The Best Outdoor String Lights That Transform Backyards And Patios

Forbes

2 days ago

As days grow shorter and darker, it's a good idea to invest in outdoor lights. These popular accessories don't require any major installation or rewiring, and they add a lovely decorated feel to any space. The best outdoor string lights offer even more: They're reliably bright and durable enough to withstand the occasional storm without damage. Our top pick for 2025, the Hampton Bay 24-Light 48 Foot Indoor/Outdoor String Light Set, is both stylish and practical, featuring shatterproof bulbs that come with a lifetime warranty.
The best outdoor string lights are durable and add ambience to any yard, deck or patio. ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: GETTY
Whether you have a sprawling backyard or a compact balcony, the right lighting can completely shift the mood. 'Adding outdoor string lights is a complete game-changer,' says interior and exterior designer Jen Sarantakis. 'They immediately transform your outdoor space from boring to brilliant, making it entertaining, welcoming and bright.' Read on for the best outdoor string lights to reinvent your outdoor space and last you for many nights to come.
Number of bulbs: 24 | Bulb type: Edison | Cord length: 48 feet | Wattage: 40 lumens | Power source: Electric | Weather-resistant: Yes
Pros: Warm light
Shatter-resistant
Limited lifetime warranty
Cons:
These stylish string lights feature a classic Edison-bulb design to brighten any yard, deck or patio. The 48-foot strand holds 24 bulbs and can be linked with up to 11 additional strings on a single outlet, making it easy to customize for any outdoor space. The LED bulbs cast a warm white glow—2200K on the Kelvin scale—which Sarantakis recommends for creating an inviting, ambient feel.
Made from weather-resistant plastic, the bulbs won't shatter in wind or rain. One drawback: the lights are on the brighter side and lack remote-controlled dimming, so you'll be working with a single brightness setting.
Number of bulbs: 12 | Bulb type: LED | Cord length: 27 feet | Wattage: 1 watt | Power source: Solar | Weather-resistant: Yes
Pros: Wind and waterproof
2-year warranty
Available in three cord lengths
Cons:
If you like the idea of never swapping batteries or searching for a nearby outlet, a solar-powered set like this is a smart choice. Highly rated for its heavy-duty build, long lifespan and overall reliability, it features a detachable solar panel with a 1,000-charge lifespan—roughly 2.5 years of use. The shatterproof plastic bulbs can handle heat, rain and even winds up to 50 mph.
These lights cast a soft 3000K glow and can run for up to six hours on a full charge. They also come with a 2-year limited warranty. The main drawback here is brightness; many owners note that the light output is on the dim side, and can vary depending on how much sun the panel gets.
Number of bulbs: 30 | Bulb type: Edison | Cord length: 96 feet | Wattage: 11 | Power source: Solar, electric | Weather-resistant: Yes
Pros: Remote controllable
Double-insulated protection
Solar and USB options
Cons: Feedback varies on long-term durability
If your outdoor space sees more rain than sun, you'll need string lights that can handle a good soaking. This set is rated IP65 waterproof, meaning it can shrug off water from any direction—just don't toss it in the pool. It's designed to work with both solar power and USB charging, giving you reliable illumination whether the skies are cloudy or clear. A handy remote lets you tweak the brightness, set timers and choose between three modes: steady glow, flashing or a slow 'breathing' effect. Reviewers love the flexibility of having both solar and electric power options, as well as the convenience of remote controls. The one trade-off? The bulbs are spaced farther apart than some might like, so the look may not suit every style.
Brightown Decor
Number of bulbs: 20 | Bulb type: LED | Cord length: 7 feet | Wattage: 5 | Power source: Battery | Weather-resistant: Yes
Pros: Waterproof
Cool to the touch
Bendable wire
Cons:
For a daintier look that's great for outdoor dining set-ups and window wrapping, these fairy lights can go from indoors to outdoors seamlessly. Sarantakis personally recommends these lights for being stylish, waterproof and budget-friendly. '[They] can be used in trees and branches to create a romantic, ethereal draping,' she suggests.
These string lights are short at just seven feet long, but each purchase comes with a pack of 12 so they can be grouped together or spread out, depending on your design choice. Each set is battery-powered and offers a flexible string that's easy to wrap around structures or reshape to fit your outdoor oasis. The LED bulbs are also long-lasting, designed to withstand up to two years of regular usage. Just keep in mind that battery life varies, and you may have to keep up with replacing them often if you use the lights regularly.
Number of bulbs: 80 | Bulb type: LED | Cord length: 33 feet | Wattage: 5 | Power source: Battery | Weather-resistant: Yes
Pros: Adjustable settings via remote
Timer option
Waterproof
Cons:
There are a few benefits to choosing battery-powered string lights over electric or solar, including increased convenience and flexibility. 'There are no outlets to deal with,' Sarantakis says. '[You can] get creative and add them to enhance any and every area you want to in your backyard—from the back porch, bushes and treehouse, to even the dog house.'
This string light set makes creativity effortless, thanks to its battery-powered build, waterproof design and several size options available. The lights can be controlled via the included remote, which allows users to customize brightness settings, built-in timers and lighting modes like twinkle, slow glow and flash. The only downside—which Sarantakis notes is common with most battery-powered models—is it's not as durable as many plug-in models, and batteries need to be changed regularly.
