Raising chickens at home has steadily gained popularity in recent years.
It’s a great way to put some fresh, healthy food on your table or sell in your community to generate some extra cash.
They’re relatively low-maintenance to care for, they can help provide pest control around your yard, and they’re a great project for kids to learn from.
One of the main amenities you’ll need to see your flock flourish will be an artificial light for their coop. Solar lights are a great eco-friendly alternative to other electric lights.
These solar-powered lights can help to extend your chickens’ egg production, allowing you to continue collecting farm-fresh eggs during the long winter months.
Let’s jump right into the list of the 6 best solar chicken coop lights!
Our Picks
Product | Details | ||
---|---|---|---|
Best Overall Solar Chicken Coop Light: Yomisga LED Solar Pendant Lights | This remote-controlled solar LED light has 5 brightness settings while allowing all 4 solar lights to be independently tilted. | Check Price | |
Best Remote Solar Chicken Coop Light: HULPPRE Solar Shed Light | This remote-controlled unit features 136 LED lights and 4 separate brightness settings. | Check Price | |
Best Solar Chicken Coop Light For Small Coops: Viewpick 2 Pack Solar Powered LED Bulb | Perfect choice for small coops. The solar light features 2 lighting modes: full brightness, and half brightness. | Check Price | |
Most Stylish Solar Chicken Coop Light: Lixada Solar Pendant Light | A stylish remote-controlled lamp. Comes with a 3 watt light bulb that provides 250 lumens. | Check Price | |
Best Solar Chicken Coop Light For Outdoor Coops: JACKYLED 48 LED 1000 Lumens Bright Solar Wall Spotlight | This light is designed to be mounted to the side of a building and casts wide and bright light. | Check Price | |
Best Budget Solar Chicken Coop Light: Afoskce Solar Outdoor Rechargeable Light Bulb | Simple hanging LED light with an attachable hanger. 7 watt 20 LED light bulbs have multiple brightness settings. | Check Price |
How We Chose the Best Solar Chicken Coop Lights
There are several different types of outdoor solar lights suitable for chicken coops. Outdoor floodlights, hanging bulbs, and pendant lamps are a few choices.
Each type of solar light has its own set of pros and cons, but ultimately they can all serve the same purpose: to keep your chickens happy all year long.
The best way to supplement the wholesome egg production of the backyard flock is to design a solar-powered chicken coop. A solar-powered chicken coop uses waterproof solar panel lighting to offset carbon emissions and keep hens happy.
We rated these lights on many factors when choosing our top 6 best solar chicken coop lights.
It’s not just a one-light-fits-all approach because you wouldn’t use the same bright lights for a small chicken coop that you would if you’re looking for solar lights that are big and bright enough to shine outdoors or illuminate a large chicken coop.
Medium-sized chicken coop lighting is easily accomplished by choosing 2 chicken coop lights that are suitable for illuminating a small chicken coop.
Each light must have access to direct sunlight, so chicken coop placement is important to maximize the solar panel exposure to the sun’s energy.
We also assessed them by price, ensuring each light lived up to its price tag. We took a close look at the overall quality of the product to make sure these lights would all stand up to the conditions in a chicken coop.
Large battery capacity also played a large role in our rankings as did solar panel longevity.
Lastly, we looked at how easy each light is to use and special features like dim sensor mode, variable light output, and placement of the solar panel.
NOTE: All of the lights on this list are LED lights and don’t provide additional heat for your birds to ward off frostbite during the cold winter.
If you need ideas to keep chickens warm, check out this list of ways to Heat a Chicken Coop Without Electricity.
READ MORE: Looking for solar lights for your yard, garden, or driveway? Check out our Best Outdoor Solar Lights.
Best Solar Chicken Coop Options Reviewed
1. Best Overall Solar Chicken Coop Light: Yomisga LED Solar Pendant Lights
Product Ratings
Price | 5/5 |
Quality | 5/5 |
Battery Life | 5/5 |
Ease Of Use | 5/5 |
Brand: Yomisga | Max Lumens: 1,000 | Weight: 2.2 Pounds | Charging Time: 6-8 Hours | Features: remote-controlled, Adjustable Lights, 5 Brightness Settings
What We Liked
- 4 way adjustable light allows you to shine the light exactly where you want
- Super bright LEDs provide great lighting
- 5 brightness settings allow you to pick the right kind of lighting for your birds
- Remote control makes use and adjustment a breeze
- Light emits 1,000 lumens, brighter than a few other lights we tested
What We Didn’t Like
- Lights cannot be shut off independently, all 4 turn on when powered on whenever in use
- Light cannot be used while charging
The Yomisga LED Solar Pendant Light is a tremendously versatile light that will provide your chicken coop with more than enough light and allow you to shine that light exactly where you want it.
