Solar batteries usually last for about 3 to 4 years, based on their number of charge cycles. When it’s time to replace the batteries for solar lights, we recommend considering the below factors… Battery Type – With the availability of different sizes and types of batteries like A, AA, AAA, and other units, you have to purchase the best and most compatible rechargeable batteries. AA batteries are considered the most rechargeable common size to use for solar lights. Capacity – The battery capacity varies from one model to another. Here the capacity is defined as the time length of a battery producing electricity, which is measured in milliamp-hours (mAh). The capacity range of most batteries will be 600 – 2000 mAh (or more). Make sure to purchase batteries with higher capacity ratings to have a longer power supply to the solar lights to m. Number of Batteries – Even if installing a single solar light, then it will require lots of batteries to run. So, one has to consider the number of solar lights, their shelf life, and the replacement rate of a depleted battery. Hence, all these batteries for solar lights come in a pack of multiple. While some of them might offer 8 – 10 batteries, others might even offer 16 – 20 batteries for a higher value for money. We came up with a list of some best-selling solar batteries along with a detailed “Buying Guide” to help you to grab the right type of batteries for your solar lights to make them illuminate properly.
8 Best Batteries for Solar Lights 2023
Best Batteries for Solar Lights Reviews
1. Brightown Battery for Solar Lights
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Minetom is quite a popular brand of batteries that generally offers rechargeable batteries for high practicality while powering devices like a solar light. The Minetom batteries for solar lights come at the 1st position of this list as it can be a great option if you want decent battery backup. This is primarily due to the reason that these batteries offer a capacity rating of 1300 mAh to the user. Another great thing about these batteries is that you get a total of 12 of these in the box which is quite decent for the given price. While you do get a 1-year warranty, the total charge cycles offered by these batteries is a bit low compact to others. Best Features:
Rated battery capacity of 1300 mAh Offers 12 batteries in the box Comes with a 1-year warranty
Pros:
Decent battery life rating Includes decent number of batteries Rechargeable batteries for high versatility
Cons:
Battery cycles could have been higher
2. EBL Batteries for Solar Lights
Even though most batteries for solar lights come in a pack of multiple lights, EBL takes it to the next level with its batteries that we have mentioned here. EBL’s batteries for solar lights come at the 2nd position of this list as these offer the largest battery pack size while being highly practical along with a long battery life rating. To be precise, you will find a total of 20 batteries in the box which is quite high and more than what you will need. Apart from offering multiple batteries in the box, each battery offered by this pack also comes with a decent battery backup which is rated at 1100 mAh. One of the most unique features of these batteries is that they come included with a battery carrying case for on the go usage. Best Features:
Rated battery capacity of 1100 mAh Offers 20 batteries in the box Comes with a 1-year warranty
Pros:
High value for money Comes with a lot of batteries in the box Decent battery life for the price
Cons:
Warranty could have been longer
3. Tenergy Battery for Solar Lights
Despite most batteries for solar lights having very similar pricing, a few brands like Tenergy offer slightly lower price tags for those of you who are on a tight budget. These Tenergy batteries for solar lights come at the 3rd position of this list as this the cheapest pack of batteries in this article. Even though it is cheaper than all other options stated here, you still get a decent number of 12 batteries in the box. However, the given battery capacity of 1000 mAh is just average and could have been better. Unlike many other budget brands out there, these batteries from Tenergy come included with a 1-year long warranty for peace of mind. Best Features:
Rated battery capacity of 1000 mAh Offers 12 batteries in the box Comes with a 1-year warranty
Pros:
Affordable batteries for solar lights Decent number of batteries in the box Standard warranty period
Cons:
Average battery life rating
4. RELIGHTABLE Batteries for Solar Lights
As you can most likely tell by its name, Relitghtable is a brand of batteries that are generally rechargeable so that you can use them again and again for high longevity. While most batteries for solar lights offer a lot of batteries in a single pack, Relightable offers a pack size that is quite larger than others. This is due to the reason that you will find a total of 20 batteries in the box. Unfortunately, these batteries have a very low capacity of just 600 mAh which results in an equally poor battery life. Not only that but these batteries also lack any kind of warranty from the manufacturer meaning that these might not be the most reliable ones. Best Features:
