The Best Outdoor String Lights – Everything You Need to Know

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Once you have your patio all set up, the lighting is one thing that many people often neglect. Better lighting can not only make your patio look better, but it serves as an accessory that makes the décor pop. The best outdoor string lights are stylish, and they add some versatility when it comes to placement around your patio.

With this review, we look at the top outdoor string lights. With so many options on the market, it is easy for many people to get confused and select something that they don’t like. This guide will give you some of the critical features we used for choosing them as well as review which of them are the best.

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The 3 Best Strings Lights Available Today

Best Outdoor String Lights On The Market Today - My 6 Choices

Before getting into the top features, most people are eager to find the right lighting for their homes. We have selected 6 of the top options that will ensure you spice up your home. 

Most of them are easy to set up, reducing the need for you to have a professional assist you. However, a professional assistant can help you avoid issues and malfunctions.

Lemontec Commercial Grade Outdoor String Lights – Best Outdoor String Lights

The first option on our list is the Lemontec Commercial Grade Outdoor String Lights. With these lights, you will receive 15 lights evenly spaced out on a 48-foot string to ensure that you get lighting everywhere. Each lamp is spaced out approximately 3-feet, giving you a lot of space you can cover with one strand.

One of the top features is the ability to change the lighting settings to your needs. While most of the lights are bright, users can now also change it to the dimmer setting when they feel they need some sort of ambiance. If you were worried about safety, the lights are compliant with North American Safety standards.

When it comes to downsides, these lights have very few. They work well outdoors and can endure some cold and wet weather conditions. The setup is smooth without any specialized tools needed. However, it can be expensive when you need to replace them. In terms of durability, they work for an extended period when used often.

These lights are not expensive, as many people might have thought. The manufacturer will add a 3-year warranty to give you peace of mind. However, you are responsible for globes that stop working or need to be replaced.

We also recommend stringing the line in a straight pattern to avoid potential damages when it bends.

Pros
  • Meets ETL safety standards
  • Includes 15 lights
  • Durable for all weather conditions
  • Comes with a 3-year warranty
Cons
  • Replacing bulbs can be expensive

Brightech Ambience Pro Outdoor String Lights – The Best High-End Lights

Brightech is a well-known brand that has been around for quite some time. The company is popular for its durability and making lights that work in all weather conditions. One of our favorites is the Brightech Ambience Pro Outdoor String Light. The strings are 48-feet long, and all the lights are 11-watt when it comes to power.

Once again, you will be receiving 15 lights that are evenly spread out at 3-feet apart. Weathertite Technology is prevalent in the housing cases of the lighting feature. The feature ensures that none of the weather conditions can penetrate your lighting. Keep in mind that they have been tested to withstand up to 50 MPH winds as well.

While you can connect up to 8 additional strands of these lights to ensure you have the right lighting, it makes it harder to space them out evenly. If the lights are not spaced out consistently, you might have a few electrical glitches. We would recommend that you have a professional assist you in the setup.

These lights are relatively expensive, but with all the different tech features they have, it is worth noting that you will get the value for your money. A decent warranty also covers the lights when the wind might accidentally sever the lines.

We would recommend them to homes that need lighting outdoors in an uncovered patio.

Pros
  • Multiple light settings
  • Waterproof
  • Windproof
  • Easy to set up on your own
Cons
  • Not ideal for connecting more than one strand
  • Expensive

Lampat 25Ft G40 Globe String Lights – Best Budget String Lights

If you need something more fundamental, the Lampat 25Ft G40 Globe String Lights are more frequent and more comfortable to handle. The strand is only 25-feet long and comes with 25 bright bulbs that have been each spaced out up to 12-inches. It can be a daunting set of lighting to set up if you don’t have any experience in these things.

Once you have the main plug connected, you can fit up to 6 strands of lights or your entire patio. However, the 25 lights that you already receive should be more than enough to keep you completely lit up. We also like the idea of these lights being shaped to mold to the shape that you need for your specific home.

Unfortunately, you don’t have any settings that allow you to change all of the lighting colors and warmth. However, the standard lighting on them is made to create a decent ambiance. Should the lights need to be replaced, you can easily find some replacement bulbs at any retail store that sells lighting gear.

As mentioned, one of the best parts of these lights is the price. They are very affordable but does not have the durability as many of the others. The lights should not be set up in areas that have too much wind.

Fortunately, you have a 1-year warranty to keep you protected and to replace any of the damages to these lights.

Pros
  • Warm ambiance light color
  • Affordable
  • Easy to set up
  • Connects up to six strands
Cons
  • Not suitable for adverse conditions

Outdoor Lighting Store 50ft Black String Lights – Best Outdoor String Lights For Patios

When it comes to gear like lights, there is a multitude of different brands, making it hard for many people to find a reliable set. However, Outdoor Lighting Store is one of the most reputable brands on the market today. The Outdoor Lighting Store 50ft Black String Lights are constant for all weather conditions and settings.

The strand is 50-feet long, making it one of the longest strands that you will find. Lights are close to one another, with 60 lights being placed on the 50-foot strand. However, you receive an additional ten bulbs that enable you to make the right replacements when needed. They are light on your power bill at only 5-watts per light.

The unit includes one additional socket that can be used if you need to extend the lighting that you currently have. In total, you can have up to 100-feet with 100 lighting bulbs working at the same time. Replacing any of the broken bulbs is easy, and you won't need to put in too much effort to have the set up either.

Since the brand is well known, it might be a bit expensive to buy the first strand. However, these lights are bound to last you a couple of years. Additionally, you receive a limited 2-year warranty that will add some peace of mind. The warranty will cover any water and wind damage that the elements might force upon the lights.

