The Best Outdoor LED Strip Lights to Illuminate Outdoor Spaces

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Easy to install and even easier to use, LED strip lights open up a world of stunning outdoor illumination options.

Outdoor LED strip lights are incredibly easy to install, and with the right placement, they can transform outdoor spaces. These lights are affordable and versatile; there’s no need to hire an electrician or add extra wiring to set them up. As long as there’s an outlet nearby, they can be hung almost anywhere.

We spoke with Taylor Petrik, an electrical engineer at Professional Engineering Consultants, with offices in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Colorado, about these lights, and he told us that build quality is important, especially when it comes to outdoor installations. “Look for LED strip lights from companies with a track record of making quality products they stand behind,” he says, “and look for fixtures rated for outdoor use with a weatherproof coating and an IP65 rating or greater.”  Terry McGowan, the director of engineering at the American Lighting Association, a trade association located in Dallas, Texas, that represents the residential lighting industry, says that it’s important for consumers to look for safety certifications that apply to fire and electrical shock, especially when LED strip lights and wiring are exposed to weather. “Look for stickers or markings on the LED strip products that indicate the products have been tested and meet the requirements of Underwriters Laboratories (UL),” he advises.

We took this information into account when choosing the top outdoor LED light strips. Read on for the best outdoor LED strip lights to set outdoor areas aglow safely.

1. BEST OVERALL: Govee Wi-Fi RGBIC Outdoor LED Strip Lights
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Nexillumi Waterproof LED Strip Lights
3. BEST SHORT: Geeni Prisma Plus Smart Wi-Fi LED Strip Light Kit
4. BEST LONG: Surnie 150-Foot Waterproof Dimmable LED Strip Light
5. BEST WEATHERPROOF: Rxment 100-Foot Outdoor Waterproof LED Strip Lights
6. BEST WHITE: HitLights Outdoor Single-Color LED Strip Lights
7. BEST ADDRESSABLE: Alitove RGB Addressable 12V LED Strip Lights

How We Chose the Best Outdoor LED Strip Lights

One of the reasons outdoor LED strip lights are so popular is that they’re packed with convenient features. Nowadays, many of the top models are “smart,” which gives the user a range of control features at their fingertips. A majority of our picks have smart control features that let users change the brightness and color of the lights as well.

Of course, the best outdoor LED strip lights will withstand outdoor conditions; thus, we included several options with IP65 ratings. (For more on IP, or Ingress Protection, ratings, please see the Waterproofing section after the product descriptions.) We were careful to select varying lengths to suit different applications and prioritize lights that are both easy to install and use.

Our Top Picks

Add easy-to-install, customizable, and entertaining lighting to any outdoor space with any of these top outdoor LED strip lights.

Best Overall

Govee Wi-Fi RGBIC Outdoor LED Strip Lights

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Product Specs

• Length: 32.8, 65.6, or 98.4 feet
• IP rating: IP65
• Connectivity: 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

Pros

• Users can choose from either 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity
• Supports Alexa and Google Assistant for convenient voice control
• Music mode uses a built-in mic to sync lighting to ambient music

Cons

• Many reviewers mentioned the mounting adhesive was not very sticky and required additional support

The lights from Govee are our top pick because their mix of reliability and user-friendly features is exactly what many shoppers want in an outdoor LED strip light. This smart light strip is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, so it’s controllable directly through its app, Alexa, or Google Assistant.

With the Govee Home app, users can choose from over 16 million color options and 64 preset modes that play dynamic light scenes. Each strip can display up to 15 colors at a time. For even more excitement, users can try music mode, which flashes the lights according to ambient music by listening with its built-in mic. Suitable for outdoor use, this light strand is rated IP65.

Get the Govee outdoor LED strip lights at Amazon or Govee.

Best Bang For The Buck

Nexillumi Waterproof LED Strip Lights

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Product Specs

• Length: 65.6 or 100 feet (two or three 32.8-foot strands)
• IP rating: IP65
• Connectivity: Remote control, Bluetooth

Pros

• Affordable per-foot price for users looking for a lot of light coverage
• Has many desirable features of pricier lights, including smart control and adjustable brightness and color
• Includes a remote control, which is great for less tech-savvy users

Cons

• Does not come as 1 continuous strand; size options include multiple 32.8-foot strands

One thing that makes LED strip lights so accessible is that they are reasonably priced, and this set from Nexillumi is even more economical than most. Available in two sizes, the 100-foot string (which comes as three 32.8-foot strands) is the best value. That and the 65.6-foot size have an IP65 rating, so they’re suitable in outdoor areas where they might get splashed.

These smart lights come with a remote, and via that or the Nexillumi app, users can change the lights’ colors and brightness, set timers, and activate music mode, which flashes the lights along to music it hears over the built-in microphone. Installing these lights is easy since they come with 3M double-sided tape.

Get the Nexillumi outdoor LED strip lights at Amazon.

Best Short

Geeni Prisma Plus Smart Wi-Fi LED Strip Light Kit

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Product Specs

• Length: 9.8 feet
• IP rating: IP44
• Connectivity: 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi

Pros

• Shorter length is great for smaller applications; no need to cut the strand
• Reviewers note the light is very bright at its full brightness level
• Setup is easy, with self-adhesive backing and quick Wi-Fi connection

Cons

• Lower water-resistance rating (IP44) than many other outdoor LED strip lights

While it’s possible to cut outdoor LED light strips to fit smaller areas, the open end means the strip is no longer water-resistant and would require resealing for outdoor use. An easier option is to get a light strip that’s the right length in the first place. For lighting smaller spaces, consider this Geeni Prisma Plus strip light kit. This strip measures 9.8 feet long and comes with a self-adhesive backing that makes it simple to put up.

