The 9 Best Outdoor String Lights for a Guaranteed Patio Glow Up

These plug-in LED string lights have over 15,000 reviews and 4.6/5 stars solidifying their top spot on our list. Commercial weatherproofing is proven durability to withstand wear and tear of all seasons. These Edison-bulb lights also come in a variety of cord length options, starting with just 24 feet and going to a whopping 96 feet.

Though a dimmer switch is not included, the lights are compatible, and with as bright as they are, you might want to consider purchasing one. Plastic bulbs create a shatterproof barrier, which we prefer over glass. These lights are UL Listed, meaning they've gone through strict safety and durability testing to ensure their quality.

One of our favorite features of the addlon lights is the ability to connect up to 32 strands together. Perfect for large outdoor events like weddings, these lights are budget-friendly and sure to withstand the test of time. The only downside, if there is one, of these lights is that they're plug in, so you'll have to have access to an electrical outlet nearby.

Positive review: "We used these light to light up our wedding reception. We criss-crossed 4 strings and it was perfect mood lighting for a 34 x 56' area. We did install a led dimmer (wall switch) to our outlet and had terrific results. It was bright enough to eat dinner, but also it got dim enough for our dance. These bulbs are very durable, none broke taking them back down onto a concrete shop floor."

If you're lacking an outlet or want a totally hands-free outdoor string light, then opt for these solar-powered string lights. While the directions state that the charger needs to be left in a sunny spot all day, I've found that the lights will still come on after a cloudy day, though a bit dimmer than usual.

These lights also come with an on/off switch in case you'd prefer they only be lit during use. Reviewers rave about the amount of bright light they produce, noting that the solar power doesn't lessen the effectiveness at all.

Though these lights don't appear to be UL Certified or Listed, they are commercialized weatherproof, so they should be durable enough to last outdoors during all seasons. Great for taking on-the-go or if your home doesn't have any exterior outlets, these solar lights rival their electrical counterparts.

I live in an older home that doesn't have outdoor electrical outlets, so these solar-powered ones were the perfect option to get the ambiance I wanted. Even on cloudy days the solar panel still soaks up a full charge so the lights are on until about 1 or 2 AM most nights. They give off a decent amount of light, though you might want to add another lighting source if you were to eat dinner or read a book under them. But for general porch hangs, they're pretty perfect.

Another great option for taking your outdoor string lights on-the-go are these rechargeable ones. They plug into any USB compatible power bank to provide a full charge and plenty of light.

Reviewers are consistently surprised at just how bright these lights shine, saying that even though there are only 10 bulbs, they have plenty of light for a regular-sized tent when camping. They don't appear to be UL Listed or Certified, but come with Brightech's WeatherTite commercialized weatherproofing and customers agree that they're incredibly durable.

While these lights aren't ideal for a large area, they couldn't be more perfect for camping or lighting a small patio.

Positive review: "These lights were great. I used them to light a festival tent. Easy to use…Just plugged them into a phone charge bank. You do need clips or way to hang them. They were bright enough for what I needed. I just could have used another string! Will for sure order another box."

These innovative lights from TIKI Brand add an inviting glow to your outdoor space and provide protection from mosquitoes. Each 36-foot-long strand has 14 lights and 3 repellent pods filled with BiteFighter, a deet-free chemical d-allethrin repellent fluid. Just turn them on 15 minutes before you head to the patio for protection from bugs.

One strand offers 330 square feet of protection for 200 hours, so you can enjoy your yard itch-free for the season before replacing the pods. You can also switch off the mosquito protection when it's not needed.

Protection does come at a price, though. These string lights are the most expensive on our list, by far. But, considering they not only will illuminate your patio or yard but also keep pests at bay, then it's worth the investment.

Positive review: "(These lights) work great — my back porch is always buggy with mosquitoes. I turned it on, and they disappeared. They're much better than competing brands." —Chris Michel, Senior Food and Gardens Editor

These color-changing lights offer complete customization of your outdoor string lights. Change the color of each individual bulb, dim them, produce unique effects, and even set the lights to blink to your own music all through the use of a smart phone app. That's right—you can change the colors of each individual light and set custom patterns to match the rhythm of your music for a totally party-ready patio.

They also come in three length options, starting at 24 feet and going up to 96 feet. These lights don't have UL Listing or Certification, but reviewers were more than impressed by their durability, though it is important to note that the power adapter is not waterproof.

