Plenty of landscape lighting options exist, including solar and electric options. To find the best landscape lighting options, we researched a variety of picks and considered factors such as type of power, size, material, and installation. We also consulted Lindsey Hyland, founder of Urban Organic Yield, and Kate Diaz, co-owner of Swanky Den, for additional insight. Overall, the best landscape lighting is the Hykolity Landscape Pathway Light for its easy installation and long-lasting LED light. They’re also made of aluminum and are weather-resistant. Here, the best landscape lighting. Keep in Mind: You’ll need to purchase the transformer and low voltage wire separately. The life of the lights is about 50,000 hours total thanks to the integrated LEDs that won’t need changing out. They’re resistant to the weather due to the cast aluminum material they’re made from. Plus, the lights will even stand up to snow as well as rain, making them a great choice for all types of climates. Be aware that the lights come in a set of six, but you’ll need to purchase a transformer and some wire separately. However, the lights are still a favorite among the best landscape lighting options because they also come with a five-year warranty. The LED bulbs will also help save on your energy costs because they use LED lighting equivalent to 10-watt incandescent bulbs, which works out to be about 150 lumens. Plus, installation is designed to be relatively quick and easy. If you don’t love the mushroom-shaped cap design, you also have the option of choosing different shapes. The round lights offer a more modern feel while the crackled shade option lends a more classic look to your yard. Price at time of publish: $110 Power Type: Wired | Size: 5 x 5 x 16 inches | Material: Aluminum, plastic Keep in Mind: They’re powered by the sun, so cloudy days may interfere with how many hours of lighting you can expect. The center panels of the lights swivel, which lets you customize the look of your lighting as well as where the solar panel is pointing. If you want to shine a light on different areas in your yard, these will let you easily do just that. The disk lights have eight LEDs apiece and they’re a weather-resistant option. The stainless steel can even hold up to being run over by a lawnmower if you forget they’re in place. Plus, the lights automatically come on once dusk arrives and shut themselves off when the dawn comes. You’ll get about 8 hours of lighting once the lights are fully charged, all without needing to remember to flip the switch. However, if you prefer to manually turn them off, they do have a switch that allows this option. Price at time of publish: $20 Power Type: Solar | Size: 2.95 x 7.84 inches | Material: Stainless steel Keep in Mind: The transformer is not included with the low voltage set. Each light is LED, so you’ll have a more consistent lighting type. The pathway lights have 150 lumens and the flood lights a bit more, with 205 lumens each. The lights are made of aluminum but come in a bronze tone for a polished look. They’re powder coated and weather resistant as well, so they’re practical as well as stylish. Installation is meant to be easy thanks to the included quick-install wire connectors included. Just keep in mind that they don’t come with a transformer, so you’ll have to get one separately. Price at time of publish: $204 Power Type: Hardwired | Size: 3 x 5.5 inches | Material: Aluminum These are one of the best landscape lights for a number of uses, from pathway lighting to patio lighting and even shining a spotlight on your favorite flowers in the garden. The lights themselves are extendable, allowing even more flexibility and customization for creating the perfect outdoor ambiance. These low-voltage lights come with a transformer, so there’s no need to purchase one separately. The aluminum material will hold up to water, as will the metal stakes, which are to be placed directly into the ground. You can expect these to last for approximately 50,000 hours total. You’ll be able to extend the set by connecting additional lights, but only up to 10 total. Keep in mind that If you have a larger area to light, you may need to purchase additional sets and connect them to a separate outlet. Price at time of publish: $68 Power Type: Wired | Size: 7.33 x 2.56 inches | Material: Aluminum Part of what makes this one of the best landscape lighting options to consider is you have your choice of string length as well as bulb color, allowing you to find the best landscape string lights for your home. The length starts at 25 feet, which translates to 24 feet of lighting. Each bulb is spaced about a foot apart as well, so they won’t look too crowded when they’re hung up. The bulbs are incandescent rather than LED, so they’re not going to be as energy efficient and may have a shorter lifespan. The set comes with two spare bulbs, which are C7 size. These put out 23 lumens with each bulb as well, offering plenty of light. For larger areas or brighter light, you can connect up to three strands together. These are easy to hang up, so you aren’t limited to lighting the patio with them. Try them on a patio umbrella, deck railing, or even a tree for something different. Price at time of publish: $20 Power Type: Corded electric | Size: 24 feet | Material: Plastic bulbs, electrical cord Using these lights does require having a bridge that allows the lights to connect to your device. If you don’t already have a bridge, that does mean spending a bit more money up front on a set that includes a bridge. Once connected, you’ll be able to receive notifications on your smartphone. You can program a schedule for the lights to turn on and off, or simply control them from your phone when you’re not at home. The lights are powered by the sun, but they also come with batteries you can recharge with a USB cable. They give off 80 lumens and are motion activated. This is a fantastic option if you don’t want to keep lights on outdoors, but you do want guests to see