Solar Lights vs USB or Battery Powered Lights:

Which Are Best for Your Tiny Treehouse?

 

All our Tiny Treehouses come delivered with a set of battery operated LED lights that have been designed into the Tiny Treehouse, each with an integrated spot to store the battery pack discreetly.  Batteries, however, are not included due to global shipping restrictions. Many customers have written to us for alternative lighting options for their Tiny Treehouses that don’t require batteries so they can keep their Treehouses lit up as often as possible. So we are delighted to announce, that we now have two additional choices in lighting options for your Tiny Treehouses. Both available to purchase separately online. 

Our USB plugin LED lights have been a popular choice for years, due to the ease of keeping your Treehouse lit up for as long as you like, without concern for battery life. However, many of you have also commented that the perfect placement for your Tiny Treehouse is not always perfectly located close to a USB port.

Enter The Solar Light!  Tiny Treehouses can now go greener, brighter, and a little more wireless!  Solar is an always-on, lighting source for your Tiny Treehouses, thanks to natural sunlight coming in through your windows.

So Many Choices! How Do We Decide?

To help you decide which is best for you, we have created this handy guide to compare the merits of sticking with the battery operated LED lights you have been supplied, or investing in either the USB LED lights, or the new Solar Lights.

How Tiny Treehouses Use The Lighting Options Available

As every Tiny Treehouse you purchase comes with a set of battery powered LED fairy lights, you actually don't need to decide anything at all - just build, and flick the switch and you will be lit up and ready to go. Each Tiny Treehouse has been designed with a special section created to discreetly accommodate the LED light battery pack.

This is a good place to note that you will be integrating the lights into the Tiny Treehouse models as you build them, and it can be tricky to swap the lights for an alternative lighting product afterwards. Therefor, it can be good to decide at the time of purchase which route you want to go, so you can work the additional lighting into your house. 

Our first additional light option is the USB LED lights. Designed for customers who have a power point within 5ft / 1.5m to their Tiny Treehouses, they work wonderfully indoors, especially away from windows, and when paired with Hanging Plant Decorations, or alongside other Treehouses, when grouped on shelves, or inside terrariums. Simply plug them in to turn them on, and they provide that warm glow your treehouse deserves, even if sunlight is limited. Plus you can turn them off when you are away or asleep at night. If you have a smart home, then pair this with a smart USB power socket to fully automate your Tiny Treehouse and integrate it into your connected home!

In June 2025, we launched a new lighting option by popular demand - a Solar Light! Our solar lights are perfect for fairy gardens and Flat-Base Treehouses displayed in pots near windows that get a lot of light and sunshine throughout the day. We love that they charge all day - all by themselves - and then light up at dusk to bring the whole scene to life in the evening—no cords, no effort, no plugs or batteries. And our solar lights can be turned off anytime if you want complete darkness. You can also use them outside, but make sure to weatherproof your Tiny Treehouse with varnish first.

More About LED Battery Lights:

LED battery lights are the ones you will get included with every Tiny Treehouse you buy. Due to health & safety requirements, customs and international shipping policies, we cannot unfortunately include the batteries with these lights. Each string of lights is powered by  2 x CR2032 batteries. These lights have been custom designed to fit into each Tiny Treehouse neatly and discretely and require manual activation.

Key Features:

- Operates on CR2032 batteries

- Easy to install indoors or in shaded outdoor areas

- Can be turned on/off manually via a switch on the battery pack

- Neat and housed in the small slot created in each Tiny Treehouse for the LED lights.

USB LED Lights:

This product is an optional upgrade for your model with a USB plug and no need for batteries!  Some placements are perfectly suited to USB lights, as they are close to a power source, and require being on for long periods of time. USB lights are your best option here.

Build this set of lights into your model instead of the battery powered lights that come with your Tiny Treehouse kit, and you can enjoy the cosy glow of your creation all night long!  Great if you’d like to use your Treehouse as a night light.

Lights: 20 bulbs | warm white
Total length: 2.5m
Includes an extended 5ft / 1.5m power cord

These lights are sold online on our store separately for exclusive use to light up your Tiny Treehouse 3D Puzzles. Please note, it is very tricky to swap lights in a model after it has been built. The USB plug or power socket is not included in the pack. These units do not charge or store power in any way, and must always be connected to a power source to function. Perfect if you want to pair this with a timer plug, or a Smart Home USB plug. We don't supply the adaptor, just the lights with the USB plug.

Solar Lights:

Our Solar lights are powered naturally, by sunlight of course. They contain small panels that collect solar energy from sunlight during the day and store it in rechargeable batteries. When the sun sets, the lights automatically turn on using that stored energy.

