Keep your solar lights shining bright all night. But when they start to dim early, it’s frustrating, right? The problem is often the batteries for solar lanterns. They take a daily beating from charge and discharge cycles, and cheap ones just don’t last. You need reliable power to get through those long, dark evenings.
Finding the right replacement can be confusing, though. With so many options claiming to be the best, it’s hard to know which ones actually deliver. We’ve tested the top contenders to cut through the noise. Let’s find the perfect battery to keep your garden or pathway glowing reliably from dusk ’til dawn.
Product Comparison Table: 9 Best Batteries For Solar Lanterns
| Image | Why We Like This Product | Editor’s Rating | |
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GENYESTAR AA Solar Light Rechargeable Batteries NIMH 600mAh 1.2V…
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9.9 |
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Brightown 12-Pack Rechargeable AA Batteries – 1000mAh 1.2V NiMH…
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9.7 |
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JiajaX Ni-MH Rechargeable AA Batteries, AA 600mAh 1.2V Solar…
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9.4 |
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Lightalent Ni-MH AA Rechargeable Batteries, Double A High Capacity…
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9.2 |
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Brightown 12-Pack Rechargeable AAA Batteries, 600mAh NiMH Precharged Triple…
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8.9 |
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Howardly 1.2v AA Ni-MH Rechargeable Battery, Double A 900mAh…
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8.7 |
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Kruta 20-Pack Rechargeable AA Batteries Pre-Charged, 1600mah NiMH Rechargeable…
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8.5 |
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Howardly 1.2v AA Ni-MH Rechargeable Battery, Double A 600mAh…
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8.2 |
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Henreepow AA 3.2v Solar Rechargeable Batteries, Double A 600mAh…
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8.0 |
Read Review |
Quick Review For Top 9 Batteries For Solar Lanterns
GENYESTAR AA Solar Light Rechargeable Batteries NIMH 600mAh 1.2V Double A Battery Rechargeable AA Batteries for Solar Christmas Garden Lawn Landscaping Lights Lamps Lantern Remotes
The GENYESTAR AA Solar Light Rechargeable Batteries are a practical power solution designed specifically for your outdoor solar lights and everyday gadgets. These are NiMH double A batteries with a 600mAh capacity, and they’re built to handle the unique demands of solar-powered fixtures while being versatile enough for remotes, toys, and more.
One of there key features is how easy they are to charge.
You can recharge them right inside your solar garden lights using the sun’s energy, or use a standard battery charger. They perform reliably across a wide temperature range, from -4°F to 140°F. This means they can still gather a charge from winter sunlight even if there’s snow on your lawn lights, making them a dependable year-round choice.
These batteries are made for recycling and saving you money.
Instead of constantly buying and throwing away single-use alkaline batteries, you can recharge these up to 1000 times. This significantly cuts down on waste and expense over time. A fully charged set will keep your solar lighting working for extended periods, helping your fixtures last longer by providing consistent, rechargeable power.
Their uses are multiple. They’re popularly used in solar-powered Christmas lights, garden landscaping lights, lanterns, and lawn lamps.
Brightown 12-Pack Rechargeable AA Batteries – 1000mAh 1.2V NiMH High Capacity Batteries – Ideal for Solar Lights & Home Devices, Recharge up to 1000x Times, Pre-Charged
The Brightown 12-Pack Rechargeable AA Batteries are a practical solution for powering a huge range of your everyday devices. This set gives you a dozen high-capacity, reusable batteries designed to replace disposables for good, saving you money and reducing waste over time. Each battery in this pack is a Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) cell with a 1000mAh capacity.
This rating means they can store a solid amount of energy, allowing your devices to run longer on a single charge compared to many standard rechargeables. They’re particularly well-suited for items like solar garden lights, digital cameras, toys, and game controllers, where that extra runtime really counts.
A key advantage of NiMH technology, which these batteries use, is that they don’t suffer from the “memory effect” that older NiCD batteries do, so they maintain their full capacity over many charge cycles. One of the biggest benefits here is longevity. These batteries are rated for up to 1000 recharges. When you think about how many single-use alkaline batteries that replaces, the cost savings become very clear.
