Best Outdoor String Lights 2023

The best outdoor string lights are both fashionable and functional, delivering illumination and enhancing the décor of your outdoor spaces all at once. “Outdoor string lights are an excellent option for anyone who needs extra lighting near their backyard, porch, patio or balcony and doesn’t want to rewire or add built-in lighting,” says Mallory Micetich, a home care expert at Angi. Outdoor string lights come in a range of styles and colors, so they’re varied enough to complement any outdoor space and style of patio furniture. The more premium models are durable enough to last for years, too. Our top pick for 2023 is Hampton Bay’s Indoor/Outdoor String Light Set, which offers a whopping 48 feet of twinkling beauty.

The best outdoor string lights can level up the look and feel of any outdoor space. light bulb fairy lights

Best Outdoor String Lights 2023 - Forbes Vetted

If you’re just beginning to shop for outdoor lights, it’s important to consider several factors, namely: cord length, number of bulbs, wattage and, of course, the price tag of each product. Indeed, with so many options available, there’s an option for every budget. Ahead, we’ve done most of the tricky work for you, narrowing down the options so you can get started lighting your outdoor space in no time.

Impart a cool, vintage-inspired look to your backyard with these Edison-style string lights. Featuring a whopping 48 feet of string outfitted with 24 lights, they can also be linked together, giving you plenty of coverage—even in larger outdoor spaces. The lights are also impact- and water-resistant, so users don’t have to stress about them being taken out by a small stray branch during a tough storm. Finally, these bulbs offer 40 lumens of light for a warm—but not too bright—look that won’t wear out over time. (There is, however, a limited lifetime LED warranty, just in case you have an issue.)

Don’t have a plug in close proximity to your patio? Or just prefer to save on electricity? Brightech’s solar-powered string lights are a great option either way. These nifty lights feature 12 LED bulbs that hook up to a solar panel with a simple on/off switch, and you can enjoy up to six hours on one charge (that’s plenty for most nighttime uses). The lightbulbs themselves are weatherproof and shatterproof, which gives peace of mind. They can also withstand temperature ranges of -4 to 122° degrees Fahrenheit, making them a good fit for most climates.

The term “waterproof” is a tricky one, particularly when it comes to outdoor string lights. It’s unlikely you’ll actually dunk your lights into a pool, for instance, but they do need to be able to hold up in the rain. These long lights are double-insulated and weather-resistant, meaning they’ll be good to go even when it’s coming down in buckets. Each bulb features a hanging hook with it for easily installation and they’re compatible with a dimmer switch in case you want to play with the brightness.

Today’s outdoor string lights have come a long way and, with that, it’s unlikely you’ll break a bulb easily. Still, accidents happen and it’s good to have a backup if things go south. The Globe outdoor string lights come with two spare bulbs that can easily be swapped out in case of an issue. If you happen to burn through those (which is unlikely), you can swap in type G40 5-watt incandescent bulbs in the future. Connect up to three strings together for 150 feet of lighting if the need arises. Worth noting: You can also purchase table posts and standing posts if you need to secure your lights.

The Metaku string lights pack a lot of bulbs into a small area—80 in 33 feet, to be exact. They’re battery-powered, so they’re an excellent option for those who’d prefer not to see a cord hanging down (or just don’t have an outlet within reach). Enjoy features like a built-in timer, 10 brightness adjustments and eight lighting modes. It’s all controlled with the help of a petite remote.

Want more color options than just white and yellow? These Hampton Bay lights let you flip between dozens of shades on an app, so you can switch things up whenever you feel the need. Use built-in color combinations like holiday themes or select warm or cool white options and more. Each string set has 12 bulbs on a 24-foot cord, and you can connect up to five of them. The bulbs are also shatter-resistant and all-weather, meaning they can stand up to whatever the weather dishes out. What’s more, these lights are compatible with Google Home and Alexa, so you can adjust the brightness or change colors using just your voice.

Govee’s string lights are packed with features to make controlling your lighting fun. The nifty features can all be managed on the Govee Home app, letting you do things like adjust the brightness, choose different lighting patterns and even control the lights when you’re not home. Best of all, these shatterproof lights sync up with Alexa and Google Assistant. Just flip them on and off or tweak the color with just your voice.

Featuring commercial-grade construction, it’s no surprise Pottery Barn’s lights are so popular—they’re a good, durable option for any kind of patio. Created for permanent installation, these lights offer a “set-it-and-forget-it” situation, and each strand features end-to-end connections, allowing you to link up to an impressive 750 feet of lighting (choose from 12-, 24- and 48-inch lengths). The lights themselves feature shatter-resistant acrylic bulbs that won’t break if they’re dropped or knocked around in windy conditions.

Brightech’s string lights have a sleek look to infuse extra style into your outdoor gathering spaces thanks to cool brass sockets and Edison bulbs. The set features a WeatherTite commercial-grade cord that won’t fray or tear over time. Enjoy 15 bulbs across 48 feet for lighting and flair, and note that each bulb has a loop over top, making it easy to hook them onto just about anything. The lights are dimmable and compatible with smart home appliances, but you will need to buy the dimmer and smart home plug separately.

