Worth Installing
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Outbyte PC Repair · freeA free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.
Run a Free PC Scan →Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More
A painted glass jar with a battery-operated LED light is a straightforward DIY lantern for a backyard or patio. Make it as a tabletop accent, or add a wire handle for hanging—provided the hook and mounting surface are suitable and their instructions allow it. A solar-cell light is a separate option, but check its fit and product directions rather than assuming any solar light will work with a jar.
Choose a lantern design
| Design | Power and materials | Use and limits |
|---|---|---|
| Painted glass jar | Quart-size jar, glass paint, 18-gauge floral wire, and a battery-operated LED light, following Command Brand’s project tutorial. | Can sit on a surface or be adapted to hang. The tutorial does not establish brightness, runtime, weather resistance, cost, or a universal hanging-load limit. Command Brand outdoor lantern tutorial |
| Solar lantern | A solar light source with a built-in solar cell, as described in This Old House’s DIY guide. | A distinct power option described as avoiding complex wiring in that project. The guide does not verify dimensions, compatibility, runtime, or outdoor rating for a particular light. This Old House solar lantern guide |
| Other craft forms | The City of Napa’s 2020 lantern guide includes glass jars, paper, and punched tin cans. | These are craft possibilities, not proof that every form is weatherproof or appropriate for backyard use. Assess each material and construction for its intended setting. City of Napa 2020 Lantern Creation Guide |
Make a painted jar lantern
Gather the materials
- One quart-size glass jar
- Glass paint suitable for the jar
- 18-gauge floral wire
- Wire cutters
- A battery-operated LED light
These are the materials listed for Command Brand’s painted-jar project. Follow the paint maker’s directions for applying and drying the paint.
Paint and assemble the jar
- Mask the bottom of the jar, as shown in the Command Brand tutorial.
- Apply glass paint to the outside of the jar. Let it dry as directed by the paint manufacturer.
- Wrap floral wire near the jar’s lower rim to form a handle if you want to hang the lantern. Use wire cutters to trim the wire as needed.
- Place the battery-operated LED light inside the jar.
The tutorial specifies an LED light; it does not provide fire-safety testing or recommend an open flame in an improvised jar. Keep to the stated battery-operated light component rather than treating a craft jar as a candle holder.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Hang it only with suitable hardware
Command Brand’s hanging version uses outdoor terrace hooks. Before mounting one, check that the hook is intended for your surface and follow the hardware maker’s directions for cleaning and preparing the surface, adhesive-strip placement, and recommended weight claims. Command Brand gives this instruction on its project page: “Follow all Command™ Brand package instructions for proper surface cleaning and prep, adhesive strip placement and recommended weight claims.” The project does not specify a universal load limit, so do not assume a hook or surface can support the lantern without checking its packaging.
#1 Best Overall
HXWEIYE 8 Pack Solar Plastic Mason Jar Lights, Lightweight, Break-Resistant
- 8 Pack Mason Jar Solar Lanterns: High-quality and durable clear plastic material jar, made of 30 warm white bright LED beads twisted into a silver wire; Unlike glass jars, our jars are lighter, more durable, can serve for a long time and unbreakable; 8pcs stainless steel hanger are included to help you easily hang the assembled mason jar lights on thinner branches, fences, walls and porches, very convenient
- DIY Your Own Mason Jar Crafts: Enjoy decorating your Mason jar with your creation! The soft silver copper wire in the jar can also be bent the shape as you like, such as heart-shaped, star-shaped, etc. Or fill mason jars with little snowman, fruit, sand, dried flowers, shells, pebbles, berry sprigs, seasonal things etc., let your imagination run wild; Make your jar unique and perfect for hanging in the yard, wedding party decor or as a gift to your loved ones
- Solar Powered Outdoor Lights: Just switch ON/OFF button on the back of the solar panel to On and put it in a place with direct sunlight to ensure sufficient light energy for charging; The light will auto turn ON when the dark and turn OFF when the daytime, no glare, no flicker; Illuminating for up to 10 hours with a full charge
