Finding the best indoor solar lights are no easy task.
There are thousands of different options on the market, all claiming to be “the best.”
But fear not – we have done the research for you and compiled a list of the top 9 indoor solar lights.
We have over 5 years of experience in the solar lights market and have tested most of these lights ourselves.
So, whether you are looking for a tasteful accent light for your living room or a bright light for your shed, these are the best indoor solar lights for any need.
Niorsun Solar Pendant Light
Brightness: ★★★★★
Run Time: ★★★★★
Functionality: ★★★★
Warranty: ★★★★★
Mlambert Solar Indoor Light
Brightness: ★★★★
Run Time: ★★★★★
Functionality: ★★★★
Warranty: ★★
Greenlight Planet Solar Kit
Brightness: ★★★★★
Run Time: ★★★★★
Functionality: ★★★★★
Warranty: ★★
How to Choose the Best Indoor Solar Light?
Before we get into the actual review, let’s take a minute to understand what makes good indoor solar lights.
I know you just need the recommendation right away but trust me, this section will really help you.
1. Separate Solar Panels
The first and most important factor to consider is the length of the cord between the solar panels and the lamp.
A longer cord means you can place the solar panels in a spot where they will receive optimal sunlight, while still being able to position the lamp wherever you want indoors.
So plan out where you want to place the solar panels and lamp before purchasing.
Solar lights are only as good as their ability to charge, so make sure you have the right setup for maximum sunlight exposure.
2. Brightness
Next, consider the brightness of the light. Look for lumens, a measure of brightness.
The higher the lumens, the brighter the light.
But brighter doesn’t mean better.
Think about where you’ll be placing the light and what purpose it will serve.
Here is a list to help guide your decision:
- For general indoor lighting, 200-400 lumens is enough.
- For tasks or reading, 400-800 lumens is recommended.
- And for security or outdoor use, 800+ lumens is ideal.
Also, it’s important to mention that sometimes your lights can dim, but don’t worry, there are a number of ways to make your solar lights brighter.
3. Light Temperature
The temperature of a light is measured in Kelvin (K).
Warm white lights, with a temperature range of 2500-3500K, give off a cozy, yellowish glow.
Cool white lights, with a temperature range of 3500-5000K, have a brighter, bluish tone.
Which one you choose is a matter of personal preference, but cool white lights are generally better for task lighting.
4. Lighting Modes
Some solar lights come with multiple lighting modes, such as dimming, motion sensing, timings, and different colors.
Consider if these added features would be useful for your needs and choose accordingly.
5. Charge Time
The charge time is the amount of time it takes for the solar panel to fully charge the battery.
It depends on the wattage of the solar panels and the capacity of the battery.
The higher the solar panel wattage, the better it’s at converting sunlight to electricity, so the faster it’ll fully charge the battery.
For example, a 4-watt solar panel will need 4 hours of sunlight to fully charge your battery, while an 8-watt solar panel will only need 2 hours of sunlight.
So keep that in mind if you live in an area that doesn’t get a lot of direct sunlight.
6. Run Time
The run time is the amount of time the solar lights can stay on before needing to be recharged.
It’s dependent on the battery capacity and the light wattage (brightness, size, and color.)
You want your solar lights to last at least 8 hours per night, so make sure to check the run time before purchasing.
7. Weatherproof
The level of weatherproofing is measured by an IP rating.
The IP rating has two numbers, the first for solid particle protection and the second for water protection.
The higher the number, the better it can withstand different weather conditions.
If you plan on placing your indoor solar lantern outside, make sure to get a high IP rating for protection against the elements.
For indoor solar lanterns, an IP rating of IP44 or above is sufficient.
You can also improve the light’s sealing with silicon if you think you need to.
8. Design
There are many different indoor solar lantern designs to choose from.
You can go for a traditional lamp style, a string of lights, or even hanging lanterns.
Don’t compromise, there is definitely a design that fits your needs and matches the aesthetic of your indoor space.
9. Warranty
A good warranty is always a plus.
It shows the company stands behind its product and gives you peace of mind in case something goes wrong.
10. Budget
Last but not least, consider your budget.
There is a wide range of prices for indoor solar lanterns, but that doesn’t always mean the more expensive ones are better.
We made sure to include options for all budgets in our list of the 9 best indoor solar lanterns.
All you have to do is find the one that best fits your needs and budget.
Best Indoor Solar Lights Selection
Editor’s Choice: Niorsun Solar Pendant Light
Key Features
- Material: Metal
- Cord Length: 16.4ft
- Weatherproof Rating: IP66
- Brightness: 400 lumens
- Charge Time: 8 hours
- Run Time: 16 hours
- Warranty: 2 Years
The Niorsun Solar Pendant Light is our editor’s choice for the best indoor solar lights.
