The 10 Best Outdoor Patio String Lights for a Magical Atmosphere

For a soft glow, try these lantern lights. The string is on the smaller side as it's only able to cover about 6 to 8 feet of patio space. They're made of nylon fabric (not paper!), so they're sure to be safe and last all summer long.

Fairy lights are especially great for decorating trees, lining an outdoor wall, and filling lanterns. For a longer option, consider this 30-foot one. It features 90 continuous light LED light bulbs that boast a soft glow. Not to mention, they're durable. "These lights worked even in a huge snowstorm and never had an issue," confirmed one reviewer, who gave the lights a five-star rating.

For a shorter, battery-powered option—that's great for displaying in vases or containers—consider this set of six short strands.

If you plan to set up a bunch of string lights vertically, consider forgoing individual strands for these curtain lights. Whether you attach them to a pergola or a wall, they'll instantly create a waterfall of shining lights. Each 9.8-foot set features 18 strands with 17 LED lights on it. It's also available in a 19.7-foot length. With more than 5,400 five-star ratings, reviewers praise the lights for how they can withstand bad weather conditions and how easy they are to hang.

While Christmas lights are great for decorating indoor trees come December, they're also excellent for lighting a patio year-round. These clear lights—which have more than 3,400 five-star ratings—are strung together by white wire and measure about 20 feet long. You can connect up to five of them for additional length. Reviewers have used them both indoors and outdoors to decorate everything from their patio to their bedroom.

Anyone who doesn't want to limit themselves to a single light color needs these color-changing 48-foot string lights. With a remote, you can easily select one of eight colors: red, orange, yellow, warm white, green, blue, cyan, and purple. It also features three modes called jump, fade, and flash. There's even a music sync function that allows the lights to flicker to the beat of your favorite songs, which many reviewers rave over.

If you want more control over how long your string lights are, consider this box of lights that includes 15 linkable strands. They can reach up to 150 feet long, making them ideal for covering big backyards and patios. Reviewers praise this set for the large bulb size and dimmable setting. "The LED bulbs have no noticeable flicker when dimmed at any reduced light setting," wrote one reviewer, who used them to light an entire front porch.

In 2021, TIKI brand launched its BiteFighter LED String Lights—a sophisticated outdoor lighting option that can illuminate your backyard while ridding it of mosquitos. The 36-foot strand features 12 bulbs and three repellent pods that offer up to 200 hours of protection. The brand recommends hanging them no higher than 10 feet above the ground. You also have the option to turn off the the repellent pods if no mosquitos are bothering you, so you don't waste any repellent. Bonus: You can connect up to eight of them.

One enthusiastic reviewer, who gave the lights a five-star rating, shared: "These are the best, most durable outdoor lights we’ve ever had. Plus, next to no mosquitos in our backyard. We used to have to burn several mosquito repellent candles and use bug spray - these lights alone do the trick!"

Make your patio extra magical with these battery-powered crystal globe string lights. Available in 16.4-foot, 26-foot, and 33-foot sizes, the waterproof lights offer a warm white glow. With more than 2,700 five-star ratings, reviewers say the soft light they give off is great for creating a moody, romantic environment. One customer wrote that the lights even have a nice shimmer to them in the daylight when they're turned off.