Many people are surprised that our entire pool area is lit using only solar LED landscape lights. The sun charges them during the day, and at night they provide a soft, effortless glow—no plugs, no wiring, and no noticeable change to our electric bill. Today I’m sharing the three solar products we use so you can consider giving your outdoor space a similar glow-up.
Technically we do have a porch light and in-pool lights that run on electricity, but we rarely use them. They’re brighter than we want for regular evenings and tend to wash out the stars. Instead, most nights we rely on our solar-powered LEDs for a gentle, welcoming atmosphere.
I used to assume solar landscape lighting was an inferior substitute for hardwired lights (we installed wired landscape lights ourselves at our previous home and found it straightforward). But after living with solar lights here, we’ve become big fans. They’re convenient, attractive, and surprisingly effective—here’s why we love them.
Why We Love Using Solar Lights
We initially chose solar lights to avoid running wire or needing an outlet, but the benefits go beyond that. Solar lights bring many advantages for the average yard:
- Easy to install: No wiring—just place the solar panel where it gets sun.
- Flexible placement: Without cords, you can put them almost anywhere.
- Affordable: They’re inexpensive to buy and don’t add to your utility bills.
- Set-and-forget: Most models turn on automatically at dusk, so you don’t need timers or switches.
- Eco-friendly: They run on renewable energy and reduce electricity use.
We even filmed a short time-lapse showing how the pool area transitions from day to night automatically, without any action from us. The main limitation is sunlight—cloudy days shorten run time—but the lights have still surprised us by staying on later than expected on overcast evenings. On rare stretches of gloomy weather they may be dim or not turn on, but we always have our hardwired porch and pool lights as a backup.
When guests come over after dark we usually gather near our firepit or on the upper deck, which are lit by plug-in string lights. The solar lighting primarily provides ambient glow around the pool and hot tub—enough to see safely without feeling like we’re under a spotlight.
The 3 Outdoor Solar LED Lights We Use
Here’s a quick overview of the three products we rely on:
- Solar Pathway Lights (4-pack)
- Solar-Powered String Fairy Lights (2-pack)
- Solar Patio Umbrella Lights (single kit)
Each product includes its own solar panel and batteries, so no extra gear is required. They’re all warm white LEDs, which produce a pleasant, cozy glow rather than a harsh or bluish light.
Solar-Powered Pathway Lights
These pathway lights are a favorite—they look great during the day and are extremely easy to install: flip the switch in the cap, stake them into the ground, and they’re ready. The solar panel is built into the top, and when they illuminate at dusk they cast a soft starburst pattern onto the ground that’s both decorative and functional.
We have them around the house—roughly 16 lights total—and most stay lit until we go to bed. A couple that sit under plants get less sun and fade earlier, but generally they provide ample soft lighting until around 11pm or later after a sunny day. Tip: these lights have two brightness settings under the cap—try both to see which suits your space. We use the brighter setting and it still feels gentle.
Solar-Powered Fairy Lights
We added solar fairy lights last summer and use them along the fence and under the eave. Installation is simple: tack small nails into the fence and wrap the thin copper wire around them. The solar panel can just sit on top of the fence or tucked up on a roof corner, out of sight from the ground.
Each strand is long enough (about 33 feet) to work across gates and fence runs. Because the LEDs emit minimal heat, the strands are easy to weave into landscaping or use seasonally for holiday decor. They also include multiple lighting modes—twinkle, flash, fade—but we keep ours on a steady warm glow.
Solar Patio Umbrella Lights
These lights are made to attach under an umbrella and fan out from a central hub—perfect for umbrellas with eight ribs. They don’t provide task lighting for reading, but they add a lovely layer of ambient light and look especially pretty reflected in pool water.
The kit includes zip ties to help secure the wires. We wrapped the strands around the umbrella ribs to reduce the number of ties and to keep the wiring tidy when raising or lowering the umbrella. The solar panel clips to fabric or the umbrella frame, and you can experiment with placement so it doesn’t tip the umbrella.
The umbrella lights provide gentle illumination—enough to see around the table and avoid missteps, while adding atmosphere rather than bright task lighting. Their reflections in the pool are a favorite feature for us.
Overall, this mix of solar lights gives us a low-effort, electricity-free way to make the backyard feel cozy and welcoming. We enjoy evening hot tub dips several nights a week, and the lights are perfect for that relaxed nighttime vibe.
BONUS #1: Solar Motion-Activated Flood Light
We also use motion-activated solar flood lights in a few darker corners, including near the driveway. These aren’t for ambiance, but they’re impressively bright for solar units and useful for added security or safe entry to the house. The fixtures pivot so you can aim detection and illumination where you need it.
BONUS #2: Wireless Security Camera
While not a light, a wireless video doorbell or camera is another useful wireless addition. We installed a Ring video doorbell recently; it runs on a rechargeable battery, costs far less than a hardwired system, and can be mounted with just a few tools. It’s a practical companion for outdoor lighting and security.
If you’re thinking about refreshing your outdoor space, solar lighting is an easy, affordable, and eco-friendly option. They add immediate atmosphere, require minimal installation, and can be mixed and matched to suit your yard’s layout and your lighting goals.
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