Over 1 million people each year report injuries involving steps. Steps can be a dangerous area of your home if they are not properly lit. Step lights are a great way to make your home safer and give your outdoor space that extra sense of warmth and personality.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at 6 best solar-powered stair lights. Before diving into the product options, we would like to let you know some factors when choosing the best outdoor solar step lights for your home.
- What to Consider When Choosing the Best Outdoor Solar Step Lights
- 6 Best Outdoor Solar Step Lights
- Comparison of the 6 Best Outdoor Solar Step Lights
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Outdoor Solar Step Lights
Many types of step lights are available on the market. Here are some tips on what to choose.
Brightness
Generally, when purchasing lighting, the brighter the better, but that is not always the case for step lights. Step lighting is primarily about having adequate lights without being too bright. Solar step lights are meant to light the way but not be a beaming light alerting the neighborhood they are in. Take the time to look at various styles and choose those that have a more frosted glass appearance. Frost on the glass helps reduce the amount of abrupt light escaping the fixture. Choose lights that have a warm LED lighting effect for the best results.
Solar Panel Efficiency
Among the most important aspects of any solar panel device is the actual efficiency of the panels. Solar panels vary in efficiency ranges. Lower-efficiency solar panels will have a rating of 13% or slightly higher. The highest-efficiency solar panels currently on the market are those that carry a 22.8% efficiency rating. To a novice user, those figures might seem a little low, but it is actually derived from how much energy the panel extracts from the sun. Generally, an efficient set of solar step lights will be around 20%. When purchasing your new solar step lights, always look for their efficiency rating. If it cannot be found in the product introduction, check the solar panel capacity.
Battery Capacity and Runtime
This area of solar step light purchase is vitally important. Even the most efficient solar panels are nothing without available storage. Lithium-ion batteries tend to be the optimal choice for solar step lights. These batteries can be charged continually for up to 5 years, depending on the model purchased. Solar step lights charge for the entire day and the battery capacity can allow them to remain lit for 6 to 10 hours at night. Naturally, the larger your battery capacity, the longer they will remain lit at night.
Material
Solar step lights can be comprised of a wide range of materials. Cheaper light housings are contained in plastic materials. Cheaper, plastic housing will only last a few years before they require replacing. However, a combination of stainless steel and high-strength ABS will produce lights that last for many years without them needing to be replaced. Although budget can be a big deal in your purchase, always look for the quality of the material being used in the device.
Weather Resistance
The best solar step lights are comprised of high-strength materials that can withstand anything the weather throws their way. Weather resistance is vitally important to these devices. They must withstand rain, wind, hail, and even harmful rays from the sun that can bleach and deteriorate some cheaper materials. Weather-resistant solar step lights maintain their shape, structure, and beauty for years without appearing worn. High-strength plastics and aluminum are among the most common for solar step lights. They resist the throws of weather while maintaining their optimal look. When evaluating the waterproof capabilities of outdoor products like solar step lights, people commonly rely on IP ratings. The higher the IP rating, the more effectively the product can resist rain and dust. IP44 represents a basic level of protection against small objects and water splashes, while IP65 offers a higher level of safeguarding against dust and water jets. For outdoor lights, an IP rating of IP44 is generally considered sufficient.
Installation
Solar step lights are effortless to install. Except for screw mounting, most varieties come with a double-sided tape option that can be excellent for those who do not want to drill into the surface the light is fixed to. However, over time, the double-sided tape can fail and the light may have to be drilled in any way. The method you choose is dependent upon what type of material your step lights are comprised of. Double-sided tape sticks best to wood, metal, and composite steps. The tape can also work for steps with smooth concrete, but if your concrete is textured, you will find it difficult to adhere the tape properly to the surface. Even if you are not a very handy person, installing solar step lights is a great place to start learning as they are among the easiest forms of lighting to install. There are no electrical wires to contend with.
Lighting Modes
What do you desire from your solar step lights? This is the question you should ask yourself before making a final purchase. General solar step lights may not provide any additional modes apart from standard solar lighting. However, some solar step lights may offer multi-color mode which means they will change light colors automatically.
