Guide to the Best Solar Light Batteries

There are multiple reasons why solar lights are incredibly popular in 2024: they are easy to use, maintenance-free, and are highly reliable with continuous overnight lighting.

Likewise, do you know that one of their essential components are the solar light batteries? 

Indeed, most of the solar lights on the market are using rechargeable batteries.

There are dozens of rechargeable solar light batteries available, but only a few of them are worth buying. They combine high-energy capacity, have long life duration, extended storage life, and have extreme temperature tolerance.

To ease your choice, we have selected the best solar light batteries you’ll find on the market. Here, you’ll find advice for the best solar light batteries as well as a detailed description on how to handle them.

We also included an FAQ where we answer all the most common and useful questions you have about solar light batteries. If you are missing one, reach us in the comment section.

For a quick look, check our Editor’s Pick section, and you’ll get all the essentials about the best solar light batteries in 2024.

Editors’ Pick – Solar Light Batteries

Here’s a apacity from 1000 mAh to 2800 mAh.

Tenergy AA Rechargeable Battery NiCd at 1000 mAh

This is one of the cheapest solar light batteries of our review, yet one of the most reliable with more than 1 year of continuous power in the outdoors. It can run up to six hours of light per night.

EBL AA Rechargeable Batteries at 1100 mAh

This is the most reliable in all types of weather and can work even under the snow or at high temperature during summer. It will last almost two years in your solar light.

Mr. Batt Rechargeable AA Batteries at 1300 mAh

The lowest self-discharge rate of our battery selection, this can retain 75% of its capacity after three years of no use. It will last more than two years when in use.

Amazon Basics 8-Pack AA Rechargeable Batteries at 2000 mAh

An Amazon best seller, this gives you enough energy to power your solar light all night long (up to eight hours). It has more than two years of battery life.

Energizer Rechargeable AA Batteries, NiMH at 2000 mAh

From one of the most renowned battery brands, it has an extremely long duration life with more than four years in your solar lights. With large capacity for hours of continuous lighting, it’s greener and made with 4% recycled batteries.

POWEROWL AA Rechargeable Batteries at 2800 mAh

This has the largest-rated capacity of our review combined with an extremely long service life of four years. They are the best to keep your lights on even after a rainy day.

Why Do You Need Solar Light Batteries?

Your solar lights are very simple electronic devices. They are made of basic components, but each of them are essential:

• LED lights
• Mini solar panel
• Solar light batteries
• Electronic controller

Our sun is intermittent by nature; therefore, it will not shine the same all the time. Consequently your mini solar panel will not produce the same amount of energy daily. However, you will need light every day after sunset.

Solar light batteries will store the energy produced by the mini solar panel for your solar light to shine bright during most of the night, usually 6 to 10 hours.

What Are Solar Light Batteries?

Solar light batteries are rechargeable batteries. They are found in the standard size AA with a nominal voltage of 1.2V. They can be recharged directly in your solar light.

On their packaging, you will often see an indication like this one: AA 1.2v 600mah NiMH rechargeable solar light batteries.

• AA is the standard type of rechargeable battery.
• 1.2 V is the nominal voltage of the battery.
• 600 mAh is the battery capacity.
• NiMH is the battery technology.

Currently, there are two main solar light battery technologies: NiMH and NiCd.

What Is NiCd?

NiCd stands for nickel–cadmium. This type of battery has one nickel oxide electrode and one cadmium electrode. They are the oldest types of portable rechargeable batteries. They were the most dominant technology in the 90s but lost their market share to the NiMH battery.

Check out our NiMH vs NiCd comparison chart to see their main technological advantages.

What is NiMH?

This stands for Nickel Metal Hydride. This type of rechargeable battery developed in the late 60’s offers several advantages compared to NiCd and is now the leading technology in solar light batteries.

NiCd vs NiMH for solar light batteries

For a better understanding of both technologies, we have summarized in the chart below their main features.

	NiCd	NiMH
Type	AA battery	AA battery
Nominal voltage	1.2 V	1.2 V
Life cycle duration	Up to 1000 cycles	Up to 2000 cycles
Self-discharge rate	High (10% per month)	Very low (less than 1% per month)
Support high discharge rate	Yes	Partially
Temperature behavior	Very good at low and high temperatures	Good
Memory effect	Strong	Very limited
Safety	Contain highly toxic material	Recyclable

In the end, we see that NiMH batteries, although not as robust as the NiCd batteries in hot and cold weather, offer more advantages.