Not only is it stylish with its metal dome design, but it also has a high weatherproof rating of IP66 that can withstand harsh weather conditions.
It has a brightness of 400 lumens and 3 color modes to choose from (warm white, natural white, and cool white,) making it versatile for any indoor space.
It also comes with 2 lighting modes:
The first one is the auto mode that automatically turns on the light at dusk and off at dawn.
The second mode is the manual mode, which allows you to control the light through the remote controller.
These indoor solar lanterns also have a charge time of 8 hours and a run time of 16 hours, which is a quite good ratio, if I might say.
You can easily mount it in any indoor or covered outdoor space, such as a patio or balcony.
Plus, the 16.4ft cord gives you flexibility in where to place it for maximum sunlight exposure during the day.
Finally, the 2-year warranty gives you the peace of mind that these indoor solar lights will last for years to come.
The only downside to these indoor solar lights is that Niorsun has quality control issues.
The first one we ordered arrived defective, but they were quick to replace it and the new one has been working great for 3 months now.
But I’ll make sure to update the review in case of any future issues.
Also, there are a lot of complaints about the quality of the remote.
Yes, it’s a cheap controller but from my experience, that’s the standard for solar lights.
What We Like
- Stylish metal dome design
- Last for 16 hours on a full charge
- 400 lumens
- High weatherproof rating of IP66
- 3 color modes and 2 lighting modes
- 16.4ft cord for placement flexibility
- 2-year warranty
What We Don’t
- Quality control issues
Runner up: Mlambert Solar Indoor Light
Key Features
- Material: Metal
- Cord Length: 16.4ft
- Weatherproof Rating: IP65
- Brightness: 300 lumen
- Charge Time: 7 hours
- Run Time: 16 hours
- Warranty: 30 days
The Mlambert Solar Indoor Light is a close runner up for the best indoor solar lights.
It has an elegant metal design, with a high weatherproof rating of IP65 and a brightness of 300 lumens.
It has a cool white daylight color and 3 levels of brightness (300, 200, and 150 lumens.)
I find this quite handy because sometimes you might want a dimmer light for certain occasions or to simply save energy.
Mlambert indoor solar lights also feature a 350-degree rotatable solar panel with a 16.4ft cord for maximum sunlight exposure during the day.
The big solar panel allows for a quick charge time of 7 hours and the battery can power the light for up to 16 hours on a full charge.
And like our editor’s choice, it also has 2 lighting modes: automatic and manual.
The manual mode allows you to control the light through the remote controller that’s included.
The only downside to these indoor solar lights is that the warranty is only for 30 days, compared to Niorsun’s 2-year warranty.
But overall, it’s still a great option for those looking for indoor solar lights.
What We Like
- Elegant metal design
- Lasts up to 16 hours at night
- Fast charge time of 7 hours
- High weatherproof rating of IP65
- 3 levels of brightness (300, 200, and 150 lumens)
- 350-degree rotatable solar panel with 16.4ft cord
What We Don’t
- No warranty, only a 30-day return period
Best Edison Bulb: Kyson Indoor Solar Barn Lights
Key Features
- Material: Metal
- Cord Length: 13ft
- Weatherproof Rating: IP65
- Brightness: 40 lumens
- Light Color: Warm white
- Charge Time: 8 hours
- Run Time: 16 hours
- Warranty: 30 days
If you’re looking for indoor solar lights with a vintage feel, the Kyson Indoor Solar Barn Light is the best choice.
It has metal housing and an Edison bulb design, giving it a warm and cozy ambiance.
These indoor solar lights are not as bright as the others on this list, with only 40 lumens of brightness.
But it’s still enough to provide a soft and warm light for your indoor space.
The solar panel has a 13ft cord and a charge time of 8 hours, with the battery able to last up to 16 hours at night.
However, I must say that I didn’t test out this light, so I can’t tell you for sure how long does it really last.
I’ve read some customer reviews that say it only lasts 2 hours, so keep that in mind when considering this indoor solar lantern.
Overall, I’ve done my research and found out that this is the best option on the market for those looking for a vintage Edison bulb design.
Also, I’m planning to test this light pretty soon, so I’ll update this once I have more information.
But if you’re looking for a vintage indoor solar lantern, this is definitely worth checking out.
