Fence lights: Small up or down lights, these sit on fence posts or can be mounted on walls, for lighting all the way along your boundary. That said, lots of lights run perfectly well with smaller solar panels, so just check you're happy with the lighting effect they provide and their run time.

solar lights on test in 2023 - BBC Gardeners World Magazine Best solar lights on test in 2023 - BBC Gardeners World Magazine

With a solar powered charger and rechargeable batteries you won't need to worry about a mains supply to this light. Despite all the features, these lights are expensive compared to the other options we tested and come with just a year’s warranty. However, two of the four lights stopped working during the test, and they come with just the average, one-year warranty. Checked cable length, and IP rating and marks were given for on/off switches, multiple lighting modes, as well as any extra features such as power saving modes and USB charging .Whether its hung from a tree, placed on the patio or as a centerpiece for your outdoor dining area, this charming lantern is sure to make a fantastic addition to your garden.

Eureka Large Firefly Solar Powered Lantern - The Range

We made sure to check if the lights worked on overcast days, and finally if there was any sign of degradation or rusting. You have to pop the solar panel off these lights to switch them on, but if you don’t know this you could easily be surprised when they haven’t switched on. There’s almost no assembly required, simply twist the spike into the base of the individual posts, peel off the plastic sticker protecting the solar panel and push them into the ground. However, it was pipped to the post by the Damasque lantern as its parts aren’t replaceable and its light is a little dim. It’s worth noting there isn’t an on/off switch to override the automatic setting, so it’ll stay on late into the night.There’s a choice between steady light and flashing mode and a large on/off switch if you need to turn the light off when you’re away, or at the end of the day. We have added one of these lamps to the corner of each of the boxes built so far and they look beautiful at night. This tough, no-frills spotlight has a large solar panel that produces a bright white light ideal for uplighting a tree, illuminating a sign or positioning near a path or steps. Check out our tests of the best charcoal BBQs, gas BBQs, and pizza ovens, all in collaboration with BBC Good Food.

Garden 1080962 Eureka Solar Firefly Lantern Small Smart Garden 1080962 Eureka Solar Firefly Lantern Small

For larger solar panels, like those that power solar spotlights, consider if the panel’s going to be visible, as it may be unsightly. Unlike mains-powered lights, solar lights are cheap and easy to install, and because these eco-friendly lights are powered by the sun, they’ll save you money on electricity bills and batteries. Solar lights are environmentally friendly lighting and with a good set, you can create an ambience that lets you enjoy your garden long after dark. This is a useful feature if you don’t have the optimal conditions to charge the solar panel as it slightly dims the light and doubles the run time, but you’ll need to lift out the solar panel to access these controls. We tested a variety of solar lights, putting them through their paces in a range of urban, suburban and rural gardens across the country.Refresh your autumnal wardrobe with an irresistible promotion on Barbour's fabulous new season lines! Some lights also have a power saving mode, which reduces the brightness of the bulbs but doubles the runtime, so your lights turn on for longer during overcast weather and after the shorter hours of daylight in winter. There’s also two metres of cable between the solar panel and the first LED bulb, so check this provides enough distance if you need to position the panel in the sun and string the lights up in a shady spot. This string of solar fairy lights has 100 white LEDs along 10 metres of wire, which means they’re ideal for running along fences, or using to decorate eating areas.