I live in a three-story, stucco-covered townhouse, which disqualifies me from installing most permanent outdoor lights. The stucco makes it impossible to stick anything to it, and I have an HOA that forbids “permanent changes” to my exterior, so they frown upon me drilling. And, most important, I don’t have the right eave design with my townhouse to hide the strip of lights when they’re off.
But that doesn’t mean I have zero options (more on what I can do instead below). Still, if you want the full-home look, you’ll need a home with a more standard roof.
What to Look for in Permanent Outdoor Lights
Most permanent outdoor lights look pretty similar, with puck lights on a string. How different can they be, right? Well, we’ve found a couple features that really make a set stand out.
Cut-and-splice abilities. WIRED reviewer Kat Merck has tried two different sets of permanent lights on her home, and she finds the ability to cut and splice the lights to be a key feature. Many homes have varied architectural features like peaks, gables, and sections without eaves, so the ability to cut out pucks and splice the cord ends back together creates a much more customized and professional look. Our favorite sets from Govee ($300, 100 feet) and Eufy ($350, 100 feet) both include this ability.
Weatherproofing. Every model needs an IP (weatherproofing) rating to survive outside, so if you don’t see one, don’t buy those lights. There’s usually a lower rating for the control box compared to the rest of the lights, so be sure you can put that somewhere that’s a little less exposed to the elements. (As mentioned above, make sure you have an outdoor outlet, and check if there’s only one on a certain side of your home in case it limits your installation options.)
A range of installation options. You’ll want a set that comes with plenty of options for your own installation, including adhesive and drilled mounting options. What you need will vary based on your home design and materials; e.g., you’ll want adhesive for homes you can’t drill into. WIRED reviewer Kat Merck, who tested a couple of different permanent lights, liked sets with screw-on holders that the puck-style permanent lights can slide onto.