Are you looking for solar pathway lights that are actually bright enough so you can where you’re walking at night? Many LED bulbs simply can’t produce enough light, however, high lumen lights work really well. I even use them in my yard.
Why Use Solar Outdoor Lighting?
Not only can landscape lighting transform your yard into a beautiful nighttime environment, it can make your home more safe after dark. In other words, investing in outdoor lights provides multiple benefits, making it well worth any money you spend towards landscape lights.
That said, solar lighting options offer even more benefits because they are both eco-friendly and energy efficient. For example, their LED bulbs use up to 90% less energy and last up to 25X longer than incandescent bulbs.
In addition, their solar-powered design means that your energy bill won’t increase every month. The path lights have built-in solar panels that collect energy during the day, which they then use at night to illuminate your yard.
So, which high-lumen lights should you buy for your walkway? (Spoiler Alter: These lights.)
How Many Lumen Should You Get?
Although they still operate using solar power, high lumen solar path lights actually produce enough light to illuminate garden paths or walkways. The term “lumen” refers to the amount of light emitted by a source, and this is how I evaluate the brightness of solar lights before I buy them (you should too).
Note: I have found that solar path lights with 40-60 lumen are surprisingly bright and are very effective at lighting pathways at night. In other words, you don’t have to look for 1,000+ lumen. (In comparison, average solar lamps run from 5-10 lumen, while cheap lights have only 1-2 lumen.)
Which High Lumen Solar Lights Did I Choose?
After doing hours of research, I decided to try out these 50 lumen pathway lights because they offer more lumen for a decent price. In addition, each lamp emits bright white and warm white – so you get to choose which one looks best in your yard.
The lights also include optional “refractors”, which display a unique light pattern on the ground. Alternatively, you take the refractors out, thus increasing the light output even more.
Furthermore, the package includes both ground stakes and hangers. Therefore, I can stick the lights in the ground or hang them from a tree branch, post or hook.
Note: Another option, or “runner up” to these 50 lumen lights are these 40 lumen solar lights.
They aren’t quite as bright, but sometimes they can go on sale where you can save some money.
So, What Did I Think About the Solar Path Lights?
When my package arrived, I was actually surprised at the size of these pathway lamps. My first though was, “These are bigger than I thought”, (which makes them look more expensive, in my opinion).
Since they are high lumen lights, I didn’t need to use as many as I normally would with other solar lights. I got 8 total (4 for each side of my driveway), and that turned out to be the perfect amount.
I put them to the test through a very rainy dark winter, and they performed better than I expected. In fact, they always turned on every night, even if they stayed lit for only a few hours on those rainy days.
Note: On sunny days, however, these crazy lights actually stay on most of the night. And they’re truly bright. And, even though I paid more for the additional lumen, I think I saved money because didn’t have to buy as many lamps.
Specs for High Lumen Solar Path Lights:
- Available as single, 2-pack or discounted 4-pack
- Dimensions: 25″ Tall x 5″ Diameter
- Stand Material: ABS Plastic
- Bulb Material: Shatter Resistant Polycarbonate
- Waterproof IP65
- Lumens: 40 per Lamp
- Light Shine Radius 2 Meters
- Bulb Color: Bright white & Warm White
- Lamp Life: 180,000 Hours
- Illumination Time: 10-14 Hours
- Charge Time: 6-8 Hours
- Voltage: 5.5 Volts (AC)
- Watts: 1.5
- Package Includes Ground Stakes + Clip Hangers to Hang Bulbs
- Model #: SMT2835LED
- For Sale: Where to Buy the Path Lights
Pros of Solar Path Lights:
- Energy-Efficient: Solar lights don’t require electricity from the grid. Rather, they use a renewable energy source they generate “sun power”.
- Easy to Install: These stand-alone path lights do not require any wiring and therefore are super simple and cheaper to install. Just stake them in the ground and turn the power to the on position.
- Eco-Friendly: Solar energy doesn’t emit any harmful gases or pollutants. Consequently, they make a great option if you want to minimize your carbon footprint.
- Cost-Effective: You can save money on your electricity bills month after month simply by using solar products.
- Low Maintenance: Compared to low voltage lighting that you need to manually turn or connect to a timer, solar lights switch on automatically at dusk. Plus, no routine maintenance is required, like changing bulbs or wire repair. You may only need to clean off the solar panel if it accumulates dust.
Cons of Solar Path Lights:
- Dependent on Sunlight: Solar path lights depend on sunlight. So, if the panels don’t get enough sunlight during the day, the lamps may not shine as bright at night.
- May not work in Cloudy Weather: Cloudy or rainy weather lessens the amount of power that solar panels can generate. Therefore, they may not shine as brightly or as long on overcast days.
- May Not be as Bright as Low Voltage Landscape Lighting: High lumen solar path lights are typically not as bright as low voltage landscape lighting. This is because they run on solar energy and have a limited lumen output.
Still not sure which lighting option is right for you? Check out the comparison chart below:
| High Lumen Solar Path Lights | Low Voltage Landscape Lighting | |
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | Energy-efficient | Requires electricity from grid |
| Installation | Easy to install | Requires wiring |
| Eco-Friendly | Renewable energy | Not renewable energy |
| Brightness | Limited lumen output | Higher lumen output |
| Weather | Less bright in cloudy conditions | Works in all weather conditions |
| Maintenance | Low maintenance | Higher maintenance |
| Cost | Cost-effective | Wiring can increase installation cost |
In conclusion, high lumen solar lights are energy-efficient, low maintenance and simple to install. On the other hand, low voltage landscape lighting is brighter, customizable and works in all weather conditions. So, what do you think works best your your yard?