Rated battery capacity of 600 mAh Offers 20 batteries in the box Supports 1000 discharge cycles
Pros:
Large battery pack Decent value for money High discharge cycles
Cons:
Low battery capacity Does not offer any warranty
5. GEILIENERGY Batteries For Solar Light
Geilienergy is another brand of batteries that you should consider if you have a lot of solar lights and want batteries for all of them while buying only a single pack. You can use this pack of batteries for solar lights with all of your lights because it offers a lot of batteries in the pack. To be exact, you will find a total of 20 batteries in the box which is quite high especially at the given price tag. Unfortunately, just like the previous batteries from Relightable, these Geilienergy ones also lack in terms of their battery life because of the given capacity rating of 600 mAh. Thankfully, these ones are much more reliable thanks to the included 2-year warranty. Best Features:
Rated battery capacity of 600 mAh Offers 20 batteries in the box Comes with a 2 years warranty
Pros:
Long warranty for peace of mind High number of batteries in the box Decent value for money
Cons:
Poor battery life rating
6. KINSUN Battery For Solar Light
Kinsun is a much smaller brand of batteries for solar lights in comparison with other options which still manages to offer decent performance for the given price tag. The Kinsun batteries for solar lights can be a viable option if you want decent performance out of your batteries. With these batteries from Kinsun, you get a decent battery life or battery capacity of 900 mAh which is good enough for most if not the highest. Although, the given pack size of these batteries is a bit small since you only get 8 batteries in the box. Despite being a lesser-known brand of batteries and other solar lights related accessories, it still offers a 1-year warranty. Best Features:
Rated battery capacity of 900 mAh Offers 8 batteries in the box Comes with a 1-year warranty
Pros:
Decent battery life rating Includes a standard warranty High number of discharge cycles
Cons:
Pack size could have been larger
7. POWEROWLBatteries For Solar Lights
When compared with other brands of batteries for solar lights, Powerowl is a higher brand that offers high-performance batteries which is to be expected at the given price tag. Powerowl’s batteries for solar lights are the most powerful option present in this article. While there might be many high battery backup options out there, this one is much better thanks to the given battery capacity of 2800 mAh which is much higher than all others. While it might not be the highest, you get a decent number of 12 batteries in the box so that you can power multiple lights. One of the best things about these batteries for solar lights is that you get a 3-year warranty with them making them highly reliable and durable. Best Features:
Rated battery capacity of 2800 mAh Offers 12 batteries in the box Comes with a 3-year warranty
Pros:
Excellent battery life Highly reliable and durable Decent number of batteries in the box
Cons:
A bit on the expensive side
8. HENREEPOW Batteries For Solar Light
Henreepow is a well-known brand of batteries that mostly offers rechargeable AA batteries used widely to power devices like solar light. The Ni-MH AA rechargeable batteries from the Henreepow house are a great battery backup for solar lights that offer a capacity rating of 1300 mAh to the user. Thus this 1.2-volt 1300mAh AA Ni-MH rechargeable battery will offer strong performance. These batteries can be charged either by standard charging units or solar cell lights. These batteries are safe, reliable, and long-lasting compared to NiCD batteries. You have to charge them before using them for a longer time, as they are pre-charged with 30% power. These batteries can be used for various outdoor lights and other AA batteries compatible electric devices like calculators, mouse, keyboard, microphones, remote control, or toys. It comes with rechargeable times of up to 1200 times that charges rapidly and has a long service life. You will get a total of 12 of these batteries in the box, which is quite decent for the given price. Also, you do get a 1-year warranty. Best Features:
Rated battery capacity of 1300 mAh Offers 12 batteries in the box Dual charging options – solar cell lights or standard charging units Comes with a 1-year warranty
Pros:
Decent battery life rating Rechargeable batteries make it highly versatile Eco-friendly, safe, recycled, reliable, and long-lasting Offer 12 batteries in the pack
Cons:
Battery cycles would have been better.
How to Choose the Best Batteries for Solar Lights:
Let’s check out the factors to be considered before buying batteries for solar lights.
