String light bulbs are available in a variety of styles and shapes, which can give the strands a unique aesthetic. For example, tiny circle fairy lights make an outdoor area feel whimsical, while larger oval-shaped Edison bulbs add a vintage look. Globe bulbs, Edison bulbs, lantern bulbs, fairy lights, and rope lights are among the most popular styles. The Feit lights survived both the rainstorm and our drop test and kept working. In addition to evaluating this string of light for this lineup, we chose this particular model for more extensive testing, and it can be read on our Feit Individual String Light Review. Battery powered string lights are great to use in spaces where there’s no other power source available, giving you the flexibility to put the lights exactly where you want them, while mains powered string lights are a great choice if you know you want to use them near a plug.

These string lights stood up remarkably well to wet weather with their waterproof and tear-resistant materials for all-season use. Made with insulating layers, they are safe to hang in a variety of climates and temperatures. The bulbs are incandescent and come with crystal-clear glass globes.

Customer reviews

Outdoor string lights typically come in lengths of 10, 25, 35, 50, and 100 feet. Consider the size of the outdoor space and the lighting layout when choosing the ideal wire length. Many modern string light options also use LED lights, according to Hirt. "Most bulbs compatible with string lights are 2-3 watts each," which is much less than incandescent bulbs that used to be much more popular. LED light bulbs use much less electricity (less wattage) than traditional incandescent bulbs and don’t become as hot when they are turned on. Because they are cooler to the touch, there are LED patio lights made with plastic bubs—meaning they won’t easily shatter if dropped. Many LED bulbs can last up to 50,000 hours, which equals up to 10 years of daily use.

Whatever look you’re going for, we have hanging garden lights in styles to suit your needs. For that nostalgic feel, see our gorgeous festoon lights collection to coordinate a style that is unwaveringly popular at events and garden parties. We’re proud to have started as a small, family business. Even though we’ve grown, we’ve not lost the customer commitment that’s at the heart of what we do.

Technical Documentation

The strands are available in three lengths—12, 24, and 48 feet—and strung with LED bulbs, which use less electricity than standard bulbs and last a lifetime. They're also impact-resistant, and UL listedfor permanent outdoor installation, so there's no need to take them down in the winter. You can link up to 750 feet of these lights to one outlet, giving you enough length to decorate a large outdoor space. Enhance the mood for any season or holiday with this set of color-changing string lights. The Enbrighten string lights have 16 color choices that create up to 120 possible combinations, adding a pop of color to any outdoor space. When choosing a bulb size, consider the available outdoor space, ease of installation, and desired look.

Globe bulbs are typically for decorative purposes. These spherical bulbs come in a range of sizes and are commonly seen in hanging pendants, modern chandeliers, and outdoor string lights. Their classic style is timeless and suits a range of outdoor decor setups, from angular modern seating areas to cozy bohemian patios. Globe bulbs can add a touch of glamour and charm to an outdoor space. Ahead, learn what to look for when shopping for outdoor string lights, and find out why the following models made the cut in our hands-on testing for some of the best string lights for outdoors. We hung the Banord string lights under a metal arch that frames a pathway between cedar trees. With a hefty 102 feet to work with, the Banord lights spanned the length of the arch three entire times and we still had a few feet left over. At full illumination, the three overhead strings lit up the whole walkway so well, that we were able to put lounge chairs out after dark and read our books and magazines with ease. We were also able to dim the lights to a soft golden glow, which created an intimate romantic effect. Bob Vila has been America’s Handyman since 1979. As the host of beloved and groundbreaking TV series including “This Old House” and “Bob Vila’s Home Again,” he popularized and became synonymous with “do-it-yourself” home improvement.The heavy-duty rubber cord is substantial yet flexible enough to wind around narrow railings or tree branches. Lemontec’s 11-watt incandescent bulbs provided bright light that illuminated the garage front and concrete driveway long after it was completely dark. Since outdoor string lights are exposed to the elements, selecting a set that stands up to rainy conditions and heavy gusts of wind is important. It’s inconvenient to take the string lights down every time there’s inclement weather in the forecast. Lantern bulbs usually feature standard outdoor string lights covered with a lantern made of paper, plastic, nylon, or tarpaulin (a durable and waterproof material that resembles canvas). Lanterns come in different colors, patterns, and shapes. These fun patio light options can help create a themed or festive atmosphere.

The acrylic globe lights are as clear as glass, and the LED filaments emit a warm, goldish-yellow luminosity. Like the other Brightown set, these string lights are dimmable—we connected them to a dimmer cord and took them down to barely a glow. Plus, they come with gutter clips for easy hanging on the edge of a rain gutter, cable, wire, or string.

Pro Series IP65 Water Resistant Connectable Festoon String Kit, 500mm Spacing with LED Bulbs

Edison bulbs are designed to look like Thomas Edison’s original invention. These traditional incandescent bulbs feature a warm, glowing appearance, thanks to their visible internal filaments. The oval-like shape and ambient, warm glow can give an outdoor space a vintage look. Modern LED Edison-style bulbs feature this classic light bulb look but with an energy-saving LED design. The first thing you will need to consider when purchasing string lights is the power source. If you have an outdoor electrical outlet that won’t present a tripping hazard for wires, then you can do regular electric string lights. However, if there is no outlet or if it’s placed awkwardly, then you will want to consider purchasing string lights that are solar or battery-operated," according to Amber Freda, a custom landscape and garden designer in NYC. Over the course of his decades-long career, Bob Vila has helped millions of people build, renovate, repair, and live better each day—a tradition that continues today with expert yet accessible home advice. The Bob Vila team distills need-to-know information into project tutorials, maintenance guides, tool 101s, and more. These home and garden experts then thoroughly research, vet, and recommend products that support homeowners, renters, DIYers, and professionals in their to-do lists. Meet the Tester Most Edison-style string light bulbs are an S14 bulb size, which is a medium-size, oval-shaped bulb that’s 32 millimeters (just over 1.25 inches) in diameter. Brightness and Color Temperature For those who want to upgrade from basic string lights, consider a product with extra features like color-changing bulbs, dimming options, and remote control or app operation. As we found in our tests, by selecting different bulb colors, we could create entirely different moods.