Will you have an end-of-the-year party in your patio? Adding a little lighting in this place can bring a relaxing time and wonderful experiences. However, have you chosen proper outdoor lights? Should you buy electric lights or solar lights? Find all answers in this post.
Here are the best outdoor lights for patio you can buy in 2025:
- Best Overall (Electric Lights): Brightown Outdoor String Lights 25Ft G40
- Best for Italian Bistro Ambience (Electric Lights): addlon LED Outdoor String Lights 48FT
- Best for Classic Cafe Ambience (Electric Lights): Brightech Ambience Pro
- Best Overall (Solar Lights): Sunlitec Solar String Lights
- Longest Working Time (Solar Lights): LiyuanQ solar string lights
- Most Versatile (Solar Lights): Lalapao solar string lights
| 6 Best Outdoor Lights For Patio | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Overall | Brightown Outdoor String Lights 25Ft G40
| |
Best for Italian Bistro Ambience | addlon LED Outdoor String Lights 48FT
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Best for Classic Cafe Ambience | Brightech Ambience Pro
| |
Best Overall | Sunlitec Solar String Lights
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Longest Working Time | LiyuanQ solar string lights
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Most Versatile | Lalapao solar string lights
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Best Overall (Electric Lights): Brightown Outdoor String Lights 25Ft G40
Easy to carry and store
Effortless to connect and remove
A broken bulb won't affect other bulbs
It takes time to unscrew each bulb
What is your top priority when buying outdoor lights for patio?
Is it easy installation, performance, safety or durability?
Listen, you can get all these outstanding features in only one product.
When it comes safety, I must mention to IP (Ingress Protection). This rating is the protection degree, which keeps the parts inside from the environmental elements such as solids and moisture. The IP rating of these lights reaches IP44, which is weatherproof enough to fight against heavy rain. Moreover, this product is UL certified, showing that it meets all safety requirements of a standard product.
The package includes cable ties and cup hooks, so it's straightforward to set up these outdoor decorative light strings. After adding a cup hook to one side of each post, secure two ends of Brightown to two cup hooks with cable ties.
| Brightown Outdoor String Lights 25Ft G40 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Wattage | 125 watts |
Strand Length | 25 feet |
Number of Bulbs | 26 |
Highlight Features | weatherproof technology, a built-in spare fuse, a cable tie or cup hook |
Brightown Outdoor String Lights 25Ft G40 is a great commercial choice for large and small events from bbq parties to wedding ceremonies.
Best for Italian Bistro Ambience (Electric Lights): addlon LED Outdoor String Lights 48FT
Weatherproof
Durable
Easy to assemble
- Not appropriate for a large patio
You want to add Italian bistro ambience into your patio, right?
First of all, you need to learn a little bit about a real Italian restaurant. While Chinese restaurants usually decrease the lighting level to offer a traditional, warm and cosy feel, the lighting of Italian restaurants is brighter.
Why?
The majority of Italian food tends to be colorful and bright, so the brighter lighting level will appreciate this feature.
Compared to soft white lights, the bright white lighting of addlon LED Outdoor String Lights can make your space brighter, and more vibrant. It is a better choice to improve your ability to see contrasts. This means that you will have closer attention to each detail of Italian food.
However, a family reunion, birthday party and a wedding reception require a softer glow for a more romantic atmosphere. In this case, its dimmer switch will help you adjust a suitable lighting level.
| addlon LED Outdoor String Lights 48FT Specifications | |
|---|---|
Wattage | 2W/ bulb |
Strand Length | 48ft |
Highlight Features | lights smart installation, UL listed weatherproof commercial |
addlon LED Outdoor String Lights can add bright lighting for Italian bistro ambience.
Best for Classic Cafe Ambience (Electric Lights): Brightech Ambience Pro
Simple to set up
Possible to withstand severe weather conditions
Not shatterproof
You like to enjoy a cup of coffee at your patio, right?
So, why don't you add classic cafe ambience into this place for a perfect experience?
