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Our Solar Security Lighting Review is based on customer feedback and extensive testing undertaken here at The Solar Centre. We have stocked all these solar security lights at one time or another so The Solar Centre and our customers have a good working knowledge of each light featured.Under Part P of the UK Building Regulations it is now compulsory to have any sort of electrical installation carried out by a qualified electrician, but this does not apply to any of the solar security lights listed below which are all safe and easy to install.
We hope you will find our solar security lighting review helpful when selecting your product.
We will add more solar security lights to this review as they become available so please check back soon.
£19.99
In 2009 we described the Evo15 Solar PIR Utility Light as 'a real game-changer for the budget end of the solar security light market' and so it has proved. Three years and several upgrades later, the Evo15 is now easily the best selling solar security light in the UK and for good reason. If you're looking for a small sensor light for under £20 which is effective and easy to install then look no further.
Brian says: Keep in mind that like mains powered lights, the Evo15 has a waterproof rating of IP44 so it needs to be installed somewhere with a bit of cover!
Brian says: Keep in mind that like mains powered lights, the Evo15 has a waterproof rating of IP44 so it needs to be installed somewhere with a bit of cover!
£25.00
Brand new for 2012 the Curve Solar Motion Light looks and feels like a light worth twice the price. Unlike the Evo15, which has a separate solar panel, the Curve comes as one self contained unit and is a doddle to install. At night the 16 SMD bulbs give off a gentle glow until motion is detected and the full force of the Curve's 16 LEDs come into play (which is roughly equivalent to a 50W bulb). 30 seconds after motion stops the Curve settles back down to a gentle glow until the next time someone comes in range. With an IP64 waterproof rating the Curve can be installed in exposed locations that would make the Evo15 wince! That said, you can stick an Evo15 in a shaded area because the panel can be located upto 5 metres away.
Luke says: If you're thinking about a Curve first think about where you want to put it! I want a solar light by my totally shaded north facing back door too, but that doesn't mean its going to work there! :-)
Luke says: If you're thinking about a Curve first think about where you want to put it! I want a solar light by my totally shaded north facing back door too, but that doesn't mean its going to work there! :-)
£29.99
The Solar PIR Porch Light is an extremely effective porch or solar shed light. This highly portable disk shaped unit has 36 LEDs which turn on automatically as soon as it detects motion and turns itself off 25 seconds after motion stops. The Solar PIR Porch Lights is best located on a ceiling facing down where its 360 degree motion sensor will detect movement from all angles.
David says: As the name suggests the PIR Porch is designed for covered areas and is not an outside light.
David says: As the name suggests the PIR Porch is designed for covered areas and is not an outside light.
£34.99
During the day the sun's rays charge the two rechargeable AA batteries inside the Everbright's solar panel module. After dark the charge stored in the batteries power the lights. In the morning the lights turn off automatically and charge up again ready for the night ahead. The Everbrights are fully automatic so you don't need to turn them on and off each night, but you can operate them manually if you like.
£34.99
The Evo15 RC follows on from our best-selling Evo15 Solar PIR Utility Light and was largely inspired by enquiries from our customers who wanted a switch activated version of the Evo15. The Evo15 RC is identical to the Evo15 PIR except it is operated on demand by remote control instead of by motion sensor. Once fully charged the Evo15 RC can stay on for up to 5 hours. Truly superb value for £35.
Brian says: The Evo15 RC can be remote controlled from up to 25m away and the RF signal can travel through walls or glass which means most people could have this light at the end of their garden and still operate it from inside their house.
Brian says: The Evo15 RC can be remote controlled from up to 25m away and the RF signal can travel through walls or glass which means most people could have this light at the end of their garden and still operate it from inside their house.
£49.98
They say imitation is the best form of flattery and believe us, we have received a lot of love from our competitors with this light since we launched it in 2009! The Evo36 Solar Security Light is housed in a traditional security light casing and benefits from an innovative reflector design that multiplies the brightness effect which combined with high powered LEDs make the Evo36 solar security light brighter than any solar security light we've tested or sold that retails for under £50.
Both the Evo36 & Evo56 Solar Security Lights have an optional Evo Booster Solar Panel upgrade available separately for £19.99 which make them ideal for heavy winter use or for Evos located in non-solar friendly locations.
David says: Like the Evo15, this light is IP44 rated so needs to be installed somewhere with a bit of cover. If you want a security light that can take the full force of the elements, check out the Curve or Astron64.
Both the Evo36 & Evo56 Solar Security Lights have an optional Evo Booster Solar Panel upgrade available separately for £19.99 which make them ideal for heavy winter use or for Evos located in non-solar friendly locations.
David says: Like the Evo15, this light is IP44 rated so needs to be installed somewhere with a bit of cover. If you want a security light that can take the full force of the elements, check out the Curve or Astron64.
£69.98
The Evo56 Solar Security Light boasts 56 LEDs and is brighter than any Solar Security Light here except for the Atron64 of course! This next generation solar security light is made predominantly from metal, has a glass lens and is styled like a compact traditional mains powered security light.
