solar lamp posts outside a house

10 Best Solar Lamp Posts in [current_year] (Review)

Every household needs a good lamp post to provide a lighting source during the night. However, traditional post lights consume too much power.

Choosing an LED light source will provide good lighting for many years, as new LEDs are designed for long lifespans. The ideal combination is to use a renewable source of energy to power these LED lights.

Today, that is possible by choosing one of the best solar lamp posts in [current_year]. These solar powered post lights use small PV cells to charge pre-installed batteries and provide an LED lighting source over the night.

Here you will find detailed solar lamp post reviews that will be explained with valuable features and specs to help you to make a well-informed decision. Let’s get started with this valuable buying guide!

Carlos

Written by qualified solar engineer Carlos. Last updated:

The Best Solar Lamp Posts

1. Sterno Home GL23716BK Solar Lamp Post

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Key Features:

  • Four amorphous solar panels
  • Twelve LED lights
  • 1-year warranty

Key Specifications:

  • 50-lumen output​
  • Three AA Ni-MH batteries
  • Weight: 13.13 pounds

Where To Buy

The Sterno GL23716BK solar powered lamp post is an innovative solution designed to light up patios, driveways, and walkways using a renewable and efficient source of energy.

The post light has four (4) integrated amorphous solar panels on the top side that generate DC electricity when exposed to direct sunlight. This DC electrical current is used to power a three AA Nickel Metal-Hydrate (Ni-MH) rechargeable battery pack that is used to provide dusk to dawn performance.

The Sterno Home solar lamp post has a beautiful and elegant old-fashioned designed with a cast aluminum construction and a rust-resistant black finish. It also has plastic lenses that have been designed to endure harsh weather conditions.

Moreover, the light intensity of the lamp post is close to 50 lumens. This is enough as to provide a remarkable ambiance to any outdoor garden, just like solar pathway lights which are provided by twelve (12) bright white LEDs designed to provide cool light over a long period of time without the need for any maintenance.

This solar lamp post light is also easy to install. All of the main parts are already integrated without the need to make any electrical wiring. By simply assembling base, post, and lamp structures, you can install your light fixture anywhere you like.

2. Gama Sonic GS-106PL Solar Lamp Post

Key Features:

  • Planter base for easy installation
  • Rust-resistant cast aluminum construction
  • 10 white LED lights

Key Specifications:

  • 80 lumens output
  • 10-12 hours of light between dusk and dawn
  • 1,000 charge cycles for lithium-ion battery

Where To Buy

Gama GS-106PL is probably one of the best companies dedicated to the design and construction of solar powered lamp posts since 2001.

In this case, the Gama Sonic Baytown GS-106PL series is the perfect model for residential applications like patios, gardens, or home entrances.

This solar lamp post is 77 inches tall from base to top and has been designed with rust-resistant cast aluminum that is covered with a powder-coated black finish to provide a sophisticated light fixture to any ambience.

Moreover, the product has been designed with a cutting-edge lithium-ion battery pack technology that is reliable enough as to last over 1,000 charge cycles, which represents around 3 years of performance. This lithium battery gets fully charged every day by using four monocrystalline silicon solar cells located on top of the lamp post. They convert direct sunlight into DC electricity.

The solar LED lamp post turns on automatically at dusk and provides 80 lumens of light to your garden or patio areas. An interesting feature of this post lamp is that it has a decorative planter base, which makes it easy to install when compared to other lamp posts.

3. Kemeco ST4311AHP Solar Lamp Post

Key Features:

  • Plastic planter base
  • Cast aluminum construction
  • Warm white light

Key Specifications:

  • 2300mAh battery capacity
  • 6-8 hours of light for dusk and dawn
  • 6 solar powered LEDs

Where To Buy

The Kemeco ST4311AHP solar lamp is another remarkable solution for outdoor lighting that consists on a simple set of components (head, top, middle and bottom posts, base, and planter base) that can be easily assembled for a practical installation.

The design of the solar powered street light features 6 efficient LED bulbs that have four monocrystalline solar cells which constantly recharge the three integrated Ni-MH batteries across the day to fully charge the 2300mAh capacity of the battery pack.

This battery capacity is enough to power the LED lights around 6-8 hours (estimated performance time between dusk and dawn). Keep in mind that for the first battery charge, you must let the lamp post light charge nearly 24 hours.

