14 Solar Garden Lights To Add Some Twinkle To Your Outdoor Space
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14 solar garden lights for a twinkling outdoor space

Give your garden a glow up for spring.

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Dunelm/Maze

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to decorate your outdoor space, solar lights can add a cosy atmosphere to your garden or patio — and they’re more eco-friendly than mains-powered options.

It’s worth noting that solar lights are best suited for display and decor rather than for brightening up your space after dark, as they aren’t as powerful as other options. If you’re after something more practical, have a look at our garden lighting guide for more choice.

  • Ivy Solar LED Garden Light

    Best solar garden twig lights

    Ivy Solar LED Garden Light

    £49 at Oliver Bonas
    Read more
  • Garden by Sainsbury's Solar Flame Torch

    Best flickering solar garden lights

    Garden by Sainsbury's Solar Flame Torch

    Read more
  • Festoon Solar Lights

    Best solar garden festoon lights

    Festoon Solar Lights

    Read more
  • Altuna Glass Lantern

    Best solar garden lantern

    Altuna Glass Lantern

    Read more
  • Mesh Solar String Lights

    Best orange solar garden lights

    Mesh Solar String Lights

    Read more

How do solar garden lights work?

Solar-powered lights rely on a steady supply of sunlight as opposed to electricity. To set them up, position the solar panel in a bright spot and the sun will charge the battery, which will power up your lights to come on after dark.

Do solar garden lights charge on cloudy days?

Solar garden lights will still work even when it's cloudy outside. They might not soak up as much sunlight as on sunny days, but they’ll still get enough charge to light up at night, although the power might not last as long.

How many hours do solar garden lights need to charge?

Typically, these lights need six to eight hours to charge fully. You can expect your solar lights to illuminate your garden for up to eight hours each evening during summer — although some have an on/off switch for convenience.

14 solar garden lights for an effortlessly elegant outdoor space

From twinkling lanterns to gently flickering torches, here is our edit of the best solar garden lights to create a cosy, welcoming ambience outside.

Best solar garden twig lights

Ivy Solar LED Garden Light

Ivy Solar LED Garden Light
£49 at Oliver Bonas
Credit: Oliver Bonas

This pretty twig light will blend beautifully with trailing plants, or on a bare wooden fence. It’ll make your space look like it’s lit up by tiny fireflies, bringing a subtle touch of fairytale magic to your surroundings.

Size450cm (light length); 750 cm (lead length)
How many lights?96
Best flickering solar garden lights

Garden by Sainsbury's Solar Flame Torch

Garden by Sainsbury's Solar Flame Torch
Credit: Argos

One of our favourite picks, these torches have flickering lights that resemble dancing flames. They’ll look equally striking scattered across a rockery as they will staking out a pathway. Each light has an on/off switch, so you can conserve energy when they’re not in use.

Size48 x 10 x 10cm
How many lights? Four
Best solar garden festoon lights

Festoon Solar Lights

On Sale
Festoon Solar Lights
Now 25% Off
Credit: Garden Trading

These festoon lights have an industrial, edgy aesthetic thanks to their open bulbs and thick black wires. They’re versatile enough to suit most schemes, but they’ll look particularly alluring with urban-inspired accents such as exposed brick, metal furniture, and reclaimed wood.

SizeL7.5m (10 bulbs); L12.5m (20 bulbs)
How many lights?10 or 20
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Best solar garden lantern

Altuna Glass Lantern

Altuna Glass Lantern
Now 18% Off
Credit: Amazon

As evening draws in, this iridescent lantern will look eye-catching as a centrepiece on your outdoor dining table. Stock up on several and suspend them from a tree to create a whimsical feel in your garden.

Size22 x 16cm
How many lights?One
Best orange solar garden lights

Mesh Solar String Lights

Mesh Solar String Lights
Credit: Dunelm

Solar lights look prettiest when lit up, but these will look just as impressive in the daytime as at night. The stylish lanterns evoke warm nights in the Mediterranean, while the bold orange details add a pop of colour. For a coordinated scheme, pick up the matching lantern.

