For any social or entertainment experience, I think it’s always worth being mindful of the lighting. It’s vital to create the right ambiance, and can certainly make some people more comfortable. The perfect lighting can enhance the experience, elevating whatever mood or activity is desired, while the wrong lighting, whether too bright or simply distracting, can diminish any get-together before it even starts. I’m all in on smart light that allows you to curate the right vibes.

Govee has an ever-growing lineup of smart lighting products, and part of the appeal and why they are often worth considering is because of their versatility. This includes, for example, smart TV strip lights that can enhance an entertainment experience. I tested out the latest outdoor string lights design, looking to provide some energy for warm summer nights.

While I was already familiar with how customizable the lights can be, I wanted to see just how far I could take my outdoor activities, including how they would help out an outdoor movie light. Here’s what I learned.

Integrations

Google Home, Matter

Hub Required

No

These attractive bulb string lights let you control color, brightness, temperature, and patterns so that you can create the perfect, personalized ambiance for any activity.

Pros & Cons

• Attractive, bright, colorful bulbs
• Dozens of clever preset patterns
• Easy to set up and control

• Larger AC adapter
• Pricy investment

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Price, availability, and specs

The string lights are available on Amazon. The 48-foot version retails for $100, though you can often find Govee products on sale or available with a coupon. You can also opt for the 96-foot iteration, which costs $150. The lights are compatible with Alexa, Matter, and Google Home, and can be operated by voice control or via the Govee app on your phone.

They are designed to withstand outdoor elements, with IP67 waterproof protection and a bulb constructed to withstand impact. They boast a lifespan of 25,000 hours and a total brightness of 1,200 lumens.

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What I like about the Govee String Lights

Variety and creativity prevail

Govee’s smart lighting capabilities are pretty consistent across all its products, as they all tend to generally have the same potential and versatility. Like many other lights the company sells, these outdoor string lights can be changed according to brightness, temperature, color, and patterns. You can choose to display a single, solid color or choose from a number of different presets that are designed to evoke certain feelings, seasons, activities, and ideas.

What’s particularly fun about the outdoor lights is that they have unique combinations that are specifically designed for outdoor use, patterns that you wouldn’t necessarily find in some strip lights or products designed for indoor use.

The company is also introducing AI features designed to assist you in personal designs. It’s a handy feature if you want to create a unique arrangement, although it takes some time and energy to work with. I found the numerous presets that already exist, which you can adjust to your liking, more than satisfactory.

The lights are fairly easy to set up; it partly depends on where you want to put them. I felt pretty comfortable handling them, as they felt solid and durable. I’ve had them set up outdoors now for a couple of weeks; they’ve experienced varied summer weather, including some windy thunderstorms, and the bulbs and strings have held up.

One of the standout features of this iteration of outdoor lights is the bulbs themselves. Previous versions featured a cloudy exterior and ovoid shape that didn’t look particularly attractive when they were off. These bulbs are clear, spherical, and approach the popular Edison style of light bulbs. They are not only more aesthetically pleasing than recent versions, but provide more versatility, making them more suited for indoor use as well.

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What I didn’t like about the Govee String Lights

Lights are great, but I want more

There are a couple of things worth considering before purchasing, though they aren’t necessarily a knock against the string lights themselves. While there is plenty of length to the end of the cord when you’re looking to plug in the lights to an outlet, be mindful that the adapter is quite large. Some outdoor outlets can be finnicky, which may cause some compromise or strategic placement when you’re plugging in certain electronic devices.

My covered outlet is a duplex receptacle, but its horizontal slot orientation, and the fact there is a cover attached to it to protect itself from the elements, means that the string light adapter blocks the other power option. Basically, I can only plug in one device to my outlet that features two plugs. It’s not a problem if you have alternatives, but if your outdoor power sources are limited. All of that is to say, consider how you’re getting power to the lights before you purchase, and make sure you know how you’re setting them up ahead of time so you have the proper length.

I appreciate that the bulbs are spaced out, and they definitely can get pretty bright, but I’m not sure that I wouldn’t rather have the lights just a bit closer together, or at least more of them. If given the opportunity, I think the longer option with more bulbs is better value and provides more coverage and improved ambiance for your space.

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Should you buy the Govee String Lights?

Personalized customization creates the ideal environment

If you’re looking for a creative and versatile way to light up your outdoor space, then these outdoor lights are a worthwhile investment. With the ability to create a range of lighting combinations, setting the mood for any activity, whether it’s a relaxing evening, a lively gathering, or even an outdoor movie night, these lights suit the modern home.

Being compatible with a bunch of apps and services, including voice control, means you don’t have any hassle when you’re looking to change them or set an automated schedule. They are attractive, smart, and plenty of fun to enjoy.

Integrations

Google Home, Matter

Hub Required

No

Music Reactive

Yes

Multicolor Capable

Yes

These attractive bulb string lights let you control color, brightness, temperature, and patterns so that you can create the perfect, personalized ambiance for any activity.