Savannah Schell | posted January 10, 2021 3:58 PM

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The string lights illuminate your outdoor space while adding brilliance and whimsy, creating a pleasant atmosphere suitable for outdoor entertainment or relaxation. You can hang them on the dining table, weave them on the beams of the pergola, or string them from the trees to turn your backyard into an atmospheric oasis.

Compared to standard outdoor light strings, if you don't have a convenient power outlet, the solar option can be useful. Because of their solar panels, they are also an energy-saving option that will not increase your electricity bill. With this in mind, read on for tips on choosing the best solar string light for your outdoor space, and learn more about the selection.

To create an attractively illuminated outdoor space, consider the size and shape of the bulb, as well as the brightness and color. Weatherproof design, long power cord and remote or application control functions can also make outdoor solar string lights safer and easier to use.

Solar light string bulbs come in a variety of styles and shapes, which can give the light string a unique aesthetic. Spherical bulbs, Edison bulbs, lantern bulbs, fairy lights and rope lights are particularly popular:

When choosing a bulb size, consider the available outdoor space, ease of installation, and desired appearance. Small bulbs are a good choice for small outdoor spaces: they won't overwhelm the space or other outdoor decorations. They are usually more subtle and provide soft background lighting. They provide less light and are usually used for decorative purposes.

Large bulbs are more eye-catching and provide a bolder look. Their larger size can provide more direct lighting. They are usually brighter and are ideal for larger spaces that require more lighting. Large decorative bulbs, such as spherical bulbs and Edison bulbs, can express style.

Lumen measures the amount of light output by the bulb-the more lumens, the brighter the bulb. Note that lumens should not be confused with wattage: wattage measures the power consumed by the bulb, not necessarily the brightness of the light. When deciding on the brightness of the bulb, please consider the desired lighting effect.

The brightness of solar light bulbs ranges from 5 lumens per bulb to more than 100 lumens. Users usually choose light strings because of their luminous appearance rather than brightness, so lower lumens can usually create a good atmosphere.

Use the Kelvin temperature scale (K) to measure the color temperature of the lighting. This scale measures how warm and cold the lighting appears. Lower numbers on the Kelvin scale look warmer, while higher numbers look colder.

Most home lighting is between 2,000 K and 6,000 K. Light bulbs around 2,700 K have a comfortable warm white with a yellow tint, while bulbs over 5,000 K provide vivid, clear lighting with a blue tint.

Warm lighting makes the space look more comfortable and inviting, while cool lighting may appear dazzling, especially at night. For this reason, warm bulbs are usually the first choice for outdoor ambient lighting.

When choosing the ideal light string length, consider the size of the outdoor space and the lighting layout. The best way to determine the necessary wire length is to use a twine to measure the position of the lamp. If necessary, make sure to include enough length to reach the exit. Depending on the size of the outdoor area, consider the following suggestions:

Because outdoor light strings are exposed to the natural environment, it is important to choose a light set that can withstand rain and wind. It is not ideal to have to remove the light string every time you encounter bad weather.

First, check the product description to determine if the lamp is suitable for outdoor use. Using indoor lighting outdoors creates a potential fire hazard. Second, make sure that the product is waterproof (or waterproof-even the place under the roof can become wet in bad weather).

The weatherproof lamp can handle the situation of direct exposure to water, and has a waterproof sealing function to prevent the accumulation of moisture in its internal parts and cause safety problems.

For those who want to upgrade from a basic solar light string, consider models with additional features, such as color-changing bulbs, dimming options, and remote control or application operations.

The following selection takes into account all the key characteristics to look for in a light string, including length, brightness, bulb style, and color. This list provides a variety of choices for top-notch solar light strings that meet your needs and budget.

Most high-quality solar light strings use LED bulbs because they are durable and emit a lot of light but very little heat, which makes them a safe choice for many settings. These LED Edison-style bulbs have a retro look and can last for 5 to 6 hours after being fully charged. The panel can be fully charged under 6 hours of direct sunlight.

This bundle of lights has 12 bulbs with a spacing of 20 inches and a span of 20 feet. There is a 6-foot-long wire connected to the solar panel, allowing you to place it in the sunniest location. The bulb is protected by a shatter-resistant plastic shell that heats up to 122 degrees Fahrenheit.

To determine the warmth of the bulb, look at the color temperature in Kelvin. The smaller the number, the warmer the light. This set of lights is available in warm white (2700K) and cooler soft white (3000K).

This affordable string of lights has warm yellow tones and eight operating modes, allowing you to choose lights that blink, fade, or create a firefly effect. The string is 66 feet long and includes 200 miniature LED strings. They use flexible copper wires, so you can easily bend them into many different configurations.

