When it comes to patio lighting, outdoor string lights can quickly turn an outdoor patio from ordinary to extraordinary. Whether you’re looking for traditional elegance with warm globe lights or a more festive design with some multi-colored lanterns lights, there are options for every taste. Plus, with the large variety of colors, styles and lengths to choose from there is nothing stopping you from upping your patio game to the next level. Not only that but string lights are super easy to install and in a matter of minutes can be ready to light up your next party.
In this article we’ll review a selection of the 5 best outdoor string lights for patios and gazebos. We’ll cover their various features, bulb types, weather resistance and more so you can pick out the perfect set for your outdoor space. We’ve put together the table below so you can easily see the main difference between the string lights at a glance. Scroll down for the full reviews or click here to see our top choice.
Best Outdoor String Lights for Patios and Gazebos
Top Choice, Brightech Ambience Pro Commercial Grade Outdoor Light Strand with Hanging Sockets
Quickly creating a stunning backyard atmosphere has never been easier than with the Brightech Ambience Pro Outdoor Light Strand. Measuring in at 48 feet long and boasting 15 beautiful crafted 11 watt bulbs this set of outdoor string lights is sure to spruce up your next outdoor event. Fully weatherproof and enclosed in a durable, yet flexible rubber cord these lights are built to withstand even the harshest of outdoor conditions and are perfect for all season use. Not to mention you can string up to 8 strands together for the ultimate outdoor lighting setup. Keep in mind though that as these are commercial grade string lights they are fairly heavy and need solid anchor wires if you’re planning on running them over a long distance.
Size wise the bulbs measure an impressive 3-½” long and hang 7” down from the strand in their hanging sockets. They look absolutely stunning in a light breeze as the bulbs shift around in unique natural patterns. We were also pleased to see a replacement bulb was included in the package, perfect for any accidents that may happen during installation. Also, as these patio string lights are dimmer compatible, we decided to purchase an outdoor dimmer to get that perfect romantic look for a dinner under the stars. Overall this is a stunning set of outdoor string lights and has the best build quality we’ve ever seen. If you want to buy a set for life, this is the one to get, not only will it make your patio look incredible, it’ll save you money in the long run on replacements. Click here to check out more pictures of the Brightech Light Strand in action.
Runner Up, Lampat String Lights, Vintage Backyard Patio Lights
Classic globe string lights provide the perfect mix of festive flair and charming ambiance in a single package. With 25 glass globe bulbs placed every 12 inches, the Lampart String Lights make an awesome addition to any backyard patio or gazebo. Once installed we loved the warm atmospheric glow they provided and were very pleased with the 5W, 1.5” size of the bulbs. The lights weren’t too big to be distracting nor were they too small so as not to be noticed, making them just perfect for our hardtop gazebo. The 6” of extra cord on each side of the string also made it super easy to connect additional string lights for a seamless appearance.
We also found out quite by accident that if a single bulb is broken or burns out the rest stay lit, which is spectacular. We can’t tell you how many times we’ve had to test a million bulbs to find the one the burned out. The cord is rated to have up to 3 strings attached at once for a total of 75’ of potential lighting, more than enough for even large patios. The strands are also light enough that you can buy Command Decorating Clips for easy installation and skip the troublesome anchor wire and nails. Plus, they are UL rated for indoor and outdoor use, so you can use them in basically any environment and not have to worry. In summary these are a great set of globe lights and make for an excellent patio string light choice. They are built to last and make for a wonderfully festive atmosphere. Read more customer reviews
ALPULON 33ft LED String Lights Dimmable with Remote Control
The Alpulon Dimmable string lights are perfect for nearly any occasion. With 33 feet of warm glowing yellow lights, they provide the perfect cozy feel for that crisp fall day. Not to mention, they are made from high quality temperature resistant wire and are IP65 rated, so they don’t heat up and are extremely weather resistant. No amount of rain, snow or sun will damage these lights and they can easily last for years upon years of use. A total of 100 bulbs spread over the length of the light string makes for a very calming even glow and won’t burn your eyeballs when you turn to look at them. Even better are the long lasting LED bulbs that for all intents and purposes never need to be replaced, making that an excellent long term choice.
However what really made the Alpulon patio string lights stand out from the crowd was the included remote control. This made it so simple to quickly switch the lights on and adjust them to your desired brightness and mode settings. No longer will you have to fiddle with aftermarket dimmers and on/off switches, these outdoor string lights have it all included. We were impressed with how easy these patio string lights were to shape and mold into cool patterns and our kids had a blast playing with them during setup. Lightweight, long lasting and extremely appealing, the Alpulon LED string lights are a perfect compliment to any patio and will truly bring you backyard parties to life. Read more customer reviews
Lemontec Solar Strings Lights, 20 Feet 30 LED Water Drop Solar Fairy Lights
If you’re looking for easy to operate, passive patio lighting, the Lemontech Solar Fairy String Lights are the perfect choice. With their extremely efficient 2” solar panel you’re lights will charge during the day and automatically switch on as night falls. Plus, with a couple of modes and settings to choose from you change change their look in an instant. The solar panel comes with a 9” stake for ground mounting or you can attach to a patio roof for even more sun. With 30 LED lights on a 20’ cable this set of patio outdoor string lights provides a ton of flair for you patio and the not-too-bright bulbs are perfect for evenings and festive gatherings. Not to mention that these come in packs of two for even more lighting goodness. We loved the blues, pinks, oranges and greens of the fairy lights and how they were just the right brightness to set the mood.
The Lemontec Solar Strings Lights use newer LED technology with goes a long way when it comes to weather resistance and lifespan. Right out of the box you can expect to get 5,000 hour of life out of each bulb which equates to years of normal usage. Plus the solar battery can store at least 10 hours of charge so the lights can function all night long. Overall we loved the festive look of these lights and the integrated dawn and dusk sensor, plus the easy operation and solar power really help to make these a passive patio lighting option that provides excellent results. Read more reviews
HQOON Globe String Lights with Mini Nylon Lantern, LED Fairy Decorative Lights
With three distinct color choices these Asian inspired globe string lights are perfect for the outdoors. Once strung it’s instantly clear just how awesome the HQOON globe string lights are, with 20 nylon lanterns spread out over 10 feet they immediately bring a sense of harmony and tranquility over your patio. We were also equally pleased with flashing mode which allowed for a pleasant twinkling of lights in the early evening, perfect for a glass of wine and some cheese.
One of the things to be aware of is the HQOON globe outdoor string lights are battery operated. Using a set of 3 AA batteries they last for an extremely long time and as a bonus they don’t require an outlet, meaning they are awesome to take on the road, camping or to events. This extra usability was a wonderful addition and one of the main reasons they made it on the list, aside from their awesome appearance of course. Overall these are are great set of Asian string lights and can work wonders on patios that have limited electrical connections. Plus with their weather resistant builds they are made to last for years to come. Read more reviews
What are the best outdoor string lights?
Any of the outdoor string lights we’ve just reviewed would make for an excellent addition to your patio, however in terms of durability, longevity and overall look we’d have to recommend the retro Brightech Ambience Pro Commercial Grade Outdoor Light Strand. Their ability to withstand nearly any weather and look great while doing it really give them an upper hand.
Although if you’re looking for the classic globe light feeling the Lampat String Lights are the way to go. They give that old time look with modern day reliability for a perfect combination that’ll make your backyard patio one of a kind. Which ever set you choose we can guarantee you’ll be happy with your new lights and enjoy your outdoor living space that much more. If your looking for a place to hang your lights and entertain guests in style, check out our reviews of the best hardtop gazebos.
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