Our best overall pick is the Pottery Barn Indoor/Outdoor LED String Lights Strand, which stand out for their durability, energy efficiency, and range of lengths. Here are the best outdoor string lights. The strands are available in three lengths—12, 24, and 48 feet—and strung with LED bulbs, which use less electricity than standard bulbs and last a lifetime. They’re also impact-resistant, and UL listed for permanent outdoor installation, so there’s no need to take them down in the winter. You can link up to 750 feet of these lights to one outlet, giving you enough length to decorate a large outdoor space. We sent these to our tester in the Pacific Northwest, who installed and used them over several weeks in their backyard. “We left these lights up in one of the rainiest, windiest springs we’ve had in the Pacific Northwest. The lights weren’t under cover at all, so they got the full effect of whatever Mother Nature chose to throw at them. On a particularly sunny evening after a nasty week of rain and wind, I walked out and plugged them in again. Voila, gorgeous lights with no problems.” We also found that the lights were heavier than expected, with the setup process requiring more than one person. Once hung, they had a lovely drape effect and exceptional light quality—bright enough to illuminate the space while still providing just the right ambiance for watching a movie on an outdoor screen. These string lights are one of the priciest picks on our list, but given that LED bulbs use less electricity, are impact-resistant, and can be left outside year-round, we think they are well worth the investment. Bulb Type: LED | Number of Bulbs: 12 | Cord Length: 24 | Wattage: Not listed | Power Source: Plug-in Price at time of publish: $89 These inexpensive string lights provide 68 feet of lighted length with 300 mini glass bulbs, all attached to a green wire. They can be used both indoors and outside. And if one bulb burns out, the others stay lit (saving you from having a half-lit strand). You can connect up to three sets of these lights end to end, which is especially convenient for decorating outdoors. Bulb Type: Mini incandescent | Number of Bulbs: 300 | Cord Length: 68 feet | Wattage: 72 | Power Source: Plug-in Price at time of publish: $15 We love that these string lights don’t require any electricity, so you can place them just about anywhere. In fact, the solar panel has a versatile design and can either be clipped to a fence or balcony, or staked in the ground. While testing, we appreciated the “moody lighting” these lights emit, and although they weren’t bright enough to read under, we think that they are great for decor or entertaining purposes. Price at time of publish: $30 Bulb Type: Edison-style LED | Number of Bulbs: 12 | Cord Length: 27 feet | Wattage: 1 | Power Source: Solar One factor to note is these bulbs are a bit dimmer than the others on this list, but this can be part of their appeal. Each 48-foot-long set gives you 15 bulbs (spaced out appropriately), and you can connect up to 12 strands to cover more space. Opting for multiple sets is a great way to offset the brightness issue, giving you the same warm look with a bit more illumination. You can also purchase a separate dimmer by the brand to further customize the light output. We sent these lights to a tester to use in their own yard, where they withstood storms and installation. “The apparent durability went beyond looks; we had no blown bulbs in our two-week testing period despite occasional heavy winds. The bulbs were probably in the most danger during installation when we clinked several on concrete with no damage—an action that would’ve certainly shattered a regular glass bulb,” they noted. Bulb Type: Edison-style LED | Number of Bulbs: 15 | Cord Length: 48 feet | Wattage: 13.5 | Power Source: Plug-in Price at time of publish: $30 There’s so much to love about these outdoor string lights. First, they give off a warm white glow that’s comfortable and welcoming, and the LED bulbs are long-lasting. Additionally, the bulbs are impact-resistant, so they won’t shatter if they’re ever dropped. The whole string is also weather-resistant, so you can use it to decorate your deck, pergola, fence, and more. Bulb Type: Edison-style LED | Number of Bulbs: 24 | Cord Length: 48 feet | Wattage: 3 | Power Source: Plug-in Price at time of publish: $60 These commercial-grade lights are mounted on a heavy-duty wire and give off a soft white glow—perfect for creating your own little outdoor paradise. You can connect up to five strands for more coverage. And though they’re on the more expensive side, you’ll love how these lights look in your yard. Price at time of publish: $70 Bulb Type: Incandescent | Number of Bulbs: 15 | Cord Length: 48 feet | Wattage: 11 | Power Source: Plug-in What gives these lights a fairy-like appearance is their thin wiring that makes them appear as if they’re floating. These lights are weatherproof, but because they’re mounted on copper wires, you should avoid hanging them with any type of metal hook. Overall, these fairy lights are a delicate decoration for any space and an unbeatable value. Price at time of publish: $20 Bulb Type: Micro LED | Number of Bulbs: 300 | Cord Length: 99 feet | Wattage: Not listed | Power Source: Plug-in The battery console for the Koopower lights is water- and dust-proof, allowing you to place it outdoors. And the strand comes with a remote control, so you can easily turn the lights on and off. Or, if you want to make things even easier for yourself, you can use the unit’s built-in timer, which automatically shuts the lights off after six hours. Price at time of publish: $18 Bulb Type: LED | Number of Bulbs: 100 | Cord Length: 36 feet | Wattage: 4.5 | Power Source: 3 AA batteries
Bulb Type
String lights come with a wide variety of bulb types and shapes, but LED bulbs are the most common. These bulbs offer the longest lifespan and best energy savings of any bulb type. However, you’ll still need to decide if you want a bright, vintage light from an Edison-style light bulb or the softer glow of string lights with a globe bulb. For extra durability, some string light bulbs are made of plastic, while others are made of glass and may require a little more cautious care.
Lighting Effects
You don’t have to settle for a steady glow when it comes to outdoor lighting. Many string lights can be used with a dimmer, or they include a remote control that allows you to control various lighting effects. Some strings lights are capable of strobing or flashing effects, and others can twinkle or fade in and out.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance contributor for The Spruce. She’s done firsthand testing of string lights in the past, and she currently owns several sets, which she uses to decorate her patio during the summer. With those logistics out of the way, you might want to hang outdoor string lights between trees or posts in your yard. Other popular options include wrapping lights around deck railings or tree branches or using them to decorate the beams of a deck or pergola. This article was edited and researched by Lily Sperry, a lifestyle writer and commerce editor here at The Spruce. When selecting lights to include, she consulted dozens of reviews from both verified customers and third-party sites. She kept the lights’ overall durability, price point, and design in mind to find the best picks for you.