- Safe and Waterproof: Solar powered, easy to use, no wires required, no extra bill. Good heat dissipation, cool and safe to touch without risk of burns; The solar mason jar lights are waterproof, so there is no need to take inside during rainy or light snow days but cannot be totally submerged in water; Great for indoor and outdoor use; Perfect for wedding, party, BBQ, picnic, home, balcony, fence, driveway, garden and tree decor, the night looks with jars of "fireflies" lighting up your space
- Widely Use: 8 pack LED hanging solar jar light are widely compatible, hang them on trees or place them on your garden, Patio, Porch, windowsill, fence top, outdoor plant shelf, lawn, tabletop balcony, backyard, pathway, driveway, etc., Especially suitable for Christmas, Thanksgiving Day, Halloween, Weddings; They will look so stunning when lit up at night- like little fireflies and add a really nice amount of light to your bedroom, too- really creates the perfect ambiance for bedtime
Adapt the idea for solar light
A solar variation uses a light source with a built-in solar cell rather than the battery-operated LED specified in the painted-jar tutorial. This Old House describes its DIY solar lantern as a way to add outdoor light without complex wiring, but that description applies to its project—not every solar lantern design. Check the actual product’s instructions and dimensions against the jar and any lid or opening before buying or assembling it. Neither the cited guide nor the painted-jar tutorial establishes that a particular solar light will fit or that the finished lantern is weatherproof.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Sale
Mlambert Mason Jar Solar Lights -30 LED, 6 Pack Hanging Lantern, Warm White
- 30 LEDs solar mason jar lights: Made of magnificent silver wire and super bright 30 LEDs warm white fairy string lights, Our mason jar solar lights are more beautiful and brighter than other 20LEDs mason jar lights. (6 Mason Jars+6 Lid lights+6 Hangers, Mason Jar Dimension: 3.2" Dia. x 5.3"H)
- Energy saving: Solar powered mason jar lights, charging under sunlight, will automatically light up at night. Generally charge 6-8h will light up to 10-12+ Hours. Instruction: Pull out the green tab on battery case there then Switch to ON. (Rechargeable battery included)
- Waterproof mason jar lid lights: Each mason jar lid built with waterproof structure, also with inner O-shape ring(rubber sealing ring) keep moisture out of the jars. Our mason jar lights are designed to withstand rainy days, perfect for indoor and outdoor decor.
- Anti-rust mason jar lids &hangers: With tinplate lids and stainless steel hangers, these mason jar lights won’t rust even if you place them outdoors for a long time. Ideal for home, balcony, fence, driveway, Christmas tree decoratio
Rank #4
Cooo 12 Pack Solar Hanging Lanterns Outdoor Waterproof Mason Jar Lights
- 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞, 𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐃𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 -12 Lamp Sets ： At night, Mason Jar Lights like the lanterns filled with fireflies used by elves. You will get 12 super clear crystal glass jars. Cooo's crystal glass jar lanterns more bright and eco-friendly.
- 《 No More Fakes, Only Facts – 12 Lanterns Set》Forget those “600mAh” solar lights that barely last an hour. Lab-tested? They only hold 98–112mAh, tops. We cut the fluff and deliver the real full capacity —just like a Texan wouldn’t fake the diamonds on their belt buckle.With 30 upgraded LEDs and 215% larger solar panels, our lanterns shine 1.8× longer than old models and outperform any “big number” competitors. Plus, you get 9 jars of premium crystal-clear glass—no plastic smell, no dim light, just pure, radiant glow.
- 《 Built for Patios, Ready for Praise》When the sun hits, our next-gen solar lids devour sunlight faster than ever—even on cloudy days. As night falls, 30 warm white LEDs glow steadily—like a cluster of fireflies peacefully suspended in time. No flicker, no flash—just a quiet, golden radiance that stirs the memory of childhood’s summer nights. It’s nature’s magic, preserved in glass and gently brought to life.
- 《 Weather the Storm, Literally》Old metal lids rust fast, leak often, and die young. Ours? Triple defense: one-piece cast aluminum, UV-resistant silver coating, and automotive-grade piano paint. Lab-tested with 72-hour salt spray—still shiny like new. Real users in Mississippi? 3 hurricane seasons, and still glowing like jazz brass.
