Our top picks at a glance
Best DIY roofline lights
Govee Permanent Outdoor LightsSee itPrice tier 3 of 4:$500–$1,500Homeowners who want holiday and everyday lighting without hanging lights each season.Best for animated holiday displays
Twinkly outdoor light stringsSee itPrice tier 2 of 4:$150–$500Holiday displays you want to animate.Best hands-off pro install
Gemstone Lights (professionally installed permanent lights)See itPrice tier 4 of 4:Over $1,500People who want a pro installation and hate hanging lights.Best for smart-home users
Philips Hue Outdoor lightingCheck pricePrice tier 3 of 4:$500–$1,500Smart-home users building a lighting scheme.Best add-on for any lights
Outdoor smart plugs and timersCheck pricePrice tier 1 of 4:Under $150Anyone with holiday or patio lights.
Hanging lights every November is a ritual some people love and some people dread. Permanent lights promise to end it: install once, then change the color for Halloween, Christmas, the Fourth of July or a quiet warm white on Tuesday.
The short answer
- DIY and flexible: Govee permanent outdoor lights.
- Animated holiday shows: Twinkly.
- Never touch a ladder again: a professional install.
- Smart-home accent lighting: Philips Hue Outdoor.
How we picked
We compared the makers' own descriptions of each lighting line and weighed them on how they install, how they are controlled, how weather-rated they are and how clearly they explain cost. We list lines rather than exact models, and we have not hands-on tested them. See our methodology.
Our top picks
Best DIY roofline lights
Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights
Color-changing roofline lights for holidays and year-round ambiance.
Color-changing roofline lights you install yourself and control from an app, for holidays and everyday ambiance. Installation takes time and a ladder, and you should check the current model's specs and weather rating.
What we like
- Individually controllable LEDs for scenes and holiday colors
- Designed to stay up year-round, with app control
- Great for rooflines and eaves as well as patios
Trade-offs
- Needs Wi-Fi and a decent phone app experience
- Pricey compared with simple string lights
- Best for
- Homeowners who want holiday and everyday lighting without hanging lights each season.
- Skip it if
- You don't want to depend on Wi-Fi and a phone app, or simple string lights will do.
Best for animated holiday displays
Twinkly outdoor light strings
App-controlled, color-changing strings for holiday and year-round displays.
App-controlled strings with color and animation, good for trees, eaves and event displays. They cost more than ordinary strings, and you should check how weather-rated the specific line is.
What we like
- App-controlled color and animation
- Outdoor-rated lines for trees and eaves
- Fun for holidays and events
Trade-offs
- Costs more than ordinary strings
- Not meant to be left up and powered through every storm without checking ratings
- Needs a nearby Wi-Fi signal for app control
- Best for
- Holiday displays you want to animate.
- Skip it if
- You want a simple warm-white look.
Best hands-off pro install
Gemstone Lights (professionally installed permanent lights)
Custom-fit, professionally installed permanent roofline lighting.
A professionally installed, custom-fit permanent system, so there is nothing to hang each year. It is a large upfront cost, installer availability depends on where you live, and you should compare several quotes.
What we like
- Professionally installed to fit your roofline
- Meant to stay up year-round
- Colors and effects are controllable
Trade-offs
- A large upfront cost compared with DIY
- Installer availability depends on where you live
- Quotes vary, so get more than one
- Best for
- People who want a pro installation and hate hanging lights.
- Skip it if
- You are happy hanging your own lights or on a tight budget.
Best for smart-home users
Philips Hue Outdoor lighting
Smart outdoor lighting that works with the biggest smart-home platforms.
Weather-rated fixtures, strips and path lights that fit into a Hue smart-home setup. It is a lighting ecosystem rather than a dedicated roofline system, and it is expensive per light.
What we like
- Works with major smart-home platforms and routines
- Weather-rated fixtures, strips and path lights
- Strong app and reliable ecosystem
Trade-offs
- Expensive per light compared with simple string lights
- Needs a Hue Bridge for the best experience
- Best for
- Smart-home users building a lighting scheme.
- Skip it if
- You're not building a smart-home lighting scheme, or you don't want to buy a Hue Bridge.
Best add-on for any lights
Outdoor smart plugs and timers
Switch lights on and off by schedule or app.
A weatherproof smart plug or timer cuts the hours your lights run. Check its amperage rating against your load, and use outdoor-rated models only.
What we like
- Cheap and effective
- Cuts running time and cost
- Outdoor-rated versions handle rain
Trade-offs
- Check the amperage rating against your load
- Use outdoor-rated models only
- Wi-Fi models need a signal near the plug
- Best for
- Anyone with holiday or patio lights.
- Skip it if
- Your lights already have a timer.
How to choose
DIY or professional
DIY systems cost less and let you change things yourself, but you need a ladder, patience and sometimes a power supply. A professional install fits your roofline exactly and costs far more.
Weather rating
Check that the lights are rated for outdoor use and for your climate, including the cold and the sun. Controllers and power supplies need protection too.
Control and features
App control, color zones, schedules and smart-home integration are nice. Make sure you will actually use them.
Power and safety
Plan your outlets, use outdoor-rated, GFCI-protected power, and stay well away from power lines when working at height. Our free holiday light planner calculates strands, circuit load and running cost.
Total cost
Include the lights, power supplies, accessories and any installation, and remember a running cost. Quotes vary, so get more than one for a professional job.
Related guides
See our best outdoor string lights, plus propane fire pit tables and patio heaters for a cozy holiday yard.
Frequently asked questions
Are permanent outdoor lights worth it?
They are worth it if you hang lights every year and hate the ladder time, or you want year-round accent lighting. The upfront cost is higher than ordinary strings, and you should check how long the maker rates them to last.
How long do permanent holiday lights last?
It varies by brand and installation, so check each maker's rated lifespan and warranty. LEDs generally last far longer than old incandescent strings, but exposure to sun and storms matters.
Can I install permanent lights myself?
Many DIY systems are designed for it, and you will need a ladder, a plan for power and sometimes a power supply. If you are not comfortable working at height, or the job needs wiring, hire a pro.
How many lights do I need?
Measure the roofline and any edges you want to outline, and add about 10 percent. Our holiday light planner works out strands, circuit load and running cost for you.
Alex Mercer brings 15 years of experience and a practical editorial approach to Backyard Review. Alex compares published product information, installation needs and ownership costs, highlighting trade-offs and distinguishing research from documented hands-on experience.
