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Solar outdoor lights have become a go-to upgrade for homeowners who want to extend time outdoors without running electrical lines or paying a contractor. The market is crowded, and brightness claims on the box tell only part of the story. A light that charges in six hours may last far less than one that charges in four, depending on LED count, battery size, and how the fixture distributes light.
Consumer Reports tested landscape, deck, and string models on both sunny and overcast days to identify the seven worth buying.
1 / 7
At $100, this six-pack sits at the top of Consumer Reports' landscape light rankings with a score of 91 out of 100. Each fixture's 40 LEDs produce intense white light wide enough to illuminate a water feature or ornamental tree. CR awarded it top marks for both light duration and ease of use, noting that the lights can be angled and installed with included ground spikes, screwed to a flat surface, or pointed downward to illuminate a walkway. They are also rechargeable and include an on/off button to conserve battery charge.
