Solar Garden & Pathway Lights

Garden and pathway lights do two jobs: marking a route and highlighting plants or features. Decide which matters more before comparing brightness.

• Brightness. Path lights that mark edges can be dim; landscape spotlights for trees or walls need far more lumens. Compare lumen ratings rather than LED counts.
• Materials. Metal or glass housings usually outlast thin plastic, and sturdy stakes resist lawnmowers and frost heave.
• Battery. Most use replaceable AA or AAA NiMH cells, or a built-in lithium pack. Replaceable cells are cheaper to maintain.
• Weather rating. IP65 or higher handles rain and sprinklers.
• Panel position. Lights in shady beds work better with a separate panel on a cable.

Space path lights so pools of light overlap slightly for a continuous route, and keep panels clear of leaves and dirt. For decorative pieces, see solar garden decor lights; for security lighting, see motion and security lights.