Solar uplights for trees are the surest way to improve the look of your compound without the dread of hefty electricity bills. These lights are also great for those looking to transition to clean energy.
Solar uplights for trees have solar panels that absorb the sun’s rays, convert them into electrical energy, and store the energy in the battery. These lights have photo resistors that detect darkness and automatically switch the lights on at night. During the day, when the photo resistors detect light, they turn off.
Solar uplights are an energy-efficient and cheap way to improve your home’s appearance. The Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy emphasizes the cost-saving benefits of adopting solar usage in homes. Additionally, solar uplights for trees are easy to install and don’t need wiring, so you won’t have to worry about paying professionals to do it for you.
According to experts from Helius energy, recognized experts in solar energy solutions, when shopping for solar uplights, it is wise always to consider factors like size, battery capacity, and ease of installation. A large battery will guarantee you a long run time. A straightforward installation process is also great if it’s a DIY project.
We tested some of the best-ranked solar uplights for trees for several months. We scrutinized their charge time, running time, durability, waterproof capabilities, brightness, light color, and solar panel quality. Below are our findings.
BEST FOR SMALL PLANTS: URPOWER solar uplights 2-in-1 spotlight for trees
What we liked:
✓ The angle of the light and solar panel can be adjusted.
✓ Has two brightness modes.
✓ These lights are easy to install, and they also come with the screws that are used for installation.
✓ These lights are waterproof, frost-resistant, and heat-resistant.
✓ These lights are multifunctional.
What we didn’t like:
✘ They cannot work when there’s a bright light nearby.
What impressed us the most about URPOWER Solar uplights 2-in-1 spotlight for trees is that the bulbs and the solar panels are separately adjustable. The solar panel of the URPOWER uplight can be adjusted up to 180 degrees for proper sun exposure. The bulbs can also be altered to 90 degrees for your preferred illumination angle. This feature comes in handy when illuminating small plants.
These lights are versatile as they can also be used in the yard, patio, driveway, and pool. The warm white color of these lights is not glaring and harsh compared to most uplights.
Although common, these lights are easy to install and do not require any special equipment or professionals. The screws needed to install them are provided within the package once you purchase them.
Thanks to their waterproof abilities, the URPOWER uplights are durable. They work perfectly under heavy rains and snow and other weather conditions.
They come with the option of either mounting or sticking them in the ground. One downside of the URPOWER uplights is that they cannot work if there’s a shining light near them.
BEST OVERALL: Biling solar uplight for trees
What we liked:
✓ With up to 700 lumens, it is one of the brightest uplights for trees
✓ These lights have an IP67 waterproof and weatherproof design.
✓ They have dual brightness and sensors.
✓ They have a running time of up to 15 hours.
✓ They are durable.
What we didn’t like:
✘ The solar panels of these lights have to face south.
This was, by far, our favorite uplight for trees. We were pleasantly impressed by the 700-lumens brightness. Also, the built-in sensor in the Biling solar uplights is a huge plus.
These lights automatically turn on/off at night. Additionally, the Biling solar uplights are easy to install and DIY. Thanks to their wireless nature, no electrical or tripping hazards are presented.
The IP67 waterproof and weatherproof rating of these lights is impressive. During our test, we found that Biling solar uplights can withstand harsh weather conditions, including snow, slate, rain, heat, and frost. Also, the ABS plastic material used to manufacture these lights contributes to their durability. The negligible downside about these lights is that they have to face south.
These lights are also versatile. Besides foliage, they can also be used on paths and walls. You will also find the low light option of 350 lumens impressive.
These lights’ high capacity 2200mAh battery and their capability to run for up to 10-15 hours is quite impressive.
BEST FOR ENERGY CONVERSION: InnoGear solar uplights for trees
What we liked:
✓ These lights do not require any tools or professional help to install
✓ The solar panel and the headlamp can be adjusted to any angle.
✓ They are multifunctional.
✓ Has IP65 waterproof and weatherproof rating.
✓ The energy conversion rate in these lights is 30% faster than in other lights.
What we didn’t like:
✘ These lights might struggle to stay on all night, especially in winter.
✘ They might fail to light when other lamps are nearby.
During our test, we appreciated the convenience that the hinge attached to the solar panels provides. We could rotate the panel to 180 degrees and the bulbs to 90 degrees for maximum solar absorption and suitable illumination.
