String lights are classy.

There are so many outdoor string lights in the market to choose from that purchasing the perfect lights can become a tedious task. You have to decide on the kind of bulb, length, design, color, power source, and sometimes even the music you want. There are some lights that you need to plug-in an outlet, others are battery operated, and some are solar powered. I think you get the picture now – there is a lot to choose from.

Because of that, I came up with a few tips to make sure you get only the best outdoor string lights:

1.    Choose LED Lights – if you are looking for the brightest and most durable lights, you want to make sure you get the LED lights. This kind of light is extremely bright but at the same time it uses the least amount of energy. Also, since they are usually smaller than incandescent lights you can do lots of other things with them. You can put them inside a rubber tube or place different kinds of coverings on them to give them different looks for different occasions.

2.    Choose the string lights that are waterproof – since they are placed outdoors and you can never predict the weather, it would be wise to buy ones that are waterproof. That way, you won’t need to bring them in during the winter (or when it rains).

3.    Go green and choose solar powered lights – I don’t think there is even a need to elaborate on this one; the more solar powered electronics you can get, the better. Not only will these lights help our environment, but they’ll allow you to save money too.

One other thing that I love about solar powered lights is their mobility. Remember that you do not need to plug them in because they have their own batteries and they are pretty much self-contained; because of that, you have the freedom to hang them virtually anywhere you like. Lastly, solar powered string lights usually have censors that will automatically turn on the lights when it becomes too dark outside. This can really work to your advantage if you are lazy like me and forget to turn your lights on and off.

4.    Do your research – like I said, there are so many kinds of outdoor string lights to choose from and you will see an equal amount of retailers selling them. These retailers offer different promotions and prices so it is best that you know which ones offer high quality lights. Do not be afraid to ask your friends or go online to get others’ opinions; there is really no need to rush through the purchasing process.

I personally recommend shopping at Amazon because so many people offer their opinions there. I find it very beneficial to read other people’s reviews before making my string light purchases. You can go here to read about some of my personal favorites on Amazon.

These are some of the things you need to keep in mind when buying outdoor string lights. I hope they helped you narrow down your choices.

Below are some of my favorite outdoor string lights, all available for immediate purchase at Amazon.

Chances are you’ve bought string lights like these ones before. These are great for wrapping around your Christmas tree or for wrapping around a tree outside.

Comes with the classic green wire that will bring back memories of when you were a child.

Great, soft mood lighting for a comfortable cozy feel.

Here’s a little different take on the traditional Christmas string lights. These lights come with little bulbs on the end. They offer a warm white glow and are a bit sturdier than average (you get what you pay for).

These lights come with replacement bulbs because although LEDs last a long time on average, they do tend to go out occasionally. Instead of having to buy a whole new set, you can just pop in the replacement bulbs.

To the left is a heavy duty outdoor string light that has 15 bulbs. The total spring spans a distance of 50 feet.

People really enjoy hanging these lights out around the deck or patio. In addition, they work great for lighting up a pathway.

This set, sold from Amazon, is weatherproof. It comes highly recommended and has exceeded the expectations of many purchasers.

Keep in mind that the bulbs are sold separately.

To the right is a classic “European Cafe” string light that is both functional and aesthetically appealing.

This commercial grade string comes with seven waterproof light sockets. People who buy this string for lights are always surprised by how heavy duty it is. It is made of high quality material that will last.

Each socket comes with a 7.5 inch wide galvanized shade that protects the bulb and looks just like Europe!

Note: Make sure you use low watt bulbs so you set the right mood (and so you don’t get blinded). I wouldn’t recommend using more than a 40 watt bulb (a 15 watt works great).

The bulbs to the left are clear making for a very nice look during the early evening and late evening hours. You’ve probably seen something like this when visiting your favorite winery.

This set of outdoor string lights actually comes with the small bulbs (though it might not be a bad idea to buy some replacements as well because the bulbs are rather fragile).

The set has 25 bulbs spread out by one foot each making the total length of the string 25 feet.

The lights to the right are a bit more modern take on the classic Christmas light look. Instead of a yellowish glow, these lights produce a cool white light that is rather inviting.

These lights are domed and made out of LEDs. LED lights last a lot longer than traditional incandescent lights. These ones come with a three year warranty!

The total length of this string is about 18 feet.

The glowing turtle lights on the left aren’t necessarily string lights, but I simply couldn’t resist throwing them in here because they are so fun.

Although the turtles only span about a foot in length, they do a nice job of lighting up a dark corner leading to a house.

The light these turtles put off is a very intriguing orange glow. Very fun and worth considering if you can find a place to put them. These are solar powered lights.

The classic paper lantern string lights featured on the right might be just the ticket for your specific situation.

The lanterns are about 8 inches in diameter and made out of paper and steel wire. This design is of course based off the traditional Japanese Shoji Lanterns.

Keep in mind that most paper lanterns are designed for indoor use only. You would probably only want to take these ones outside on very nice weather days.

Also, it’s always a good idea to watch for fire issues when dealing with paper lanterns.

Hope you enjoyed my little tour of the available string lights at Amazon. If you didn’t find what you were looking for on this page, then go here to find even more outdoor string lights.

1.    Traditional – The most prominent of all outdoor lights are the traditional ones because

Lighten up your gazebo.

they are the lights you usually see during the holidays (Christmas lights). The bulbs in this kind of light are all in one circuit and that means if one light goes out, all the bulbs will go out too. These are the cheapest type of string lights but unfortunately, they break pretty easily too.

