These are one of the only sets of solar lights that actually work – and they're at the lowest price we've ever seen

Solar lights have a questionable reputation: they break easily, often don't work, and aren't bright enough to be useful. However, there are a handful of lights out that last for years and emit bright, practical light.

Brightech is one of the few companies to make reliable solar lights. While it lists its lights as only lasting 2.5 years, many reviewers have reported that they last for almost a decade. In fact, these lights are something of an industry standard - once you know what they look like, you'll start spotting them everywhere.

But the best thing about these lights is that they're currently on sale for the lowest price I've ever seen, half the usual Amazon price and almost $40 cheaper than on Brightech's own site. If you need good solar lights for hosting in the new year, there's no better time to save than the Black Friday sales.

What's the deal?

Brightech Ambience Pro Solar Lights: was $47.99 now $24.49 at Amazon

Brightech's Ambience Pro are some of the only solar lights in the world to last long and offer bright lighting. They come with both a stake and a clip for mounting the solar panel, so they're as easy to install across pergolas as they are in trees or along fences.

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What's so good about these lights?

Brightech is a rare thing in the solar light industry: a reputable company. Unlike most solar lights you can buy on the internet, Brightech isn't a random dropshipping company, but an actual company with contact addresses and warranties.

On top of that, the lights are great. They reliably switch on at sunset every night, and they're bright enough to provide useful light rather than the dim ambiance of most solar lights at this price point. They have more than 30,000 five star reviews on Amazon for a reason; these are some of the best solar lights you can buy.

The screw holes at the top of the lights are perfect for all sorts of fitting. You can string a line through them to hang them across a patio or screw them into wooden fencing for easy lighting along the length of your backyard.

For a slightly higher price - only $5 more - you can also get a remote-controlled version of these Brightech lights, which gives you much more control over your lighting than the automatic sunrise/sunset timer on the originals.

What are the drawbacks to these lights?

While most people have had excellent experiences with these lights, a handful have reported issues with their lights breaking before the 2.5-year expected lifetime, or being dim. This happens with products sometimes, but it tends to be higher risk with solar lights.

These lights are also very basic. Unlike other solar lights, they only offer one color and setting. There are no other colors or patterns, and you can't dim these lights.

Even with the deal, these lights are relatively expensive for 27 feet of solar lights. 27 feet is great for most homes, but if you have a large plot or pergola you may find that it doesn't stretch far enough. However, the higher price is the cost of quality, and if you need more lights, you can also buy a 48-foot model, also on sale at Amazon for Black Friday.

Are there any other good solar light deals?

While these lights are good, this page isn't an advert. There are some other good solar light deals out there worth considering.

Brightown 58FT Solar String Lights: was $42.99 now $32.98 at Amazon

These lights are dimmer and less durable than the Brightech lights above but are better value for money. For only a couple dollars more, you get 58 feet of lights - twice that of the Brightech lights above - as well as a remote control and handy mounting kit to help you string up the lights.

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L LAMPOP Solar String Lights: was $13.99 now $7.99 at Amazon

These are the best solar lights I've ever tested. I first tried them three years ago and they're still going strong after months of sun, snow, and even a dust storm. They offer several different lighting patterns and are perfect for creating a gentle ambiance. Just bear in mind that the company is a dropshipper - I've seen these lights for sale under dozens of different names, so there's no reliable warranty of customer service.

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Solar lights are notoriously hard to buy and it pays off to do your research. Before you do anything, consider if it's ever worth buying solar lights, and learn the solar light mistakes that can land you with low-quality lights.