Best Outdoor String Lights
Updated How we research
50FT LED Outdoor String Lights with Remote, Waterproof Edison Bulbs, 3 Modes
A 50FT LED outdoor string light set with remote, waterproof Edison bulbs and 3 Modes.
OHLUX 55FT Outdoor String Lights, 26 Dimmable G40 Bulbs, 2200K Waterproof
OHLUX's 55FT outdoor string lights with 26 dimmable G40 bulbs at a warm 2200K, waterproof.
String lights are sold on length and bulb count, but the choices that affect how the balcony feels are bulb shape and colour temperature. G40 is the round globe, roughly golf-ball sized, giving an even glow that reads as festive; ST38 is the small Edison shape with a visible filament, which looks more restrained and throws a slightly warmer pool of light. Colour temperature matters more than either: 2200K is the deep amber of a filament bulb and is what makes an outdoor space feel warm at night, while anything approaching 3000K starts to look like indoor lighting moved outside. Insist on shatterproof plastic bulbs rather than glass for a balcony, since one dropped glass bulb over a railing is a problem for whoever is below. Length should be measured as a route, not a distance, because you lose a surprising amount to the sag between fixing points and the run back to a socket; a 50 foot set covers a typical balcony perimeter with sag to spare, and the 100 to 300 foot sets are for wrapping a larger terrace or running along a fence. Check the weather rating explicitly and note that many sets rate the string but not the plug, which then needs to sit under cover. Dimmability and a remote are genuinely useful rather than gimmicks here, and if you want the lights to come on by themselves, confirm whether a timer is built in or expects a separate smart plug.
The short version
We compared 5 picks. Our scores range from 7.6 to 8.4 out of 10.
- Best overall:50FT LED Outdoor String Lights with Remote, Waterproof Edison Bulbs, 3 Modes. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.4/10.
- Also great value:OHLUX 55FT Outdoor String Lights, 26 Dimmable G40 Bulbs, 2200K Waterproof. Value score of 8/10, overall 8.4/10.
- Solid build:100ft LED Outdoor String Lights, Waterproof ST38 Shatterproof Edison Bulbs, Dimmable. Build and materials score of 8/10, overall 8.0/10.
- Feature-rich:Brightever 100FT LED Outdoor String Lights, 52 ST38 Edison Bulbs, 2700K Dimmable. Features score of 8/10, overall 8.0/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
- 1.50FT LED Outdoor String Lights with Remote, Waterproof Edison Bulbs, 3 Modes8.4/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 2.OHLUX 55FT Outdoor String Lights, 26 Dimmable G40 Bulbs, 2200K Waterproof8.4/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 3.100ft LED Outdoor String Lights, Waterproof ST38 Shatterproof Edison Bulbs, Dimmable8.0/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 4.Brightever 100FT LED Outdoor String Lights, 52 ST38 Edison Bulbs, 2700K Dimmable8.0/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 5.DAMAING 300FT Outdoor Globe String Lights, G40 Shatterproof LED, 2-Pack x 150FT7.6/10See on AmazonCheck price
#1A 50FT LED outdoor string light set with remote, waterproof Edison bulbs and 3 Modes.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Remote control turns lights on without reaching the plug
- + 50FT length is right for most apartment balconies
- + 3 Modes add variety for different occasions
- - Remote batteries need occasional replacement
- - Fewer modes than some smart light strings
#2OHLUX's 55FT outdoor string lights with 26 dimmable G40 bulbs at a warm 2200K, waterproof.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + 2200K warm light gives a cozy candle-like glow
- + 26 Dimmable G40 bulbs spread light evenly
- + 55FT length fits a typical balcony perimeter
- - Very warm tone is less bright for reading or cooking tasks outdoors
- - Dimmer may need to be purchased separately
#3A 100ft LED outdoor string light set with waterproof, shatterproof ST38 Edison bulbs and dimming.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Shatterproof ST38 bulbs survive knocks and drops outdoors
- + Dimmable lights set a soft mood for evening dinners
- + 100ft length can wrap around railings and ceilings
- - 100ft is more than a small balcony needs
- - Check dimmer compatibility if you plan to dim these lights
#4Brightever's 100FT LED outdoor string lights with 52 ST38 Edison bulbs at 2700K, dimmable.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + 52 ST38 Edison Bulbs give a bright vintage look
- + 2700K warm white balances coziness and visibility
- + Dimmable bulbs adjust from bright party light to a soft evening glow
- - 100FT length requires planning to avoid clutter
- - Many bulbs mean more to check for failures
#5DAMAING's 300FT outdoor globe string lights with shatterproof G40 LEDs in a 2-Pack x 150FT.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + G40 globe bulbs create a classic cafe-style glow
- + 2-Pack x 150FT lets you run two separate strands
- + Shatterproof LEDs are safe on busy balconies
- - 300FT total length is excessive for small spaces
- - Long strands need multiple mounting points
Before you buy: trade-offs we flagged
No pick is perfect. These are the main compromises we noted for the top products in this guide, so you can check they will not matter for you.
- Remote batteries need occasional replacement (50FT LED Outdoor String Lights with Remote,...)
- Very warm tone is less bright for reading or cooking tasks outdoors (OHLUX 55FT Outdoor String Lights, 26 Dimmable...)
- 100ft is more than a small balcony needs (100ft LED Outdoor String Lights, Waterproof...)
- 100FT length requires planning to avoid clutter (Brightever 100FT LED Outdoor String Lights,...)
- 300FT total length is excessive for small spaces (DAMAING 300FT Outdoor Globe String Lights,...)
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best choice among outdoor string lights?
50FT LED Outdoor String Lights with Remote, Waterproof Edison Bulbs, 3 Modes is our top overall pick. A 50FT LED outdoor string light set with remote, waterproof Edison bulbs and 3 Modes. It earns our score of 8.4/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.
›What is a good budget option?
OHLUX 55FT Outdoor String Lights, 26 Dimmable G40 Bulbs, 2200K Waterproof is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. OHLUX's 55FT outdoor string lights with 26 dimmable G40 bulbs at a warm 2200K, waterproof.
›How much should I expect to spend?
Picks in this guide span See on Amazon price bands (roughly: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $100, $$$ = over $100). We never display exact prices because they change constantly, so the buttons above always show Amazon's current price.
›How were these products chosen?
We shortlist products that fit the job this guide solves and compare their published specifications, such as size, capacity, materials and what is included. Each pick gets an editorial score out of 10 for fit, features, build and value, and we write the pros and cons from those details. Our score is not an Amazon customer rating. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never affects the ranking.
Balcony Garden Picks independently selects every product; we may earn a commission from links above.
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