Skip The Basic String Lights: Give Your Patio An Inviting Glow With A Solar Find From Amazon

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Creating the right vibe for your patio is a multi-faceted effort, calling for everything from buying the perfect outdoor furniture to adding the best finishing touches. One way to make your patio all the more inviting is by adding soft lighting to extend your enjoyment of the space well into the evening. While basic string lights can go a long way towards achieving a relaxed ambiance, there's a cuter and more whimsical find on Amazon: the TONULAX Solar Garden Lights.

These charming lights retail on Amazon for $11.98 for a 2-pack, so you can create a stylish patio space without breaking the bank. Each unit is made up of a single stake that sticks into the ground and then splays into eight individual strands with a soft, glowing miniature bulb at the end. Powered by a solar panel affixed to the main stake, the lights are advertised as being IP65 waterproof and resistant to moisture and heat. Since the individual bulb strands are lightweight, they are designed to sway in the wind, lending a magical effect to wherever they are installed. Those looking for something to make their patio more inviting can easily install these around the perimeter of the space to increase lighting and elevate the mood.

At the time of writing, the lights have a 4.3-star average from over 15,000 reviews, and customers praise their appearance and easy installation process. Buyers also love that the lights stay illuminated for extended periods of time. One five-star review on Amazon states, "They are absolutely MAGICAL. As soon as the sun goes down, my garden turns into this cozy little twinkling fairy haven, and I am completely obsessed."

It's easy to see how these attractive lights can lend a lot of charm to your patio space, whether you're illuminating an entire area or just adding some accent lighting. If these lights match your style, you can purchase a larger-count pack (a 10-pack box, for example, goes for $50.98) and set them up all over to brighten up your property and add visual appeal, or install them along a walkway to your front porch, for example. You could even place just a few lights among your outdoor potted plants for a charming aesthetic that brings a little extra light to exterior gathering spots.

While there is much to love about the lights, there are some critical reviews from customers who say that they were not very durable. One reviewer wrote that while they love the look of them, the lights didn't last long. "I received mine about 9 months ago," they wrote. "One has been out for a month or so and a second one just went out. Will I purchase them again? Probably." Because they are so affordable, you might find (like the aforementioned buyer) that they are worth buying anyway, though their questionable reliability bears mentioning. 

For the cautious consumer, hanging onto the packaging while testing out the lights is a measured approach. Should yours stop working, or not work at all, the company will issue a refund or replace lights that are sent back within 30 days. Further inspiration can be found in our guide to lighting up your backyard patio for summer nights.