However, aside from the material technology, what would be the main criteria to choose the best solar light battery?

Five Main Criteria to Choose the Best Solar Light Battery

When choosing a solar light battery, you are protecting the environment and saving money. Solar light batteries are rechargeable and will save you hundreds of regular alkaline (non-rechargeable) AA type batteries.

Have a look below at the main criteria that we have considered for our 10 best solar light batteries of 2024.

Battery Capacity

The main criteria when choosing your solar light batteries.

It is rated in mAh.

It ranges from 800 mAh to 2800 mAh.

The more storage capacity you have the longer your light will shine during the night. You can also store more energy to cope with rainy days when the sun cannot fully recharge your battery.

Number of Recharge Cycles

This is the life duration of your solar light batteries.

It ranges from 400 cycles to 2000 cycles.

Your rechargeable battery will last between 1 and 5 years. The main advantage of solar lights: they are maintenance-free. When choosing the most durable battery you can keep your solar light untouched for years.

Self-discharge Rate

This is the storage capacity loss of your battery when stocked.

Most of the manufacturers sell their batteries by pack, from 4 pieces to 24 or more. Therefore, you might not use all your batteries at once. In that case, the self-discharge rate is very important.

It can vary between 10% (for NiCd) and less than 1% (for NiMH) per month. The most efficient batteries can be stored for years without damaging their storage capacity.

Temperature Tolerance

Your solar lights will be exposed to the outdoors with steep variation of temperature during the day and depending on the season. Some batteries will malfunction when exposed to low temperature. In general, NiCd technology is the best.

Price

Last but not least, we have selected solar light batteries offering the best ratio durability vs price, from less than $1 to $4 per unit. Manufacturers often offer huge rebates when batteries are bought in packs.

Now that you know how to choose your solar light batteries, let’s have a closer look at how they fit in your solar light.

How to Replace Your Solar Light Batteries in Eight Steps

You now have in hand your new solar light batteries. The replacement process is very important as you don’t want to ruin the water and dustproof properties of your solar light.

We have summarized below the replacement process in eight easy steps.

Step 1– Charge Your Solar Light Batteries

To avail the full capacity of your solar light batteries, they must be fully charged before installation.

Step 2 – Bring Your Solar Light Indoors

Your solar lights are made to work outdoors. Most of them are certified IP67, which means they have protection against dust and rain. Therefore, before removing the battery protection cap, you have to be in a dry environment. Thus, having them inside your house is best.

Step 3 – Remove the Battery Cap

You might need to unscrew the battery cap which is usually located on top of your solar light. Consult your user manual for the location of the battery compartment. Likewise, be sure to keep all the screws and joints in a safe place to put them back after the process.

Step 4 – Switch Off Your Solar Light

Turn off your solar light to avoid any electrical damage when changing the rechargeable batteries. Usually the switch is inside the battery compartment.

Step 5 – Install the New Solar Light Batteries

Remove the old batteries, and replace them by your new solar light batteries (fully charged).

Step 6 – Put Back the Battery Cap

Be sure that the battery cap is well screwed to avoid humidity to enter the compartment.

Step 7 – Turn On the Light for Testing

Test your solar light in a dark room. That will trigger the light sensor, and the LED light will shine.

Step 8 – Properly Dispose Your Used Solar Light Batteries

Do not throw your old batteries in the regular trash because they contain highly toxic material. You will find specific bins for used batteries. They will be sorted and dismantled, and some parts will be recycled. Protect the environment with this simple gesture.

10 Best Solar Light Batteries of 2024

Keep your lights on all night with the best solar light batteries of 2024.

Among dozens of brands and specifications, we have carefully selected the best rechargeable batteries offering high durability and capacity vs price. In our review, you will find solar light batteries fitting all budgets, as low as $1 per unit.

1. Energizer Rechargeable AA Batteries, NIMH, 2000 mAh,1.2V

This is our top pick for solar light batteries. You will make no mistake with this battery pack. Energizer has more than 20 years of experience as a battery manufacturer. It is one of the most trusted battery brands with high-quality products and state-of-the-art technology. Their products cover all ranges of portable rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries.