Brightech Ambience Pro can help you gain your purpose.
First, the vintage designs with old-fashioned filaments provide you with a cosy and old-time glow. When turning on the lights, you will feel as you are enjoying your beverage in a classic coffee shop.
What's more, these outdoor lights produce a warm orange glow, which shines enough to be relaxing, not too dark.
| Brightech Ambience Pro Specifications | |
|---|---|
Wattage | 2 watt per bulb |
Strand Length | 48ft |
Number of Bulbs | 11 |
Highlight Features | Brightech's industrial-grade WeatherTite Technology, a dimmer switch, |
Brightech Ambience Pro is designed to turn your patio into an ideal area to enjoy coffee.
Best Overall (Solar Lights): Sunlitec Solar String Lights
Easy to set up and remove
Replaceable bulbs
- Easy to break
Are you looking for string lights that don’t require to be plugged in?
Simply look at the Sunlitec, which is the standard solar outdoor lights. It uses renewable energy, not only being eco-friendly but also saving a lot of money on your electric bills. Specifically, this product comes with a 3w/5v solar panel that will convert sunlight into energy for charging the battery. Or you can also charge these lovely lights with a USB charging port.
When it comes to safety and durability, these solar outdoor lights use LED bulbs. The surfaces of these bulbs are coated protective films and covers, which protect the inside from extreme weather elements.
With a 3000 Kelvin color temperature, Sunlitec produces warm white lighting with orange to yellow-white color. It brings a cosy, calm, and intimate ambience for different kinds of parties at night.
| Sunlitec Solar String Lights Specifications | |
|---|---|
Length | 8200mm |
Color Temperature | 3,000 Kelvin |
Charging Time | 8 hours |
Working Time | 50,000 hours |
Highlight Features | lightening modes, a premium 3w/5v solar panel, a USB charging port, |
I strongly recommend Sunlitec Solar String Lights for people who want to invest in standard solar outdoor light with basic features.
Longest Working Time (Solar Lights): LiyuanQ solar string lights
Not overheat
Takes less space for storage
Environmental-friendly
Water-resistant
A bit hard to adjust modes
If you are looking for outdoor lights with long working time, you should consider LiyuanQ solar-powered fairy lights.
Typically, the working time of standard fairy outdoor lights is from 6 to 8 hours, and even it will decrease 3-4 hours after 6 months of use. However, you can expect the lighting time of LiyuanQ up to 8-12 hours after charging fully.
Many people think that they must sacrifice performance for working time. But, here is the better thing:
You can easily bend these lights to shape around any your pieces of furniture, even plants. Moreover, you can adjust your favourite lighting mode among 8 available ones. This helps you create a suitable atmosphere for different events in your patio.
| LiyuanQ solar string lights Specifications | |
|---|---|
Length | 33 feet |
Color Temperature | Cool white |
Charging Time | 2-3 days |
Working Time | 8 hours |
Highlight Features | low-heat-emission LED bulbs, 8 lighting modes, automatic switch |
LiyuanQ solar string lights bring beautiful cool white lighting.
Most Versatile (Solar Lights): Lalapao solar string lights
Lightweight
Easy to use and store
Eco-friendly
Energy-saving
- Dimmer over time
Do you want to buy a set of versatile string lights for different occasions?
It will automatically turn on at night and turn off to charge on daytime. When working, these lights are adjustable with 8 different modes. They include steady on, flashing or twinkle, fading slowly, chasing, fading, waves, fireflies flashing, and combination.
Furthermore, it's perfect for both outdoor and indoor use. In particular, if you set up Lalapao in your bedroom, it will provide this room with soft lighting for a more comfortable and relaxed feeling. Of course, this is also a good option for patio use. The IP65 is waterproof, and even it is sealed to keep your lights from even the tiny water and dust particles.
| Lalapao solar string lights Specifications | |
|---|---|
Length | 72ft |
Charging Time | daytime |
Working Time | 10 hours |
Highlight Features | IP65 waterproof, 2 Switch Buttons, |
Lalapao solar string lights are a multi-purpose product.