The 6 LED bulbs provide a warm white light ambience to your patio, garden or yard. Moreover, the decorative style of the outdoor solar lamp post is based in a classic cast aluminum design that features ripple glass and a plastic planter base. It combines aesthetics and solar lighting to obtain the best performance

4. Gama Sonic GS-98B-S-WB

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Key Features:

  • Weathered bronze finished
  • Monocrystalline solar modules
  • Anchor system integrated

Key Specifications:

  • 120 lumens of brightness
  • The battery lasts 1,000 charge cycles
  • LED light bulb lasts around 10 years

Where To Buy

Another stylish solution from Gama Sonic to your outdoor lighting needs is the Royal Bulb Gama GS-98B-S-WB model. It is a solar powered lamp that requires no electrical wiring. This LED light fixture uses an integrated anchor system that allows you to secure the post lamp in the ground or that allows you to attach the post light to concrete.

What is more innovative and beautiful about this solar street light, besides its mounting system, is its remarkable and sophisticated bronze finish that will add an elegant touch to any house.

Moreover, this solar powered lamp post has an integrated lithium-ion battery pack that can work for nearly 1,000 charges (approximately 3 years). The best thing about the design is that after the battery reaches the end of its useful life, you only need to replace it with another lithium battery that will last 3 more years. Regarding the LED light bulb itself is guaranteed by the brand to last around 50,000 hours of operation (estimated time of 10-years).

The LED brightness can be configured under two operation modes to extend the light duration and when fully charged, the battery can last for 8 hours from dusk to dawn while the LEDs provide 120 lumens of brightness.

This design and performance have inspired multiple positive solar lamp post reviews on Amazon

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5. Kanstar 65″ Street Vintage

Key Features:

  • Dimmable and light direction adjustable
  • AA nickel-cadmium battery
  • Stainless steel finish

Key Specifications:

  • 800mAh battery capacity
  • 3 LED bulbs
  • Adjustable height at 26”, 48”, or 65”

Where To Buy

This simple but beautiful Kanstar 65″ Street Vintage outdoor garden solar lamp post is the perfect option for those who are looking for a functional and aesthetic solar light for their backyard or patio.

The lamp post light has been manufactured with a pre-installed rechargeable AA nickel-cadmium battery with a capacity of 800mAh. By using four pre-installed solar cells, the battery instantly starts getting charged as soon as sunlight reaches the modules. The automatic sensor installed in the street lamp gets activated at dusk and turns on the 3 LED bulbs that provide bright white light.

The light lamp height can also be adjusted by adding sectional poles at 26”, 48”, or 65” to suit all lighting purposes. Light intensity and direction can also be adjusted.

Moreover, the lamp head material is made out of a coated plastic and the pole is aluminum-based with a stainless-steel finish.

6. iGlow Outdoor Garden Solar Streetlight

Key Features:

  • LED turns on off automatically by a light sensor
  • Crystalline module technology
  • Black finish

Key Specifications:

  • 100-lumen output
  • LEDs have 100,000 hours of operation
  • Dimensions: 12.8 x 12.5 x 16.5 inches

Where To Buy

The iGlow Outdoor Garden solar powered lamp features a stylish design with two ultra-bright SMD LEDs that provide up to 100 lumens. These LED light bulbs are estimated to last for over 100,000 hours of operation (representing over 15 years of operation). You will only need to replace the LED bulbs twice in the lifespan of the solar cells.

The lamp post also has an automatic sensor that instantly activates the two LEDs in the absence of light to provide 100 lumens of bright intensity. Moreover, the street lamp also has a crystalline solar panel technology that obtains a better conversion rate than other technologies.

Regarding the construction of the solar post, it is based with a durable and rust-resistant cast aluminum — designed to endure harsh weather conditions. It is easy to install by using the ground spikes provided in the product that can be buried into the ground. No electrical wiring is required to do the installation.

The current price on Amazon for this product is $65.

7. TruePower Solar Charged LED Lamp

Key Features:

  • Adjustable height
  • UV and weatherproof cast aluminum solar light
  • Automatic sensor

Key Specifications:

  • 1800mAh battery capacity
  • 6 outdoor LED light bulbs
  • 10 hours of operation between dusk and dawn if fully charged

Where To Buy

TruePower Solar brings another affordable solar outdoor lamp that has multiple height options by adding or removing pole sections, similar to our street vintage model. Adjustable heights can be set at 3ft, 4ft, and 5ft.

This street light model uses crystalline solar panels to power three rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries that have 1800mAh of energy capacity, which is enough as to last around 10 hours between dusk and dawn. This battery is used at night to power 6 LED lights.

Featuring a rust, UV and weatherproof aluminum design, the solar post works as the perfect source of light for any yard or garden.

Moreover, the solar outdoor LED light turns on/off automatically as soon as the sensor detects the absence of sunlight. The outdoor LED lamp also has an on/off switch to activate the solar light post manually if desired.

