No Outlet, No Problem—We Narrowed Down the Best Solar String Lights

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Reading up on Domino’s shopping guides is like having your own personal product concierge. We do the tedious part—deep-dive research, hands-on testing, and tapping experts for advice—so all you have to do is hit “add to cart.” That’s why we call them Simply the Best.

Pros have long relied on string lights to cast that dreamy, soft glow over outdoor spaces, but honestly, you don’t need to be chained to a power outlet anymore. Enter the best solar string lights—as long as they catch some direct sunlight, you can hang our picks basically anywhere, even draped from a tree canopy or along a fence. Whether you’re after simple white globes or something a little more unexpected (colorful wire! wicker shades!), we’ve found your perfect match below.

Length: 27 feet | Hours: 5–6 | Number of bulbs: 12

Why we chose them: Edison-style bulbs and brass-effect sockets give these a seriously elevated vibe.

As soon as the sun dips behind the buildings or your neighbor’s house, these retro bulbs automatically turn on. Come daytime, the mid-century modern sockets are way less distracting than most other options. And while the aesthetic is everything, these lights are reliable, too: the shatterproof bulbs and rubberized cord are built to handle the elements, and the brand’s two-year warranty backs up that durability.

Length: 6 feet | Hours: About 5 | Number of bulbs: 10

Why we chose them: Minimalist metal shades bring a unique industrial edge.

West Elm’s candle-shaped bulbs and metal cages are a modern twist on a classic railroad-style lantern—so if you want to give your space a little edge, these are it. You’ll probably want to stock up on a few sets, though, since there are only 10 bulbs per string.

Length: 48 feet | Hours: 5–6 | Number of bulbs: 15

Why we chose it: No-frills, bistro-style lighting that just works.

The baby sister of our favorite Brightech Glow style, the Ambience string lights have the same commercial-grade weatherproof guarantee—they can stay outside year-round, enduring up to 50-mile-per-hour winds—but with a little less aesthetic punch. The bulbs come in a timeless Edison shape, but their black plastic sockets are purely utilitarian.

Length: 44 feet | Hours: 40 | Number of bulbs: 20

Why we chose it: Tiny twinkles with some seriously sweet bonus features.

Originally designed for campsites, these string lights pack serious power in a compact package. They arrive wound neatly inside a sleek storage case that’s also home to the solar panel, plus a handy backup plug for USB charging on cloudy days. Unlike our other picks, these lights can be unplugged from their power source until they need a charge. And that won’t be for a while—the bulbs last an impressive 40 hours. Oh, and did I mention the case doubles as a charging spot for your phone in a pinch?

Length: 25.5 feet | Hours: 10 | Number of bulbs: 10

Why we chose them: Two design powerhouses teamed up—The Novogratz family and British lighting brand Pooky.

These colorful, buoy-like solar string lights are like nothing I’ve ever seen. But beyond The Novogratz’s personality-packed design is the practicality Pooky is known for: two charging options, a remote for dimming or turning bulbs on and off, and a wet location IP rating (bring on the rain).

Length: 25 feet | Hours: N/A | Number of bulbs: 10

Why we chose them: Ruffly rattan shades bring the warmth and texture.

Cottagecore meets the patio: these solar string lights, a Target collab with Studio McGee, sport subtly scalloped rattan shades that are such a charming complement to the simple globe bulbs. If you don’t have an easy spot to hang yours overhead, the included ground stakes let you line a garden bed or pathway instead. But with only 10 bulbs per strand that reviewers say are quite dim, expect ambience—not task lighting.

The best solar string lights never let sunshine go to waste and won’t get shredded after a thunderstorm. Your dinner parties can go on for hours, from sunset to sunrise, in any season, thanks to this durable mood lighting. We made sure our picks went beyond the standard chunky black cables, focusing on design-forward options you can easily string along your balcony fence or even the tree limbs in your backyard. Each product on our list delivers a minimum of five hours of glow and won’t require direct-only rays to light up come evening.

Many popular solar string lights have clear globe or Edison-style bulbs, but you’ll spot a variety of finishes (think: frosted or colors) and sizes (even fairy lights!). However, string lights are generally on the smaller side since they’re tethered by a main line and can’t be too heavy. Beyond the bulb, the socket can elevate your string lights into a true design moment; our list features both metallic and brightly colored versions for an aesthetic boost. Decorative shades are another nice-to-have for a hit of texture.

Solar string lights are best for adding ambience. In most cases, they don’t put out enough lumens to serve as path or stair lights. As Julia Discroll of Katherine Field and Associates previously told us when talking about the best outdoor solar lights, they can’t compare to the brightness of hardwired lighting. The latter is typically able to deliver 300 lumens, whereas solar lights average out at about 30.

As outdoor fixtures, solar string lights need to be durable enough to survive the elements. To make sure yours are safe to leave outside 24/7, look for an IP (Ingress Protection) rating of at least 44. The higher the number, the more they can endure—from dust and debris to water drips, jets, spray, splashes, and more. Of course, the rating becomes less of a concern if you’re hanging your string lights from a covered patio ceiling versus a tree in the yard.

The biggest perk of solar-powered lights? You aren’t restricted by proximity to an outlet. However, you’ll still want strands long enough to loop or weave; most options range from 25 to 60 feet. For an exact measurement, note the total length the wire needs to stretch across, and add 2 feet or more (trust me, you’ll want that soft dip in between destinations). My advice: buy more than you think you need, then return any extras.

This really depends on the product. While solar lights rely on the sun to operate—an arguably endless energy supply—the panels themselves won’t be effective forever. You’ll likely only get two years or so out of your lights before they fail to glow.

Be strategic about the placement of the solar panel that comes with your string lights—it should get plenty of direct sunlight to make sure the bulbs will blink on come nightfall.

The solar panel is equipped with a sensor so it absorbs sun during the day, then channels all that power to your bulbs in the evening. Many solar lights do come with a manual switch, though, if you’d rather have control.

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