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Costco solar lights come in multi packs ranging from 20to20to80 depending on the season
I asked three friends who shop at Costco regularly. One bought a 12 pack of path lights for $35 last spring. Another bought two sets of hanging solar lanterns for $25 each. The third bought a 6 pack of spotlights for $60.
All three still use their lights. Two of them had to replace batteries after the second year. One had no issues at all.
Costco changes their inventory often. You see different brands at different times. Feit Electric. Glolite. APT. Same warehouse. Different months. The common thread is the return policy. Costco takes back almost anything at almost any time.
The return policy is the real reason to buy solar lights at Costco
Costco has a generous return policy. Electronics have a 90 day window. But solar lights fall into general merchandise. You can return them months later if they fail.
One reviewer bought a set of solar lights that died after 18 months. She brought them back to the store. No box. No receipt. Costco looked up her purchase history and gave her a full refund. She bought a different set with the money.
Another buyer returned lights after two years because the batteries would not hold a charge. Costco refunded him on the spot. He said he felt bad but the lights should last longer than two years.
This return policy changes the value equation. You pay more upfront at Costco compared to other stores. But you get the guarantee that the lights will work or you get your money back.
Feit Electric solar path lights from Costco get mixed reviews
Feit Electric is a common brand at Costco. A 6 pack of their solar LED path lights costs about 40.Thatisroughly6.70 per light.
Some buyers love them. They say the lights are bright. The stainless steel finish looks good. The warm white color is pleasant. Installation takes five minutes.
Other buyers hate them. They say the lights dim after a few months. The plastic stakes break when you push them into hard soil. The battery compartment lets in water after rain.
I looked at the pattern. The happy buyers live in sunny states like California, Texas, and Florida. The unhappy buyers live in cloudier places like Washington, Ohio, and New York. Your location matters more than the brand.
Glolite solar lanterns from Costco hang from hooks and look like glass
Glolite makes hanging solar lanterns. Costco sells them in 2 packs for about $25. The lanterns have a metal frame and what looks like glass. It is actually plastic but a nice quality plastic.
The lanterns hang from a shepherd hook or a tree branch. The solar panel sits on top of the lantern. The battery charges during the day. At night, the LED inside glows warm white.
These are not bright lights. They are accent lights. You hang them near a seating area. They provide enough light to see the person next to you. Not enough to read a book.
One buyer bought six of these 2 packs. Twelve lanterns total. She hung them from her pergola. She said the effect is magical at night. Like floating orbs of light.
APT solar spotlights from Costco shine 200 lumens each
APT is another brand found at Costco. Their solar spotlights come in 6 packs for about 60.Thatis10 per light.
Each spotlight puts out 200 lumens. Warm white light. The head adjusts 90 degrees. You point it at a tree, a flag, or a garden feature. The stake pushes into the ground. The solar panel is built into the top of the light.
A buyer in Arizona reviewed these lights. He said they lasted through two summers of 110 degree heat. The batteries still held a charge. The plastic did not crack. He bought a second set for his backyard.
A buyer in Michigan had a different experience. Her lights lasted one season. The second spring, only three of the six still worked. She returned them to Costco and bought a different brand.
The battery type matters more than the brand name
Every solar light has a rechargeable battery inside. Most Costco solar lights use AA or AAA Ni-MH batteries. Some newer models use lithium ion.
Ni-MH batteries cost less. They also die faster. Two to three years of daily charging and discharging. Then you replace them.
Lithium ion batteries cost more. They last longer. Four to five years. They also perform better in cold weather. If you live in a northern state, pay extra for lithium ion models.
The problem is Costco does not always list the battery type on the box. You have to open the box and read the manual. Or look for a small icon on the packaging.
The installation trick that nobody mentions
Every Costco solar light comes with a pull tab on the battery. Remove it before first use. I cannot tell you how many reviews say the light did not work. Then they found the pull tab. Then the light worked.
Also charge the lights for two full sunny days before you expect them to work all night. The battery ships with a partial charge. Enough to test the light. Not enough to run 8 hours.
Put the lights in their final sunny spots for those two days. Do not move them around. Let them soak up sun. After two days, they perform at full capacity.
Why Costco solar lights stop working after rain
Water gets into the battery compartment. That is the number one failure mode.
The seals on cheap solar lights are not perfect. Rain pushes water past the rubber gasket. Water sits inside the compartment. The battery terminals rust. The light stops working.
You can prevent this. Put a small amount of petroleum jelly on the rubber seal before you close the compartment. The jelly repels water. It costs pennies. It adds two minutes to your installation.
Also store your solar lights indoors during winter if you live where temperatures drop below freezing. Ice expands inside the compartment. Cracks form. Spring rain gets in and kills the light.
The best time to buy Costco solar lights is early spring
Costco stocks solar lights in March and April. That is when people start thinking about their gardens and patios. The selection is largest in spring.
By July, the good sets are gone. What remains are the less popular models. The ones with lower brightness or ugly designs.
