Who doesn’t appreciate something for nothing? The universal appetite for a freebie is perhaps why the use of solar power has mushroomed lately – according to Sheffield University, it provides 6.4 per cent of annual electricity generation in the UK, and as of mid-2026, 1.5m British homes had solar panels installed. Against the backdrop of soaring energy prices and with the on-going financial squeeze, any way to bank some savings is especially welcome.

Solar panels may seem like a relatively new invention, but the very first solar cell was made back in 1883 by American inventor Charles Fritts, who coated selenium in a thin layer of gold before installing it on a NYC rooftop where it could catch the most light. His experiment collected about one per cent of energy.

Thankfully, the green technology has come on leaps and bounds in the intervening years, with some solar panels now capable of powering entire homes. While installing heavy-duty solar panels to your roof comes with considerable initial cost, there is another way to take advantage of solar power: lighting.

How do solar power lights work?

All solar lights are fitted with a panel of photovoltaic cells attached to a battery pack to power the bulbs. Simply place this black panel in a sun trap and let it soak up those beautiful rays over the course of the day.

Don’t forget to remove the plastic film often used by manufacturers to protect the panel in transit - daylight can’t penetrate properly through this layer. Around eight hours of daylight exposure should be enough to keep lights powered for up to 12 hours after dark.

Read more: Best sunrise alarm clocks

The best solar lights in 2026 are:

  • Best overall– EGLO pantete solar stake light: £49, Dunelm.com
  • Best budget buy– Habitat solar willow lights: £10, Habitat.co.uk
  • Best for bringing the indoors out– Habitat solar rattan floor lamp: £40, Habitat.co.uk
  • Best for wireless home security– Eufy solar wall light cam: £99, Eufy.com
  • Best for festival vibes– Lights4Fun 20 warm white carnival solar festoon lights: £15.99, Lights4fun.co.uk

Read more: 10 best solar chargers

  • Bestsolar light overall
  • Why we love it- Strong illumination
  • Smart-looking design

  • 100 per cent solar-powered

  • Take note- Takes some welly to drive into hard ground

Whether you want to line pathways or spotlight flower beds after dark, stake lights allow you to create lighting zones easily. Lights, topped with solar panels, sit at the top of a robust plastic stake which you can drive into soil, grass or push into large planters. I like that the base comes with holes to allow you to peg the lights down for extra stability against wind. The sun-baked soil in my garden was tough to drive the stakes through, even after splashing it with the hosepipe to try and loosen the dirt. I couldn’t help but feel a corkscrew design would have given me more purchase. It’s my only gripe.

The 65cm high lights look very smart and give a great level of illumination, casting 830 lumens over a radius of approximately 40cm. Having a few pairs of these lining a garden path, water feature, steps, or along the back fence would add extra contemporary pizazz to any outdoor space. The automatic light sensors are helpful from a convenience and security perspective – just make sure the light is switched to ‘On’ mode and it will blink on by itself once night falls (you can check by holding your hand over the top panel to obscure daylight).

Key specifications

  • Dimensions:65cm x 17.5cm x 65cm
  • Weight:0.85kg
  • Lumens:830
  • Durability:IP44

  • Secondary charging?: No

  • Bestbudget solar lights

  • Why we love it- Draping lights over branches without tangling
  • Smaller lights look twinklier

  • Green cord camouflages design

  • Take note- Awkward panel positioning if you have very tall trees

Create visual magic in your garden night after night with these willow lights from Habitat. An offshoot of traditional fairy lights, these were designed specifically with trees in mind, although there’s nothing stopping you from trailing them over balcony edges or even taking them camping to brighten up your pitch.

It takes eight hours to fully charge the integrated battery, from which you can expect up to seven hours of twinkling illumination. Six ‘tails’ dangle off the main cord, which meant I could arrange the lights over branches without twisting myself (and the wires) into tangles. Depending on the height of your tree, you may need to hoik the charging panel up onto a branch, as the cord only stretches three metres before the first bulb.

I love the fact that the cord is green, camouflaging it nicely against garden greenery. The lights have a 44IP rating, so they’re splashproof but not waterproof. Something to consider if you’re planning to leave them up year-round.

Key specifications

  • Dimensions:5.2m Cable length to first bulb 2.2m
  • Auto turn on:Yes
  • Durability:IP44
  • Secondary charging?: No

  • Guarantee: One-year

  • Bestsolar lights for festival vibes

  • Why we love it- Easy set-up
  • Choice of lighting modes

  • Robust long-life bulbs

  • Take note- No hanging hooks provided

Just like the rooms inside our homes, gardens can also benefit from accent lighting. Inspired by fun fair illuminations, this festoon design is the quickest way to make your outdoor space feel more inviting - yes, even if the lawn could do with a trim and weeds are poking through the paving stones.

Twenty clear bulbs emit a warm white glow across nearly eight metres, although there are eight functions – think funky flash, chase or static glow – to choose from so you can tweak your garden lighting to suit the occasion. Static felt the chicest for everyday use, but I wouldn’t be averse to another mode for my next BBQ.

You’ll get 4.75m of lights, and 3m of lead allowing you to position the solar panel where it can catch the most sun. A weatherproof plastic stake is provided to keep it stable in the soil or wedged between rocks.

Given the longer days we’re enjoying right now, you can expect up to eight glorious hours of illumination over summer. And summer is when they’ll do best. The brand recommends stowing them away over winter to keep them in good nick, year after year.

Key specifications

  • Dimensions: 4.75m of lights, 3m lead
  • Weight: Unknown
  • Modes:8
  • Durability:IP44

  • Secondary charging?: No

  • Bestsolar light for wireless home security

  • Why we love it- No subscription
  • Motion activated

  • Camera integrated

  • Take note- Some DIY is inescapable

Looking to amp up your home security but don’t like the idea of wired subscription options that could add to your bills? Eufy to the rescue.

