Quick answer: String lights are the bulbs-on-a-cord classic; fairy lights are tiny LEDs on fine wire; curtain lights hang in vertical drops. Measure before buying — a 10 × 12 ft patio needs about 44 feet to wrap the perimeter, more with sag. For solar sets like our ball string lights ($7.99–$19.99), the rule is: panel in the sun, lights wherever you like.
"String lights" has quietly become a category with four different products inside it, and buying the wrong one is the most common way a patio project stalls. Here's how the families differ, how to measure so the set reaches, and what we've learned from the solar ball lights our customers buy most.
The four families, in one minute
| Type | What it is | Best at | Where to browse |
|---|---|---|---|
| String lights | Visible bulbs/globes on a cord | Perimeters, pergolas, overhead runs | Outdoor & patio string lights |
| Fairy lights | Tiny LEDs on fine wire | Wrapping plants, railings, table decor | String & fairy lights |
| Curtain lights | Vertical strands from one header line | Walls, fences, balcony screens | Fairy & curtain lights |
| Strip lights | Flexible LED tape | Under rails and steps | LED strip lights |
The difference is scale: string lights read as individual points across a yard; fairy lights read as glitter up close. For a seating area seen from indoors, string lights carry the distance; for things people sit right next to, fairy wire disappears more gracefully.
Measure the run before you fall for a set
Three habits prevent nearly all string-light regret:
- Perimeter first. A 10 × 12 ft patio is 44 feet around. Walk the route with a tape or garden twine.
- Add for sag and wraps. Gentle swags use noticeably more length than a taut line — roughly 10–15% is a common allowance. Wrapping a post or planter eats length faster.
- Count anchor points. A zigzag canopy needs eave hooks, a pergola, a fence line, or a planter pole to zig to. Plan the geometry before ordering.
One note on our own anchor product: the Solar Outdoor LED Ball String Lights are tiered by LED count — 20, 50, or 100 — and sized by space in the listing rather than a length in feet. When footage matters, measure generously and size up; surplus can wind around a rail.
What the solar ball lights actually offer
They're the string-light entry in our best-sellers this half (35 sets since mid-January): ball-shaped LED globes with eight lighting modes — steady, fading, and flashing among them — on an adjustable solar panel with an included 1.2V rechargeable battery. Pricing is $7.99 for 20 LEDs, $14.99 for 50, $19.99 for 100. Listed as weatherproof for year-round use, though no IP rating is published; care advice is to keep the panel clean and dry, store cool and dry over winter, and remove batteries before extended storage. Full details in our ball string lights spotlight.
Solar realities on a patio
Solar string lights separate the light from the power: the string can weave through a shaded pergola as long as the panel sits in sun. Find the sunniest square foot within the cord's reach and angle the panel toward the sun's path (ours is adjustable). A panel behind a wall or dense tree charges weakly regardless of the set, and evenings cut short.
Hanging without drilling or damage
Good options exist for renters: adhesive hooks under eaves, S-hooks over fence boards, plant ties around branches, or freestanding poles in planters of gravel. Hang from the cord's built-in loops — never the LEDs themselves — and leave slack at each anchor so wind works the swag, not the connections.
Mode manners
Eight modes are fun on night one; by night ten most patios settle on steady or a slow fade, saving flash-and-chase for parties. Animated modes running till midnight are the fastest way to turn a neighbor's ambiance into a complaint.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between string lights and fairy lights?
String lights have visible bulbs or globes spaced along a cord and read as individual points of light from a distance. Fairy lights are tiny LEDs on fine wire that read as a soft sparkle up close - better for wrapping plants and railings than spanning a patio.
How many feet of lights do I need for a small patio?
Wrapping the perimeter of a 10 by 12 foot patio takes about 44 feet, and hanging in relaxed swags typically adds roughly 10-15 percent. Measure your actual route with twine first - it is the five-minute step that prevents most sizing mistakes.
Do solar string lights work if my patio is shaded?
Yes, if you place the panel outside the shade. The string and the panel are separate, so run the lights through the shaded seating area and stake the panel in the nearest sunny spot within cord reach.
Can string lights stay up all year?
Our solar ball string lights are described in their listing as weatherproof for year-round use, but the same listing recommends dry, cool storage over long winters and removing batteries before extended storage - a sensible routine for any set in a harsh climate.
How do I hang string lights overhead without a pergola?
Create anchor points: adhesive or screw-in hooks under the eaves, a fence line, or poles set in planters filled with gravel or concrete. Then zigzag between anchors with a little slack at each connection.
More from the Solar Wind LED Chime blog
- Solar LED ball string lights — choosing 20, 50 or 100 LEDs
- Outdoor lighting by zone — porch, path, fence and garden
- Our best-selling solar lights and wind chimes of 2026
- Shop string & fairy lights
Measuring allowances are general guidance, not manufacturer figures. Sales figures cover orders from January 16 to July 16, 2026. Prices and specifications are current as of publication and may change.