The Best Smart Outdoor Lighting for Backyards, Pathways, and More
Top pick
These stylish, color-changing string lights support a host of fun scenes and settings but are surprisingly affordable.
Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Google Home
Who this is for: String lights are an excellent accompaniment to patios, porches, and any other outdoor areas in need of a little extra ambience. Use them year-round on a set schedule so your backyard glows while you grill, sit by the fire pit, or simply enjoy the view of your very own, customizable twinkle lights.
Most models are dimmable and offer adjustable white-light color-temperature controls so you can set just the right mood for the occasion. Some models, such as our pick, add a color-changing feature to the mix so you can create festive combinations for the holidays and other gatherings.
Why it’s a pick: The Govee Outdoor String Lights 2 offer more lights than the competition, for less money. Available in 48-, 96-, and 144-foot strands, these smart lights are a great choice if you have a lot of ground to cover. They also feature a traditional bulb shape if you prefer the classic string-light style. The Govee app offers customizable white-light color temperature, color-changing capabilities, and a range of themes and Scenes, along with more sophisticated settings. Those advanced features and options may be overwhelming for some people, but you can ignore them and still get satisfying results with the entry-level functions.
Another good option: The LIFX Outdoor String Lights, with a modern, cylindrical shape, offer a fresh take on string lights. The app is nicely organized and easy to use, from the initial setup to the highly varied selection of adjustable white-light and color-changing options. You’ll also find an assortment of light presets ranging from holiday and sports-team colors to nature-inspired Scenes. Compared with the Govee lights, these LIFX lights are expensive, but each of the 12 lights in this 24-foot strand has three different zones, so you can create lots of nuance with color, even within the same bulb. These string lights work with Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings.
Another good option: The GE Cync Dynamic Effects Smart Cafe Lights offer a range of dynamic presets as well as customizable settings for pretty much any color combination you might want. And I liked that the clear glass spiral filaments produce an attractive, vintage aesthetic. Dim the lights to 25% on the Candle Light setting for a subtle warm wash of light, bring them to full brightness and the Cool White setting for better visibility during a backyard barbecue — or try one of the presets like Rainbow, Volcanic, or Aurora just for fun.