2.    Rope Lights – This kind of string light is composed of LED lights that are placed inside rubber tubing which resembles a rope; hence, it is called a rope light. These lights are very flexible and can be manipulated to form various kinds of shapes. They also come in different colors so you can just imagine how much you can do with them.

3.    Net Lights – Net lights are the ones that are connected in a mesh in order for them to cover large or wide spaces. This kind of outdoor lighting is often used and placed on trees and bushes. Also, they are usually LED lights so they are more expensive than the traditional ones.

Because one can find many uses for this type of light, more and more people are hooked on them.  These lights really are a stroke of genius. They are so versatile you can hang them from any ceiling or drape them on any surface, and they still appear to be elegant and striking. In addition to that, they are very economical too because LED lights do not use up that much energy even though they give out a huge amount of light.

If you are still worried about your electric bill when you are using LED lights, you can go for the solar powered outdoor string lights. Yes, they may be more expensive than the ones that are powered by standard electricity, but it is a very good investment because you will be saving tons of electricity money in the long run. Solar string lights can be recharged under the sun and if done properly, you can use them for the rest of the night.

There is virtually no limit to what you can do with outdoor string lights. They are versatile, cost-efficient, and sometimes eco-friendly; you will never ask for more!

This type of light come in many different colors, shapes, and sizes; and if you are not the kind who conforms to anything mainstream you can have them tailor-made especially for you. This is very convenient especially if you have a creative streak and you want to show that to the world. Moreover, you can also get solar string lights. As the name implies, these kinds of lights are solar powered and will not require any electricity in order to operate. That should save you a lot of money; and at the same time, you can help save the environment too. Also, these lights can be bought even if you are on a budget. Solar lights are more expensive but in the long run, you will be saving more money with them (electricity doesn’t come cheap anymore, right?).

What I probably like the most about outdoor string lights is their ability to replace huge and totally unattractive light fixtures. String lights, although more often used as a home décor, can also be used as your basic source of light at home. You can think of them as chandeliers – they light up your room the same way a typical light bulb does, but with

additional finesse. These lights are really equally elegant, and

Imagine walking down this pathway. Very cool.

energy efficient. Also, they allow you to change the vibe of the room because the light it emits is not too glaring.

Lastly, outdoor string lights can be used even during extreme weather conditions. Just like what I always say, it does not matter if you live in the Sahara or in the North Pole; these lights are sturdy enough for those extreme weathers and sudden climate changes.  There is really no reason not to love these lights; they are both durable and versatile, what more can you ask for?

Safety First
Every time you purchase any electronic device, outdoor string lights included, you must

Unless you want to see these guys, be safe with your string lights.

always think about safety first. It is extremely important that you choose lights that are durable enough to withstand any harsh conditions outdoors to avoid any injuries or damage; after all, the most common cause of fire is faulty electrical wiring. First things first, check the label of the light to see if it can be used outdoors; if not, don’t even dare use it outside your house. You should buy ones that are guaranteed to have been made for outdoor use because they are the ones that are usually more durable.

Incandescent vs. LED Lights
If you were not living in a cave or hiding under a rock the past few years, you should probably have an idea what LED lights are. There are three general aspects of the battle between LED and incandescent lights that we need to focus on: durability, color, and cost of power consumption. Each of which will be discussed further as we go along this article. I just need to point out that string lights can either be LED or incandescent lights; both of which have their own strong and weak points and all you have to do is choose what works best for you.

Let us start with durability – LED lights win in this category with bulbs lasting for more or less five years. However, you can choose from a wider variety of colors with incandescent lights than you can with LED lights. But since LED lights are smaller, it is still easier to decorate them than the incandescent ones. Regarding the costs, you can look at it two ways: either incandescent lighting is more cost effective because they are much cheaper compared to LED lights; or LED lights are the more cost efficient ones as they consume less power so you could save a lot of electricity money in the long run. If you ask me, I would say LED lights are cheaper if you try to look at the bigger picture.

So there go some of the things you need to consider before buying outdoor string lights. There are honestly a lot you can choose from so it is best to narrow down your choices first using these tips before heading out to the store.

There is just something very special about these lights that they create a little mystery in the air; a mystery that can either add fun or romance to your party. They provide your backyard a certain glow, but a glow that is not too glaring or painful to the eyes. Because string lights can be used on all occasions, you can use them indoors or outdoors; using them outdoors is much more common. They are pretty much all you need for your party décor – they are interesting, and serve a certain purpose all at once.

Outdoor string lights have a lot to offer, but what I like best about them is their ability to withstand all weather conditions. It does not matter if you live in the middle of the desert or if you are neighbors with Santa Claus, you can rest assured that these lights will not disappoint you. You just have to make sure though that the string lights you bought are meant to be used outdoors; otherwise they may overheat under the sun or short circuit when it rains. Moreover, since you will use them outdoors, make sure you get the ones that are durable so you can depend on them for a really long time.

One very good idea is getting solar powered outdoor string lights. These lights are both economical and nature-friendly. They have become really popular lately because of how much you can save with them and how convenient they are to use. You can just simply place them outdoor to recharge under the sun, and use them at night; no hassle really! Moreover, they usually come with a sensor that makes the lights come on automatically when it gets too dark outside.

These string lights are really the best kinds of light to bring on a trip for an outdoor party; and you can count on them to provide your party with a smashing atmosphere. If you want to get an added twist to your lights, you can have them customized to fit your needs and mood. However, because there are plenty of outdoor lights to choose from today, you have to make sure you get the high quality ones. You can ask around or even do your research online; whatever you do, just make sure you don’t simply grab outdoor string lights from the market racks without ever scrutinizing their quality.