Looking to add some extra light to your property without shelling out for a professional lighting system?
Solar fence lights are the perfect way to do just that — and they’re easy to install, too!
Check out our list of the 7 best solar fence lights and pick the perfect one for your home.
From simple designs that just light up a small area to more elaborate options with multiple settings, we’ve got something for everyone.
So take a look and find the perfect solar fence light for your needs!
Best Solar Fence Lights Selection
Editor’s Choice
OTHWAY Outdoor Solar Fence Lights
Key Features
- Material: ABS Plastic
- Run Time: Up to 8 hours
- Charge Time: 6 hours
- Waterproofing: IP65
- Warranty: 1 year
If you are looking for a well-rounded solar fence light that will provide you with good value for your money, the OTHWAY Outdoor Solar Fence Light is your best bet.
These art deco-style solar lights are made of high-quality ABS plastic that is lightweight enough to be installed on your fence, but durable enough to withstand outdoor elements, such as wind, rain, and snow.
Each light has 4 LEDs that glow up nicely and create a warm glow, and inviting atmosphere in your space.
I really like how they made the plastic cover with a honeycomb-type cut, so when the LEDs shine through, it creates a nice -and minimal- light pattern on your fence.
This cute pattern really cements the product’s position as one of the best decorative solar fence lights on the market.
Just note that these m are not meant to light up a large area, but rather to accent your home and provide a bit of extra light for safety and security.
So if you are looking for bright lights to light up your entire yard, these are not the right solar lights for you.
In terms of charging, OTHWAY equipped each light with 0.26W Solar Panels and a 600mAh NiMH Battery.
In other words, the lights should last for up to 8 hours at night after 5-6 hours of full sun exposure during the day.
As for the installation, you have 2 options:
Use double-face tape to install solar lights on the wall or any other smooth surface. Or use the provided screws to mount it on a wooden fence, tree, or any other textured surface.
Once you have the lights set up, all that’s left to do is turn on the switch on the back of each light and enjoy your beautifully lit fence!
Finally, OTHWAY offers a 60-day money-back guarantee and a 1-year worry-free warranty against defects, so you can rest assured knowing that your purchase is protected.
One thing that I don’t like about these lights though is the solar panels.
It’s not the most efficient solar and most of the time, it will only keep the lights on for 5-6 hours at night.
Other than that, I think these are some of the best solar fence lights on the market.
PROS
- Made of high-quality ABS plastic
- Honeycomb cut that creates a nice light pattern
- IP65 waterproof rating
- Amazing value for the price
- 1-year warranty
CONS
- You can only expect 5-6 hours of light on average
Brightest Solar Lights
Roshwey Solar Fence Lights
Key Features
- Material: ABS plastic
- Run Time: Up to 10 hours
- Charge Time: 6 hours
- Waterproofing: IP65
- Warranty: 6 months
The Roshwey solar fence lights are the MVPs when it comes to the brightness aspect.
Each light is composed of 9 powerful LEDs that provide 100 lumens of brightness, which is more than enough to light up your entire outdoor space and read a book outside at night.
What I really like about these outdoor solar lights is that they also have a wide beam angle of 120 degrees, so the light is evenly distributed and doesn’t cause any glare that can disturb your vision at night.
They are just the perfect solar spotlights for your fence.
In terms of design, the light is very sleek and has a modern UFO-inspired look that will complement any home style.
It is also made of high-quality ABS plastic that is weather-resistant and can withstand all types of outdoor elements.
These led solar gutter lights are also available in both warm and cool white colors, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs and preferences.
Thanks to the 1600mah battery and high-efficiency solar panels, these bright solar fence lights can run for up to 10 hours after only 6 hours of sunlight.
The light can either be fixed or clipped on your fence using the two built-in brackets.
The installation is very easy and only takes a few minutes to set up.
Finally, Roshwey offers a 45-day money-back guarantee and a 6-month product warranty against manufacturing defects.
The only downfall really is the mounting brackets.
They are not the most secure and I’ve had to re-tighten them a few times. Also, if you have a very thick fence, the brackets might not fit but thankfully you can always screw the light into the fence.
PROS
- 100 lumens output
- Available in both warm and cool white
- Very sleek and modern design
- 10-hour run time
- IP55 water and weatherproof
- Easy to install
CONS
- Some problems with the mounting brackets but nothing major
Best Lantern
Maggift Solar Fence Lantern
Key Features
- Material: ABS plastic
- Run Time: 12 hours
- Charge Time: 8 hours
- Waterproofing: IP44
- Warranty: 30 days
If you’re looking for a solar lantern for your fence that has a vintage design, then the Maggift lights are the perfect choice for you.