JiajaX Ni-MH Rechargeable AA Batteries, AA 600mAh 1.2V Solar Batteries for Garden Landscaping Outdoor Solar Lights, String Lights, Pathway Lights (4 Pack)
The JiajaX Ni-MH Rechargeable AA Batteries are designed specifically for your outdoor solar lighting. If your garden path lights, solar string lights, or landscape lamps aren’t shining as bright or lasting as long as they used to, the issue is often the battery inside.
These are a direct replacement for the original, lower-capacity rechargeable batteries that come with most solar lights.
Each battery in this 4-pack is rated at 600mAh and 1.2 volts, which is the standard for solar light applications. The key here is sufficient capacity. The manufacturer notes the actual capacity can be higher than the labeled 600mAh, meaning it can fully replace older Ni-Cd or Ni-MH batteries with capacities as low as 100mAh.
This higher capacity translates to longer illumination times for your lights after a full day of charging in the sun. You won’t have to worry about them dimming prematurely.
A major advantage is cost savings and convenience. Instead of buying entirely new fixtures when the lights fail, you can usually just swap out the batteries. These Ni-MH batteries are built for rechargeability, with a lifespan of at least 500 charge cycles.
Lightalent Ni-MH AA Rechargeable Batteries, Double A High Capacity 1.2V Pre-Charged Battery for Outdoor Solar Lights(AA-600mAh-12pack)
The Lightalent Ni-MH AA Rechargeable Batteries are a practical solution for powering your outdoor solar lights and other everyday devices. This pack includes twelve double A batteries, each with a 1.2V voltage and a 600mAh capacity. This specific capacity is well-suited for the energy demands of solar-powered fixtures, providing a reliable charge from the sun’s energy.
One of the key features of these batteries is there convenience.
They are designed to be recharged directly through your solar lights’ built-in solar panels, creating a self-sustaining power cycle. Of course, you can also recharge them using a standard Ni-MH battery charger if you need to top them up quickly or during prolonged cloudy weather. This flexibility makes them a versatile choice for your home.
Safety and reliability are central to this product.
The batteries are constructed to be stable and are shipped with a partial 30% pre-charge for safety during transportation. This means you’ll need to give them a full charge before their first use to ensure you get the maximum runtime from the start. It’s a simple step that sets them up for optimal performance.
Choosing rechargeable batteries like these is a decision that pays off over time.
Brightown 12-Pack Rechargeable AAA Batteries, 600mAh NiMH Precharged Triple A Solar Batteries for Solar Lights and Household Devices, Low-self Discharge, Up to 1200 Cycle Times, UL Certified, 1.2V
The Brightown 12-Pack Rechargeable AAA Batteries are a practical power solution designed to simplify your life and reduce waste. This set provides a reliable, long-term source of energy for the countless devices in your home that require triple-A cells.
Instead of constantly buying and disposing of single-use batteries, you can invest in this pack and have a rotating set ready to go for years.
Each battery boasts a 600mAh capacity, which offers a substantial runtime for your devices on a single charge. They are built using low-self-discharge NiMH technology, meaning they hold their charge much better when sitting in a drawer compared to older battery types.
You can expect them to retain power for a long time, so they’re more likely to be ready when you need them. With a rating of up to 1200 recharge cycles, these batteries are built to last. That’s potentially years of service from one pack, which translates directly into savings and less hassle. It’s also a more environmentally conscious choice, cutting down on the number of batteries ending up in landfills.
Their versatility is a key strength.
Howardly 1.2v AA Ni-MH Rechargeable Battery, Double A 900mAh 1.2V Rechargeable Battery Pre-Charged, High Capacity for Outdoor Solar Lights, Lawn Lamps, String Light (AA-900mAh-12pack
The Howardly 1.2v AA Ni-MH Rechargeable Battery is a practical power solution designed specifically for outdoor solar lighting. This 12-pack of Double A batteries offers a reliable 900mAh capacity, providing the consistent energy output that solar-powered devices need to function effectively.
If your garden lights have started to dim or not last through the night, these rechargeable cells are made to adress that common issue.