This light kit is Wi-Fi enabled and compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. Users can change the brightness and color from the app, plus set schedules. With its IP44 rating, this strand is a little less water-resistant than some of the other picks on our list. It can handle splashes of water, though, so it’s still suitable for certain outdoor locations.

Get the Geeni outdoor LED strip lights at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, or Geeni.

Best Long

Surnie 150-Foot Waterproof Dimmable LED Strip Light

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Product Specs

• Length: 150 feet
• IP rating: IP65
• Connectivity: None

Pros

• Very long strand measures 150 feet for larger outdoor applications
• Can be used as outdoor dimmable LED strip lights with the addition of a light dimmer (not included)
• Includes 2 power adapters; strand can be cut in half and turned into 2 light strips

Cons

• No smart-connectivity options and no color-changing settings

While linking multiple light strands using connectors or soldering is possible, buying the right length in the first place is easier. At 150 feet in length, these LED lights from Surnie are perfect for users wanting to cover a lot of ground.

With a thick PVC jacket, these are more like flat rope lights than LED strip lights, which are a bit thinner. Their thick coating helps with water resistance, giving the lights an IP65 rating, and they still function like regular LED strip lights since they’re flexible and cuttable.

The light is daylight white, though blue and warm white are also available. This strand isn’t smart enabled, so it can’t change color, but it is dimmable with the addition of a light dimmer (not included). It comes with an extra power adapter, which can be useful as a backup or to create a second light strand after cutting.

Get the Surnie outdoor LED strip lights at Amazon.

Best Weatherproof

Rxment 100-Foot Outdoor Waterproof LED Strip Lights

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Product Specs

• Length: 100 feet (four 25-foot strands)
• IP rating: IP67
• Connectivity: Remote control, 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

Pros

• Great water-resistance rating at IP67 (can handle temporary submersion)
• Includes a remote control for easier settings and also connects via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
• 2 strands can connect directly to the control box for more flexible placements

Cons

• Only includes 8 mounting clips, which some reviewers felt wasn’t enough

With an IP67 rating, the Rxment 100-foot outdoor LED strip lights can handle most inclement weather—they can even handle being submerged for short periods. This means a bit of rain or snow won’t faze these lights, making them the best weatherproof outdoor LED strip lights on our list. Like the other lights we included, this strip is feature-filled, too.

The Rxment smart strand connects to phones using Bluetooth, allowing users to control the light brightness and color from an app. It also comes with a remote control. This set includes 100 feet of lighting in four rolls of 25-foot lighting strips, with double-sided adhesive on each one for installation.

Get the Rxment outdoor LED strip lights at Amazon.

Best White

HitLights Outdoor Single-Color LED Strip Lights

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Product Specs

• Length: 16.4 feet
• IP rating: IP67
• Connectivity: None

Pros

• IP67 waterproof rating is one of the highest levels available
• Bright and dense lighting strip with 600 LEDs on the 16.4-foot length
• Brand offers several similar options with different densities for users wanting more or less brightness

Cons

• Does not come with the power adapter; must be purchased separately

For shoppers in search of white lights, it doesn’t make sense to fuss with a color-changing strand. Instead, these single-color lights from HitLights can just be set up and left alone. They come in a warm white color, though the brand also manufactures it in bright white for those who prefer that hue.

This strip light measures 16.4 feet long and has a weather-resistance rating of IP67 (so it can be submerged for short periods). There are 600 LEDs per 16.4-foot strip, which is relatively dense for an overall bright look. This strand isn’t smart enabled; it’s the simpler type that users can turn on and off as needed. A remote (not included) can be added for easier control, and users will likely also need to purchase a power supply since this set doesn’t come with one.

Get the HitLights outdoor LED strip lights at Amazon.

Best Addressable

Alitove RGB Addressable 12V LED Strip Lights

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Product Specs

• Length: 16.4 feet
• IP rating: IP65
• Connectivity: Depends on controller

Pros

• Excellent for those who want flexibility; users can program a range of static and dynamic light settings
• LEDs are organized in groups of 3, and each group can be controlled independently
• Includes heavy-duty 3M tape backing for easier installation

Cons

• Does not connect directly to a smartphone; requires a controller

Addressable lights allow users more flexibility to set lighting colors and scenes. Instead of assigning a color to the whole strand, they make it possible for the user to control individual or small groups of lights independently. The Alitove RGB addressable 12V outdoor LED strip lights group three LEDs together in each section, and each section is individually controllable.

To operate, users will need to connect the strip light to a compatible LED light controller (not included), such as Arduino, Raspberry Pi, FadeCandy, T1000S, and more. This strip light does not connect directly to a smartphone like some others on the market, so it does require more setup effort. The strand measures 16.4 feet long and has an IP65 rating.

Get the Alitove outdoor LED strip lights at Amazon or Alitove.

Jump to Our Top Picks

What to Consider When Choosing Outdoor LED Strip Lights

There are plenty of LED strip lights out there