Whether or not you’re out on a solo car-camping journey, making hearth meals with associates, or stress-free in your hammock, the very best tenting string lights make the temper what you need it to be. Our consultants have been testing camp lighting for near a decade, and we’ve strung up nearly each choice in the marketplace and settled on eight of the very best for each event.
A easy string of twinkle lights just like the ENO Twilights Camp Lights — our prime decide — can actually brighten the temper wherever you employ them, and even a budget-friendly choice just like the BioLite SiteLight String can perk up the inside of a tent or automotive tenting state of affairs. Moreso than tenting lanterns or headlamps, string lights are straightforward to set and neglect and may run lengthy into the night.
For this roundup, we toted these string lights from the frontcountry to the backcountry, stringing them up in nationwide parks and distant outposts alike. We illuminated our rigs whereas overlanding, and solid gentle on camp kitchens to whittle down what precisely makes an excellent string gentle. We targeted on purposeful variations in brightness, battery life, sturdiness, and weight, and every gentle handed via the gauntlet of our distinctive testing routine.
Scroll via to see all of our really helpful buys, and on the finish of our record, you’ll want to try our Purchaser’s Information to study extra about the way to illuminate your subsequent tenting outing. We’ve additionally assembled a Comparability Chart to stage lights towards each other, and a Worth & Worth part to suss out what your cash will get you on the subject of these enjoyable camp lights.
Editor’s Observe: We up to date our Tenting String Lights information on October 28, 2024, so as to add the Entrance Runner LED Mild Strip and Brightech Ambiance Professional Photo voltaic String Lights.
The Greatest Tenting String Lights of 2024
Lumens:
Not supplied
Energy Supply:
Three AAA Batteries
Burn Time:
72 hrs
Water Resistance:
IPX4 rated (proof against splashes)
Weight:
3 oz.
Size:
10′
Number of gentle modes
Lengthy battery life on three AAAs
Packable in included mushy bag
Straightforward to hold
Will get tangled simply
Not rechargeable
Damageable
Maddie Downie
Lumens:
150 lms complete (throughout 4 lights)
Energy supply:
USB energy supply or different BioLite Lanterns
Burn Time:
Depending on battery supply
Water Resistance:
Not rated, however proof against gentle rain
Weight:
2.5 oz.
Size:
10′
Finances price
Simply packable
Suitable with different BioLite merchandise
Suitable with USB chargers
Not appropriate for lighting massive areas
Requires plug-in
One brightness setting
Maddie Downie
Lumens:
Not supplied
Energy Supply:
Rechargeable battery, USB charger suitable
Burn Time:
6 hrs
Water Resistance:
Not rated, however proof against gentle rain
Weight:
4.2 oz.
Size:
10′
Versatile corded design
Rechargeable by way of Micro-USB
Straightforward to hold and retailer with Nite Ize Gear Ties
Sturdy with no twine to kink or break
Quick battery life
Not constantly vivid, or the brightest general
Maddie Downie
Lumens:
140 lm max; 20 lm low
Energy Supply:
4000 mAh Li-ion rechargeable battery, photo voltaic panel
Burn Time:
40 hrs. on low; 8 hrs. on excessive
Water Resistance:
IPX4 waterproof
Weight:
1 lb., 10.2 oz.
Size:
44′
USB Port:
USB-C in; USB-C and USB-A out
Skill to gentle up a broad space, deal with particular zones
String lights retailer on the lantern, limiting tangles
Removable energy hub powers your electronics with USB-A and USB-C ports
Heat gentle tone is softer on the eyes
The photo voltaic panel is small, and the charging capability is proscribed
Take care to not snag the lights, the wiring can break
Maddie Downie
Lumens:
110 lms (excessive), 30 lms (low)
Energy Supply:
USB
Burn Time:
Depending on battery supply
Water Resistance:
Not rated
Weight:
1 lb., 8 oz.
Size:
16′
USB energy drastically extends run time
Skill so as to add extra lights
Adjustable brightness and shades
Coloration gentle choices
Brightness not adjustable as a gaggle
Costly
Cluttered set-up
Maddie Downie
Lumens:
1,600 lms
Energy Supply:
USB energy supply
Burn Time:
Depending on battery supply
Water Resistance:
Water-repellant LED case with waterproof connectors
Weight:
12 oz.