Key Features:

- They turn off automatically at daylight so they can charge during the day and then they turn on automatically at night

- No wiring or power source needed

- Long-term cost savings (no batteries or electricity required)

- Ideal for either indoor, or outdoor use—on patios, gardens or balconies

- Plus you can also turn them off altogether if you need to

Our solar lighting accessories were specifically designed to work with our Tiny Treehouses, providing an easy way to light up your miniature scenes without worrying about nearby electrical outlets.

Creative Ways to Style Solar Fairy Lights

1. Highlight a Potted Plant Display

Wrap a strand of solar fairy lights around plant stems or supports to turn a simple potted plant into a glowing centerpiece. Position the solar panel near the soil or in an area that receives at least 4 hours of sunlight daily. Add a Fairy House to the display for a whimsical finishing touch.

2. Light Up Your Balcony or Garden

You don't just have to use these around your Tiny Treehouses, you can also drape these lights over your balcony railing, along planters, or around patio umbrellas. Since they don’t need to be plugged in, solar lights are perfect for small outdoor areas with limited outlets. Pair them with a Plant Stake Treehouse for a fairy-garden feel.

3. Create a Magical Shelf or Tabletop Scene

Use solar fairy lights indoors by placing the solar panel near a sunny window. Combine your lights with a Mini Treehouse Home and soft moss or decorative stones to build a charming table or bookshelf vignette.

4. Design a Seasonal or Themed Arrangement

Change your display with the seasons—add pinecones and warm-toned lights in fall, or make them twinkle for the holidays. Our Temple Models and Complex Puzzles look especially magical when softly lit during the evening.

5. Use for Special Occasions and Events

Planning a garden party, birthday, or wedding? Solar fairy lights are an effortless way to add ambience. Weave them around centerpieces or hang them in jars for an elegant, enchanting look—no cables or extension cords required.

Tips for Maintaining Your Solar Fairy Lights

• Wipe the solar panel regularly to remove dust and dirt

• Reposition as seasons change to ensure sunlight exposure

• Bring them inside during extreme weather

• Replace rechargeable batteries every 6–12 months if brightness fade.

For simple glow-upgrades, try our USB LED Lights—a great option for interior setups where solar power isn’t practical.

How do I Choose Which Lighting Option?

Stick with the LED Battery Lights if:

• You need reliable lighting indoors or in shaded areas
• You want brighter or more focused light for a short event or display
• You need flexibility with timing or manual control
• You're building a Tiny Treehouse display inside a shelf, nook, or terrarium

Choose Solar Lights If:

• You want a set-and-forget your Treehouse lighting

• Your Tiny Treehouse is on an enclosed a balcony or a sunny windowsill

• You're looking for a low-maintenance, eco-friendly choice

• You want to use your Tiny Treehouse outside (make sure to varnish it first!)

Try the USB LED Lights if:

• Your Tiny Treehouse is within 1.5m of a power source - this could be a plug point, your computer, or even a power bank - being able to go battery-free will be handy
• You're building a Tiny Treehouse display inside a shelf or a nook where it will be hard to reach a switch to turn them on and off, so with the USB option they can be left on, or controlled more remotely
• USB lights are definitely the way to go if your Treehouses are far from a natural light source, but you like to have them light up constantly or very often.

Final Thoughts

All three options; solar lights, LED battery or USB LED offer practical and creative ways to enhance the magic of your Tiny Treehouse. Choosing between them depends on where you’ll use them, how much sunlight your space gets, and whether convenience or control is your priority.

At Tiny Treehouses, we designed our lighting accessories to suit every environment—whether you're styling a sunny balcony or an indoor reading nook. Explore our full accessories range to find the best option for your space, or check out our troubleshooting guide if you're unsure what lighting solution fits your setup.

We designed our solar lighting range to make it easier—and more magical—to show off your Tiny Treehouse creations. By removing the need for outlets or disposable batteries, our solar lights allow you to create a cozy, glowing habitat for your Tiny Treehouse anywhere you like.

From balconies to bookshelves, potted plants to party tables, solar fairy lights give you the freedom to bring light and warmth into your world—all while keeping your setup simple, beautiful, and sustainable.

Have questions? Reach out via our contact page —we’re happy to help light up your miniature world.

Ready to brighten your Tiny Treehouse display? Explore our full collection of accessories, or visit our troubleshooting guide and contact page if you need setup help.

 

Side-by-Side Comparison: Battery LED vs USB LED vs Solar Lights