The best solar outdoor lights of 2026: Consumer Reports

Not all solar lights last through the night. Consumer Reports tested seven models on light duration and ease of use to identify the best picks

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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.

Lerekam Solar Spot Light

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........

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