The 10 Best Mounted Solar Lights of 2023, According to Testing

Best Overall

Maxsa Motion-Activated Dual Head Solar Security Light

4.9

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Features
  5/5
• Design
  4/5
• Brightness
  5/5
• Durability
  5/5

The simple, compact design of this Maxsa Dual Head solar light packs quite the punch when it comes to illuminating your property for safety and security. It features a pair of light heads that, while small, hold LED bulbs that are very bright. These light heads are also adjustable, so you can ensure that you’re illuminating your property exactly where you need it.

Overall, one felt that the price point was appropriate, especially in regards to the accurate yet adjustable motion sensor. The tester lives on a busy street with cars often passing by that activated the light, yet they were able to adjust the sensor so that it wasn’t so sensitive.

All the hardware is included to install the light, however you’ll want to keep a power drill handy for faster installation. Once in place, you can feel confident these lights are secure—even after a big storm, these lights were still in place and functioning.

The Maxsa Dual Head solar light comes in either black or white, so you can choose the color that will work best with the aesthetic of your home’s exterior. The lights have a sleek, minimal design that will look good on a variety of home exteriors. Just keep in mind if you're looking for a solar light with a fancier design, this might not be the right one for you.

Price at time of publish: $36

Product Details:

Number of Lights Included: 2 | Dimensions (of single light): ‎8.6 x 8.6 x 6.2 inches | Water Protection Rating: IP44 | Lighting Color: Not listed | Battery Type: Nickel-metal hydride | Battery Life: 2-3 years

Best Budget

Better Homes & Gardens Beckon Outdoor Sconce Solar Lamp

4.8

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  4/5
• Features
  5/5
• Design
  5/5
• Brightness
  4/5
• Durability
  5/5

This Better Homes & Gardens design is one of the best mounted solar lights if you’re looking for an effective design that’s easy to install. Our tester found that the light turned on as soon as it started to get dark and it stayed on until sun up the next day, though there is a handy on/off switch for you to cut the light if you need. Plus, the lights have an industrial chic design that’ll work well with different home decor styles.

This sconce from Better Homes & Gardens doesn’t come assembled, but don't worry—our testers found it only took a twist of two parts to put them together. The mounting hardware is included, though if you need to attach it to a brick facade, you will need additional hardware. Overall, both assembly and installation were quick—it only took our tester about 10 minutes for each light.

When it comes to this lamp, keep in mind that you can’t control its brightness so you’ll want to be mindful of where you place it. Regardless, these sconces are waterproof and weather resistant so they won't rust. Our tester found that even after a couple of dreary days of rain that made for a lower solar charge, these lights were functioning normally.

Price at time of publish: $20

Product Details:

Number of Lights Included: 1 | Dimensions (of single light): 5.39 x 6.69 x 9.61 inches | Water Protection Rating: IPX4 | Lighting Color: Warm white | Battery Type: 500mAh lithium | Battery Life: Not listed

Best Splurge

Alcott Hill Rasberry Wall Light

4.7

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  4.5/5
• Features
  4/5
• Design
  4/5
• Brightness
  5/5
• Durability
  5/5

If you're looking for something that makes a statement as well as provides security for your house, this wall lantern from Alcott Hill is the best mounted solar light to consider. Although the light is an investment, it’s easy to install and allows you to adjust the brightness to your liking.

Our tester found that all they needed to install the light was a tape measure, a screwdriver, and a drill. Everything was already assembled and installation was quick and easy, though keep in mind the lantern is a bit heavy.

It’s got an on/off switch and a high/low switch for adjusting the light, which stays on from dusk until dawn. You can switch between high and low mode but it doesn’t have a motion-activated sensor, so it depends on where and how you want to use the light.

The lantern’s illumination is bright enough that you can put it in a place where you want added security. The on/off switch is at the top of the light, however, which could be inconvenient. Overall, this is a durable option that almost looks as if it’s hard-wired, so if you don’t mind spending more money, you’ll have a light that’s rather attractive for your home’s exterior.

Just keep in mind that the light has a more ornate style, so it’s not ideal if you prefer a simple, streamlined look.