It is always recommended that during the first charge, the solar post is deactivated during the night using the manual switch. This is to avoid discharging during the first night, and to make sure the battery is fully charged with two days of charging.

8. Gama Sonic GS-94B-S

Key Features:

  • Aluminum solar lamp
  • Anchor system included for installation
  • Light cone reflector

Key Specifications:

  • The battery lasts around 1,000 charge cycles
  • LEDs shine at 180 lumens
  • 1,500mAh battery capacity

Where To Buy

The Gama GS-94B-S Sonic Pagoda solar lamp is another amazing product from the brand that offers an outdoor lighting solution for your house entrance, garden or patio.

The GS-104S model is a single head LED light fixture that has been inspired with the Eastern Asia architecture style in mind. The solar post light is 87 inches tall and includes four solar cells which are located on the four sides of the head.

Moreover, this lamp post has 13 super bright white LEDs that have a light cone reflector — unique from the brand that enhances the glow of the lamp. These LEDs shine at 180 lumens for up to 8 hours (assuming full charge of the 1,500mAh lithium-ion battery) between dusk and dawn. Using monocrystalline solar technology, the PV cells are able to take the batteries at full charge in almost 6 hours. The battery pack has been designed to last around 1,000 charges which is close to a 3-year performance.

These lighting characteristics make the Gama Sonic Pagoda model the perfect option if you are looking for solar lamp posts for driveways, streets, gardens, or yards. This design is also similar to the Victorian solar lamp post series of Gama Sonic which is also another valuable option to consider.

9. Solar Smart Creations 72″ Vintage Lights

Key Features:

  • Triple head design
  • Adjustable heights
  • Light direction selection

Key Specifications:

  • Two AA nickel-cadmium batteries
  • 1,600mAh total capacity
  • Dimensions: 7 x 18 x 70 inches

Where To Buy

This affordable solar powered lamp by Solar Smart Creations has a triple head design that makes it suitable for residential and public purposes.

The product is integrated with two rechargeable AA nickel-cadmium batteries of 800mAh, which totals a 1600mAh battery capacity. It is able to last from dusk to dawn. The lamp post is powered by four pieces of solar cells that produce 80mAh each.

The triple solar lamp heads have a light sensor that is turned on automatically at dusk, and they also have a manual switch to turn the LEDs off or on.

The lamp heads have a UV powder coated plastic material that protects the post against constant solar radiation and also makes it water-resistant for protection during the rainy season. The lamp post has a stainless-steel finish that provides functionality and aesthetics at the same time.

The solar light post height can also be adjusted by adding or removing sectional poles that allow you to select total height between 26”, 37”, 48”, and 70”.

The light direction can either be pointed up or down. The product can be found at a current price on Amazon of $70.

10. Gama Sonic GS-109S-B

Key Features:

  • Monocrystalline solar technology
  • Curved design
  • 11 LEDs

Key Specifications:

  • 200-lumen output
  • 3,000mAh battery capacity
  • 1,000 charge cycles

Where To Buy

Another remarkable product from Gama GS-109S-B is the Everest downlight model. This urban industrial design is mainly intended for residential streets, pathways, and sidewalks.

The curved design and round monocrystalline solar panel located on top will attract the attention of the neighborhood. Moreover, the solar lamp post uses 11 LED bulbs powered by a lithium-ion battery that is able to last up to 1,000 charge cycles (enough as to last 3 years).  This battery can also be replaced at the end of its life cycle.

This lithium-ion battery has a large 3,000mAh capacity that is able to last up to 12 hours (enough as to last the entire night — maybe leaving a little extra power for next night in case solar energy is not suitable for next day). Dusk and dawn lighting will be guaranteed with this product.

The super bright result from these cutting-edge technology LEDs is a 200-lumen output, which is more than enough to illuminate any sidewalk or street.

Choosing a Solar Powered Lamp Post – 5 Things to Look For

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Battery Lifespan

This element is one of the most important features that you must look into when selecting a solar powered lamp post.

The solar post light is usually made out of steel or aluminum, therefore the structure of the post itself has to be purchased once in a lifetime. The LEDs are intended to last for thousands of hours of operation that generally reach between 7-15 years. The solar PV cells should also last around 20-25 years if they are good quality. However, the battery performance is not as long as the other elements, as they tend to last between 2 and 3 years.

By choosing a long lifespan battery you will minimize costs in the long-run.

Battery Capacity and Charging and Discharging Rates

Another factor to consider when selecting solar powered lamp posts is the battery charging and discharging time. This factor is entirely related to the capacity of the battery, the power/efficiency of the solar PV cells, and the solar resource available in your area.

