The best outdoor festoon lights
Strung along a fence or zig-zagged over the patio, festoon lights make the garden somewhere to be after dark. These plug in, shrug off the rain and glow a warm, old-fashioned white.
A string of festoon lights is the quickest way to make a garden feel like somewhere to spend the evening, and the name fits: it comes from the Italian festone, a garland hung for a celebration. All five here use shatterproof plastic bulbs rather than glass, so a gust of wind or a stray football won't leave shards on the lawn.
There are two kinds. Mains-voltage strings carry 230V along the cable; low-voltage sets run at 24V from a plug-in adapter and usually come with a remote, dimmer and timer. Measure the run before ordering, and allow a little extra for the dip between hooks.
What matters
- Length: measure the run and allow for the dip between hooks.
- Weatherproofing: IP44 copes with rain; IP65 is sealed against dust and water jets.
- Low-voltage (24V) sets usually add a remote, dimmer and timer.
- Colour: 2700K is a warm white; 2200K is warmer still, nearer candlelight.
#1 of 5
Best overall
Torkase 33.5m Outdoor Festoon Lights with 52 Shatterproof Bulbs
£30–£50 Price range
The longest string here, with 50 shatterproof globe bulbs that glow an extra-warm 2200K, closer to candlelight than a standard warm white. It's rated IP65 against rain and water jets, so it can stay up all year round.
What owners say: Owners say they give a lovely light that transforms the garden, look beautiful on decking at night and are worth the money.
A closer look: Every bulb holder has a hook, so cable ties or a tensioned wire between posts keep the line neat and take the strain off the cable. It dims with a compatible dimmer switch, which isn't included.
- 33.5m, 50 bulbs + 2 spare
- IP65 weatherproof
- Extra-warm 2200K glow
- Works with a dimmer switch
- Shatterproof G40 bulbs
Best for: Year-round garden lighting
- Length
- 33.5m
- Bulbs
- 50 + 2 spare
- Weatherproofing
- IP65
- Controls
- Plug-in, dimmer-compatible
- Low voltage (24V)
- No
#2 of 5
Runner-up
Warlisou 30m Festoon Lights with Remote and Timer
£20–£30 Price range
The remote does the work: four brightness levels and a timer, so the lights come on for the evening and go off again without a walk down the garden. The string runs at a low 24V and is rated IP65.
What owners say: Owners say they look more expensive than they are, the remote works from inside the house, and the hooks make them easy to hang on fences and trees.
A closer look: The remote's two AAA batteries are in the box. Hang the whole string before plugging it in, and keep the plug and adapter somewhere dry, such as inside the shed or in a covered outdoor socket.
- 30m, 40 bulbs
- Remote with 4 brightness levels
- Timer
- IP65, low-voltage 24V
- 2-year warranty
Best for: Remote, dimmer and timer
- Length
- 30m
- Bulbs
- 40
- Weatherproofing
- IP65
- Controls
- Remote, dimmer, timer
- Low voltage (24V)
- Yes
#3 of 5
Best for linking sets
GPATIO 30m Outdoor Festoon Lights with 52 Bulbs
£30–£50 Price range
A classic mains string with 1-watt bulbs that links end to end with more sets, so it can run right round a big garden or along a marquee for a party.
What owners say: Owners say they're good quality, bright and easy to put up, and look sensational strung along a veranda.
Heads up: It's a simple plug-in string with no remote or dimmer, so plug it into an outdoor timer socket if you'd like it to switch itself off.
A closer look: If a bulb fails the rest stay lit, and two spares are in the box. The string itself carries mains voltage, so plug it into a proper outdoor socket protected by an RCD.
- 30m, 50 bulbs + 2 spare
- Links to more sets
- IP45 weather-resistant
- Warm white 2700K
- Flexible rubber cable
Best for: Long runs and linked sets
- Length
- 30m
- Bulbs
- 50 + 2 spare
- Weatherproofing
- IP45
- Controls
- None, plug in
- Low voltage (24V)
- No
#4 of 5
btfarm 30m Festoon Lights with Remote, 40 + 2 Bulbs
£20–£30 Price range
A remote with a lot packed in: four brightness levels, three light modes and two timers (3 or 6 hours on, then off until the same time the next day), and it remembers its last setting when switched back on.
What owners say: Owners find them beautiful and bright, with a relaxing warm glow, and like being able to dim them to suit the evening.
A closer look: When fitting a bulb, push it in and twist until it's tight, as btfarm advises, or it may not light. It's rated IPX4, so it's fine in the rain but best kept out of the way of sprinklers and hoses.
- 30m, 40 bulbs + 2 spare
- Remote with dimmer and timers
- 3 light modes
- Low-voltage 24V
- 3m lead to the plug
Best for: Timers and light modes
- Length
- 30m, plus 3m lead
- Bulbs
- 40 + 2 spare
- Weatherproofing
- IPX4
- Controls
- Remote, dimmer, timers, modes
- Low voltage (24V)
- Yes
#5 of 5
Best budget
Brilvibera 23.5m Festoon Lights with App and Remote
£10–£20 Price range
Control it from a phone as well as the remote: the app adds smooth dimming, a timer you can set to the minute and a mode that pulses the lights to music. At 23.5m, it suits a medium-sized garden or terrace.
What owners say: Owners say they look stunning at night with a warm, inviting glow, and find the remote handy for changing the brightness.
A closer look: Set the app's timer to switch them off at bedtime, which keeps the neighbours happy too. It's the shortest set here, so measure the run before ordering.
- 23.5m, 25 bulbs + 2 spare
- App and remote control
- Minute-by-minute timer
- Music sync mode
- IP44, low-voltage 24V
Best for: Phone control on a budget
- Length
- 23.5m
- Bulbs
- 25 + 2 spare
- Weatherproofing
- IP44
- Controls
- App and remote, dimmer, timer
- Low voltage (24V)
- Yes
How they compare
| Feature | #1Torkase 33.5m | #2Warlisou 30m | #3GPATIO 30m | #4btfarm 30m | #5Brilvibera 23.5m |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Runner-up | Best for linking sets | Best budget | ||
| Picked Rating | 9.2 | 9.1 | 9.0 | 8.8 | 8.7 |
| Price | £30–£50 Price range | £20–£30 Price range | £30–£50 Price range | £20–£30 Price range | £10–£20 Price range |
| Length | 33.5m | 30m | 30m | 30m, plus 3m lead | 23.5m |
| Bulbs | 50 + 2 spare | 40 | 50 + 2 spare | 40 + 2 spare | 25 + 2 spare |
| Weatherproofing | IP65 | IP65 | IP45 | IPX4 | IP44 |
| Controls | Plug-in, dimmer-compatible | Remote, dimmer, timer | None, plug in | Remote, dimmer, timers, modes | App and remote, dimmer, timer |
| Low voltage (24V) | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Year-round garden lighting | Remote, dimmer and timer | Long runs and linked sets | Timers and light modes | Phone control on a budget |
| Check price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
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