These lights are inspired by the classic lantern design and each light has 4 sides that evenly distribute the warm white light, making it the perfect accent light for your outdoor space.
In terms of brightness, each lantern has a light output of 15 lumens which is not the brightest but it’s still enough to provide ambient lighting to your outdoor space and add a touch of elegance.
The lights are made from plastic but they definitely have the metal-ish look, so you are getting the best of both worlds.
They are also very easy to install, all you need is a screwdriver and you’re good to go.
Just be careful that the lantern does look bigger in pictures, but in reality, the lantern itself is about 6 x 4 inches, which is the size of a mason jar.
When it comes to the run time, Maggift lanterns can last up to 12 hours on a full charge and they take about 8 hours to fully charge.
These lights used to come with a 6-month warranty, but when I was updating this review I found out that they removed it from the product description.
I’m not sure why they did that but it’s something to keep in mind.
Another drawback of those solar fence lights is the IP44 waterproof rating, which can only protect the lights from splashing water from any direction but not from heavy rains.
So I wouldn’t recommend leaving these lights outside all year long.
PROS
- 12 hours run time
- Classy and elegant design
- 15 lumens
- Easy to instal
CONS
- IP44 waterproof, which only protects against splashing water
- They removed the 6-month warranty
Best Fence Post Light
Davinci Flexfit Solar Post Cap Lights
Key Features
- Material: ABS plastic
- Run Time: 8 hours
- Charge Time: 8 hours
- Waterproofing: IP44
- Warranty: 30 days
The solar fence post lights by Davinci take a place on our list due to the aesthetics and functionality they offer.
Despite being made from plastic, you will be haunted by how premium they look in real life, and definitely they act the same way.
Their warm white ambiance is terrific and the way they shine at night is cozy and comfortable to watch.
They are also quite bright with 25 lumens output, which is not the brightest on our list but it’s definitely better than most solar post lights on the market.
However, what I really like about these stylish waterproof solar fence lights is that they can be used for your 4×4, 5×5, and 6×6 posts alike.
They can also be installed on round posts, so no matter what size or shape your posts are, these lights will fit.
One thing to notice is that the lights are installed with screws that go vertically down into the post, so your posts must be flat on the top for these lights to sit flush.
If you have a vinyl post without a flat top cap, there will be nothing to screw the base into.
The expected run time is 8 hours, but they also tend to charge for about 8 hours as well, so it’s not the best run/charge ratio, yet, it’s fine.
Sadly, these lights are not free from some drawbacks as well.
The biggest issue, in my opinion, is the run/charge ratio and I really believe if they just manufactured the lights with a slightly bigger solar panels, this would be the absolute best solar fence lights.
The second issue is the IP44 waterproofing standard.
I do put a lot of emphasis on the IP rating because the weather is so unpredictable and I really don’t want my lights to die on me in the middle of a rainstorm.
Don’t get me wrong, the IP44 standard is not terrible, it will protect your lights from rain but not from downpours.
Finally, the lights don’t come with a warranty. You only get amazon’s 30-day return policy, which is not the same as a manufacturer’s warranty.
With all that being said, these are by far the best solar post fence lights on the market, and I would highly recommend them.
PROS
- Can be installed in 4×4, 5×5, and 6×6 fence posts
- Modern & sleek design
- 25 lumens output
- Great value for money
- Available in both pearl white & slate black
CONS
- Small solar panels
- IP44 water and weatherproof, which only protects against splashing water
- No warranty, only a 30-day return policy
Best Motion Activated
HMCITY Solar Motion Sensor Security Lights
Key Features
- Material: ABS plastic
- Run Time: Up to 12 hours
- Charge Time: 7 hours
- Waterproofing: IP65
- Warranty: 30 days
The HMCITY solar lights are one of the most popular outdoor solar fence lights on amazon, and for good reasons.
First of all, they come with 3 solar lighting modes:
- Security Mode: The lights will be off by default and once motion is detected, the lights will shine brightly for 15 seconds and then go back to being off.
- Smart Mode: The lights will be on at a dim brightness all night and once motion is detected, the lights will shine brightly for 15 seconds and then go back to being dim.
- Always On Mode: This is the normal mode where the lights will be on all night.
So, you can basically set the lights to work however you want them to.
Speaking of motion detection, the sensor can detect motion from up to 26.4 feet away with a 120° sensing angle, which is pretty good by the market’s solar security lights standards.
The lights are also quite bright with 80-lumen output.
But what’s really amazing about these solar security fence lights is the 270° lighting angle.
Each light comes with 120 LEDs that are spread out evenly on a 270° panel.
This means that one HMCITY light can illuminate up to 200ft² without leaving any dark spots, which is pretty incredible.