Features

Sold in a pack of 4, these solar light batteries feature NiMH technology. They are perfect for the outdoors, and their working temperature can be as low as -4°F. You can enjoy up to 4 years of illumination with 6 to 8 hours of light per day. If you want to store them, they will retain their state of charge for 1 year.

Energizer is one of the leaders in battery technology, and this battery pack is the first one made of 4% recycled battery – a kind gesture for our environment.

Final Thoughts

Once again, this is our number one pick as a rechargeable solar battery. This is perhaps the most advanced of all solar light batteries made of quality components (4% from recycled batteries) to ensure high durability and reliability for years in your solar light.

2. POWEROWL AA Rechargeable Batteries, 2800mAh High Capacity Batteries 1.2V

Powerowl might not be the most known battery brand, but they have 25 years of experience in manufacturing batteries. They are specialized in portable batteries, from regular alkaline batteries to MacBook batteries.

With their AA rechargeable batteries, they offer a top product. Let’s see why we like it so much.

Features

The battery bundle features 16 NiMH, 1.2V AA-type batteries with the highest capacity available on the market (2800 mAh). They are designed according to the highest safety standard with a temperature control valve device to avoid explosion and a bottom insulation ring to prevent short circuit.

Don’t worry about draining them, because they are super robust. They will light your nights for more than 10 hours and will last up to 4 years in your solar light outdoors (1200 cycles) bearing negative temperature (25°F). They also offer 3 years of shelf life.

Final Thoughts

Powerowl offers an almost-perfect product with one of the best value for money ratios. These solar batteries will last for years in your solar lights. However, it is important to note that they are best fitted for temperate climates with warm winters.

3. Panasonic BK-3MCCA8BA eneloop AA 2100 Cycle Ni-MH, 2000 mAh

Panasonic is one of the most innovative companies in the world, spending billions of dollars in R&D. They are specialized in all types of electronic products for domestic and professional use. Their new rechargeable solar batteries come under the brand name Eneloop and reflect the company’s effort on innovation.

Let’s see why this rechargeable battery is the most advanced in our review.

Features

The battery bundle features 4 NiMH, AA-type, 1.2V rechargeable batteries. Their rated capacity is 2000mAh which will give you up to 8 hours of light per day. The most impressive is their life duration, the longest of our review, which is up to 2100 cycles, equivalent to 6 years! Those batteries are extremely robust at bearing temperatures as low as -4°F. Furthermore, their storage life is up to 10 years. They come pre-charged with solar energy, a nice gesture for the environment.

Final Thoughts

The Eneloop batteries could be described by two words: robust and durable. With an impressive lifetime of 6 years, your solar light might even be worn out before your solar light batteries! This can be used for all types of weather and comes highly recommended.

4. Duracell Rechargeable AA Batteries, 2500 mAh 1.2V

Duracell is one of the oldest battery manufacturers in the world, with almost one hundred years of experience in portable batteries from alkaline to NiMH rechargeable. Their products are innovative and feature high-quality material. Let’s have a look at their latest rechargeable solar light batteries.

Features

The battery pack features 4 rechargeable batteries, with NiMH technology. With a 2500 mAh capacity, you will have up to 10 hours of light per day. They offer 400 life cycles, equivalent to 1.5 years of continuous work. Their shelf life storage is 10 years, one of the longest in our review.

Final Thoughts

Thanks to high-manufacturing standards, the Duracell rechargeable battery will not fail at delivering continuous power for your solar light. However, their working life is limited, perhaps one of the lowest of our review with only 1.5 years.

5. Mr. Batt Rechargeable AA Batteries, 1600 mAh, pack of 8

You might not have heard of Mr. Batt before, but this small brand of rechargeable batteries is new to the market and only offers a few products. However, they are incredibly popular, being one of the best sellers on Amazon. Let’s have an insightful look at the features of their latest rechargeable solar batteries and why they are in high demand.

Features

The battery bundle is made up of 8 rechargeable AA, 1.2V batteries, with a capacity of 1600mAh. Their high-storage capacity will provide up to 6 hours of light per day after being recharged by your solar light. They are durable and can be kept in use for 3 to 4 years (1200 cycles). Furthermore, they have a low self-discharge rate, retaining 75% of their initial capacity when stored. Similar to all NiMH batteries, they don’t contain highly toxic material and can be recycled when properly disposed of.

