These Outdoor String Lights Can Add Instant Charm to Your Backyard and Patio

A set of string lights can give your outdoor space a boost of ambiance—attach them to the railing of your deck or balcony, or hang them underneath your cantilever umbrella or new pergola. They’re often used for summer weddings and showers, but brightening up your backyard doesn’t require a special occasion.

You can spend long relaxing evenings underneath string lights with friends and family enjoying meals or roasting marshmallows over the fire pit. Whether you’re looking for a simple, elegant set with frosted globes or vintage bulbs, or you want festive palm trees or pineapples for a party, we found options that’ll fit into any porch or patio decor.

For more great ways to brighten up your outdoor space, check out our picks for the best outdoor solar lights, solar pathway lights, and garden lights!

The Best Outdoor String Lights

What to Consider

You’ll first want to measure the amount of space you need to cover, and then decide whether you want incandescent or LED bulbs. For more guidance, you can check out our deep dive on light bulbs and our primer on LEDs.

If there’s no accessible outlet and you’d rather not deal with an extension cord, your best bet is to go with a solar- or battery-powered set. When a single set won’t do the job, pick an option with end-to-end connection, and take special care to note the maximum wattage and how many sets can be strung together. You should also consider the number of lights per strand and how far apart they’re spaced, which can range from several inches to three feet or more.

Cords come in a wide variety of colors and bulbs range from vintage Edison-style ones to frosted globes to novelty bulbs, most made from glass or “shatterless” plastic. Decide what aesthetic you want and what fits best with your porch style.

How We Selected

Our selection includes popular outdoor string light styles backed by user reviews that support product description claims of things like easy installation and durability. As noted above, there are a slew of features to take into account, and we highlighted the most notable ones for every set. We covered options across a range of price points and variety of styles and we’re sure you'll find the right one to illuminate your next backyard barbecue or patio hangout.