Best Outdoor String Lights of 2026: Brighten Your Patio or Backyard With Our Top Picks

Can the lights withstand the elements?

As outdoor lights, the hardware should be well-suited to handle the weather conditions outside. However, the range of which the string lights will play a factor in whether they can work where you live or not. Water- and dust-resistance ratings of IP65, IP67 or IP68 would be best, but IPX4 could work also. The first three will handle wet and dusty conditions better than the IPX4 as it is only rated for some light moisture.

The other weather factor to consider is the temperature ranges. If you live in an area that gets to experience all four seasons, then you need to ensure the lights you buy can withstand the changes from freezing winters to blazing hot summers. But if you don’t plan to keep the lights up during the more extreme times, then your lights will have fewer hurdles to contend with.

Bulb and light style

Like most other light bulbs, outdoor sting lights coming various bulb types and styles. Many of the modern outdoor string lights offer LED lighting sources as it increases longevity, reduces energy requirements and can be much brighter. These lights also don’t produce near the heat of the more traditional incandescent bulbs. LED bulbs can also provide a seemingly unlimited range of colors.

LEDs can also excel in the range of bulb styles available since the light source is so small, it can be fit inside any size or shape of enclosure. Incandescent bulbs have a wide range of styles, but can be limited in bulb sizes. This is because the smaller the bulb, the smaller the filament inside, and less filament means less light. And LEDs have become warmer and more like their charming incandescent cousins over time.

One last note: Our picks are mostly larger, brighter bulbs made for durable all-year outside work. That’s noticeably different from the tiny, twinkly lights some people have in mind for enchanting backyard get-togethers. If you’re more interested in those kinds of lights, visit our recommendations for smart holiday lights instead.

Length of the light strand

Once you’ve figured out the style and light type you want, you’ll need to identify how long of a light strand is needed for your space. Outdoor string lights come on many different lengths, and some are even expandable. Measuring the distance between each hanging point from start to finish will give you a good idea of the length needed. Just be sure to add in a few more feet since you’ll be measuring in a straight line and when the lights are hung, there will be some drooping between hanging points. So, if you measure 25 feet, you may want to buy closer to 30 feet of lights.

Smart features

If you want to control your outdoor lights with an app, you’ll need to look for that additional upgrade. App controls generally allow for much more customization, color options, scheduling and preset modes. They may also have options for music syncing or match a certain color palette.

However, if you want support for specific smart home platform like Apple Home or Google Home, or a voice assistant like Alexa or Siri, then you’ll need to look for lights that mention their support for those features.