7 Best Solar Christmas Lights of 2022, According to Engineers

At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we have a special room that we can program to display specific wavelengths of light. With this equipment, we were able to simulate a day of sunlight to effectively charge up these solar-powered lights. We then tested the continuity and strength of each string lights by removing and attempting to break the bulbs. If a light set had multiple modes, we tested each one for brightness and consistency. All of this was done in a dark room after charging in order to get an idea of how bright these lights would be at nighttime and how effective their auto-on capabilities were.

✔️ Length: Typically, the longer the light string, the more LED bulbs per set. Shorter sets are great for trimming doors and windows but if you’re decorating trees or shrubs you may want to opt for the longest option available. Most brands sell multipacks of lights or several different length options.

✔️ Modes: While most solar lights have a similar number of modes, a few don’t have as many options. If you want to really spice up your decorations, take a look at what flashing or pulsing modes are available.

✔️ Working Time: You want a long working time — how long the lights will stay on after a full charge. There’s nothing worse than setting up great decorations only for them to turn off prematurely. Look for a working time of 8 to 10 hours if you want them to last all night.

✔️ IP Rating: Outdoor lights need to last against the elements, and an IP rating will tell you how durable your lights will be in that regard. An IP rating is a professional standard that classifies how protected electrical equipment is from external waste — practically speaking, that means dirt and water. Each rating is read as IPXX, where the first “X” represents solids, and the second “X” represents liquids. The higher the number, the more resistant it is to that matter. The numbers for solids go up to 6, and the number for liquids goes up to 9. Look for lights with IP ratings of IP65 for outdoor ruggedness designed to withstand winter weather.

Good Housekeeping has been testing Christmas lights for many years. Test Engineer Alec Scherma is a mechanical engineer whose testing experience ranges from artificial Christmas trees to binoculars. He was the lead tester of solar Christmas lights, and with the help of Rachel Rothman, Good Housekeeping’s Chief Technologist, their combined experience provided the necessary knowledge to determine which picks in a crowded market will last the longest and light up your house the brightest.