Final Thoughts

They are the batteries of choice for warm outdoor use. They are affordable and will fit in all budgets. They come pre-charged at 60%, but we strongly advise to fully charge them before use.

6. Amazon Basics 8-Pack AA Rechargeable Batteries, 2000 mAH

Rechargeable batteries are the future of AA-type batteries. They are durable and eco-friendly and will save you thousands of regular alkaline disposable batteries. Looking at their incredible popularity, Amazon is now offering its own kind of AA rechargeable battery in its AmazonBasics store. Let’s have a look at why they are worth buying.

Features

The battery pack includes 8 AA 1.2V NiMH rechargeable batteries. They are rated at 2000 mAh capacity which will provide between 6 and 8 hours of light every day. This is perfect for a solar light in your garden. They can be charged 1000 times with minimal power loss, which is equivalent to 3 years of service life. You can also store them for 2 years with only 20% capacity loss. With Amazon offering 1-year limited warranty, you won’t have to worry about reliability.

Final Thoughts

Amazon is offering a ready-to-use product, with one of the best durability/price ratios. Furthermore, the capacity is good enough for hours of lighting. This works best for small budgets.

7. Tenergy AA Rechargeable Battery NiCd, 1000 mAh, 1.2V

Tenergy is a relatively new battery company created in California 16 years ago. They are specialized in high-quality battery products covering all types of technologies (lithium, NiMH, NiCd, etc.). They are committed to offer durable and high-quality products. Let’s have a look at the main features of their AA rechargeable battery pack and why we are recommending it.

Features

Tenergy’s battery bundle offers 12 AA, 1.2V batteries, with the NiCd technology. The Tenergy solar light batteries have a 1000 mAh capacity, offering 5 to 6 hours of light every day. You can charge them 500 times, equivalent to 1.5years of use in your garden. NiCd batteries are made of different material than the NiMH ones. They are much more robust and can bear extreme weather from -40°F to 122°F; therefore, they are perfect for a garden solar light, like the Malibu Solar Garden Light.

Final Thoughts

This is your best choice for extreme weather thanks to the NiCd technology. Those batteries will never fail you even during cold winters. In addition, they are one of the most affordable products in our review.

8. EBL AA Rechargeable Batteries for Solar Lights Replacement, 1.2V, 1100mAh, NiCd

EBL is a young company specialized in portable batteries from disposable alkaline to rechargeable batteries (NiMH, NiCd). They are committed to a high-standard manufacturing process offering the most durable products.

We have selected a bundle of NiCd batteries specially designed for extreme weather. Let’s have a look at their main characteristics.

Features

This is the largest battery pack of our review, with 20 rechargeable AA type NiCd 1.2V, 1100mAh batteries. Their capacity will ensure 6 to 8 hours of continuous lighting after being charged by your solar light. They come with a case for storage.

They will only lose 25% of their capacity after 3 years of storage. When it comes to life duration, they offer around 500 recharge cycles which is enough for 1.5 years of use. Their key characteristic is their robustness toward extreme temperature (from -4°F to 140°F). Therefore, they are perfect for outdoor use and will work even under the snow.

Final Thoughts

This provides a very good value for money. Unlike NiMH rechargeable batteries which might be damaged at low temperatures, these solar light batteries are perfect for cold winters and warm summers. Their relatively low life duration is balanced by their cheap price.

9. NiMH Rechargeable AA Battery High Capacity, 1.2V, precharged

Brightown is a US-based company specialized in lighting, featuring solar lights as their best sellers. Naturally, they decided to commercialize rechargeable batteries for their solar lights. Their batteries are manufactured to the highest safety standard and are UL-certified (free from fire risks, electric short circuit and gas leak). Let’s have a closer look at their main features.

Features

The battery pack offers 12 pre-charged 1.2V AA NiMH batteries. With a capacity of 1300 mAh, you will get 5 to 6 hours of light per charge cycle. This is perfect to illuminate your garden in the evening. You can cycle the batteries up to 500 times, which is equivalent to 1.5 years of life duration. Thanks to the NiMH technology, they can be stored for a few years with limited capacity loss.

Final Thoughts

Brightown battery pack is an affordable choice for your solar lights. They will satisfy your needs for more than a year. Beware, though, that they need to be fully charged before installation.