Size:
4′
Impressively vivid lighting
Sized completely to suit beneath an awning or inside a rooftop tent
Sturdy LED casing and waterproof twine connectors
Powered from extra common USB, as an alternative of cigarette port
Dimmer swap
Expensive for the size
Can not change the sunshine temperature
Maddie Downie
Lumens:
N/A
Energy Supply:
Photo voltaic panel
Burn Time:
6+ hours
Water Resistance:
Waterproof
Weight:
1 lb., 15 oz.
Size:
27′; 48′
Ample gentle for cooking
Enjoyable, retro look
Exceptionally heat gentle temperature
Photo voltaic charging
Lengthy lasting
Cumbersome
Cable is messy to retailer
Straightforward to neglect on/off swap
Maddie Downie
Lumens:
Not supplied
Energy Supply:
Three AAA batteries or USB
Burn Time:
Not supplied
Water Resistance:
Not rated, however proof against gentle rain
Weight:
2 oz.
Size:
8.5′
Diffusing carry bag creates a easy lantern
A number of energy choices with USB port
Ripstop cloth string cowl protects delicate wiring
Integrates with sure Large Agnes tents
Hanging clips do not like to remain the place they’re put
Bit brief for some campsite wants
Included AAA battery case is liable to interrupt
Maddie Downie
Tenting String Lights Comparability Chart
Tenting String LightsPriceLumensBurn TimeWater ResistanceWeightENO Twilights Camp Lights$25Not provided72 hrsIPX4 3 ouncesBioLite SiteLight String$20150 lms totalDependent on battery sourceNot rated, however proof against gentle rain2.5 ouncesNite Ize Radiant Rechargeable ShineLine$30Not provided6 hrsNot rated, however proof against gentle rain4.2 ouncesMPOWERD Luci Photo voltaic String Lights + Energy Hub$70140 lm max, 20 lm low40 hrs. on low, 8 hrs. on highIPX41 lb., 10.2 ouncesGoalZero Mild-A-Life Mini$80110 lms (excessive), 30 lms (low)Depending on battery sourceNot rated1 lb., 8 ouncesFront Runner LED Mild Strip$601,600 lmsDependent on battery sourceWater resistant12 ouncesBrightech Ambiance Professional Photo voltaic String Lights$45Not provided6+ hoursNot rated, however proof against gentle rain1 lb., 15 ouncesBig Agnes mtnGLO Tent Camp Lights$35Not providedDependent on battery sourceNot rated, however proof against gentle rain2 oz.
Headlamps, lanterns, and string lights all supply up a special sort of lighting to enhance your camp expertise; (photograph/Nick Belcaster)
How We Examined the Greatest Tenting String Lights
Tenting string lights are fairly easy, however that didn’t cease us from diving in and making an attempt to separate the wonderful from the simply alright. Our choice course of begins by phrase of mouth or via deep analysis to key in on a slate of worthy testers. From there, it’s into the hills.
Our camp testing of those string lights has taken us far and huge, they usually’ve lit the best way to entrance nation campsites throughout the West — from dim ocean-side camps within the Hoh Rain Forest to alpine lakes within the Colorado excessive nation. Our consultants cowl the unfold from mobile-working van lifers to itinerant dirtbags, and every has strung up a light-weight or three to see what they’ve received to supply.
Discipline Testing
The climate isn’t all the time going to cooperate to your weekend shindigs, and our rain check happens throughout actual, day-long Pacific Northwest rain storms. After spending the day within the rain, every gentle is turned on and inspected for any harm. The battery check, too, sought to problem these string lights with real-life utilization, and included charging rechargeable lights absolutely, organising battery-powered lights with model new batteries, and hooking up plug-in lights with transportable batteries, then working every gentle till they died.
The “big campsite” check assessed every gentle’s capability to gentle up a big campsite by itself. We had been in a position to see if a light-weight was vivid or lengthy sufficient to gentle up the frequent area the place meals and drinks had been being made. The lights that weren’t fitted to entire campsites had been arrange in tents, backs of vehicles, and over hammocks to see in the event that they labored higher for a single camper.
