Top Picks for the Best Outdoor String Lights in 2023

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Outdoor string lights are a fantastic way to add charm and light to your backyard or patio. They can make evenings outside more enjoyable and create a cozy atmosphere for gatherings. In this article, we'll explore some of the best outdoor string lights available in 2023. We've picked a variety of styles and types to help you find the perfect lights for your space.

Key Takeaways

Brightown LED Outdoor String Lights are highly recommended for their bright and durable LED bulbs.
Lemontec Commercial Grade Outdoor String Lights are perfect for withstanding harsh weather conditions.
Enbrighten Color-Changing Vintage String Lights offer a fun and customizable lighting experience.
LampLust Mini Lantern String Lights add a charming and decorative touch to any outdoor space.
Twinkle Star 300 LED 99 Ft. Copper Wire String Lights are excellent for creating a magical, starry effect.

Brightown LED Outdoor String Lights

For a classic cafe or bistro lighting look, choose a strand of globe string lights. These outdoor string lights from Brightown not only look stylish but are also a durable and energy-saving option.

The 50-foot strand features 50 plastic LED string lights to provide a shatterproof and low-cost outdoor lighting option. Each bulb uses only 1 watt of energy for beautiful outdoor lighting without a huge electric bill.

Each G40 bulb provides 40 lumens of light with a 2,200K color temperature for a warm wash of light. Users can connect up to seven of these waterproof strands to create a range of pretty outdoor lighting layouts, ideal for outdoor events or entertaining at home.

This is the second Brightown pick that made it into our lineup. The difference between this set and the Best Overall set is that these are made with shatterproof LED globe lights rather than incandescent glass bulbs. As such, they’re well suited for display even in harsh winds and weather. Dropping the string of lights on the concrete from head height didn’t faze them—no cracks and just one tiny scuff that might have already been there.

The acrylic globe lights are as clear as glass, and the LED filaments emit a warm, goldish-yellow luminosity. Like the other Brightown set, these string lights are dimmable—we connected them to a dimmer cord and took them down to barely a glow. Plus, they come with gutter clips for easy hanging on the edge of a rain gutter, cable, wire, or string.

Get the Brightown solar outdoor string lights at Amazon.

Lemontec Commercial Grade Outdoor String Lights

The Lemontec Commercial Grade Outdoor String Lights are a top choice for those seeking durable and bright outdoor lighting. These lights feature a heavy-duty rubber cord that is both substantial and flexible, making it easy to wind around narrow railings or tree branches. The 11-watt incandescent bulbs provide bright illumination, perfect for lighting up large areas like a garage front or driveway.

One of the standout features of these lights is their weather-resistant design. The black rubber cable and glass Edison-style bulbs are built to withstand inclement weather, ensuring long-lasting performance. However, the sockets are spaced three feet apart, which might not suit everyone's taste. Additionally, hooks or nails are required for hanging the lights on a structure, although they can be wound around columns or posts without them.

Key Features

Bulb Type: Incandescent
Number of Sockets: 15
String Length: 48 feet
Connectable: Yes

Pros

Bright 11-watt incandescent bulbs provide ample lighting
Heavy-duty cord ensures long-lasting durability and usage
Expandable cord; can be stretched if necessary

Cons

Sockets are spaced widely; may not suit everyone’s tastes
Requires hooks or nails installed on the structure for hanging
The glass bulbs are not shatterproof

These string lights stood up remarkably well to wet weather with their waterproof and tear-resistant materials for all-season use. Made with insulating layers, they are safe to hang in a variety of climates and temperatures.

Enbrighten Color-Changing Vintage String Lights

The Enbrighten Color-Changing Vintage String Lights are a fantastic choice for those looking to add a splash of color to their outdoor spaces. These lights offer 16 different color options, allowing for up to 120 unique combinations. This makes them perfect for any season or holiday.

The 48-foot strand features 24 Edison-style bulbs, each made from impact-resistant acrylic. These bulbs are designed to withstand heavy-duty use and harsh weather conditions. Despite their durability, they only use 1 watt of power per bulb, making them energy-efficient.

One of the standout features of these lights is the included remote control. This remote allows you to switch between single solid colors, two-color combinations, and various preset color modes. You can easily customize the ambiance to suit your mood or event.

