We’ve analyzed and tested dozens of good and bad products within the realm of dusk to dawn solar lighting.
Whether you are after security, aesthetics, or simply need a little bit of evening illumination, this guide is designed to help you choose the best dusk to dawn solar lights for your home.
Here are 11 best solar powered dusk to dawn lights for your outdoor living space
Let's check them out
11 Best Solar Powered Dusk to Dawn Lights
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Richarm Solar Flood Lights
Why did we choose this one? The Richarm Solar Flood Lights as they are perhaps by far the best overall dusk to dawn lights on the market today by combining affordability with quality to deliver the best user experience possible, and it's extremely easy to install for a large number of outdoor applications.
What are users saying about this product?
Durable, Weatherproof Lighting - Withstand harsh weather conditions such as rain, dust, snow, hail..etc. Protected by encased metal body that last for years.
Bright, Wide Range of Light - Adding visibility and security to any outdoor space. Each 6W, 3V light is capable of brightening spaces of up to 430 square feet to cover the area around most garages or entrances.
Adjustable Angle - Adjust up to 120 degrees to capture as much sunlight as possible based on weather condition
High Quality Solar Panel - Charge the battery in as little as 5 hours with a high efficiency of 17%. 6-8 hours under for non-sunny days
Why did we choose this one? Next on the list, we’ve chosen the eLEDing Solar Powered Microgrid Dual LED Smart Lighting for its customization and versatility. This dusk to dawn solar light is great from many different applications such as illuminating backyards, gardens, pathways, garages, and building entrances.
What are users saying about this product?
Black or White & Lightweight - Matching color to the aesthetics of your backyard space that looks good on your home and be happy with your purchase
Lightweight Installation - Install almost anywhere with simple tools without exerting weight on yourself or break a sweat
Extremely Bright, Wide Angle - Add an enormous amount of illumination (1200 lumens) to any outdoor space as well as an overall improved night lighting system with adjustable angle placement .
Security Operating Modes - Transforms bright light into dim light or use it as motion detection is at night for home security.
Why did we choose this one? For an all-in-one easy to install system, the MAXSA 10 hour floodlight is the one to get without the need to hire an electrician.
What are users saying about this product?
Easy, Low Profile Set Up - Install in no time period without worry about exposed wires or expert help to save you time and peace of mind
Smart On/Off System - Recharge 3 rechargeable batteries by sunlight, and the system turns off in 10 hours if the lights remain on.
Two Modes - Cycle between two operating modes (full and half light), that will satisfy any season.
Why did we choose this one? For those on a tight budget, we’ve included the Aweanber Solar Powered Outdoor Lights system as the most affordable option in quality dusk to dawn solar lighting.
This system, which costs a fraction of other systems, is relatively cheap, but is still guaranteed to deliver high performance results.
What are users saying about this product?
Extremely Affordable Option - Get automatic evening light without breaking the bank at its extremely low price point
Long-Lasting Source of Light - Provide up to 18 hours of lighting continuously, after only a 6.5 hour charging even during lower sunlight conditions.
Detachable Solar Panel - Detach / attach the solar panels as needed to optimize the installation with the extra 10-feet of cable for various solar applications
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Why did we choose this one? If you’re looking for a bright dusk to dawn solar light, that is exactly why we have included the new Tin Sum Solar Energy on this list.
This 6.7 pound product contains 120 LED lights creating an ultra-bright outdoor space for backyards, pool areas, barns, and more.
What are users saying about this product?
Remote Control Included - Delivering convenience and control to the lighting system in the hands of the user especially for outdoor use
Durable And Efficient - Use as long as needed with with an 18% efficiency rating, the included Polysilicon solar panel will deliver a significant amount of power to the battery, even in cloudy conditions.
High Efficiency LED Chips - Provide bright illumination for long periods of time using the astounding 120 LED lights.
Long Lasting - Last for years on end with a lifespan of over 50,000 hours
Why did we choose this one? While we’re talking about bright lights, we felt it necessary to include some of the brightest solar dusk to dawn lights on the market.