These batteries are built for the unique demands of solar lights. They deliver a long-lasting performance, helping to ensure your lawn lamps, path lights, or string lights stay illuminated for longer periods after sunset. This creates that cozy, welcoming outdoor atmosphere you want without the hassle of constantly replacing batteries.
Their powerful compatibility means they work well in a wide range of solar products, from bollard lights to decorative lanterns.
A key feature is the flexible charging options. Of course, they recharge naturally in your solar lights during the day using sunlight. But you can also remove them and charge them up using a standard Ni-MH battery charger if you need to, which is convienient during periods of less sunlight.
Kruta 20-Pack Rechargeable AA Batteries Pre-Charged, 1600mah NiMH Rechargeable AA Solor Batteries Double A Battery for Outdoor Solar Lights and Household Devices
The Kruta 20-Pack Rechargeable AA Batteries are designed to be a reliable and economical power solution for a wide range of your devices. This set offers a substantial quantity of high-capacity, pre-charged batteries that aim to reduce waste and provide consistent performance.
Each battery in this pack has a 1600mAh capacity, which is a robust rating for NiMH rechargeables. This high capacity means they can store more energy, leading to longer runtimes for your devices.
They are built to last significantly longer than lower-capacity options, which is especially important for ensuring things like outdoor solar lights have enough power to illuminate through the entire night. These batteries are also compatible with a wide array of household items. They are perfectly suited for solar-powered garden and landscape lighting, but they also work great in everyday electronics.
You can use them to replace the disposable batteries in your TV remotes, wireless keyboards and mice, gaming controllers, and various children’s toys. This versatility makes them a handy staple for any home.
A major advantage of this 20-pack is the long-term savings. Each battery can be recharged up to 1200 times, which drastically cuts down on the need to repeatedly buy single-use alkaline batteries.
Howardly 1.2v AA Ni-MH Rechargeable Battery, Double A 600mAh 1.2V Rechargeable Battery Pre-Charged, Low Self – Discharge for Outdoor Solar Lights, Lawn Lamps, Ground Lights (AA-600mAh-12pack
The Howardly 1.2v AA Ni-MH Rechargeable Battery (AA-600mAh-12pack) is designed to be a practical power solution for your outdoor solar lighting. These Double A batteries offer a specific set of features aimed at convenience and longevity for low-drain devices, helping you maintain your garden’s ambiance without the constant need for disposable alternatives. At their core, these are 600mAh, 1.2-volt Ni-MH cells.
The 600mAh capacity is well-suited for the energy needs of many solar-powered lights, such as lawn lamps, ground lights, path markers, and string lights. This compatibility means you can standardize your power supply across various fixtures in your garden. A key feature is their low self-discharge rate, which allows them to hold a charge for longer periods when not in use, an essential trait for solar applications that depend on daily charging cycles.
You have two straightforward methods to charge these batteries. The primary and most convenient method is right within your solar light itself, using the sun’s energy captured by the solar panel. Alternatively, you can use a standard Ni-MH battery charger (note that a charger is not included with this pack). This flexibility is useful for initial charging or for maintaining batteries during extended cloudy weather.
Henreepow AA 3.2v Solar Rechargeable Batteries, Double A 600mAh 3.2v 1.92wh LiFePo4 Solar Battery, Rechargeable Batteries for Outdoor Lights, Wall Lantern, Solar Post Lights（AA-3.2v-4pack）
The Henreepow AA 3.2v Solar Rechargeable Batteries are a specific power solution designed for certain outdoor solar lighting. This 4-pack of Double A batteries uses a LiFePo4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) chemistry rated at 3.2 volts and 600mAh capacity, which is key to understanding their use.
It’s crucial to note these are not a universal replacement for standard AA batteries.
Their 3.2v output is designed for solar lights engineered for that specific voltage, often seen in solar wall lanterns and post lights. They are not compatible with devices requiring 1.2V Ni-MH or 1.5V alkaline batteries, and checking your device’s required voltage is the first step before purchase. The physical size is standard AA (0.55″ x 1.97″), but the voltage is the critical factor.
The core benefit of these batteries lies in their longevity and eco-friendly design.
