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Types of string lights split by how they get power: solar, battery and plug-in. Solar sets charge from a panel and switch on at dusk, battery sets run from cells you swap or recharge, and plug-in sets run from an outlet. The listings in this guide are solar sets, and the sections below use their figures to show what to look for in each type.
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The quick answer: types of string lights
Solar is the hands-off type: the panel charges in the sun and the lights turn on at dusk and off at dawn, with no outlet and no cell swaps. Battery sets are the portable type: they go where no outlet or sun reaches, but the cells run down and need swapping or recharging. Plug-in sets are the steady type: they run as long as the outlet has power, but the cord sets how far they reach. If you have sun on the spot and want no wiring, start with solar; if the spot is shaded or indoors, look at battery or plug-in instead.
Solar string lights
Solar sets are the only type with figures in the listings here. The EXF listing is a 4-pack of solar Christmas lights with 152 ft and 400 LEDs in total: each string measures 33 ft with 100 LEDs and a 5 ft lead wire. The Minetom listing is a single set with 50 LEDs and a total length of 22.64 ft, with a 6.5 ft leading wire and 4-inch bulb spacing. Both listings state 8 lighting modes and a memory function that keeps the last setting, and both state an IP65 code. The EXF set uses multicolor LEDs on a green wire, and the Minetom set uses warm white LEDs in strawberry shapes. Charge times match: both listings state a 6-8 hour charge in direct sunlight. Runtimes do not: the EXF listing states up to 10 hours of light at night, while the Minetom listing states 26+ hours. Read the runtime line on the listing for the set you buy, since the makers state very different figures for the same charge time.
| Listing | Length | LEDs | Modes | Weather code | Runtime stated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXF 4-pack | 152 ft | 400 | 8 | IP65 | Up to 10 hours |
| Minetom C6 | 22.64 ft | 50 | 8 | IP65 | 26+ hours |
Battery string lights
Battery sets carry their power with them, so they suit spots with no outlet and no sun: a table, a tent, a shaded porch. They switch on with a button or a remote, and they run until the cells run down, so the habit is to keep spare cells or a recharged pack on hand. No battery listing is in the reference set here, so there are no battery figures to quote: check the listing for the cell type, the stated runtime and whether the cells are included. A battery set with a short stated runtime needs more cells on hand than one that runs through the night.
Plug-in string lights
Plug-in sets run from an outlet, so they suit a porch, a patio or a room where the cord can reach. They give steady light for as long as the outlet has power, with no charging and no cells to swap. The limit is the cord: measure the run from the outlet to the last bulb, and check the listing for the lead wire length before you buy. A plug-in set also needs an outlet that stays dry, so check the listing for the weather code before you hang it outside.
Ways to pick the right type
- Match the length to the space: 152 ft across the EXF 4-pack (on Amazon), 22.64 ft on the Minetom set, with a 5 ft lead wire on the EXF and a 6.5 ft leading wire on the Minetom.
- Count the LEDs: 400 across the EXF 4-pack, 100 on each EXF string, and 50 on the Minetom set.
- Check the modes: both listings here state 8 lighting modes with a memory function.
- Check the weather code: both listings here state IP65.
- Check the charge and the runtime: both listings state a 6-8 hour charge, but the EXF states up to 10 hours of light and the Minetom states 26+ hours.
- Check the warranty: the Minetom listing states a 30-day warranty, and the EXF listing states none.
FAQ: power away from the grid
How long do solar string lights stay on at night?
The EXF listing states up to 10 hours after a 6-8 hour charge, and the Minetom listing states 26+ hours after a 6-8 hour charge. The listings disagree, so read the listing for the set you buy.
What does IP65 mean on string lights?
IP65 is the weather code stated on both listings here. The listings describe the sets as built to withstand rain and snow.
How many LEDs are on a solar string light set?
The EXF set states 100 LEDs per string and 400 LEDs across the 4-pack, and the Minetom set states 50 LEDs.
Do solar string lights need direct sunlight?
Yes. Both listings say the panel charges under direct sunlight during the day and the lights turn on at dusk. The EXF notes say to turn the power button on before charging and to place the panel in a sunny spot away from shade.
Related solar guides
See every Path, String and Deck Lights guide and all Solar Lights, Cameras and Fans guides. Also see our 50 led vs 100 led solar string lights, solar spotlights vs solar string lights and best gutter hooks for string lights.