It takes about 8 hours to charge the lamp, and then the battery can last for 6 to 8 hours. They have sufficient weather resistance and the waterproof rating is IP65.

The Sunlitec package includes 25 large solar light bulbs spaced 10 inches apart. This 27-foot suit can be used indoors or outdoors. For indoor use, a micro USB charger is provided, allowing you to electronically charge the battery. It takes 5 to 8 hours to charge the battery using solar energy, and 4 hours to use a USB charger.

With these two options, you can ensure that your lights can light up even on cloudy or rainy days. The solar panel itself is very large, measuring 7.87 inches x 8.66 inches. After fully charged, the light can shine for up to 8 hours. The lamp has a color temperature of 3000K, giving them a universal neutral color that is neither too cold nor too warm.

Use these unique string lights to bring the Moroccan atmosphere to your deck, backyard or even front porch. 20 LED earth lights are charged during the day and turn on automatically at night. The waterproof warm white design comes with a flashing or stable setting, and a pile for fixing planting to the ground.

This 15-foot suit comes with a built-in rechargeable battery that can reach maximum capacity after 6 to 8 hours of charging during the day. Outdoor solar string lights are suitable for year-round use, and can run for 8 to 10 hours on a single charge.

This multifunctional light string can be powered by solar energy or charged via a micro USB cable, and can be used indoors and outdoors. It is 44 feet long and includes 15 Edison-style LED bulbs. Multiple strands can be connected to a larger space.

Solar panels require 6 to 8 hours of continuous sunlight to fully charge, and can power the lights for up to 8 hours. They have four modes: always on, slow flashing, fast flashing and pulsating.

It has excellent waterproof performance and reaches IPX5 rating, which means it can even withstand strong water jets. Solar bulbs are also shatterproof, which means you don't have to worry about damaging them.

Brightech string lights are outstanding in appearance and structure. These Edison-style solar lights have durable components and a timeless appearance that can complement various outdoor spaces. If your budget is limited, Sunlitec string lights can provide similar coverage and beautiful (although darker) fairy-tale lighting, but at a lower price.

The selection list above reflects a careful study of the many options for solar string lighting. The preferred products have high-efficiency LED bulbs, 5 hours or more running time, long wires, and are designed for outdoor use. In general, the list represents the popular styles available, including exquisite fairy lights, globe lights, and classic Edison bulbs.

Many of the kits in this guide are suitable for year-round use and can be used indoors if needed. Certain light strings also stand out for their additional features, such as multiple lighting modes and USB charging.

To ensure that you use solar string lights correctly, safely, and effectively, please read ahead and learn more about choosing the best option for you.

Since solar lights charge during the day, if they stay on until the charge is restored, these strings of lights will eventually run out of power. Therefore, these lights can be safely on all night.

However, please note that if left unattended, any solar light string containing lithium batteries has a higher risk of overheating or fire.

Solar string lights can be operated in winter as long as they can get sunlight for charging. Since many of these lights are also waterproof, you can also keep them outside throughout the year.

Depending on the type of outdoor solar light string used, you can expect the service life of each group of lights to be 2 to 4 years.

White light is the most effective lighting color because it is the closest to natural light. The warm white lamp has a glowing yellow hue, which is comfortable and attractive, making it a popular choice for outdoor lighting.

Colored bulbs are another option that users usually choose based on atmosphere rather than lighting capabilities. These lights add decorative style and can be an interesting addition to different seasons and holidays.

The easiest option is to hang the string of lights on existing fixtures or wrap them on the pillars and railings that surround the courtyard. If necessary, use heavy-duty glue hooks, metal hooks, or nails to create suspension options when needed.

Bob Vila has been an American handyman since 1979. As the host of the beloved groundbreaking TV series, including "The Old House" and "Bob Villa's House", he is popular and has become synonymous with "do it yourself" home improvement.

Throughout his decades-long professional career, Bob Vila has helped millions of people build, renovate, repair and live better every day-a tradition that continues to this day, providing professional and easy-to-use home advice. The Bob Vila team distilled the information they need to know into project tutorials, maintenance guides, tool 101, etc. Then, these family and garden experts thoroughly research, review, and recommend products that support homeowners, renters, DIYers, and professionals in their to-do lists.

Savannah Sher is a freelance writer and editor with a degree in journalism from Concordia University, covering home improvement, lifestyle, health and pop culture. Her guests are used to repainting the walls and moving furniture every time they visit. She lives with her husband and the three-legged rescue dog Nori, who is the best colleague she can ask for.

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