The Best Outdoor Lanterns to Brighten Your Patio

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Outdoor lanterns can give any deck or patio a dreamy ambiance. The subtle glow will make you linger outside long after sunset, especially if you’ve got a patio heater keeping you toasty.

All of the outdoor lanterns in our guide are weather-safe, so you can leave them outside all year long. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes to match any style of outdoor furniture. Most of them contain solar-powered lights that charge up during the day and illuminate at night—no extra rechargeable batteries or expensive electrical wiring required.

Read on to see our picks for the best outdoor lanterns.

The Best Outdoor Lanterns

• Best Overall: SHYMERY Solar Lanterns (Set of 2)

• Best Budget:YDHOK Solar Mason Jar Hanging Lights (Set of 2)

• Most Traditional: Sterno Home Battery-Powered Outdoor Lantern

• Best Shadowplay: EXCMARK Outdoor Solar Hanging Lantern Lights (Set of 2)

• Most Tropical:Exhart Outdoor Pineapple Lantern

• Prettiest Twinkles: LETMY Solar Powered Integrated LED Outdoor Lantern

What to Consider

With so many outdoor lanterns on the market, it can be tough to narrow down which ones are right for you. There are a variety of factors to consider, ranging from price and style to durability and extra features.

Start by making sure any outdoor lantern you’re considering is weather-safe. It should stand up to the typical weather conditions in your area. Depending on where you live, that might mean strong winds, occasional rain showers, or dust storms. You should also consider whether the outdoor lantern comes with a long warranty, just in case.

Think about the power source for your outdoor lanterns, as well. If your home gets lots of sunshine, solar-powered outdoor lanterns might be the most convenient (and sustainable) option for you. Otherwise, you can opt for lanterns powered by rechargeable batteries.

Style is yet another important thing to consider when buying outdoor lanterns. Consider the shape, lighting quality, and overall look of the lantern to make sure it complements your outdoor space. Outdoor lanterns that look like mason jars with fairy lights will create a dreamy, almost magical atmosphere. Others, like sturdy glass-paned lanterns with flickering LED candles, may be more fitting for a traditional space. You can also shop for unique outdoor lanterns, including ones shaped like pineapples, if you’re looking for an eye-catching accent.

Finally, pay attention to any extra features an outdoor lantern may have. Some have remote controls, handles, or other useful bonuses you might love.

How We Selected

For this review, we looked at which outdoor lanterns had earned five-star reviews from hundreds of customers at Amazon, Wayfair, and Lowe’s. We only included outdoor lanterns that were labeled as weatherproof or waterproof. We also focused primarily on those that were solar powered to help with sustainability and eliminate the need to change batteries or install electrical wiring.

We considered the size, weight, versatility, affordability, and style of each lantern, too. We read hundreds of online reviews to ensure that we highlighted outdoor lanterns that could work for a variety of outdoor spaces, including porches, patios, backyards, gardens, and swimming pool areas.

Solar Lanterns (Set of 2)

This pair of outdoor lanterns has a sturdy glass-paned, plastic exterior that's meant to look like weathered copper. Both pieces have a solar panel at the top that charges up the internal light by day for about 6 hours before switching to a flickering illumination for the next 8-10 hours.

Their stylistic versatility, upscale look for a great value, and easy setup make this one of the best outdoor lantern sets you can buy. Says one reviewer, "These solar lamps add a very nice touch to our backyard patio. It automatically turns on at dusk and surprisingly lasts all night! The shimmering effect makes it very pleasing and elegant."

Solar Mason Jar Hanging Lights (Set of 2)

The bubbled glass work alone makes this pair outdoor lanterns stunning to look at—and they only get prettier when they’re lit up. They look perfect on a patio table or hanging in your garden. They charge up with sunlight during the day and cast a golden glow at night. If you’re into the farmhouse-chic aesthetic, you’ll love the fact that these outdoor lanterns are shaped like Mason jars.

As one reviewer says, "I love these so much, I’m going to buy more. It illuminates my back porch in such a romantic, pleasant way."

Battery-Powered Outdoor Lantern

We love the romantic vibe of this resin outdoor lantern, from its brushed white finish to its flameless pillar candle. You can access the light by opening the hinged door. It has an on/off switch, or you can set it to illuminate on a 5-hour timer.

While it’s an outdoor-safe piece, the brand recommends keeping it in covered areas only. You can certainly use it indoors as a candle lantern as well. Says one reviewer, "This is a beautiful lantern that I got to complement my fall and winter décor. The candle is mounted in it, which is great because there is no slipping around or getting fingerprints all over the glass!"

Outdoor Solar Hanging Lantern Lights (Set of 2)

These outdoor lanterns practically offer a light show. The light creates intricate shadows when it seeps through the perforated globes, creating a hypnotic, lace-like pattern. It would look lovely as part of the patio table décor for an al fresco dinner party.

This pair of outdoor lanterns is equipped with solar lights. It's also made of durable, lightweight metal. Just keep in mind that the subtle glow is better suited for decorative ambiance, rather than illuminating dark pathways or offering a steady reading light. Says one reviewer, “I was surprised at how bright they were and how long they stayed on!”