Number of bulbs: 12 | Bulb type: LED | Cord length: 24 feet | Wattage: Not listed | Power source: Electric | Weather-resistant: Yes
Pros: App-controlled
Several color options
Shatterproof bulbs
Cons:
If you're serious about curating the vibes of your outdoor space, a smart set of string lights might be the way to go. This model is Wi-Fi enabled, allowing you to control settings from the accompanying app and even through voice control. The lights come with a whopping 56 color options to toggle between, plus six shades of white light and several combinations. You can also adjust dimming and speed settings to best suit each individual occasion.
One set of lights consists of 24 feet and 12 lights, but it's possible to connect multiple strings, adding to up to 96 feet to suit larger outdoor spaces as well. Owners have praised the functionality and customization of these lights, especially in the case of holiday decorating. Just keep in mind that this set doesn't include any on/off switch or remote control, so it's only suited to folks who own and regularly use a smartphone.
The home team at Forbes Vetted is committed to scouting out the best products to help you make the most of your outdoor space, from the best outdoor sofas to the best patio umbrellas. Monica Petrucci is the author of this piece and a commerce writer who's extensively covered home topics for Forbes Vetted. She's researched and tested hundreds of products in the home space, from outdoor rugs to flat-top grills.
For this article, we tapped the expertise of Jen Sarantakis, founder and interior designer at Jennifer Sarantakis, Inc. She offered insight about how to enhance your outdoor space with string lights, as well as which materials and varieties distinguish the most high-quality options.
The Forbes Vetted team is serious about providing the most helpful and relevant information to our readers. We refresh our content regularly; this article was last updated in August 2025.
We evaluated dozens of the most highly rated outdoor string lights on the market, making sure to prioritize features that indicate longevity and durability. We made sure to include a diverse range of outdoor string light options, featuring everything from plug-in and solar to battery-powered options to suit all spaces and preferences.
We prioritized features outlined by Sarantakis, including shatterproof bulbs, warm white colors that fall between 2200 and 3000 on the Kelvin scale and water-resistant features.
We scoured through consumer reviews, taking note of any common praises or complaints of the product and making note of them in our descriptions.
We prioritized products with the strongest feedback from owners, only including light sets with a minimum 4-star rating.
It's important to take a few key features into consideration when deciding on the best outdoor string lights to best serve your space and lifestyle. Power Source
There are three main power sources to choose from when it comes to outdoor string lights: Electric, battery and solar. Traditional electric string lights are the most common and require the least amount of maintenance, but they require maneuvering with outside power outlets.
Battery-powered lights solve this issue, offering more freedom when it comes to light placement, but they can be expensive as regular battery replacement is required. Finally, solar-powered lights alleviate both of these issues, merely requiring sunlight exposure for hours of power. However, results can be inconsistent and are highly reliant on weather. Bulb Type
Most modern string lights feature LED bulbs, which are a top pick for safety and longevity. From there, you'll have to decide on the style of bulb you're looking for. Small bulbs offer a fairy light vibe, while larger Edison-style or round bulbs deliver a more vintage look.
Shoppers should then consider the colors available on the bulb—including their temperature on the Kelvin scale—to determine the look and feel of the lights. Finally, take note of the wattage count and the number of lumens to distinguish brightness (Sarantakis recommends anywhere from 200-400 lumens for design purposes). Weather Resistance
Sarantakis emphasizes the importance of shopping for outdoor string lights that specifically emphasize their weather resistance. 'A high-quality set of outdoor lights will be constructed of better and stronger materials,' she says. 'There will be more refinement and details in the design, and will hold up better in inclement weather.'
Look for string lights labeled as wind and water resistant as well, as those protective features contribute to their durability. Length/Number Of Bulbs
Consider the size of your outdoor space and how you'd like to hang your lights before deciding on the length of a string light set.
Sarantakis recommends shopping for anything in the range of 20-80 bulbs in one set, ranging anywhere from 20 to 200 feet, 'depending on the length of your backyard, [and] if you want to do back-and-forth zigzag pattern.'
Which Outdoor Lights Last The Longest?
Any outdoor string lights with LED bulbs offer the most longevity when it comes to regular usage. Solar powered lights offer additional durability, as they don't rely on batteries or wires that can diminish longevity.
How To Choose The Right Outdoor String Lighting?
It's important to consider the outdoor area you're looking to use and how often you plan to use the lights before making a decision. This will determine the style, length and power source that best suits your space.
What Is The Best Lumens Level For Outdoor String Lights?
According to Sarantakis, the ideal lumens range depends on the use case of the lighting. 'For security purposes, the lumens range is 400-800 lumens, and for architectural landscaping purposes and pathway lighting the lumens range should be 200-400,' she says.