Both the Evo36 & Evo56 Solar Security Lights have an optional Evo Booster Solar Panel upgrade available separately for £19.99 which make them ideal for heavy winter use or for Evos located in non-solar friendly locations.
Luke says: Still a very popular light 3 years after its release and the second brightest light here, but has very much been superseded by the Astron64 which gives you much more than the £20 difference in price.
Both the Evo36 & Evo56 Solar Security Lights have an optional Evo Booster Solar Panel upgrade available separately for £19.99 which make them ideal for heavy winter use or for Evos located in non-solar friendly locations.
Luke says: Still a very popular light 3 years after its release and the second brightest light here, but has very much been superseded by the Astron64 which gives you much more than the £20 difference in price.
£89.98
The Astron64 was our response to a huge increase in enquiries from councils, housing associations, businesses and even the MoD for high quality commercial grade solar security lighting. This is the brightest, most reliable, most versatile and most waterproof solar security light we have ever made. Made totally from high quality aluminium and toughened glass this light oozes class.
Unlike our other security lights, the Astron64 has a remote motion sensor which can be installed round corners or in any other sneaky location within 1.2m of the light. £89.99 does seem quite expensive, but when you first hold the light in your hands and when you first see it in action you will realise why. If you're still not sure, try phoning a few local electricians to get a quote for installing a halogen which will cost you at least £100. Add to that the cost of a the actual light unit and the on going bills and the Astron64 starts looking cheap. This is probably the best solar security light in the world.
Brian says: The Astron64 really does provide a credible alternative to mains-powered halogen security lights
Unlike our other security lights, the Astron64 has a remote motion sensor which can be installed round corners or in any other sneaky location within 1.2m of the light. £89.99 does seem quite expensive, but when you first hold the light in your hands and when you first see it in action you will realise why. If you're still not sure, try phoning a few local electricians to get a quote for installing a halogen which will cost you at least £100. Add to that the cost of a the actual light unit and the on going bills and the Astron64 starts looking cheap. This is probably the best solar security light in the world.
Brian says: The Astron64 really does provide a credible alternative to mains-powered halogen security lights
£119.99
The Solar Mate Secure Professional was the best solar security light on the block until the Evo56 moved in. Since then the Evo56 has passed its crown to the Astron64. The Secure Professional remains an extremely respectable and well made security light but with a recommended retail of £120 it is not for the faint hearted.
David says: Still a popular light with those looking for a white fitting, but it is £30 more expensive than the Astron64 which is superior in every respect.
David says: Still a popular light with those looking for a white fitting, but it is £30 more expensive than the Astron64 which is superior in every respect.
£149.99
The Astron Solar Floodlight boasts 40 natural white LEDs backed up by a huge 10 watt solar panel and 36Wh battery. Once fully charged the Astron Solar Floodlight can run for up to 12 hours. Made totally from high quality aluminium and toughened glass the Astron oozes class. The Astron is an ideal 'constant on' light that can be installed literally anywhere. It can be activated on demand from up to 50 metres away by RF remote control or you can leave it in automatic mode where it will light up at dusk and turn off in the morning.
Luke says: The £149.99 price tag is justified by the fact this floodlight can work for up to 12 hours a night and has a remote control with a 50 metre range. The Astron64 (reviewed above) is brighter and cheaper than this light, but has a much smaller battery and solar panel because it only needs to come on when it detects motion.
Luke says: The £149.99 price tag is justified by the fact this floodlight can work for up to 12 hours a night and has a remote control with a 50 metre range. The Astron64 (reviewed above) is brighter and cheaper than this light, but has a much smaller battery and solar panel because it only needs to come on when it detects motion.
We've selected 3 stand out lights from the 10 we've reviewed. It would be unfair to compare a £20 light with a £150 light so our 3 winners fall into 3 price categories (under £25, under £50 and over £50).
For under £25 we would recommend our Evo15 which is the UKs best selling solar security light and a steal for £19.99.
For under £50 we would recommend the Evo36 which is among the brightest lights here.
For over £50 we would recommend our overall winner, the Astron64 which, put simply, is the best solar security light we've ever made.
It is worth mentioning that the Evo15 Remote Control and Astron Solar Floodlight are both excellent products if you're looking for 'constant on' lights rather than motion sensor lights. Constant on lights need bigger solar panels and bigger batteries than motion sensor lights which explains why the Evo15 RC is more expensive than the Evo15 PIR and the Astron Solar Floodlight is more expensive than the Astron64.
For under £25 we would recommend our Evo15 which is the UKs best selling solar security light and a steal for £19.99.
For under £50 we would recommend the Evo36 which is among the brightest lights here.
For over £50 we would recommend our overall winner, the Astron64 which, put simply, is the best solar security light we've ever made.
It is worth mentioning that the Evo15 Remote Control and Astron Solar Floodlight are both excellent products if you're looking for 'constant on' lights rather than motion sensor lights. Constant on lights need bigger solar panels and bigger batteries than motion sensor lights which explains why the Evo15 RC is more expensive than the Evo15 PIR and the Astron Solar Floodlight is more expensive than the Astron64.
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