Design and Aesthetics
You want your home to look its very best and shopping for solar step lights is no different than shopping for anything else for your home. Choose an option that matches your home’s existing aesthetic. There are so many varieties and styles to choose from, there is no reason not to match your home’s overall design.
6 Best Outdoor Solar Step Lights
In this section, we will introduce the details of 6 products, so you can choose the best ones for your home.
MAXvolador Solar Step Lights
MAXvolador solar step lights come in a pack of 20 and only cost 49.99 USD, 2.5 USD for each.
They are the most affordable among all the options compared in this blog. For those who have a long stair, MAXvolador solar step lights are the best choice because they are the most cost-effective.
These solar step lights only take 6-8 hours in sunlight to charge. When fully charged, they have a runtime of up to 8-12 hours, which is the longest compared to other lights. These lights turn on and off automatically and respond to dusk and dawn. You’ll never have to worry about leaving your step lights on for too long.
You have different options for the light color and the shell color. MAXvolador offers warm white and multicolor glow options, and the shells are available in brown, white, and black. These choices make MAXvolador solar step lights suitable for diverse styles of backyards or decks.
These solar step lights are also easy to install with double-sided tape and screws for mounting. They are designed to be small and non-intrusive, meaning they are easy to set up wherever, whenever, to add charming ambiance to your outdoor spaces. Thanks to the design of MAXvolador solar step lights, they are not limited to just steps. You can easily use them on any edge, such as railing, gutter, fence, and so on.
It offers a brightness of 10 lumens. It provides sufficient illumination for your steps without causing any disturbance to your neighbors with overly bright light. The only disadvantage of these lights is that they have a rating of IP44. If you have read the factors to consider in the previous section, you will know that IP44 is adequate for outdoor use, but IP65 will be even better. So, the MAXvolador solar step lights have many advantages, which definitely outweigh the disadvantages.
Audles Solar Step Lights
Audles solar step lights come in a pack of 6 and cost 29.99 USD, 5 USD for each. They are expensive but seem worth it.
They offer a brightness of 80 lumens with 13 LEDs which makes them the best option for those who prefer brighter step lights.
These step lights are made from IP65 waterproof ABS material, meaning the plastic shell has been tested and can withstand water jets – which means these lights will definitely be reliable in the strongest of rainstorms!
In addition, the solar step lights offer more than 8 hours of runtime. When it comes to installation, featuring back glue and bolts and screws, depending on where you’re securing them. The solar step lights do have a few disadvantages, though. In terms of design, the solar step lights are a little large and clunky, perhaps not blending in as well as other available stair lights. Overall, though, it’s clear that the Audles solar step lights are a great option to light up your outside space.
TFTEK Solar Fence Lights
The TFTEK solar fence lights come in a pack of 6 and cost 24.99 USD, 4.2 USD for each.
They have many good points. These solar lights are made from tough ABS and stainless steel which make them more durable.
Another advantage of the TFTEK solar fence lights is that they turn on and off automatically based on light levels, at dusk and dawn. That means they’re super efficient even when you forget to turn them off.
However, the solar fence lights only last between 6 and 7 hours, which is on the lower side compared to other solar lights, which can often last up to and beyond 8 hours at a time. Additionally, in terms of installation, these lights are a little more difficult as there is no double-sided tape option. Instead, they must be installed using screws – but at least there’s no wiring needed! The solar fence lights might also look a bit bulky to some and they can only be installed on Vertical surfaces due to their design, which means sometimes they cannot be exposed to sunlight. So, the TFTEK solar fence lights definitely have advantages, but there are also a few disadvantages to keep in mind.
NFEVER Solar Steps Lights
The NFEVER solar steps lights come in a pack of 4 and cost 19.99 USD, 5 USD for each.
Just like several of the step lights we’ve looked at so far in this article, the NFEVER solar step lights turn on and off automatically in response to light, making them ultra-efficient and eco-friendly.
The lights are also super weather-resistant; they are IP65 waterproof and MSDS and FCC certified, which means they can withstand any kind of weather, from heat to snow and rain. In addition, the NFEVER solar step lights are easy to install, with the option to use the double-sided tape or screws provided.
