Are you looking to add some extra light and atmosphere to your next camping trip? You can easily do this with some camping string lights! You can use them to decorate your tent, either inside or outside, or to light up your campsite with soft and beautiful light.
Choosing the best camping string lights can be confusing considering the variety on the market. Thankfully, we’ve done the research for you and picked the Plug-In Fairy String Lights by Twinkle Star as our favorites. They're bright, durable, and waterproof. We’ve also put together a top 10 list for you to consider and created a handy buying guide to help you make your choice!
Quick List - Top Camping String Lights
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Before buying camping string lights, there are a few points you should take into consideration, such as shape, length, and power source. To help you with this, we’ve put together this handy buying guide!
One of the most important considerations before purchasing camping string lights is how they are going to be powered. The best power source for your lights will depend on your circumstances as well as preferences.
Lights that are solar powered are great for anyone that is environmentally conscious. You simply leave your lights out in the sun during the day and they will be ready to use at night. Solar-powered lights don’t require a power outlet or batteries to run.
However, if you don’t get enough sun during the day, then the lights may not have enough power to run for long. In this case, you may need to take batteries as a backup plan.
Lights powered by batteries are reliable. If the batteries run out, you just replace them with new ones. You will need to make sure you have extra batteries with you, although these won’t take up much space and can be used for other things, too. You will need to dispose of the used batteries in a safe way once they are empty, though.
Some campsites might have the option for equipment to be plugged into power outlets. If you’re going to a campsite that does, then you will have the option to plug in your lights.
These lights will be reliable regardless of sunlight and don’t need extras to work. Usually, campsites will charge extra for you to hook up to their electricity, so keep this in mind.
When camping, your string lights will be open to the elements. Whether it’s sunny and warm, or windy and rainy, your lights will have to face it and hopefully survive it.
Before buying any lights, make sure the manufacturer says they are suitable for outdoor use. All lights that are marketed as camping lights should be suitable for outdoor use as a rule, but it’s worth double-checking this.
You should check that the lights are at least water-resistant and, hopefully, waterproof. They should have waterproof seals to stop water from getting inside the lights, making them safe and sturdy. If the lights are battery-powered, then make sure the battery compartment is waterproof, too.
If you plan to use the lights inside your tent, then outdoor lights will be suitable for this as well. However, indoor lights may not be suitable outside, so for ultimate flexibility get outdoor lights.
There are many different styles and shapes of bulbs available. They all give different effects when strung up and lit.
These are the most popular style of camping lights and are shaped like round globes. They come in three sizes: G30, G40, and G50. These are one and a quarter, one and a half, and two inches in diameter, respectively. All of these lights can have varying wattage and use different amounts of power, so make sure you check this before you purchase.
Fairy lights use tiny "fairy"-sized bulbs. What they lack in size they usually make up for in quantity, as it’s not unusual to find hundreds of fairy lights on a string. They’re not the most effective at lighting large spaces but can make any tent or campsite look beautiful.
Another common style of string lights are ones shaped like regular lightbulbs, also known as ‘Edison’ lights, since they look similar to the ones invented by Thomas Edison. These can be very bright and have a simple design.
There are many other shapes you can find that will add some fun to your campsite. They can be shapes associated with lights, such as lanterns, or fun shapes such as stars.
The standard color for camping string lights is either white or yellow. These are great for lighting the area and preventing you from tripping over uneven ground. However, you can also get lights in different colors. Rainbow lights can make your camping area fun and more atmospheric!
String lights come in different lengths. They can be reasonably short, such as 10 feet, or measure over 100 feet and everything in between.
For decorating a small space, such as a single tent, you may only need 10 to 20 feet of lights. If you’re looking to string the lights between a couple of tents that are pitched closely together, then 30 feet might be enough.
For a small space, look at lights that are around 50 feet; but if you’re looking to light a large space, such as a circle of tents, try lights that are nearer 100 feet.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Enbrighten Vintage Seasons Color Changing Lights | ![]() | Multiple Customizable Color Options Available | |
2 | Brightech Solar Powered Outdoor String Lights | ![]() | Stylish Lights With Shatterproof Bulbs | |
3 | Aloveco Battery Powered String Lights | ![]() | Automatically Switches On and Off | |
4 | Semilits Outdoor Solar Flower String Lights | ![]() | Bright Lights That Last for Hours | |
5 | Twinkle Star Star String Lights | ![]() | Make Your Own Night Sky With These Star Lights | |
6 | Fitybow Battery Operated Rope Lights | ![]() | A Long String of Battery-Powered Rope Lights | |
7 | Kolpop Outdoor Solar String Lights | ![]() | Long-Lasting Solar Battery That Can Charge on Cloudy Days | |
8 | Toodour Waterproof Solar Fairy Lights | ![]() | Multi-Colored Fairy Lights Suitable for All Weather | |
9 | Perfect Day Shatterproof LED Solar String Lights | ![]() | Durable Plastic Bulbs That Charge Quickly | |
10 | Brightown Store Connectable Globe Lights | ![]() | Large Replaceable Bulbs That Shine Brightly |
These lights are available in several different colors and two different lengths of wire. With the remote, you can choose between 16 different colors, change the brightness, or set a timer. Although they are plug-in lights, they use energy-efficient LEDs to reduce your energy usage.