Price at time of publish: $234

Product Details:

Number of Lights Included: 1 | Dimensions (of single light): 21 x 8.75 x 12.50 inches | Water Protection Rating: Not listed | Lighting Color: Not listed | Battery Type: Lithium-ion | Battery Life: 3 years

Best Sconce

Gama Sonic Barn Solar Brown Outdoor Integrated LED Wall Light Sconce

4.6

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  4.5/5
• Features
  3/5
• Design
  4/5
• Brightness
  5/5
• Durability
  5/5

Our testers found that this LED sconce provided consistent warm light from sunset to sunrise, making it one of the best mounted solar lights if you prefer a sconce style. The light is easy to install, has different brightness modes, and makes for a stylish addition to your home’s exterior.

Overall, one tester found that installation is fairly straightforward, though there was a bit of a hitch when anchoring it against stucco siding—our tester needed additional hardware, and you might, too, depending on your home’s exterior.

This barn-style light is made from powder-coated cast aluminum for a simple yet attractive design that combines aesthetics with functionality. Perhaps it’s a little too functional—there's a 7-foot power cord connecting it to the solar panel that proved to be way too long. Cable brackets were needed to disguise it; depending on the color of your home’s exterior, you might run into the same issue.

Assembly took less than a minute and installation took about 35 minutes—not bad considering some tweaks had to be made during the process.

One of the best features of this light is that you can switch between two light options warm and bright. Plus, there's an on/off switch to control the illumination, which will normally last from dusk until dawn. The tester liked the warm mode, as it provided nice ambient light for their side porch, but you might prefer the bright setting for better security.

Price at time of publish: $82

Product Details:

Number of Lights Included: 1 | Dimensions (of single light): 9.5 x 12 x 10 inches | Water Protection Rating: Not listed | Lighting Color: Bright white | Battery Type: Not listed | Battery Life: Not listed

Best with Motion Sensor

HMCITY Outdoor 120 LED Solar Lights

4.4

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Features
  4/5
• Design
  4/5
• Brightness
  4.5/5
• Durability
  5/5

If you prefer a motion-sensor light, the best mounted solar light is this pick by HMCity. The light has three modes: security mode, which uses the motion sensor to go on and off automatically; smart brightness control, where the light stays on all night but turns brighter when it detects motion; and permanent on, which turns on and stays on all night.

The tester was impressed with the smart mode when activated—the light brightened quite noticeably. However, they'd be even more impressed if the bright light lasted longer than 15 seconds, though this is typical for most of the motion-sensor lights on our list. The motion detector functions exceptionally well and the light runs the entire time on the dim setting. Overall, our tester found these to be a good value.

Our testers said the light was very easy to install with only some assembly required. It’s light as a feather, though it does come with screw anchors for better support. It turns out our tester needed them because the screws that were included were too short to install in their home’s siding, so don’t toss those anchors in case you need them, too. Still, it only took five minutes to install.

One of our testers is a dog owner and especially liked having this light installed for when his dog went into the backyard after dark. However, it’s also a great choice for any homeowner who wants to add a level of security to the perimeter of their home.

Price at time of publish: $22

Product Details:

Number of Lights Included: 2 | Dimensions (of single light): ‎6.1 x 3.98 x 3.23 inches | Water Protection Rating: IP 65 | Lighting Color: White | Battery Type: Lithium-ion | Battery Life: Not listed

Best Spotlight

Ameritop Outdoor Mounting Solar Lights

4.7

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Features
  4/5
• Design
  2.9/5
• Brightness
  5/5
• Durability
  5/5

The Ameritop Outdoor Mounting Solar Light is the best mounted solar light if you need a simple design that’ll get the job done. Testers noted that the light is easy to install and very bright, so it’s a great option if you want a spotlight for your home.

One tester noted that the motion light only goes off if there's “something of substance” that walks in front of the sensor. However, you can adjust the light in all directions to that you have a better chance of illuminating whatever (or whomever) is there once motion is detected. The light, once activated, stays lit for about 15 seconds.

Our testers found the Ameritop outdoor solar light very easy to set up thanks to a mounting bracket that the light just slides onto. Depending on where you install the light on your own home’s exterior, though, you might need to buy a mounting bracket separately. Our tester did need a separate bracket, but it still only took her about five minutes to install it on her siding.

