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Give your garden a glow up for spring.
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to decorate your outdoor space, solar lights can add a cosy atmosphere to your garden or patio — and they’re more eco-friendly than mains-powered options.
It’s worth noting that solar lights are best suited for display and decor rather than for brightening up your space after dark, as they aren’t as powerful as other options. If you’re after something more practical, have a look at our garden lighting guide for more choice.
Solar-powered lights rely on a steady supply of sunlight as opposed to electricity. To set them up, position the solar panel in a bright spot and the sun will charge the battery, which will power up your lights to come on after dark.
Solar garden lights will still work even when it's cloudy outside. They might not soak up as much sunlight as on sunny days, but they’ll still get enough charge to light up at night, although the power might not last as long.
Typically, these lights need six to eight hours to charge fully. You can expect your solar lights to illuminate your garden for up to eight hours each evening during summer — although some have an on/off switch for convenience.
From twinkling lanterns to gently flickering torches, here is our edit of the best solar garden lights to create a cosy, welcoming ambience outside.
This pretty twig light will blend beautifully with trailing plants, or on a bare wooden fence. It’ll make your space look like it’s lit up by tiny fireflies, bringing a subtle touch of fairytale magic to your surroundings.
| Size | 450cm (light length); 750 cm (lead length) |
|---|---|
| How many lights? | 96 |
One of our favourite picks, these torches have flickering lights that resemble dancing flames. They’ll look equally striking scattered across a rockery as they will staking out a pathway. Each light has an on/off switch, so you can conserve energy when they’re not in use.
| Size | 48 x 10 x 10cm |
|---|---|
| How many lights? | Four |
These festoon lights have an industrial, edgy aesthetic thanks to their open bulbs and thick black wires. They’re versatile enough to suit most schemes, but they’ll look particularly alluring with urban-inspired accents such as exposed brick, metal furniture, and reclaimed wood.
| Size | L7.5m (10 bulbs); L12.5m (20 bulbs) |
|---|---|
| How many lights? | 10 or 20 |
As evening draws in, this iridescent lantern will look eye-catching as a centrepiece on your outdoor dining table. Stock up on several and suspend them from a tree to create a whimsical feel in your garden.
| Size | 22 x 16cm |
|---|---|
| How many lights? | One |
Solar lights look prettiest when lit up, but these will look just as impressive in the daytime as at night. The stylish lanterns evoke warm nights in the Mediterranean, while the bold orange details add a pop of colour. For a coordinated scheme, pick up the matching lantern.
| Size | 1.8m (total length) |
|---|---|
| How many lights? | 10 |
These multi-coloured string lights are a fun change from standard white lighting. Dangle them from trees or your fence to liven up your space at night — they’ll look great during a garden party.
| Size | 1.8m (light length); 3.8m (lead length) |
|---|---|
| How many lights? | 10 |
With its clean lines and open silhouette, Maze’s solar lantern is ideal for fans of minimalist interiors. As night draws in, the teak panels will cast atmospheric shadows across your patio and fence. It’s also easy to charge via USB, meaning you don't have to rely on the sun to keep it glowing.
| Size | 35 x 20 x 23.5cm |
|---|---|
| How many lights? | One |
Each copper wire on these charming lights can be bent into shape, allowing you to create your own personalised display of flowers, spirals and hearts. They also have a pretty sparkle mode for a fairytale aesthetic.
| Size | 64cm |
|---|---|
| How many lights? | Two |
Even unlit, this lantern will help to add colour and personality to any outdoor scheme. Mix and match with similar round designs and hang them from the trees to add colour and texture to your space, or place them on the floor for an enchanting glow.
| Size | 30 x 30cm |
|---|---|
| How many lights? | One |
With multi-coloured LED lights, these flowers will provide a beautiful, vibrant display at night. Invest in one set to add a subtle glow to planters after dark, or stock up and scatter through your flowerbeds — the contrast between natural and artificial blooms will create a dramatic display.
| Size | 73cm |
|---|---|
| How many lights? | Four |
Put a few of these cute solar lights around your outdoor seating area for a low-lit romantic vibe. The crackle finish adds a charming touch, creating a pattern of lights and shadows to enhance the ambience.
| Size | 35 x 12 x 12cm |
|---|---|
| How many lights? | One |
Keep this hanging lamp, complete with a remote and pull switch, in your outdoor reading nook. It’ll make a good excuse to sit outside with your book a little longer.
| Size | 15.5cm (light); 23cm (pull cord length) |
|---|---|
| How many lights? | One |
These colour-changing portable lamps are handy when you need an extra light boost, like on your outdoor table when the sun goes down. They have four modes, so you can change the brightness and set them to flash.
| Size | 10.8cm |
|---|---|
| How many lights? | Two – but can be bought as a four or six pack |
Something a little different here — tiny white bulbs are threaded through this bunting, creating a pretty, vintage-inspired display. It’ll evoke a sense of nostalgia in your space: think traditional village fairs and festivals. It has eight light settings including a twinkle effect and a slow fade mode.
| Size | 19 x 18cm (flags); 2.9m (lead length) |
|---|---|
| How many lights? | 30 |
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