Review of Linkind SL5C Solar Spotlight with AiDot

If you’re looking to add some smart, solar-powered flair to your outdoor space, the Linkind SL5C Smart Solar Spotlight is absolutely worth a look. I recently tried out an 8-pack and honestly, I didn’t realize how much fun outdoor lighting could be until these were set up. Whether you’re decorating for the holidays, lighting up your garden path, or just want to make your backyard feel like a little retreat, these lights are seriously impressive — both in performance and how easy they are to use.

Right out of the box, installation was a breeze. Each light comes with its own built-in solar panel, so there’s no need for external wiring or plugs. You can stick them directly into the ground or mount them with the included screws. I wound up staking all of mine and it really helps if you have a rubber mallet to drive the stakes in if the ground is a bit firm. Either way, setup took just a few minutes. Once they’re in place, just turn them on, open the AiDot app on your phone and then you press the red button for 5 seconds on each of the solar lights individually to pair them.

You get to name each light separately so you can help know it’s location better if you want to set them to separate colors.

Also ensure that you review how the sunlight covers the area where you want to install them, as they are solar panel driven it is important to ensure that direct sunlight stays on the solar panel as long as possible to ensure it can be as bright and last as long as possible. I actually spent the first day stepping outside at various times of day and noting the spots that got the longest amount of direct sunlight in my yard for the best placement of the solar spotlights.

What stood out most is how powerful the lights are. Each spotlight is solar-powered, storing energy during the day and staying lit well into the night I checked on them at 5:30am the next morning and they were still just as bright as when they first came on after dark. I haven’t had one die out on me yet, even after hours of use. And if you’re thinking solar means dim or underwhelming — think again. These are bright, colorful, and versatile. They’re built with PET and monocrystalline silicon panels for reliable charging, and the rechargeable batteries hold their own throughout the night.

What makes these spotlights last so long and stand out compared to all other spotlights I have covered is they feature state-of-the-art MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) technology. This innovation not only enhances battery life but also optimizes charging efficiency. Its real-time intelligent algorithm adjusts to varying sunlight conditions, ensuring maximum energy absorption even in low-light environments. Boasting an impressive 89.9% charging efficiency—23.5% above industry norms—and an automotive-grade battery, this advanced spotlight delivers up to 14 hours of continuous illumination, eliminating unexpected mid-night shutdowns.

But the lighting controls are where things get really customizable. Through the AiDot app, you can fine-tune everything: brightness, color, motion-activated settings, light detection modes, and even a music-responsive feature that changes the lights based on your phone’s audio. I had them synced with my Halloween playlist, and watching them flash in time with the music was next-level festive.

You can also set timers, group different lights together, and create custom lighting effects — even gradients and “breathe” fades. The app does require an AiDot account, which is free, and the ecosystem leans heavily on AiDot-branded gear. But if you’re just starting your smart home setup, this ecosystem has a ton of potential.

Originally I had all 8 in a single group and I set them all to the same color scheme and was able to control them all as a single action.

One small limitation is that the app doesn’t integrate with other smart platforms like IFTTT or play audio directly, so you’ll need your phone microphone to pick up music for the sync feature. Still, considering how affordable and feature-rich these lights are, that’s a small trade-off.

You can change the light colors manually but are left with the default color options to cycle through when using the button manually instead of the app.

You can change up the presets by season or vibe — all from your phone. Plus, the lights have a pretty active online community inside the app, where people post photos of their setups and share ideas. It’s surprisingly fun and encouraging if you’re into making your yard stand out. Just note you need to be within Bluetooth range which means under 40′ and if you have the lights set to groups, all of the lights in that group (a room) need to be within range of your phone or only some of the lights will change color.

You can scale your lighting to fit anything from a small balcony to a full backyard, and the ability to break out your lights into separate groups so you can control color patterns on sections makes it much easier than doing 1 light at a time.

Bottom line? The Linkind SL5C Smart Solar Spotlights are a fantastic way to bring light, color, and smart features to your outdoor space — all without the hassle of wires. These are among the brightest, most colorful and longest lasting solar spotlights I have ever reviewed. Whether you’re decking out your house for the holidays or just want a smarter way to light your garden, these are worth every penny. You can grab them on Amazon in either the 2-pack or 8-pack versions right now. Or you can pick it up on Linkind Direct Store.