The different types of solar walkway lights include lantern lights, mushroom lights, stepping stone lights, rock lights, and novelty lights. These lights are designed to cast light on the ground and make a walkway more visible in the evening. Since these lights are solar powered, they are charged during the day when the sun is shining and burn reliably each evening using the stored power. Most solar lights have a built-in sensor so they don't have to be turned on and off each day.
Lantern lights are designed to hang from a post like an old-fashioned oil or gas lantern. These usually hang beside the path they are intended to light; a hook is generally included for hanging. The hook is a shepherd's crook style that is designed to be staked directly into the ground. Lantern lights are usually sold in sets of four or eight and should take only a few minutes to install.
Mushroom solar walkway lights are shaped like tall, thin versions of the fungi they are named for. The shades of mushroom lights can be plastic, metal, or glass; they direct the light down toward the walking path. Mushroom lights cast a glow where it is needed most. They are a good choice for heavily traveled pathways around and to the home.
Stepping stones with solar lights embedded inside offer a soft way to directly light a path. These are a good choice for a decorative feature or for a pathway across a lawn. Stepping stone lights are easy to see in the dark, but the light is very diffused, since it is cast upward. The illumination cast by stepping stone lights is more decorative than functional in most cases.
Rock lights are usually man-made from concrete or heavy plastic and have lights embedded in them. Solar walkway lights shaped like rocks can be set on the ground next to a pathway to illuminate it. These lights work best if the glow is directed at the pathway so it will be fully illuminated; installing at night is the best way to position the lights properly.
Novelty lights can be used as solar walkway lights as well. Whether the lights feature Halloween pumpkins, Easter eggs, or candy canes, they all work the same way. Holiday and novelty lights are designed to be used for a short amount of time, so they are typically lower quality than everyday lights.