Are you worried about the security of your home? Can’t see anything in your security cameras when it’s pitch dark out there? Looking for something that would make other safety equipment at home and on the street more effective? Then you’ve come to the right place. The utility of the best solar flood lights is not restricted to what we mentioned above. These products justify the high initial asking price by going the extra mile. These lights do not require wiring, are incredibly easy to install, and place no burden on your electricity bills.
Moreover, the best outdoor solar flood lights require minimal human input as well as maintenance. Motion-sensitive products that are triggered to switch on by any movement within the area covered are some of the best performing products in the market today.
Best Solar Flood Lights – Comparison Table
Image | Brand | Details |
---|---|---|
BEST OVERALL | CYBERDAX | |
PREMIUM PICK | Sunforce | |
BEST VALUE | A-ZONE | |
Aootek | ||
Vivii | ||
LITOM | ||
ZOOKKI | ||
Lemontec | ||
GoerTek | ||
iThird |
1. CYBERDAX Solar Powered Street Flood Light
- Easy to use: Comes with a remote control
- Massive output: 5000 lumens of cold light
- Certifications: UL, CUL, DLC, CE, FCC, RCM, CB
This solar-powered floodlight provides a unique combination of amazing brightness, ultra-easy adjustability, and long run time. In addition, the 100W solar panel that powers this model allows it to provide an output of 5000 lumens.
The remote control which is supplied with this product adds convenience to operation and stays viable up to a distance of 15 meters from the flood light. In addition, this model allows you to select from three operating modes, manually increase/decrease brightness, and turn it on and off.
Furthermore, you will not be able to find any fault with its runtime as well. Its 3,600 mAh battery keeps this solar light up and running for up to 8 hours on a full charge. Also, it boasts of an IP 65 waterproof rating and comes with an 18-month warranty.
- Remote controlled
- 10 hours of runtime
- Certified by UL, FCC, CUL
- Range could have been better
2. Sunforce Triple Head Solar Motion Light
- Adjustable motion detection: Lets you adjust detection distance and light duration
- Impressive detection range: 30 feet
- Doesn’t need direct sunlight: Runs on 3 AA batteries
Though not on all counts, there are some features that the Sunforce triple head solar light shares with the A-Zone LED Solar Light. For instance, all of its three lights reach left, right, and forward to provide you with the widest angle possible. It is as easy to install and comes with a similar warranty as well. However, this product allows you to set the distance you want the sensor to cover for motion detection.
That’s a pretty handy feature to have if you live in a close neighborhood and don’t want your lights to turn on every time one of your neighbors drives past your property. Aside from that, this light also lets you decide the duration of time that it will remain on after detecting motion.
- Adjustable motion detection
- Wide-angle illumination
- 30 feet maximum detection distance
- Not IP rated
3. A-Zone LED Solar Light – Best Value
- Huge battery timing: Lasts up to 40 hours on a single charge
- Premium construction: Aluminum + ABS build
- Adjustable: 360-degree adjustable solar panel
The A-Zone LED Solar Light beats almost every other model in this review with its impressive runtime. Indeed, this product takes as long as other models to get fully charged but, with a battery life that can keep the lights on for up to 40 hours of continuous use without recharging is what makes it a standout.
In addition, its PIR motion sensor passively protects your home by turning on the light after detecting an intruder, but not at the cost of battery timing. After shining bright light for 15 to 20 seconds, the sensor then shifts to a low light mode. Hence, it is able to provide security while simultaneously ensuring energy efficiency.
Furthermore, the solar panels of this model are adjustable by up to 360 degrees. You can adjust the angle to make sure that the solar cells receive maximum sunlight throughout the day. Also, having an ABS material with IP 66 rating guarantees that that this product can stand extreme outdoor weather conditions.
- High-quality ABS construction
- 360-degree adjustable solar panel
- 40 hours of battery life
- Only 1-year warranty
4. Aootek New solar lights
Read Customer Reviews Here >>>- Three modes: Security, Permanent, and Smart Brightness
- Sturdy construction: Made of high-impact ABS
- Energy-efficient: 20.5% conversion rate
The Aootek New solar lights offer three modes of lighting. Thus, you have more options to choose from depending on your needs. First is the security light mode which activates the lights upon detecting any movement. On the other hand, the second mode keeps the nights up all night. Lastly, the third mode is set at dim light then automatically emits brighter light when motion is detected.