With the LEDMO 300W LED stadium lights, the sky's the limit.
WIth this product, users can brighten large outdoor spaces solely with the power of the sun.
What are users saying about this product?
Extremely Bright Light - Illuminate outdoor space like a stadium light for tennis courts, basketball hoops, and large backyards and construction site
5 Year Warranty- Replace bad parts and use it as long as you want. If anything breaks, the warranty covers it.
Use It Anywhere - Place it anywhere that needs wide flood lighting with an adjustable neck brace for pointing towards the desired spots.
Why did we choose this one? Next on the list, we’ve decided to include the RuoKid 80W Solar Street Lights as they are one of the best overhead dawn to dusk lights on the market, perfect for anyone wishing to shine a bright light directly onto their driveway or street below.
What are users saying about this product?
Durable Materials - Withstand heat, corrosion and moisture for a long term use and stable performance to increase life expectancy
Wide Angle Flood Lighting - Distribution of wide angle flood lighting to cover 90 square meter radius in low light
Long-Lasting Light - Includes 5-year guarantee for continuous operation without having to worry about malfunctions.
Why did we choose this one? While we are looking at solar street lights, we’d like to feature WERISE 50W Dusk to Dawn Outdoor Solar Light.
This powerful light comes at a reasonable price, but delivers tons of automatic evening illumination.
What are users saying about this product?
Two Operating Modes - Most importantly, WERISE’s solar lights have two distinct operating modes: dim and full brightness.
Whereas dim mode is great for lighting the way down your driveway, the bright mode offers a chance to see even more. Together, the versatility provides users with the options they deserve.
Easy Installation - Secondly, this dusk to dawn light is extremely easy to install. Although this is true with many of the items on the list, WERISE take it a step further.
This solar street light contains no excess wires and can easily be installed on a surface, pole, tree, and more. With extreme ease, time, energy, and stress can all be saved.
Why did we choose this one? If you’re looking for the best solar powered dusk to dawn light that will add a bit of flair to your outdoor space, look no further.
This 4-Pack of solar torch lights from BHCLIGHT have are an aesthetically pleasing way to illuminate your garden, pathway, or deck with the power of the sun.
What are users saying about this product?
Attractive Display at a Great Price - Obviously, this product offers a chance for an attractive but functional outdoor display. On top of that, it comes at a great price.
With 4 flames included, any outdoor area can be transformed into a picturesque setting without having to spend a lot of money.
Simple to Install and Use - Although they are limited to the yard, these solar torch lights are extremely easy to install and use. Simply, stake the poles into the ground and enjoy.
This simplicity saves time, but also makes these dusk to dawn lights extremely easy to move to new locations.
Why did we choose this one? Much like the torch lights, we’ve included this INCX 12 Pack of solar ground lights for people that are looking for more than one unit.
What are users saying about this product?
Solar garden lights: 8-10 hours runtime with 8 hours of sunshine, save energy and be eco-friendly Each solar lights has 8 LEDs, adopt of the advanced, LED energy-saving, 600 mAh solar lamp.
Protection Design: Rated IP65 and stainless steel body level makes it suitable for outdoor use. It can effectively isolate the water and the fog, which makes for a longer life
Wireless design: Install in seconds, no tools, no wiring, safe to use for children and pets. Each floor lights are better with the place you want
Large Coverage - Illuminate more small spaces in a subtle way with a dozen small lights to flood the area with a showering of light for paths, driveways, decks, roofs, and more
Why did we choose this one? Last on the list, we would like to include a fun suggestion for anyone looking to increase their home security. The Techage Dummy Security Camera includes a motion sensor solar light which automatically activates from dusk to dawn.
What are users saying about this product?
Increased Security- Alert night intruders as soon as the alarm triggers and the light turns on to provide home security and low light situational awareness
Both the solar panel and the camera/light have an adjustable angle, so the device can perfectly fit most installation configurations.