What We Like
- Vintage Edison bulb design
- Metal housing
- Warm and cozy ambiance
- IP65 weatherproof rating
What We Don’t
- Not as bright with only 40 lumens
- Potential durability issues (based on customer reviews)
- No warranty, only a 30-day return period
Best Security: Aqonsie Solar Motion Sensor Light
Key Features
- Material: ABS plastic
- Cord Length: 16.4ft
- Weatherproof Rating: IP65
- Brightness: 1000 lumens
- Light Color: Cool white
- Charge Time: 8 hours
- Run Time: Depends on the mode
- Warranty: 30 days
The Aqonsie Solar Motion Sensor Light is the best option for those looking for a security indoor solar lantern.
It has 4 head LED panels that can be adjusted to different angles, giving you the ability to cover a larger area or focus on a specific spot.
In terms of brightness, it has 1000 lumens which are quite impressive compared to other indoor solar lights.
But what sets it apart from other indoor solar lights on this list is its 4 working modes.
- Dim to Bright: At dusk, the light automatically turns on at a dim mode and brightens up when motion it detects motion
- Off to Bright: The light stays off by default during the night and only lights up when it detects motion
- Constant ON: The light stays on all night at the previously set brightness level
- Daytime Mode: The previous modes only work at night (when the solar panel is covered) but this one is specifically for daytime use. In this mode, the light will be off by default but when it detects motion during the day, it will turn on.
I must say that I’m in love with the daytime mode.
I installed this light in our solar shed lights and it’s really helpful to have a light turn on when I go inside during the day.
When it comes to charge time, the solar panel fully charges the battery within 8 hours of direct sunlight.
However, the run time is not that good.
This is not a solar flood light that can stay on from dusk to dawn at the highest brightness.
It’s a security light, meaning that it’s designed to provide you with a couple of hours of continuous lighting when needed.
You should use it for a garage or a shed, so you can have enough light to get your things and leave in a few minutes.
Ok, so let’s talk numbers.
From my tests, I found out that the light can provide you with about 1-2 hours of continuous lighting on the highest settings.
However, on the always-on mode with 50% brightness, the light can provide you with about 5 hours of lighting.
Overall, the Aqonsie Solar Motion Sensor Light is the best option for those looking for security indoor solar lights.
Just keep in mind that the run time may not be as long as other indoor solar lights.
What We Like
- 4 adjustable head LED panels
- 4 working modes
- 1000 lumens brightness
- IP65 weatherproof rating
What We Don’t
- Can only provide you with 1-2 hours of light on the brightest settings
Best Lamp: Shumi Indoor Solar Table Lamp
Key Features
- Material: ABS plastic
- Cord Length: 16.4ft
- Weatherproof Rating: IP44
- Brightness: 50 lumens
- Light Color: Warm white
- Charge Time: 8 hours
- Run Time: Up to 8 hours
- Warranty: 30 days
If you’re looking for more traditional indoor solar lights in the form of a lamp, then check out the Shumi Indoor Solar Table Lamp.
It has a simple and minimalist design that can easily blend in with your home decor.
It has 2 brightness modes, the first is 25 lumens for a softer glow and the second is 50 lumens for reading or task lighting.
The solar panel can fully charge the battery within 8 hours of direct sunlight, and the run time can last up to 8 hours on the lowest brightness setting.
It also has an IP44 weatherproof rating, so you can use it outdoors as well.
I’m not a big fan of the built in solar panel on the top of the lamp though.
It can be quite hard to position it under direct sunlight, especially if you want to keep it indoors.
But overall, the Shumi Indoor Solar Table Lamp is a great option for those looking for a simple and elegant solar powered lamp.
What We Like
- Minimalist design
- Warm white light
- Two brightness modes
What We Don’t
- Built-in solar panel.
Brightest: Malitupy Indoor Solar Flood Light
Key Features
- Material: ABS plastic
- Cord Length: 16.4ft
- Weatherproof Rating: IP65
- Brightness: 1000 lumens
- Light Color: Cool & warm white
- Charge Time: 8 hours
- Run Time: Up to 14 hours
- Warranty: 30 days
If you are looking for the brightest indoor solar lights that can provide you with continuous lighting all night, the Malitupy Indoor Solar Flood Light is the way to go.
First off, it has a whopping 1000 lumens of brightness. In comparison, most indoor solar lights have an average of 200-400 lumens.
But what really sets it apart is its impressive run time of up to 6 hours on the highest brightness setting and up to 14 hours on the 30% setting.
These solar lights also have 2 color modes (cool white and warm white) that can be easily switched using the remote controller.
The cord is also 16.4ft long, giving you the flexibility to install it in a spot where it can receive the most sunlight during the day.
Sadly, the light doesn’t come without its flaws.
And in this case, it’s the lighting angle.
