The 10 Best Backyard Lights
This wiki has been updated 22 times since it was first published in March of 2018. Whether you're creating a festive environment for outdoor parties or trying to deter potential intruders, one of these backyard lights should do the trick. We’ve included whimsical strands of bulbs, handsome fixtures that illuminate a pathway, and security panels with motion sensing technology. For safety’s sake, be sure to rely on a licensed, professional electrician for hardwired installations. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Brightech Pro
2. Westinghouse Bastille Stake Lights
3. UST Duro Lantern
Editor's Notes
April 15, 2020:
A set of attractive backyard lights can transform the space outside your home from ordinary into an inviting, relaxing sanctuary. In today’s update, we rounded out the list by adding in a set of stake lights from a lighting manufacturer that’s been around for more than 125 years. The Westinghouse Bastille Stake Lights come in a set of six, and feature a sleek bronze finish and elegant glass lenses. They contain long-lasting LEDs and are powered by solar energy, so they’ll turn on automatically at dusk. They make for a great addition to any pathway, whether it leads up to your front door or through your backyard. Their sturdy plastic spikes keep them rooted nicely in the ground, to stand up to inclement weather.
Another newly added selection, the highly portable UST Duro Lantern, receives high marks all around when used to light up your deck or a campsite after dark. It’s got a sturdy handle on the top and bottom, for multiple carrying options. The globe covering is removable, so you can use it with the exposed bulb for an area light as well. It’s available in four sizes, so you’re sure to find the right one for your needs. We also added in the Coleman LED Lanterns, which consists of a string of 10 miniature lamps that look great strung around your deck or on a tent, to provide a little mood lighting. They’re highly portable, weighing less than a pound, including the three required AA batteries. You won’t need to worry too much if a drizzle comes on, since they’ve got a water-resistant build.
We also replaced the currently unavailable Ihomy Party solar string lights with a similar set, the Brightown Solar String. These come in a set of two strands, each with 100 bulbs, to create an inviting, romantic scene on your deck or patio. You can set the mood even further by selecting from among eight modes that include twinkling, flashing, and fading – and they’ll conveniently remember your last chosen setting the next time they turn on. The two panels soak up the Sun’s rays all day to provide up to eight hours of light per charge.
For safety’s sake, be sure to have electrical work around your home done by a licensed, professional electrician.
Special Honors
Crate & Barrel Pillar Candle with Timer This flameless candle makes a safe and inviting addition to any backyard table, as its battery-powered light creates a flickering effect that resembles a real flame. It’s available in three sizes and casts a warm, bright glow. You can even set it to turn on and off at set times every day with its convenient, built-in timer. It’s easy to turn on and off manually, as well, using the switch provided underneath. crateandbarrel.com
Pier 1 Pure White LED Glimmer Strings Suitable for use indoors or in covered outdoor areas, these battery-operated lights are made up of tiny LEDs, each the size of a grain of rice. They’re strung along flexible, thread-sized silver filament. The result is a dainty, whimsical decoration that’s great for wrapping around home décor or on a backyard railing. A built-in timer allows for automatic shutoff, and a compatible remote control is sold separately. They’re also available in a striking amber color. pier1.com
4. Lemontec Globe
5. Litom Security
6. Coleman LED Lanterns
7. Brightown Solar String
8. Espier Flame
9. iThird Garage
10. Urpower Deck
Karen Bennett lives in Chicago with her family, and when she’s not writing, she can usually be found practicing yoga or cheering on her kids at soccer games. She holds a master’s degree in journalism and a bachelor’s in English, and her writing has been published in various local newspapers, as well as “The Cheat Sheet,” “Illinois Legal Times,” and “USA Today.” She has also written search engine news page headlines and worked as a product manager for a digital marketing company. Her expertise is in literature, nonfiction, textbooks, home products, kids' games and toys, hardware, teaching accessories, and art materials.