Plus, they equipped each LED with its own light reflector, which helps reduce light loss and glare, making these lights even more efficient.
Similar to most solar fence lights, these lights are made from ABS plastic, but they have an IP65 rating, making them the perfect solar motion sensor lights for fences.
They are also quite easy to install and you can do it yourself in just a few minutes.
In terms of run time, the lights come with a 1200mAh battery, which is a little on the small side and the manual doesn’t mention the solar panel wattage.
But from my experience, the light shines for around 12 hours in the security mode, 8 hours in the smart mode, and 6 hours in the always-on mode.
If there is one thing that I don’t like about these lights is the small battery.
Also, I’m not a huge fan of the design.
Most solar fence lights are compact and sleek with beautiful designs, but these lights look a bit industrial for my taste.
But that’s just a personal preference and I’m sure some people will actually like the design.
PROS
- 3 lighting modes
- 60 lumens output
- 270° lighting angle
- 200ft² coverage
- Light-reflecting technology
- IP65 waterproof rating
CONS
- Small battery
- Industrial design
Best Decoration
LOFTEK Solar Fence Lights
Key Features
- Material: ABS plastic
- Run Time: Up to 12 hours
- Charge Time: 8 hours
- Waterproofing: IP54
- Warranty: 1 year
If you’re looking for solar fence lights that will create a relaxing ambiance, then the LOFTEK lights are the best choice.
These lights have 2 lighting modes:
- Warm White: The lights will emit a warm glow, yellow light that is perfect for creating a relaxing atmosphere.
- Color Changing: The lights will cycle through 7 different colors, creating a very fun and festive atmosphere.
Having 2 lighting modes is really helpful but the actual reason I choose this one as the best ambiance solar fence light is because of the beautiful pattern it casts.
Thanks to the cover design, the lights create an aesthetically pleasing flower pattern on your fence, adding a touch of elegance to your outdoor space.
It’s important to mention that these lights are merely used for decoration and are not meant to be used as a source of light.
They are only 26 lumens, which is quite dim.
But even though they are not very bright, they are still quite visible in the dark and the flower pattern is really pretty.
These multi-use little solar lights can be installed on many surfaces, such as your solar deck, or fence, or even serve as solar step lights.
When it comes to the run/charge ratio, LOFTEK solar fence lights come with a 0.35W polycrystalline solar panel and a 600mAh Ni-MH rechargeable battery, so you should expect the lights to stay on for about 10 hours at night after approximately 5 hours of direct sunlight.
Finally, LOFTEK offers a 12-month product warranty on top of amazon’s 30-day return policy, so you can rest assured knowing that your investment is protected.
Sadly, LOFTEK has some quality control issues.
Apparently, a lot of people have received defective products or products that arrived damaged.
While it’s great that they offer a warranty, it would be much better if they could improve their quality control so that people wouldn’t have to go through the hassle of returning or exchanging their products.
PROS
- 2 lighting modes: warm white and color changing
- Creates a beautiful pattern on your fence
- Multi-use
- 12-month product warranty
CONS
- Receiving defective products is common
- Not very bright
Best String
Brightech Ambience Pro Solar String Lights
Key Features
- Material: Shatterproof plastic
- Length: 27 ft
- Bulb Spacing: 20″ between bulbs
- Charge Time: 6 hours in direct sunlight
- Run Time: Up to 6 hours
- Waterproofing: IP55
- Warranty: 2 years
Brightech’s Ambience Pro Solar String Lights are a marvel of design, blending the nostalgic charm of vintage Edison Globe Bulbs with the robustness of modern technology.
Spanning 27 feet with 12 LED bulbs, these lights are more than mere decoration; they’re a statement, a celebration of elegance that transcends time.
Imagine a garden party, where friends and family gather to reminisce about the good old days.
As the sun dips below the horizon, these lights spring to life, casting a soft glow that seems to whisper stories of yesteryears.
But don’t be fooled by their delicate appearance. These lights are warriors, built to endure. Constructed with shatterproof plastic shells and heat resistance up to 122 degrees Fahrenheit, they laugh in the face of adversity.
I recall a summer evening when a sudden storm swept through our town. Winds howled, rain lashed, and yet, these lights stood firm, unbroken, a testament to Brightech’s WeatherTite technology.
The flexibility of installation is another feather in their cap. No need for an outlet; place the solar panel almost anywhere, and let the magic unfold. Whether it’s a wedding, a barbecue, or a quiet dinner, these solar string lights adapt, adding grace and warmth.
However, perfection is elusive. While the 3000K soft white outdoor lights last 5-6 hours on a full charge, they may falter on cloudier days. A larger battery capacity would have been a welcome addition.
