Entertaining in an outdoor space is one of the most enjoyable ways to pass the time. Without adequate mood lighting though the evening can quickly turn into a disaster.
A set of string lights provides illumination and jazzes up your plain, basic patio, or backyard into an ambient place. Whether it’s an arrangement of tiny fairy lights or a roof of vintage Edison bulbs, when it comes to decorating with string lights, the possibilities are endless.
In today’s post, we’re reviewing the finest outdoor string lights of 2025. From classic globe lights to tiny fairy lights, we’ve laid out the leading options so you can decide which ones are right for your backyard. If you’re still unsure, we’ve included a helpful buyer’s guide so you can find a set of gorgeous lights to match your home’s aesthetics.
The Twinkle Star Outdoor String Lights are an excellent choice for any indoor or outdoor home, wedding, party, festival, or holiday décor. Made of heavy-duty unique apple-shaped 10 LED string lights, they’re sure to light up any area in a vibrant and festive way. What sets apart these string lights from the competition is the great quality and convenience associated with them. The bulb spacing is 7.5 inches, providing enough space between each light to ensure an even spread of light throughout the area.
They’re battery-operated and require two AA batteries, making them ideal for those who don’t have a plug socket handy. Since they come in a durable PVC box, you can be certain your lights will be safe and secure while in storage or during transportation. These lights are also incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of settings. Whether you’re looking for decorations for your bedroom, wedding venue, holiday dinner party, or commercial building, these best overall string lights are perfect for all types of décor.
The Brightown Outdoor String Lights have a classic globe-shaped design. Containing five 1.5-inch glass bulbs spaced 12 inches apart, these lights are installed on candelabra socket bases and have a 6-inch lead ending in a male plug. The entire setup is completely waterproof and a UL certification backs its weather-resistance. These lights can easily hold their own against rain, wind, heat and snow. But if any of the bulbs give out, there are two spare ones included in the package. Emitting a warm and inviting glow, these outdoor string lights can quickly transform any atmosphere. We awarded this light strand as one of the best picks for its aesthetic appearance, weatherproofing and energy-saving properties.
The Sorillo Outdoor String Lights are a great option for those looking to light up the holidays. With these lights, you’ll be sure to add a festive touch to your indoor and outdoor decor. Each set comes with an impressive 21.5-foot long green wire, with 2.5-inch spacing between each bulb, resulting in an even distribution of lights. The bulbs themselves are incandescent, adding a warm and inviting glow to any setting.
The white colors in the light set make them especially versatile, meaning you can use them to light up any space you wish, from Christmas trees to windows. The bulbs remain lit even if one should burn out; no need to search for the culprit! Every set also includes a replacement bulb and fuse in case something goes wrong during installation or usage. You can link up to five sets in total to achieve the desired effect, all while being UL-certified safe.
The MUMUXI Outdoor String Lights are a great way to add some extra sparkle and style to any home or party. This pack of 12 comes with 7.2 feet of 20 battery-operated fairy lights, allowing for plenty of coverage for any event or room. The lights themselves are made from high-quality silver wire and LED bulbs that can last up to 20 years, offering an impressive amount of illumination for years to come.
These lights come with replaceable batteries and a tiny on/off switch to make it easy to use them to quickly adjust the ambiance of any space. With its low voltage, these battery fairy lights are completely safe to use, either indoors or outdoors. With the included batteries, they can stay lit for over 50 hours, adding a cozy atmosphere wherever they are placed.
Our next pick is also a set of globe-shaped string lights, but these are smaller in size and more affordable. The RaThun Outdoor String Lights contain 100 individual LED lights installed over 49 feet of string. Also available in a 200-light variation, you can choose the length that fits your yard. Plus, you can also choose between the plug-in and battery-operated models. Unlike our top pick, these light bulbs are made of plastic, which is more durable and keeps the lights cool to the touch. These string lights can switch between eight lighting modes with the press of a button and they’re IP44 rated for water resistance.
If you’re looking for a strand of fairy lights to decorate your outdoor living space, you can’t go wrong with the SANJICHA Outdoor String Lights. This light strand measures 82 feet in total with 66 feet dedicated to twinkle lights. An excellent choice for decorative accent lighting, this outdoor light strand contains eight lighting modes. You can set it to remain steady on, flash, slow fade, slow glow, chase, waves, sequence or combination. All of this is possible with the press of a single button!
