Solar powered string lights
An eco-friendly lighting solution for outdoor spaces, these lights are ideal for enhancing patios, gardens, or balconies without needing an electrical outlet.
Home & Comfort
Light ropes & strings
8 kinds worth knowing, 11 picks, and what to check before you buy.
String lights make a good gift because almost everyone has a spot that could use a softer glow, like a balcony railing, a bedroom shelf or the wall behind a TV. Buyers tend to fall into two camps. Some want outdoor lights, often solar powered string lights that need no outlet. Others want indoor mood lighting, like a TV backlight that changes colour with the screen. The lights that get used are the ones that suit a real space and are easy to power. Before you buy, picture exactly where they will hang, how far that is from a plug, and whether the person likes plain warm white or colour and apps.
Kind 1 of 8
Solar string lights that skip the extension cord
Solar string lights have a small panel that charges during the day, and the lights switch on by themselves at dusk. They suit renters, cottage owners and anyone with a deck or fence far from an outlet. Check the length of the cable between the panel and the first bulb, because the panel needs direct sun and the lights may be in shade. Look for an on/off switch and more than one mode. In a Canadian winter, short days mean shorter run times, so these are at their best from spring to fall.
Kind 2 of 8
A TV backlight that follows the screen
The Govee TV Backlight is an LED strip that sticks to the back of a TV, with a small camera that reads the colours on screen and matches the glow on the wall behind it. It suits movie watchers, gamers and anyone who has spent time on their living room setup. Before you buy, find out the TV's screen size, since kits are sized to a range of screens. Also check that the TV sits close enough to the wall for the glow to show, and that the person doesn't mind using a phone app to set it up.
Kind 3 of 8
Patio lights for summer evenings
Outdoor solar strings with bigger bulbs, like Edison-style globes, turn a patio, pergola or backyard into a place people want to sit after dark. They suit people who host, eat outside or have just finished a backyard project. Measure the run first. Café-style strings look best pulled fairly tight between two points, so count on needing hooks or a guide wire. Check that the bulbs are shatter-resistant plastic rather than glass if the lights will hang where they could get bumped, and make sure the panel can be staked or mounted in full sun.
Vintage edison bulb string lights
These stylish lights feature exposed filament bulbs, perfect for creating a warm, nostalgic ambiance in outdoor entertaining areas or cozy indoor nooks.
Kind 4 of 8
Rope lights for edges and outlines
Rope lights are LEDs sealed inside a flexible tube, so they give a smooth, continuous line of light instead of separate bulbs. People use them along deck stairs, railings, garden beds and rooflines, and for outlining windows at Christmas. They suit someone who likes a tidy, built-in look more than a festive drape. Check that the rope is labelled for outdoor use, that it comes with mounting clips, and whether it can be cut to length. Also measure the distance to the nearest outdoor outlet, since most rope lights plug in.
Kind 5 of 8
Plug-in outdoor strings for steady light
Plug-in LED strings give steady brightness no matter the weather, so they work well for trees, porches and year-round patio lighting. Classic warm white suits nearly any home and style. Twinkle strings add some movement for people who like a more festive look. Check the string's total length and the lead cable to the first bulb, whether several strings can be connected end to end, and whether a timer is built in. A timer means nobody has to go out in the cold to switch them off.
Classic warm white string lights
These versatile lights create a cozy ambiance, perfect for anyone looking to add a soft glow to their indoor living spaces or bedroom.
Twinkle effect string lights
These lights offer a dynamic, sparkling display, ideal for adding a festive or magical touch to holiday decorations, parties, or a child's bedroom.
Kind 6 of 8
App-controlled lights for a media room
This covers the wider group of colour-changing LED strips and smart strings that people put behind TVs, under desks or along shelves. A basic 16-foot LED strip is a simple way into this style of lighting. App-controlled strings add scenes, schedules and music sync. They suit teens, gamers and people who enjoy tinkering with their setup. Before buying, check whether the lights need a phone app or come with a remote, whether they work with a voice assistant the person already uses, and whether the adhesive backing suits the surface they will stick to.
Smart app-controlled string lights
For the tech-savvy decorator, these lights offer customizable colours and effects, controllable directly from a smartphone or smart home system.
Kind 7 of 8
Fairy lights on thin wire
Fairy lights are tiny LEDs on fine wire, and they are delicate enough to wind through plants, jars, wreaths or a headboard. The solar kind suits balconies and planters. For indoor use, battery-operated micro lights and photo clip strings do the same job without a cord. Photo clip strings also hold prints, which makes them a thoughtful gift for students and new roommates. Check how the lights are powered, whether the battery box is small enough to hide, and whether there is a timer so they don't run all night.
Micro lights battery operated
These delicate, portable lights are perfect for crafting, small decorative accents, or adding a whimsical touch to any nook without being tethered to an outlet.
Kind 8 of 8
Outdoor fairy and curtain lights
Outdoor fairy lights, including curtain styles that hang in vertical strands, give a soft, shimmering backdrop for a fence, balcony wall or garden arch. They suit people who decorate for gatherings or want a cozy outdoor corner without much setup. Check the size of the curtain against the wall or railing, how the strands attach at the top, and whether the panel can sit somewhere sunny while the lights hang in shade. Thin wire can tangle, so storage matters if they come down for winter.
Curtain style string lights
These cascading lights create a stunning backdrop or shimmering wall feature, ideal for transforming a room into a magical space for special occasions or daily enjoyment.
How to choose light ropes & strings as a gift
- Find out where the lights will actually go, and measure it, before choosing a length or style.
- Match the power source to the spot: solar for sunny outdoor areas, plug-in for steady use, battery for small indoor displays.
- Warm white is the safest choice for someone whose taste you don't know well, and colour-changing lights suit people who like gadgets.
- Look for timers or automatic dusk-to-dawn switching so the lights keep running without daily effort.
- For TV backlights, confirm the screen size and how close the TV sits to the wall before buying.
Usually safe to skip
- Solar lights for someone with a north-facing or shaded balcony usually disappoint, because the panel never charges enough to last the evening.
- App-only smart lights for someone who dislikes phone setup often stay in the box, so choose ones with a remote instead.
- Very short battery strings for large spaces look sparse and go through batteries quickly, so size the lights to the space.
Questions people ask about light ropes & strings
- Do solar string lights work in a Canadian winter?
- They work, but short days, low sun and snow on the panel mean less charging time, so expect shorter run times in winter. They do best from spring through early fall. For steady holiday lighting in December, plug-in outdoor strings are usually the more reliable choice.
- What size TV backlight should I buy as a gift?
- TV backlight kits are sold to fit ranges of screen sizes, so find out the diagonal size of the person's TV first. If you can't ask without spoiling the surprise, check the model name on the back of the TV or in a photo of their living room.
- What is the difference between rope lights and string lights?
- Rope lights sit inside a flexible tube and give a smooth, even line of light, which works well for outlining stairs, railings or rooflines. String lights have separate bulbs on a wire and give a softer, more decorative look for draping over patios, trees or walls.
Looking for one person in particular? Shop by person.
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