If you think you know what LED rope lights to look for, you might be mistaken. This popular product can easily enhance your backyard but there are many options available so it’s important to find out as much you can before you illuminate your yard or any of your rooms.
The best LED rope light will have the right color you want, the right length you need, and the right durability to last as long as possible. We’ve looked at available LED rope lights and have found both outdoor and indoor choices for you. Our list also includes basic one-light strands as well as more high-tech Bluetooth power that allows you full control of your lights, all from your smartphone. Whether you want to host a party inside or party in your backyard until the sun comes up, we have some amazing options for you. With the right lighting, you can make every night memorable.
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Editor’s Choice: Ainfox LED Rope Lights"A 150-meter spool for indoor and outdoor use. Waterproof. Can be linked with more ropes. Other color options available."
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Upgrade Choice: L8star LED Color Changing Rope"An impressive addition to your home parties and romantic evenings. RGB light. Bluetooth app control. Built-in mic – reacts to music."
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Largest LED Rope Lights: Shine Decor Dimmable LED Strip Lights"Dimmable light rope, ideal for commercial use. Warm white light. 120 LEDs per meter. Can be connected to more ropes."
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Best Connectable Light Rope: GuoTonG LED Rope Lights"A light rope of traditional warm white color. For indoors and outdoors. 131 feet. Can be cut every 1 meter."
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Best Value: IMAGE 8 Modes Solar Rope Lights"Energy-efficient solution for making your house more lively. Solar panel included. 8 flashing modes. Multi-color."
Top 5 LED Rope Lights Review 2021
Ainfox LED Rope Lights – Editor’s Choice
- Length: 150 feet
- Color: blue (other colors available)
- Waterproof: yes
- LEDs/M: 36
- Dimmable: no
More features: connectors allow to extend or add different colored LED ropes
Ainfox LED Rope are an excellent choice when you want to jazz up your backyard. Measuring 150 feet in length, this light rope will stretch just about everywhere you want it to go. And, if you need even more length, there is a connector on the end which allows you to add even more light ropes to it.
The image we selected for the Ainfox LED Rope Lights is blue but there are plenty of other colors to choose from. These include cold white, warm white, red, and multicolor. You can find the perfect shade for both summer and Christmas.
This LED rope light is waterproof so you don’t have to worry about rain or snow. You can even leave the lights up year-round, which will greatly save you the hassle of installation every new season.
The LED lights are inside the tube, but thankfully the tube is a transparent plastic. It is also quite heavy duty, so there’s no real risk of damage due to the elements.
As for lifespan, you can expect Ainfox LED Rope Lights to last for 50,000 hours. That’s pretty impressive.
While the PVC tubing around the lights is durable, it is also malleable. You can shape and bend the light rope. As a result, it can be placed around fences, roof eaves, or even made into a cool, unique design. There’s no limit as to what you can do with this product.
The only disappointment with the Ainfox LED Rope Lights is that they don’t have many features. They aren’t dimmable and they don’t have a blinking option.
What makes it stand out?
- Comes in 5 color choices
- Can bend and be shaped
- Very long 150-foot rope
Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?
- Aren’t dimmable
L8star LED Color Changing Rope – Upgrade Choice
- Length: 32.8 feet
- Color: RGB
- Waterproof: no
- LEDs/M: 30
- Dimmable: yes
More features: Bluetooth app control; in-built mic
Looking to really elevate your patio game? Try the L8star LED Color Changing Rope. This is the best quality led rope light for a reason. Not only do you get a ripe of lights, but you get to pick exactly what color you want them to be, all from the convenience of your smart phone.
The L8star LED Color Changing Rope has Bluetooth capability. Simply download the Magic Strip app to your phone, either Apple or Android. Then, you can choose exactly what color you want your lights to be. You can even choose multiple colors and really program your lighting experience.
Other features of the app include the ability to sync a light show to music. If you’ve ever seen a Christmas light show and watched in awe, you can now recreate it all in your own yard. This might be one of the best LED Christmas rope lights available. Although it isn’t waterproof, so you will have to set it up inside.
If you’re looking at this rope light and still aren’t sure, take comfort in their amazing customer service. After purchase you get a 100% satisfaction guarantee for the first 90 days. After that there is still a one-year warranty. So, if you’re worried this might be too high-tech of a product, you can still have the chance to test it out.
The L8star LED Color Changing Rope is amazing but it is unfortunately rather short. Measuring only 32.8 feet, this is a much shorter product than other rope lights on our list. To really create the light show of your dreams, you will have to purchase multiple light ropes, which will quickly add up.
What makes it stand out?
- Bluetooth capabilities
- Can control the lights from your smart phone
- Can sync lights to music
Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?
- Rope length is pretty short
Shine Decor Dimmable LED Strip Lights – Largest LED Rope Lights
- Length: 150 feet
- Color: warm white
- Waterproof: yes
- LEDs/M: 120
- Dimmable: yes
More features: dimmer sold separately
If you have a lot of ground to cover, then you need a large rope light. Shine Decor Dimmable LED Strip Lights gives you 150 feet of rope length, which is plenty to get you started. This rope light can be used both indoors and outdoors, thanks to its waterproof feature.