How To Choose The Best Outdoor Light For Patio?
#buying_guide_intro
Power Source
There are 4 different power sources:
Battery-powered lights aren't waterproof, which is not a proper choice for uncovered places like a patio.
Solar-powered lights are designed for patios without outlets. However, sunlight can't be a constant power source, so it's better to invest in a model with a USB charging port.
Plug-in lights work with an outlet, so, make sure that your patio comes with at least an accessible outlet. Or, you can use an extension cord for added length.
Hardwired lights are a wall-mounted option, which is a permanent solution for your outdoor space. Plus, you might need the help of a professional for installation.
Bulb Type
Large bulbs are used for lighting and decorating a general view. Meanwhile, the tiny fairy lights are used to highlight details or create a theme.
Lighting Size and Length
Because products on this list are string lights, I will guide you on how to choose string lighting size and length. You need to measure your patio correctly to select the proper string length. It's better to add an extra 5 feet to your measurement to have enough length to install your string lights.
Bulb Color and Finish
When it comes to bulb color, you can consider different-colored bulbs or multicolor string lights. To pick up the best finish, let me know what your demands are. While a clear bulb features bright and direct light, you will get a gentle glow from an opaque filtered bulb.
Wire Color
Whether you want to choose a unique color or a standard wire color such as green, black, brown, or white, your choice should blend with the surroundings.
Remote control
Some solar outdoor lights for patios have a remote control which enables you to easily customize the ambiance and illumination according to your preferences, allowing for a comfortable and convenient outdoor experience.
Which Brands Make The Best Outdoor Light For Patio?
Brightown
Brightown is famous for high-quality and cost-effective outdoor solar lights for indoor and outdoor uses, string lights, and decorative lighting. Besides, the company also offer professional services and supply their products for small and medium-sized enterprises. After reading the customers feedback, the manufacturer has improved the quality of their products continuously.
Addlon
Addlon has cooperated with professional and well-known manufacturers to produce superior-quality lights. They are famous for economical and durable lights.
Brightech
Brightech has committed to providing designer lighting at an affordable price. They constantly learn about lighting to improve their products as well as possible. Their lights usually come with energy-efficient LEDs.
Lalapao
Lalapao is a brand specialized in LED string lights. They deal in many kinds of battery lights and solar lights. It includes meteor shower lights, copper, rope, globe ball, dragonfly, G12, and M5.
FAQs
How do you hang outdoor string lights on a patio?
Measure your patio and draw a rough sketch.
Set up some poles if essential.
If you use guide wire, hang it on first. In some cases, you need to thread the light strings through the guy wire before hanging.
Pay attention to hang the first string with the male plug close to the outlet.
Use hooks or zip ties between each bulb on deck railings or something like that as essential.
In case you have to hang many light strings, after hanging the first string, remember to connect the female end of the first one with the male end of the second string. Keep installing other strings in this way.
Plug your outdoor lights in.
How long do outdoor string lights last?
This depends on each product. But, the rated life of most LED outdoor string lights is around 50.000 hours. And it is 50 times longer than incandescent outdoor string lights.
If you use 12 hours per day, your 50.000 light bulb can last over 11 years and 17 years for 8 hours per day.
Do solar lights work on cloudy days?
The short answer is yes. The solar lights don't create much electricity but, you can expect 25% of the produced electricity from sunlight, or at least 10% on a very cloudy day.
Do solar lights work in the rain?
Yes, they do.
How long do solar lights stay on at night?
The solar lights can stay on about 8 hours at night for a full charge.
Conclusion
If you properly choose the best outdoor lights for patio, they can help you create an appropriate atmosphere to take a rest. The warm white color temperature brings a cosy, warm, and comfortable feeling while the cool white color temperature is more vibrant. Which one is your choice? Please let me know by leaving a comment here.
