Outdoor lights are hard to get right, but at a time when we’re spending more time at home than usual, finding the right one can have a huge impact.
Start by considering the purpose of the light. Is it a security light, or one which you’ll use to illuminate certain areas? A growing number of lights have PIR (passive infrared) sensors, which mean they’ll turn on when motion is detected nearby. But don’t make the mistake of assuming this feature is only worth considering if you’re looking for security purposes – it’s a versatile feature which can prove invaluable, providing targeted illumination without the need to grope around in the dark for a switch.
We also recommend considering solar-powered options. Today’s solar-powered lights are bigger and brighter than ever before, thanks largely to panels which are able to power batteries even where there’s minimal sunlight.
Finally, don’t forget to check whether your light comes with a bulb – nothing is more frustrating than opening your new light to discover another purchase is required.
After hours of fiddling around with screws, solar panels and LEDS, here it is – our definitive guide to the best outdoor lights.
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Best mains-powered garden lights to brighten up your outdoor space
Best solar fence lights to brighten up your garden on summer nights
Philips Hue Discover Outdoor Floodlight
Let’s face it. When it comes to smart lighting, Philips’ Hue range, which requires the Hue Bridge as a hub, is the first option that comes to mind, and we were keen to find out if their outdoor lights were truly worth the hype.
The answer? Yes – without a doubt, although it’s worth noting that the Hue Bridge isn’t included, and you’ll need to get the floodlight professionally installed. That said, this is the ultimate light for anyone who loves to be in control.
To start with, we had 16 million colours to choose from, all of which can be selected via the Hue app. This also allows you to programme the timings or simply opt to rely on geolocation, which meant that the light detected our presence and turned on (or off) accordingly.
Our top tip? Turn it into a security light by using it in conjunction with Philips’ Hue PIR sensor.
Buy now £179.99, Philips
ShapeLights Indoor & Outdoor USB Solar Powered Mood Light – Pebble
We’ll admit it, we’ve hardly been able to bring ourselves to turn this light off since it first came into our lives. A freeform glowing orb, it has eight colour settings and – our favourite bit – a concealed solar panel which does a brilliant job of soaking up sunlight, even on the cloudiest of days.
Additionally, you can top up the battery by plugging it in using the USB cable provided. We’re also impressed with the IP67 waterproof rating – all too often outdoor lights have much lower IPs, and this light’s thick rubber seals help to keep dust and dirt out, too.
Buy now £24.99, Amazon
Astro Lighting Incline Twin
Can any outdoor light really be worth £250? Whether the price is justified remains to be seen, but we’re seriously impressed with this rock solid LED downlighter, with its brick-like weightiness and gorgeous brass exterior. We loved the recyclable packaging too, right down to the cute little paper envelope containing the screws.
It’s a light for people who aren’t bothered about keeping up with the Joneses, but prefer to forge their own path, partly because the brass exterior will oxidise and mottle over time, meaning every light will end up looking slightly different. But don’t panic – the structural integrity won’t be affected, and the product is also protected by a 10-year warranty.
Buy now £198.28, Lights2Go
John Lewis Olbia LED Outdoor Wall Light, Charcoal
This surprisingly bright light is ideal for the deepest, darkest corners of your garden. It’s easy to fit, but a word of warning: it probably isn’t the kind of light you’ll want to illuminate your summer soirees on the patio, unless the dress code involves sunglasses – the pure white light can appear somewhat harsh. Although we’d have preferred to see more substantial waterproofing, it survived a series of unexpected January showers, and it provides a stylish and attractive textured wall detail.
Buy now £65.00, John Lewis
Fat Boy Thierry le Swinger Outdoor lamp
Fat Boy – the brand once known primarily for their supersized beanbags – has now expanded into almost all aspects of home décor. The label loves to add a cheeky touch to its products, and the Thierry le Swinger lamp is no exception.
Sling it over branches, hooks or garden ornaments and bask in its cosy glow (all 42 hours of it, if you use it on its lowest setting). Charging is quick and easy – simply use the included USB charging cable provided.