The 4-way light design features lights that can be vertically tilted 120° from flush with the floor below to shining towards the ceiling.
The light and its solar charging unit both come ready to mount in and on your coop with built-in mounting brackets.
The lighting unit is lightweight at just over 2 pounds, not too heavy to be mounted to most surfaces.
The unit charges fully in about 6-8 hours and comes with a 16.5-foot cable that hooks the solar charging unit to the light.
The charging unit swivels in its mount so that you can turn it to maximize its sunlight exposure.
The light can be operated by remote control and comes with a total of 5 different brightness settings allowing you to customize the light output in your coop.
This light features 4 different lighting modes:
Mode 1 uses motion detection and goes from dim to bright when it’s dark outside.
Mode 2 uses motion detection and goes from off to bright.
Mode 3 keeps the light on until turned off.
Mode 4 uses motion detection to go from off to bright during daylight hours.
See Price on Amazon2. Best Remote Solar Chicken Coop Light: HULPPRE Solar Shed Light
Product Ratings
Price | 5/5 |
Quality | 5/5 |
Battery Life | 5/5 |
Ease Of Use | 4/5 |
Brand: HULPPRE | Max Lumens: 1,000+ | Weight: 2.29 Pounds | LED Lights: 136 | Features: remote-controlled, Adjustable Lights, 4 Brightness Settings
What We Liked
- 4 way adjustable light design
- 5th light in the center shines down when others are angled away
- Remote control is one of the better ones we tested
- 4 brightness settings
What We Didn’t Like
- Using remote to cycle through modes and settings can be difficult
- The battery runs down faster than we’d like
In a close second on the list of solar chicken coop lights is the HULPPRE Solar Shed Light.
This light features 4 adjustable lights positioned in a ring around a 5th light in the center that always shines downward.
The lights can be tilted 120° vertically from the floor to the ceiling to create a recessed light effect. The lights do a spectacular job of creating a lighted environment using 136 LED lights to produce a clear, clean light that fills the room around it.
NOTE: This light doesn’t come with a bracket for mounting but has a hook to hang it behind the main lighting unit. This makes installation a breeze and allows for easy cleaning and adjustment.
One of our favorite things about this light is the built-in timer that will turn the lights off.
The unit can be set to automatically power off after 2, 4, and 6 hours. These features can be activated through the easy-to-use remote.
The lighting modes can be set to turn on automatically in dark, and low light conditions, or it can be manually turned on and off as necessary.
It features 4 different brightness settings to provide the exact amount of light you’re looking for.
See Price on Amazon3. Best Solar Chicken Coop Light For Small Coops: Viewpick 2 Pack Solar Powered LED Bulb
Product Ratings
Price | 5/5 |
Quality | 5/5 |
Battery Life | 3/5 |
Ease Of Use | 5/5 |
Brand: Viewpick | Max Lumens: 165 | Weight: 13.9 ounces | LED Lights: 3 | Features: 2 Brightness Settings |
What We Liked
- These lights can easily be used wherever you want
- 2 brightness settings
- Can be charged via a USB port or by the solar panel
What We Didn’t Like
- Very low light output that may not be sufficient for large chicken coops
As one of the most budget-friendly options on our list, the Viewpick 2 Pack Solar-Powered LED Bulb is perfect for new chicken coop owners.
The lights require virtually no installation as they use a USB connection for charging and a carabiner hook for hanging.
This allows for maximum flexibility in placement and less stress for those unfamiliar with solar devices. It also provides alternate charging if the solar panels fail.
Each bulb only produces a small amount of light, but together they produce enough for a small coop.
If you’d like to light up a large coop, purchasing two sets would be the safest choice. Overall, the lights offer good functionality at a dirt-cheap price.
They don’t require installation because they’re charged via USB. This means you can stick your solar panels outside and recharge your bulbs, then disconnect them and hang them inside when they’re full.
This also makes them great emergency lights in case of a power outage.
If you want to permanently install the solar lights, you can keep them connected to the solar panels and use a cord to hang them from the ceiling of your coop.
Each bulb is 1.5W, which isn’t much on its own. However, the set comes with two bulbs, producing enough light to illuminate a small coop comfortably.
The solar lights come with 3 settings: emergency flashing, full brightness, and half brightness. You can toggle between the settings with the switch button.