Outdoor Pineapple Lantern

The next best thing to a tiki torch is setting out this cute pineapple-shaped outdoor lantern —your dinner party guests will instantly feel like they’re on vacation! It showcases a faux-bronze-and-glass exterior and has a flickering LED candle inside that charges up through a solar panel. Plus, the materials have been treated to resist fading in UV light.

The result is an outdoor lantern that’s as quirky and fun as it is functional. As one reviewer sums up, “Beautiful addition to my front porch. It is beautiful at night when it is lit!”

Solar Powered Integrated LED Outdoor Lantern

Here's another outdoor lantern set for the fairy-light fans. These short, near-7-inch-tall lanterns are made from plastic frames with amber-glass jars that each contain a strand of 30 LEDs. The jars are embossed with a cherub and the phrase “Best wishes,” so they could make a great affordable gift.

These outdoor lanterns take between 4 and 6 hours to charge. They then provide a firefly-like effect when they turn on automatically after dark. As one reviewer sums up, "So easy to put up, so easy to use! And when the sun goes down, they turn on! My backyard is much more fun to visit at night!”

Solar Shepherd Hook Light Outdoor Lantern

Looking for a hanging outdoor lantern that includes a shepherd’s hook? This one's for you! It contains everything you need to install hanging lights in your garden or along a pathway in one affordable package. You can also use it as a tabletop lantern for instant accent lighting.

Once fully charged, this lantern's crackled-glass shade illuminates through the night. As one reviewer says, “Great looking lanterns! Well packed and they look amazing. Brightens up my garden at night. Nice touch in daylight too!”

Outdoor Hanging Solar Lights (Set of 2)

These hanging outdoor lanterns will add drama to your backyard or front walkway. Installation is as easy as getting a couple of ceiling hooks and screwing them in discreet places you want to light up. Then, you have a hanging brushed metal pendant light that automatically glows at night for at least 8 hours.

One thing that sets these outdoor lanterns apart from others is their Edison-style bulbs. These give off a vintage-style lighting effect that’s warm and cozy. They're quite practical, too, as one reviewer notes, "These are very pretty and very bright!... Will help bring light for safety to my yard when the electric bill is only going up."

Round Glass and Metal Solar Hanging Lantern

Want to add a mood light to your outdoor space? This solar-powered hanging pendant comes in blue, green, amber, and transparent hues, so you can set just the right ambience. When fully charged, the lantern's internal fairy light strand, which contains 15 LEDs, shines through the colored glass.

Reviewers repeatedly tout the gorgeous colors and well-made design, with one person saying, "These lights are wonderful! I bought two to hang from our patio canopy and I liked them so much, I bought two more to hang from our deck. Just what we needed!”

Solar-Powered Outdoor Floor Lamp

If you want a statement piece to brighten up a dark spot near your fire pit area, this outdoor lantern is the one to get. Standing 2.5 feet tall, the internal solar light is encased in a steel wicker shell, producing a grid pattern when illuminated. You could also use it near a swimming pool, on a backyard patio, or at an entryway.

You can switch off its illumination and save battery life if you want total lights-out—perfect for a night of stargazing. As one reviewer says, "These floor lamps are awesome, easy to set up and solar charge… when it’s evening, you get a beautiful surprise!”

Solar Powered Integrated LED Outdoor Floor Lamp

If you want a statement piece to brighten up a dark spot near your fire pit area, this outdoor lantern is the one to get. Standing 2.5 feet tall, the internal solar light is encased in a steel wicker shell, producing a grid pattern when illuminated. You could also use it near a swimming pool, on a backyard patio, or at an entryway.

You can switch off its illumination and save battery life if you want total lights-out—perfect for a night of stargazing. As one reviewer says, "These floor lamps are awesome, easy to set up and solar charge… when it’s evening, you get a beautiful surprise!”

Hanging Solar Garden Light (2 Pack)

Smaller than an iPhone, these outdoor lanterns are a great option for someone who wants petite lights to brighten their patio table or hang in their garden. They could also be a convenient addition to your camping gear.

These solar lights offer up to 8 hours of illumination after charging in the bright sun for 8 to 10 hours. Says one reviewer, “I got these to hang on small hooks on my patio and they are way nicer than I thought they would be. The light is bright enough to see my way to the door.”

Hanging Solar Lanterns (2 Pack)

Bring seaside style to your own backyard with a set of these outdoor hanging solar lanterns. They’re equipped with a rope loop that gives off a nautical vibe. And since they’re frost proof, these outdoor lanterns can be used as festive holiday decorations.

Each one contains a strand of fairy lights with 30 bright LEDs that shimmer when the sun sets. You can also multiply the effect by hanging several of these lanterns in one area. Says one reviewer, “They are absolutely beautiful and magical all at the same time and just the perfect amount of ambience. We will be ordering at least eight more.”

Fairy Solar Mason Jar Lanterns (2 Pack)

Your guests might look twice when they notice these special outdoor lanterns. They feature the silhouette of a fairy that will make your garden look like the setting for a fairytale. You can see the fairies through the frosted glass when the lanterns are charging during the day. At night, multicolor twinkle lights automatically turn on and transform the lanterns into an enchanting scene.

More than just pretty, these outdoor lanterns are also functional. They only need 6 to 8 hours to charge and can be used all year round. Says one reviewer, “Love the colored lights…makes the jars come to life. Magical!”

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