Solar Path Lights Buying Guide

Solar path lights are outdoor lighting fixtures that are designed to illuminate walkways or paths within a home's yard, garden or landscape. These lights work by harnessing the solar energy and converting it into electrical energy that powers the light at night. Over the years, solar path lights have become a popular choice for homeowners due to their ease of installation, energy efficiency and low maintenance costs.

With several options to choose from in the market, it can be overwhelming for homeowners to select the best solar path lights for their landscape needs. In this guide, we’ll discuss the main factors to consider before buying solar path lights including:

• Location and Design
• Brightness and Light Duration
• Battery Storage and Charging Time
• Quality and Durability

Location and Design

The first factor to consider before buying solar path lights is the location and design of the light. The location where you plan to install the lights will determine the design and style that works best for your yard or garden. Some of the most common styles and designs of solar path lights include:

• Stake lights - These lights are ideal for driveways, walkways, and gardens as they stick into the ground using a stake or post.
• Hanging lights - These lights hang from trees or other structures and are excellent for lighting up a specific area such as a patio or deck.
• Wall lights - These are designed to be affixed on walls to provide a more subtle glow to the surroundings.
• Post lights - These are installed on top of short poles for a more prominent light experience, perhaps to direct traffic from remote areas of your garden.

When choosing the design, it’s also important to consider other environmental factors such as weather and other external factors. If you live in an area prone to high winds, you may want to consider stake lights that are sturdy enough to withstand high winds. Equally, if you live in an area prone to flooding, you may want to opt for solar path lights that are waterproof or highly water-resistant.

Brightness and Light Duration

The second factor to consider when buying solar path lights is the brightness and light duration. Most solar path lights are designed with LED technology that emits a warm, soft glow, which creates a peaceful ambiance for your home. However, the brightness can vary depending on the brand, size and design of the light.

If you’re buying solar path lights for your yard, garden or landscape, you’ll want to consider the brightness of the lights. Light brightness is measured in lumens with some solar path lights ranging from as low as five lumens to as high as 150 lumens. The higher the lumens, the brighter the light. A 50-lumen light is enough to light up a pathway, while a light that's 100 lumens or higher may be better suited for wide spaces or large landscapes.

Additionally, it’s important to consider the light duration of the solar path lights. The duration of the light can vary depending on the illumination of the light and the battery power storage capacity. A solar path light that can last for up to 8 -10 hours per night is generally sufficient for most households. Some solar path lights come with motion sensors, which can increase the light duration when the sensors detect movement.

Battery Storage and Charging Time

The battery storage and charging time are also vital factors to consider before buying solar path lights. The battery storage capacity determines the duration of the light throughout the night while the charging time determines how long the battery will take to charge up.

The typical solar path light utilizes rechargeable batteries that can store the solar energy in addition to the LED lamp's energy use. The most common rechargeable batteries used in solar path lights are nickel-cadmium (NiCad) and lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. Lithium-ion batteries have a higher charging efficiency, which means they take less time to charge and are longer-lasting compared to nickel-cadmium batteries.

You'll want to consider the charging duration, which is usually between 6-8 hours, and ensure that the solar path light battery capacity can store adequate energy to provide enough light for the duration needed. A device with a smaller solar panel relative to the battery, for instance, takes longer to charge fully, and this will affect the light duration.

Quality and Durability

Lastly, the quality and durability of the solar path lights are important factors to consider. Solar path lights require exposure to the elements such as rain, snow and intense sunlight, so it's essential to select lights that are of high quality and durable enough to withstand these elements.

Some of the materials used to make solar path lights include plastic, aluminum and stainless steel. These materials vary in quality and durability, with stainless steel being the most durable while plastic is the least very durable. Stainless steel lights can withstand a wide range of elements and are less prone to damage than plastic or aluminum lights, making them an ideal option for homeowners looking for long-lasting solar path lights.

Another aspect of durability is the warranty. Look for lights that have an extended warranty, as the extended warranty provides coverage for any damage that may occur over time. Furthermore, if the light fades or malfunctions after a short period, an extended warranty means that you can get it fixed or replaced without incurring additional costs.

Bottom Line

Solar path lights are an excellent addition to any yard, garden or landscape. The lights save energy, are cost-effective, and add an ambiance to outdoor spaces around your home. Before buying solar path lights, be sure to consider the location and design of the lights, the brightness and light duration, the battery storage and charging time, and the quality and durability of the lights. By doing so, you stand a better chance of selecting solar path lights that best suit your needs and your home’s outdoor space.