How do solar powered dusk to dawn light work?
Most solar powered dusk to dawn lights work by using a photocell to detect light. With a brightness sensor, the lights automatically turn on after sundown and turn off at sunrise.
Dusk to dawn solar lights use a built-in or wired solar panel to charge the system’s battery in direct sunlight. Typically, solar lights have a lithium iron battery or use rechargeable AA batteries for electricity storage.
Solar powered dusk to dawn lights will stay activated until the entire battery is drained, unless they are automatically or manually turned off.
Why Do You Need Dusk to Dawn Solar Lights?
Solar dusk to dawn lights provide property owners with a number of added benefits.
- Extra light in the evening hours adds security and visibility to any outdoor space.
- Decrease your electricity bill.
With this in mind, solar dusk to dawn lights will practically pay for themselves when considering the cost to run ordinary lighting with utility power.
Pros
By adopting solar powered dusk to dawn lights, consumers are able to benefit from all of the aspects of outdoor lighting with much less cost and labor to run the systems.
For most people, here are the main benefits of using solar powered dusk to dawn lights:
- Automatic Evening Activation
- Added Security to the Property
- Increased Visibility Walkways, Entrances and Signs
- Easy to Install
- No Additional Costs to Run or Power
- Great Aesthetics for Decks and Outdoor Living Spaces
Of course, no product is perfect. Solar lights are dependent on the sunlight, which means long periods without clear days may result in lower performance overall.
Cons
Beyond that, there are a few more limitations of dusk to dawn lighting. The main drawbacks are as follows:
- Sensor Must Be Placed in Direct Sunlight (Limits Options)
- Cloudy Days Lower Ability to Charge Batteries
- May Be Dimmer than Other Options
- Some Maintenance and Cleaning May Be Required
- Some Products May Not Last As Long as Others
- Illumination May Not Last Until the Morning
Essentially, if there are any trees, buildings, or even clouds blocking your lighting’s solar panels, then performance will be limited. However, for many people, dusk to dawn solar lights are still a product that is well worth its price of investment.
What To Look For in Dusk to Dawn Solar Lighting
Although the products may look somewhat similar, we have chosen all of the dusk to dawn solar lights featured in this article by evaluating a specific set of criteria.
Here, we will dive deeper into the different features of solar powered dusk to dawn lights in order to help paint a larger picture of what makes a high quality item.
Battery Lifetime
First and foremost, battery lifetime is crucial in determining the best dusk to dawn solar lighting. Limited battery life means that your lights may not make it through the night.
For most lights, a fully charged battery means that the lights will be able to shine for between 8 and 10 hours, which means all of the evening hours.
In premium systems, a battery that has reached its charging capacity may power your solar lights for up to 20 hours. This extra capacity is great for times when less sun is available.
Light Activation
As is seen in their name, dusk to dawn solar lights are designed to be activated from, well, dusk until dawn. In order to categorically qualify, dusk to dawn solar lights automatically turn on in the evening.
Of course, advanced systems may come with premium features. For instance, if you want to activate a light early, having a manual switch or remote control will come in handy
For best results, it is always a good idea to charge your solar lights before permanently installing them on your property.
Portability
Portability is important to keep in mind if you plan to transport your dusk to dawn solar lights from one location to another. However, many are permanently installed.
Most commonly, portability is important for in-ground solar lights or systems mainly designed to provide aesthetically pleasing outdoor evening environments.
Most commonly, however, portability will likely not be a large factor in the decision to purchase the best dusk to dawn solar-powered lights.
Waterproofing
Critically, installing fully waterproof solar lighting is important for all outdoor instances. Proper weatherproofing will ensure the longevity of the products and reflect your return on investment.
Whereas many cheap products will advertise that they are waterproof, it is important to understand that waterproofing is a relative term, with some being better than others.
Here, the quality of the materials really comes into play. Staying away from plastics and other cheap materials will render in a much longer lifespan against inclement weather conditions.