Moreover, Built-in motion and PIR sensors are capable of detecting movement at a distance of up to 26 feet. You can also adjust the angle up to 120 degrees. The 2200 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery that comes with this product holds enough power to last throughout the night when fully charged.
Since these lights are IP 65 rated, these products are capable of withstanding anywhere from light showers to extreme weather conditions for many years. In fact, the high-impact ABS make of the product casing guarantee the sturdiness of these lights.
- IP65 rated
- 2200 mAh Li-ion battery
- Made of high-impact ABS
- Working time varies between 6 and 9 hours
5. Vivii Solar Lights
Read Customer Reviews Here >>>- Long LED life span: 50,000 hours
- Waterproof and heatproof build: IP 67 rated
- Automatic operation: Turns on upon detecting human movement
Fearful that the asking price of solar lights will blow a hole in your pocket? Then these budget-friendly lights from Vivii Solar Lights deserve your attention. These affordably-priced lights use high-powered LEDs to provide excellent brightness of up to 80 lumens.
Built-in sensor provides the best of both worlds. On one end, it ensures the security of your home by turning on the lights after detecting human movement within its range. On the other end, it preserves battery timing by turning off the lights after detecting no further movement for 20 seconds.
Equally impressive is the functionality of the Li-ion battery that comes with these solar lights. It takes only 7 hours to become fully charged. A full charge makes it capable of providing 12 hours of continuous lighting at night. That means you won’t have to worry about the lights following your lead after you’ve gone to sleep.
- 12-hour battery time
- Up to 270-degree angle
- Bright illumination of 80 lumens
- Made of plastic
6. LITOM 120 LED Solar Lights
Read Customer Reviews Here >>>- Broad Coverage: 1,300 square feet
- Portable: Can be hanged, carried or permanently installed
- Three modes: Sensor mode/ Dim light mode/ Medium light mode
Are you looking to illuminate the whole neighborhood? We’ve come up with this question because that’s what these lights do. All four solar lights that come with this package have 120 LED chips each. That’s what makes the combined output enough to illuminate a massive area of up to 1,300 square feet.
Secondly, these lights boast of an enhanced PIR motion inductor which can detect human movement at a distance of up to 26 feet. It turns the lights on for 30 seconds upon detecting motion and keeps it on if the motion continues. Meanwhile,brightness intensifies after every half-minute interval.
You also have the option to choose from three lighting modes available. The first mode maintains light at medium brightness level throughout the night which gives the impression that your home is occupied even when there’s nobody there. The second mode lets you dim the output of the lights, whereas the 3rd mode increases the lights’ brightness whenever motion is detected.
- IP 67 rated
- Three control modes
- Emits cool white light
- Only comes with a 2-year warranty
7. ZOOKKI Outdoor Solar Lights
Read Customer Reviews Here >>>- Warranty: 30-day money back guarantee
- Easy to install: Only requires screws
- Sturdy build: High-impact ABS and IP 65 rated
Multiple features set these solar lights apart from the competition. These products come with a key pin that allows you to activate these lights in a matter of minutes. All you need to have are plugs and screws – as well as something to hang these lights onto – and you can get your solar lights up and running in no time.
Since each of the four lights are equipped with 28 bright LEDs, you can expect these lights to illuminate an area of up to 26 feet. The 1200 mAh Li-ion battery on which these lights rely for power lasts up to 8 hours after a full day of charging.
The solar panels, made with poly-silicone, provide up to 2% more brightness than similarly-priced models, and the no-dim mode extends their lifespan by decreasing the load on the battery. Also, these lights are IP 65 rated and have an ABS build that could last for years with proper maintenance.
- Come with a 30-day moneyback guarantee
- Capable of withstanding rain, snow and other extreme weather conditions
- Battery life is only 2500 hours
8. Lemontec Solar Lights
Read Customer Reviews Here >>>- Tremendous battery timing: Up to 12 hours on a full charge
- Massive output: 2000 lumens
- Durable construction: Weather-resistant and heatproof
Starting with the best that these lights have to offer, and the lighting setting that is available in three modes come into play. First is the ‘Strong Light’ mode, which keeps the lights shining bright all night. Second, the ‘Dim Light Sensor’ mode which marginally increases in brightness whenever motion is sensed.
