LED strip lights are an inexpensive lighting technique to revamp your home’s overall look and feel. They also significantly reduce your energy costs as led strips are 75% more efficient than traditional lights and last 25% longer. But can you put led strip lights outdoors?Â
The short answer is Yes, as long as your lights are weatherproof/waterproof, they can be used outdoors and indoors. This article will go in-depth on some of the things you should look out for in led light strips for outdoors. As well as our recommendation for some of the best outdoor lighting led strips.
Things to look for in LED Light Strips For Outside
On the surface, there isn’t much of a difference between led light strips for the outside and inside. However, some properties can help last your led strips longer. Here are some things to look out for.
Is your LED strip weatherproof?
When choosing the right led strip, you must consider if the led strips are resistant to water. Manufacturers are known to use fancy words as marketing gimmicks, so look out for specific ratings to be certain about the capabilities. You will come across different ratings and must make sure what they mean.
IP65 rating (dust resistant)
IP 65 rating usually protects your led strips from dust and splash from water. For indoor use, IP 65 is a great option as it will protect your led from accidental damage; however, for outdoor, IP 65 is not ideal because of its inability to withstand high-pressure water.
IP67 rating (water resistant)
IP 67 rating protects your led strips from rain and other water damage. Your outdoors is far more likely to survive harsh weather if it has IP 67 ratings. Moderate to high-pressure water is easily covered with IP 67 rating led strips.
IP68 rating (waterproof)
IP 68 rating is one of the highest protection you will get for outdoor led strips. They are built to withstand being submerged in water for over 30 mins at a depth of 1 meter. This makes them perfect for areas that are prone to getting wet, like outdoor pools.
Protect led strips from harsh sunlight
Just like you need to protect your screen from harmful UV lights, led strips are also prone to damage from harmful rays and need to be protected. Silicon helps absorb harmful rays and prevents the yellowing of the lights.
Both IP65 and IP68 lights are available with silicone-filled ones so pick the one that best suits your needs. Silicon is also lightweight, so it does not add any heft to your led strips so that you can enjoy the same fit and finish as non-silicon lights. It is also worth knowing that the silicon leaves the lights as flexible strips.
Related: 4 Best Waterproof RGB LED Strips
Do you need a remote controller?
Some outdoor led strips offer remote control for a slight price increase. You can avoid the remote if you are on a budget or do not care about multi-coloured lights. However, if you want multi-colored led strips with different patterns and to press a button to cycle through popular RGB colors, it may be worth getting a remote.
Some can also have other functionality like a brightness controller and timer, which can also come in handy.
Some led strips also take it a step further, and instead of a remote controller, provide an app that gives you granular control of the led strip. They often come with Bluetooth or WiFi features enabling them to be controlled over a wider distance with ease. So if you have no budget getting remote/app-controlled led strips do make sense, but if you are on a strict budget, feel free to skip it.
Accessories you may need
For more complex installations, you may need some additional accessories which will let you create longer, more complicated installations. Some important accessories you may need to install led light strips for outside include:
Extension cords – If you plan to install led strips that are far from the power outlet, an extension cord will come in handy.
Battery packs – If you do not have a power outlet at all, a battery pack will come in handy to power your led strips.
Mounting clips – For creating complex shapes, mounting clips will come in handy.
Related: How to keep LED light strips from falling off
Related: Can you put tacks in LED strip lights
Amplifier – If you plan to have a long, uninterrupted led strip, maintaining the right voltage may become a bit of a challenge. So using an LED strip amplifier can help boost the voltage.Â
Controller/Dimmer/Switch – If your led strip does not come with a remote controller or an app, you may consider using a dimmer or switch to control the brightness of your strip.Â
Differences Between Indoor and Outdoor LED Light Strips
There are a few fundamental differences between an indoor LED strip and an outdoor one, although it is possible to use them interchangeably. Here are some of the main differences between indoor and Outdoor LED Light Strips.
Certification and cost
As mentioned previously, an outdoor led strip requires several certifications like IP ratings, which drive the cost up. Some led strips also come in separate “Outdoor rated” certifications, which may cost slightly more than conventional ones.
Packaging
The package they come with may be slightly different. You can see the extra certification an outdoor strip has, but it should not be a deciding factor when choosing between the strips.Â
Top Outdoor LED Light Strips
Let us now look at some of the best options on the market when it comes to outdoor led strips. You can find them in your local store as well as on Amazon or eBay.Â
DAYBETTER outdoor led strip
(Fan favorite with app support)
If you want the full package with app support using which you can control your led strips, Daybetter would be a great option for you. It is one of the highest-rated led strips on the market, with an IP67 rating for dust and waterproofing. It comes in different sizes, starting from 16 foot to 65 foot.
The prices are reasonable, ranging between $0.60 to $0.70 per foot. We wish it had a battery or solar-powered option, but as of now, an AC power outlet is your only option.Â
Echosari Battery Powered Led Strip Lights
(Best battery-powered outdoor LED strips)
If you are away from the power outlet and still need a reliable outdoor led strip, the $12 Echosari Battery Powered Led Strip will be a perfect fit. It has a remote in the box and IP67 certification for dust and water protection. It powers with 3 AA batteries which are easy to find and inexpensive, and last “very long,” according to reviews on Amazon. If you are looking for a high-quality multi-colored outdoor led strip that runs on battery, Echosari is a perfect fit for you.
Govee RGB WiFi Led Strip Lights
(Best for your backyard or party tricks)
Govee is a premium led strip that is compatible with smart assistants like Alexa and Google home, allowing you to control it with your voice. This makes Govee RGB a cool product allowing you to make some great party tricks.
You also have the Govee app that allows you to create any combination of colors or just a single color if you want. However, Govee RGB WiFi Led Strip Lights are expensive, and the lack of IP rating does not help either. But according to Amazon reviews, Govee does just fine with a splash of water and is perfectly fine to be used outdoors.Â
Homelio led strip solar powered
(Best green energy-efficient LED)
With the growing energy shortage, a solar-powered led strip can be a great option. Homelio led strip solar powered led strip uses solar power instead of power outlets or batteries. They usually take around 6/7 hours to charge fully and can run up to 12 hours on a single charge.
There are several light moods for you to try including support for auto on/off depending on the light intensity. Homelio also has an IP67 rating to protect you from water damage. However, one small nuance is that connecting multiple strips is not recommended, which can be a bummer.Â
Read our full article on the best waterproof strip lights
Conclusion
The short answer to, “can you put led strip lights outdoors”? is yes; if the led strip has all the qualities that are required for outdoor use, you can easily use any led strip outdoors. We have also recommended some of our top picks for you to check out.
In short, if the led strip has IP certifications and added silicon protection as a bonus, you can easily use it without any issues.Â