Buy now £220.00, Amazon
Unikcst Outdoor Wall Lights Mains Powered PIR Motion Sensor
This light comes with two 500 lumens bulbs that are said to save up to 90 per cent of energy each year yet still blasts a powerful beam out of both the top and the bottom. It has a sleek, minimalistic look which adds a touch of class to the plainest of porches and patios.
We loved the fact that changing the sensitivity (from between 8 to 10 metres) and the time the light stayed on (between 10 secs to seven minutes) was so easy – simply pull down the plastic which covers the PIR sensor and tweak the settings using a miniature screwdriver.
Don’t be put off by the fact that it’s made of plastic, either as both the light and the backplate feel surprisingly sturdy.
Buy now £36.99, Amazon
Anglepoise Original 1227 Giant Outdoor Floor Lamp
First things first: we’re very aware this is an eye-watering amount of cash to spend on an outdoor light. Our advice? Think of it as a sculpture, as well as a light. But don’t make the mistake of assuming Anglepoise has prioritised style over substance with this particular model. It blasts out an impressive 1200 lumens of light.
The brand’s famously flexible design, combined with knurled adjuster wheels, makes it easy to direct the light with laser-like precision, and an IP65 waterproof rating means it won’t self-destruct at the first sign of a shower.
Buy now £3295.00, Chaplins
Pooky Thurlestone Round Wall Light Half Cover
This light feels gloriously sturdy – like a smooth, fat pebble, albeit one which fixed to our test wall with surprising ease.
Fitting it was a breeze, and an extra-chunky rubber seal provides extra protection from the most persistent raindrops.
We loved the way that the LED emits light not just from the semi-circle of glass, but from the rim around perimeter too – a design feature which results in a cosy, halo-like effect.
Material-wise, it’s solid brass with a bronze finish – materials chosen for their unbeatable durability.
Buy now £75.00, Pooky
Lights4Fun 12 Mini Mushroom Solar Stake Lights
Lights should never be taken too seriously, which is why we’re absolutely smitten with these brilliant stake lights: 12 soft, squidgy mushrooms which provide powerful bursts of solar-powered light when the sun goes down.
Don’t be concerned If you’ve only recently recovered from fairy light untangling trauma, either - the mushrooms are surprisingly easy to untangle, partly because each one is attached to a stake which can simply be slipped out.
The lights are connected to a generously-sized solar panel and during the summer, you’ll get up to eight hours of light, but these aren’t just for warmer weather – we tested on some seriously dark, damp winter days and on average the solar panel soaked up enough sunlight during the day to provide five hours of light at night time. Bonus points for the all-recyclable packaging, too.
Buy now £15.12, Amazon
Dakota Fields 2-Light Outdoor Sconce with PIR Sensor
A sconce-style LED light which projects powerful beams of light upwards and downwards, this stylish light feels fabulously rugged. We opted for black zinc-plated steel, although we’d have been equally happy with the alternative – a stylish stainless steel finish.
The beams of warm white light are bright, but not dazzlingly so, making it an ideal way to illuminate patios or front doors. Adjusting the timing and sensitivity of the PIR function is simple – as with similar models you flip down the sensor’s shade and make adjustments with a screwdriver.
A tiny gripe related to the sensitivity of the sensor – although we found it easy to tweak the light’s timer, the light’s sensor often responded to movement beyond the setting we’d selected. Bulbs are included.
Buy now £21.99, Wayfair
JML Sensor Brite Outdoor Smart motion-activated lights
Although we’d have preferred to see a higher lumen count, these battery-powered lights (you’ll need 3x AA batteries) offer a cheap, simple way to illuminate specific areas of gardens and driveways.
While we’ll always take mains or solar power over batteries, the ultra-precise sensor reacts to movement within 15 feet and turns off the light 30 seconds after movement stops. This means you’ll definitely get the most out of your batteries.
It’s also incredibly easy to mount – the lights come with stakes and a screw mount, although we opted to rely on the 3M adhesive strip attached to the rear.
Buy now £19.99, JML Direct
Dunelm London Bronze Industrial Outdoor Wall Light
Dunelm’s wall light is the perfect choice for anyone who wants a modern take on the classic Narnia-style lamp. The sleek, mains-powered light has a beautiful matte finish, and both the fitting for the bulb and the wall mounting panel are constructed from the same metal as the exterior. It was easy to install and felt incredibly secure once attached, thanks partly to the ultra-sturdy fittings.