Size1.8m (total length)
How many lights?10
Best multi-coloured solar garden lights

Habitat Neon Solar String Lights

Habitat Neon Solar String Lights
Credit: Argos

These multi-coloured string lights are a fun change from standard white lighting. Dangle them from trees or your fence to liven up your space at night — they’ll look great during a garden party.

Size1.8m (light length); 3.8m (lead length)
How many lights? 10
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Best minimalist solar garden light

Venus Small Solar Light

Venus Small Solar Light

With its clean lines and open silhouette, Maze’s solar lantern is ideal for fans of minimalist interiors. As night draws in, the teak panels will cast atmospheric shadows across your patio and fence. It’s also easy to charge via USB, meaning you don't have to rely on the sun to keep it glowing.

Size35 x 20 x 23.5cm
How many lights?One
Best solar garden starburst lights

Anordsem Solar Starburst Lights

Anordsem Solar Starburst Lights
Now 10% Off
Credit: Amazon

Each copper wire on these charming lights can be bent into shape, allowing you to create your own personalised display of flowers, spirals and hearts. They also have a pretty sparkle mode for a fairytale aesthetic.

Size64cm
How many lights? Two
Best Moroccan-style solar garden light

Ella James Solar Lantern

Ella James Solar Lantern
Credit: Not On The High Street

Even unlit, this lantern will help to add colour and personality to any outdoor scheme. Mix and match with similar round designs and hang them from the trees to add colour and texture to your space, or place them on the floor for an enchanting glow.

Size30 x 30cm
How many lights?One
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Best solar garden stake lights

SOLARBABY Flower Lights

SOLARBABY Flower Lights
Credit: Amazon

With multi-coloured LED lights, these flowers will provide a beautiful, vibrant display at night. Invest in one set to add a subtle glow to planters after dark, or stock up and scatter through your flowerbeds — the contrast between natural and artificial blooms will create a dramatic display.

Size73cm
How many lights?Four
Best solar garden light with crackle finish

Lignano Solar Light

Lignano Solar Light
Credit: B&Q

Put a few of these cute solar lights around your outdoor seating area for a low-lit romantic vibe. The crackle finish adds a charming touch, creating a pattern of lights and shadows to enhance the ambience.

Size35 x 12 x 12cm
How many lights?One
Best solar garden light for reading

Garden Pull Cord Light

Garden Pull Cord Light
Credit: Glow

Keep this hanging lamp, complete with a remote and pull switch, in your outdoor reading nook. It’ll make a good excuse to sit outside with your book a little longer.

Size15.5cm (light); 23cm (pull cord length)
How many lights?One
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Best portable solar garden lights

Portable Solar Lamp

Portable Solar Lamp
Credit: Fy

These colour-changing portable lamps are handy when you need an extra light boost, like on your outdoor table when the sun goes down. They have four modes, so you can change the brightness and set them to flash.

Size10.8cm
How many lights?Two – but can be bought as a four or six pack
Best nostalgic solar garden light

Coastal Solar Bunting

Coastal Solar Bunting
Credit: Glow

Something a little different here — tiny white bulbs are threaded through this bunting, creating a pretty, vintage-inspired display. It’ll evoke a sense of nostalgia in your space: think traditional village fairs and festivals. It has eight light settings including a twinkle effect and a slow fade mode.

Size19 x 18cm (flags); 2.9m (lead length)
How many lights?30
Headshot of Lauren Codling
Lauren Codling
Home and Garden Writer, Ecommerce

Lauren was Hearst UK’s Homes and Garden writer, covering the latest trends, sales and product launches for Good Housekeeping, Country Living and House Beautiful, and previously for Cosmopolitan, Red, ELLE, Prima and Harper’s Bazaar. Lauren’s specialism is interiors – whether it’s offering tips on how to perfect a seasonal tablescape or trying out viral kitchenware. She is committed to finding the best-value deals during Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day too, so readers can buy with confidence and save money.


Lauren graduated with a BA in English Literature and Journalism in 2013 and has worked in various editorial roles across the UK, Southeast Asia and North America since 2015. She previously wrote for a local London newspaper, covering everything from entertainment and lifestyle to politics and wellness. When not writing, Lauren can be found bargain hunting for pre-loved trinkets and clothes at various car boot sales across the capital.

Follow Lauren on instagram @laurenkatehannah 

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