Third is the ‘Strong Light Sensor’ mode which increases the brightness level and holds it for as long as movement continues. Aside from that, these solar lights boast of heatproof and weather-resistant construction which enables them to withstand extreme temperatures.
The battery timing is, by far, the best feature of these solar lights. The Li-ion battery that comes with these products are capable of keeping the lights on for the entire night (up to 12 hours) after a full day of charging. That’s highly impressive once you compare it with the runtimes of other models in this review.
- 12-hours runtime
- Three lighting modes
- Automatic on/off function
- Controls located behind the lights make access difficult
9. GoerTek Outdoor Solar Lights
Read Customer Reviews Here >>>- 360-degree rotatable: Can be rotated flexibly and independently
- Long-lasting construction: Heatproof and waterproof
- Easy to install: Will be up and running in less than 3 hours
The flexibility of these solar lights is the key feaeture that sets it apart from the rest of the products on tis list. GoerTek has employed a double-head assembly which permits you to adjust both lights independently of each other. That means you can use both lights to light up on opposite direction.
Apart from having a built-in motion sensor, both lights are equipped with a low-light sensor. Both sensors work in tandem once an intruder gets within range of these lights. When the motion sensors detect movement, it triggers the light sensor to lighten up, purposefully stunning intruders on your property.
To make sure that the lights only consume energy at night, the 2000 mAh lithium-ion battery comes with a light sensor of its own. It automatically turns on the lights at the first signof dusk and then automatically switches it off at the first light of morning the following day.
- Built-in PIR sensor
- 17% conversion rate
- Highly adjustable
- Takes quite a while to get fully charged
10. iThird Outdoor Solar Lights
Read Customer Reviews Here >>>- Three lighting modes: Dim, Sensor and Always On
- Impressive battery timing: 12 hours on the lowest setting
- Durable construction: Stainless steel + ABS
The iThird outdoor solar lights come with three modes of lighting. These are the ‘Dim Light’ mode, ‘Sensor’ mode and ‘Always On’ mode. While the first two will only amp up the brightness after motion is detected, the third will always keep the battery at its maximum brightness setting.
In case you forget the mode you activated the last time, the indicator lights on the solar panel will help you remember. The green light will keep on blinking for the dim mode, the blue for the sensor mode, and the red light will repeatedly flicker for the max light mode.
Despite requiring just 4 to 6 hours of charging time, these solar lights can stay on for 8 up to 12 hours depending on the lighting mode used These solar lights can withstand mild-to-moderate rains , as their IP 44 rating implies, Its sensors can detect motion at a distance of up to 16.4 feet.
- Waterproof and rustproof
- Three lighting modes
- Competitively priced
- Sensor covers a limited area only
Best Solar Flood Lights – Buying Guide
Before you swipe your card or hit that “Buy” button, check out this list of factors to consider when shopping for the best solar flood lights for your outdoor spaces:
Types of solar panel
The solar panel is the heart of a solar floodlight. It collects the solar energy, converts it to electricity, stores the energy in a battery, which is later used to power the solar floodlight.
Here are the three most commonly used types of solar panels:
Monocrystalline
Provided you’re always in search of the most efficient device, you won’t go wrong with the monocrystalline solar panels. Its cell efficiency (the percentage of solar energy that is successfully converted to electricity) ranges between 15% and 21%.
Their excellent efficiency is beneficial in more ways than one. It allows these panels to be more space-efficient as they produce more power per square foot than any other type. Also, these models tend to have a longer lifespan. That’s why most of them come with a 25-year warranty.
- Better cell efficiency
- Require less storage space
- Produce more power per foot
- Expensive
Polycrystalline
Although solar panels made with these materials aren’t as efficient as those made using monocrystalline materials, the polycrystalline solar panels have benefits to offer. These products are relatively cheaper to make. Therefore, these are made available to the end consumer at a much lower price.
Thus, this is the reason why these solar panels are the top choice for residential users. Their slightly lower efficiency (between 14 and 16%) won’t be felt as long as you aren’t using them for commercial purposes. Also, most of them come with the standard 25-year warranty.
