Save on Your Energy Bill With These Solar-Powered Christmas Lights

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For all eco-warriors committed to saving the environment, there’s no need to sacrifice your beloved holiday decorations this year. Enter solar outdoor Christmas lights, which, as their name implies, use the sun to charge them and keep them shining bright. Not only do they not affect your electric bill, but they’re way more convenient than traditional plug-in lights because you don’t have to strategically place them near an outlet. The only must when it comes to solar-powered anything is that the power source—the panel—needs to be placed in a spot where it will really soak in sunlight. The lights, however, can go anywhere.

So if you’re in the market to light up your space, you may want to consider the beautiful options we’ve gathered below. From classic string lights that shine brightest when wrapped around tree branches, railings, and more to life-like candy canes that stand over a foot-and-a-half tall, we’ve picked plenty of fabulous finds. The best part? They’re all under $50, so even though they’re a good investment in the environment, they’re not exactly a serious financial burden.

With December well on its way, now is the time to embark on your decorating journey. Luckily, we’ve made it easy with nearly 10 festive products that bring some serious holiday cheer. Go ahead, light it up. No matter which picks you end up snagging, your home is bound to be Christmas-ready just in time.

Solar-Powered Pathway Lights

If you have a pathway—even a short one—that leads from the street to your front door, consider lighting it with a selection of colorful baubles. Otherwise, feel free to save the included stakes for another time and simply hang them from your porch. One reviewer says, "Wished I would have ordered more. [They're] so pretty when they light up at night. I absolutely love them."

LED Solar-Powered Hanging Lights

It's not Christmas without a few snowflakes. These may not be the real thing—in fact, they're a bit hot to the touch when they're lit—but they bring that festive, wintery charm we'll never turn away. These oversized snowflakes come with a built-in sensor that automatically turns on the LEDs each night and off in morning to charge. One reviewer adds, "We had purchased these more than a year ago. We put them on two large evergreens in our yard this Christmas. They looked so good that we purchased more for the same trees. The stars are solar so there are no wires needed. Great purchase."

Solar Outdoor String Lights

We're going to start our list with classic string lights. "I'm partial to a more golden hue than a whiter one because I like that warm glow of a yellowish light," Associate Shopping Editor Jessica Cherner says. The string itself is also incredibly long, making it ideal for outside where people tend to have more space to get creative with their light displays. Even so, these lights are sold in a set of two!

Solar Waterproof String Lights

At first glance, these lights look huge, but each globe is actually only the size of a golf ball. They are, however, all different hues, so if you want to opt for a colorful display, the 2,500-plus five-star reviews tell us that these are certainly a good bet. One happy customer says, "Beautiful lights. They come on at night and make the patio look so wonderful. They really add something special and create a nice atmosphere to relax."

Outdoor Solar Pre-Lit Spiral Tree

We couldn't leave these adorable spiral Christmas trees off the list. Available with multicolor or warm white lights, they have a certain Scandinavian-inspired flair that makes them look incredibly stylish on just about any lawn. The two-foot-tall trees come as a pair, so if you want to go big and dot your whole yard with them, grab a few sets. "These solar Christmas trees are adorable! They are very easy to set up and place in the ground," one reviewer says. "It only took one day of sun to power them up. I love it when they blink off and on. [They are] the best, they are well-made, and the price was amazing."

6-Pack Solar Garden Lights

There's something mystical about these solar garden lights. They may look pretty big in the photo, but they're actually pretty tiny. In fact, they're designed to mimic the look of fireflies—especially when they sway in the winter wind. These come as a set of six, so feel free to buy a few packs and cover your lawn in glowing globes. "I have been using these lights in front of my house. [They are] nice bright lights, but not too bright to bother," one reviewer says. The company does warn that they need a lot of direct sunlight to charge.

Solar Curtain String Lights

Whether you use them to create a well-lit vignette or simply hang them flat against a wall, a curtain of lights is never a bad idea. We suggest using this one on a south-facing wall so it can absorb enough sunshine during the day to stay lit for the maximum about of time: a whopping 10 hours. One reviewer says, "I love these lights! They give my backyard the perfect whimsical feeling. They are surprisingly built to last even when a squirrel comes and bites the end of one of the strings off."

Solar LED Multi-Colored Lights

When we think of traditional string lights, this shape and size come to mind. The little point, multicolor glow, and slightly oversize bulbs are perfect for the winter holidays, if you ask us. We also kind of like that the entire string isn't decked in lights. These look a bit spare, which is subtle and stylish.

Solar Candy Cane Pathlight Stakes, Set of 8

These candy canes are almost too sweet (pun intended). They come as a set of eight, so we recommend using them to light the walkway that leads to your front door, as seen here. Feel free to space them out a bit more, though. One reviewer says, "Love these lights. They look great lining the driveway and the solar lasts well into the middle of the night. I use them on the steady [setting] rather than flashing, but both looked great."

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