Best Solar Deck Post Lights. Wood, Vinyl, PVC Cap Lights for 4x4 Posts

best deck post lightsBest Solar Deck Post Lights

Deck Post Lights can significantly amp up the atmosphere on your deck, and also provide gentle illumination without wiring and headaches. After looking at several 4x4 post light caps, we’ve found that the best solar deck post lights are the Davinci Solar Post Lights - Outdoor Post Cap Light. The Davinci models remain bright for a long time and emit a light that is bright enough to improve vision but not so much that they ruin the landscape. Another great feature is their unique “fuzzy fit” design. This means they can fit on all 4x4 in. posts without requiring more specifications or measurements. They are also affordable and won’t break the bank.

For a complete review of the Davinci Solar Post Lights, see the Product Reviews section below.

Our runner-up choice is the Paradise GL28998BZ Solar Cast Aluminum LED Post Cap Light for 4x4 Wood Posts. These lights are reliable, durable, and are affordable for most budgets. They are made of cast aluminum with a bright copper finish, which makes them attractive and beautiful. The only reason they don’t come in first is that they cost a bit more than other models.

For a complete review of the Paradise Cap Lights, see the Product Reviews section below.

Budget Choice: Solar Deck Post Lights for PVC Posts

For those on a budget, the iGlow 8 Pack Copper Outdoor Garden 4 x 4 Solar LED Post Deck Caps are a great choice. These lights are pretty inexpensive for an 8-pack. They last a reasonable amount of time, are clean and professional and look amazing. The main downside is that the sun fades the color quickly, which can be annoying. However, the technology continues to work and they still look amazing.

For more info on the iGlow lights, see below.

Post Cap Solar Light Buyer’s Tips

Picking the right set of solar deck post lights can be a bit of a difficult process, due to several factors. Materials, sizing, post types, and packages all collide to make picking the right set a head-scratcher. In this section, we’ll break down some of the important apsects to keep in mind while deciding which are the right lights for you.

Number of Lights Needed

First off, count up the number of lights you need to cover your needs. Typically you’ll want one light per post, simple as that! Count all the posts on your deck and/or stairs. Now you’ll need to keep that number in mind, as most all solar post cap lights come in packages of 6, 8, or more. If you have 9 posts that need lights, you may be stuck purchasing a whole bunch more than you need, which isn’t ideal. However, it means you’ll have some backups if one of your lights fails, breaks, or otherwise ceases to work. Lights that come in packs of 2 mean that you’ll only at most buy 1 more than you need, but generally there is savings when buying in bulk.

Post Sizes

While most of the post light manufacturers say their lights will fit “standard” wood posts, or “standard” vinyl posts, this is always a bit of a fudge space. The dimensions can become confusing, as wooden 4“ x 4“ posts aren’t actually 4“ square, while vinyl posts are. Let’s dig into the details.

Wooden Posts

The vast majority of wooden posts are 4“ x 4“ nominal posts. This means they’re 3 1/2“ x 3 1/2“ in size. A post cap larger than 3.5“ square will fit over most any wooden post. That said, some wooden posts are 6“ x 6“, so be sure to measure your posts. The good news about wooden posts is that it’s generally pretty easy to shave down your posts a bit if you need a little bit of wiggle room to get your caps on. It’s highly unlikely that little adjustments will be noticed on wood posts.

Vinyl and PVC posts

Vinyl and PVC post sleeves are generally designed to go over wooden 4“ x 4“ posts (actually 3.5“ square). These posts are typically either 4“ x 4“ actual dimensions, or 5“ x 5“ actual dimensions. Be sure you check the actual dimensions for your post sleeves. As most vinyl and PVC posts are sitting on top of a wooden post, you could consider trimming the vinyl post down below the cap and mounting the cap to the wood inside the post. This will not be noticeable if done correctly. Just be sure you check your dimensions carefully.

Post Materials

Depending on the materials you’ve chosen, some post caps are designed to go over wood posts (they’re suited for 3.5“ posts) while others are designed for 4“ posts. The bottom line is that wood posts are almost always smaller than vinyl or PVC posts, and if a cap is stated to work well for wood, it won’t likely work well for vinyl without some fussing with the post.

Finishes

There are a wide variety of materials and finishes on the market for solar post caps. The vast majority of vinyl and PVC fence posts are white, though there are obviously colors available. Generally, white caps will look best in these circumstances, but you can get creative. Wooden posts can be painted or stained in a ton of different colors and finishes. In these cases, often bronze, brass, black, and other finishes can look great with these posts.

Sun Exposure

The more sun your post caps are exposed to, the more they will glow at dusk. Naturally, many fences and decks are in a wide variety of exposures to sunlight, and consequently, you may find the post lamps in the part of your fence obscured by lots of shade to be noticibly dimmer than areas with lots of sun. There’s not much you can do about this other than removing the shade areas.