The solar panels are manufactured so that dirt and debris cannot accumulate on top and mess with the charging efficiency of the light. They also have an automatic feature of these lights. However, they might not work effectively in cloudy weather.
These solar uplights can convert solar 30% faster than most uplights. Therefore, a charging time of only 5-6 hours yields up to 12 hours of running time.
The installation process of these lights is easy and fast. No professional help is needed, and all the instructions are clearly stated in the manual that comes with the lights.
BEST PERFORMANCE AND QUALITY: JIOR solar uplights for trees
What we liked:
✓ These lights are high quality certified by FCC, CE, and RoHS.
✓ They come with a 1-year warranty.
✓ Has three brightness modes.
✓ It has advanced adjustable solar panels made with Monocrystalline silicon
✓ Has IP67 waterproof and weatherproof rating.
What we didn’t like:
✘ None.
The large 4.25 inch 32 LED heads that brightly illuminate large and wide areas is one of the best features of these solar uplights. They also have three-brightness level options. These lights will give you 6-12 hours of running time, depending on whether the lights are in low or high brightness mode.
You will appreciate the built-in motion and light sensors in these lights. The light sensors enable the Jior uplights for trees to automatically turn on/off upon light detection. Also, the motion sensor enables the lights to turn on when any motion is detected.
The lights have IP67 waterproof and weatherproof rating, which protects them from extreme weather conditions. Furthermore, the durability of these lights is enhanced by the strong ABS material they are manufactured from. The practical design of these lights also promotes efficient charging and convenient placement.
We were, at first, concerned about the larger headlights of these uplights while testing, but we soon discovered that they aren’t bulky. The JIOR uplights are versatile and can be placed on the patio, pool, driveway, porch, deck, pathway, yard, and garage.
BEST VALUE FOR MONEY: Nekteck solar uplights for trees
What we liked:
✓ These lights have adjustable bulbs and panels.
✓ They have sensors for automatic operation.
✓ Easy to install.
✓ Has two options for brightness modes.
What we didn’t like:
✘ The light has a slight green tint to it.
The solar panels can be adjusted to an angle that enables these uplights to absorb maximum solar energy. Additionally, the bulbs can also be adjusted to any position.
These solar uplights offer great versatility as they can be used in the yard, patio, or garden. The lights are also easy to install as there are no wires, just basic screwing.
These solar uplights have a brightness of up to 260 lumens. Moreover, the lights also have high and low brightness modes for versatility.
The convenient AUTO feature of these lights is impressive, as they can turn on/off at dusk and dawn; therefore, no manual operation is needed. Considering the price of these lights, their quality is excellent.
Unfortunately, the green tint from the warm light of the Nekteck uplights for trees is unimpressive.
What to look for in solar uplights for trees
Durability
The durability of a solar uplight depends on the materials used during manufacturing. Ensure the materials are waterproof for the outdoors before making a purchase.
Light color and brightness
Different solar uplights have different light colors, so check whether the colors of the light produced correspond to your preference. Consider buying uplights with 140-180 lumens for medium and large trees.
Battery life
For a longer running time, the battery life of the solar uplights is crucial so ensure you check the battery life of the lights. A decent battery should run for 8 hours or more.
Ease of installation
Look for solar uplights for trees that are straightforward in their installation process. They should come with screws for mounting or be easily installed with glue.
Price
Always make sure you stick to your budget but also strike a balance between the lights’ costs and their quality.
Automatic feature
To save you from manual operation, look for an uplight that operates automatically.
FAQ SECTION
How long can one use solar uplight for trees?
The longevity of your specific solar uplight depends on the brand you buy from, the main weather conditions in your area, and the quality of the solar panel. Good solar uplights should have a run time of 8 hours and above.
What is the perfect brightness to light a tree?
If you’re lighting your tree mainly for security purposes, we recommend going for uplights with 300-700 lumens. However, if you want an uplight for decorative purposes, an uplight with200 lumens would suffice.
Where can I buy my solar uplights?
You can purchase solar uplights for trees from Amazon or Walmart. You can visit the official website of the manufacturer and purchase from there.
What are some of the downsides of using solar uplight for trees?
One of the most significant downsides of using solar uplights is that they depend on the sun to charge and run afterward. Therefore, these lights may fail to run or light dimly on gloomy days or during winter. They are, therefore, not as reliable as electricity-based uplights.