INTRODUCTION

    Outdoor solar LED lights have become a staple in modern living, blending sustainability with convenience. They harness the sun’s energy during the day, storing it in rechargeable batteries for use at night. This simple cycle means no wiring, no electricity bills, and minimal maintenance. From pathways and gardens to patios and driveways, they add both safety and charm. LED technology ensures bright, efficient illumination while consuming very little stored power. Durability is key, most are weather-resistant, built to withstand rain, wind, and seasonal changes. They’re also eco-friendly, reducing carbon footprints by cutting reliance on grid electricity. Installation is straightforward, just place them where sunlight is abundant, and they'll work automatically at nightfall. As a result, outdoor solar LED lights are not just practical, they’re a smart investment in sustainable living. Today's review is about 3 such products, the Dorada, Advance and The Solar Strip Lights by our friends over at The Solar Centre.

    Formed in 2005, SolarCentre has become one of the UK's leading new eco brands. Our constant focus on product innovation using the latest battery, LED and solar technology ensures year round reliability across our range. SolarCentre supplies a large number of businesses and organizations of all sizes including high street retailers, e-tailers, government departments, local and county councils, schools, colleges, universities, NGOs and charities.

    The Dorada Solar USB Gold Mesh Festoon Lights are a stylish set of 10 warm white LEDs, finished in elegant gold mesh. Each festoon measures around 12cm high and 7cm wide, spaced 50cm apart along a 4.5m long string. They are powered by the Leaf solar panel, with the option of quick USB charging for cloudy days. Automatic dusk‑to‑dawn operation ensures effortless ambience every evening. Weather‑resistant construction and IP67 rating make them suitable for year‑round use regardless of location. Controlled via a smartphone app the Advance USB model lets you cycle through vibrant colours, set moods, and even schedule lighting effects for its 50 bulbs, all while running on solar power with USB backup for consistency. Designed to work year‑round, they are ideal for decking, pathways, and outdoor steps. Finally, the Edge Solar Strip Lights represent a versatile innovation. Available in lengths of 5m, 10m, and 20m, they pack up to 960 LEDs (240/480/960) for expansive coverage. They emit warm white light and can be cut to size at 16.5cm intervals for custom installations. Automatic dusk activation and intelligent power management maximize efficiency. Durable and weatherproof, they are perfect for outlining fences, decking edges, or architectural features. So, let's see just how good these are.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

All boxes have product pictures at the front.

Only the Dorada has a few words about the product on the right side.

The features and specifications of all products are listed at the rear of all boxes.

Not much of a protection in box when it comes to packing but everything arrived safely in the office so no problems here.

Along with the LED lights, their solar panels with their mounts (wall and dirt) and their mounting screws models like the Dorada have a USB cable inside while both the Advance and the Solar Strip Lights also have user manuals.

THE DORADA, ADVANCE USB & EDGE SOLAR STRIP LIGHTS

The Dorada LEDs lights are made of plastic and aluminum so they should last quite a bit.

What stands out is the Leaf solar panel which looks like one and is made of frost-resistant polycrystalline.

At the base of the solar panel, we find the battery compartment, LED port and the stand mount.

Once you remove the batter compartment cover you'll see the on/off button, 2600mAh lithium-ion 18650 battery (you can up 2 more - regardless of the number of batteries they only stay on for 7 hours after dark), USB-C charging port, mode button (power saving with reduced brightness and normal) and a battery charge indicator.

The Advance USB has a total of 50 LED bulbs all made of plastic all of which you can control from the Smart Life app.

These LEDs use a different (and larger) solar panel (clearly not as advanced as the Leaf).

Underneath we find the battery compartment inside which there's the on/off button, USB-C charging port, charging LED, 2200mAh 18650 lithium-ion battery (can add 2 more) and the wall stand mount.

Moving to the Solar Strip Lights these produce warm light (3000k) and make use of SMD LEDs.

There's also adhesive on the other side which could simplify installation on certain surfaces.

For the Solar Strip Lights the manufacturer has used an very large solar panel.

At the rear we find an activity LED, battery compartment, connection cable and the wall stand mount.

Inside the battery compartment we find an 15Ah LiFePO4 battery.

Was waiting to test all these LEDs during heavy rain and well, after 3 somewhat strong rainy days they work fine.

SMART LIFE APP

The Smart Life App can be used to control the Advance USB solar LED lights.

Once you install and launch the app it will detect all nearby devices and list them (Bluetooth).

The initial screen allows you to check the battery life and select color for the bulbs from the round palette (strangely enough the Advance can't reproduce white color).

From the next tab you can choose one of the 6 automatic scenes.

You can also control the lights via audio by using the microphone from your smartphone.

Features like scheduling and low power are also available via the app.

CONCLUSION

    When it comes to outdoor solar lighting, The Solar Centre has carved out a reputation for products that balance design flair with year‑round reliability. Their Dorada Solar USB Gold Mesh Festoon Lights are decorative yet practical, bringing a warm golden glow to patios and pergolas while offering USB backup charging for those grey UK days (it's a UK based company after all). Step into something more dynamic and you’ll find the Advance USB Solar Lights, a compact set designed for decking and pathways that goes beyond simple white illumination. Controlled via a smartphone app, these lights let you cycle through vibrant colors, set moods, and even schedule lighting effects, all while running on solar power with USB backup for consistency. And for those who want scale and adaptability, the Edge Solar Strip Lights deliver up to 960 LEDs across lengths of 5, 10, or 20 meters, cuttable to size and tough enough to outline fences or decking through every season. Together, these three ranges show how The Solar Centre isn’t just selling solar lights, they’re shaping outdoor spaces with products that feel stylish, flexible, and dependable, whether you’re chasing atmosphere, safety, or sheer coverage. Leaving out everything good about these products however there were four things that I didn't like about them. First is that the Dorada have a built-in timer and so they can only stay on for 7 hours (even if you have three 2600mAh batteries mounted) and for me, that wasn't enough. Second is that the Edge Solar Strip Lights use SMD LEDs instead of COB and well, COB would look a lot better (and would also be brighter). The third issue has to do with the brightness level of the Advance USB and so alone they can hardly illuminate the area they are installed (they act more as low-power ambient lights). Finally, the adhesive of the Edge Solar Strip Lights doesn't work well, certainly not on surfaces like metal, rock and concrete. All four issues will probably not be enough to deter potential buyers, but I do think The Solar Centre could do even better.

    We just entered 2025 and well, the Dorada, Advance and Edge Solar Strip Lights (10m model) will set you back £49.99, £59.99 and £59.99 respectively so they are far from what I'd call expensive. Yes, they are not perfect, but they are certainly a step towards the right direction (green power / sustainability) and for that they certainly deserve your attention.

PROS

- Overall Build Quality
- Solar & USB Powered
- Up To 3 Lithium Ion Batteries
- IP67 Certified
- Smart Life App
- Price (For Some)

CONS

- 7 Hour Timer (Dorada)
- Brightness Levels (Advance USB)
- SMD LEDs (Edge Solar Strip Lights)
- Adhesive (Edge Solar Strip Lights)