10. Geilienergy Solar Light AA Ni-CD, 1000 mAh

Geilienergy is a battery manufacturer with almost 10 years of experience in all types of batteries. They are committed to the highest standards of safety and quality for their products. Therefore they specially designed this NiCd rechargeable battery for solar lighting applications. Let’s have an insightful look at their latest product.

Features

The battery bundle offers 8 rechargeable solar light AA batteries, 1.2V NiCd. The 1000mAh capacity gives enough energy to power your solar light for 6 hours at night. They have a 1000 cycle life duration, which is equivalent to 2 to 3 years of use. Like all NiCd batteries, they first have to be fully drained and then fully charged to fully avail their capacity. They are also tolerant to extreme weather conditions (low and high temperature) which make them a perfect choice for your device, like the Moonrays Solar Light.

Final Thoughts

This is a great solar light battery for extreme weather conditions. Although they are not as durable as NiMH batteries, they will not suffer from cold temperatures, and you will enjoy more than 2 years of continuous lighting.

Frequently Asked Questions About Solar Light Batteries

Below, I have summarized the most common questions about your solar light batteries. If you are missing a point, reach us in the comment section.

What Does mAh Mean?

mAh is the storage capacity of your solar light batteries. It varies from 600 mAh to 2800 mAh in commercial rechargeable batteries. For example, a 1000 mAh battery will be able to provide a current of 1000 mA (1Amp) continuously during 1 hour at its nominal voltage (usually 1.2V).

What Will Happen If You Use a Higher mAh Value Battery in Your Solar Light?

Don’t worry, you will not damage your solar light, and it will not make your light brighter. You will have a larger battery capacity. Consequently, your light will shine longer.

Can You Use Non-rechargeable Batteries in a Solar Light?

No. This could be a major safety issue. Solar lights have built-in battery chargers that are designed for rechargeable batteries only. Your regular batteries will be overcharged and might release gas and ultimately explode.

Can You Use Regular AA Batteries in Solar Lights?

No. As mentioned, your regular AA battery might explode.

How Long Do Solar Light Batteries Last?

Solar light batteries usually give you 6 to 8 hours of light per day, with a total life duration ranging between 1 and 5 years.

How Do You Charge Solar Light Batteries?

Solar light batteries can be charged by a regular battery charger or your solar light’s built-in charger.

Do You Need to Pre-charge New Solar Light Batteries?

Yes, it is advisable to fully charge your new batteries before putting them in your solar light. This will increase your battery capacity and life duration.

Where to Buy Solar Light Batteries

Our place of choice to buy solar light batteries is Amazon. You will find a huge selection of batteries for all types of budgets. Use our buyer’s guide to find the best one.

How Do You Change the Batteries on Ground Solar Light?

Follow the 8 steps of our guide to change your solar battery.

Where to Store Solar Light Batteries

Store them in a temperate and dark place. If properly stored, you can keep them for years.

What Kind of Batteries Does a Solar Light Use?

Solar lights use rechargeable batteries only – AA type, 1.2V NiMH, and NiCd type.

How Can I Tell If My Solar Light Batteries Are Bad?

Your solar light is dim and only works 1 or 2 hours even after a bright day. It is time to replace your batteries.

How Many Times Do Solar Light Batteries Recharge?

It can vary from 500 to 2000 cycles depending on the battery manufacturing quality.

What Type of Batteries Should Be Used in a Cheap Solar Light?

Use AA, 1.2V, 1000 mAh NiMH batteries. You can find them as low as $1 per unit.

What Voltages Are Solar LED Landscape Light Batteries?

The typical voltage of solar LED lights is 1.2V.

Can You Charge Solar Light Batteries in a Charger?

Yes. This is advisable for new batteries. However, during general use, we don’t recommend removing your batteries often as it could damage their waterproof case.

Final Tips

Let’s have a look at our most important tips when choosing solar light batteries: 

• The bigger capacity (in mAh) the better.
• NiCd are for rough weather.
• NiMH are the most durable.
• Fully charge your batteries before use.
• Never use non-rechargeable batteries in your solar lights.
• Buy your batteries in packs to save money.

We hope that our review will help you wisely choose your solar light batteries. If you’re looking to store solar energy efficiently, you might also want to consider solar battery banks. Don’t hesitate to reach us in the comment section below if you are missing a point.

Best Selling Solar Light Batteries