The Best Durable Outdoor String Lights for Backyard Ambience

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Bright Ideas

Backyards are still a popular place to spend time this summer, as well as a great location for catching up with long-missed family and friends. All the more reason to create a whimsical atmosphere that you can enjoy all season long. These string lights can turn your yard into a vacation destination.

Prices and availability are subject to change.

Related: 18 Products That Can Turn Your Backyard Into a Relaxing Oasis

Mini Curtain String Lights — Wayfair

Mini Curtain String Lights

$44 from Wayfair

Create a wall of brightness with these sheet lights that can hang from a balcony, deck, or window. The 6-foot cord length plugs into a wall.

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Bulb Globe String Light — Wayfair

Bulb Globe String Light

$31 from Wayfair

This 25-foot-long set of bulb lights is rated for wet locations and can handle direct water, making them ideal for outdoor areas that aren't covered.

Related: Where to Buy Garden Supplies: Lowe's vs. Home Depot vs. Walmart and More

Solvinden LED String Lights — Ikea

Solvinden LED String Lights

$20 from Ikea

Light up your outdoor space with multi-colored bulbs. The 23-foot-long strand runs on solar power, so make sure you place them where they can catch sun during the day.

Related: 18 Secrets and Hacks for Shopping at Ikea

Solvinden LED String Light in Orange and Blue — Ikea

Solvinden LED String Light in Orange and Blue

$15 from Ikea

These 12 mini lanterns emit blue and orange light for a festive feel, and don't need to be plugged in.

Portfolio 48-ft 18-Light Plug-In White LED String Lights — Lowe's

Portfolio 48-ft 18-Light Plug-In White LED String Lights

$50 from Lowe's

These LED bulbs bring a festive feel to an outdoor eating area.

They are also waterproof and shatter resistant.

Lights by Night Plug-In White LED String Lights — Lowe's

Lights by Night Plug-In White LED String Lights

$70 from Lowe's

Turn your patio into a French bistro with this set of 48-foot-long plug-in LED lights. They are designed to stay up year-round through all weather conditions, and are linkable so you can make the strand even longer to fit your space.

Portfolio Bamboo-Shade Plug-In White Incandescent String Lights — Lowe's

Portfolio Bamboo-Shade Plug-In White Incandescent String Lights

$17 from Lowe's

Bamboo gives these lights a beachy feel that's perfect for a patio umbrella or tropical-themed decor. The set of 10 lights is waterproof as well.

Portfolio Textured Glass Plastic-Shade Plug-In White LED String Lights — Lowe's

Portfolio Textured Glass Plastic-Shade Plug-In White LED String Lights

$28 from Lowe's

These charming jelly jar lights are plastic, so no worries about one dropping and shattering glass on your space. Each jar has eight LED lights for sparkle, and the whole set is rated waterproof.

Hampton Bay Indoor/Outdoor 48 ft. String Light with LED Bulbs — Home Depot

Hampton Bay Indoor/Outdoor 48 ft. String Light with LED Bulbs

$50 from Home Depot

With 48 feet of LED bulbs, you'll be able to create a twinkling setting in one shot. The weather-resistant lights plug in and offer 40 lumens of warm lighting.

Hampton Bay Vintage Bulb Incandescent String Light — Home Depot

Hampton Bay Vintage Bulb Incandescent String Light

$19 from Home Depot

The vintage feel of this 12-foot strand of lights sets a perfect scene for a festive evening.

Hampton Bay Solar Black Integrated LED Nautical String Light — Home Depot

Hampton Bay Solar Black Integrated LED Nautical String Light

$30 from Home Depot

This nautical string light set is perfect for a beach house or just creating the look of one. The 19-foot strand runs on solar energy, and has an on/off switch. However, they can be left on and will automatically turn themselves off when the sun is up.

LED Solar Lights With Mushrooms — Etsy

LED Solar Lights With Mushrooms

Starting at $31 from Etsy

Add some fantasy to your garden with mushroom-themed ground lights fit for an enchanted evening. The solar-powered lights reach 137 inches long and are available in multi-color or one shade only.

Outdoor Color-Changing String Lights — Amazon

Outdoor Color-Changing String Lights

Buy on $32.21 $37.99

$32 from Amazon

Create colorful ambiance with these outdoor bulbs that can be customized to flash based on whatever music you're playing. The lights feature more than 20 color flashing combos.

Amazon Basics Patio String Lights — Amazon

Amazon Basics Patio String Lights

$23 from Amazon

This affordable strand of 25 feet of string lights will brighten up any outdoor space. They feature end-to-end connections to make them even longer, and have a one year limited warranty.

LED Rope Lights — Amazon

LED Rope Lights

$14 from Amazon

With 40 feet of rope lighting, this set can be wound around railings and posts with ease. Other standout features are eight lighting modes and 10 brightness levels, waterproof tubing, and a timer button.

Related: The Best Grills Under $300

Solar Mason-Jar-Lid Lights — Amazon

Solar Mason-Jar-Lid Lights

Buy on $17.98 $18.99

$25 from Amazon

Use your own jars with these waterproof solar lids with attached fairy lights to create a unique decorative look. The light sensor feature automatically turns on in the evenings and turns off in daytime.

Dragonfly Solar String Lights — Amazon

Dragonfly Solar String Lights

$19 from Amazon

Set a magical scene with bright dragonfly lights in rainbow colors. The 21-foot-long strand is solar-powered and waterproof.

Related: If You Have a Backyard, You're Going to Want a DIY Pergola Kit

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