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 Govee S14 Outdoor String Lights are a great choice if you're looking to brighten up your patio or backyard with colorful, customizable lighting. Measuring 96 feet long with 30 LED bulbs, these lights offer plenty of coverage for medium to large outdoor spaces. Each bulb provides a warm white glow at 2700 Kelvin and can display 16 million colors thanks to the RGBIC technology, giving you lots of options to match any mood or occasion. You can easily adjust brightness or colors through the Govee app or with voice commands via Alexa, Google Home, or Matter-compatible devices, making control very convenient.

In terms of durability, these lights are built to handle outdoor elements well, with an IP66 waterproof rating that protects against rain and dust. They also work in temperatures ranging from -4℉ to 104℉, so they’ll keep shining through most weather conditions. However, the control box and adapter have slightly lower waterproof ratings, so placement in sheltered spots is recommended. The lights run on a corded electric power source, so you need an outlet nearby, and they are not designed to be extended or connected to other sets.

A standout feature is the 111 scene modes, including a sound-sync option that changes lights with music, adding a lively touch to outdoor gatherings. The bulbs are shatterproof and dimmable, increasing their safety and versatility. Installation is straightforward thanks to built-in openings on the bulbs, and no special tools are required. While the inability to extend the string limits flexibility for larger areas and the power cord means your setup depends on access to electricity, anyone wanting smart, colorful outdoor lighting with good weather resistance and easy app control will find the Govee S14 string lights to be a fun and reliable option.