Adjustable Angle
Next, having a flexible and adjustable angle for your dawn to dusk solar lighting is important for systems that are mounted on the side of your home or elsewhere.
As every situation is different, it is very important that you are able to move your light to shine where it is most needed on the property during the evening.
Not only are adjustable angle lights important for security, but if you are using the lights to power your deck, any customization will always help deliver the best overall experience.
Remote Control (User Friendly Features)
Although most solar powered dusk to dawn lights are automatically activated, a remote control can help take control of your lights to better fit your illumination needs.
Although extra buttons may occasionally be built right into the products themselves, remote controls generally expand the users control further with off-site convenience.
Obviously, an remote control is a premium feature. However, if you plan on getting the most bang for your buck, an remote control is extremely nice to have.
Brightness
When looking into lighting, brightness is perhaps the easiest way to differentiate between two products. However, brighter is not always better.
If you’re installing dusk to dawn lights for security, a bright light is always going to be good, but a lot of lumens may become blinding for pathway and deck lighting.
Before you purchase your solar dusk to dawn lights, check the rated amounts of luminescence. Many products also provide an estimated area of light coverage.
Power Efficiency
Next, power efficiency is important to consider both in charging and using your solar lights. Efficiency is important in the solar panel as well as the lighting.
For solar panels, tiny PV modules on cheap products are rarely sufficient enough to fully charge the system’s battery. Instead, high quality detached solar panels are generally a better option.
Likewise, output efficiency is crucial for long-term illumination. LED lights are almost always the best choice in terms of using a minimum amount of power for maximum light output.
Modes Available
In many instances “dusk to dawn” is just one of several operating modes that outdoor solar lights can utilize. These lights activate whenever darkness is detected.
On the other hand, advanced solar lights may have operating modes that activate and deactivate the lights over fixed periods of time.
In rarer cases, solar powered lights may need to be manually switched on, although the necessity of daily operation is somewhat limitless the main benefit of solar powered lights.
For the best experience, automatic lights that can be adjusted allow for the most freedom.
Solar Panel Quality
Lastly, an often overlooked aspect of choosing the best dusk to dawn light is ensuring the quality of the included solar panel.
Whereas most products are delivered as an all-in-one package, the actual quality of the solar panel is going to largely determine your lights daily performance.
In areas with low direct sunlight hours, the attached miniature solar panel on some cheap solar dusk to dawn lights may be sufficient enough to charge the lights battery.
Instead, opting for an often detachable, high-quality solar panel can ensure that your dusk to dawn light can harness and store as much electricity as possible.
Maybe you want something more stylish, please check out Best Solar String Light Guide here.
Common FAQ
How long do they last?
In terms of nightly performance, most dusk to dawn solar lights will last between 8 and 10 hours. Whereas some remain on through the night, others have motion sensors.
With LED solar dusk to dawn lights can expect a lifetime output of roughly 50,000 hours. To put this into perspective, solar powered dusk to dawn lights ordinarily last from anywhere between 2 and 7 years. Whereas this is a wide range of time, there are also outliers that will last for over 7 years or malfunction within a few months.
A wide variety of materials is the main reason why solar powered dusk to dawn lights have such a diverse range of expected life spans.
Whereas cheap materials may burn out or be damaged over time due to the weather, high-quality products are more likely to last beyond their included warranty periods.
Why does my dusk to dawn light stay on?
In most cases, a dusk to dawn light stays on during the day reflects a malfunction in the product’s photocell.
Check your product’s manual to see if there is a way to manually reset the photocell.
If you have a motion censored dusk to dawn light that stays on, there also could be an issue with the motion sensor.
With this in mind, a manual reset is going to be the best way to override a malfunctioning light.
What certifications to look for before buying?
Like with all electronics, consumers should look for ETL and UL certification to ensure that they are buying safe dusk to dawn solar lighting. These certifications are overseen by the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Beyond this qualification, products with DLC Listed, and Energy Star certifications are generally made with higher quality materials.
Furthermore, any other industry or product recognition can be an added bonus.