1. Types:
There are various types of batteries available based on their composition, durability, and benefits. Among them, NiMH batteries, NiCd batteries, and Li-ion batteries are three main types of batteries used widely for solar lights. Here is a detailed explanation that can help you in picking the right one. NiMH Batteries – Nickel Metal Hybrids (NiMH) batteries are the most commonly used batteries in solar lights and other cordless devices. It is considered the safest option to use than NiCd batteries, which can be hazardous to the environment if not disposed of properly. With the same size as alkaline batteries, this NiMH battery holds a much higher electric charge and is disposed of easily in an eco-friendly way. The main drawback of this type of battery is its shorter lifespan compared to its counterpart. One can charge this NiMH cell up to 500 – 1000 times, which is equal to 2 – 3 years (if used properly). The pro tip/trick to make them work longer is to use them frequently. NiCd Batteries – Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) batteries are popular and considered the best rechargeable batteries in the 90’s. This rechargeable cell is used mostly for small and portable devices like solar lights, toys, cameras, and computers. They store the energy by using electrodes, which are made of metallic cadmium (alkaline electrolyte of nickel oxide hydroxide and potassium hydroxide). The uniqueness of these batteries is that they remain at a same 1.2V voltage till it runs out of the power. Thus, it is quite effective in supplying power at its full range and can work for up to 1000 cycles before it dies. Memory charge is its main drawback, which means they have to be drained of power completely before they have to recharge again. Li-ion Batteries – Usually, lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are used to charge smartphones and laptops. Having much shorter charging times compared to other nickel-based batteries is the main advantage of these batteries. It last longer to use, higher energy density, low maintenance, and low self-discharge are some of its pros. Also, its voltage capacity is independent of its charge, which means a battery at 10% will light up like a completely charged battery. Being much more expensive than other batteries is its main drawback.
2. Battery Capacity:
The battery capacity will vary from one model to another. The time length a battery produces electricity is measured in milliamp-hours (mAh). The capacity range of most rechargeable batteries will be 600 – 2000+ mAh. A general rule is the higher capacity will allow the battery to run/provide power for a longer time to the solar lights. It helps to calculate the longevity of lights before depletion or replacement. So, it is essential to choose the batteries with the highest capacity ratings, as per your work requirement.
3. Battery Type:
The type and size of a battery are essential to consider before buying rechargeable batteries. Usually, the battery types are measured in A, AA, AAA, and other units. However, different sizes and types of batteries are compatible with different devices. While for solar lights, AA rechargeable batteries are the most preferred and commonly used. Since these batteries are used in various devices like toys, remotes, game controllers, and sound devices, which makes this feature is vital to check out for its proper usage. So, look for rechargeable batteries that serve well for your solar lights and other gadgets.
4. Number of Batteries:
Those who are looking to install solar lights around their home are most likely to be using multiple lights. Each light requires multiple batteries, which means you need a lot of batteries for the proper working of these solar lights. So, these days, batteries for solar lights are available in a pack of multiple batteries, which includes different pack sizes like 6 batteries, 8 batteries to even 20 batteries. For better performance, prefer to choose bulk deals/a higher number of batteries.
5. Energy Efficiency:
It is vital to consider the energy efficiency of a rechargeable battery while buying them. Quick energy recharging of a battery will offer high performance will require less energy to illuminate properly. Generally, solar energy is used to operate solar lights, in which the rechargeable batteries will take 4 – 5 hours to fully charge. If the intensity of the sun is low, then the implements have enough power to run these lights. However, the energy efficiency will be analyzed on how the batteries deter power loss while not using. Choosing an energy-efficient battery will reduce the maximum capacity loss even when the batteries are not used for a longer time. Thus, if the self-discharge of a battery is low, then it allows you to use this rechargeable battery even after being stored for years.
6. Memory Effect:
Whenever you charge the NiMH batteries, they charge up to full capacity, yet this is not the case with NiCd batteries. Due to the cyclic memory effect, the nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries will mostly remind their low charging periods and thus reset their charging capacity to low levels. For instance, if the solar panel received limited sunlight (solar energy) and its NiCd battery is recharged up to 80%. Then the battery will recall the previous recharge level and gets recharged up to that level (i.e., 80%) rather than recharging up to its full capacity. Usually, cadmium declines over time and thus, it causes the reduction in its capacity at a rate slower than cyclic memory.
7. Environmental Impact:
The cadmium in the nickel-cadmium batteries is a heavy metal element and is highly toxic as well. So, the sealed batteries won’t pose any harm, yet the leaking or open batteries need to be more careful while handling. Keep in mind that cadmium gets easily absorbed into the body when it comes to any skin contact. Since it has a toxic substance, the NiCd batteries are recommended to dispose of in selected recycling stations. The same applies to NiMH batteries, as they are also harmful if swept into water bodies.
8. Effectiveness:
The climate and weather changes will definitely affect the performance and operation of the rechargeable batteries in solar lights. However, the batteries won’t melt under high temperatures (if the temperature rises) and won’t be destroyed if the temperature falls low. Thus, rechargeable batteries are designed to be durable to use on different temperature ranges, and thereby easily adapted to different environments or to use in different places.
9. Cycle Charges:
The number of cycle charges is an essential and defining thing to check out for rechargeable solar light batteries. It is displayed on the pack and can be changed easily from 500 – 2000 (or more) cycle charge.
