Pool nights can be pretty dark once the sun goes down. I used to rely on my porch light to see the edge of the pool, which usually meant tripping over a pool noodle or missing the step entirely.
I picked up the A47U 4pack Solar Powered Swimming Pool Edge Lights for Inground Pools, Above Ground Waterproof Wireless Pool Decorations to solve this. Since they were budget-friendly and came with free shipping, I figured they were worth a shot for my backyard setup.
What are these pool edge lights?
These are small, solar-powered units meant to sit along the rim of your pool. They soak up sunlight all day and kick on automatically when it gets dark.
The kit comes with four lights in a box. The whole point is to give you a bit of safety and style without needing to run extension cords through your yard or pay an electrician to install fancy pool lighting.
Features that matter for your pool
The solar panels are surprisingly efficient at catching rays. Even on days when it is slightly cloudy, they manage to get enough juice to stay lit for a good chunk of the evening.
Installation is about as easy as it gets. You just peel and stick or set them along the ledge, and they stay put. Because they are waterproof, you do not have to panic if they get splashed or if there is a sudden summer thunderstorm.
Honest pros and cons
Buying gear from overseas always has a few trade-offs. Here is what I found after using them for a month.
- Pros
- These lights are very easy to set up with no wiring required.
- The solar charging saves money on your monthly electric bill.
- They provide enough light to see the pool edge clearly.
- The price is low compared to professional pool lighting kits.
- Shipping was free, which kept the total cost down.
- Cons
- You will wait a few weeks for them to arrive from the warehouse.
- The adhesive strips can wear out if your pool surface is rough.
- There is no local warranty if a unit stops working after a few months.
- Customer support is not as fast as buying from a big local store.
Who should buy these lights?
If you have a pool and want to make your evening swims safer without spending hundreds of dollars, these are a great fit. They work well for both inground and above-ground pools, provided you have a flat surface for them to sit on.
Skip these if you want a bright, stadium-style glow for your entire yard. These are accent lights, not floodlights, so they work best for marking edges and adding a soft glow rather than lighting up the deep end for a night swim.
What other buyers say
I checked in with a few others who bought the same A47U 4pack solar lights online. Most people seem to appreciate the value.
One user mentioned that they used them on their deck stairs instead of the pool edge, and they worked perfectly there too. Another buyer noted that while the plastic feels a bit thin, it has held up against direct sun and pool chemicals for a full season so far.
Final verdict on these lights
Are they perfect? Not quite. The long shipping time from AliExpress is a drag, and you have to be okay with the fact that there is no local customer service line if you have a question.
That said, for the price, they do exactly what they claim to do. They make the pool area look better and stop me from stubbing my toes in the dark. If you are looking for a simple, low-cost way to spruce up your pool area, these are a solid pick.
