In my experience, hanging a string of lights instantly adds a cozy warmth to a gloomy balcony or porch. And solar-powered string lights are especially convenient, since they don’t require you to have an outlet nearby.
This set is 54 feet long and has 16 bulb sockets. It comes with 17 bulbs so you have one to spare, as well as a charging cable, remote control, and solar panel.
After trying a few different options, I’ve grown fond of the Addlon Edison Solar Outdoor String Lights. The set I have is 54 feet long with 16 bulb sockets, though depending on the size of your space, you might prefer one of the other variations: 33 feet with nine sockets, 54 feet with 24 sockets, 78 feet with 24 sockets, or 102 feet with 32 sockets.
The 54-foot set comes with 17 Edison-style S14 LED bulbs (one extra), a USB-A–to–USB-C cable, a remote control, and a detachable solar panel. Each socket has a built-in loop, which makes the lights much easier to hang. We have a separate guide on how to hang string lights, if you want some tips.
The lights are powered by a small solar panel, which you can either stake into the ground or mount to a flat surface (the set includes the necessary hardware for both options). I especially like that the panel has a hinged base, so you can adjust its angle to face the sun.
Two buttons on the back of the unit power it on and off and allow you to toggle between three brightness settings. The remote control also has those functions, as well as a timer to turn the lights off after two, four, six, or eight hours.
The built-in battery has a rated capacity of 2,500 mAh, which is enough to keep the lights lit from dusk to dawn. And if you’re unable to glean enough solar power to recharge it, you can also use the USB-C port on the side.
The bulbs of this string light have a warm cast, and since they’re plastic you don’t have to worry about stepping on glass shards if they break. The brightness is comparable to that of other LED string lights I’ve used, both solar and non-solar.
This set has an IP65 weatherization rating, which means it’s fully dustproof and able to withstand jets of water, such as from a sprinkler or hose. It’s also backed by a one-year warranty.
This set is 25 feet long and has 12 bulb sockets. It comes with 13 bulbs so you have one to spare, as well as a charging cable, remote control, and solar panel.
Another set of string lights I love is the Addlon Globe Solar Outdoor String Lights set. It’s nearly identical to the Edison-bulb version but with a few key differences. It’s shorter (25 feet) and comes with 13 globe-shaped G40 LED bulbs (one extra), though like the other set it also comes in a variety of other lengths, including 35 feet, 50 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet.
Instead of loops, this version has small clips on each socket to hang the lights. It has slightly worse battery life, with a rated capacity of 2,200 mAh, but provides one additional brightness setting, as you can choose from 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% brightness.
This set also has a sensor that automatically turns the bulbs on when it’s dark and off when it’s light. You can override this feature by covering the solar panel, which is where the sensor is located.
I prefer this set’s more diminutive round bulbs for a small balcony that I have, whereas the proportions of the Edison bulbs on the other set are better suited to my back patio. I also think this set would be great for brightening up a bedroom or other indoor space, as long as conditions are sufficiently sunny to recharge the battery.