By September, Costco clears out summer inventory. You find discounts. Up to 50 percent off. But only the leftover models. If you like what you see, buy it. If not, wait for next spring.
A buyer in Oregon bought a 12 pack of path lights in September for 18.Originalpricewas35. He said the lights worked fine. He just did not care about the design. He wanted cheap lights for his rental property.
Costco solar lights compared to other stores
Costco prices are higher than discount stores. A 6 pack of path lights at a discount store costs 15to20. At Costco, the same pack costs 30to40.
But the discount store lights have no return policy after 30 days. Costco takes returns for years. That matters when solar lights fail.
Costco also sells higher quality lights than discount stores. Not premium quality. Not professional grade. But better than the absolute cheapest options.
The sweet spot is buying Costco solar lights on clearance in September. You get the higher quality and the good return policy. And you pay discount store prices.
What I learned from talking to Costco solar light owners
I spoke to seven people who bought solar lights at Costco. Here is what they said.
Four of them replaced their lights after two years. Not because the lights broke. Because the batteries died and they did not know they could replace the batteries.
Two of them replaced the batteries and kept the lights. They bought new AA Ni-MH batteries online. Cost $10 for a 6 pack. The lights worked like new.
One of them returned the lights after 18 months. Got a full refund. Bought a different set. That set has lasted three years so far.
The common lesson is simple. Replace the battery before you replace the light. Most people throw away perfectly good lights because of a $2 battery.
The brands to look for and the brands to avoid
Look for Feit Electric and Glolite. These two brands have the most positive reviews. Buyers report 2 to 3 years of reliable service. The designs look good. The brightness meets expectations.
Avoid no name brands that appear at Costco for one season and disappear. You cannot find replacement parts. You cannot contact customer service. The return policy still works but you waste time going back to the store.
Check the box for the IP rating. IP44 minimum. IP54 or IP65 preferred. No IP rating means the light will fail in the first rainstorm.
My final take on Costco solar lights
Buy them for the return policy. Not for the quality. Not for the price. For the peace of mind that comes with Costco backing the product.
Test your lights immediately. Put them in full sun for two days. See how long they run at night. If they fail, return them. If they work, keep them. Replace the batteries every two years. Store them indoors during winter if you live in a cold place.
You will get 3 to 5 years of use from a set of Costco solar lights. That is good enough for most people. When they finally die, return them or throw them away. Then buy the next set on clearance in September.
Related FAQs
Does Costco sell solar lights year round?
No. Costco stocks solar lights mainly in spring and summer. March through August. Clearance sales happen in September. Winter stock is minimal. Buy in spring for best selection. Buy in September for best prices.
What brand of solar lights does Costco sell?
Costco sells multiple brands. Feit Electric and Glolite are common. APT appears sometimes. Inventory changes by season and by region. Check your local warehouse for current stock.
How long do Costco solar lights last on a full charge?
Most models run 6 to 8 hours. Some run up to 10 hours in ideal conditions. Full sun for 6 to 8 hours gives you a full charge. Cloudy days reduce run time.
Can I return solar lights to Costco after a year?
Yes. Costco accepts returns on general merchandise at almost any time. Electronics have a 90 day limit but solar lights are not classified as electronics. Keep your receipt or let Costco look up your purchase by membership card.
Do Costco solar lights come with a warranty?
The manufacturer provides a one year warranty on most models. Costco provides their own satisfaction guarantee on top of that. The Costco guarantee is the main reason to buy there.
Are Costco solar lights waterproof?
Most have IP44 rating. That means light rain and splashing water. Not fully waterproof. Do not submerge. Water can enter through the battery compartment if seals fail.
Why did my Costco solar lights stop working after rain?
Water got into the battery compartment. The terminals rusted. The light stopped working. Apply petroleum jelly to the rubber seal to prevent this. Store lights indoors during heavy storms if possible.
Can I replace the batteries in Costco solar lights?
Yes. Most use AA or AAA Ni-MH rechargeable batteries. Open the battery compartment. Remove old batteries. Insert new ones of the same type and voltage. Do not use alkaline batteries.
What is the best time to buy solar lights at Costco?
Early spring for best selection. September for best prices on clearance. Spring inventory arrives in March and April. Clearance starts after summer ends.
Are Costco solar lights worth the money?
Yes if you value the return policy. No if you want the absolute cheapest price. You pay more upfront at Costco. You get the security of returning failed lights months or years later. That security matters for outdoor products that face weather and wear.
Summary
Costco solar lights cost 20 to 80 for multi packs. Common brands are Feit Electric, Glolite, and APT. Most models run 6 to 8 hours on a full charge. IP44 rating handles light rain. Batteries are replaceable AA or AAA Ni-MH. The Costco return policy accepts returns months or years later. Best selection in early spring. Best prices on clearance in September. Test lights immediately. Replace batteries every two years. Store indoors during winter in cold climates.