The solar light will last around 6 to 8 hours on a full charge. An indicator light on each solar bulb shows whether it’s charging or fully charged.
See Price on Amazon4. Most Stylish Solar Chicken Coop Light: Lixada Solar Pendant Light
Product Ratings
Price | 3/5 |
Quality | 4/5 |
Battery Life | 5/5 |
Ease Of Use | 5/5 |
Brand: Lixada | Max Lumens: 250 | Weight: 1.4 ounces | LED Lights: 4 | Features: remote-controlled |
What We Liked
- Can be operated with a pull string in addition to being remote-controlled
- Rotatable
- Simple, easy to use remote control
What We Didn’t Like
- No brightness settings
- No auto timer
As the most stylish solar light choice on our list, the moderately-priced Lixada Solar Pendant Light looks great in any setting.
The beautiful stainless-steel pendant shape can provide enough light to keep your chicken coop illuminated and hens satisfied for the long winter months.
TIP: For medium-sized coops, consider buying two of these pull cord solar lights.
The Lixada Solar Pendant Light comes with a few great features, like remote control and a pull cord.
The battery capacity is also quite competitive, and installation is straightforward.
However, there’s no timer option which is quite inconvenient for chicken breeders or those simply interested in maximum egg production.
The light fixture is easy to install and hang above a coop. It comes with a 3-meter cable that connects the solar panel to the lamp, allowing the light to be placed inside the coop.
The solar panel is also adjustable to angle it in the best position for harvesting sunlight.
A small remote control makes turning the lamp on and off a breeze.
It also has a pull cord switch which was super handy for us when we were in the coop and wanted to flick the light on without finding the remote.
The lamp can stay on for 8 to 10 hours before exhausting the battery capacity.
Moreover, the light is water-resistant and can withstand humidity, dampness, and other environmental hazards inside a shed or barn.
In the right conditions, the light should last 30,000 hours before it needs to be replaced.
See Price on Amazon5. Best Solar Chicken Coop Light For Outdoor Coops: JACKYLED 48 LED 1000 Lumens Bright Solar Wall Spotlight
Product Ratings
Price | 3/5 |
Quality | 5/5 |
Battery Life | 5/5 |
Ease Of Use | 4/5 |
Brand: JACKYLED | Max Lumens:1,000 | Weight: 4.02 Pounds | LED Lights: 48 | Features: 5500mAh Battery
What We Liked
- Long-lasting battery capacity
- Very sturdy mounting arm
- Battery lasts for a very long time
- Made to withstand extreme weather conditions
- Can be used as solar floodlights
What We Didn’t Like
- Light cannot be tilted vertically
- Light cannot be turned on or off on command
- Too bright to be used as a barn light
- Not motion sensor activated
If you’re looking for a light to mount for your chickens outside, you can’t go wrong with JACKYLED 48 LED Solar Wall Spotlight.
It will provide your chickens with more than enough light to keep them happy in dark conditions.
The 5500mAh battery is enough to power the light from dusk till dawn, so you’ll have light as long as you want it.
The mounting arm is incredibly strong and will keep the light firmly in place wherever you choose to hang it. Removing the light from the mounting arm for cleaning and maintenance is a breeze as the unit utilizes a wingnut to fasten to the arm.
We love that the light can swivel from side to side, but we wish it could move vertically, as well.
Still, it casts a wide swath of light that we love for keeping the hens safe from prowling rodents and small predators at night.
The solar battery also mounts via a wingnut but can be tilted freely to catch the sunlight needed to recharge the battery.
Our only complaint is that they don’t have a motion sensor.
They’re always on, which makes them great security lights or outdoor floodlights that emit more than sufficient light to give chicken owners peace of mind about prowling animals that may prey on them in the dark.
See Price on Amazon6. Best Budget Solar Chicken Coop Light: Afoskce Solar Outdoor Rechargeable Light Bulb
Product Ratings
Price | 5/5 |
Quality | 5/5 |
Battery Life | 4/5 |
Ease Of Use | 5/5 |
Brand: AFO | Max Lumens: 300 | Weight: 8.1 ounces | LED Lights: 20 | Features: remote-controlled, 4 Brightness Modes, Timer
What We Liked
- Simple yet efficient design
- 4 different modes of brightness
- Sleep timer enabled
- Remote-controlled
What We Didn’t Like
- The solar charging pad is a bit flimsy
With a low price point and easy installation, the Afoskce Solar Outdoor Rechargeable Light Bulb is a great budget option among the best solar lights.
