7 Best Solar Fence Lights
Updated: Apr. 08, 2024
Add solar fence lights to brighten up your yard, enhance your landscape and make your outdoor space remind you of your favorite outdoor nightspot.
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Fence lighting can dramatically transform the look of your yard by creating a parameter of warmth and inviting ambiance. Solar fence lights are practical because you don’t have to worry about cords or hardwired connections that take a beating outside. Using power from the sun, solar fence light batteries charge during the day and illuminate your fence at night.
“Solar lights harness energy from the sun, making them highly energy-efficient and environmentally friendly,” says Randy Schultz, author, editor and founder of Home, Garden and Homestead. “They do not rely on electricity from the grid, so they reduce your carbon footprint and energy bills. Unlike plug-in lights that require wiring and electrical connections, solar lights are self-contained units that can be easily mounted on fences without the hassle of wiring. While the initial cost of solar lights may be higher than plug-in lights, they offer long-term cost savings since they do not require electricity to operate.”
“Solar lights come in various designs and styles, allowing you to choose options that complement your fence’s aesthetics,” Schultz continues. “They can enhance the ambiance of your outdoor space while providing functional lighting.” To help narrow your choices, we’ve assembled a collection of top-rated solar fence lights for you to consider.
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Brightest Solar Fence Lights
Zookki Outdoor Solar Motion Sensor Lights
You’d be hard-pressed to find a brighter solar fence light than the Zookki Outdoor Solar Motion Sensor Lights. Each of the 28 LEDs produces 400 lumens of light, with a wide illumination range and motion detection. Sensors pick up movement from 26 feet away. Perfect on fence posts, they can also be mounted on walls, over patio doors and on the garage.
Writes one Amazon reviewer, “These are great for a fence perimeter. We use these in our decent sized suburban backyard, and they are great! We live in [Colorado] and we occasionally get coyotes, but these allow us to see what is back there. Nice and bright.”
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Best Solar Fence Lights Value
Othway Solar Fence Post Lights
If you’re on a tight budget, the four-pack of Othway Solar Fence Post Lights ($21) is a smart purchase. These glowing half-orbs produce about 12 lumens each, and their pretty honeycomb-inspired plastic covers shine a decorative starburst effect below.
Their size (approx. 4- x 3- x 2-in.) makes them super versatile — they can be placed almost anywhere. Although their run time is less than others on our list (four to eight hours), for the price they’re totally worth it.
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Best Waterproof Solar Fence Lights
Lohas Four-Pack LED Solar Fence Lights
The Lohas Four-Pack LED Solar Fence Lights, with an IP rating of 65, are more than ready to get you through the most severe weather — wet, dry, freezing or torrential.
Another big plus: Each individual light is smaller than most cellphones, yet blasts a brilliant 150 lumens of 6,000K daylight white light from its eight LED chips. Burn time is up to 12 hours on a single charge.
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Best Solar Fence Post Cap Lights
Maggift’s Set of Six 15-Lumen Solar Post Lights
Engineered to fit securely to the top of any fence post between 4- to 6-in. square, Maggift’s Set of Six 15-Lumen Solar Post Lights illuminates your fencing in a sleek, low-profile design. They won’t rust because they’re made of high-quality plastic.
Attach the cap lights to the posts with two screws and you’re in business. Each light has a solar panel that recharges the AA NI-MH battery during the day, so it can shine all evening long.
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Best Solar Fence Lanterns
Derynome Solar Lantern Outdoor Lights
Add dramatic appeal to your fence with the two retro-style Derynome Solar Lantern Outdoor Lights. Made of real glass and black matte stainless steel, these lanterns throw a soft, warm glow onto your patio or garden when the sun goes down.
They charge in six to eight hours and shine up to 10 hours. Mount them on a fence post or wall with the enclosed brackets. Be sure to check out our favorite outdoor lanterns to illuminate your backyard, too.
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Best Color-Changing Solar Fence Lights
Sunface Solar Fence Post Lights
Boasting a new generation of solar panels, the Sunface Solar Fence Post Lights with two-mode LEDs experience a homey, warm glow. Or let them rotate among seven colors when set on switching mode.
“Nice and modern light,” writes one happy Amazon customer. “I put these on the six-foot-tall fence around my backyard. The lights are pretty. I use the soft white now and will use the color option at Christmas.”