We challenged these string lights to light up massive campsites, and located which had been as much as the duty; (photograph/Karuna Eberl)
Bench Testing
Our testing didn’t cease after we rolled up the sleeping luggage, both. Over a handful of seasons right here, we’ve pulled collectively a set of bench assessments to actually problem string lights and guarantee they don’t go away you hanging if you want them essentially the most.
The primary challenges string gentle’s explicit capability for turning into tangled spaghetti when absent-mindedly packed away, and through our so-called ‘stuff test,’ we packed away every of those lights each loosely and in any included storage bag. This check goals to find out how straightforward these lights had been to pack and unpack, in addition to how possible they had been to tangle or break inside a pack.
As well as, the sturdiness check concerned some good old style muscle energy, and noticed our testers pulling, stretching, and yanking on these lights to see if they might break underneath abuse. Although this check might need been extra aggressive than what these lights would see of their regular use, it not solely decided every gentle’s basic sturdiness, however the place a person would possibly see put on and tear over time.
Why You Ought to Belief Us
Our lead tester Maddie Downie is an skilled camper, hiker, hammocker, and hearth hang-outer based mostly in Washington State. She grew up tenting along with her household within the Colorado backwoods, and now spends nearly each weekend evening out of the summer season sleeping open air.
Maddie understands the distinction between organising a camp for an early begin the following day and placing collectively a campsite for associates to assemble for drinks, and examined every gentle with this context in thoughts, creating a number of particular assessments to place these lights via: a stuff check, rain check, battery check, “big campsite” check, and sturdiness check.
One in all our different major testers, Karuna Eberl has spent many years backpacking, tent tenting, and van-life-ing across the West and Baja, all the way down to the Florida Keys, and round Europe. She additionally has a background in filmmaking, which provides to her persnicketiness about utilizing lighting to create a feel-good temper.
A great set of string lights can actually solid some gentle, and elevate the temper of your subsequent tenting journey; (photograph/Karuna Eberl)
Purchaser’s Information: The right way to Purchase Tenting String Lights
We got down to discover the very best tenting string lights in the marketplace to provide the greatest suggestions to your adventures. It’s essential to notice, additionally, that string lights oftentimes will likely be equipment to different camp lighting options, akin to Tenting Lanterns or an excellent Headlamp.
Take into account all of those to type a system that covers your campsite with gentle: headlamps for element work like chopping veggies or zipping up a tent, lanterns for gathering round and telling tales, and string lights to information your approach across the social gathering. Right here’s what we’ve discovered to be an important concerns when buying tenting string lights:
Whether or not in a hammock or tent, including some mushy gentle all the time makes for a cozier campsite; (photograph/Maddie Downie)
Energy Supply
Earlier than you possibly can have gentle, you want energy. String lights have a number of completely different technique of energy, and what’s going to work greatest for you relies on how you intend to make use of your lights.
Constructed-in Battery
For optimum portability, having a set of string lights with a built-in battery will help you convey gentle wherever with out additional problems. These lights benefit from not needing the rest to work, however which means they’re one other factor you’ll have to recollect to cost earlier than heading out for the weekend.
When you have the area, you possibly can pack a conveyable battery as nicely. Whereas these lights are straightforward to convey alongside, they usually don’t have lengthy battery life, lasting for a median of lower than 10 hours. As an example, the Nite Ize Radiant ShineLines take about an hour and a half to cost utterly for a 6-hour battery life.
Replaceable Battery
Battery-powered lights are additionally transportable, however remember that these batteries can crush your pack. It additionally means you must bear in mind to place in contemporary ones earlier than heading out or working the danger of working out of energy. Having rechargeable batteries for these lights will prevent cash!
These lights will usually last more than the built-in battery lights, wherever from three days to some weeks, relying on how a lot you’re utilizing them. It’s most definitely a string gentle with a replaceable battery will take AA or AAA batteries, such because the ENO Twilights that take three AAA batteries.
USB powered lights are essentially the most versatile of all, and may run so long as you’ve received juice left; (photograph/Karuna Eberl)
Plug-In
Lights that require a plug-in to work could also be higher fitted to automotive tenting, boondocking, or lighting up an out of doors area at your private home. Plug-in lights can are available in a wide range of sorts, akin to USB or outlet plug-ins.
