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As a nation of home and garden lovers, solar is enabling us to be more creative for a fraction of the cost
Solar-powered gadgets used to be fairly underwhelming, with barely enough power to fire up a calculator. However, Jared Owen, product expert at Shopping.co.uk, the UK’s leading price comparison platform, says things have moved on, and it’s being driven by the consumer market.
“As a nation of home and garden lovers, we’re all increasingly looking for ways to enhance our spaces with solar gadgets,” he says. “The cost-effectiveness of solar is enabling us to be more creative.”
For gadgets designed for outdoor use, solar power makes a lot of sense, whether it be video doorbells or outdoor lighting. Of course, it isn’t practical or logical to integrate solar panels into every kind of gadget, but there are plenty of excellent power stations with compatible solar panels, which will efficiently juice up whatever you care to plug into them.
Landscape gardener Matthew Wilson has noticed an uptick in clients asking to incorporate solar lights into their outdoor space, but doesn’t think they are all up to scratch. “I have found that solar fairy lights tend to be flimsy and poorly made. The wires often become detached from the solar unit, rendering them useless after a few weeks and consigning them to landfill. I prefer lights with a bit more heft, that you can either anchor in the ground, or attach to a structure such as a fence.”
Melvyn Wilson, energy expert at Troo says solar gadgets may not be a good fit for core cooling, such as air conditioning units. “While solar lighting and small charging devices can offset minor grid usage, they are not yet a meaningful substitute for core cooling demand in the UK climate. In most cases, they should be viewed as supplementary tools rather than cost-reduction strategies.”
But there are some great options out there; you just have to know where to look. We spoke to experts to determine the best solar-powered gadgets for the summer.
Eufy, £129.99
If security is high on your list of priorities, but you find fitting batteries and cables awkward, this may be the perfect solution. “For added peace of mind in the garden, this solar security camera is designed to help monitor driveways and gardens with ease,” says Owen, who picked from the best-reviewed solar gadgets on his site. “With 360-degree pan and 70-degree tilt, it helps reduce blind spots, while built-in AI object recognition can detect and automatically track humans and vehicles as they move across the monitored area.” With a removable solar panel for flexible installation, just two hours of daily sun keeps the SoloCam E30 charged all day.
B&Q, £49.99
These spotlights are a flexible way to brighten patios, paths and decking. “They can switch between bright white and warm white light, helping create either a practical or cosy atmosphere. The set includes eight lights, spaced 1.5m apart, with backup USB charging, plus a detachable solar panel for year-round use,” says Owen. Two power settings let you choose between brighter lights or longer run times, helping you to maximise the battery life.
Sparkle Lighting, £29.95
If you’re looking for something a little more playful and whimsical, Wilson recommends these dandelion solar lights, which he says give off a great glow as well as adding interest to the garden. “These may look delicate, but they’re surprisingly sturdy. They are great for adding to paths and around outdoor dining areas, and clients say they’re a real talking point. When they are charged, they automatically come on at dusk for six hours, so you don’t need to worry about timers or turning them off, which is ideal!”
Amazon, £29.99
Stephen Hampton, a consumer product tester and avid camper with over 10 years of experience testing products built for the outdoors, rates this fan highly. “What immediately stands out is the battery capacity, which is more than adequate for 24-36 hours of intermittent use. The 7W solar panel delivers a full charge in roughly six to eight hours of decent sunlight. It’s a high powered fan, but doesn’t make a lot of noise.”
Amazon, £29.99
If you’re looking for a solar-powered phone and laptop charger for outdoor work, without having to worry about finding a plug, Hampton recommends this high-capacity model, which can charge up to four devices simultaneously (one wirelessly and three via USB cables). “It’s also water and dust resilient, shockproof and the solar panel to enable you to charge the power bank whilst out and about. Just attach it to your bag and let the sun do its work.”
Amazon, £102
We know that heat rises, and energy experts say loft spaces may be making your home feel much hotter than it is outside. Enter the solar attic fan – which harnesses solar energy to actively ventilate your loft space, expelling hot air and moisture without adding a penny to your electricity bill. Andrew Early, a ventilation expert, recommends this attic ventilator: “What sets this unit apart is its ability to operate at remarkably low voltage – just 4V minimum. This means you’ll still get decent ventilation even on Britain’s notoriously cloudy days. The foldable solar panel includes an adjustable angle mount and 16-foot cable, allowing you to position it for optimal sun exposure regardless of your roof’s orientation.”
The Range, £24.99
Wilson recently added this water feature to a client’s garden, who was looking to add the calming sound of water to her space, without having to attach the gadget to a power source. He was impressed by how easy it was to set up. “There’s no cables or power source needed, so I just placed it in a pot with some stones that complemented the rest of the garden, added some water and it was good to go. It’s utterly idiot-proof and it looks like a much more expensive water feature.”
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