When You Need Some Garden Beauty, a Linkind Solar Lights Review

Until November of last year, I earned my income almost exclusively via writing for gardening sites. In the years of writing for these blogs, I learned a lot about gardening and developed an even deeper love of plants, pollinators, and the unique balance gardening requires to create the emotive, fruitful spaces I adore. Decorative elements add that extra touch of delight, as well, particularly if you live in an apartment building where aesthetics run few. My new favorite? Linkind Solar Lights.

I was recently asked to provide an honest review for a collection of Linkind Solar Lights and I eagerly accepted the invitation: I adore solar lights! I also felt the need for some added light along the pathway to make it easier for my mother, who uses a wheelchair, to navigate the sidewalk and patio space into our home safely.

I love solar lights so much that the invitation to review these inspired us at the MockingOwl Roost to explore a whole new series: The Creative Garden. We’ve shared a few pieces this week already (Fiction: Almost Paradise and Essay: It’s Raspberry Season!). We wanted to delight in the ever-bearing joy which our gardens produce for us and celebrate the beautiful creativity they inspire.

The Reviews: Linkind Solar Lights

In total, I reviewed three solar light products from Linkind, with 20 lights total now dotting my tiny garden space outside my ground-floor apartment in Illinois. The weather has been iffy a fair bit since I’ve had these lights out, with several bright days interspersed throughout. I wanted to ensure that I had plenty of both kinds of weather before I constructed the review, for the most accurate results possible.

Criteria for My Review

First, I thought I’d spell out what parameters I considered for my evaluation of each light set.

• Charge on bright, sunny days
• Charge on dull, gray days
• Color options
• Ease of set-up
• Ease of use
• Brightness overall
• Appearance
• Enjoyment

Solar Light Set #1: The Linkind Smart Solar Spotlight SL5

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with smart Linkind solar lights. I knew they could be synced with an app for light settings as well as with music for additional festive features. I enjoy a bright, colorful space, so I was pretty excited about the Linkind Smart Solar Spotlight SL5s when they arrived.

Specs

• Number of lights in the pack: 2 or 6
• Special features: Group control, dynamic light settings, easy app set up, manual use, music sync, adjustable angle
• Solar panel type: laminated monocrystalline silicon panels
• Battery: Grade A (pre-installed)
• App: AiDot
• Colors: Red, fuchsia, blue, green, light green, turquoise, orange, yellow, white, warm white
• Waterproof: IP65
• Installation: In ground stakes or wall-mounted
• Size: 6.6 inches long by 4.6 inches wide, by 2.36 inches high
• Modes: 3
• Light sources: 28
• Watts: 3 W
• Wires: None

Setting these lights up was about as easy as it gets. You simply attach the pieces (spikes and tops with panels/lights) and stake them into the garden or mount them to the wall with screws. Setting them up took me about 10 minutes total for full setup and placement of all three sets of lights that I received.

Setting up the app was one of the easiest apps I’ve used for smart devices, as well. Turn on Bluetooth and stand within 35 inches, and the app will find the lights and name them. You can note what room they’re in (I just said garden for all of mine). Then play around with the DIY, presets, music, or colors settings in the intuitive app.

You may need to close out of the app before attempting to turn the lights back on or re-do the settings. I had difficulty getting the phone to find the lights again when I didn’t close out after walking further away from the lights than the prescribed 35 inches. But as soon as I turned off the app and turned it back on again, everything was fine. Walking away again hasn’t caused any issues since that first time.

The many presets are delightfully fun, from Deep Sea to Aurora Borealis, and Autumn to Christmas or even disco. You’re bound to find some that are perfect for any occasion. Or, if you’re like me and enjoy sitting on the patio at night with a good mug of tea, give yourself a “fireworks” show with that preset, just for the heck of it.

I’m still playing around with the app, admittedly, but I’m finding it loads of fun. We love to host events, as well, with game nights, Doctor Who Watch Parties, and writers’ groups, so you better believe we’re going to get heaps of enjoyment out of the settings (both presets and DIY) for as long as these lights last.

Ratings

• Sunny day charging: 5 out of 5
• Dull sky charging: 5 out of 5
• Ease of set-up: 5 out of 5
• Ease of use: 5 out of 5
• App ease of use: 4.5 out of 5
• Brightness overall: 5 out of 5
• Appearance: 5 out of 5
• Enjoyment: 5 out of 5

I also wanted to note that manual use is super easy, too. Just stake or mount them as desired and click the button on the bottom of the light to change colors or mode easily. Keep clicking until you get the one you’re looking for.

