We’re an affiliate: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on purchases made through them.
If you’ve ever tried adding solar path lights to a shaded area, you’ve probably found they don’t get enough sunlight to keep the battery charged enough to keep the lights shining bright.
Luckily you can purchase path lights with a remote solar panel so you can place the panel in a sunny spot and the lights on the shaded path. We’ve scoured the market to find the best lights for the job and have created this guide to help you out.
Quick look at our picks:
- Editor’s Choice: APONUO LED Solar Spotlights
- Great Value: CLY LED Solar Spotlights
- Great for Versatility: T-SUNUS LED Solar Spotlights
- Unique Style: ALOVECO Color Changing Lights
In the rest of this guide we’ll run you through a couple of things to consider when buying path lights with a remote solar panel and then take a look at our recommendations.
Contents
A Few Things to Consider
Before we take a look at our picks, here are a few things to consider before you make your final buying decicision.
- Cable length – You need to make sure you purchase lights where the cable between the panel and the light(s) is long enough so you can place the panel in a sunny spot. This is the main reason our top pick is the APONUO LED Solar Spotlights. The cables on these lights are a lot longer than most other lights of this type.
- The stakes are often fairly weak – A common problem with pathway lights is that the stakes holding them upright snap under pressure (e.g. someone bumping into them/accidently kicking them). One way to avoid this is by loosely packing the ground around the stake so if the light is knocked it will simply fall over rather than snap. Obviously you need to make sure it’s packed tight enough to hold the light up but worth considering if you think this will be an issue.
Best Path Lights with Remote Solar Panel
Below you can find our top picks for the best solar path lights with remote solar panel. For each light, we’ll run you through the features and design, pros and cons, specifications, and what the reviewers have to say.
1. APONUO LED Solar Spotlights – Editor’s Choice
Overall, our top pick is the APONUO LED Solar Spotlights. One of the main reasons we chose these lights is due to the long cables. There is a 16.5 foot cable between the solar panel and the first light and another 16.5 foot cable between the first light and the second light which is considerably longer than most of this type of light offers. Not only that, but you can also purchase a 16.4ft extention cable to give you even more to work with. Cables that are too short are one of the more common problem users face with other similar lights as it limits how you can layout your lighting.
As well as the ground stake, these lights include screws to mount them on the wall. The settings are simple with just two option (high/low) and the lights automatically turn on at night and off during the day. They are IP65 rated to withstand harsh weather and there are both warm and cool light variants available.
What the Reviewers Say
Overall, users are generally happy with the length of the cables, how bright the lights are, and the battery life. The most frequent complaint with these lights is the durability. A few users found the lights stopped working after a few months (they do come with a 1-year warranty). One user has found putting a loop in the wire before the solar panel allows water to drip to the ground rather than towards the solar panel which helps to prevent water damage to the panel.
Specifications
- Charging time: 6-8 hours
- Pack size: 1 panel, 2 lights
- Waterproof level: IP65
- Cable length: 16.5ft, 16.5ft
- Battery: 4000 mAh
Find the APONUO LED Solar Spotlights on Amazon.
2. CLY LED Solar Spotlights – Great Value
The CLY LED Solar Spotlights offer great value for your money. They’re a similar price to other options but come with three lights in each set. However, one thing to keep in mind is that the cables are fairly short.
These lights can be wall mounted with the included screws or placed into the ground. They are IP66 rated so able to withstand harsh weather. The lights automatically turn on at night and off during the day and there are two settings (high/low).
What the Reviewers Say
For the most part, users are happy with the quality of these lights and the value for money they provide. There are a few complaints due to the short length of the cord and the lights don’t stay bright for as long as other models. This is expected as one solar panel and battery is powering three lights rather than the usual two. If you’re okay with the shorter cables and don’t require bright lights until the early hours though, these lights are a good choice.
Specifications
- Charging time: 8-10 hours
- Pack size: 1 panel, 3 lights
- Waterproof level: IP66
- Battery: 4000 mAh
Find the CLY LED Solar Spotlights on Amazon.
3. T-SUNUS LED Solar Spotlights – Great for Versatility
The T-SUNUS LED Solar Spotlights are great if you want more freedom over where you can place them and the option for multicolor lights. The problem with a lot of path lights with remote solar panels is that they are daisy chained which limits how you can position them. These T-SUNUS lights each have their own solar panel which removes that limitation. The cable between the lights and panel is around 10 feet so you have plenty of room to work with.
You also have the option to wall-mount these lights. There are two brightness settings (high/low) and they have a waterproof rating of IP65. You can purchase these in the standard white light or you also have the option of blue, green, purple, or multicolor lights.
What the Reviewers Say
Overall, users are please with the quality and brightness of these lights and the customer support from T-SUNUS. A few users have come across an issue with the multicolor lights where despite setting them to a static color, they would revert back to varying colors. It seems this happens when the solar panels don’t get enough sun exposure.
Specifications
- Charging time: 6-8 hours
- Pack size: 2 panels, 2 lights
- Waterproof level: IP65
- Cable length: 10ft
- Battery: 2200 mAh
Find the T-SUNUS LED Solar Spotlights on Amazon.
4. ALOVECO Color Changing Lights – Unique Style
If you would prefer your lights to have a more unique feel to them, the ALOVECO Color Changing Lights are worth checking out. Not only is the design of these different than most, but the lights gradually change between 7 colors to create a nice ambience.
The lights automatically turn on at night and off during the day. They are made from stainless steel and ABS plastic and are IP67 waterproof rated so able to withstand harsh weather.
What the Reviewers Say
For the most part, users love the appearance of these lights, however, a few users have noted that the cable between the lights is quite short so it’s hard to lay them out the way you want to. It might also be an issue for very shaded areas because the solar panel may not be able to reach the sunlit area.
Specifications
- Charging time: 6-8 hours
- Pack size: 1 panel, 4 lights
- Waterproof level: IP67
Find the ALOVECO Color Changing Lights on Amazon.