Prime Day brings cheap solar lights to Amazon – but these are the only ones I would ever trust

These lights are my white whale. I've seen them listed under at least 12 different trade names and this is just the latest. However, I'd recognize them anywhere. I first tested them a few years ago and they're still going strong after many seasons of snow, wind, and rain. They've switched on at the same time every evening for years. Offering ambiance rather than practical lighting, they have eight different light patterns so you can customize your lighting.

I've seen these under a few names, but the underlying product is great. In a rare move for solar lights, these two spotlights are made of aluminum rather than plastic, so they're just as weather-resistant but much sturdier. They have a lengthy cable from the panel to the lights, so you can keep the panel in a sunspot but run the lights to shady corners of your yard.

Full disclosure, I've used but haven't tested these solar lights. I used these for a couple of weeks and thought that they created bright, practical lighting over patios and pergolas, but I can't speak to their longevity. However, they're at the top of most product testers' lists of the best solar lights. You can see in the Amazon reviews that many reviewers have found that their lights have lasted for the best part of a decade.

Fence or wall-mounted lights like this are an inexpensive way to secure your yard. They provide just as much coverage as wired-in security lights without the expense and and time of wiring in electric lights. They also have motion-detection, so they only switch on when they detect nearby activity. Even once you run the page through a spam filter, these lights have tens of thousands of five-star reviews.

Brightown is another of the few solar light 'brands' I recommend. Their lights haven't changed brand name for several years and unlike other solar light brands Brightown at least have a website. The solar panel is a similar design to my favorites above, and should last as long. Best of all, this two-pack of lights is excellent value.

These lights from Brightown are packed with bonus features. Not only is it a trustworthy brand, but they have a mounting kit included to help you string them along a wall, fence, or over a patio. They also come with a remote control which is rare for solar lights at this price point and makes them much easier to use. It means you can change the pattern on your lights without even stepping into the garden.

Brightech are one of the most expensive solar brands around, so if you want the quality at a lower price it's smart to buy this, their cheapest set. Unlike the flagship lights, these sit relatively flush to the main wire and don't dangle down. This makes them a great option under gazebos and pergolas with low clearance.

Another set I've tested first-hand, these are the rare solar lights to be sold under the same name for the past few years. My favorite feature is that you can article the light and its panel separately, moving both around for the best affect. Unlike wired-in landscape lights, these don't have any power cables - as long as there's sun, you can place these wherever you need them.

Rope lights are a great way to create accent lighting in a yard. Unlike string lights, which are usually a feature in themselves, you can run rope lights under eaves or behind flowerbed edging for accent lighting, creating a glow from a hidden light source. They also tend to be sturdier than string lights, because the LED bulbs are encased in tough, thick plastic. This set is from Brightown, and uses the same solar panel as their lights above, so this two-pack should last for years.