Strands can be attached to become one long string of lights. However, reviewers say this function doesn't always work well and often doesn't pair with a single remote correctly. Still, people praise the thickness of the wires and the variety of colors available. The color options mean they can be used all year round.
These simple but stylish Edison lightbulb strands are available in either 27- or 48-foot options. The bulbs are made from shatterproof plastic shells and will withstand bad weather. The lights are solar-powered, and although they can be powered in indirect sunlight, this won't be as effective as direct sunlight.
Several reviewers say that these lights aren't very bright and aren't very effective at actually lighting spaces. However, reviewers also say that the lights are easy to hang and install. They like the look of the bulbs and that the charge can last five to six hours.
These multi-colored lights are battery-powered and can be operated by remote control. There are eight different modes and you can control the brightness of the lights. The lights are waterproof, made of plastic, and should remain cool to the touch even after being used.
The variety of colors was disappointing to some reviewers and the lights weren't as bright as they expected, either. The bulbs are also small, at less than an inch. However, reviewers like the timer shut-off setting and the eight different modes. They say the batteries last and the battery box is watertight.
These flower-shaped lights are available in a multicolored option or in several single color varieties. They are solar-powered, and after being fully charged for around six to eight hours, they should last for up to 10 hours. The lights are waterproof and can be set to either flash or be constantly on.
Some older reviews say that the lights didn't last very long, but the manufacturers state they have improved the longevity and battery following these reports. Most recent reviewers are positive, as they say that the lights are bright and stay lit for a long period of time. Reviewers say the lights are very pretty and they love the colors.
Available in both multi-color and single color options, these stars can light up your tent. The lights have to be plugged in, and you can chain up to 10 of them together to make an extra-long string of star lights. The manufacturer mentions the transformer is not waterproof, so make sure to keep that sheltered from the rain.
Untangling the wires was very difficult for some reviewers. There are also reports that some of the stars came off the light bulbs, although these can be quickly replaced. Reviewers love the softness of these lights and say they are just bright enough. They also say that the lights themselves are durable and waterproof.
Available in either warm white or multi-colored lights, this 40-foot string is flexible enough to be bent into shapes. The lights are battery-powered and remote-controlled, and you can choose from eight different lighting modes. You can also adjust the brightness and set the timer so the lights will switch on and off automatically.
A few reviewers say they received tangled ropes and that some lights inside were faulty. There are also reports of missing remotes, but the lights can still be switched on and off from the battery pack. Reviewers like the different lighting modes and the flexibility of the wires, saying they are easy to set up.
If you want to decorate a large area, then these 78-foot-long fairy lights might be long enough! There are 240 lights along the flexible waterproof wire, which can be bent into any angle or direction you need. The lights are solar-powered and once fully charged, the battery will last for 10 hours.
Reviewers say that it was difficult to untangle the lights and there are a few reports of the copper wire that links the lights breaking. However, reviewers say that the lights offer a welcoming, warm glow. They praise the battery for lasting through the night and charging even on gray days.
These fairy lights are safe to be used both indoors and outdoors as they are waterproof. As well as the multi-colored lights, you also have the option of several different single-color lights. The lights are solar-powered and have eight different modes so you can choose the pattern of the lights.
A few reviewers say that the lights stopped working or that they weren't able to get enough solar light to power them. You can replace the rechargeable battery if that happens. However, many liked that they could come on automatically in the evening. They also praise the brightness and the variety of colors.
These lights have 25 G40-sized globes spread across 27 feet of flexible rubber wire. Each globe is waterproof and the plastic bulbs ensure they won't shatter as easily as glass bulbs do. The lights are solar-powered and should be fully charged in around five hours.
Although listed as waterproof, a few reviewers report that some of their lights filled with water when outside in the rain. However, reviewers praise the bulbs for being made of plastic as this makes them durable and able to survive being dropped. They say that the lights charge quickly and can easily be turned off if not needed.
These globe lights are available in lengths of either 25 or 50 feet, with the lights spaced 12 inches apart. They're G40 bulbs, so they measure about one and a half inches in width. You can also connect up to three different strings of lights together. They're regular incandescent bulbs, so they can be changed if they burn out.
The bulbs are made from glass, and some reviewers think they're too fragile for camping. There are also comments of individual lights not working. However, reviewers also say that the lights are easy to install and are very bright. They like that the lights come with an additional one or two bulbs depending on the length of string chosen.
If you're looking for some equipment to make your camping trip easier and more comfortable, then don't worry! We have some more recommendations for you.
No. 1: Enbrighten|Vintage Seasons Color Changing Lights
No. 2: Brightech|Solar Powered Outdoor String Lights
No. 3: Aloveco|Battery Powered String Lights
No. 4: Semilits|Outdoor Solar Flower String Lights
No. 5: Twinkle Star|Star String Lights
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