The lighting angle is the angle at which the light is dispersed from the lamp.
The highest the angle, the more area the light can cover but the less focused (bright) the light will be.
The Malitupy Indoor Solar Flood Light has a quite small lighting angle.
This means that while it may provide you with a lot of brightness, it will only be focused on one area and may not be enough to light up a large shed or a barn.
But overall, if you’re looking for bright indoor solar lights with a long run time, the Malitupy Indoor Solar Flood Light is a great option
What We Like
- Multiple brightness settings
- 1000 lumens max brightness
- 2 color modes
- Up to 14 hours of run time on low setting
- IP65 weatherproof rating Remote controller
- 16.4ft long cord
What We Don’t
- Small lighting angle, so it won’t light up a large area
Best Portable: Flyhoom Solar Portable Indoor Light
Key Features
- Material: ABS plastic
- Cord Length: ~2ft
- Weatherproof Rating: IP65
- Brightness: 180 lumens
- Light Color: Natural white
- Charge Time: 10 hours solar & 5 hours USB
- Run Time: Up to 15 hours
- Warranty: 6 months
Looking for an indoor solar light that you can easily move around and take with you anywhere? Look no further than the Flyhoom Solar Portable Indoor Light.
This indoor solar light is small and compact, making it easy to bring with you on camping trips or to use as an emergency light during power outages.
But even though it’s small, it still packs a punch with 180 lumens of brightness and up to 15 hours of run time on the lowest setting.
Speaking of settings, this solar powered light has 4 lighting modes:
- High mode: Provides 180 lumens for 4 hours
- Medium mode: Provides 100 lumens for 10 hours
- Low mode: Provides 40 lumens for 15 hours
- SOS mode: Provides 100 lumens for 5 hours
Also, there is an auto-off button, which automatically turns off the light after 15 min, 30 min, 1 hour, or 2 hours.
You can charge the light via both the solar panel (~10 hours) or a USB port (~5 hours,) making it even more versatile in case of cloudy days or limited sunlight.
Plus, you get a 6-month warranty, so if anything goes wrong with the light within that time frame, you can easily get it replaced or repaired.
However, it’s worth mentioning that the cord length for the solar panel is only about 2ft, so you don’t have much flexibility in terms of placement.
Also, the bulb itself isn’t 100% waterproof, so you may want to keep it protected in case of rain or wet conditions.
But overall, the Flyhoom Solar Portable Indoor Light is a practical and convenient option for those looking for an easy to use, portable indoor solar light.
What We Like
- Portable, lightweight, and comes with a remote control
- Dual charge option (AC and Solar Panel)
- Up to 15 hours of running time
- 4 lighting modes
- 6-month warranty
What We Don’t
- Short cord length
- The bulb is not 100% waterproof
Best Kit: Greenlight Planet Indoor Solar Kit
Key Features
- Material: ABS plastic
- Cord Length: 16.4
- Weatherproof Rating: IP65
- Brightness: 200 lumens per lamp
- Light Color: Warm white
- Charge Time: 8 hours
- Run Time: Up to 24 hours
- Warranty: 30 days
If you’re looking for a complete indoor solar light kit, the Greenlight Planet Indoor Solar Kit is definitely worth considering.
This kit comes with 3 separate solar lamps, each with a maximum of 200 lumens of brightness and 5 brightness settings
You can control the brightness of the lamps using the included control box, which also allows you to charge other devices like your phone or tablet.
This kit doesn’t come with a remote control, instead, you get 3 light switches to control each light individually.
The lamps also have a warm white light color, giving off a cozy and comfortable atmosphere, and a 16.4ft cord for easy placement in various areas of your home or workspace.
Plus, with up to 24 hours of run time on a single charge, these indoor solar lights are sure to keep your space well-lit throughout the night.
There are 2 downfalls with this kit though.
First, the warranty is only 30 days, which is quite short compared to other solar lights.
And second, the yellow color.
I find the color just ridiculous and it definitely won’t match most home or office decor.
But overall, the Greenlight Planet Indoor Solar Kit is a great option for those looking for a complete indoor solar light kit with multiple lights and control options.
What We Like
- Up to 24 hours of running time
- 600 lumens output
- Dual charge option (AC and Solar Panel)
- Ability to charge devices
- Separate ON/OFF light switches
What We Don’t
- No warranty, only a 30-day return period
- Not a fan of the yellow color
Best off Grid: GVShine Solar Panel Lighting Kit
Key Features
- Material: ABS plastic & metal
- Cord Length: 32.8ft
- Weatherproof Rating: IP65
- Brightness: Two 200-lumens lamps & two 300-lumens lamps
- Light Color: Cool white
- Charge Time: 6 hours
- Run Time: Up to 28 hours
- Warranty: 30 days
If you’re looking for an indoor solar light kit that can handle off-grid situations, the GVShine Solar Panel Lighting Kit is worth checking out.