The tech specialist has this clever wall light with an integrated camera that runs solely on solar. The unit offers a nifty solution to anyone looking for a one-and-done option, with a lamp that is motion-activated and blasts out 300 lumens, enough to startle unwanted visitors and wildlife without triggering ire from neighbours.

Combined with a smart camera that records footage for up to 60 days, and it’s clear that the solar panel on top of the design is working hard for its money. While the panel can offer a day’s power on just two hours of sunlight, an integrated battery offers additional insurance. Run it on energy-saving mode and you’ll get 60 days battery life. Given that it’s not unheard of to go two or three weeks without seeing proper daylight in the UK, that’s money in the bank.

You’ll need to download the eufy Security App, but it’s well worth the phone storage. The app allows you to speak to people through two-way audio, remotely activate lights and trigger a 105dB siren, a feature I hope I’ll never need to use but extremely reassuring to have anyway.

Key specifications

  • Dimensions: 17 x 12.5 x 6.9cm
  • Weight: 0.45kg
  • Lumens: 300
  • Durability: IP65

  • Secondary charging?: USB-C port for initial charging

  • Bestsolar light for bringing the indoors out

  • Why we love it- Chic design
  • Wire-free

  • Automatic light sensor

  • Take note- No other colours available

So you’ve got the garden dining set and the outdoor rug. All that your al fresco living room needs to complete the picture is lighting – and Habitat has just the thing.

The British homeware brand has designed this freestanding floor lamp with a rattan shade that will fit seamlessly into any garden set-up. I love that it doesn’t look like outdoor lighting at first glance.

The solar panel and rechargeable battery sit at the top of the lampshade, leaving the piece free of unsightly cords (and meaning you can move it to the next sun spot for optimal light capture). Tall and slim but anchored by a 3.2kg base sturdy enough to stand up to gentle winds, this lamp would work just as well in smaller gardens, and on patios and balconies too.

Pleasingly, the light pay-off is better than most garden lighting - bright but not blinding with two settings to choose from. Best of all, it is fitted with an automatic light sensor, so it’ll switch itself on at dusk. Once set up, there’s nothing to do but sit back and bask in its glow.

Key specifications

  • Dimensions: 155 x 28 x 28cm
  • Weight: Base weighs 3.2kg
  • Lumens: Around 10 - 30
  • Durability: IP44

  • Secondary charging?: No

  • Bestsolar light for garden parties

  • Why we love it- Pretty design
  • Easy set-up

  • Auto light detection

  • Take note- Not winter-proof

With balmy temperatures, summer lends itself well to outdoor celebrations. Whether you’re planning a birthday party, garden bash, or just want to make your BBQ feel that bit chicer, these lanterns are up to the job.

The set of three comes in pastel tones (although other colourways including a neutral cream are available) and come fitted with a solar panel on the head and a warm white LED light inside. They look best strung up on a cord or dotted among tree branches so the tassel details can sway in the breeze – they instantly added colour and cheer to my garden. Unless you’ve got a very small space to illuminate, you’ll need to buy a few packs to make a visual impact.

Let the lanterns soak up the light all day, and you can expect a good eight hours of gentle illumination after dark.

It’s key to note that they won’t fare as well in winter – best to store them in the shed until conditions improve in spring.

Key specifications

  • Dimensions:20cm diameter
  • Weight:Unknown but very light
  • Durability:IP20

  • Secondary charging?: No

  • Bestsolar light for statement lighting

  • Why we love it- Cool look
  • Portable design

  • Parts can be recycled

  • Take note- While sturdy, it may require securing in high wind

Like something out of the Jetsons’ garden, this solar-powered table light from Ikea feels transported from the future. A magnetic stem supports the orb lamp, which has two light settings to bring a gentle glow to your outside spaces.

The cordless design is highly portable, but there’s slightly more faff in getting it up and running. A battery panel must be unscrewed to get the provided AA in place before you can snap the frosted top half shut.

In good weather conditions, the lamp will draw power from the sun. No need to uncap the lid; simply leave it in direct sunlight for up to 12 hours to get 12 hours of soft, ambient lighting back. The AA battery can also be recharged via the USB charging port which sits on the red lower half behind a rubber lip to keep it protected from moisture.

Look, it’s not going to absolutely flood your space with light, but it will add intrigue and atmosphere for sundowners and twilight feasts.

Key specifications

  • Dimensions:16 x 12 x 23cm
  • Weight:0.83kg
  • Durability:IP44
  • Longevity: 25,000 hours

  • Secondary charging?: Yes, USB-C port

  • Bestsolar lights for a subtle garden upgrade

  • Why we love it- Easy set up

  • Decent number of lights in the set

  • Take note- Only 6 hours of illumination

Whether you’re looking to punctuate a gravel path or give your perennials the spotlight they deserve, this set of four ground lights from Luxform promise to make a budget-friendly upgrade to your garden. The stake-style plastic lights feature a solar panel at the head and can be driven deep into the ground to keep them stable, whatever the weather throws at them.

Set-up wise, there is some work involved, but it’s little more than constructing the stakes by sliding interlocking pieces into each other and clipping this into the lamp head. You’ll also need to switch the lights to ‘on’ before putting them in position.

Despite the solar panels on all lights receiving the same sunlight exposure over the day, I noticed one was noticeably dimmer after dark compared to its sisters. Not a total deal-breaker, but something to note. It could have just been a quality issue for my batch, in which case, that’s what the 12 month guarantee is for.

Key specifications

  • Dimensions:12 x 9.0 x 9cm
  • Number of lights:4
  • Durability:IP33
  • Secondary charging?: No, fully solar
  • Guarantee: 12 months