- Inexpensive
- Come with a 25-year warranty
- Place no strain on electricity bills
- Slightly less efficient
Amorphous
Also known as thin-film solar panels, these have silicon deposited onto a substrate. There’s an excellent chance that you’ve used them back when you were in school as most pocket calculators that are powered by solar energy use amorphous solar panels.
On the flip side, these solar panels have lower efficiency rates. Thus, these solar panels aren’t capable of converting more than 9% of the solar energy received into electricity. The thinness of their film makes these panels more likely to degrade faster. Consequently, more space will be required to generate enough electricity to light up the lamp.
- Cheap
- Poor efficiency
- Degrade quickly
- More prone to damage
Material of casing
Since you are going to place them outdoors, it goes without saying that the casing of the solar panel should be weather-proof. In fact, this is one of the features that helps make the best solar flood lights worth checking out. The frame should be able to withstand the shifting temperature and extreme weather conditions outdoors . It must also keep environmental pollutants from interfering with the proper functioning of the solar light and panel.
Aluminum
Pros: Withstands pressure; corrosion-resistant
Cons: Expensive
There are three reasons why the majority of the best solar flood lights have aluminum casings. First, aluminum is highly durable and is known for staying tough even when subjected to harsh environmental forces. Second, it does not react to magnetic force and is therefore suitable for use with solar panels, most of which require independent circuitry.
Third, aluminum is naturally resistant to corrosion. Its ability to keep moisture from seeping in makes it an excellent choice for applications that cannot afford to be affected by moisture.
Plastic
Pros: Relatively less expensive; Won’t conduct electricity
Cons: Not environmentally-friendly
Apart from being inexpensive, plastic does not conduct electricity. As such, that feature makes it an essential choice for applications where there is a danger of electrical shortages.
What’s more, in contrast to what most people believe, plastic isn’t always more susceptible to breakage than aluminum. ABS, polyvinyl chloride, and polycarbonate are perfect examples of plastics that can be used outdoors. That’s because these are capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions.
Glass
Pros: Shatterproof and won’t rust easily
Cons: Prone to scratches
Most of the solar panels that are supplied with the best solar flood lights are made of glass belong to one of two types: Plexiglas or tempered glass. The former allows 90% of light rays to pass through it, thereby increasing the efficiency of the solar panels. It also resists wear admirably but is more prone to breakage.
Tempered glass, meanwhile, is more durable and recommended for residential applications where there’s always a danger of a stray ball hitting the solar panel. However, solar panels with tempered glass casings are generally less efficient – as it allows relatively less light to transmit through it.
Type of battery
The type of battery a solar flood light may use to store electricity generated during the day has a substantial impact on its performance. There are four types of rechargeable batteries that are most frequently used to power solar lights. Let’s have a brief look at each of them.
Ni-Cad battery
Nickel-cadmium batteries maintain a steady voltage at all times. These batteries take only 1 to 2 hours to get fully charged and can last 400 to 500 charging cycles.
However, since Ni-Cad batteries have lower energy density than the Ni-MH, batteries. Ni-Cad batteries store less energy per pound/kg. Also, evidence suggests cadmium can be harmful to the environment.
Ni-MH battery
Nickel metal hydride batteries have an extremely high capacity. Among the advantages of using a Ni-MH battery is that it provides more power per charge than lead-acid and Ni-Cad batteries. It is also deemed to be safe for the environment.
H The downside of using these batteries has to do with the risk of over-charging. The very high self-discharge rate, which means they’d lose their charging power with time, is also high for these batteries
Lead-acid
Available in three types – gel cell, wet cell, and AGM – lead-acid batteries are incredibly inexpensive. These batteries exhibit a very low self-discharge rate, and capable of tolerating high temperatures.
Not all is hunky-dory with these batteries, though. Lead acid batteries charge slowly and are considerably heavy. You’d have to look after them weekly as well.
Li-Ion battery
At the cost of sounding biased, Li-ion batteries are the best of the lot. They have a huge cycle life (up to 2500 cycles), are practically maintenance-free, and are incredibly lightweight.
These batteries do not contain any toxic substances or chemicals, and the self-discharge rate is extremely low. Also, these batteries are reasonably priced.