Understand that not all USB cords are the identical; lights could are available in USB-C, USB-A, or Micro-USB. USB plug-ins are essentially the most transportable so long as you don’t thoughts packing a battery financial institution. And a few USB plug-in lights are suitable with lanterns, such because the BioLite SiteLights that may be plugged into the BioLite AlpenGlow 500 Lantern.
Nevertheless, lights that require being plugged right into a wall outlet are higher fitted to RV tenting or lighting up your again porch. These lights are an amazing alternative for automotive tenting in vehicles which have USB or house-plug converters, or if you’re bringing alongside a conveyable energy station. Plug-in lights additionally imply you possibly can run these lights longer. Home plug-in lights final so long as you need and USBs final so long as your battery financial institution can.
String lights that require a USB to light up are greatest fitted to overlanding camps, the place energy is plentiful; (photograph/James Lynch)
String Mild Dimension
Some string lights are for small areas, just like the again of a pickup truck, whereas others will gentle up your entire campsite. String lights that emphasize portability are usually higher for smaller campsites as they’re dimmer and smaller. These lights vary wherever from one foot to 10 ft in size. Shorter ones are higher for lighting up the within of your automotive or tent, or illuminating your hammock. The BioLite SiteLights, at 10 ft lengthy with solely 4 lights, are higher at lighting up a hammock than a complete campsite.
Lights that require being plugged in are higher fitted to massive areas as they’re usually bigger and brighter. These lights can vary from a number of ft to a number of yards, and may keep brighter for longer. However we didn’t embrace any on this information, since there are additionally lights fitted to bigger areas that don’t require an outlet, just like the Brightech Atmosphere Photo voltaic String Lights, that are 27 ft lengthy with 12 LED bulbs. We use these with our van tenting setup, plus have put in them over our again deck, although there are shops out there.
Brightness
The brightness of a light-weight can be depending on its energy supply, in addition to the kind of gentle. LEDs are the commonest as a result of they work rather well and are energy environment friendly. LED lights that run off a chargeable or battery-powered supply (together with photo voltaic) are sometimes not as massive or vivid as plug-in lights. This makes them higher fitted to lighting up small areas akin to a automotive or tent. Some, just like the ENO Twilights Camp Lights, are significantly fitted to backpacking, being very light-weight and compact. Nevertheless, most of these lights may dim because the battery dies.
Plug-in lights are brighter from 100 lumens (lms) to 1,000 lms. The Entrance Runner LED Mild Strip is available in at 1,600 lms! Plug-in lights additionally keep brighter for longer and are much less more likely to dim as you employ them.
Some tenting lights use various gentle sources, such because the fiber optic lights within the Nite Ize Radiant ShineLines. These lights are usually not as constantly vivid as LED lights, and supply extra of a glow than a shine. The fiber optic design signifies that the sunshine isn’t constantly vivid via the twine, however is brighter the extra it’s bent.
Not a really vivid gentle by itself, the Nite Ize ShineLine perks up when it’s wrapped round one thing; (photograph/Maddie Downie)
Mild Spectrum and Coloration
Some lights give off a heat glow, like a campfire, whereas others are starkly white and even borderline bluish, just like the moon. That is known as shade temperature, and it’s measured in levels of Kelvin. Tenting and family lights generally vary from 2,000 to six,000 levels. The decrease the quantity, the hotter the tone.
Selecting a shade temperature is a matter of private choice. Usually talking, hotter tones create happier, extra welcoming vibes, whereas cooler temperatures are likely to really feel utilitarian, even irritating. Cooler tones journey farther, in order that they’re higher for flashlights. In any other case, hotter tones are nonetheless able to illuminating a cooking space, plus enable your eyes to extra rapidly readjust to the darkness past and are much less obnoxious for all the wild creatures you’re sharing area with (identical concept as utilizing a pink studying lamp vs. a white one).
In the event you’re not used to shade temperature, you may not even discover it. Many individuals don’t till it’s delivered to their consideration. For me, it’s an important issue when shopping for a light-weight. There’s a cause films use lighting to govern the temper. It’s the distinction in scene between a rom-com, with a comfortable cuddle on a seaside, and a horror flick, with a lurker creeping up on the camp.