If you have a good solar resource available in your area, you can opt for higher capacity batteries. You will have higher chances of completing the charge the battery in a single day. Low capacity batteries are more ideal for places with a bad solar resource, as the battery will have better chances of getting charged despite the low solar irradiance.

Charging and discharging times should generally be indicated by the manufacturer. A 6-7 hour charge rate is good enough while a good rate for discharging should be located between 10-12 hours. 

Lumen Output

Since you are selecting an outdoor lighting source, the lumen output must always be considered. The best solar lights must have a balance between lumen output and price.

The lumen is the unit that quantifies the intensity of light that originates from a single source. In other words, the lumen provides a reference of how bright the light source will be.

For solar lamp posts, the lumen range value should be located between 50 and 300 lumens.

Aesthetic Design

Keep in mind that you are purchasing a product that is intended to last for many years at your front door, garden, or patio. Therefore, you must like it.

There are dozens of shapes and styles, from classic to modern. There are multiple finish types in stainless steel, black, or even weathered bronze. Gama Sonic counts with a large repertory of solar light posts, and you can definitely find one that you like that matches the architecture of your household.

Adjustability

The possibility to adjust the light direction or the height of the solar outdoor LED post is also important to consider. It could tilt the balance in favor of a specific model.

Many solar lamp post lights allow adjusting the height by adding more pole sections to fit your needs. You will have the option to try installing the solar post light at different heights to see which configuration looks better.

Also, some models allow lighting operation modes to modify the brightness by adding a dimmer in the solar powered lamp post.

5 Things to Consider When Installing the Outdoor Solar Lamp Post

Location

Just as a solar flagpole light, these post lights use solar power as their main source of energy. Therefore, you must carefully select where you will place the light lamp.

Locate the post light in a place where it can receive the highest amount of solar radiation over the day. Avoid shadings caused by trees, your house, or your neighbor’s house.

Mounting System

There are mainly two types of mounting systems for solar post lights.

The first one of them is using a planter base that can be installed anywhere; either on the ground or on concrete. The mounting procedure simply consists of assembling the parts. The planter base serves as the support of the light post, then you must fill the planter with heavy rocks or thick dirt to provide stability.

The second one of them is more elaborate, as it implies an anchor system that can anchor the solar post lights to the ground using large stakes buried into the ground.

The difference between the planter base and the anchor system is that the planter base installation is faster and suits for concrete or ground. However, the anchor base system is more secure as the solar light post is safely buried into the ground even in the presence of the strongest winds.

Desired Height

If your solar light post allows adjustability, then you must also select the height at which you will install the lamp heads. Add as many pole sections as necessary to reach the desired height

Using high solar lamp posts will also give you a better advantage against shadings from nearby objects.

Activating Manual Switch

Keep in mind that you must activate the manual switch of the outdoor solar lamp post to start lighting your patio.

It is recommended to activate the switch early in the morning for the first charge, and then turn it off in the first night to make sure the battery will be fully charged using the solar energy collected from the next day.

Turn on the switch for automatic operation on the second night.

Lighting Capacity

Once you install the solar lamp post, you must see what is the effective lighting capacity that you have for your area. Remember that these lights are not intended for maximum lighting performance as security lights, but to add a remarkable ambience your garden or patio.

Evaluate whether or not you will need more solar light posts to increase illumination.

How Many Lumens are Required?

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Considering the purpose of solar lamp post lights, the amount of lumens required is usually below 200 lumens for residential households.

Generally, for low lighting purposes in your garden where you would like to add a soft light, you will do fine with lumen values up to 100. If you are looking for a brighter source of light, it might be better to go for 150 lumen or 200-lumen outputs as the Gama Sonic Everest model.

Triple-headed models that have a high lumen rating (150-300 lumens) can be used as solar lamp posts for sidewalks or streets. Preferably with a cool bright white light that provides uniformity to the illuminated area (no patterns created on the ground).

How to Safely Change the Lamps Battery

After 2 or 3 years of performance, the battery will need replacement. The procedure to change the battery is very simple and can be done by following these steps:

  • Make sure the manual switch of the solar powered lamp is turned off
  • Detach the pole sections of the lamp and then detach the lamp head
  • Unscrew the screw caps and detach the top of the LED light fixture
  • Unscrew the battery compartment located on the backside of the top cap
  • Remove the battery
  • Install the new battery. Make sure that the battery is the same type (lithium-ion, Ni-MH, Ni-Cd) and that it has the same capacity and voltage as the pre-installed battery
  • Reattach the top of the light fixture and put the head in place

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