Lighting color temperature is measured using the Kelvin (K) temperature scale. This scale measures how warm or cool the light appears. Lower numbers on the Kelvin scale look warmer, and higher numbers look cooler. String lights come with a wide variety of bulb types and shapes, but LED bulbs, seen in the Hampton Bay string lights, are the most common. These bulbs offer the longest lifespan and best energy savings of any bulb type. However, you’ll still need to decide if you want a bright, vintage light from an Edison-style light bulb or the softer glow of string lights with a globe bulb. For extra durability, some string light bulbs are made of plastic, while others are made of glass and may require a little more cautious care. Keep in mind that bulb size can affect installation. String lights with small bulbs are generally lightweight and easier to maneuver. They may be easier to install than string lights with larger, heavier, and bulkier bulbs. Battery-operated lights are another option that doesn’t need an outdoor outlet. Instead, these light strands usually run on two to six batteries. Since they don’t require an outlet, they are a versatile choice for creative outdoor lighting.

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. 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. These waterproof, solar-powered string lights from Brightech ended up being one of our favorites. Not only can they be hung anywhere because they don’t require an electrical outlet, but we also found them still glowing brightly the next morning. The 27-foot strand on these solar string lights features 12 shatterproof plastic LED bulbs. Each G40 bulb gives off a warm 3,000K light. Lemontec Commercial Grade Outdoor String Lights offer fifteen 11-watt incandescent bulbs and are one of the best options in the lineup for those seeking a brighter set of outdoor string lights. Plus, additional sets can be connected for even more illumination. Q. Can string lights be left outdoors? Dimming options: Whether for a romantic outdoor dinner or patio drinks with friends, dimming the lights can add to a cozy ambience. Some outdoor string lights include built-in dimmers, while others are dimmer compatible and can be attached to external dimming devices.

Technical Documentation

Whether you’re looking for outdoor solar string lights or mains garden lights to bring your patio or garden to life, you know you’re receiving the best products, customer care, and support from us. 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. 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. The Twinkle Star fairy lights are advertised as water-resistant, so we misted the entire coil with water from a spray bottle and let it dry. Then, we turned on the fairy lights again, and they came right on. While the remote has eight lighting options, a couple of the flashing ones are pretty annoying and distracting. The others, which feature slow on/off fading effects and solid illumination, made the Twinkle Star lights the star of our nighttime table.

Brightness and color temperature are two of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the appearance of outdoor string lights. 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. 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. Whether you’re wanting a soft, subtle glow or a bright, colourful atmosphere, we have outdoor string lights for you. For a dazzling display, choose our mains-powered outdoor string lights and create a striking outdoor space with premium Pro Connect technology. For a more concentrated lighting effect, we then coiled the Feit lights over a horizontal bar, arranging the bulbs closely, and the effect was stunning! In this configuration, we were able to read our books and magazines after dark. We were able to dim the string of lights by connecting them to a dimmer cord, and at their lowest illumination, they offer just a hint of light that’s soft and soothing.

You may also like…

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.