Buy now £40.00, Dunelm
The Solar Centre Atlas Solar Spotlights
These fantastic spotlights prove that solar power shouldn’t be underestimated. They produce an incredibly bright beam, in part due to the extra-large solar panel, which can be attached to a wall with the bracket provided.
We loved the carefully-considered design, including the easily accessible waterproof switch to go between settings, as well as the option to change to power-saving mode. It’s worth mentioning that by opting for a beam which was only slightly dimmer, we doubled the time the lights remained on.
Buy now £39.99, Amazon
Lutec Corniche PIR Wall Light - Black
This is the perfect marriage of form and function – a classically-styled lamp that will fit an array of modern or traditional design schemes. Although the material is plastic, it looks uncannily like metal.
We loved the easily-accessible controls and ease in adjusting. You simply use a screwdriver to adjust the controls beneath the PIR sensor. You can programme the light to turn off between 10 secs and 10 mins after movement has been detected, and sensitivity can be set to between three and 12 metres.
Our one grumble? Sadly, it doesn’t come with a bulb.
Buy now £30.00, Homebase
Dawalight External Brick Lights
Best for: discreet lighting
How about a mains-powered garden light that’s a bit of a brick? No, not a real one, but one you could substitute for a brick in the wall? This 28 x 7 x 7.5cm ‘brick’ outdoor light comes with a three-year warranty and a 10W 3000K warm white outdoor LED so you can get going right away. It has a frosted glass panel to stop you from getting dazzled, has a powder coated, dark grey finish and is just the ticket to go into stair risers, light up a balcony or go into a wall in your garden.
Buy now £37.99, Amazon
Imel 18Cm Solar Powered Integrated LED Outdoor Lantern
This white lantern is perfect for adding a warm glow to a garden. We popped ours on an outside table and enjoyed the mellow vibe it imparted once the sun had gone down. It may not look like the most robust or high-end item during the day, but trust us when we say it comes into its own at night.
The cylindrical lantern is designed with a Moroccan aesthetic in mind, and when the LED lights come on, it casts a beautiful 360-degree pattern onto its surroundings. If you’re looking for some ambient lighting for al fresco dinners and drinks, it is an ideal choice.
Buy now £27.99, Wayfair
10m solar power outdoor LED fairy lights
There’s something just so magical about fairy lights and to see them strung up and glowing in an outdoors environment just ups it to another level. The great thing about these 10 metre string of solar powered LED fairy lights is that they work equally well wound round garden furniture, railings, bushes and tree trunks. Essentially, you can be as creative as you want with them. The external solar panel comes with an optional stake so that you can pop it into a pot or the ground for added stability.
They also come with eight different settings, such as static, flashing, slow fade, sequential and in waves, meaning you can adjust depending on your mood and the occasion. They also won’t set you back a fortune, which is a plus.
Buy now £10.99, ManoMano
Solar Powered LED Lantern Light
Pick from one of the colourful quirky designs – green diamond, turquoise oval, gold globe and purple balloon to name a few – and adorn these creations in the trees, hang them above your outdoor seating area or simply place them on their stands on the table for a beautiful garden scene. An eclectic mix of shapes and shades look great together and will be a real spectacle for all your dinner party guests.
Buy now £44.95, NOTHS
Garden by Sainsbury’s Set of 6 Black Solar Fence Lights
Illuminate your garden or terrace area with this set of six solar-powered lights. Ready to use and only requiring the sun to charge them up, simply pop along your fence and watch as they light up a lovely white shade. Not only are they super smart and look great lined up together, but they also won’t cost you the earth and are built to survive all weather conditions.
Buy now £18.00, Habitat
Verdict
The Philips Hue Discover Outdoor Floodlight takes our top spot. It’s hard to find a smart light which offers this level of personalisation but which is so easy to control.
We also loved the ShapeLights Mood Light as we were shocked by how quickly the solar panel charged the battery and how we could quickly change the colour of this pebble-shaped light to suit the occasion.
