When thinking of solar lighting systems, you might imagine decorative strings adorning a backyard. While these are nice, sometimes we need something more effective and efficient. Thankfully, solar power has come a long way, resulting in several well-reviewed systems that can truly light up your surroundings.

You have more than a few choices depending on what you need. You can buy an all in one system, such as a lantern, with a small solar panel on top and enough light to get you through an evening, or you can buy one that comes with a single panel that has enough battery power on a charge to run a 300-watt street/flood light all night. Your third option is to buy a complete off-the-grid solar system that can power anything you’d like, including the lighting method of your choice. This last one is a more permanent solution, and therefore non-portable, for any lighting needs you may have, but if you don’t have access to a power grid, it’s the perfect method. Let’s look at the top product for each according to customer reviews.

XTAUTO Collapsible Portable LED Camping Lantern, 4-pack – $35

With 360 degree lighting, this 4-pack doubles as both flashlights and hanging lanterns. They have an exposed bulb down the body that emits 120 lumens and an intense beam that emits 150 lumens from the bottom. Each one includes an emergency power bank for your phone, making them perfect for camping trips or hiking and fishing excursions. They take nine hours to fully charge via the sun, but you also have a DC charging option when power is available. Once fully charged, the lighting lasts 25 hours. Even better, they collapse down for easy storage.

APUNOA Solar Street Lamp – $130-$150

Available in two versions, 300 and 400 watts, this street lamp is a high-powered lighting solution perfect for large areas. It has a dusk to dawn monitor, can be set for motion activation and is 100% waterproof. What stands out in this model is the motion-activated beam. Without motion detected, it shines at 50%, but once the sensor is triggered, all 300/400 lumens light the area up at 100%. You can also set a 3, 5, or 8-hour timer with a remote, making it fully customizable for your needs. You’ll need to buy a pole separately to mount it, but it does come with the bracket to mount the panel above the light if it will stand alone away from a building.

ExpertPower 2.5KWH 12V Solar Kit – $2,159

While this system doesn’t come with lighting, the solar power it collects within two LiFePO4 batteries is enough to hook up to any lighting system you already have or wish to acquire. This is an off-the-grid solution for all your lighting needs. The batteries are equipped with a battery management system, allowing for up to 7,000 charges without overloading, discharging, or overheating. The kit includes two batteries, four 100 watt monocrystalline solar panels, a 2000 watt inverter charger, and a solar charge converter that is Bluetooth compatible. It also comes with battery cables and mounting brackets. While the price is steep, it comes with a ten-year lifetime warranty.

There are many more options available on the market, so be sure to do your research, so you get exactly what you need. Remember, you’ll need to set any panels you acquire in an area with bright sun and plan well for rainy days. You can always add more panels to any system if you need more power.