Illumination

Different posts have different illumination values and lengths of illumination per charge. Most of these lights produce ambient light. The ambient light will offer a nice attractive glow, but will not illuminate enough for task lighting, or even for simply hanging out in the yard. For this reason, you’ll probably want to combine your post lighting with other deck surface mount lighting, solar yard lighting, and general outdoor string lights to help make your gardens look amazing.

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4x4 Deck Post Light Reviews

A solar deck post light is a specific type of light designed to sit on top of deck or fence posts and provide lighting during the night. The products touched upon in this review are lights specifically for posts which measure 4x4 in. These come in a few different shapes and sizes, and can work on a variety of post materials including wood, wood-like material, plastic, and others. Since these lights can come in all shapes and sizes, it can be difficult to find ones that work well, fit well, and remain bright for a long time. We’ll start with a comparison table to get the lay of the land, and then review each option individually. We’ll conclude with our favorites.

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1. GreenLighting 6 Pack Solar Power Square Outdoor Post Cap Lights for 4x4 PVC Posts (White)

Key Points at a Glance

• Available in White and Black
• Fit PVC and Vinyl Posts
• Made from ABS Plastic
• Completely Solar-Powered
• Use LED Lights
• Energy Efficient
• Durable
• Solar Battery-Powered
• No External Wiring

Dimensions and Specs

Lasts 8-10 Hours\*

Caps Fit on Vinyl, PVC, or Plastic Posts

Full Set Weighs 3 lbs.

Product Dimensions14 x 12 x 6 in.

Inside Dimension4 1/6"

The GreenLighting 6 Pack Solar Power Square Outdoor Post Cap Lights for 4x4 PVC Posts (GreenLighting) are an energy efficient set of post cap lights that fit on posts which measure 4x4 in (not 3.5“ nominal wood posts). They are available in white and black for flexibility. These square units are completely solar powered and provide about 2 lumens of light and automatically turn on and off at dusk and dawn. The inside features LED lights with no external wiring for a smooth, sleek appearance. They are durable and capable of surviving the hazards of the outdoors, including constant sun exposure, rain, and snow. Like many other post cap lights, the GreenLighting set needs to be placed on posts that have flat surfaces. They work well on vinyl, PVC, or plastic posts and are lightweight yet durable due to their ABS construction. This particular set comes in a pack of six white lights that form perfect squares. GreenLighting suggests that these lights will shine for 8-10 hours if fully charged, though many find that the lights dim after 2-4 hours. Many buyers have found that swapping out the batteries for better batteries will keep the lights glowing for longer, though obviously this is a pain, and is an additional cost.

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2. iGlow 8 Pack Copper Outdoor Garden 4 x 4 Solar LED Post Deck Cap

Key Points at a Glance

• Available in black, brown, copper, and silver
• Uses LED Bulbs
• Weatherproof
• For Use on Wood or Composite Posts
• Includes brackets for 4x4 and 6x6 posts.
• Includes Rechargeable Batteries
• Solar-Powered

Dimensions and Specs

Lasts Up to 100,000 Hours

Comes In a Pack of 8

Full Set Weighs 8 lbs.

Product Dimensions12.8 x 11 x 13.5 in.

The iGlow 8 Pack Copper Outdoor Garden 4 x 4 Solar LED Post Deck Cap Lights (iGlow) are simple but stylish post cap lights. They have a bright copper color that makes them stand out, though they’re available in several finishes. These lights can be used on wood or composite posts which hold the weight best and won’t erode from the cap. They have brackets to fit wooden 4“ x 4“ posts, or composite 6x6 posts (5 1/2“ square) The iGlow lights are solar powered and energy efficient with included rechargeable batteries. They can be left out during the day and will gain energy to be on through the night. The iGlow lights should last for over 100,000 hours and come in a pack of 8. They are square and fit on posts which measure 4x4 in. They are weatherproof and will survive through wind, rain, snow, and other natural elements. Each light weighs roughly 1 lb.

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3. Westinghouse Hilltop 20 Lumens Solar Fence Post Cap Lights for 4x4 Wood Posts

Key Points at a Glance

• Available in Black or White
• Sold in Multiples of 2, 4, or 6
• Automatically Turn On and Off
• Sturdy and Durable
• Made of Plastic
• Works on Wood or Nominal Wood Posts
• Uses LED Bulbs

Dimensions and Specs

Bulbs Produce 20 Lumens, drop to 5 lumens after 6 hours

Lasts 6 Hours

Full Set Weighs 6 lbs.

Product Dimensions19.5 x 12.2 x 6.5 in.