Final Thoughts

I’m super excited to add these to my beautiful garden space! If you’re looking for a fun addition and enjoy using smart tech, you’re in for a treat with these. They’re perfect for every day lightscapes as much as they are for parties, special events, and holidays.

Solar Light Set #2: The Linkind StarRay Solar Spotlights

Closer to my usual speed (i.e., manual, not smart!), the Linkind StarRay Spotlights came and, just as expected, shine bright and beautiful with all their glorious colors. I had great expectations for the multicolor lights, and every expectation has been met – and exceeded.

Specs

• Number of lights in the pack: 2, 4, or 6
• Special features: Multicolor, easy on-off, automatic on-off settings, adjustable angle
• Solar panel type: laminated monocrystalline silicon panels
• Battery: Grade A (pre-installed)
• Colors: Red, fuchsia, blue, green, light green, turquoise, orange, yellow, white, warm white
• Waterproof: IP67
• Installation: In ground stakes or wall-mounted
• Size: 6.6 inches long by 4.6 inches wide, by 2.36 inches high
• Light sources: 16
• Watts: 3 W
• Wires: None

These lights are basically the same as the smart spotlights above, minus the “smart” aspect. They’re just as easy to install, require no special setup, and can be mounted via stake or wall bracket, depending on where you want them to shine.

I’m stoked about these lights that let me enjoy the same bright, vivid colors as the smart lights without the app. I mixed the lights up in my garden for some steady lights mingled with the varied light-mode smart lights.

Ratings

• Sunny day charging: 5 out of 5
• Dull sky charging: 5 out of 5
• Ease of set-up: 5 out of 5
• Ease of use: 5 out of 5
• Brightness overall: 5 out of 5
• Appearance: 5 out of 5
• Enjoyment: 5 out of 5

Final thoughts

If you love colorful lights for your garden, these are a great option. They’re not quite as pricey as the smart lights, so a little more budget-friendly, as well, and don’t require any attention after you install them. Put them on their stakes or mounts, place them, and click the button to get to the color or mode you want, and enjoy. Easy!

Solar Light Set #3: Linkind Solar Pathway Light SP3

Admittedly, of the three sets of lights, this is the most practical set. And I’m grateful to have them. The Linkind Solar Pathway SP3 Lights are taller than most of the pathway lights I’ve tried, so they light the area better, brighter, and more thoroughly. My mother uses a wheelchair to get around, so these lights were a real safety boost for our garden and pathway.

Specs

• Number of lights in the pack: 8
• Special features: Variable height, energy saving, truly bright lights (200-350 lumens), light-sensitive sensors, unique Venus’ circular reflection light shape
• Solar panel type: laminated monocrystalline silicon panels
• Battery: Grade A (pre-installed)
• Colors: Warm white, bright or low light
• Waterproof: IP54
• Installation: In-ground stakes
• Size: 4.72 inches diameter by 4.72 inches width by 17.2 inches height (max)
• Modes: 3
• Light sources: 28
• Watts: 3 W
• Wires: None

These are some of the brightest, most effective pathway lights I’ve ever seen. The variable heights on the stake are perfect, too, for allowing you to create exactly the ambiance needed for your pathway, lawn, or garden space.

I lined the pathway of both the sidewalk by our door and the edge of our patio with these Linkind solar lights, and now navigating after dark is incredibly easy, especially for my mother. The lovely pattern of light they cast in Venus’s circular reflection adds a special touch of beauty, too, making them not just practical but a beautiful addition to our space.

Ratings

• Sunny day charging: 5 out of 5
• Dull sky charging: 5 out of 5
• Ease of set-up: 5 out of 5
• Ease of use: 5 out of 5
• Brightness overall: 5 out of 5
• Appearance: 5 out of 5
• Enjoyment: 5 out of 5
• Number of lights in pack: 8

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a practical option that also casts some gorgeous light on your property, these would be my top pick. They light the path clearly, they add that unique light pattern for a touch of elegance and beauty, and they can stand at four different heights, depending on the terrain or your garden design choices.

Overall Review

I would recommend any of these lights for folks looking for any of the following:

• Bright, vivid lights that add vibrance without blinding you (or annoying the neighbors!)
• Beautiful aesthetics
• Functionality without sacrificing your beautiful outdoor space to ugly solar panel or messy wires

I’ve got a new favorite brand of solar products. And I suspect that if you try these Linkind solar lights, you will, too.

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