Built for solar charging cycles, they boast a high cycle life of up to 1500 charges. This means you can recharge them repeatedly over many seasons, drastically reducing waste and saving you from constantly buying disposables. You’ll spend less time and money on replacements, which is a significant advantage for maintaining multiple outdoor lights.
Another important feature is their low self-discharge rate.
Batteries For Solar Lanterns Buying Guide
Replacing or upgrading batteries? Compatibility and type are everything. You don’t want to open up your lantern only to find teh new battery doesn’t fit or connect properly. This guide helps you pick the right one, so your light shines bright all night.
Battery Chemistry: NiMH vs. Li-ion
Most solar lanterns use rechargeable Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) or Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. NiMH are common, affordable, and reliable. Li-ion batteries, however, often last more charge cycles and handle deeper discharges better. Check your lantern’s manual—using the wrong type can be unsafe or damage the unit.
Voltage and Capacity Match
This is crucial. The voltage (e.g., 3.7V, 4.8V) must match exactly. A mismatch can fry the circuits. Capacity, measured in milliamp-hours (mAh), is about runtime. A higher mAh means longer light between charges. Just ensure the physical size matches your battery compartment; a higher capacity battery is often slightly larger.
Physical Size and Connector Type
Batteries aren’t one-size-fits-all. Note if yours is a standard AA/AAA size or a special rectangular pack. Pay close attention to the connector: a small white plug with two wires. The polarity (which wire is positive/negative) and plug shape must be identical. Taking a photo of the old battery’s connection is a smart move before you order.
Brand and Quality Considerations
Opt for reputable brands known for their rechargeable batteries. A cheap, no-name battery might save a few dollars upfront, but it could fail faster or even swell, getting stuck inside your lantern. Investing in a quality cell from a trusted manufacturer ensures better performance and safety over the long term, which is what you really want.
Frequently Asked Questions About Batteries For Solar Lanterns
What type of battery do I need for my solar lantern?
Most solar lanterns use rechargeable batteries. The most common types are NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) or Lithium-ion. You should check your lantern’s manual to be sure. Using the wrong type can damage it or not work at all.
Can I use regular alkaline batteries instead?
Usually, no. Solar lanterns are designed to be recharged by the sun’s panel. Alkaline batteries are not rechargeable, so thay won’t work in a lantern built for recharging. Trying to charge them could even be dangerous.
How long do these batteries typically last?
A good rechargeable battery can last for 2 to 4 years with normal use. This means going through daily charge and discharge cycles. The lifespan depends on the battery quality and how well you care for it.
How do I know when the battery needs replacing?
You’ll notice your lantern doesn’t stay lit as long after a full charge. The light might get dim quickly, or it may not charge fully anymore. These are clear signs the battery is holding less power.
Can I replace the battery myself?
Often, yes. Many lanterns have a compartment where you can easily swap the battery. Just make sure you get the correct voltage and type. Some models have sealed units, so it’s best to check your product details first.
How should I store my lantern if I’m not using it for a while?
For long-term storage, charge the battery about halfway first. Then store the lantern in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. This helps preserve the battery’s health while it’s not in use.
Are there any safety tips I should know?
Always use the battery specified by the manufacturer. Don’t expose the battery or lantern to extreme heat, like leaving it in a hot car. If the battery casing looks swollen or damaged, stop using it immediately and replace it.
Why won’t my lantern hold a charge anymore?
This usually means the rechargeable battery has reached the end of it’s life. All rechargeable batteries lose capacity over time. It’s a normal part of wear and tear, and a simple battery replacement should fix the problem.
Conclusion
Choosing the right power source makes all the difference for your solar light. It’s about getting the most out of your lantern for years to come. A good battery means more reliable light when you need it, whether for reading, security, or camping. It also means you won’t have to replace parts as often, saving you money and hassle in the long run.
Remember, your solar lantern is only as good as the parts inside it. Taking a little time to pick compatible, high-quality batteries for solar lanterns is a smart move. It ensures your device performs well and lasts through many evenings. With the right battery, you can trust your lantern to shine brightly night after night, making it a truly dependable tool for your home or adventures. You’ll be glad you made a thoughtful choice.