Positive review: "These are great! I love them. I put them up for Christmas and instead of removing I just changed the color to a soft yellow to illuminate the house at night. They are (Bluetooth) and not WiFi so to control you have to be nearby. I used the timer options on the app to get around this issue. I programmed them to turn on at dusk and turn off at dawn, works great as I don’t have to do anything. The app has a lot of cool pre-programmed settings and color variations such as season, mood, celebrations, Halloween, and Christmas 🎄 . It also allows you to create your own color combinations and patterns, which I really haven’t messed much with because the presets are good enough for me but it’s an option that’s available. I liked them so much I bought an extra set to completely put around the house and not just the front. I recommend!"

Finding globe string lights isn't hard, but finding durable globe string lights is tough. These string lights are UL Listed for the upmost durability to endure any type of weather.

Over 50 feet of cord length allows for plenty of area to be covered, but if you need more light, customers have the ability to connect up to 3 additional strands. But if that's too much, there's also a 25 foot option available. Reviewers also mention how well the lights hold up in inclement weather. Obviously they aren't hurricane or tornado proof, but they stand up well to the occasional storm.

One thing to note about these globe lights, however, is that they are not LED but incandescent, so they're not as energy efficient as some of the other options listed and they will produce heat.

Positive review: "These are top notch, quality lights! They came with 5 spare bulbs, seem to be of a heavier duty wire, and have insulated bulb area to keep moisture out. The order arrived on time and in perfect condition. They give off the perfect glow, yet do not attract pesky bugs. I will be ordering another set for another outdoor area. I highly recommend this product."

High-quality, weather resistant, connectable fairy lights are hard to come by, but these fit the bill. They're a bit pricier than most other fairy lights, but if you're looking for miniature string lights that can hold up to the elements in the spring, summer, and fall and span your entire patio, then these are it.

They cover over 100 ft but are connectable to up to 4 strands if you need more. LED lighting is energy efficient and these lights are UL Certified to show top-quality durability.

The only downside to note about these fairy lights is that they don't come cheap in comparison to others on the market. But, we can't recommend them enough for outdoor use. While the cheaper options might do the job inside, you'll want these heavy-duty, high-quality lights for outdoor use.

Positive review: "Purchased these lights for an outdoor Christmas display. Actually bought two colors, blue and purple. They worked so well I bought 4 more sets for next years display. The price was right. They withstood a lot of rain with no problems. I (also) like the different settings you can use. Would buy again."

Usually lantern-style string lights are made with a paper covering, which obviously won't work in any outdoor setting for an extended period of time. But these string lights were specifically designed for outdoor use, featuring a nylon stocking-like cover over the wire frame. While you won't notice a difference at a distance, you will notice just how great these lights look after months of use.

While we love the cute aesthetic and weatherproofing of these string lights, you will want to note that these have a pretty low wattage in comparison to others on the list, coming in at under 1/bulb. Also worth thinking about, the strand is only 10 feet long, the shortest of all the lights on this list. To span an average-sized porch or patio, you'll definitely want to invest in a few strands, and you might not want to solely rely on these for your only light source. Reviewers mention that the light covers are difficult to put on over the wire frame, but it's nothing a little elbow grease can't handle!

And if you're looking to jazz up your holiday décor, get ready, because these lights also come in a jack-o-lantern option that's perfect for Halloween.

Positive review: "I took a chance on this one because there were no reviews when I bought it, but I'm glad I did. These lights are the most durable I've seen and the lantern is made of a fabric that's waterproof instead of actual paper. I love them! They are warm, plenty of light and they are a long string of lights, so they are the perfect length! I hope I can bu(y) more in the future!"

Designed specifically for outdoor use, this curtain light set is far more durable than almost anything else on the market, and for a very reasonable price. The set includes 15 strands that have 16 miniature lights on each for 240 total to create a dazzling waterfall-like display.

Though the lights are small, they produce a surprisingly bright light, with many reviewers saying that they can be used as the only light source. They also feature a clear wire, so at night it provides the illusion of floating lights. They also have a UL Listed adapter, so you can use them without worry of technical problems.

Positive review: "Love this Tiny LED lights! The curtain of lights makes this super easy to hang up. I like that they all came individually separated by twist ties. I still managed to get them all tangled anyways but with a little time I got them all aligned and ready to be hung. I think I will eventually hang these on my covered back porch but for now I wanted to hang them inside and enjoy them in my living room for the holidays. They seem very well made and I'm hoping they hold up. I've never had LED lights but I've heard great things and I'm hoping the bulbs won't need replacement like regular lights. These didn't come with any replacement bulbs so I imagine they don't burn out like regular Christmas lights. I totally recommend these, don't wait buy them now."