If you’re looking to combine illumination with decoration, the addlon Outdoor String Lights have your back. This lighting strand features vintage 11-watt Edison bulbs that are incandescent with crystal clear glass to provide an exceptionally bright light. These string lights are powerful enough to illuminate the area they’re installed in. The cord is 48 feet in total with 15 bulbs placed every 3.1 feet apart. Emitting a welcoming yellow glow that instantly transforms the appearance of your patio, backyard or garden, you can rest assured these lights are just what you’ve been looking for. Plus, these string lights are waterproof and UL certified for weather resistance.
Adding more ambiance to your outdoor space is very easy with the Lightdot Outdoor String Lights. With shatterproof plastic bulbs and an IP65 rating, these bistro-style lights are as practical as they are beautiful. We love them for their ability to bathe any outdoor area in a warm, welcoming glow. The set consists of 48 feet of durable black wire with 15 high-transparency LED bulbs hanging from it. You can choose to purchase a longer length or link up to 20 strands together for a fully lit backyard. This set is backed by strong customer support and comes with a three-year warranty.
String lights can quickly transform a dull outdoor space into a festive destination. But for this to happen, you need the right strand of lights. Not sure what to look for? Here’s a buyer’s guide to help you find the right lighting to brighten your outdoor living space.
Here are some features that you should look for in a strand of outdoor lights:
The most important consideration in any outdoor light is its weather resistance. Since these lights are exposed to the elements on a regular basis, it’s important to choose a set that can stand up to adverse weather conditions such as rain, heavy winds, and snow. The best way to do this is to check the product’s specifications before purchase.
Make sure the lights are intended for outdoor use as using indoor lights in an outdoor setting may be a fire hazard.
The next important consideration is water resistance. Waterproof lights feature watertight seals that help protect the delicate electrical components from direct exposure to water. This is the feature that helps outdoor lights stay functional even during the heaviest rain.
You also need to consider the style and type of bulbs installed on the string. You can go for cute bulbs or dramatic bulbs — both are great choices and entirely depend on your personal preference.
Fairy lights not only look cute, they also make your outdoor area look magical. These tiny-sized bulbs look like fireflies shimmering on a wire and are a great choice for draping over fences or tree branches.
The spherical globe bulbs are available in a variety of sizes and are intended mostly for decorative purposes. Although you can also use them for illumination.
Edison-style bulbs create an ambient glow, giving your backyard a vintage look. You can also choose to purchase the LED variation for energy-saving benefits.
Lantern string lights feature paper, nylon, or plastic lanterns hanging on a string. They come in different colors and patterns so you can create a festive atmosphere.
You should look at all the types carefully and choose the one that suits your needs and overall style preference.
Brightness and color temperature determine how your outdoor string lights will look. Brightness is determined by the number of lumens. The more the lumens the brighter the lighting effect. String lights come in a vast range of 5 to 100 lumens.
Light color temperature is measured on a Kalvin (K) scale, which determines how warm or cool the lights appear. The low number of Ks means the lights are warmer, while a higher number means that the lights will appear cooler.
Outdoor string lights are categorized into three types: plug-in, battery-powered and solar-powered. They are differentiated according to their source of power. Let’s have a look at each of them.
This type of outdoor string light relies on your home’s power supply system to obtain electricity. They come with an electrical plug that you have to plug into a wall socket. Keep in mind that in an outdoor setting, plug-in lights may limit where you can string the lights up.
These outdoor string lights are a great option if you don’t have an electrical outlet nearby. These light strands need about two to six batteries to work. Since they are not limited to an electrical outlet, you can easily arrange them in a decorative manner anywhere in your yard.
Solar-powered string lights are by far the most suitable option for any outdoor setup. They come with a solar panel to create electricity. All you have to do is place it in a spot where it receives lots of sunlight to charge the battery. Once charged, the lights come on automatically when it starts getting dark. Most solar-powered string lights remain lit for about six to eight hours.
Yes, outdoor string lights are a surefire way of increasing the ambience of your outdoor space with minimal energy expense.
If installed and taken care of properly, your outdoor string lights will last up to five years. With continuous use, most LED string lights will deliver up to 50,000 hours of bright illumination.
We suggest getting white lights for your patio. Not only are they the brightest, they also have a glowing tinge that makes them appear natural and inviting.