The lights even come with an RGB multicolor option, allowing you to personalize your lighting in a range of colors! One of the downsides of the step lights is that they are not very bright. There is no runtime information about this product. The other downside to these step lights is their design and aesthetic. They are a little bulky-looking and stand out from whatever they are attached to.
Due to their design, it is important to select the installation location carefully in order to allow the solar panel to absorb as much sunlight as possible.
DenicMic Solar Steps Lights
The DenicMic solar step lights come in a pack of 6 and cost 33.98 USD, 5.7 USD for each.
These lights offer a brightness of 10 lumens per light, and they require 6 hours to charge and can run for up to 8-9 hours at a time.
The solar step lights are also super fun, offering 2 options for lighting: RGB colors and warm white, meaning you can adapt your lighting to suit your mood or requirements.
In addition, the design and aesthetics of the DenicMic solar step lights are sleek and good at blending in with whatever they are attached to. However, these solar step lights have a rating of IP45, meaning if you live in an area with more extreme weather conditions like snow and frost or extreme heat and rain, these lights may not be the best option for you in the long term.
Also, the DenicMic solar step lights cannot be fixed with double-sided tape, unlike several of the solar step lighting options out there. Instead, they must be fixed with screws, which may be a disadvantage to some. Overall, the DenicMic solar step lights are definitely front-runners in some aspects but do consider their disadvantages if you want to choose them.
Melunar Solar Steps Lights
The Melunar solar step lights are another great option for your outdoor lighting needs. They come in a pack of 6 and cost 34.98 USD, 5.8 USD for each.
As with many solar step lights, they have a few advantages and a few disadvantages.
Let’s start with the good things: firstly, the Melunar solar steps lights have 10 lumens per light, meaning they’re bright enough to light your way through your outdoor space.
In addition, these step lights charge in just 4-5 hours and have an average runtime of 8 hours, which are both great numbers in the solar step light market.
They have 2 lighting modes: warm white and color-changing mode. You can switch between them according to your needs. The Melunar solar step light is made from IP55 ABS plastic, which is suitable for outdoor products but is not as sturdy and durable as some of the other solar lighting options out there.
Also, the installation of this light could be difficult for some because it requires screws instead of double-sided tape, which many lighting options provide.
In terms of design and aesthetics, the Melunar solar step lights may not be to everyone’s taste. They are a decorative feature as much as a lighting feature – but some people might like the design. The Melunar solar steps lights are a great option for outdoor lighting, despite having a few disadvantages, offering great charging time and runtime.
Comparison of the 6 Best Outdoor Solar Step Lights
Take a look at the table below to see the comparison of the top 6 solar stair and step lights detailed in this article:
| Factor | MAXvolador | Audles | TFTEK | NFEVER | DenicMic | Melunar |
| Price | 20-Pack: $49.99 $2.5 / count | 6-Pack: $29.99 $5 / count | 6-Pack: $24.99 $4.2 / count | 4-Pack: $19.99 $5 / count | 6-Pack: $33.98 $5.7 / count | 6-Pack: $34.98 $5.8 / count |
| Brightness | 10 lumens | 80 lumens | 20 lumens | – | 10 lumens | 10 lumens |
| Working Mode | Auto on/off | Auto on/off | Auto on/off | Auto on/off | – | Auto on/off |
| Runtime | 8-12 hours | 8 hours | 6-7 hours | – | 8-9 hours | 8 hours |
| Material | Plastic | Plastic | Plastic | Plastic & Stainless Steel | Plastic | Plastic |
| Weather-proofing | IP44 | IP65 | – | IP65 | IP45 | IP55 |
| Installation | Tape & screws | Back glue & screws | Screws | Tape & screws | Screws | Screws |
Outdoor solar step lights make pathways safer at night and they add a certain level of style to the appearance of your outdoor steps. Take your time when choosing the solar step lights that are right for you. Solar step lights are an inexpensive way to enhance the appearance of your home and make it safer for those you love.
