Best Indoor Solar Lights

You would agree that power grid electricity is not 100% reliable. Even in these present times when applied technology is more advanced than ever, a lot of people still suffer electric failures as a result of storms, animals, and other circumstances. According to experts, indoor solar lights may be the best solution to these power problems.

Interestingly, not only are these solar-powered lights a reliable alternative to regular power, but they are also very cheap, eco-friendly, and easy to install. We have carried out extensive research on the best of them all, and we have presented our findings in this post. Let us start with what these solar-powered lights really are and how they function.

What Are Indoor Solar Lights and How Do They Work?

Indoor solar lights are artificial light sources powered by solar energy. To put it simply, the technology behind these lights is based on electricity generated from the sun. Of course, specific devices have to be in place for them to work. First is the solar panel, which is made of a combination of solar cells. There is the charge controller for regulating the energy coming from the cells to a battery. Next is the battery itself, which is the site of energy storage, and an inverter to convert direct current to alternating current.

So, how do they work? Solar lights indoor are powered through the photovoltaic cells found in the solar panels. It is expected that when setting up the system, the panel will be situated in the best location where it can get as much sunlight as possible. When the panels absorb energy from the sun, photovoltaic cells are activated, and solar power is generated. This power is then transferred to the inverter, where it is converted to usable electricity before it can power the lights.

For improved efficiency and performance, experts recommend including lithium-ion batteries (or any other reliable rechargeable batteries). Here, energy can be stored and used whenever there is no sunlight. That way, you can power your lights at night or during gloomy days with the energy stored in the batteries.

How to Choose the Best Indoor Solar Lights

Now that you are considering installing these lights, it is important to have a few things in mind to help you get the best indoor solar lights possible. Below is a list of things you need to pay attention to.

Brands

The best brands are usually the ones that have been on the market for a long time with a large customer base and reviews to show for it. Irrespective of how impressive a brand may seem, be sure to cross-check it with the following points to make certain it would be a good investment. Some highly recommended brands include Flyhoom, Kyson, Lozayi, and Light-Me.

Active Time

Just as brands differ, the quality and cost of setting up a solar light differ as well. A decent-quality product will give you 4 hours of light at least. There are also other options that can give you more active time. This can be up to 12 hours at a time depending on certain factors.

Lumens

Generally, most lights have a lumen rating ranging from 100 to 300 luminous flux or more, which is not a bad option if you do not need the light to be too bright. It depends on what you are comfortable with; the higher the lumens the brighter the light is.

Color Temperature

If you are looking to install this lighting in an office space, you may want to go for neutral to cool color temperatures (3000K to 4000K). Warmer temperatures (2700K to 3000K) tend to work better for home settings.

Sensors

This is a great feature to help you preserve energy from your battery when the light is not in use. The sensor automatically turns off the light during the day when it is not in use and turns it back on at night when it is dark enough.

Durability

A great option would give you about 100,000 hours of light delivery throughout its lifetime. This is over 10 years of service. Most of them come with guarantees, but it is important to check before buying, just to be sure.

Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries are the best when it comes to storing energy from the sun, but they cost more than other options. Other great and affordable options recommended by experts include lead acid and saltwater battery types. It is important to also consider the capacity and power rate of the batteries.

Mounting and Installation

You can install your solar lights yourself if you are up to the task. But if you are not, you can get a contractor to do it for you. If you intend to do it yourself, then you should ensure the package comes with complete instructions on what you need and how to mount the system.

Top 5 Best Indoor Solar Lights

We have selected the top 5 best indoor solar lights on the market and researched them. Below is our honest review of each of them for you to compare and choose which one is most suitable for your needs.

5. Flyhoom 2 Pack Portable Solar Bulb Light

 

This LED solar-powered light has dimensions of 4.92×2.75×2.75 inches, a voltage of 120, and a color temperature of 6500 kelvin, which is somewhat bright blue. This Flyhoom model weighs 1.28 ounces, comes with a lithium metal rechargeable battery, and has a luminous flux of 420 lumens.

An 8-hour exposure to sunlight fully charges it with enough energy to offer about 15 hours of steady light before the battery will need to be recharged again, depending on what power mode you are using. The indicator light could be red or green, indicating that the battery is charging or fully charged respectively.

It comes with a remote control for improved convenience and 4 light modes — high (6 hours with 180 lumens), medium (10 hours with 100 lumens), low (15 hours with 40 lumens), and SOS (6 hours with 100 lumens).

Pros

• Great for indoor and outdoor camping
• 4 light modes to choose from
• Easy to install
• Maximum of 15 hours of active time

Cons

• Not made with the best quality materials

Check Price on Amazon

 

4. Kyson Solar Powered LED Shed Light

 

With decent dimensions of 7.28×7.24×5.28 inches and stainless steel material for a shield, this product sure makes a good option. It comes with a 3.2 V/400 mAh Li-ion battery with a charging time of 6 to 8 hours and an active time of 10 to 12 hours.

