Once upon a time, we relied on candles (and torches) to light up our al fresco dining tables – but now a new wave of wireless outdoor lamps is set to change all of that, thanks to their oh-so-easy, oh-so-convenient, and oh-so-stylish twist on garden lighting.
Easily one of the year's best garden trends so far, wireless outdoor lamps – sometimes also known as rechargeable lamps – capture the look and feel of all of our favourite indoor lighting, while remaining completely portable.
The result? An illuminated outdoor space that's free of messy wires and charging stations, allowing its hyggelig glow to transform our garden table into the warm and inviting space it has always deserved to be.
Best wireless outdoor lamps 2024
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Anyone hoping to inject some new life into their outdoor dining space will definitely want to think about ditching their citronella candles in favour of... well, of a distinctly more modern garden idea.
'Gone are the days when the only way to light up your outdoor space was with a wired, often badly-positioned outdoor light,' says Ideal Home's senior digital editor, Jenny McFarlane.
'Wireless outdoor lamps offers endless possibilities and can be taken wherever you need a little extra light, from adding ambience with a soft, warm glow at an outdoor seating area to lighting up your favourite trees or plants. Not only are they the epitome of convenient but they're also a super sustainable, energy-saving choice!'
With that in mind, then, here's our pick of the best wireless outdoor lamps:
Practical and chic, these rechargeable lamps are easily the jewel of Homebase's 2024 catalogue – and they come in no less than three different colours, which means you can absolutely find to suit your style. We're big fans of the way it taps into this year's 70s trend, too!
This minimalist beauty comes with a built-in rechargeable battery that boasts up to 24 hours of customisable lighting (you can choose from eight colours and four brightness settings!) at a time. It also has two height settings, allowing you to freely adjust to the needs of the scene.
One of Newgarden's best sellers, the Chloe 35 is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use and is designed with a touch control function, making it all the easier to adjust the lighting as the evening goes on. Plus, admit it, it looks every bit as stylish as any indoor lamp you've seen so far.
One to add to your list of garden solar lighting ideas, this little beauty houses a whopping 10 white LEDs within its frosted plastic shade, meaning it's perfectly built to add a cosy touch to your outdoor space. Just leave it out to soak up the sun in the daytime, and pull the cord at night to unleash all of that solar energy.
With no need for a plug socket nearby (it features a USB charging portal), this stylish wireless lamp allows you to light up any corner either inside or outside your home. Better still, it features three brightness modes, so you can set the perfect mood for your guests with ease.
If you fancy something that looks a little different, you can't go wrong with the simple design of this modern table lamp. Its soft lines give off some serious Scandi chic vibes, while its built-in battery lasts up to five hours on a full charge (or even longer if the mood maker functionality is in use).
FAQs
Why should I buy a wireless outdoor lamp?
Setting aside all of those scaremongering headlines about scented candles posing a health risk, there are so many reasons to consider buying a wireless outdoor lamp – not least of all because they offer a stylish way to control the lighting levels at your next al fresco dinner party.
'We’re loving our new Rechargeable Lights for SS24,' says Sian Foxworthy, buyer for Home Accessories at Homebase. 'Not only are they perfect for the garden, but they’re great indoors too!'
That's right: if you pick the best wireless lamp for you home, you'll be pleased to know that you can reap the benefits of its portable and clutter-free vibes wherever you are, be it inside or out.
'They add a lovely atmosphere to any space,' continues Sian, 'and, if you pick one with a dimmable setting, as seen on Homebase's range of rechargeable lights, you can have a well-lit space for hosting, or a more intimate, close feeling in your garden.'
Are battery powered outdoor lights any good?
If you want to light up your garden table all year round, whether it's sunny out or not (and, let's face it, this is the UK, so it's more likely to be not), then a rechargeable or battery-powered outdoor light is probably better for you than a solar option.
Alternatively, you can muddle the two and opt for something like the Arnold Small Battery Outdoor Table Lamp from Lime Lace, which boasts a rechargeable battery that can be charged via its solar element.
'This means it can be used as a table light outdoors, but also on the windowsill in the house,' explain the Lime Lace team. 'Wherever there is a lack of sockets, essentially.'
How long do battery operated lamps last?
Your wireless outdoor lamps will, depending on the type of batteries used, last for around 8-12 hours on average. Which is, in our opinion, more than enough time for an outdoor dinner party!
Personally, we have a feeling that the wireless outdoor lamps trend is going to outlast 2024. How could it not, when it means less fiddling about with matches and lighters, and more time spent enjoying the well-lit faces of your nearest and dearest?
If you'll excuse us, then, we're nipping to the shops for a bit. Race you to the checkouts!
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