YEPOTUE Solar Squirrels Outdoor Statues, Garden Sculptures with Flowerpot Decor & Solar Lantern for Yard Art Lawn Ornaments Porch Patio Balcony - Birthday Gifts for Women Mom

A charming accent that earns its keep after dark

I’m a sucker for outdoor pieces that do more than sit pretty, and the squirrel statue checks that box. It’s a compact resin sculpture of two squirrels perched on “stone” with a small side planter and a solar lantern that kicks on at dusk. On paper it sounds a little kitschy; in person, it’s surprisingly tasteful and genuinely useful for adding a soft glow to a corner of the yard or a patio side table.

Design and build

At 7.1 inches long, 4.4 inches wide, and 15.4 inches tall, the statue’s footprint is modest but its height gives it presence. The resin casting is clean with well-defined features on the squirrels and faux stone base. Paintwork is careful—no sloppy overspray—and the slightly matte finish avoids the plasticky sheen that cheaper garden figures often have. It feels stable and dense enough that it won’t topple in a light gust, but it’s still easy to move around with one hand.

The piece is positioned as both decor and utility: the lantern hangs from a hook above the squirrels, and the planter cup sits off to the side. The arrangement looks balanced rather than tacked-on, which matters if it’s going to live where you actually see it every day.

Materials-wise, it’s UV-resistant, waterproof resin. Mine has handled sun, a couple of steady rains, and an early autumn cold snap without fading, chalking, or hairline cracks. If you’re in a freeze-thaw climate, I’d still consider sheltering it during deep winter to extend its life, but for three-season exposure it’s been unfazed.

Setup and solar performance

Setup is as easy as it gets: remove the lantern’s top, slide the tiny switch to ON, replace it, and set the statue where it’ll get direct sun. The switch is under the lantern’s top cap—a common placement—but easy to miss if you don’t know to look for it. I recommend a full day of charging before expecting proper runtime.

On a clear day with 6–8 hours of sun, I consistently saw 8–10 hours of light after dusk, lining up with the spec. On overcast days it still comes on at night, but runtime drops, as you’d expect. The light is cool white—closer to daylight than warm amber—and casts a soft, even pool rather than a focused beam. Think ambiance, not task lighting. It’s enough to define a path edge, mark a step, or create a welcoming spot on a side table, but it won’t light your entire patio.

The light sensor behaves predictably: it waits for dusk and shuts off automatically at sunrise or when the battery is depleted. No modes or brightness settings here—just on at night, off by day.

The planter: what fits and how to use it

The side planter is small—best for a single 3–4 inch nursery pot or a tight arrangement of succulents. If you’re thinking petunias or a multi-plant mix, scale that expectation down. I had great results dropping in a 3.5-inch pot of compact pink dianthus; it looked proportionate and didn’t overshadow the squirrels.

Drainage matters with any planter this compact. On my unit, there’s a small drain hole, which kept rain from pooling. If you’re using real plants, that hole is critical, both for plant health and to avoid waterlogging the resin cup. If you happen to get a unit without a drain hole, drilling a tiny pilot hole at the lowest point of the cup is a simple fix with a standard bit—resin drills cleanly. For folks who don’t want the maintenance, a faux plant or preserved moss insert looks convincing and avoids watering entirely.

One practical note: because the planter volume is modest, a live plant will dry out quickly in summer sun. Expect to water daily in hot weather or choose drought-tolerant options like sedum, echeveria, or faux greenery.

Placement and presence

This statue works best where its scale and light can do their jobs. I tried it three ways:

• Patio side table: The lantern throws a gentle ring of light that’s perfect for evening tea without competing with other lighting. The piece reads as a centerpiece rather than clutter.
• Garden edge: Nestled into a rock border, it adds a bit of narrative without screaming for attention. The cool white light highlights nearby plants with crisp contrast.
• Porch step: Useful for low-level wayfinding at night. Just make sure the solar panel gets several hours of direct sun; shaded porches will cut the runtime.

Because the light is cool white, it pairs best with other neutral or cool-toned outdoor lighting. If your space is full of warm Edison bulbs, the color temperature mismatch is noticeable. It didn’t bother me in the garden, but on the porch I preferred it set away from my string lights.

Durability and weathering

After several weeks outside, I’m impressed. The UV-resistant finish hasn’t dulled, and rain beads off the resin. The lantern’s metal and plastic top hasn’t corroded, and the hook hasn’t bent or loosened. The piece is heavy enough not to tip in normal wind; I’d still move it out of direct gust lanes if you’re in a particularly windy corridor.

Maintenance is simple: wipe the solar panel with a soft cloth every couple of weeks to keep dust and pollen from cutting charge efficiency. If you’re near trees, give the lantern top a quick clean after leaf fall or heavy pollen days.

Where it shines (and where it doesn’t)

What the squirrel statue does well:
- Delivers exactly the kind of ambient glow you want from a decorative lantern—inviting, not glaring.
- Resists weather, sun, and splash with no drama.
- Adds personality without veering into gaudy, thanks to tidy sculpting and paintwork.
- Provides a functional planter cup that actually fits a common 3–4 inch pot.

What it doesn’t try to do:
- It’s not a bright path light. If you need illumination for stairs or a dark walkway, pair it with dedicated solar path lights.
- It doesn’t have adjustable color or brightness modes.
- The planter won’t support larger annuals or multi-plant displays; it’s a single-plant venue or a faux arrangement spot.

Quibbles and wish list

A few things I’d change if I could:
- Offer a warm white LED option. The current cool white is crisp but won’t match warm patios.
- Mark the ON/OFF switch location on a small tag out of the box. It’s tucked under the lantern top and easy to forget.
- Standardize the planter drainage and call it out clearly. A small drain hole is essential; if it’s present, it should be mentioned prominently.

None of these are dealbreakers, but they’re tweaks that would broaden appeal and reduce user error.

Value

For a weather-ready resin statue with an integrated solar lantern and usable planter, the price lands in the “pleasant surprise” category. It feels more substantial than many decorative solar pieces at similar cost, and the finishing work is better than I expected. The combination of nighttime function and daytime charm makes it easy to justify, especially if you’re gifting it.

Tips for getting the most from it

• Place it where the solar panel sees 5–8 hours of direct sun. Dappled shade will cut runtime.
• Turn the lantern switch ON before first use and give it a full day to charge.
• Clean the solar panel regularly; even a thin film of dust or pollen can shave hours off nighttime performance.
• If planting live greenery, stick to small-rooted, drought-tolerant species, or slip in a nursery pot for easy swaps.
• In harsh winters, store it indoors to extend the finish and prevent freeze stress.

Recommendation

I recommend the squirrel statue for anyone looking to add a playful, well-made accent that provides genuinely useful evening light. It’s sturdy, weather-resistant, and thoughtfully sized for small spaces like porches, balconies, and patio tables. The lantern delivers a soft, cool-white glow that lasts most of the night after a sunny day, and the side planter makes it easy to personalize the look season to season. If you want bright path lighting or insist on warm-white illumination, you’ll need to supplement or look elsewhere. For ambient charm and low-maintenance functionality, though, this piece hits the mark.