Buying guide for best permanent outdoor lights
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Have you ever looked at your home’s exterior at night and felt like there’s something missing? Permanent outdoor lights can add a nice touch to your home as well as illuminate it at night for safety. They’re easy to install, and many offer endless customization options, so you can choose the colors and level of brightness you want.
The best permanent outdoor lights can cover a large portion of your home, patio or pool area and have a durable design that’s built to withstand the elements. Plus, many outdoor lights now come with premium features, such as smart-home compatibility and music sync, which creates a unique light show to the beat of your favorite tunes.
The feature-packed Eufy Permanent Outdoor Lights are our favorite, but we also have recommendations below to suit every need and budget.
Which permanent outdoor lights are best?
Eufy Permanent Outdoor Lights
Best of the Best
Durability and Weather Resistance: Lights are IP65 water-resistant, UV-resistant; adapter is IP67 waterproof; can withstand -4 to 140 degrees | Expandability: NA | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, app control | Energy Efficiency: NA | Brightness and Adjustability: 90 lumens, 1500K to 9000K.
Whether you want a stunning holiday light show or simple mood lighting for a party, the Eufy Permanent Outdoor Lights can dress up your home for any occasion. And with 16 million colors and a handful of AI-powered features, there’s no shortage of ways to express your creativity.
These lights are among the best because of their brightness and color options. At 90 lumens, they're incredibly bright, and their color temperature ranges from 1500K to 9000K, making them the best choice for rave parties and holiday decorations.
Eufy, which also makes outdoor security cameras, is known for its products that can withstand the elements. These have an IP65 protection rating that makes them highly water-resistant, so they work well in wet or snowy conditions. Plus, the UV resistance protects them from melting or damage under the sun’s powerful rays.
Operation is simple, thanks to its smart features. These Bluetooth- and Wi-Fi-enabled lights let you control the light color, power and brightness through the Eufy Life app. You can even choose from a variety of themes, such as Halloween or Independence Day. The app can also sync with Eufy cameras and be programmed to change to preset themes when specific people are detected.
Aulimhti Outdoor LED Strip Lights
Best Bang for the Buck
Durability and Weather Resistance: IP65 water-resistant | Expandability: NA | Connectivity: Infrared | Energy Efficiency: NA | Brightness and Adjustability: Multicolor
You won’t find a better set of outdoor LED lights at this price point than the Aulimhti Outdoor LED Strip Lights. However, despite the affordable price tag, these lights offer a surprising number of neat features that can help you create the right ambience for your home.
Offering 29 dynamic modes, these lights can sync to your music and adapt to the rhythm for a rave-like setting. For instance, if you’re a fan of karaoke, put it on Mic mode and watch as the lights change while you sing or talk. The Lotus Lantern app lets you preset colors and schedule programs, and the 44-key IR remote control features a three-button switch for several control options.
As for durability, the silicone sleeve makes them highly water-resistant. Installation is effortless, thanks to the strong buckles that keep them in place. You can place them outside your home or near a pool surface, and the 100-foot strip can also be cut at certain points to adjust the length to suit your needs.
Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights
Bright & Attractive
Durability and Weather Resistance: Lights are IP67 waterproof; adapter is IP65 water-resistant; can withstand -4 to 140 degrees | Expandability: Yes | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | Energy Efficiency: NA | Brightness and Adjustability: 26 lumens, multicolor
Not only do these Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights offer a plethora of lighting modes, but they are also incredibly bright if you need them to be. The provided clips and glue allow each light to be installed in under eight seconds, and their lens design gives them a unique triangular lighting effect.
They come with all the features you could want. You can adjust the brightness and colors through Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and they’re also smart-enabled, allowing you to manage them with voice assistants, such as Google Assistant and Alexa. Their IP67 protection rating gives them superior water resistance, and the anti-UV material encasing them protects them against the sun’s harmful UV rays.
Although these lights are pricey, they’re among the most durable and have a lifespan of approximately 50,000 hours. The additional smart features add a layer of convenience that you won’t get with other permanent outdoor lights. And that’s just the kind of attention to detail we’d expect from Govee, which recently impressed us at CES.
Govee Smart Outdoor String Lights
Most Stylish
Durability and Weather Resistance: IP65 water-resistant | Expandability: Yes | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | Energy Efficiency: NA | Brightness and Adjustability: 50 lumens, multicolor
Govee is a highly rated brand for permanent outdoor lights, so if you want something more affordable than our Govee pick above, the Govee Smart Outdoor String Lights is a fine choice. The main difference is that these are larger multicolored bulbs on a 96-foot string instead of small square-shaped lights, making them more suitable for holiday decorations or adorning your backyard.
This set comes with 47 vivid scene modes, and you can set each individual bulb to any color you want for a rainbow of lights. The bulbs are IP65 waterproof, and the integrated microphone allows them to sync to your music, creating a disco-like environment.
