Patio lights make it possible to extend outdoor entertaining and relaxing into the night, and they’re a great way to transform your backyard into a warm and inviting atmosphere. They also improve safety by lighting pathways and making it easier for guests to navigate steps and other obstacles after dark.
There are a variety of patio light options available to suit your personal style and budget, from inexpensive string lights to elegant lanterns. When shopping for patio lights, consider the color temperature, wattage, number of bulbs, and installation method. The wattage and color temperature are especially important to keep in mind when choosing a patio light for an area that experiences wide fluctuations between freezing winter temperatures and blazing summers.
The most popular type of patio light is the classic string lamp. These can be hung along a patio railing or draped over bushes and trees for a romantic, whimsical look. They come in a variety of colors and sizes, with some offering the option to add multi-colored bulbs for a more festive effect.
We liked the Govee LED outdoor string lights we tested for their quality bulbs and convenient, “T” junctions that make it easy to affix them to rafters or other structures with no fuss. We also appreciated that they used a thinner single-strand cord, which made them less bulky than other models we tested. However, these lights lost points for their harsh, blue light quality and the lack of a dimmer feature.