This kit comes with 4 lamps – two with a maximum brightness of 200 lumens and two with a maximum brightness of 300 lumens.
You can control each lamp individually with the included switches and the cord length is 32.8ft, giving you plenty of options for placement in your off-grid home or cabin.
The lamps also have a cool white light color and a maximum run time of 28 hours on a single charge.
One thing that I really love about this indoor solar lighting system is the high-efficiency solar panel.
This 30W solar panel will be able to fully charge the huge 12Ah battery after just 5 hours of direct sunlight, which is absolutely amazing.
And on a full charge, you can expect up to 28 hours of continuous lighting!
Of course, the run time will vary based on how many lights you have turned on but you should expect at least 6 hours if you have all 4 lights turned on.
The controller box has a charge indicator that will let you know the battery’s current level, and it also has 5 USB outlets for charging devices like your phone or tablet.
Plus, the kit also has a dual charge option so you can charge the battery with AC power as well as solar power.
However, one that I don’t like about this indoor solar light kit is the lack of a warranty.
I do put a lot of emphasis on warranties because I expect my lights to last for at least 2 years, and it’s just not reassuring to know that there’s no warranty for this kit.
But overall, this is the best indoor solar light for off grid uses you can find on the market.
What We Like
- High efficiency solar panel
- 4 lamps with a total of 1,000 lumens output
- 32.8ft cord
- Dual charge option (AC and Solar Panel)
- Ability to charge other devices
- Up to 28 hours of running time
- Separate ON/OFF light switches
- IP65 weatherproof
What We Don’t
- No warranty, only a 30-day return period
FAQs
Can a Solar Light Be Used Indoors?
Thanks to the separated solar panel, indoor solar light can be used for homes, sheds, garages, barns, and any indoor areas.
Also, there are many different ways to charge your solar lights without sun!
Will Solar Lights Charge on a Cloudy Day?
Yes, solar lights will charge on a cloudy day.
However, the charging efficiency won’t be very good.
In other words, the solar panel will still produce some electricity, but it won’t be able to fully charge the batteries during the day, resulting in a lower running time than usual.
Can a Solar Light Catch Fire?
Solar lights themselves are very safe and they won’t explode or cause a fire.
However, some solar lights come with Li-Ion batteries, which are volatile and combustible.
This is because the components of Li-Ion batteries are under huge pressure, so when a metal fragment pierces the battery, the Lithium reacts with the moisture in the air, generating high heat, and sometimes it can explode.
But don’t worry, this is very rare and all solar light manufacturers have safety measures in place to prevent this from happening.
Is It Ok To Leave Indoor Solar Lights on All Night?
Yes, it’s completely fine to leave them on all night but it’s not recommended.
The reason for that is by leaving your indoor solar light on all the time, you’ll deplete the battery charge, and the next day, the solar panels might not be able to provide them with enough charge for the entire night again.
So it’s best to turn them on only when needed, in order to have a longer battery life and more efficient use of your lights.
Why My Indoor Solar Lighting Kit Isn’t Working?
There are numerous reasons that can stop your solar lights from working such as:
- Broken sensors
- Broken wires
- Faulty battery
- Nearby light sources
- Your switch is off
- Your lights have a pull tub
To help you deal with this problem, we created a definitive, actionable guide on how to fix solar lights.
How Long Do Indoor Solar Lights Last?
Indoor solar lights typically last 8 hours at night on a full-day charge.
And the average lifespan of indoor solar light is 3 years.
Last Words
Hopefully, you’ve enjoyed this article as much as we did.
If you are interested in similar articles you are welcome to visit Solar Energy Hackers.
Did you try any of these solar lighting kits? Do you have any questions about solar lights?
If so, please let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
We’d love to hear from you.
Editor’s Choice
Niorsun Solar Pendant Light
If you are looking for an indoor solar light that can get the job done, then this light by Niotosun is your best option.
It looks good, has a big solar panel with a long cord, outputs 400 lumens for up to 16 hours, has 3 lighting modes, and has 2 years warranty.
I’m gone to inform my little brother, that he should also visit this webpage on regular
basis to obtain updated from most up-to-date reports.
Thank you so much for your support <3
I would like you to add the brightness of each light to you chart.
Done 😀
Do you think we need to add a “how to choose the best indoor solar light” section or the review s thorough enough?