Type of sensor
What is the purpose for which you’re going to install solar flood lights? Is it just to illuminate your surroundings when it’s dark out there? Or are you going solar for security purposes as well? Photosensors detect ‘photons’ of light particles. These sensors turn on the light automatically as soon as dusk sets in then turn it off as soon as sunlight is detected come dawn. Since photosensors can detect outdoor light levels, photo sensors automatically adjust to seasonal changes in day/night times.
While its primary purpose is to save battery by turning off the lights as soon as the sun sets in, , photosensors also create an illusion of occupancy even when nobody is at home. As such, intruders are deterred.
Motion sensors
Motion sensors for the best solar flood lights can be neatly divided into two types: active sensors and passive sensors. Active sensors use reflection to trigger a series of mechanisms that churn out a beam of signals. Once disrupted, it triggers the sensor. Then, it sets off a built-in alarm which, in turn, switches on the light.
Passive sensors, meanwhile, detect body heat and abrupt temperature changes. When it senses these changes, it triggers a series of mechanical reactions that eventually end up switching on the lights.
All solar flood lights you see in this review are equipped with both types of sensors.
Must-have Features
Following are the features on which you shouldn’t compromise:
-
- Adequate light intensity: Also known as brightness and measured in lumens, the light intensity of a solar flood light will determine the size of the area it can illuminate. The higher the lumens, the brighter the light will be, and the larger the area it will be able to cover. Use this method to convert how much area the lumens of the light you’re looking at will lighten up.
- High battery capacity: As stated earlier, the battery capacity is measured in mAh and it determines the number of hours the battery will keep on supplying electricity without receiving direct sunlight. Models that have battery capacities that are equal to or higher than 1,500 mAh can generally keep the lights on all night when fully charged.
- Long lifespan: Luckily for your brain cells, there is no tricky formula that you’ve to apply to calculate your solar light’s estimated lifespan. Simply check the packaging for this information. You might find it useful to know that almost all the best solar flood lights in this review come with a 25-year guarantee.
- LED lamp: When compared with fluorescent, incandescent, and halogen lamps, LED lamps perform better on all the counts that matter. Sure, they cost extra upfront, but LED lights justify the initial asking price it commands but it canlast for 15,000 + hours, plus give you added benefits such as decreasing your electricity bill, and generating less heat. This is why you want to look for this feature when you want to buy the best solar flood lights.
- Waterproof build: How would you know which lights are waterproof? This question is important as almost all lights come with a waterproof guarantee on the labels. You can check how adequately a light will keep water at bay by looking at its IP rating. Models wita IP ratings r above ‘4’ tend to do well when exposed to rain for longer periods.
FAQs and Answers
Q: How do solar lights work?
A: Solar lights work on the principle of the photovoltaic effect. As sunlight falls on the solar cells, it ‘excites’ (raises the energy) of negatively charged electrons. These electrons then land onto positively-charged spaces where interaction with positively charged ions generate electricity. This electricity is then transferred to the battery via electrical wire, which then stores it until it’s needed.
Q: Why are solar lights so expensive?
A: Silicone is the main reason why solar lights command high prices. It Silicone is found in the depths of the earth and has to be extracted. The mined silicone then has to be purified – a process that involves a great deal of energy. The cost of both these processes involving silicon – mining and refining – add up to make solar lights uber-expensive.
Q: How long do the batteries of solar lights last?
A: In most cases, the batteries that come with solar lights do not last more than two years. That’s because all batteries suffer from a phenomenon known as self-discharging. It reduces the ability of the batteries to hold a charge and, after almost two years, makes it impossible for batteries to hold enough charge to provide lighting.
Q: How to increase the lifespan of solar light batteries?
A: Follow these tips to make the batteries of your solar lights last longer:
- Minimize the number of batteries. Using 4 or more batteries at once increases resistance and makes the battery more susceptible to failure.
- Install a solar charge controller on your battery. It will save the battery from getting overcharged and increase its lifespan.
- Don’t let batteries go uncharged for an extended period. Batteries that lay unused for weeks might see a reduction in their ability to hold a charge.
Conclusion
Many factors set the best solar flood lights recommended in this review from those you see on the market. Apart from boasting above-average runtimes, almost all of them are easy-to-install, come with respectable warranties, and are capable of withstanding the extremes of temperature. That’s why we’re confident that you can easily select the one which meets your requirements.
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