No matter if you are using solar path lights for decoration or security, you should always choose carefully if you don’t want to replace the light any time soon.
There are several factors to consider before you can find the best solar path lights for shade, including battery, brightness, durability, and use purpose. And this post will clarify all these things to help you make a smart decision.
Here are the best solar path lights for shade you can buy in 2024:
- Best For Light Snow: BEAU JARDIN 8 Pack Solar Lights
- Consistent Performance: Sunlitec Solar Lights
- Best For Semi-Shaded Area: XMCOSY Solar Lights Pathway
- Best For Christmas: mopha Solar Garden Decorative Lights
- Best For Extreme Weather: INCX Solar Lights Outdoor
| 5 Best Solar Path Lights For Shade | ||
|---|---|---|
Best For Light Snow | BEAU JARDIN 8 Pack Solar Lights | |
Consistent Performance | Sunlitec Solar Lights | |
Best For Semi-Shaded Area | XMCOSY Solar Lights Pathway | |
Best For Christmas | mopha Solar Garden Decorative Lights | |
Best For Extreme Weather | INCX Solar Lights Outdoor | |
Best For Light Snow: BEAU JARDIN 8 Pack Solar Lights
- Durable - weather-resistant ABS plastic and watertight diamond glass light shade
- Able to shine bright all night – a max runtime of up to 10 hours
- Effortless and simple to use – auto on/off at night or during daylight
- The pointed tip needs improvement
If you are looking for the best solar path lights that can hold up well in harsh conditions, then don’t hesitate to choose this option.
It is made of weather-resistant ABS plastic and watertight diamond glass light shade for longevity enhancement. It is powered by a solar panel (required fully charged 8 hours in sunlight) for a max runtime of 10 hours.
A big bonus is its auto-on at night and auto-off during daylight, which is effortless to use. Plus, it’s easy to assemble.
| BEAU JARDIN 8 Pack Solar Lights Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 16.54" x 4.72" |
Luminous Flux | 6 Lumens |
Charging Time | 6-8 hours |
Working Time | 8-12 hours |
Highlight Features | weather-resistant ABS plastic and watertight diamond glass light shade max runtime of up to 10 hours auto on/off at night or during daylight |
If your living area usually has light snow during the winter and spring then the BEAU JARDIN 8 Pack Solar Lights are a great choice.
Consistent Performance: Sunlitec Solar Lights
- Deliver stable performance regardless of the weather - certified to IP65 waterproof
- Look beautiful and impressive - Unique Flames Design
- The poles are plastic
- Wish the poles were a bit longer
The reason why we picked this solar path light as the best for consistent performance is its wonderful weather resistance, which helps it withstand snow, water outbursts, or scorching heat.
This leads to another highlight – its incredibly consistent performance.
The light can remain light whether it’s winter or summer; the runtime is ranging from 5 to 10 hours. We think its 2200mAh Li-ion battery does a great job in this field.
Regardless, its unique flame design will make your pathway stand out from other houses’, for sure.
| Sunlitec Solar Lights Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 12.91 x 6.57 x 5.39 inches |
Charging Time | 8 hours |
Working Time | 5-10 hours |
Highlight Features | certified to IP65 waterproof Unique Flames Design |
Sunlitec Solar Lights are by far the option that delivers the most consistent performance out of various contenders on our list.
Best For Semi-Shaded Area: XMCOSY Solar Lights Pathway
- Offer solar energy absorption - an ultra-large solar panel of 2.4” x 2.4” size
- Wider lighting coverage - 360-degree illumination design
- No wasted energy during the use – auto on/off switch
- Flexible and versatile for different uses – adjustable brightness levels of 10 to 40 lumens
- The glass globes are very tight
For those who have some semi-shaded areas that need lighting, the XMCOSY Solar Lights Pathway is worth considering.
It emphasizes an ultra-large solar panel of 2.4” x 2.4” size, covered with monocrystalline silicon for more solar energy absorption. We also like its 360-degree illumination design for wider lighting coverage at night.
It is also automatically on/off by sensing the brightness level of the surrounding environment so no wasted energy in the end.
The best part is its brightness adjustments. By simply turning a knob, its luminous flux can be changed from 10 to 40 lumens.
| XMCOSY Solar Lights Pathway Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 5.5*5.5*19.5" |
Luminous Flux | 10-40 Lumens |
Working Time | 8-10 Hours |
Highlight Features | an ultra-large solar panel of 2.4” x 2.4” size 360-degree illumination design auto on/off switch adjustable brightness levels of 10 to 40 lumens |
The XMCOSY Solar Light is one of the best options for your semi-shaded areas without breaking the bank.
Best For Christmas: mopha Solar Garden Decorative Lights
- Look beautiful and attractive – colorful lights with two flashing modes
- Ideal for various occasions – the warm glow
- Deliver extended lifespan and solar conversion efficiency – upgraded monocrystalline solar panels
- It has an unpleasant smell
Designed with your pathway aesthetics in mind, the mopha Solar Garden Decorative Lights look attractive once they light up.
