10 Best Outdoor String Lights 2026 in the United States

The addlon 100FT LED Outdoor String Lights offer a generous length of 100 feet, making them suitable for lighting up larger outdoor spaces like patios, gardens, or backyards. These lights use energy-efficient LED bulbs with a warm white color temperature, creating a cozy, inviting atmosphere without driving up your electricity bill. The bulbs are shatterproof, adding durability and safety, especially important for outdoor use where accidents or weather conditions could cause breakage. Weather resistance is strong here, with an IP65 rating that protects the lights from rain, snow, wind, and humidity, so they should hold up well through different seasons.

The lights are powered by a corded electric source, which means you’ll need an outlet nearby, but you won’t have to worry about batteries. They also support dimmer switches (sold separately), allowing you to adjust brightness for different moods or occasions. The black wire blends well into outdoor environments, maintaining a neat look. With over 8,000 reviews and a strong rating of 4.6 stars, these lights seem to satisfy many users and are backed by a 3-year product support guarantee.

These string lights are a solid choice if you want durable, energy-saving, and weatherproof illumination that adds charm to outdoor spaces, though you’ll need to be near a power outlet and might want to check if their brightness fits your specific needs.

The Svater Outdoor String Lights offer a total length of 150 feet divided into three 50-foot strands, making them suitable for large outdoor areas like patios, gardens, or events. They feature 48 shatterproof S14 bulbs with E26 sockets, which means each bulb is sturdy and less likely to break, adding safety and durability. These LED bulbs produce a warm white light at 2700K, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere that’s perfect for relaxing evenings or social gatherings. The brightness is moderate at 80 lumens per bulb, offering a gentle glow rather than harsh lighting.

The lights are powered by a cord, so no batteries are needed, but they do require access to an electrical outlet. A major strength is the commercial-grade IP65 waterproof rating, meaning they can withstand rain, wind, and other weather conditions without damage. They are also ETL certified, which ensures safety standards. These lights are dimmable with compatible dimmers (not included), allowing you to adjust brightness to suit different moods. Additionally, the strings can be connected end-to-end up to 13 strands, providing flexibility for customizing the length you need.

Some users might find the need to plug into power outlets a limitation if they want truly portable lighting. Also, while the bulbs are shatterproof, they are made of plastic, which might feel less premium compared to glass bulbs. These string lights provide a reliable option for enhancing outdoor spaces with durable, weatherproof, and warm-toned lighting that is easy to install and energy-efficient.

The Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights 2 offers a long 100-foot string featuring 72 LED bulbs that provide bright, colorful lighting, including a 40-lumen white option at a neutral 4000K color temperature. These lights utilize advanced RGBIC technology for smooth, vibrant color changes from 16 million shades and 100 preset scene modes, along with AI-driven effects that create a personalized atmosphere.

Designed for year-round outdoor use, the lights have a strong IP67 waterproof rating to protect against rain and snow, complemented by an IP65-rated control box and adapter. This ensures reliability across a wide range of weather conditions and temperatures, from -4°F to 140°F. Powered by AC/DC with no need for batteries, the lights support smart home integration, allowing control via an app or voice commands through Alexa and Google Assistant.

Installation is straightforward with included glue and clips; however, the string cannot be cut, so planning your setup is important. These lights are ideal for anyone seeking durable, energy-efficient outdoor lighting with flexible colors and smart features—perfect for decorating yards during holidays, parties, or enhancing everyday outdoor spaces. Those needing to shorten the lights or preferring simpler, single-color options might want to consider alternatives.