Unfortunately, you’ll need to make modifications if you plan to permanently install it as the power switch is inconveniently located on top of the bulb.
On a positive note, the LightMe is a great option for small chicken coops.
It charges quickly through a solar panel with a USB connection and lasts for 8 hours on a full battery. You can also charge the light via an electrical outlet if there’s a lack of sun.
You can disconnect the LED bulb and use it separately once it has a full charge.
While it’s dimmer than most solar lights, a small metal hook fixed on top of the bulb allows homeowners to easily move it around.
It can also be attached to a cord for more permanent installation.
See Price on AmazonComparison Chart
Products | Best Overall | Best Remote | Best For Small Coops | Best For Stylish Light | Best Light For Outdoor Coops | Best Budget Light |
Overall Rating | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3.5/5 | 4/5 |
Price | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 |
Quality | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Battery Life | 5/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Ease of Use | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 |
The Winner
When it came to picking the winner from our list the Yomisga LED Solar Pendant Lights stood out among the rest.
We love the flexibility of the light and that it allows us to point the beams wherever we want.
Coupled with the great remote control made it easily the best choice to top our list of solar chicken coop lights.
How to Choose the Best Solar Chicken Coop Light
There are a few things to consider when choosing solar chicken coop lights.
REMEMBER that these solar-powered lights will not provide heat to keep chickens safe from freezing winter temperatures.
These are only able to provide enough sunlight to encourage egg-laying during the dark winter months and give you the light you need to keep the coop clean.
If you need to keep the chicken coop warmer during the frigid winter months, consider installing heat lamps, which are red floodlights with parabolic covers to raise the temperature inside the chicken coop.
A barn light will add artificial lighting and heat but require electricity supply and aren’t as energy efficient as a heating lamp combined with solar chicken coop lights.
How Large is Your Coop?
The size of your chicken coop will ultimately determine how much light you need.
When lighting a chicken coop, you’re trying to artificially simulate the sun during the winter months using a light bulb. Both the solar panel and the chicken coop lights will need space to be mounted.
The solar panels must be mounted in direct sunlight, while the light bulbs must be mounted in the chicken coop.
A very bright, low-hanging solar light will unintentionally stress the chickens out. On the other hand, a dim light bulb that’s tucked away in the corner won’t provide enough light to make a difference.
Large chicken coops will need at least 6W of LED light while small coops will need around 3-4W of light.
Some solar lights are only 1.5W, so you’ll need to purchase more than one light bulb to meet your chickens’ needs.
Having more solar lights means you can customize your coverage and ensure sufficient lighting especially if you have a uniquely-shaped coop.
READ MORE: Our list of the Best Outdoor Hanging Solar Lights. These lights have versatile use and can be placed practically anywhere you need them!
How Much Daylight Do You Receive in Your Area On Average?
The amount of daylight you receive will affect two things:
- The efficiency of the solar panel that charges the solar lights
- How many hours of supplemental light your chickens need in the winter
In terms of the solar panel, it’s important to remember that they need access to direct sunlight in order to fully recharge the batteries.
Generally, you’ll need to install them on the roof or exterior wall of your coop, facing a southerly direction. The larger the battery capacity, the more important it is to get maximum sunlight on the solar panel to get the best light intensity.
If your coop isn’t in a great location for harvesting solar power for renewable energy, you’ll need to purchase a light with a long connector cable so you can place the solar panel and solar light in the correct position to harvest the sun’s energy without issue.
If you’re unable to place the solar panel to fill the battery capacity, you may find that the light dims or goes out during “daylight hours”.
Some lights have the option to charge them through a USB port, making them reliant on electric power. However, this is a great backup power source to keep the hens happy and laying during the most gloomy weather.
In terms of the chickens, they need at least 14 hours of “daylight” per day to continue laying eggs.
A normal day may only provide 8 hours of light during winter months, leaving you to create up the other 6 hours with a solar chicken coop light.
In this case, you’ll need to find a light with a battery that will last that long.
Do You Want an Automatic Timer?
Some solar chicken coop lights come with timer functions which can be very useful for homeowners.
These timers can keep the light on for a certain amount of time, like 3 or 5 hours, depending on how much artificial daylight you’d like to provide.
However, many solar chicken coop lights can’t be programmed to turn on or off at a specific time of day, unless they’re using a dawn-to-dusk photosensor.
If you’re manually turning your solar chicken coop lights on and off, keep the timing consistent so you don’t confuse your chickens.
A solar light with a built-in timer or lighting sensor is a great help for keeping the “daylight” hours consistent for your hens while promoting egg production.