- 《 Porch-Proven, Night-Long Glow》Lay them flat or hang them high—our lanterns’ real battery + efficient monocrystalline panel combo lasts up to 1.6× longer than previous versions. Even cloudy regions like Seattle get enough charge for all-night ambiance.
Rank #3
GIGALUMI Hanging Mason Jar Solar Lights, 6 Pack 30 Led Hanging Lantern
- All-in-One Mason Jar Solar Lights: 6-Pack(6 Mason Jars&6 Lid lights&6 Hangers). Standard 16 oz regular mouth Mason Jars, dimension: 3.2" Dia. x 5.3"H, each with 30 LEDs
- Multiple Uses: Great gift idea. 2 ways to install these waterproof solar outdoor lights. Hang these solar light lanterns in places that can get enough sunlight during the daytime, or place these solar lanterns outdoor on the ground or patio tables as mood lamps
- Solar-powered Mason Jar Lid Lights: No wiring. No electricity bill. These hanging solar lights outdoor waterproof store energy from sun rays during the daytime and automatically turn on at night. Illuminate for 8-10 hours with a full charge
- The Best Outdoor Decorative Lights: These solar outdoor lights are combinations of glass mason jars and solar fairy light lids. Ideal for outdoor decorations, such as garden decor, patio decor, yard decor, and balcony decor. Compatible with tables, fences, walkways, lawns, and trees
- Weatherproof and Guarantee: Designed to withstand sunny days, rainy nights, and small snowy days. With a 90-day product warranty, if you have any questions about these solar decorative lights outdoors, please contact us, we would be more than happy to assist
Rank #2
Sale
Mlambert 4 Pack Solar Mason Jar Hanging Lantern with Stakes, Warm White
- Vintage Mason Jar Lights with Solar Lids: High-quality durable tan glass jar built with 30 warm white bright led light beads twisted into a silver wire, bringing a retro and beautiful romantic lighting atmosphere to your patio, garden, and party. Not only can be used for Halloween, Christmas decoration, as a wedding and holiday party decoration of joyful atmosphere is also the best choice
- Solar Powered Energy-saving & Auto On/ Off Switch: Upgraded jar lights use more efficient 1.2V/ 600mAh rechargeable battery photoelectric conversion efficiency solar panel. No wiring, charged under the sun for 6-8 hours during the day, can provide 8-12 hours of lighting at night. Built-in sensor switch, automatically light up at dusk and automatically off at dawn, save for your electricity
- Multi-functional 3-in-1 Mason Jar Lantern: Different from the two common installation methods of Mason jar light or crack ball lights on the market, our Mason Jar Lantern comes with 1 ground stake and has 3 mounting methods. In addition to hanging on a tree with a hook for easy charging during the day, placed on a tabletop or by a staircase as ambient lighting, it can also be inserted into a pathway to decorate your beautiful garden
- Waterproof Design & Long Lifespans: Designed with IP45 waterproof Lids, which can be used outdoors without worrying about the product being wet and not working. Each Mason jar lid is made of waterproof structure, just open the button after tightening the lid, you don't have to worry about water drops flowing into the jar on rainy days. Can withstand high temperatures, rain, windy, wet or even worse weather. Safe for outdoor use
- Novel and Cute Lantern Lights: You can also put stickers in the glass jar for DIY design, which is very novel and interesting, and your friends and family will be happy to receive this beautiful lamp. In order to let the product reach you in good conditions, we have strengthened the packaging to prevent the glass lamp from breaking when shipping
Painting and outdoor-use checks
- Use glass paint and let it dry according to its manufacturer’s directions.
- Use the battery-operated LED component specified by the painted-jar project; do not infer that an improvised jar is suitable for a burning candle.
- Check the light’s own instructions and outdoor rating before placing the finished lantern outside.
- For a hanging version, verify the mounting surface, hardware instructions, and applicable weight claims before installation.
- Treat paper, punched tin, and other craft variants as separate designs; their inclusion in a lantern craft guide does not establish backyard durability.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