This is a sturdy light pair of lights for securing the perimeter of your home. Even after a huge storm at our tester’s residence, they weren't jostled out of place—they kept on working and stayed on through the night. If you're looking for a security floodlight for your home and don't really care too much about aesthetics, this is the one for you.

Price at time of publish: $31

Product Details:

Number of Lights Included: 2 | Dimensions (of single light): ‎11 x 2.5 x 4.5 inches | Water Protection Rating: IP65 | Lighting Color: Not listed | Battery Type: Lithium-ion | Battery Life: Not listed

Best Lantern

Cyhkee Solar Wall Lantern

4.8

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Features
  5/5
• Design
  4/5
• Brightness
  5/5
• Durability
  5/5

You won't get the same results with these Cyhkee lanterns as you will with a floodlight, of course, but they are bright enough to illuminate your property for security. These are ready to hang out of the box, though you may need to buy separate mounting strip mount mounting brackets depending on where you hang them. The set includes two lights so you can either install them together or use them at different points of your home’s exterior.

Our tester liked that there were two settings for these lights. One setting keeps the lights off until the motion sensor is engaged and turns on a bright light. The other setting keeps the lanterns half-lit until the sensor picks up motion and the lights get brighter. It is easy to change between the different modes with a flick of a single switch.

There are three solar panels on these lanterns, so it’s easier for it to get a full charge during daylight hours so it can do the hard work of securing your home’s perimeter at night. They offer a simple design though they've got Edison-type bulbs that make the lighting a little bit more decorative. Overall, our tester thought that it gave a classy look to their entry.

Price at time of publish: $59

Product Details:

Number of Lights included: 2 | Dimensions (of single light): ‎8.7 x 5.3 x 5.5 inches | Water Protection Rating: IP65 | Lighting Color: Warm white | Battery Type: Lithium-ion | Battery Life: 30,000 hours

Best for Fences

Derynome Solar Lantern Outdoor Lights with Wall Mount Kit

4.7

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Features
  4/5
• Design
  4.5/5
• Brightness
  4/5
• Durability
  4/5

If you're looking for an easy, breezy installation for your mounted solar lights, you've found it with this Derynome Solar Lantern. There was no assembly required—all you have to do is flip the switch and let them charge in the sun to fire them up for their first use, making them some of the best mounted solar lights.

The light comes with all the hardware you need, but a drill will be helpful for installation. It took 15 minutes for one tester to set up both lanterns. The tester loved the versatility of these lights; you can hang them on a hook like a lantern or mount them on a wall or fence.

There is an on/off switch, but that’s about it in terms of additional features. They are not motion activated, but they will come on at dusk if you switch them to the on position. Our tester was impressed with the simple modern design of these lights from Derynome, and since they come as a pair, you’ve got options for placement throughout your property.

Price at time of publish: $39

Product Details:

Number of Lights included: 2 | Dimensions (of single light): ‎11 x 6 x 6 inches | Water Protection Rating: IP65 | Lighting Color: Warm white | Battery Type: Lithium-ion | Battery Life: Not listed

Best for Lamp Posts

Kemeco Solar Post Light

4.8

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Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Features
  4/5
• Design
  5/5
• Brightness
  5/5
• Durability
  5/5

If you're looking for a light that creates a welcoming atmosphere at your front door, the best mounted solar light is this Kemeco design. The light was easy to install and one tester felt that it seemed to be high-quality, so it’s worth the investment.

While it’s bright and indeed welcoming enough for your front entry, it’s not bright enough to be a security light like some of the others on this list. There’s also no motion activation, so keep that in mind depending on your intended use.

The light was easy to install on an existing pole, and our tester considered it an upgrade from what was previously there. If you, too, have an existing pole, all you need is the included hardware. It's easy to install on a round pole, but if you’ve got a square pole, it comes with hardware to make the adjustment.

Overall, this is a high-quality white outdoor light that provides a nice warm glow. However, it’s more ambient than high security, so keep that in mind when you install it.

Price at time of publish: $100

Product Details:

Number of Lights Included: 1 | Dimensions (of single light): 8.8 x 8.8 x 18.1 inches | Water Protection Rating: Not listed | Lighting Color: Warm white | Battery Type: Nickel-metal hydride | Battery Life: Not listed