10. Compatibility:
Usually, every battery type is not compatible with solar light. So, it is essential to consider the size and type of the batteries before making its purchase for your solar light to know whether they serve the purpose or not. The package or the instruction manual of the given solar lights mention about the type of batteries that are compatible to work with. So, we suggest you go through the manual before buying batteries for your solar lights. In case, if you won’t have any user manual, then open the battery compartment and take out a battery. Now take this battery to check and shop for batteries that are compatible with your old battery. Generally, solar lights use mostly either AA or AAA batteries, in which their size similarity will make most people get confused among these batteries and may end up picking the wrong thing.
12. Warranty:
One has to check the warranty offered by the solar rechargeable batteries before making its purchase to have peace of mind on its working. Mostly, manufacturers offer a minimum warranty of 1-year on their product, yet few products come with a 3 years warranty for better longevity. Also, check out the reviews and ratings on the particular product to know what things are covered in the warranty before making its purchase.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar Light Batteries:
One should know the benefits (Pros) and drawbacks (Cons) of using solar light batteries before buying them. Here we explained them in detail. Let’s check it out.
Pros:
Cost Saving – The batteries in solar lights will preserve the solar energy with the help of a solar panel, which means there is no power/electricity is required to illuminate these lights. So, it helps you to save a lot of power bills. Accessible – These batteries vary in size and design and can be available easily in various stores. Since these lights are quite useful in power shortages and other emergencies, you can able to find these batteries easily in most stores. Dependable Performance – Batteries are the best option to use in lighting emergencies like when dimout, as they work irrespective of the weather condition. All you need is to grasp a single or a pair of a cell to connect them to your device and allow the battery to supply sufficient power for the device to work properly. Eco-Friendly – The batteries grab renewable energy from the sun. Thus, it promotes clean air without releasing any harmful chemicals/toxins to the environment till they are disposed of properly. So, using these batteries are convenient and safe to earth and human. Portable Energy Source – Usually, solar batteries won’t need a cord or wiring to operate. This lets you carry them anywhere easily in your bags or pockets as ready to use power source. Lifespan – With its recharge counts that range from 500 – 1000 times, these batteries for solar lights will ensure to last for at least a year or two. A few premium models offer an impressive lifespan of three years.
Cons:
Although, these drawbacks won’t apply to all batteries, yet these are general cons of batteries. Safety Issues – If you won’t use the batteries properly, then they may explode and become dangerous. Overheat or overcharging of the battery cells will tend to burst or malfunction. Expensive – The stored solar energy in the batteries won’t cost you a penny to use daily except on long darkness or cloudy days. If having poor sunlight, then you need to buy ready to use power cells to illuminate the solar lights or other gadgets. Based on their size and frequency, some of these batteries cost expensive. Harmful to Earth – Chemicals like lithium, lead, mercury, and cadmium are used to make these batteries, which these elements result in soil and water pollution if not disposed of or recycled properly. Thus, it causes some harm and threat to the earth. Replacement – Even though these batteries are rechargeable to use for a longer time, yet the cells are to be replaced at least once every year. Other than adding extra cost to the user, it will be a bit hassle to replace those batteries regularly.
Conclusion:
Whether you already have solar lights installed around your home or you want to get some, these lights will also need a battery from where they get their power at night. During day time, the solar panel of your light will charge this battery which then gets used to power the night in the day. However, since not all batteries are the same and picking up the right one can be a bit confusing, we have provided some of the best batteries for solar lights up above. You will also find a buyer’s guide for the best batteries for solar lights. And based on all this information, we present our favorite recommendations:
While there might be a lot of batteries for solar lights with long power backup, the Powerowl batteries For SolarLights take it to the next level. With these batteries, you get a very high battery capacity of 2800 mAh. These batteries are also highly reliable thanks to its 3-year warranty. You also get a decent number of 12 batteries in the box for a decent value for money. Those of you who want even more batteries in the box for an even higher value for money can consider the EBL batteries For Solar Lights. These batteries come in a very large pack size of 20 batteries. And since you have a decent capacity of 1100 mAh, the battery life rating offered by this light is also quite good for the price. If you are on a very tight budget and simply want the cheapest option out there, then the Tenergy batteries For Solar Lights for solar lights can be a viable option. Being the cheapest option in this article, it offers a battery capacity of 1000 mAh which is decent for the price. As for the number of batteries, this is a 12 pack which is quite good for most buyers.
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