Best Solar String Lights with an On/Off Switch
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If you want to turn solar string lights off yourself, not wait for dusk or dawn, you need a strand with a manual switch. Most solar strings in the listings we checked on 2026-10-18 switch on and off with a built-in light sensor, and many add a remote for brightness and timers. Only two of the listings we opened describe a manual on/off control on the solar panel, and those two are the picks below. The rest of this guide explains how to choose between a switch, a sensor and a remote, and what each listing does and does not state.
Quick answer
Choose the Porbench 54 ft strand if you want the switch stated most clearly and a longer run. Choose the btfarm two-pack if you want two strings and the switch is a secondary concern. Both listings give IP65 water resistance. Check the switch behaviour on the box or in the manual before you buy, because the btfarm listing does not explain what its switch does after first use.
The picks
1. Porbench Solar String Lights Outdoor 54FT, 24 Bulbs: best for a longer run with a stated switch
Specs (from the listing, checked 2026-10-18): 54 ft strand with 24 S14 bulbs spaced 2 ft apart; 18AWG cable; IP65 rating; 3600mAh battery, which the listing says gives 8 to 10 hours of light on a full charge; remote with steady, flash and breathing modes and 3-hour or 5-hour timers; 1 AAA battery in the remote, included; 2700K warm white; mounting ties, ground stakes and screws included.
Switch: the listing says the solar panel has a manual switch to turn the lights on or off at any time, in addition to the dusk-to-dawn sensor.
Pros: the switch is stated clearly; 2-foot bulb spacing is stated; hardware is included. Cons: the listing does not give a wattage for the strand; a warm-tip note says the panel needs direct sun, and the USB port is for rainy days.
Best for: a patio or fence run that needs more length. Skip if: you need a 25 ft or 50 ft strand; this one is 54 ft.
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2. btfarm 2 Pack Solar String Lights, 98 ft total: best for two strings
Specs (from the listing, checked 2026-10-18): two 49 ft strings, each with a 41 ft light string and an 8 ft lead wire, and 50 LED beads per string; 8 lighting modes with a memory function; IP65 rating; model SL50B-2; 2700K warm white; ground pegs and user manual included.
Switch: the listing has an ON switch on the back of the solar panel and tells you to slide it on before first use. It does not say whether the switch turns the lights off during normal use. Ask the seller or read the manual before you rely on it.
Pros: two strings in one pack; the mode memory keeps your last setting. Cons: the switch behaviour is not explained; the listing’s bullets say the lights turn on at dusk and off at dawn through a light sensor.
Best for: covering a larger yard with two strings at once. Skip if: you need the switch behaviour spelled out before buying.
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Listings without a stated manual switch
Two other solar strings we opened describe automatic on and off at dusk and dawn, plus a remote, and do not state a manual switch. The 25 ft Skoiuc strand (B0GGQQL9P2) lists a remote with steady, pulse and flash modes and an IP65 rating. The 100 ft TW SHINE set (B0GKV9FCZV) lists a remote with timers and an IP65 rating. If a remote is enough for you, either one can work. They are not picks for a manual switch.
How to choose
Start with the control you want. If you want the lights to stay off on a certain night, a manual switch on the panel is the feature to look for. If you are happy with the lights running from dusk to dawn, a light sensor is enough and the switch is a bonus.
Next, check length and spacing. The Porbench strand is 54 ft with 2-foot bulb spacing. The btfarm pack gives two 49 ft strings with about 50 beads each. Measure the run before you buy. For example, if the run between two posts is 40 ft, a 54 ft strand leaves about 14 ft of slack to dip between them, while a 25 ft strand would not reach.
Then check the rating. Both picks say IP65, which the listings describe as waterproof. Solar panels need direct sun to charge, so place the panel where it gets sun during the day, not just the strand. Sun-hour figures differ between solar-lighting guides, so check the manual for your strand; a general overview is at Electronics Hub on whether solar lights need direct sunlight.
Related guides
For a wider view of solar lighting, read Best Solar Powered LED Outdoor Lights. For bulb style, see Best Solar Powered Edison Bulb String Lights. For another solar string option, see Best House and Garden Outdoor Solar LED String Lights.
Frequently asked questions
Do solar string lights have an on/off switch?
Two of the listings we opened describe a manual switch on the solar panel: the Porbench 54 ft strand and the btfarm two-pack. The other solar strings we opened switch on and off automatically with a light sensor.
Can I turn solar string lights off with the remote?
The listings describe remote modes, brightness and timers. They do not say whether the remote turns the strand fully off, so check that before you buy if it matters to you.
What does IP65 mean for these lights?
The listings describe IP65 as waterproof protection. Both picks state it. It is a listing claim, not a rating we verified.
Do solar string lights need direct sun?
Yes. The Porbench listing says the solar panel needs direct sunlight to charge well, and it offers USB charging for cloudy or rainy days.
Our decision rule
Choose the Porbench strand if you want a manual switch stated clearly and a longer run. Choose the btfarm pack if you need two strings and can confirm the switch behaviour first. If you only need lights to come on at dusk, a sensor-only strand from the list above is enough.
