Liv Birdsall| Reviewed
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It’s the perfect time of year to gather friends and family outdoors, whether it’s a barbecue or game night. Regardless of the size of your balcony or patio area, you’ll want to have lights that help you see and set the right mood. You can choose from classic bulbs or lanterns or LED string lights to outfit your patio for all the late summer night hangouts.
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Here are 10 of the most popular sets of string lights, all of which are availableon Amazon for you toorder today.
1. Timeless glass bulbs
This top-selling string of lights has a classic look and over 28,000 5-star reviews. It’s a 25-foot string of glass bulbs and warm yellow light, ideal for draping over backyard spaces and brightening summer nights. We have these in the backyard and they add such a wonderful glow all season long. One reviewer even says, “They are Pinterest perfect!”
Get the Brightown outdoor string lights from Amazon starting at $16.95
2. Bright curtain lights
I recently bought this set of curtain lights, and I love how bright the lights are. The curtain spans almost 10 feet, and over a dozen strings of lights hang down almost 10 feet as well. The lights come in several colors, like blue, purple, warm white (yellow), and white. You can quickly add some privacy and pizazz to your patio with these, especially along a fence or pergola. The lights come with a battery-operated remote and have eight settings.
Get the Maggift curtain string lights from Amazon for $17.99
3. Smart string lights
You can expand your smart hometo include your patio as well. This string of waterproof lights has a sturdy plastic bulb that won’t break easily but allows the light to pass through. The best feature is that the lights are fully customizable and are controlled by your phone over Wi-Fi, which means you can adjust the colors and brightness from your phone from across the yard, inside the house, and without leaving the outdoor sofa. You can even hook the lights up to voice-controlled devices like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
Get the Xmcosy+ outdoor smart string lights from Amazon starting at $79.99
4. Solar-powered string lights
LED-string lights are great for outdoor areas because they can withstand a range of weather. This set is solar-powered, so you’ll ideally place them where they can charge in direct sun so they are extra bright when in use in the evenings. Each string of lights is 72 feet, so they can wrap around columns, railings, fences, and connect to span the length of your outdoor area in a seamless way.
Get the Sanjicha outdoor solar string lights from Amazon for $14.39
5. Globe lights
Globe lights are great if you’re looking for a magical ambience. They look like floating balls of light, especially because the bulbs and string are transparent. The strings come in several lengths: 16, 26, and 33 feet. And in addition to the lights being a warm yellow, there are 10 brightness levels and eight visual modes to choose from via a wireless remote. Reviewers like the small bulbs and say, “They give off just the right amount of light to be able to see but not ruin your night vision [while camping]. They certainly set a romantic mood.”
Get the Metaku globe string lights from Amazon for $19.98
6. Lantern string lights
These colorful lantern lights are playful and bright, perfect for adding some personality to a small outdoor area or including as decor in a larger space. The 9-foot string has blue, pink, white, and yellow lanterns and can connect to other strings to make a longer stretch of lanterns. There are several other color options of warm yellow, white, and orange lights. The string of lanterns is also a perfect length for framing windows and adding dimension to outdoor spaces.
Get the Lantern String Lights from Amazon starting at $17.99
7. Fairy lights
A little twinkle can go a long way, especially with the soft glow of these fairy lights. The lights fall in a curtain style, and you can pull them to the side or let them hang vertically for privacy. They can operate plugged into a standard outlet, or powered by battery or USB, which is great for outdoor spaces that might not have an outlet within reach. Reviewers recommend hanging the main string up before unraveling the curtain strings and that the lights last a long time and retain their glow.
Get the Lighting Ever fairy curtain lights from Amazon for $22.99
8. A long string of lights
Some people want to have their house decorated all year long, and this 165-foot string of lights is for them. You could use these on a Christmas tree or front porch in the winter, and drape across your backyard patio for potluck dinners and projector movie nights in the summer. There are over a dozen bulb colors to pick from, including blue, multicolor, and white.
Get the Mygoto LED string lights from Amazon for $28.99
9. Twinkling star lights
These whimsical star lights are like cut-out sugar cookies. They can add a bit of solar system and outer space glow to any backyard patio, as well as be perfect for gatherings like weddings, baby showers, and patriotic holidays. The lights come in four colors: blue, multicolor, warm white, and white. Reviewers like how lightweight this string is because the lights can be held up by Command hooks or smaller nails than other strings.
Get the Twinkle Star LED lights from Amazon for $18.98
10. Outdoor lanterns
While hanging lights are popular and beautiful, sometimes you need to light pathways as well. These solar-powered lanterns add a rustic element to any space, especially with faux flickering flames behind the plastic windows. The lanterns are waterproof and don’t need an electrical outlet to provide light. They also have a metal ring on top so you can hang them from hooks or in-ground hangers along walkways.
Get the TomCare outdoor lanterns from Amazon for $53.98
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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