Moreover, while they have withstood winds and moderate rain, their performance under heavy rainfall remains a question. A higher waterproof rating would have added an extra layer of assurance.
But these minor quibbles don’t diminish the allure of Brightech’s Ambience Pro Solar String Lights. With a 2-year warranty that stands as a promise of quality, these lights are a worthy investment.
Pros
- Vintage Edison Globe Bulbs
- Commercial Grade Weatherproofing
- Flexible Installation
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- Performance under heavy rainfall
- 6-hour battery life under sunny conditions
Related Article: The 9 Best Indoor Solar Lights
How To Choose The Best Solar Fence Light On The Market?
There are a few things you need to take into account when choosing the best solar fence lights.
The most important factors are:
1. Brightness
The brightness of the solar fence lights is measured in lumens. The more lumens, the brighter the lights will be.
You need to consider how bright you want your fence lights to be.
Pick a too bright light and you will be blinding your eyes as you pass by, pick a too dim light and you will not be able to see where the fence is.
Generally, 10-100 lumens per light should be bright enough for most people.
And if your lights got dim overtime, there are a few ways to make your solar lights brighter.
2. Weatherproofing
Your lights are meant to be used outdoors, so you need to make sure they are weatherproof.
If the lights are not waterproof, water might enter inside and cause a short circuit, ruining your lights.
We prefer lights that have a weatherproofing of IP65 or higher, as this will make sure your lights will be just fine in winter and you won’t need to store your solar lights when it gets cold.
However, even if your light has an IP rating of 44 or lower, you can still improve the sealing using silicon.
Additionally, if your solar lights stopped working after rain, you can check our guide on how to fix not working solar lights and you should be able to bring them back to life.
3. Solar Panel Efficiency
The solar panel is the most important part of a solar power light, after all, it’s the part responsible for generating electricity to power the LEDs, and without a good panel, your light will be useless.
In the case of solar powered lights, most solar panels are about 10% efficient, meaning that they will convert 10% of the sun’s light into electricity and store it in your lights’ battery until they get dark.
Obviously, the more efficient your solar panel is, the faster it will recharge your battery.
Therefore, it’s extremely important to choose a fence light that has a decent solar panel efficiency (at least 10%) this will make sure your battery will be recharged within 8 hours.
In case you don’t get a lot of direct sunlight, there are a few ways that can help you charge your solar lights without sun.
4. Battery Capacity
Just like the solar panel, the battery is important for the functionality of your solar lights for fence, as it stores the electricity produced by your solar panel during the day to power the light at night.
The battery capacity is measured in milliamp hours (mAh) and the higher the mAh rating, the longer your lights will stay lit after sunset.
For most fence lights, a battery capacity of 400mAh or more should be more than enough.
However, if you decide to go for a brighter light like a solar flood light, you need a battery that has at least 1200mah capacity.
Good rechargeable batteries should provide you with at least 8 hours of continuous solar lighting but keep in mind that the bigger the battery, the more time it will need to charge.
For more information, check this article on how to replace your solar light’s battery.
5. Light Temperature
The color of the light is measured in Kelvin (K).
The lower the K rating, the warmer and the more yellow the light will be.
On the other hand, the higher the K rating, the cooler and bluer the light will be.
You need to consider what type of light you want.
6. Lighting Modes
Some solar fence lights come with multiple lighting modes, such as a dim light sensor mode, color changing mode, timers, etc.
If this is something you are interested in, make sure to pick a light that has the features you want.
There are many solar light types on the market that will definitely have the features you need.
7. Price
Of course, price is always an important consideration when buying anything.
But it’s especially important when purchasing solar fence lights because you don’t want to spend too much and not get the best quality possible.
We recommend spending anywhere between $5-$40 per light.
This will get you good quality solar lights that will last for years and not just a few weeks.
Related Article: The 10 Best Solar House Numbers
FAQs
Are Solar Fence Lights Any Good?
Solar fence lights are known to be good, offering both decorative and practical benefits.
What Are the Benefits of Using Solar Fence Lights?
The benefits of using solar fence lights include energy-saving, eco-friendliness, ease of installation, and cost efficiency.
How Long Do Solar Fence Lights Last?
Solar fence lights can last between 3 to 4 years with proper maintenance.
Are Solar Lights Waterproof?
Most solar powered lights come with a weatherproof rating of IP44 and above. If you live in an area with harsh weather conditions, I recommend only buying solar fence lights with an IP rating of IP65 or more.
Do Solar Powered Lights Work in Winter?
Solar powered fence lights can work in winter, but their performance may be reduced due to shorter days and less sunlight.
Related Article: The 12 Best Solar Cemetery Lights
Conclusion
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.
Do you have any suggestions that would make the site better?
If so, please let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
