10 Best Outdoor String Lights 2025 in the United States

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.

The Philips Hue Festavia 150ft outdoor string lights offer a generous length with 80 dimmable LED bulbs spaced along the 150-foot white wire, making them ideal for lighting large outdoor spaces permanently. Each bulb produces 55 lumens, combining for a bright total output of 4400 lumens, sufficient for creating a lively but comfortable atmosphere. These lights are weatherproof with an IP67 rating, meaning they can withstand harsh weather conditions including rain, snow, and extreme temperatures from -4°F to 122°F, so you can leave them outside year-round without worry.

The bulbs are tubular in shape and color-changing, allowing for a wide range of vibrant white and colored lighting options, controlled remotely or by voice through the Philips Hue system. This adds versatility for both everyday ambiance and special occasions. The string lights are powered by a corded electric source, so placement depends on access to an outlet. Installation is straightforward with included adhesive tape and screws, but the product is designed more as a permanent fixture rather than something you frequently move or take down.

These lights require a Philips Hue Bridge for control, which means an additional purchase and setup is necessary, potentially limiting for those seeking a simple plug-and-play solution. If you want smart, customizable, and durable outdoor lighting with the ability to sync with music and enhance home security, these lights represent a strong choice. The setup complexity and dependency on the Hue ecosystem could be a drawback for casual users looking for basic outdoor lighting.

The Philips Hue Festavia 150ft outdoor string lights offer a solid choice for those wanting a permanent and versatile lighting solution. With 80 LED bulbs spaced along a 150-foot black wire, these lights provide a good length for decorating patios, gardens, or backyards. Each bulb produces 55 lumens, delivering brightness suitable for creating ambiance rather than strong task lighting.

A key strength is their full weather resistance—IP67 rating means they can handle rain, snow, and temperature extremes down to -4°F and up to 122°F, making them dependable year-round. The bulbs are multicolor and dimmable, allowing you to customize lighting scenes and even sync effects to music, which adds a fun, dynamic touch for parties or holidays. They require a Hue Bridge to operate, which means extra setup and cost but also smart-home integration and remote control options via voice or app. The power source is corded electric, so you'll need a nearby outlet, but you avoid concerns about battery life. Installation is user-friendly with adhesive tape and screws included.

These lights are not the brightest if strong illumination is needed, and the dependency on the Hue Bridge might be inconvenient for those seeking a simpler plug-and-play setup. The price tends to be higher compared to basic string lights due to the smart features. They are best suited for users who want durable, weatherproof lighting with flexible color options and smart control, making them ideal for enhancing outdoor living spaces with convenience and style.