A terrific mid-tier option, these lights don’t have all the premium features you’d typically get with more expensive lights. However, for $100, you’ll still get a handful of neat features, including compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant.
Sinley 400-Foot Permanent Outdoor Lights
Best for Large Homes
Durability and Weather Resistance: IP67 waterproof | Expandability: Yes | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, app control | Energy Efficiency: Low energy consumption | Brightness and Adjustability: Multicolor
If you have a large area to light up and need outdoor lights with an endless amount of customization, look no further than the Sinley 400-Foot Permanent Outdoor Lights. Though these lights may sound pricey at $400, you get a lot for your money with this set.
Its Lotus Lantern app is easy to use. You can adjust the RGB color to options ranging from warm amber to cool blue and activate any of the preloaded 58 lighting modes for colorful patterns. The app also lets you program them to turn on and off whenever you choose. There’s even a music-sync feature that adjusts the colors according to the sounds.
The Sinley lights have been tested rigorously for quality and performance. They have a robust IP67 water-resistance rating and can withstand temperatures as low as -4 degrees. The low-voltage 24-volt system makes them safe for use around children and ensures low energy consumption. And they are easy to install anywhere, thanks to the self-adhesive backing and screw-in fixings. If you need a lot of lights (there’s even a 500-foot option), Sinley is a great choice.
How we analyzed
After spending hours researching dozens of permanent outdoor lights, we narrowed down our list to the five high-quality options above. We based our choices on which lights had the best customer reviews, specs, features and functionality. We focused on lights that offer weatherproofing (IP65 and IP67 ratings only), good brightness and an easy-to-use app with customization options. The cost and whether the brand has a good customer-service reputation also played a part in our final decision.
Key features to consider
Types of outdoor lights
String lights
String lights are excellent for decorating various parts of your home, including your patios, decks or gardens. They can provide a warm, inviting atmosphere with options for dimmable or color-changing lights. They can also create a festive ambience for parties and get-togethers.
Wall-mounted lights
Wall-mounted lights are typically used for entryways, porches or garages and offer targeted illumination. For example, you can illuminate the border of your garage door for improved nighttime visibility. Wall-mounted lights can also enhance your home’s exterior design, making them a solid choice for holiday decorations.
Pathway lights
Pathway lights are designed to illuminate walkways and driveways. They add aesthetic appeal to some degree but are primarily for safety in low-light situations.
Spotlights and floodlights
Spotlights and floodlights provide bright, focused light for large areas and are typically used for security and highlighting architectural features.
Recessed or in-ground lights
Recessed and in-ground lights are similar to pathway lights in that they are primarily meant to serve as an aesthetic enhancement and increase safety at night or in dimly lit environments. Plus, they can help create a contemporary look.
String-integrated systems
These are permanently mounted lighting strips or systems designed for year-round use. They're an excellent option for decorating your home’s exterior for Halloween or Christmas and can also serve as illumination for a pool area.
Our top picks: Types of outdoor lights
- Eufy Permanent Outdoor Lights, Aulimhti Outdoor LED Strip Lights, Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights and Sinley 400-Foot Permanent Outdoor Lights: These are all strip lights with bulbs that can be installed easily and a design that’s built to withstand rain and other harsh weather conditions.
- Govee Smart Outdoor String Lights: These string lights aren’t as durable as strip lights, but they provide a flattering look to any patio or home exterior.
Material and build quality
Weather-resistant materials
It’s crucial to ensure your permanent outdoor lights are made of weather-resistant materials like stainless steel, aluminum or heavy-duty plastic. If they’re not, then you run the risk of not only damaging your lights but potentially causing a short circuit. Also, look for UV-resistant and rustproof coatings for protection against sun, rain and snow.
Durability
If you live somewhere with a harsh winter season, it’s a good idea to choose lights that can withstand extreme temperatures and environmental wear. You’ll want lights that can stay lit and undamaged even when the temperature is frigid or there’s heavy snowfall or strong winds.
Our top picks: Material and build quality
- Eufy Permanent Outdoor Lights: These lights are made from durable plastic and have an IP65 water-resistance rating as well as UV protection.
- Aulimhti Outdoor LED Strip Lights: They’re IP65 water-resistant and have a silicone sleeve, which gives them superior weather protection.
- Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights: They’re designed to handle temperatures as low as -4 degrees and boast an IP67 water-resistance rating.
- Govee Smart Outdoor String Lights: The plastic bulbs are shatterproof and are designed to stay on even in harsh weather conditions.
- Sinley 400-Foot Permanent Outdoor Lights: These highly durable lights are built to withstand summer and winter temperatures and have an IP67 water-protection rating.
