The manuscript presents an analysis of the single wall carbon nanohorns (SWCNH) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) decorated counter electrodes for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) application. The systematic catalytic activity and electrochemical performance of the SWCNH and GNP are also studied. SWCNH loaded DSSC showed higher photovoltaic conversion efficiency (4.09%) than the GNP (3.13%) which is attributed to higher average surface roughness area, lower series, charge transfer resistance and electrolyte diffusion impedance values. In addition, the conversion efficiencies increase with higher load of SWCNH up to 3.0 mg. Therefore, the SWCNH material has great potential for application as low-cost counter electrode material for reduction of iodide/tri-iodide redox couple in dye sensitized solar cells. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.