Pros
  • 50 lights on one strand
  • Easy to set up
  • Can be extended to 100-feet
  • Comes with a 2-year warranty
  • 5-watt lights
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Only allows the connection of one additional strand

Mikikin Globe String Lights – Best RC string Lights

Nowadays, we can control everything from the comfort of a seat. However, most string lights still need to be operated from the switch. The Mikikin Globe String Lights offer you a remote control that makes it much easier to navigate the settings. You will receive a 49-foot strand that contains 100 lights that can be entirely operated.

The lights feature eight different modes that allow the user to choose between the saturation and brightness. Features like fade can be added to lights when you need to create an ambiance. The remote control has a full 360-degree reception and can be used for up to 20-meters. An energy-saving mode will allow you to reduce energy usage.

One of the top features is the copper design for the strand that contains the lights. The copper strand ensures that you don’t need to deal with connectivity issues when you have them set up. Unfortunately, you cannot replace the bulbs once they burn out. However, they have a decent life that should last you a couple of years.

As for the price, it is worth noting that these lights are affordable. The lights can be used in any weather conditions that will ensure that wind does not damage them. Additionally, they should work well in wet conditions.

However, it is not recommended to be used in a downpour. These are the perfect RC lights for you to control.

Pros
  • Durable construction
  • Remote control enabled
  • Features 8 different settings
  • Long-lasting
  • Affordable
Cons
  • Bulbs that burn out cannot be replaced

Govee Outdoor String Lights – Best Smart String Lights

In the modern era, we are all gravitating towards something unique or different from that of our peers. The Govee Outdoor String Lights are some of these lights with a completely different texture and method of operation. Much like the previous set, these lights can be operated from your mobile device instead of remote control.

You have access to seven different modes with these lights, allowing you to set them up to the temperature and lighting requirements you will use. Since they have multiple Smart Features, one can synchronize the lights to work with your music that is playing in the background. The colors are also part of the sync process.

It is hard to find any real issues with these lights, aside from the fact that they are only 33-feet. You might need to have a couple of them, and with the app, it can be confusing to operate them all. Fortunately, you can connect many lights to the app. The application is also free to use with the purchase of these lights.

Unfortunately, these are some of the expensive string lights on the market today. While they are perfect for all gatherings and the lights won’t let you down, you might need to consider having a few backups for rainy days. The Govee Outdoor String Lights are the perfect lights for those that are building smart homes.

Pros
  • Smart Connectivity
  • Includes a free App
  • Easy to set up
  • 24-hour customer support
Cons
  • Expensive

Which Features Are Important When Buying Outdoor String Lights?

best way to string lights on an outdoor tree

Not all string lights are the same. As you might have seen, we have selected a variety of different lights that will make your life easier. However, there are a few universal features that we try to look for.

If you can find this in your lighting setup, you have a quality product. Here are some of these essential features to help you.

1. Length And Light Correlation

Since you will need a long strand, if you want to have more lights, it is crucial to look at the correlation between the length and the lights. You need to consider how many lights you have per feet.

For many string lights, you will find them evenly spaced out at two or three feet. However, it can also be spaced out farther.


2. Durability

As the name of the article suggests, these lights will commonly be used outdoors, which means that they need to resist some of the elements.

While we cannot state that the lights will withstand a downpour when they are switched on, you need to make sure they can resist a little wind. If they can handle a light rain, it is another benefit.


3. Method of Control

Most string lights are controlled using a simple switch that is located at the end of the strand. However, the modern manufacturer has seen the importance of giving you remote control.

Most remote control lights are slightly more expensive, but it is easier to control your lights. If you can control it with your mobile device, that is better.


4. Safety Features

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The safety features are hard to come by. However, if you have a light that is UL-L​​​​isted, you are on the right track.

The safety features will ensure that you are protected at all times when there are thunderstorms, and they will not pose a fire hazard. It can be very daunting to put out a full electrical fire.

Which One Is The Best Outdoor String Light?

To conclusively state that one of these lights is the best is not that easy. While they all have a place on the list, you can be sure of the Lemontec Commercial Grade Outdoor String Lights. These lights are not expensive, but they can work for you in almost any weather condition. The only downside is the replacement bulb prices.

Lemontec Commercial Grade Outdoor String Lights with 15 Hanging Sockets - 48 Ft Black Weatherproof...*
  • Give your surrounding a whole new look- Whether it is cafe lightening or holiday lightening our heavy duty outside lights with black casing is the perfect accessory you`ve been missing! This string light features 15 clear 11-watt incandescent light bulb on a 48-foot long industrial strand.
  • Ruggedly built to last- Our string lights are constructed with durable waterproof materials that won`t wear or tear as you use it continuously all year round.
  • Easy to install- This string light features 3ft of spacing between each bulb. Just connect up to 2 strands end to end, then custom arranges your lights from the tree or in a chandelier-style cluster.
  • Multi use with different lightening modes- Turn your porches, pergolas, patios, gazebos, wedding reception, nighttime celebrations, romantic dinner for two into a whole new world.
  • ETL listed-compliance to North American safety standards. RISK-FREE PURCHASE- We have absolute faith in this string lights! Some of us even use it ourselves. These lights come with a full 3-year. If anything goes wrong, kindly contact us for a replacement or full refund, no questions asked!

Wrap-Up

With Christmas around the corner, the best outdoor string lights can light up your home and give you the perfect ambiance. They are not expensive and change the whole complexion of your home with excellent lighting.

Let us know which of these lights you like and if we missed any of your favorites.

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