Serious question, are those cheap solar lanterns from the big box store actually worth it?

I grabbed a two pack of those generic solar lanterns for $35 at a store in Boise before a trip last month. They looked fine in the box, but one barely held a charge for an hour after a full day in the sun, and the other just stopped working completely on night two. My buddy says all budget solar gear is junk and you need to spend at least $80 on a known brand. I think maybe I just got a bad batch and some cheaper options are fine if you get lucky. Has anyone found a reliable budget solar light, or is this just a case of you get what you pay for?

2 comments

2 Comments

kim.stella7d agoTop Commenter

Actually had good luck with a cheap one from a hardware store. Lasted two seasons so far.

mia7277d ago

Yeah, the hardware store ones can be solid... I grabbed a basic model on a whim and it's still going after three winters. Sometimes you just get lucky with the simple stuff.