It is colorful and eye-catching due to the two provided flashing modes. The warm glow is perfect to be a decoration item on different occasions, such as Christmas. It’s also well-built and durable enough to handle rough weather conditions.
The biggest upgraded feature might be its solar panels. The 2019 version replaced them with monocrystalline waterproof models for an extended lifespan and solar conversion efficiency.
| mopha Solar Garden Decorative Lights Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 15.75 x 3.35 x 2.52 inches |
Charging Time | 8 hours |
Working Time | 8-14H |
Highlight Features | colorful lights with two flashing modes warm glow upgraded monocrystalline solar panels |
If what you need in a solar path light is not only brightness and durability but also colorful glow and interesting lighting modes, the mopha Solar Garden Decorative Lights are a shining candidate
Best For Extreme Weather: INCX Solar Lights Outdoor
- Able to handle extreme conditions - IP44 protection class & 8 hours of maximum runtime
- Versatile – good brightness & long-lasting
- Easy to assemble
- Not any sort of set-up sheet
- The plastic parts are weak
While most other solar path lights are only able to handle light snow or moderately rugged conditions, this stands out from the rest for its superbly heavy-duty construction.
The IP44 protection class allows it to handle extreme weather like a champ.
On the other hand, it is bright, easy to assemble, and lasts long, which comes in handy for different uses. Lots of customers were also praised for their warm and gentle glow, which is great for a night’s walk with no pain in the eye.
| INCX Solar Lights Outdoor Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | W 8.1 x D 4.9 x H 16.9 inches |
Luminous Flux | 2 lumens |
Charging Time | 8 hours |
Working Time | 6-8 hours |
Highlight Features | IP44 protection class & 8 hours of maximum runtime good brightness & long-lasting |
The INCX Solar Lights Outdoor is our top recommendation if your demand is something that’s not just bright and functional but also strong enough to handle extreme weather.
How To Choose The Best Solar Path Light For Shade?
Battery life & Charging time
It’s always better to have longer battery life.
This information is usually shown on the product’s package, so remember to look at this specification and find the longest battery life available. The average battery life is 4-5 hours but you can find models with 6 hours of life or more, spend extra time on this.
The charging time is also important and this factor relies on the amount of sunlight available at the light’s position. Most existing models can fully charge in 8 hours on average. w
Brightness
Before shopping for path lights, you should first figure out how much brightness you need. This factor is measured in lumens, the higher the value, the brighter the light.
Normally, a 100W light produces 600 lumens, knowing this will help you decide how many lights you will need to install as well.
To help you get a better idea of brightness, here are some examples: a 0.08W light offers 5 lumens, a 0.25W light produces 15 lumens, a 0.5W light generates 30 lumens, and a 0.8W offers 50 lumens.
If you use lights for security purposes, you will need brighter lights. But if you use them for decoration only, you can consider getting dimmer lights, which will make the path more beautiful instead of dissuading intruders.
Durability
When we talk about the durability of lights, we talk about the material. A solar light can be made of stainless steel or ABS plastic.
You should look for good materials to make sure the light can withstand external forces such as the weather.
Purpose of use
As we mentioned before, when it comes to the purpose of use, you need to decide whether the lights are for security or decoration.
Decorative lights come in various designs and shapes to fit in different landscapes. However, they are less powerful and take longer to charge. Their construction is also less sturdy, making them more vulnerable to extreme weather conditions.
Security lights come in different styles too, but mostly in silver or black. They offer more light to protect your paths from intruders.
Which Brands Make The Best Solar Path Light For Shade?
BEAU JARDIN
This brand offers nicely designed solar lights for your paths and front yard. Its products are reliable with waterproof ability, automation, and beauty.
Sunlitec
If you’re a professional, this brand will surely satisfy whatever requirement you have. It offers a wide range of products so you can freely choose a model you like.
FAQs
Do solar path lights work in shade?
Yes, they do. They can charge in the shade too, but not as well as in direct sunlight.
How much sun do solar path lights need?
Solar path lights need about 8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Do solar lights work under trees?
Yes, solar lights do work under trees, some models even work great in the shade. Such lights can be charged on a low-sunlight day.
How can I make my solar light last longer?
Here’s what you can do:
- Avoid installing the light in areas where there are street lights.
- Clean the solar panels regularly.
- Apply clear paint on the light.
- Store the light indoors during the winter.
- Switch off the light when it rains.
Do solar lights charge on a cloudy day?
Yes, solar lights still charge on cloudy days, just not as well as on sunny days.
Conclusion
We hope that this post has provided you with all the information you’re looking for to find the best solar path lights for shade.
Remember that the brightness you need is directly related to your purpose of use, so keep this in mind when you browse models.
Harry RamosI’m Harry Ramos, who's crazy about all things green. I’m here to share some experience in my gardening adventure and how to choose the best products for your garden. Let's dig in, get our hands dirty, and celebrate the simple, earthy pleasures of the garden together!
