Energy-efficient solar Christmas lights come in the same colors and styles as plug-in or battery-operated lights—from traditional white and multicolor to novelty stars and snowflakes to Christmas net lights—and they’re great if you’d rather skip the hassle of running wires to outlets. Whether you go all-out with your winter wonderland display and want to add solar lights to the mix or are simply looking for quality holiday lights that are easy to install, read on for our top recommendations, plus advice on what you need to know before you shop.
What to Consider
All solar Christmas lights are LED and waterproof to varying degrees, with IP65 optimal. Some manufacturers list the type of solar panel used, either highly efficient monocrystalline cut from a single piece of silicone or less efficient polycrystalline. Regardless, you can judge efficiency by charge time and the number of hours lights will stay bright at night, though keep in mind that runtimes listed by manufacturers are an estimate calculated in perfect conditions, and that daytime cloud cover will decrease efficiency.
Most solar panels have a rod and stake for ground installation, and a few offer the option of mounting the panel, a handy thing if your property is shady. Also, many sets have different lighting modes to choose from and some change color, which is a nice feature for mixing up your display. If this is your first season hanging lights and need a primer, check out our deep dive on the topic.
How We Chose
Every set of solar lights we feature has an average customer review of four stars or more, and we cast a wide net to find lights that are the most efficient, offer the best value. We also sought out those extra features, such as multiple lighting modes, timers, memory chips to automatically switch to your last setting, and solar panels that are adjustable and can be mounted. Our selection includes single- and multi-set lights in a range of styles as mentioned above and color options, plus we note if additional colors are available.