One of the best features of Shine Decor Dimmable LED Strip Lights is that rope is actually cuttable. That means you can use all of some of the rope. Every 0.5 meters is a new link that can be cut through. You won’t have to worry about damaging the rope and you can use it exactly how you envisioned it to be.
The rope light is also linkable. If 150 feet simply isn’t enough for you, simply purchase another set and connect the two ropes for unstoppable lighting action.
Just remember that if you want Shine Decor Dimmable LED Strip Lights to last the longest, it is recommended to keep the rope in its entirety. Still, this is an affordable product so if cutting it makes the most sense, then by all means, go ahead. This is a simple product to install and the user manual walks you through all the steps.
Shine Decor Dimmable LED Strip Lights comes in a soft white color which mimics the older twinkle lights that used up all the electricity. It is a nice color and will add a rich ambiance to your backyard. However, it would be nice if there were multiple color options to choose from.
What makes it special?
- Extremely long length
- Can cut and connect the rope
- Light is a warm color
What cons did we find?
- Only comes in one color
GuoTonG LED Rope Lights – Best Connectable Light Rope
- Length: 131.2 feet
- Color: warm white
- Waterproof: yes
- LEDs/M: 36
- Dimmable: no
More features: can be cut every 1 meter; built-in fuse design of the power plug
You’ve got a master plan for your outdoor lights. You want to be able to turn one switch and have your entire backyard erupt into a mesmerizing display that will dazzle anyone who comes over. To achieve this result, you will need to connect multiple strands of rope lights. GuoTonG LED Rope Lights are the best choice for this occasion.
To begin with, they feature 131.2 feet in length. While this is not the largest length from our list, it is pretty close. The long length, coupled with the fact you can easily connect multiple strands, means you can easily control your backyard wonderland.
GuoTonG LED Rope Lights come in four color choices. You can select warm white, daylight white, blue, and a multi-color option.
Safety is at the forefront of this product. It has a built-in fuse design so you can rest assured that your lights will work well. The durable plastic coating can withstand all the elements, including wind, rain, and even harmful UV rays. It is waterproof so you can leave these lights out year-round and now have to worry about any damage.
If you find this rope light is too long, you can actually cut it without damaging the internal wiring. Every 1 meter there is a marking which tells you where it is safe to cut. You can also bend the rope light, allowing you ultimate control.
Overall, this is a great product. The one failing is that it doesn’t come with strong enough clips so you may have to purchase extra.
Why are we impressed?
- Very long length
- Can connect other lights easily
- Very durable product
What negatives must you be aware of?
- Clips for installation aren’t strong
IMAGE 8 Modes Solar Rope Lights – Best Value
- Length: 78.7 feet
- Color: multi-color
- Waterproof: yes
- LEDs/M: 10
- Dimmable: yes
More features: solar panel included; 8 flashing modes
The IMAGE 8 Modes Solar Rope Lights are an excellent product that doesn’t cost a fortune. These lights are further impressive thanks to their solar power. Simply set up the panel in a sunny spot and you don’t have to worry about electricity or wires. Solar power also means you can set these lights up in the middle of the backyard, or even bring them along when you’re camping.
The solar panel can be mounted on your house or can be driven into the ground with a steak. There are plenty of options so you will always be able to place it in the sunniest spot available.
Even though the IMAGE 8 Modes Solar Rope Lights are affordable, you still get plenty of lights for your money. The rope is 78.7 feet in length, which is pretty impressive. They come in three color options: multi-color, warm white, or white. You can use them in the summer or the winter and they will instantly add a new atmosphere to your yard.
Another really exciting feature of the IMAGE 8 Modes Solar Rope Lights are the eight flashing modes that you can choose from. Other LED rope lights simply turn on or off. But with this product, you can choose from such special effects as sequential, twinkle, and slow fade.
While the IMAGE 8 Modes Solar Rope Lights have a nice effect, they could be a bit brighter. They are perhaps best for summer use. Winter use and being covered in snow will definitely not allow these lights to be seen.
Why are we impressed?
- Quite affordable
- Fairly long rope length
- 8 light effects
What negatives must you be aware of?
- Lights aren’t very bright
Things to Consider
LED rope lights add a certain “wow” factor to your home. Whether you want one to bring a party element to your living room or you want to create a mini oasis in your backyard, finding the right item is important. Our buying guide will walk you through everything you need to know about finding the right LED rope light.
Features to consider when choosing LED rope lights
LED rope lights can differ greatly. In order to find one that meets your needs, be sure to understand all the available features.
Ropes or… strips maybe?
LED rope lights are long. Some are up to 150 feet in length. But what if you want to wrap your rope light around a gazebo and at the end find yourself with 20 feet of light just hanging there? If you bought the right product, you could actually cut the rope light and not suffer any negative repercussions.