where they’re going as they approach your door. Different set sizes are available, starting with just two lights. You can also choose different combinations, like ordering a set of four lights with a bridge if you don’t have one already. The bridge costs a bit more but ordering it with the lights adds convenience. Price at time of publish: $160 Power Type: Solar | Size: 16.8 x 4.33 x 4.33 inches | Material: Not listed The lights come with mounting stakes, making it a snap to install them by simply pushing them into the ground near your path or sidewalk. That also means you can move them around your yard if you’d like. Since they’re rated for use in wet conditions, you won’t have to worry about leaving them outside in rainy weather. They generate four lumens and come in a pack of six lights. You can use as many of these lights as you need since there are no wiring or voltage limits to keep in mind. Their integrated, or built-in, LED bulbs are expected to last for about 50,000 hours, giving you plenty of opportunity to use them over time. Just keep in mind that they charge in full sunlight, so you’ll want to aim for about 8 to 12 hours of charging time for the best results. The material is plastic and these come with a one-year product warranty. They’re an attractive pathway option that gives off light in a 360-degree range. This can be especially helpful on darker evenings or if you want to provide light throughout a yard or along a patio rather than just next to a sidewalk. Price at time of publish: $70 Power Type: Solar | Size: 17.13 x 4.92 x 4.92 inches | Material: Plastic The LED lights are waterproof and can stand up to inclement weather. They are a low voltage system as well, so you’ll need to do a bit of wiring to connect them and get them installed. Plus, if you’re looking for a brighter light, these are a good option with 580 lumens. Their total life expectancy is around 50,000 hours, so you’re going to have them for quite a while. Note that these lights do not come with a transformer, so that needs to be purchased separately. However, all other supplies needed for installation do come with the set of six lights. Plus, they come with a five-year warranty. And if you want to make sure your landscape lighting fits with your home’s aesthetic, these do come in two colors: black and oil-rubbed bronze. Price at time of publish: $129 Power Type: Wired | Size: 13.58 x 4.53 x 9.25 inches | Material: Aluminum, metal
What To Know About Landscape Lighting Before Shopping
Style
Plenty of styles exist within landscape lighting, so you’ll be able to choose which best suits your style and needs. Two common styles include string lights and on-ground stakes. Plus, you’ll also have to choose whether you prefer a solar option or one that needs to be wired and plugged in. “First, consider the overall look of your home and garden. Are you going for a more formal look or a more relaxed atmosphere?,” says Diaz.
Installation
There are different ways to install landscape lighting, depending on the style and type of power you choose. Low voltage lighting can be a DIY project, but know that it may require a bit of electrical savvy, as you’ll be connecting cables and dealing with a transformer. “Installation is usually pretty simple. Most landscape lighting fixtures come with all the necessary hardware and instructions,” says Diaz. “If you’re not comfortable working with electrical wiring, you may want to hire a professional electrician to handle the installation for you.”
Power Type
As with style, landscape lighting varies in terms of what type of power it uses. Some landscape lighting options are low voltage power, which you could install on your own. Often, these lighting systems involve placing stakes into the ground which connect via a cable that plugs into a transformer which then connects to an outlet. High voltage lighting systems may need to be hardwired in, which requires hiring an electrician. Solar lights are another popular option as they use the sun’s energy to provide light at night. Diaz advises you to consider the availability of power in your area when deciding on the best landscape lighting. For example, if you live in a city, you’re likely going to be able to access power via city power lines. If you’re in a more remote area, however, she says you may need to use a generator or solar power instead. “LED bulbs are becoming increasingly popular for their energy efficiency and long life span. However, they can be more expensive than traditional bulbs,” Diaz says.
Your Questions, Answered
How do you install landscape lighting?
Installation methods are going to vary depending on the type of landscape lighting you choose, however according to Hyland, the most common method is using stakes inserted into the ground. Before you choose a lighting style, Hyland advises you to do your research and plan ahead so you’ll know if the installation method will work for your space.
How do you know how much lighting you need?
Hyland recommends measuring the size of your location to obtain its square footage. Then, multiply the square footage by the height of the trees or other plants in the area. “This will give you the amount of lumens (light energy) required. You can then purchase a lighting fixture that outputs that number or higher,” Hyland says.
Do you need a license to install landscape lighting?
According to Diaz, most types of landscape lighting you install yourself likely won’t require you to get a license. However, she recommends contacting a professional if installation requires any wiring or electrical work. It’s also worth noting that a high-voltage option will require an electrician.
Who We Are
This article was written by Brittany VanDerBill, a freelance writer for Better Homes & Gardens. To find the best landscape lighting, she researched a variety of options, keeping in mind the type of power, installation, lighting type, and more. She also consulted Lindsey Hyland, Founder of UrbanOrganic Yield, and Kate Diaz, Co-owner of Swanky Den.
