Battery operated umbrella light that features color changing for nice outdoor ambience.
Super easy to install to umbrella pole. Includes remote control and on/off switch. Can change to 16 different colors. Operates by battery. Four lighting options include strobe, fade, smooth, and flash.
May not last very long. Lights may not be bright enough.
Three lighting levels and an affordable tag make this a popular go-to for outdoor nighttime illumination.
Levels include dim, bright, and super bright, adjusted with simple button push. Super bright allows for reading and playing cards. No extra tools needed to clamp onto umbrella or tent poles. Light lasts long.
Not waterproof and shouldn't be exposed to the elements. No installation instructions included.
With its two-level dimmer switch, this umbrella light can be bright as day or cast a subtle, romantic glow.
Uses two rechargeable batteries, which can be charged via USB. Unit will snugly fit any standard umbrella pole. If highest setting is too bright, just flip it upside down to diffuse the light.
Some users wish it had a remote. Can't really close umbrella without removing from pole.
A modern-looking umbrella lights for parties and gatherings.
Features twelve lights to keep outdoor space light. Remote controlled. Twelve colors to choose from. Includes timer and can adjust the brightness level of lights. Battery operated. Easy to set up.
Some problems with remote not working well. Not waterproof.
Solar umbrella lights with a unique design, great for decorating outdoors.
Innovative design features 24 LED lights and includes umbrella canopy. Polyester canopy material repels water. 6 hours of light when completely powered. Features a push button and tilt/crank.
Umbrella base not included. Some quality concerns..
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Nice weather? What a great time to spend time in a private outdoor space. To make your backyard, camping, or patio area the best it can be, you need proper outdoor lighting to keep your environment comfortable all day and into the night.
Patio umbrella lights come in different forms. The lantern variety may hang from the sides of the umbrella, while circular LED patio lights are positioned around the umbrella pole at the top. Some patio umbrellas come affixed with string lights. Indeed, there are plenty of options to consider. Where will you position your lights? How easy are they to turn on and off? What sort of environment do you hope to create?
We’re here to guide you through all the options. Read on to learn more about patio umbrella lights: what they are, what features you might enjoy (including colored lights and even those that recreate the look of fire), and how much you can expect to spend. We’ve also included our top recommendations for your convenience.
These are self-contained portable lights that can hang from underneath the patio umbrella. They are almost always solar-powered and come in a variety of sizes and brightness. While they are advertised as patio umbrella lights, they can move easily and work well in any outdoor space.
Umbrella pole lights are a unit of LEDs that are affixed around the top of pole of the patio umbrella. These may be circular or square in shape and are powered by electricity.
A third variety of patio lights comes already attached to the umbrella. They are string lights that adorn the ribs of the umbrella and are purchased as a single unit; they are not meant to be separated.
Patio lights can be functional, decorative, or both. Pole lights are utilitarian and tend to all look the same with the sole purpose of keeping the outdoor space light. Lanterns, however, come in a variety of styles that can serve as part of a design vision or specific ambience.
How bright do you want your patio umbrella lights to be? Lanterns tend to be fainter lights with only one setting, so the only way to make the space brighter is to buy more. Most pole lights have two or three adjustable settings for brightness.
Do you prefer warm lights or cool lights? This question comes up a lot around the holidays, but it’s also pertinent for summertime patios. Warm lights have a yellow or orangish tone, while cool lights are much whiter. Hanging lights or lanterns tend to be warmer, especially those emulating fire. Most affixed lights are cooler.
If you want a more natural backyard look, warm lights may be best. If you want a modern aesthetic, cool lights are usually preferred.
Check how the lights are powered before purchasing so you can figure out what additional work or investment may be required. Solar-powered lights are common and easy to deal with, but fickle weather can hinder usage over time, especially if you’re outside in the fall and winter months. Other patio umbrella lights have rechargeable batteries that can power up through USB cables. Many do not come with batteries, so you will need to buy them separately.
It may seem counterintuitive, but some patio umbrella lights are not weatherproof. That means that your lights would be among the items you take inside when rain is forecast. If you want your lights to stay outside indefinitely, make sure they can stand up to the weather.
Lantern-style patio umbrella lights often seek to recreate the look of fire. Some feature faux candles that emit a warm flicker. Others sport a larger red or orange flame. If you tend to use tea lights or candles in your outdoor space, having the warm glow of fake fire may complement your existing décor nicely.
Lanterns and hanging lights can be moved around your patio and taken with you if you’re ever outdoors and need some light — for example, if you go camping. This is also true for many umbrella pole lights, even though they may not come with the tools to make that happen. With a hook or string, these circular lights can hang from tents or trees, or you could place them on a high ledge to cast down.
Some patio lights offer a toggle between various brightnesses to allow for better mood control. The toggle is essentially a dimmer, so you’re not always stuck with the brightest (or dimmest) level.
If you embrace convenience and always want to keep on top of the outdoor ambience, a remote control may be essential. It is not a common accessory, but some companies do offer it with their patio lights, particularly those that have more options and intricacies than others.
Inexpensive: For under $20, there are many affixed pole light options. At this price point. you can still find rechargeable and dimmer options.
Mid-range: For $25 to $60, you will be able to purchase the lantern style of patio lights. They tend to come in groups of two or four, but there are a variety of different looks available.
Expensive: For over $60, you can forgo buying lights to add to your patio umbrella and instead purchase an umbrella that comes with preinstalled lights.
Q. How long does the light take to fully charge?
A. There are two types of power sources: the sun and batteries. Solar-powered lights will take longer initially to turn on but will recharge whenever the sun is out. If you are using a USB cable to charge the batteries, the lights will be of use in a short time but need to be charged more frequently.
Q. How long does the charge last?
A. Fully charged with sunlight, solar-powered lanterns should last all night, from eight to ten hours. Battery-operated lights should last eight to ten hours as well. A larger set of solar-powered lights, such as those that come with umbrellas, may need more power to operate and therefore last only up to six hours.
Q. Does the light attract bugs?
A. Solar-powered lanterns likely will not attract any insects, but LED lights at a high setting may draw a swarm. Whether or not bugs are on the scene will also depend on the time of season and climate; incense or other candles may repel bugs.
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