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Solar outdoor lights have become a go-to upgrade for homeowners who want to extend time outdoors without running electrical lines or paying a contractor. The market is crowded, and brightness claims on the box tell only part of the story. A light that charges in six hours may last far less than one that charges in four, depending on LED count, battery size, and how the fixture distributes light.
Consumer Reports tested landscape, deck, and string models on both sunny and overcast days to identify the seven worth buying.
1 / 7
Credit: Amazon
At $100, this six-pack sits at the top of Consumer Reports' landscape light rankings with a score of 91 out of 100. Each fixture's 40 LEDs produce intense white light wide enough to illuminate a water feature or ornamental tree. CR awarded it top marks for both light duration and ease of use, noting that the lights can be angled and installed with included ground spikes, screwed to a flat surface, or pointed downward to illuminate a walkway. They are also rechargeable and include an on/off button to conserve battery charge.
2 / 7
Credit: Gigalumi
Priced at $26 for an eight-pack, this set costs less per fixture than nearly any other path light Consumer Reports has evaluated. The score of 73 reflects solid performance across light duration and ease of use despite each unit carrying only a single LED. CR notes that the dimmer output may not be a drawback for buyers who want accent lighting or have supplemental fixtures nearby. Each light has a single brightness setting, an on/off button, and a removable battery, with no USB charging or angle adjustment available.
3 / 7
Credit: Amazon
The $55 twelve-pack is the only deck light set in Consumer Reports' tests to earn top marks for light duration. Each of the 12 units mounts to a stair riser or other solid surface with screws and contains three LEDs that emit a medium-bright downward glow. CR gave the set a score of 74. USB charging is not available, but an on/off switch lets users bank power when the lights are not needed.
4 / 7
Credit: Deckorators
Scoring 64 in Consumer Reports' post-cap category tests, this $15 fixture earns the top ranking in its category and above-average marks for light duration. Light from one LED reaches all four sides of the cap, projecting outward and downward. CR notes it comes in four finishes — black, white, brown, and gray — and includes a removable battery. No on/off switch or USB charging is included.
5 / 7
Credit: Brightech
Consumer Reports' top-scoring string light costs $32 for a 12-bulb, 27-foot strand, earning a 78 along with a top rating for ease of use and above-average marks for light duration. Each Edison-style oval bulb holds 24 LEDs, and the 20-inch spacing between bulbs allows the strand to run single for ambient light or doubled for concentrated brightness. CR notes the batteries are replaceable and an on/off button extends runtime. During extended outdoor exposure, three of the 12 bulbs filled with water, though none stopped functioning.
6 / 7
Credit: Westinghouse
This 15-bulb, 36-foot strand runs $65 and earned a score of 76 from Consumer Reports, with best-in-class marks for ease of use and above-average marks for light duration. The 28-inch spacing between bulbs is wider than most competing string sets, and each bulb carries a single LED filament with one brightness setting and an on/off switch. According to CR, the Westinghouse produced the brightest output of any string light in the test. USB charging is not available.
7 / 7
Credit: Harbor Breeze
A 10-bulb, 27-foot string set from Harbor Breeze costs $40 and scored 72 in Consumer Reports' tests, earning above-average marks for light output. Consumer Reports notes the Edison-style filament bulbs and wide cord spacing are similar to the higher-scoring Brightech and Westinghouse options, but this set adds USB recharging via an included cord. Two brightness settings and an on/off switch are included. CR found that six of the 10 bulbs filled with water after extended outdoor exposure, three of those stopped working, and Lowe's $LOW sells compatible replacement bulbs.
