BrightEver 100FT LED Outdoor String Lights Review

The $39 Backyard Glow-Up That Makes Your Neighbors Jealous (and Your Wallet Happy)

Let’s be honest: nothing turns a boring backyard into “Pinterest-worthy” faster than a canopy of warm, twinkling lights. The problem? Most outdoor string lights either cost a fortune, shatter the first time your dog looks at them funny, or suck down electricity like it’s 1999.

Enter the BrightEver 100FT LED Outdoor String Lights with 52 ST38 Edison bulbs – the shatterproof, waterproof, dimmable set that’s currently living its best viral life on TikTok and Amazon for very good reason. I’ve hung, tested, and partied under these for the last three months, and spoiler alert: they’re still perfect.

Quick transparency note: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. All opinions are 100 % mine – no one paid me in fairy lights (yet).

What You Actually Get for ~$39

• 100 feet of heavy-duty black rubber cable

• 50 working ST38 vintage Edison bulbs + 2 spares (52 total)

• Shatterproof plastic bulbs (yes, I accidentally whacked one with a broom – still works)

• 2700K warm white glow (the cozy café lighting vibe, not harsh “stadium” white)

• Fully dimmable (works with most standard dimmer switches)

• IP65 waterproof rating + connectable end-to-end (up to 15 strands = 1500 ft if you’re extra)

• 1 watt per bulb = basically free to run all summer

My “I Hung These Myself in 20 Minutes” Story

I’m not handy. My idea of DIY is assembling IKEA furniture with wine and swearing. These lights took one person, one ladder, and zero tears.

The cable is thick but surprisingly flexible, and every 2 feet there’s a little hanging loop molded right in – no more zip-tying or fighting with separate clips. I ran them along my pergola, zig-zagged across the deck, and still had 15 feet left to wrap my lemon tree like a classy Christmas hostage. Plugged them in → instant ambiance. My husband actually said, “Wow, this looks like a restaurant,” which is the highest compliment he’s capable of giving.

The Glow Test: Real-Life Results

• Evening dinner parties: Dimmable from “romantic date night” to “let’s play cards without squinting.”

• Late-night hot tub sessions: Warm 2700K light flatters everyone and hides the fact you haven’t shaved your legs since June.

• Storm survival: We had 45 mph wind and sideways rain last month – zero bulbs out, zero flickering.

• Electric bill impact: Ran them 6 hours a night for 30 days → added about $2 to my bill. (I did the math so you don’t have to.)

Pros (Because There Are a Lot)

• Stupidly shatterproof – kids threw a football into them → football lost

• End-to-end connectable without looking like an extension-cord nightmare

• That perfect vintage Edison look without the 1940s energy bill

• 30,000-hour bulb lifespan (roughly 10+ years even if you leave them on every night

• Currently 5,000+ reviews averaging 4.7 stars and climbing

Cons (Keeping It Real)

• Only comes in 2700K (warm white). If you want cool white or color-changing, look elsewhere.

• Included bulbs are plastic, not glass – looks 98 % like real Edison glass but the super-snobs might notice up close.

• No remote or smart features (if you want app control, step up to Govee or similar).

Who These Are Perfect For

• Anyone who wants café lighting without spending $150+

• Renters (easy to take down and reuse)

• Wedding / party hosts on a budget

• People who’ve bought cheap Walmart lights that died after one season (guilty ✋)

Final Verdict: Just Buy Them Already

The BrightEver 100FT LED Outdoor String Lights are the rare product that’s actually better than the TikTok hype. They’re bright enough to see your plate, dimmable enough for romance, tough enough to survive real life, and cheap enough that you’ll probably buy a second set “just in case.”

At the time of writing, they’re hovering right around $39–$45 on Amazon (and frequently drop lower with Lightning Deals). For that price, you’re getting commercial-grade looks that used to cost triple.

Ready to make your backyard the one everyone wants to hang out in?

Grab the BrightEver 100FT string lights on Amazon here →

Your summer nights (and your Instagram) will thank you. ✨

What are you hanging them on first – patio, pergola, or straight across the fence for maximum neighbor envy? Tell me below!