Mild Adjustment
Many tenting string lights include gentle adjustment choices which will be useful in setting a desired temper. Many include a easy excessive brightness and low brightness, such because the GoalZero Mild-A-Life lights which have a 110-lumen excessive setting and 30-lumen low setting. This setting is nice for transitioning right into a sleepier temper.
Different lights have blinking and color-changing results, which maintain the temper extra energized. The colour ENO Twilights have a setting that can regularly rotate via all the colours. Nevertheless, a number of lights require that you simply cycle via these completely different settings to show the sunshine off, which might undoubtedly be an annoyance round bedtime. Nobody likes a strobing gentle proper as they’re about to go to sleep.
The gradual shade shift mode of some string lights definitely livens the temper; (photograph/Maddie Downie)
Storage
There are a number of elements to contemplate when interested by storage of your tenting string lights, which will be depending on the kind of tenting you wish to do. For backpacking or tenting the place a conveyable gentle is important, having a particular storage container is good.
A number of battery-powered or rechargeable lights, such because the ENO Twilights, include a mushy storage bag that matches properly inside a pack. Some lights, such because the Nite Ize Radiant ShineLines include gear ties that make it straightforward to loop these lights up and tie all ends collectively. Lights with out a particular storage technique require a little bit creativity to retailer and run the danger of getting tangled or broken.
Even when a light-weight comes with a particular storage container, the convenience of setting them up and placing them away is a consideration. Gentle storage luggage are usually straightforward to stuff lights into, and ties take a bit longer to place away. The BioLite SiteLights could win the award for best to retailer because the lights stack on prime of each other.
Regardless of how straightforward every gentle is to retailer, there’s all the time the danger of lights getting tangled in storage. We discovered that string lights that may be saved in a mushy bag are straightforward to get tangled, which provides extra time to organising your campsite. Lights which are saved with ties are much less more likely to get tangled. Spending the time to fold or wrap your lights rigorously will forestall tangling and make your future self a happier camper.
Correct storage also can forestall put on and tear. Lights with rubber or plastic wire coverings have the next likelihood of tearing, stretching, or breaking, so it’s particularly essential to retailer these lights with care. We discovered that lights which are shoved into luggage or which are simply tossed loosely into packs usually tend to expertise this type of put on. Even when a light-weight doesn’t include a particular storage container, creating one out of a plastic bag or with wire ties might prevent from having to interchange them instantly.
The nesting-doll storage capability of the BioLite SiteLights means they chuck right into a backpack with ease; (photograph/Maddie Downie)
Hanging Performance
The forms of hanging options on a string gentle can decide how straightforward they’re to arrange at a campsite. Many string lights include hooks that can be utilized to clip the lights to tent poles, hammocks, or the within of your automotive. The BioLite SiteLights include small hooks on both finish that make it straightforward to connect these lights to completely different elements of a campsite.
The Nite Ize ShineLines would possibly take the cake for hanging options. Not solely are these lights straightforward to wrap round objects, however they arrive with 4 rubber-covered hanging wires that can be utilized to connect these lights to nearly something. The attachments are tremendous malleable and will be moved wherever on the sunshine the place they’re greatest match. In addition they make it straightforward to retailer these lights as you possibly can tie off the lights when they’re bundled.
Hanging your string lights in your van would require a special attachment fashion than say, hanging lights up in your tent; (photograph/Karuna Eberl)
Sturdiness and Water Resistance
When selecting between tenting lights, the sturdiness of these lights must be a consideration. As a complete, corporations designing out of doors lights have put effort into making them sturdy, akin to concealing the lights and wires themselves in some protecting materials. The ENO Twilights are nearly utterly plastic-covered, which retains mud and water at bay for essentially the most half. Nevertheless, over time, the plastic appears liable to stretch and tear if these lights are dealt with roughly.
Plug-in lights that include uncovered elements must be dealt with and saved with additional care. As an example, the BioLite SiteLights include a USB dongle that might be broken if left within the grime and rain. The Nite Ize ShineLines have a plastic cowl that must be used to maintain grime out of the charging port on the tip of the sunshine.
Many of those out of doors string lights are waterproof and IP-rated. The IP scale refers to how waterproof one thing is, and the definitions of every score are straightforward to lookup on-line. Usually, most string lights appear to be proof against splashes, however aren’t more likely to make it if dunked in water. The Entrance Runner LED Mild Strip is IP65 rated, which means it’s resistant towards “jets” of water. Nonetheless, it’s greatest to imagine that no string gentle is waterproof and attempt to maintain your lights out of the rain as a lot as attainable.