The Forbes Vetted editors, like all consumers, want products that work efficiently, hold up and help make daily chores a little bit easier. To find the best outdoor string lights, we took our own backyards and patios into consideration. When we evaluate products like best outdoor string lights, we look at all the bells, whistles and functions that make these an ideal addition to an outdoor gathering space. In addition to articles about outdoor products that hold up to weather best, we also written, researched and in some cases, tested a slew of content related to outdoor spaces. This includes input on the best outdoor rugs and the best outdoor speakers for music and ambiance.

We refresh this story regularly and it was last updated August 2023.

We consulted with two home experts to learn about the important features to consider when shopping for outdoor string lights, as well as which elements make certain brands stand out from the rest. We then looked at the most popular models on the market and narrowed the field based on elements like durable construction, style and brightness. Reviews from real owners were also factored in to make sure we had the best understanding of how these lights perform across a range of households.

Experts say that outdoor string lights can be an excellent fit for most outdoor situations. “String lights are great for anyone who plans to entertain outside because they can make any outdoor space feel more cozy,” Micetich says. Here’s what you look for when you shop.

You have options for power in your outdoor string lights. “Typically, outdoor string lights need to be powered by an outlet, but there are some string lights that are available that run off of a battery,” says Aaron Wilson, home appliance expert at JustAnswer. Some outdoor string lights even run on solar power. Just keep in mind that your lighting may not be as consistent or last as long if you use a battery or solar power vs. an outlet.

The vast majority of outdoor string lights have an LED bulb. These bulbs tend to last a long time, making them an excellent choice for most homes. However, there is some variation in the shape of the bulb. In many cases, you’ll have your choice of a rounder “globe” bulb or an Edison bulb, although some lights have a unique elongated shape. The right bulb for you is really a matter of personal choice.

Weather resistance is important for outdoor string lights, given that these sets will be exposed to things like wind, rain, heat and cold. In general, outdoor string lights are designed to be weather resistant. That typically means they can make it through heavy rain and storms with no issues. Another feature to look for is shatter-resistant bulbs—this will come in handy if your lights are tossed around in high winds.

There is variability with brightness for outdoor string lights, with bulb capacity being measured in either lumens or watts. Typically these aren’t the brightest lights you’ll find for your backyard, but outdoor string lights should provide enough illumination for you to see clearly when they’re on. If you want variability with your brightness, consider investing in a smart set like the Govee Outdoor String Lights. They allow you to easily adjust the brightness from your phone or smart home devices.

You’ll find a lot of options in length for outdoor string lights, running from around 12 feet to nearly 100 feet. Many outdoor string lights can be linked together to form larger chains. However, companies will often recommend that you only link a certain number of strings together. Ultimately, you’ll want to measure the space where you plan to use the lights and take things from there.

The string lights themselves usually don’t require much, if any, assembly. But putting them up can take time. Some lights have features like built-in hooks on the bulbs to make it easy to hang them, while others come with hooks you can hang on your wall. Others require you to install your own hooks or poles to place the lights where you want them to go. Consider what you feel comfortable with assembly-wise before deciding on a set and read the fine print.

It really depends on your needs and what type of parties you like to throw. If you like to create a certain mood, consider investing in smart string lights that let you adjust the brightness, pattern and even color. One good option is the Hampton Bay Indoor/Outdoor Color Changing LED String Light, which allows you to choose from millions of colors via an app on your phone. However, more classic outdoor string lights like our top choice, the Hampton Bay 24-Light 48 Foot Indoor/Outdoor String Light, can set a warm ambiance that’s great for dinner parties and other gatherings.

Outdoor string lights typically aren’t designed to work light spotlights. Meaning, the lighting is often dimmer than what you’d get with a lamp. However, you can still get a decent amount of light given off by these lights. The best wattage ultimately depends on your personal needs. Many bulbs are 2 watts or less, and some are adjustable. Don’t be alarmed if you’re interested in a set of lights with 1 watt bulbs—they’ll create more light than you think, especially since there are several strung togethre.

On a basic level, string lights are just what they sound like—a string of lights. Fairy lights are a type of string lights, but have some variation. Fairy lights tend to be smaller than standard string lights, and there are often more lights on a string than sets with more conventional-sized bulbs. While you can string fairy lights across your patio and pergola, they’re typically more for setting a mood or ambiance than providing actual lighting.

It’s not as hard as it may seem, Micetich says. “Installing string lights is a fairly easy project, so you can either install them yourself or bring in a pro to do it for you,” she says. “If you rent your home or only want the string lights for a short amount of time, you can install them using a temporary tool like Command strips. If you want the string lights to be a permanent part of your outdoor space, I recommend installing them with small cup hooks, using natural features in your yard like trees or even stringing them along a fence line.” Some string lights have built-in loops on the bulbs, giving you options for how to arrange them around your backyard.

I'm a reporter on Forbes' money team covering investing trends and Wall Street's difference-makers. I've reported on the world's billionaires for Forbes' wealth team and was previously an assistant editor covering money and markets. I graduated from Duke University in 2019, where I majored in math and was the sports editor for our student newspaper, The Chronicle. Send news tips to htucker@forbes.com.

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Best Outdoor String Lights 2023 - Forbes Vetted