When rechargeable batteries are unavailable, ordinary batteries can be used temporarily for up to a week but to prevent damage to the solar light’s internal systems don’t use them for longer periods. It is crucial to remember that if your outdoor solar lights are not working, it could be due to the exhaustion of the rechargeable batteries within, as these batteries must be replaced regularly, ideally once or twice a year. How to Recharge Solar Light Batteries? If you don’t have access to enough sunlight, you can charge your solar lights using alternative charging methods such as incandescent bulbs. When utilizing an incandescent bulb, place the solar light close or beneath it for optimal charging because the closer the solar light is to the bulb, the faster it charges. Solar garden lights FAQ How should I use solar lights in my garden? Garden expert Matthew Wilson’s top 5 tips

Their weather-resistant aluminum material is to thank for the sturdiness of these lights. They were given a rating of IPX4, meaning they'll withstand some sprays or splashes of water from all directions. The lights come with heavy duty plastic spikes for easy installation along a pathway or sidewalk, making them one of the best solar lights for pathways. Why You Should Get It: If you simply want a no-frills spotlight, this solar light set provides great value for its features.We carefully evaluated each light on its setup process, features, overall design, brightness, durability, and overall value. We ranked each light in each of these categories on a scale of one to five and used these insights to compile this list of the best outdoor solar lights. These path lights come in three pieces that are easy to assemble. They come on automatically as it begins to get dark, running for up to eight hours once they're fully charged. We found these LED lights to be bright enough to read a book by when we were close to them but not when farther away. Since there is only one setting, you can't adjust the brightness of the lights. We’re huge fans of BioLite, and their Nanogrid set makes a fantastic addition to your eco-friendly lighting kit (also a great gift.) Share your energy between devices, by linking them together, and charge phones and tablets by plugging them into the built-in USB ports on the BioLite set. The light is weather resistant, standing up well to our water tests, though exact level of water resistance isn't given by the manufacturer. The frame is made from aluminum and frosted glass, which gives it its attractive appearance. However, the glass did not stand up to our golf ball test, with the glass shattering after impact. The solar panels on the light did not shatter. With this in mind, we recommend covering and protecting the light if hail is in your local weather forecast.

Why You Should Get It: If you'd like a sturdy motion-sensing solar light, our testers found this to be one of the best solar lights in this category. If you’re upgrading your outdoor space, don’t forget our guides to the best garden heaters, best garden chairs and best rattan garden furniture. There’s also a new guide to the best fire pits for even more after-dark ambience. Place your solar lights strategically in areas that receive a lot of sunlight for maximum absorption. A successful method is to position the lights at a window where they may absorb sunlight during the day. 3. Using a Solar Charger You can choose from either high or low light mode, making this a simple solar light to operate. We found the low light mode quite dim, meaning we weren't able to read with just that light setting alone. The high setting, on the other hand, provided plenty of light for reading, making us confident that this setting would adequately illuminate your yard. Others use solar lighting as a portable lighting option. Jameson says, "A lot of people who enjoy camping outdoors typically opt for solar-powered lanterns and bulbs as they are portable and self-sustaining for their power." BatteryTurn your tent into a rave, SUBOOS Ultimate Rechargeable LED Lantern and Power Bank is super bright at 185 Lumens and dims by simply pushing the button on the side, it also has regular bright, red, and red strobe modes. These lights will be fine in normal rain and snow showers, but you may want to bring them inside during heavy downpours combined with wind. You'll often see the water protection listed as an IP rating, an international standard that looks like "IP45."