Bulb Type: LED
Number of Sockets: 24
String Length: 48 feet
Connectable: Yes

Pros

Solid acrylic LED bulbs provide ample light
Impact-resistant construction withstands heavy-duty use and weather
Customizable for different ambiances; dimmable by remote
Heavy-duty cord withstands abrasions

Cons

Hooks required for hanging are not included

Enhance the mood for any season or holiday with this set of color-changing string lights. The Enbrighten string lights have 16 color choices that create up to 120 possible combinations, adding a pop of color to any outdoor space.

LampLust Mini Lantern String Lights

The LampLust Mini Lantern String Lights are a charming addition to any outdoor space. These lights feature a delicate, paper-lantern look that adds a touch of elegance to your garden or patio. Each string is 10.5 feet long and includes 12 incandescent bulbs, each surrounded by a white lantern. The warm 2,700K glow creates a cozy atmosphere, perfect for evening gatherings.

Key Features

Bulb Type: Incandescent
Number of Sockets: 12
String Length: 10.5 feet
Connectable: Yes

Pros

Lightweight design makes them easy to install in most places.
Casts a soft, cool light suitable for most spaces.
Connectable strings allow for extended coverage.

Cons

Short string offers limited design options.
No clips included, so they must be taped or tied up.

These lights are perfect for those who want more than the basic string light. The delicate, paper-lantern look adds a decorative flair to any outdoor setting.

Twinkle Star 300 LED 99 Ft. Copper Wire String Lights

The Twinkle Star 300 LED 99 Ft. Copper Wire String Lights are a fantastic choice for adding a magical touch to your outdoor space. These fairy lights are perfect for creating a warm and inviting atmosphere in your garden or patio.

Product Specs

Bulb type: LED
Number of bulbs: 300
String length: 99 feet
Connectable: No

Pros

Remote control for easy ambiance adjustment
Battery-operated, making them versatile and easy to install anywhere
Creates a unique and stunning effect

Cons

Delicate copper wires can tangle easily
Requires 6 AA batteries, which are not included

These lights are ideal for wrapping around trees, bushes, and columns, or for stringing along walls and ceilings. The best effect is achieved by concentrating them in a small space, such as inside a glass vase, to create a romantic centerpiece for an outdoor dinner.

The Twinkle Star lights are water-resistant, so you don't have to worry about them getting wet. They come with eight lighting options, including slow on/off fading effects and solid illumination, making them the star of any nighttime gathering.

Brightown Solar G40 LED String Lights

The Brightown Solar G40 LED String Lights are a fantastic choice for anyone looking to add a touch of magic to their outdoor space. These lights are not only stylish but also durable and energy-efficient.

Key Features

Bulb Type: LED
Number of Sockets: 50
String Length: 50 feet
Connectable: Yes

Pros

Clear, shatterproof acrylic globes withstand weather and long-term use
Warm golden light creates a cozy atmosphere
Compatible with a dimmer; perfect for setting the mood
Comes with 2 extra bulbs for quick replacement

Cons

Cord tangles easily; can be difficult to hang neatly

These lights are perfect for creating a cozy atmosphere for gatherings or relaxing evenings outdoors. The warm golden light adds a magical touch to any setting, making them one of the best outdoor string lights to transform your space.

Brightech Ambience Pro Solar Outdoor String Lights

The Brightech Ambience Pro Solar Outdoor String Lights are a top choice for anyone looking to add a touch of charm to their outdoor space. These lights are solar-powered, meaning you don't need to worry about finding an outlet or changing batteries. The 27-foot strand features 12 shatterproof plastic LED bulbs, each emitting a warm 3,000K light.

Product Specs

Bulb type: LED
Number of sockets: 12
String length: 27 feet
Connectable: No

Pros

No batteries or outlet needed
Very bright compared to similar options
Shatterproof and weatherproof
Attractive Edison-shape bulbs

Cons

Only 12 bulbs; less suitable for covering large areas
No clips for attaching

These lights are perfect for those who want a hassle-free lighting solution. They can be installed anywhere, thanks to the included stake or clip for the solar panel. The lights need about 6 hours of direct sunlight to power the bulbs for 6 hours, but in our experience, they lasted up to 10 hours on a single charge.

These lights are ideal for creating a cozy atmosphere in your backyard or patio, making them perfect for contemporary / modern lighting setups.

The Brightech Ambience Pro lights are also durable, withstanding rain, snow, heat, and winds up to 50 miles per hour. They even survived a drop test without any cracks. If you're looking for reliable, bright, and stylish outdoor string lights, these are a fantastic option.