Lighting technology
LED lights
Most LED lights don’t consume too much power, so you don’t have to worry about them significantly running up your electric bill. These lights are often available in a range of brightness levels and colors and are cost-effective in the long term due to reduced energy consumption. All high-quality LED lights have a lifespan of at least 50,000 hours.
Solar lights
If you’re eco-conscious or don’t want to add an additional source of power consumption in your home, you should consider solar-powered permanent lights. They’re also an ideal choice if you want to install them where electrical wiring is unavailable or impractical.
Smart lighting
Many permanent outdoor lights can be considered smart devices as many have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing remote control through your smartphone. Through dedicated smartphone apps, you can create schedules, program your favorite color and brightness settings and even manage your lights with voice assistants, such as Google Assistant and Alexa.
Our top picks: Lighting technology
- Eufy Permanent Outdoor Lights, Aulimhti Outdoor LED Strip Lights, Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights, Govee Smart Outdoor String Lights and Sinley 400-Foot Permanent Outdoor Lights: All of our top picks are LED lights, meaning they won’t consume too much energy and should last at least 50,000 hours.
Brightness and color temperature
Brightness (measured in lumens)
Brightness is measured in lumens, and the higher the lumens the brighter the permanent outdoor lights will appear in dark environments. Some lights are designed to be brighter than others, so it depends what you want your outdoor lights for. For example, decorative lights typically offer 100 too 200 lumens for a soft, ambient glow, while pathway lights are much brighter with 300 to 500 lumens for safety and visibility. Spotlights and floodlights are the brightest at 700 to 1,500 lumens for focused or wide-area illumination.
Color temperature (measured in Kelvin)
Permanent outdoor lights allow you to adjust the color temperature to suit your preference. Warm whites can create a cozy, inviting ambience, while neutral lights offer balanced lighting suitable for most outdoor areas. Cool whites, on the other hand, are best for security lighting.
Our top picks: Brightness and color temperature
- Eufy Permanent Outdoor Lights: Each bulb is 90 lumens and the color temperature ranges from 1500K to 9000K.
- Aulimhti Outdoor LED Strip Lights and Sinley 400-Foot Permanent Outdoor Lights: These multicolored lights don’t have a specified brightness or color-temperature range, but there is a lot of wiggle room for both through the Lotus Lantern app.
- Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights: These lights have bulbs with 26 lumens each, and although there is not a specified color-temperature range, it can be adjusted in the Govee app.
- Govee Smart Outdoor String Lights: These lights are very bright thanks to each bulb having 90 lumens, and the color-temperature range can be tweaked via the app.
Power source
Hardwired lights
Hardwired lights are permanently connected to your home’s electrical system for consistent, reliable power. This setup is ideal for high-demand areas, such as driveways or security zones, and provides the convenience of never having to recharge or replace batteries.
Battery-powered lights
These lights are relatively easy to install and require little to no maintenance. However, there is the inconvenience of occasionally having to replace depleted batteries. Generally, they’re the best option for installing lights in an area with minimal or unsuitable electrical wiring.
Solar-powered lights
Solar-powered lights are the most eco-friendly and require no wiring or external power source. That means installation is super easy, and unlike with battery-powered lights, you don’t have to worry about replacing dead batteries. Solar-powered lights work best in environments with strong direct sunlight, but they can also function well in shaded areas or cloudy climates.
Our top picks: Power source
- Eufy Permanent Outdoor Lights, Aulimhti Outdoor LED Strip Lights, Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights, Govee Smart Outdoor String Lights and Sinley 400-Foot Permanent Outdoor Lights: All of our top picks must be hardwired, making them a practical long-term solution.
Control options
Manual switches
Manual switches are the easiest to operate because of the simple on-off functionality, making them ideal for basic lighting needs. If you’re not tech-savvy, using lights with a manual switch is best.
Motion sensors
This is a fantastic feature that alerts you when someone walks by your lights. Motion sensors detect movement and activate lights for security or energy savings. Most lights with this feature let you adjust sensitivity and range, which can be essential to helping you minimize any false alarm triggers.
Timers
Many permanent outdoor lights have the ability to be programmed by an internal timer. Through a smartphone app, you can program your lights to turn on or off when you want.
Smart controls
Smart controls let you control your lights from virtually anywhere in the world as long as you have Wi-Fi and the corresponding app on your phone. You can manage scheduling, dimming, and color adjustments and even integrate your lighting with your smart-home network.
Our top picks: Control options
- Eufy Permanent Outdoor Lights: The Eufy Life app lets you manage these lights as well as pair them with other Eufy devices, such as cameras.
- Aulimhti Outdoor LED Strip Lights and Sinley 400-Foot Permanent Outdoor Lights: Both of these come with a remote control, but they’re also compatible with the Lotus Lantern app.
- Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights and Govee Smart Outdoor String Lights: You can manage all settings and color customization through the Govee app, as well as connect them to your smart-home network and voice assistants, such as Alexa and Google Assistant.