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Best String Solar Fence Lights
Brightech Solar-Powered Outdoor String Lights
These Brightech Solar-Powered Outdoor String Lights are commercial grade so they’re built to last. Each 27-foot string has 12 Edison-style LED globe bulbs; the 48-inch length features 15 bulbs. The solar panel (included) can be staked into the ground, or clipped to a gutter or the edge of the fence to ensure the best sun exposure.
What to Look for When Buying Solar Fence Lights
- Battery life: The average solar battery powers a fence light bulb for six to 12 hours. What you’ll get depends on the battery size and age, plus wattage usage and the amount of sunlight it receives during charging. After about a year, batteries can lose their ability to hold a charge. When that happens, just replace the battery. “Look for solar lights with high-capacity batteries that can store sufficient energy to power the lights throughout the night,” recommends Schultz. “Lithium-ion batteries are often preferred for their durability and efficiency in storing solar energy.”
- Recharging time: The more direct sunlight they get, the better (and faster) they’ll recharge. The average recharge time is about eight hours.
- Brightness: Lumens indicate brightness. For a soft, ambient glow, 10 lumens is good. For better visibility, try 100 lumens. (Fence lights are not usually installed for security purposes.) Schultz says to look for lights with an appropriate lumen output based on your lighting needs, adding that “pathway lights may require lower lumens, while security lights may need higher lumens for better visibility. Consider the color temperature of the light, such as warm white or cool white, to create the desired ambiance.”
- Durability: For all-weather resistance, a waterproof rating of IP44 (Ingress Protection from liquids, dust, dirt, etc.) or higher is recommended. Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) material holds up best against sunlight damage. “Choose solar lights made from durable materials such as weather-resistant plastic, stainless steel or aluminum,” says Schultz. “Ensure that the lights are designed to withstand outdoor elements such as rain, snow and UV exposure to maintain their functionality and appearance over time.”
- Bulbs: These days, most solar fence lights feature LED bulbs, which can last as long as 10 years, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Before you buy an outdoor solar lighting system, check to see if replacement bulbs and batteries are available. Some don’t provide replacement options.
- Color: Kelvins indicate a light’s temperature (white to blue). If you want a light that’s not too warm or too cool, 3,000K is the midpoint.
- Installation: Most solar fence light fixtures with screw-in mountings or double-sided tape are easy to install. “Look for lights with mounting options suitable for fences, such as brackets or stakes,” says Schultz. “Ensure the lights come with all necessary installation hardware and instructions.” The mounting method depends on the fence material (wood, plastic, metal) and positioning. Once the fence lights are up, they’re low maintenance.
Why You Should Trust Us
As a product reviews expert, I regularly contribute to Family Handyman on topics inside and outside the home, from patio furniture to pets. To give additional insight into the world of solar fence lights, we reached out to Randy Schultz of Home Garden and Homestead, a website dedicated to spreading the word about what’s new and trending for homes, gardens and homesteads. As the founder and chief content editor, his site has become a leading source of inspiration in the home and outdoor living space. He also authored several books, including The How-To Guide to Xeriscaping, a guidebook to gardening in the arid Southwest and Don’t Waste a Drop, which gives practical tips for conserving water at home.
How We Found the Best Solar Fence Lights
To find the best solar fence lights, we sifted through the top models available from major brands and retailers, using expert intel as our guide. We dissected their specs and researched everything, from battery life to the quality of their construction. Additionally, we read hundreds of real-world customer reviews to see how these picks hold up over time with regular use.
FAQ
What’s the best way to position solar fence lights?
Solar panels need direct sunlight to charge efficiently and should be placed in areas with ample sunlight during the day. Schultz advises against placing them where they can be obstructed by trees, buildings or other large structures that cast shade for extended periods. He also says that in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s best to position the solar panels of the lights facing south or southwest to maximize sun exposure throughout the day, especially during peak sunlight hours.
How to space solar fence lights?
“Space the solar lights evenly along the fence to provide uniform lighting coverage,” says Schultz. “Consider the brightness and range of each light to determine the spacing that best illuminates the entire area without gaps or overlaps.”
If you’re considering permanently installing your solar fence lights, Schultz suggests conducting a trial run first. “Temporarily place your lights in different locations along the fence during the day,” he says. “Monitor how each location affects charging and nighttime illumination to determine the optimal placement.”
Originally Published: May 27, 2022
