Our Picks Best LED outdoor string lights Enbrighten classic LED cafe lights View details $60 at Amazon View details Best smart outdoor string lights Nanoleaf Outdoor String Lights View details $120 at Best Buy View details Best solar-powered outdoor string lights Hampton Bay Outdoor 10-socket solar string lights View details $60 at The Home Depot View details Best value for outdoor string lights Magitec Shatterproof outdoor string lights (commercial grade with 15 sockets) View details $70 at Amazon View details Best value smart outdoor string lights Govee RGBIC Smart Outdoor String Lights View details $24 at Amazon View details Best outdoor string lights for camping Anpro Solar Camping String Lights View details $30 at Walmart View details Best outdoor string lights for brightness Brightech ambience pro LED string lights View details $45 at Amazon View details Best color-changing outdoor string lights Patriot Lighting 18-light color-changing outdoor string lights (Update: currently unavailable) View details $47 at Menards View details Table of Contents No matter the season, we can all agree that there's nothing better than an outdoor area that looks magical. There are many ways to do that, but you can't go wrong with a selection of outdoor string lights. They not only brighten up the area but also add a cozy vibe to your outdoor space. From small patios to large party-sized yards, outdoor string lights let you showcase your style while highlighting the best features of your garden or outdoor space.If you aren't in the know, you might not be aware that outdoor electric lights come in all kinds of fun shapes and sizes, from smart lights to those trendy Edison-style bulbs. In this handy little guide, we'll check out the best outdoor string lights you can find -- all tested by CNET experts.Of course, if you're not 100% on the string lights train, there are other ways to spruce up your outdoor area with additional light sources. Consider getting a fire pit or a patio heater, particularly if you're more concerned about staying warm on those cooler nights.What are the best outdoor string lights overall?Out of all the options we tested, our favorite outdoor string light is the Enbrighten classic LED cafe light. The bulbs themselves feel robust and when bought on at a discount, these bulbs offer great value.But if you're looking for something else, as we hinted earlier, our list includes both smart and traditional string light options -- including solar powered lights. While most non-smart string lights are going to offer a single color and require you to manually power them on, if you like the look of a "dumb" outdoor string light don't forget you can always plug it into a smart outlet or plug. This will let you schedule times for the lights to turn on and allow you to shut them down from your phone or voice with a smart speaker.Best outdoor string lights of 2025 Photo Gallery 1/1 $60 at Amazon Pros Heavy duty Quality brightness Cons Pricey Power source Plug-in ACLight source LEDOutput color(s) Warm white (2700K)Smart light No $60 at Amazon This set has the most attractive bulb of the bunch, in my opinion. The bulbs feel heavier duty than the other options because, rather than being a thin clear plastic shell of a bulb, they're partially filled in to create a visual with inset air bubbles. This added to the look and the feel of the light set and immediately made me feel like they were of superior quality when compared to most of the other units.Enbrighten also ended up with the third brightest light output per bulb, according to our testing. They were initially the most expensive set I picked up, but they often drop to $30 on Amazon, making them a great value for someone looking for great quality.The Amazon page lists several models, including smart plugs and dimmers. Enbrighten says these lights have a linkable length of up to 750 feet (about 20 strands total) and a warm, soft light output at 2,700K.