Worth & Worth
Tenting string lights aren’t usually the priciest factor you’ll splurge on to your tenting package, however as shopper electronics, there’s a fairly huge unfold by way of value and in flip high quality. Low cost string lights are likely to burn out prematurely, so it’s good to spend money on one thing that’s going to final, and supply the ambiance you’re going for.
Finances
Even finances string lights will be wonderful (or prime decide, the ENO Twilights Camp Lights is barely $25), however there are some things you’ll possible go away on the desk for spending backside greenback. For one, finances choices are usually powered by conventional AA or AAA cells. This isn’t a tough and quick rule, however you’ll be hard-pressed to search out built-in batteries in a less expensive set. General brightness may additionally be rather less, and make these lights higher fitted to use inside tents in comparison with throughout total campsites.
The $20 BioLite SiteLight String is a superb instance, and whilst you solely get 4 lights throughout the 10-foot string, the unit is USB-powered, which means you possibly can run these lights so long as you’ve received juice. The Nite Ize Radiant ShineLine ($30) is barely $10 extra however not fairly as versatile because it’s extra of a lit twine that’s supreme for wrapping round tent poles.
Mid-Tier
Spending $40-60 for a set of string lights means they’ll nearly all the time be brighter, longer, and doubtlessly adjustable. This may come within the type of dimmability or the addition of various gentle modes, akin to a twinkle or pulse impact. Elevated sturdiness will even include the rise in value, with higher waterproof scores, in addition to extra protected cords that may be lined in rubber or textile sleeves.
The Brightech Ambiance Professional Photo voltaic String Lights ($45) get you a large number for the cash, and whereas they’re higher fitted to RV boondockers, you do get a built-in photo voltaic panel to energy the lights, which means you’ve received true off-grid capability. The Entrance Runner LED Mild Strip ($60) is equally fitted to vanlifers however is a little more functionally wealthy with a dimmable swap in addition to a strong sleeve for the LED strip and a number of mounting choices.
Premium
Premium string lights are going to supply up much more versaility, and the MPOWERD Luci Photo voltaic String Lights + Energy Hub ($70) integrates a built-in photo voltaic panel, in addition to an on-board battery financial institution that may even cost your cellphone. The prolonged size can be typical of the worth vary, and a full 44 ft can illuminate even the largest campsites.
Regularly Requested Questions
Essentially the most handy gentle will rely upon what it is advisable do along with your gentle. Are you strolling and exploring at the hours of darkness? You then’ll need one thing like a headlamp or flashlight you need to use to direct a beam of sunshine forward of you and down the path.
Do you may have a central space like a desk or tent it is advisable gentle? Then the expansive glow of a lantern may be what you’re in search of. In the event you’re making an attempt to gentle up a big, spread-out space, string lights are possible your greatest guess as they’ll prolong over a big space. And if you would like brighter gentle, you possibly can merely wrap them, and even pile them, in a extra central location.
The size of time your lights can keep on will rely upon how vivid you may have them set and the way highly effective the battery is. Generally the facility supply is constructed into the lights, however others will be plugged into an exterior energy financial institution. The larger the financial institution, the longer the lights will final.
Nonetheless, with most high-efficiency LED lights utilized in these merchandise, you possibly can anticipate your lights (just like the ENO Twilights) to final for at the least a number of hours. In the event you use a lower-power setting, some string lights may even final for days at a time, and options like built-in photo voltaic panels on the MPOWERED lights will solely prolong this time.
The variety of lights you want is fully depending on how large your campsite is and the way vivid you need it to be. For brightness, think about whether or not you desire a single string gentle that crosses a campsite for some added ambiance, or if you wish to crisscross string lights throughout your campsite to supply illumination.
Some manufacturers supply lengthy strings with dozens of lights (just like the Brightech Ambiance Professional Photo voltaic String Lights). Nevertheless, you may very well be higher off choosing smaller sections of lights you possibly can string collectively (just like the BioLite string lights). Simply bear in mind, the extra you string collectively, the quicker the battery drains.
Don’t be afraid to get inventive and experiment to search out the lighting you like.
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