. If you want a taste of aurora borealis energy, just shake the lantern for an instant rotation of eye-catching color. Display it proudly in the backyard or take it on a camping trip—the choice is yours.
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Floral Lace Solar Lantern
Turn your love of Bohemian charm into a backyard oasis with the help of these floral lace solar lanterns. They come in blue and white with a synthetic, all-weather lace fabric designed for year-round use. They feature white LED lights that give off a gentle glow. When fully charged in sunlight during the day, they provide five to seven hours of light.
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Outdoor LED Candle Pineapple Lantern Set
These quirky pineapple-shaped lanterns are sure to earn you compliments from guests! The lights, which come as a duo, are crafted from hand-blown glass and antiqued brass metal. These trendy, tropical lanterns are a splurge-worthy and beautiful statement piece for your outdoor space.
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Normandy Lantern
You can display real pillar candles inside the stately Normandy lanterns, which come in three sizes. These outdoor lanterns are crafted from cast aluminum for durability, and they’re available in black and bronze finishes. The sides feature a classic cross-brace design, and the doors open to allow you to insert a candle (not included). Plus, reviewers say the Normandy lanterns are extremely high-quality and will last for years.
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Maggift Hanging Solar Lights
Looking for lanterns to line your walkway? These Maggift hanging solar lights are the perfect choice, coming in pairs and including 34-inch shepherd hooks. Use these solar-powered lights year-round—they stay lit for eight to 10 hours per charge.
“They stay lit all night after charging all day,” says verified Amazon reviewer E. Whitt. “They also come on automatically so when we’re away from home, the lights come on at dusk anyway!”
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Stansport Small Hurricane Lantern
The Stansport hurricane lantern is an oil lamp that will lend an old-fashioned vibe to your outdoor space. The red lamp comes in eight- and 12-inch sizes, and features a metal body with a glass globe and adjustable wick. Use it with kerosene or standard lamp oil. Reviewers love the budget-friendly price!
Types of Outdoor Lanterns
- Hanging: Hanging outdoor lanterns are suspended from a hook or ceiling mount. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and free up valuable floor or table space. “They tend to swing in the wind, making them susceptible to falling and breaking,” warns Worthington.
- Wall-mounted: These lanterns are attached directly to a wall. “They help to illuminate different doorways, garages or to welcome your guests to your house,” says McCoy. Wall-mounting requires drilling and hardware, so depending on the comfort level of the homeowner, professional installation may be needed, adds Worthington.
- Solar-powered lanterns use renewable solar energy, which makes them a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly option, says Worthington. “They don’t use hardwiring, so you can easily relocate them,” he says. “However, they are reliant on sunshine, so homeowners may not get consistent operation.”
- LED: “LED outdoor lanterns are energy-efficient and tend to have a long lifespan, but they typically have a higher upfront cost,” says Worthington. They are generally very bright and available in a variety of color temperatures.
What to Look for When Buying Outdoor Lanterns
- Style and design: Worthington says to consider your space, and choose a design that fits your needs. Pick a light that complements the style of your outdoor space. Find a finish and color that best matches your other decor.
- Weather-resistance: Look for lanterns specifically designed for outdoor use. Ensure you choose a waterproof or water-resistant construction to withstand rain, snow, wind, UV exposure and other outdoor elements.
- Light source: Consider the type of light source you prefer. LED lights are energy-efficient and long-lasting, while solar-powered lights are environmentally-friendly and cost-effective.
- Materials: “The most common materials for outdoor lanterns are metal, aluminum and copper. These materials are designed to help withstand the elements and last season after season,” says McCoy.
- Power source: Decide whether you prefer a lantern that runs on batteries, electricity or solar power.
Why You Should Trust Us
You can trust my recommendations in this article because they come from more than a decade of experience as an expert in all things e-commerce and shopping related. I understand the importance of reliable, stylish outdoor lighting, especially living in New York’s Hudson Valley with my five small children. I strive to provide practical and trustworthy advice to help you make informed decisions for your outdoor spaces. My work has been featured in numerous women’s lifestyle and parenting outlets, as well as on TV shows.
To ensure the most informed recommendations, we also sought input from industry professionals, including Gary McCoy, a Lowe’s store manager and lighting expert in the Charlotte area. With decades of experience in the home improvement industry, McCoy possesses first-hand knowledge of sales trends and customer needs.
We also consulted Joel Worthington, president of Mr. Electric. Worthington has been president of the Neighborly company, which offers residential and commercial electrical services, since 2014. He also serves on the executive board of Electrical Safety Foundation International.
How We Found the Best Outdoor Lanterns
When it comes to outdoor lighting, finding the right lantern can provide practical illumination while also elevating your outdoor space. Our selection process began by reviewing a wide range of options in various styles and price points. We considered factors such as design, durability, weather-resistance, energy-efficiency and ease of installation. In addition to seeking out expert insights, we also combed through real user reviews to gauge overall satisfaction and reliability.
FAQ
How is an outdoor lantern different from an indoor light?
“The biggest difference between an outdoor lantern and a normal indoor light is that outdoor lanterns are water-resistant and impact-resistant in case of inclement weather,” says McCoy. These designs are made from durable materials, which helps with protecting electrical components, notes Worthington. “They are sealed to keep out moisture, bugs and debris,” he adds.
What level of brightness should you look for?
“Most homeowners like a lumen range between 500 and 1500. This brightness level will illuminate most outdoor spaces,” says Worthington. Depending on your personal preferences and ambiance, you can adjust this level up or down.
What type of lighting is best for outside?
According to Worthington, the best outdoor lights are made from stainless steel, aluminum and wrought iron. These materials are weather-resistant and durable. Other options are hard and sturdy plastics and tempered glass. “With tempered glass, the material can still crack, but it can generally withstand outdoor elements; and it’s easy to clean,” he adds.