It also has a 3-meter lead cable that connects the light bulb to the switch, includes a remote control for switching it on and off, and comes in different light modes. The light is a bit smaller than you may expect, but it is waterproof and can be used both indoors and outdoors. You can take advantage of the 30-day return policy, but there are no warranties and guarantees to go with the product.

Pros

• Beautiful design
• Comes with a remote control
• Decent active time of 10 to 12 hours
• Easy to install

Cons

• Is usually not ready for use until it has been charged for a full day
• Does not come with any warranties

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3. LightMe Solar Light Bulb Portable

 

This is a 5-volt, 140-lumen, plastic ball solar light bulb with wide application and convenience. It has dimensions of 6.5×4.7×3.5 inches and comes with a built-in 3.7 V 850 mAh lithium-ion battery that can last for up to 8 hours when fully charged. It takes about 6 to 12 hours of exposure to the sun for the battery to charge fully and has a red-light indicator that turns on to show when it is charging.

The light has an output power of 1.5 W and a hanger for mounting it on a wall, tree, etc. It weighs barely half a pound. The panel is completely waterproof, but the bulb is not. All things being equal, this product can serve for a 5000-hour lifespan, and it is easy to move around.

Pros

• Comes with a hanger
• Decent 8-hour active time
• Energy-effective rechargeable battery
• 5000-hour lifespan

Cons

• Not very bright
• Bulb may be damaged when exposed to water

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2. Lozayi Security Powered-Pendant LED Solar Light

This is a great product option if you are looking for a light that can serve you effectively both indoors and outdoors. It has dimensions of 6.89×6.81×4.8 inches, is black in color, and is made of polyvinyl chloride material, which is known to be resistant to adverse weather conditions.

It has a circular shape, a two-way switch, a remote control, and a built-in lithium-ion battery with a 4400 mAh capacity. With the remote control, you can easily adjust the brightness and timing function. You can get an active time of up to 16 hours if the battery is fully charged. Other interesting features include 3 levels of brightness, a color temperature range of 2900–3100K, a 5-meter cable length, and a voltage of 3.70 V.

Pros

• Weather and waterproof
• Long-lasting performance with 16 hours of running time
• Comes with a remote control
• Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use

Cons

• Does not work during the day unless the panels are shielded from sunlight
• May be too small

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1. KK.BOL Solar Lamp Portable LED Light Bulb

 

The KK.BOL light has remained one of the bestselling products in its category. This light source measures 1.5 watts, 5 volts of illumination ability, 6000K color temperature, and a service time of 5000 hours. With a quality photovoltaic solar panel, it absorbs solar energy, saves it in a built-in lithium-ion rechargeable battery, and conveniently provides clean and reliable energy and an eco-friendly light source at any time of day. A fully charged bulb can last for 7 hours of continuous use with the built-in battery’s 1600 mAh/3.7 V capacity.

It has dimensions of 4.9×3.1×2.8 inches and weighs 5.6 ounces. It is made of special age-resistant wires and has a luminous flux of 150 lumens. With that many lumens, it can comfortably brighten a corner of your house, but it is not bright enough to be used as a reading lamp.

Pros

• Offers an active time of up to 7 hours
• Comes with a hanger
• Easy to install
• Has a luminous flux of 150 lumens

Cons

• Not water-resistant
• May be too lightweight for outdoor use

Check Price on Amazon

 

Pros and Cons of Solar Indoor Lights

Pros

• Eco-friendly

Solar indoor lights offer a quality light source without disturbing the environment. Using these lights is a good way of reducing your home’s carbon footprint.

• Renewable energy

You are less likely to run out of light as long as there is sunshine. Just be sure to have the battery fully charged each time you use it.

• Dependable power backup

The world is still collectively working towards switching completely from grid-powered lights to solar-powered light because the power grids are not entirely dependable. In cases of a power outage, solar lights can serve as your power backup.

• Easy to install

Indoor solar lights are very easy to install, that is, if you need to install them at all. If the panel is separate from the light source, all you have to do is set it up where it can get enough light, connect it to a fixture containing the bulbs, let it charge, and you are good to go.

Cons

• It may not be bright enough

For a small corner, the light from these lamps will give you decent illumination, but so much cannot be said for larger spaces. The LED bulbs are usually tiny and cannot illuminate a large area decently.

• Works only with sunlight

The lights work well during the day when they are tapping power from the sun. This is not the case at night when the sun is down. This is why a rechargeable battery is always necessary.

Conclusion

If you have never used a solar-powered device before, getting one of these lights will give you an introduction into how effective they can be. Plus, you get to save some money while you are at it. Note, there are quite a lot of substandard brands out there. Be sure to cross-check with the guide above to avoid investing in substandard products.