Solar torches enrich the garden, balcony or terrace with their decorative character. The realistic flame effect brings a romantic atmosphere to your outdoor area. But how does such a solar-powered garden light actually work? And what do you have to pay attention to when buying a solar torch? With us you will find out!
Solar torches create a special ambience in the garden at night
Our recommendations
our recommendation
FLOWood solar garden torch realistic flame effect 2 in 1 solar hanging light for garden Solar garden light IP65 weatherproof ABS 4 pieces
39.99 EUR To the product| material | ABS Plastic |
|---|---|
| protection class | IP65 |
| burn time | up to 8 hours |
| loading time | 8 hours |
| USB charging function | no |
| Number of torches in the set | 4 |
| Assembly | Ground spike, hanging |
One of the great features of the FLOHuor solar garden torch is that it is designed as a practical 2-in-1 solution. Depending on your current mood, you can stick the torch into the ground with the supplied ground spike or convert it into a hanging lamp in no time at all. The basic features are also convincing: The torch is equipped with a lithium-ion solar battery with a capacity of 600 mAh. After being fully charged, the solar lamp lights up for up to eight hours in summer and up to five hours in winter. Most reviewers on Amazon praise the elegant look of the garden torch and the authentic flame effect.
our recommendation
Solar Garden Lights Outdoor, Ruyilam 4 Pieces Solar Flame Lights with Waterproof IP65, Automatic On/Off for Garden, Yard, Balcony, Driveway, Pathway
33.14 EUR To the product| material | ABS Plastic |
|---|---|
| protection class | IP65 |
| burn time | up to 12 hours |
| loading time | 8 hours |
| USB charging function | no |
| Number of torches in the set | 4 |
| Assembly | ground spike |
Like the test winner in our analytical comparison, the high-quality solar torch from Ruyilam also has protection class IP65, which makes it extremely weather-resistant. In terms of material (ABS plastic), charging time (eight hours) and scope of the set, this version also corresponds entirely to the model from the FLOWood brand. A small advantage of the second-placed garden torch is the slightly longer burn time of up to twelve hours. However, it can only be used with a ground spike. The torch is very well received by Amazon customers. Almost all reviewers describe it as impressive - not least because of the excellent workmanship and idyllic lighting atmosphere that it spreads.
our recommendation
StillCool Solar Flame Light, IP65 Waterproof Solar Torch Solar Lamp Automatic On/Off for Backyards, Gardens
38.99 EUR To the product| material | ABS Plastic |
|---|---|
| protection class | IP65 |
| burn time | up to 12 hours |
| loading time | 8 hours |
| USB charging function | no |
| Number of torches in the set | 4 |
| Assembly | ground spike |
The solar torch in a set of 4 from StillCool is one of the bestsellers on Amazon. This is mainly due to the excellent price-performance ratio. In the popular model, the capacity of the lithium-ion battery is even up to 2200 mAh, but this does not significantly affect the burn time if you compare the value with the data for the other solar torches recommended by us. Several reviewers state that the solar lamps charge well and reliably even in shady places and then enchant with their flickering light for many hours - sometimes even throughout the night. If you want to try out very cheap solar torches first, you are spot on with this product.
Purchase Criteria
material and processing
Most solar flares are made from premium plastic, typically ABS. Rarely do you come across versions made of metal or steel. If processed to a high standard, plastic torches are in no way inferior to metal or steel ones. In this respect, the processing quality is much more important than the pure material. It is best to read some customer reviews before you buy to find out how robust and stable the garden torches really are.
protection class
Be sure to take a look at the protection class, specified with the abbreviation IP and a specific two-digit number after it. Ideally, your chosen torch has protection class IP65. Then you can be 100 percent sure that you are dealing with a weather-resistant product that can withstand both intense sunlight (which is ultimately important for charging) and damp weather - i.e. rain and snow.
flame effect
Solar torches are particularly popular because of the decorative flame effect. It is therefore important that this is as pronounced or authentic as possible. The torch should flicker realistically, giving the impression that the flickering light is coming straight from a real fireplace like a campfire. This criterion is convincing for almost all solar torches, but it doesn't hurt to read one or the other customer opinion.
burn time
Basically, the longer the solar torch can shine, the better it is, of course. However, it also depends on your requirements: Should the garden torch only create a romantic atmosphere for two or three hours in the evening or should it shine all night long? We advise you not to take the burn time specified by the manufacturer at face value, but always deduct at least two hours from the stated maximum - and look again at the customer reviews.
loading time
The charging time - i.e. the time that the battery of a solar torch has to spend in the sun in order to fully charge itself - is of particular interest if your garden, balcony or terrace is more shady than sunny. Commonly, solar torches need eight hours of sunlight and daylight to recharge the energy they need to glow intensely in the dark.
USB charging option
Some solar torches offer a USB charging option as an additional technical solution - in this case you can also simply charge the respective torch via a USB port. When is the extra worth it? First and foremost, if you don't want to install the solar torch permanently (permanently) in the garden, on the balcony or terrace, but only want to use it on certain occasions. Otherwise, the USB charging option is a nice gimmick in our eyes, but not essential.
Assembly
A solar torch is either attached to a base or anchored to the ground with its own ground spike. Here the matter is clear: If you want to set up the torches directly in the garden, the ground spike is the most uncomplicated and safest solution. On the other hand, you should prefer solar torches with a base for the balcony or terrace.
youtubefrequently asked Questions
What is a solar torch?
Solar torches are stylish solar lights in the shape of torches. They get their luminosity simply from sunlight. They act as enormously energy-saving garden lights. In general, these lamps are very durable. The flame effect is characteristic. The stronger this is, the more decorative the torch appears. It can be used as a practical path light or simply as a romantic eye-catcher in the outdoor area.
How does a solar torch work?
A solar torch works just like any other solar lamp. It gets its energy from the sun. The solar cells built into the torch convert the sunlight that falls during the day into electrical energy. The latter is then buffered by the integrated battery. At dusk or in the dark, the torch releases its stored energy by glowing.
Which brands offer good solar torches?
Solar torches are not products made by the most reputable brands of garden supplies or solar lighting. The decorative character of the articles is too much in the foreground for that. However, there are some manufacturers who do not have a well-known name, but definitely come up with good quality garden torches. These include FLOHud, Ruyilam and StillCool.
Where is the best place to buy a solar torch?
Like other garden lighting, you can also find solar torches in well-stocked hardware stores and garden centers, whether OBI, hagebaumarkt, toom or Dehner. Some attractive garden torches are even available from discounters (Lidl, Aldi), especially in the warm season. Amazon offers you a particularly large selection and an extremely convenient ordering and return procedure.
How much does a solar torch cost?
Solar torches are usually offered in practical sets - sets often contain four torches, so you can place them around your garden table, for example. Such sets of 4 usually cost between 20 and 50 euros, depending on the manufacturer and the quality characteristics. For example, solar torches are usually more expensive the more LEDs they bring with them.