ALDI is always a haven of great deals; whether you’re looking to fill up your refrigerator with groceries or decorate your backyard, there are plenty of affordable home items to buy at ALDI with great reviews. And, another perk of going with the German chain supermarket is that it offers specials that are significantly discounted from other retailers. One such deal is with a gorgeous outdoor lantern, which ALDI is selling from April 30 to May 6, 2025, at a fraction of the cost of its competitor, Wayfair. And, according to reviews, it’s very much worth grabbing one (or six) of the glowing, beautifully designed solar lanterns from ALDI. 

Although most people recognize the name ALDI as a typical grocery store, the brand is also a fan-favorite for home decor, gardening supplies, and other useful household items. For instance, you can score affordable garden essentials from ALDI like raised garden beds and bird feeders. So, you can stock up on more outdoors items this spring while buying the popular solar lanterns with tons of other backyard goodies. The one downside comes for those who live outside of the delivery zone from the German brand. ALDI currently has 2,508 locations in the United States, but is missing from states like Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Oregon, and more. So, unless you’re willing to travel, you may just have to opt for higher prices at more prevalent retailers that deliver across the country like Wayfair and Walmart. 

Now, let’s look into the lanterns themselves, and what customers have to say about them. The ALDI lantern comes in pink, green, and blue pastel shades with floral prints cut into the sides so the light shines out to make a beautiful pattern. The lanterns are solar powered, so they recharge during the day after just six hours of sunlight, and you don’t need to take them inside between uses. These metal lanterns are 4.75 inches wide and 7.75 inches tall, and retail for $7.99 through ALDI. According to reviews from an earlier release of the product, the lanterns are worth the buy. “If you’re looking to add a pretty touch to the outdoors, this is worth considering,” the ALDI Reviewer reported.  

On the other hand, the Wayfair take on a small solar-powered metal garden lamp is adorned with hummingbirds and flowers (as pictured below). It’s a tiny bit smaller: 4.33 inches wide and 6.49 inches tall, and it also relies on a small solar panel that’s situated at the top of the lamp, where it can absorb the most sunlight. A full charge takes six hours, the same as ALDI’s version, and is said to last for 10 hours at a time. Wayfair also advertises this lamp to be weather resistant, with a waterproof rating of IP65, so it should be fine through rainstorms. Retailing for $44.99, the item is more expensive that ALDI’s version, and has some questionable reviews. 

The different Wayfair reviews show conflicting overall opinions of the product. Three five-star reviewers love the lantern’s ability to recharge under the sun, and the enticing patterns. “It was pretty cool, lit up bright and played cool patterns all around it,” one reviewer noted. However, multiple people reported that the metal is quite thin and therefore easy to dent. The same five-star reviewer admitted, “One of my grandkids knocked it over and it dented the side. It’s thin metal so we were able to pop it out.” A one-star review reads, “The metal is pretty flimsy and was dented in places [when it arrived.]” Two buyers noted that the bulb was installed incorrectly upon arrival, so they needed to open the lantern and move the bulb around, resulting in some frustration. 

While ALDI reviews are harder to come by, there weren’t reports of the metal feeling too flimsy. Plus, with an under-$10 price tag, the risk with the ALDI product is far lower. Because the lantern is a seasonal choice (called an “ALDI Pick”), you’ll need to use InstaCart or find the item in stores, so you can test out the material yourself and avoid any issues with shipping and handling. So, if you’re close to an ALDI that still has the Belavi Solar Decorative Metal Lantern, by all means, jump on the bandwagon and snag one for yourself. If not, maybe consider some other budget-friendly patio lighting ideas that scratch the itch.