The received wisdom about solar lights is that they're terrible. I've bought several sets that work for a couple of months and then refuse to work, or sets that switch on too late and don't illuminate anything. However, when I became a product tester, testing things like the best festoon lights , I found that there's some pretty good products out there.
The only problem is that it can be hard to work out what's worth buying and what isn't worth your money. After years of testing solar lights, I've whittled it down to eight tips to help you find a set that finally works. 1.
Know your IP ratings IP ratings are a crucial part of buying outdoor solar lights. IP - or ingress protection - is a measurement of how something can resist water and dirt. The first of the two numbers is a measure of how easily dust can penetrate; the second is a measure of how easily water can penetrate.
Basically, the higher the IP number the better the electronics are protected. Solar lights should have an IP65 rating. Solar expert Andrei Marveaux claims: 'The absolute minimum rating for outdoor solar lights should be IP65.
This means that the lights cannot be penetrated by particultes and can resist water sprayed from any angle. 'The lights are definitely going to be out in the rain and may sometimes be in contact with heavy rain or even direct splashes of water; in that case, an IP66 or IP67 rating could be more appropriate.' The very best lights have IP ratings of IP68, which means the lights can be .