There are many products that are cuttable, including Shine Decor Dimmable LED Strip Lights and GuoTonG LED Rope Lights can be cut, either at 0.5 meters or 1 meter intervals. Just be sure to only cut at these pre-marked lines.
Length
LED rope lights really vary in length. The smallest rope light on our list is the L8star LED Color Changing Rope which only measures 32.8 feet. The longest rope lights on our list are the Shine Decor Dimmable LED Strip Lights and the Ainfox LED Rope Lights. Both measure 150 feet. The rest of the products fall within this range.
If you are looking for a more high-end LED rope light, one that has multiple color options and even Bluetooth capability, you will have to sacrifice on length. If, however, you just want a durable rope light, then a long length can be found.
Color
Color is perhaps the most important feature of LED rope lights. The right color will make or break your intended vision for your home or yard. Generally speaking, the most common color choice is a warm white light. This is meant to mimic the white lights from traditional light bulbs. A warm white will add a lot of charm to your yard and will instantly add a bit of sophistication to it.
A bright, or daytime white is also a popular choice. If you plan on using your LED rope light in the winter, this can create a whimsical frozen ice scene.
Colors are also popular and many products come in an RGB, or red, green, blue configuration. If you are very particular about your color choice, then the best product for you is the L8star LED Color Changing Rope. With the use of Bluetooth technology and an accompanying app, you can actually use a color wheel to decide on a specific color shade.
If it’s designed for indoor or outdoor use
Almost all the LED rope lights on our list can be used both indoors and outdoors. The exception is the L8star LED Color Changing Rope. Unfortunately, this product is not waterproof and therefore is only meant to be used inside.
LEDs per meter
LED rope lights will usually have between 20 to 36 lights per meter. This varies by product. If you want brighter lights, then choose a rope light with a higher ratio of lights to meters. More spacing means more dark spots and less light.
If it’s dimmable
LED lights are amazing but the one drawback they seem to have is that it can be hard to make them dimmable. It’s more common to have other lighting options, such as twinkling or alternating lights. The IMAGE 8 Modes Solar Rope Lights do have a slow fade option, so if you really want a dimmable feature, this might be the best product to choose.
Power source
LED rope lights have two power sources. The most traditional is electrical. You will need to connect the rope light either directly into a power outlet or via an extension cord. While extension cords allow you to place the rope light where you want it to be, it does provide a tripping hazard or even a bit of an eyesore. However, if you are placing your rope light on a balcony or around your house, then an electrical outlet should be close enough that this won’t be an issue.
The second power source option is solar. Solar power has come along way and is now being used with LED lights, thanks to the fact they need very little power to work. Solar power lights, like the IMAGE 8 Modes Solar Rope Lights, allow you to place the rope light wherever you want it to be. So, if you have a lower deck that isn’t close to a power outlet, you can simply place the solar panel in full sun, either by mounting it or steaking it, and not have to worry.
Other features
As with most products, there really is no shortage as to what manufacturers can come up with. The L8star LED Color Changing Rope can be fully customizable from your smartphone, allowing you to pick the perfect color and light sequence to really get the party started.
If you’re worried about wrapping an arbor or even a tree with just the right amount of lights, then find a set that can be cut, such as Shine Decor Dimmable LED Strip Lights and GuoTonG LED Rope Lights.
As for warranties, one year is standard. However, if you are still a bit nervous about this innovative technology, try a product like L8star LED Color Changing Rope which has a 90-day satisfaction guarantee.
FAQ
Some rope lights can be connected but it varies by brand. However, you will want to stick to a maximum of three strands together. This will keep the lights functioning at their best.
Some rope lights can be cut. If you find you have too much rope length and want to cut it, be sure to find the right markings. These will be in either 0.5 or 1 meter increments. Only cut along those markings. And definitely only cut rope lights that advertise they are cuttable.
LED rope lights are covered in a thick PVC tube. This covering is made to withstand a lot of elements, including freezing temperatures and extreme heat. If you live in a very extreme climate and are worried, it’s best to contact the manufacturer to address individual concerns.
Our Verdict
Still looking for the best outdoor solar LED rope lights? Our Editor’s Choice are the Ainfox LED Rope Lights. With a choice of five colors to pick from and 150 feet of rope length, this is an affordable, amazing product that will serve all your lighting needs.
If you really want to be the envy of your entire neighborhood, then you should consider the L8star LED Color Changing Rope. While this is a shorter rope length, it has Bluetooth capability that allows you to control the lights from your smartphone. Simply select a color, pick and lighting sequence, and amaze everyone on the block. You can even add music to your light display.
Our final pick for the best LED rope light is Shine Decor Dimmable LED Strip Lights. It has a 150-foot length that will allow you to light up the whole backyard. It’s simply stunning. Take your backyard to a whole new level with an LED rope light. You definitely won’t regret it.
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