Inside Dimension3.63"

The Westinghouse Hilltop 20 Lumens Solar Fence Post Cap Lights for 4x4 Wood Posts (Westinghouse Hilltop) are stylish post cap lights with a simple design that produces a pretty cool shadow pattern. Westinghouse basically invented electric lighting, so they should know what they’re doing. Unfortuantely, sometimes their customer service is less than idea. These lights are available in either black or white, and only work on wood posts. They have a 3.63“ inside dimension, so they’ll fit over a 3.5“ post, but not a 4“ post. The Hilltop lights use LED bulbs, and are solar powered with batteries that store the energy. With a full charge, the lights last roughly 6 hours before needing to be charged once more. Each bulb produces roughly 20 lumens of brightness. The lights are made of sturdy plastic and include a mounting base. The lights will automatically turn on and off based on the brightness of the outdoors. These lights are weatherproof and durable, and come in a set of six. Each post cap light weighs roughly 1 lb.

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4. Davinci Solar Post Lights - Outdoor Post Cap Light

Key Points at a Glance

• Available in Black or White
• “Fuzzy Fit” Design compatible with virtually all setups
• Solar Powered
• Uses LED Bulbs
• Works on Wood or PVC Vinyl Posts, including 6" x 6" posts
• Durable and Sturdy
• Includes Rechargeable Batteries
• Made of Industrial Grade Plastic and Glass
• Weatherproof
• Available in 2 Pack

Dimensions and Specs

Bulbs Last Over 100,000 Hours

Bulbs Produce 15 Lumens

Full Set Weighs 1 lb.

Product Dimensions6.3 x 6.3 x 3.7 in.

Includes base that is compatible with virtually all posts, however cap will not sit completely on top of 6" x 6" posts

The Davinci Solar Post Lights - Outdoor Post Cap Light (Davinci Solar Post Lights) have an appearance as elegant as their name suggests and come in sleek black or white. Davinci’s lights are compatible with virtually all post designs, meaing buyers can avoid the measurement headaches. They can be used on wood or PVC vinyl posts. The manufacturer uses a unique “fuzzy fit” design which means the base that wraps around the fence post is flexible and has some give so measurements don’t need to be exact. They even include a mount for 6“ x 6“ posts, though the cap won’t sit 100% on top of the 6“ x 6“ post. These post lights are solar-powered and include LED bulbs that emit 15 lumens and are designed to recharge and produce over 100,000 hours of use. The light lasts for roughly 6-8 hours after being charged in full sunlight during the day, which keeps the user’s yard bright and clear at night. These units are sold in packs of two, and are not terribly expensive. You also get the advantage of being able to purchase at most one more than your needs. These avantages make the Davinci Solar Post Lights an inexpensive but efficient lighting option. Rechargeable batteries are included with purchase. The full post light is durable and sturdy and is made of industrial grade plastic and glass. Each light weighs roughly 0.5 lbs.

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5. Paradise GL28998BZ Solar Cast Aluminum LED Post Cap Light for 4x4 Wood Posts

Key Points at a Glance

• Crystalline Solar Panels
• Bronze Color
• Sold in Packs of 1, 4, or 6
• Weatherproof
• Includes Rechargeable Energy Source
• Works on Wood Posts
• Extremely Durable
• Solar Powered
• Uses LED Lights
• Made from Cast Aluminum

Dimensions and Specs

Full Set Weighs 11 lbs.

Bulbs Last Over 100,000 Hours

Product Dimensions15 x 14.8 x 14.8 in.

Inside Dimensions3 7/8"

The Paradise GL28998BZ Solar Cast Aluminum LED Post Cap Light for 4x4 Wood Posts (Paradise GL28998BZ) is a set of solar-powered post cap lights designed to fit on pure wood posts that measure 4x4 in. The full set ships and arrives quickly and weighs roughly 11 lbs. The cap lights are made of cast aluminum for its durability and lightness and are coated with a reliable bronze-colored finish. In each cap is an LED light that should supply over 100,000 hours of illumination. The Paradise GL28998BZ lights automatically turn on and off and charge during the day when the sun is out. Paradise uses crystalline solar panels designed to capture more of the sun’s natural energy to keep the bulbs powered and functioning properly, and is made with higher quality materials than most of the other lights on our list. These are completely weatherproof. When the box arrives, its dimensions should be 15 x 14.8 x 14.8 in. Each light is only roughly 5 in. wide. Finally, the Paradise GL28998BZ lights are sold in packs of 1, four, or six. The ability to buy a single light is welcome for many who have odd numbers of posts! The bronze finish should not come off easily and can withstand the natural rigors of the environment.

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Conclusion: 4x4 Post Deck Solar Lamps

Buying cap lights for fence posts and decks can be frustrating, but it doesn’t have to be. For the regular homeowner, the process can be simplified by measuring the top of the post, known the material used to construct the fence, and then doing some research. Out of all of the options reviewed here, the absolute best are the Davinci solar post cap lights, due to their quality, fuzzy fit design, and styling. Costly but attractive are the runner-up Paradise GL28998BZ. For those on a budget who have wooden posts, the iGlow are a great choice. These rankings came about primarily due to functionality, longevity, and overall cost. Light up the world with solar post cap lights, and make sure to choose an option that will combine quality and affordability.

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