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Many homeowners have posted, whether made from wood or synthetic materials, are part of their landscaping. When the sun goes down, solar post lights provide a nice visual element. These make homes appear brighter and more welcoming.
Plus, the solar panels included with these light fixtures will make your landscape lighting more energy efficient. The best solar post cap lights combine an attractive design with top-notch functionality. Read about our top choices in this product category below.
How to Choose the Best Solar Post Cap Lighting
The best solar lamp post lights will be an asset to the overall look of your home. Great-quality products are durable and function efficiently with an aesthetically-pleasing design. Here, you’ll find the specifics on what goes into leading solar LED post lights.
Waterproof
As with any electrical device installed outdoors, resistance to rain and snow are a must for solar post caps. Without some degree of water resistance, outdoor lighting may quickly be damaged when exposed to the elements.
The IP rating system, or “Ingress Protection” rating, is a standardized method for the degree of protection against liquids, dust, etc. that a device includes. An example of an IP rating is IP23. The first number, in this case 2, corresponds to the solid protection rating.
The second number, in this case 3, refers to the liquid protection rating. When determining how waterproof solar power lamp post lighting is, look at the second number in the IP rating. A number 4 means that the product is safe from water spray coming from all directions.
A number 6 means that the product is safe from high-pressure jets coming from all directions. A number 8 is the highest liquid IP rating and means that the product is safe from immersion in water (to a level expressed by the product maker) (Source).
Size
Post caps need to be the correct size to fit the measurements of the poles that you’re looking to install them onto. Otherwise, the lights won’t fit and you won’t be able to install them.
The typical range of post size that solar pole lights fit onto is 3” by 3” to 6” by 6”. 4” by 4” are standard dimensions for wooden posts on porches and patios, so many post lights accommodate this size.
Number of Lights in Pack
Depending on the number of posts that you have in your yard, the number of post cap lights sold in a pack in a crucial detail to consider. Purchasing outdoor lights in bulk, with more units in a single pack, may be an affordable alternative to buying lights individually.
Buying a multi-pack of lights will also ensure that all of the lights are the same and will match perfectly for a cohesive look.
Post Compatibility
Post cap lights vary in the type of poles that they may be installed onto. This is a critical factor to consider because if you buy a light fixture not designed for the type of pole in your yard, you may not be able to install it properly (if at all).
There are three main materials used to construct patio, porch, and landscaping poles: wood, vinyl, and PCV. Many post cap lights are designed to be installed onto wood posts because this is the most common type of pole found on residential properties.
If your home features PVC or vinyl posts, there’s no need to worry. There are still plenty of post cap light options available to you. Just be sure to take exact measurements of the poles on your property. Then compare them to the dimensions of the solar post caps that you’re considering.
Design
As with any component of your outdoor decor, you may want to ensure that your post cap lights appear cohesive. Many homeowners may consider matching the color of their posts to the color of their post cap lights so that the two coordinate.
So, if you have wooden posts, consider light fixtures in black or brown colors. For vinyl and PVC posts, white and light-colored caps may be a more fitting option.
Homeowners with white picket fences may be concerned about matching shades of white when purchasing post caps. In this situation, the distinction between ivory and “bright white” can become crucial.
Post cap lights may have glass panes surrounding the bulb. This detail not only adds a touch of elegance to the overall design but also may reduce the harshness of the light emitted by an LED bulb.
Run Time From Charge
Solar lights from different manufacturers may vary in the number of hours from a single day of charge. The amount of light that a solar fixture can provide largely. Depends on the amount of sunlight an area receives over the course of a day. The quality of the light can make a difference, too.
Solar post lights are almost always “self-contained.” It means that the solar panels are located directly on the fixture itself. So, the panel will draw energy from the sun wherever the post cap is installed.
The light manufacturers almost always advertise the number of hours of light you can expect from a single day’s charge. During the winter, you may expect the light to operate at 30% to 50% of its full capacity, due to the lessened amount of sunlight (Source).
Best Solar Lamp Post Cap Lights Reviews
The Upgrade Option
Greenlighting High End Solar LED Post Cap Light
With ideal conditions, these solar post cap lights can stay illuminated for the entire night. That means that they’ll function best in locations that get six to eight hours of sunlight during the day.
The Value Option
iGlow 12 Pack White Outdoor Solar Post Cap Light
Simple but affordable, the iGlow Solar Post Cap Light 12-Pack might be a great option for budget-conscious shoppers. This product is sold in a 12-pack, which helps you save money on each individual light.
Pros
- Installs easily with included screws
- Sides are made of glass to project bulb brightness
- Can cast light downward
Cons
- Can’t be used with plastic or vinyl posts
- Fit is not as tight as possible
- Screws are lightweight and flimsy
Greenlighting High End Solar LED Post Cap Light
With ideal conditions, these solar post cap lights can stay illuminated for the entire night. That means that they’ll function best in locations that get six to eight hours of sunlight during the day. When lit, these fixture cast a soft light.
It’s just enough to accent your landscaping without being harsh or hard on the eyes. One of the most unique aspects of these outdoor light fixtures is their copper coloring.
In contrast to the typical black or white frames, this copper-toned frame may add a high-end touch to your porch, patio, or yard. This product isn’t compatible with plastic, vinyl, or PVC posts, which may limit homeowners looking to purchase them.
Also, the plastic base may not be as durable as metals or other types of materials. As a result, in the case of one of these lights falling on the ground, damage might occur.
This solar post light kit comes with two fixtures. Other available post cap options come with a higher number of fixtures. So, homeowners may have to buy multiple packs to fulfill their needs.
Pros
- Metal and glass construction
- Ability to stand alone, don’t need multiple sets
- Easy to assemble and install
- The Bright light that can be used in the garden or along paths
- Excellent 1-year money-back guarantee
Cons
- Only rated IP64, be cautious when installing around sprinklers
- Smaller than they appear in photos
iGlow 12 Pack White Outdoor Solar Post Cap Light
Simple but affordable, the iGlow Solar Post Cap Light 12-Pack might be a great option for budget-conscious shoppers. This product is sold in a 12-pack, which helps you save money on each individual light.
Also, these solar lights may be a great choice for homeowners with a white fence. The pure white frame may perfectly match the white posts; a stellar feature in this product category.
All types of homeowners may enjoy these solar outdoor lights because they can be installed on posts made of wood, vinyl, or PVC. This can give users flexibility when it comes to installation.
That being said, the structure only fits on posts with dimensions of 5” by 5”. For decorative purposes, this product may not be the best choice. The design is quite simple and plain, with few stylistic details.
The white color, while potentially ideal for white fencing, may become visibly dirty faster than a black or dark-colored post cap. It’s also constructed from plastic, which might not be the most durable option that you can find on the market.
Pros
- Match white fence posts
- Comes in economic 12-pack
- Can be used on wood, vinyl, or PCV posts
Cons
- Only fit posts measuring 5” by 5”
- Made of plastic
- Plain in design
Conclusion
Garden stakes will light up your garden and allow you to enjoy it even after the sunsets. With many options to choose from it can seem a little overwhelming deciding between products when many appear similar on the outside. If you focus on 4 simple metrics it will make your decision easier.