Banord 102 Ft. Outdoor String Lights

The Banord 102 Ft. Outdoor String Lights are perfect for large spaces like backyards or big events. These lights feature 34 S14 Edison-style bulbs that give off a warm, golden light. The bulbs are dimmable, so you can adjust the brightness to fit the mood.

Product Specs

Bulb type: LED
Number of sockets: 34
String length: 102 feet
Connectable: Yes

Pros

Produces a warm, golden light with dimmable bulbs for ample adjusting
Shatterproof and waterproof for long-lasting use
Cord comes with replaceable fuse and a spare bulb

Cons

No clips for attaching; installation could be easier

These durable lights are weatherproof and impact-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about them easily breaking if they fall onto the ground or get caught in a storm.

You can connect up to 12 strands if you need more length, making it easy to create a striking lighting layout. The heavy-duty strand is built to last, making it a great choice for year-round use.

Feit Electric Heavy-Duty Indoor Outdoor String Lights

The Feit Electric Heavy-Duty Indoor Outdoor String Lights are a top choice for those seeking durability and performance. These lights come with 24 LED bulbs spread across a 48-foot string, making them perfect for both small and large outdoor spaces. The heavy-duty cord is made from thick, flexible rubber, ensuring it can withstand various weather conditions.

Key Features

Bulb Type: LED
Number of Sockets: 24
String Length: 48 feet
Connectable: Yes

Pros

Heavy, durable cord that withstands weather and heavy-duty use
Edison-style bulbs create a great atmosphere with a bright gold color
Includes 2 extra bulbs in case of breakage

Cons

Wide space (24 inches) between sockets and no clips for hanging

The Feit lights survived both the rainstorm and our drop test and kept working. They offer a hint of light that’s soft and soothing when dimmed, making them versatile for different settings.

These lights are also expandable, allowing you to connect up to 23 additional sets for a total length of 552 feet. This makes them ideal for larger areas that need more illumination. The Feit Electric String Lights are a reliable and stylish option for any outdoor setting.

OxyLED 2-Pack Battery-Operated LED String Lights

The OxyLED 2-Pack Battery-Operated LED String Lights are a versatile and convenient option for any outdoor space. Battery-powered outdoor string lights are easy to install and maintain, making them perfect for small apartment balconies or spacious backyards. Each pack includes two strings, each 49 feet long, with 50 LED bulbs per string. These lights run on three AA batteries per strand, which are not included.

Product Specs

Bulb type: LED
Number of sockets: 50 per string (2 strings included)
String length: 49 feet each
Connectable: No

Pros

Soft, white light to create a bright ambient glow
Remote control, plus timer for adjustable use
No outlet needed (battery operated); runs off of AA batteries
Multiple lighting patterns to choose from

Cons

Does not come with clips for hanging
Not bright enough to illuminate a large area

These lights are better suited as groupings to create a pleasing effect rather than for reading late at night. They provide a gentle glow that enhances the ambiance of any outdoor space.

Brighten up your home with the OxyLED 2-Pack Battery-Operated LED String Lights! These lights are perfect for adding a warm, cozy glow to any room or outdoor space. Easy to install and battery-operated, they offer a hassle-free lighting solution. Don't miss out on our limited-time offer!

Conclusion

In 2023, outdoor string lights have proven to be a fantastic way to enhance your outdoor spaces, making them more inviting and enjoyable. Whether you're hosting a party, having a quiet evening, or just adding some charm to your backyard, the right string lights can make all the difference. From solar-powered options to battery-operated sets, there's something for every need and preference. Remember to consider factors like power source, bulb type, and durability when choosing the best lights for your space. With the variety of styles and features available, you're sure to find the perfect set to brighten up your outdoor area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these string lights waterproof?

Yes, most of the string lights listed are waterproof and can withstand rain and other weather conditions. Always check the product specifications for confirmation.

Can I connect multiple sets of string lights together?

It depends on the specific string lights. Some models allow you to connect multiple sets, while others do not. Be sure to read the manufacturer's guidelines.

Do these lights come with replacement bulbs?

Some of the string lights come with replacement bulbs, but not all. It's a good idea to check the product details to see if replacement bulbs are included.

How do I install outdoor string lights?

Installation varies by product, but generally, you can hang them using hooks, clips, or zip ties. Make sure to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer.

Are there battery-operated options available?

Yes, there are battery-operated string lights available, such as the OxyLED 2-Pack Battery-Operated LED String Lights. These are great for areas without power outlets.