Outdoor string lighting is no longer seen exclusively during the holidays; people are using these lights all year long to highlight beautifully landscaped gardens and yards. They are also an attractive accent to brighten up patios and walkways. Outdoor lighting adds both an aesthetic quality and an element of safety by illuminating dimly lit areas. In addition to choosing colors, customers interested in outdoor string lights have the option of traditional incandescent bulbs or LED lights. Rope lights, also called tube lights, come in a variety of colors and are used to accent perimeters and areas on or near the ground.
Light emitting diodes, commonly referred to as LEDs, are the newest type of lights used for outdoor string lighting. LED lights are favored for their uncommonly long bulb life and are more energy efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs. Since LED outdoor lights have not been around as long, there is not quite the variety in colors, shapes, or sizes. More and more companies are beginning to offer fun casings and lantern string lights with LEDS. The initial cost of LED string lights is more expensive than incandescent bulbs, but they use up to 90% less energy, thus resulting in less expensive power bills. A halogen incandescent bulb has the lifespan of 1,500 hours, while LED lights last 50,000 hours or more.

LEDs are the preferred option for people looking for maximum use out of their outdoor string lighting. They are perfect for lighting up gardens and backyard areas year round. Look for waterproof models if the LED lights are to be placed outdoors and exposed to the elements for an extended period of time. They use less energy and emit less heat than incandescent bulbs, significantly reducing the risk of them becoming a fire hazard. Moreover, LEDs have thicker, sturdier casing than the thin glass housing of incandescent bulbs, and therefore, they can be used safely in areas with high volumes of traffic such as large events or commercial space.