As a Disabled Marine Corps Veteran and a designer who spends my days engineering solutions for outdoor setups, I look at gear differently. I don't just see how shiny something is out of the box; I see how it's going to hold up six months, one year, or five years down the line.
When it comes to finding the best permanent outdoor lights, I see a lot of folks getting caught up in the hype. They buy the brightest option or the one with the coolest viral video, only to find themselves regretting it after the first holiday season passes. They realize too late that “best” isn't about peak brightness—it's about reliability.
In this post, I want to help you avoid that regret. We're going to look past the marketing fluff and talk about what actually matters when you're choosing a system for the long haul. This isn't just about picking a brand; it's about making a choice that fits your home, your climate, and your life.
Photo by Belov Sergey on Unsplash
Permanent Lights vs Traditional Christmas Lights
Let’s clear up a major confusion right away: permanent lights and traditional Christmas lights are two very different animals.
Growing up, we all knew the drill. You spend a weekend untangling strings of green wire, climbing ladders, and clipping plastic bulbs to your gutters, only to tear them all down in January. That ritual is exhausting.
Permanent lights changed the game. These are designed to stay up year-round. Permanent outdoor lights are meant to be installed once and used continuously, eliminating the need for seasonal setup and takedown. The added benefit is that you save significant time and effort by not having to install and remove them every year. They are robust, low-profile, and smart. But here is the kicker: because they stay up all year, they face challenges that seasonal lights don’t. They endure baking summer sun, freezing winter ice, and everything in between.
If you treat buying permanent Christmas lights like buying a $20 string from the hardware store, you’re setting yourself up for failure. You need a system built to survive the elements 365 days a year, not just for the month of December.
What Most People Get Wrong When Choosing Permanent Lights
The most important thing I tell customers is this: do not get distracted by the flashiest features.
Most buyers focus heavily on lumens (brightness) or millions of color options. While those are fun, they aren’t what keeps a system working. What usually fails isn’t the LED chip itself—it’s the adhesive, the power supply, or the connections.
People assume all permanent lights work the same long term. They don’t. Cheap systems often use low-quality adhesive tape that dries out and fails, leaving your “permanent” lights dangling like sad spaghetti from your roof eaves. Many permanent outdoor lights come with adhesive backing so you can easily stick them to surfaces during installation, but for long-term use, you may need additional mounting options like clips or brackets to ensure they stay secure.
The short-term excitement of a bargain price often leads to long-term frustration when you’re back on the ladder re-sticking lights in February. Using screws and clips is recommended for a more secure installation, since the adhesive is often intended for temporary installation—so for true permanence, always add extra clips and screws. If you want a system that lasts, you have to look at the boring stuff: mounting quality, waterproofing ratings, and cable durability.
Also, don’t forget to allow for proper rest during installation and operation. Taking breaks can prevent overheating of both the installer and the lighting components, reducing strain and improving the longevity of your best permanent outdoor lights.
Types of Permanent Christmas Lights
When it comes to permanent outdoor lights, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution—there are so many options out there, each with its own strengths and style. Whether you want your house to shine bright for the holiday season or you’re after a subtle, year-round architectural accent, the right permanent Christmas lights can make all the difference.
Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights are a top pick for many homeowners. These lights are designed to stay up all year, blending durability with smart features. With the Govee app, you can create custom color patterns, schedule your lights, and even sync them to music for a show-stopping display. Govee pro lights take things a step further, offering tunable warm and cool whites—perfect for those who want their outdoor lights to look just as good in July as they do in December.
Eufy lights are another strong contender in the permanent outdoor lighting game. Known for their easy installation and reliable performance, Eufy’s smart lights are a great choice if you want a straightforward setup and solid app control. They’re energy-efficient, too, so you can keep your house glowing without worrying about the power bill.
If you’re after a classic holiday look, permanent Christmas lights with a scalloped or pattern-based design are a timeless option. These string lights are made to line your roof eaves or wrap around trees, creating that festive, colorful display everyone loves. Many brands now offer smart versions of these, so you can control the entire string from your phone and switch up the colors for any occasion—not just Christmas.
For the DIY crowd, there are plenty of creative ways to build your own permanent outdoor lights. LED strips and customizable light strings let you create a display that’s truly unique to your home. With a bit of planning and the right mounting hardware, you can install a system that fits your roofline perfectly and stands up to the elements.
No matter which style you choose, it’s important to go with a brand that stands behind its product. Govee is a favorite for its wide range, robust app, and reliable customer support, but there are other great options out there, too. Consider the total cost—not just the lights themselves, but also the installation and any accessories you might need to get that clean, professional look.
In the end, permanent outdoor lights are about more than just Christmas. They’re a way to create a welcoming, beautiful display for every season, from warm summer nights to cool winter evenings. Take your time, explore the range of options, and choose a system that will keep your house looking its best all year round.
Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights and Why They’re Popular
You can’t talk about this industry without mentioning Govee permanent outdoor lights. They are the 800-pound gorilla in the room right now, and for good reason.
Govee invented the product category of permanent outdoor lights in 2022 and claims to have 90 percent of the market as of July 2024.
Govee lights hit a sweet spot: they are accessible, feature-rich, and significantly more affordable than professional dealer-installed systems. They have democratized smart lights for the average homeowner. Govee offers three versions of permanent outdoor lights, with prices ranging from $180 to $450 depending on the length. These lights can connect to smart home systems and digital assistants, allowing for voice control through platforms like Alexa, Google Home, and Apple Home. Govee lights can also be daisy-chained together for extended lengths up to 150 feet when combining kits.
I see them in so many conversations because they offer a great balance of performance and cost. But just because they are popular doesn’t mean they are the perfect plug-and-play solution for every single home without a little help. While the lights themselves are solid, the default mounting methods (usually just 3M tape) can struggle against gravity and weather over time. That is where we often step in with better mounting solutions to make a good product great.
The Role of the App in Long-Term Use
If you are going to interact with these lights every day, the interface matters. A clunky app will make you hate your expensive lights.
For a system to be truly “set it and forget it,” you need the best app experience possible. You want the ability to schedule lights to turn on at sunset and off at midnight automatically. You want to easily switch from a warm white architectural glow to a spooky purple for Halloween without reprogramming the entire string.
The Govee app is robust, offering incredible customization for patterns and scenes. This flexibility is huge for year-round satisfaction. If an app crashes constantly or is confusing to navigate, you'll stop using the features you paid for. Before you buy, download the app for the brand you're considering and poke around. If it frustrates you now, it will infuriate you later.
Holiday Lights That Actually Work Year-Round
The term “permanent Christmas lights” is honestly a bit limiting. If you are drilling into your house or sticking things to your trim for good, they better do more than just Santa mode.
The best systems transition seamlessly from holiday lights to architectural accent lighting. This is where color temperature matters. You want a system capable of a true, warm white (around 2700K-3000K) that mimics high-end landscape lighting. Permanent outdoor lights can provide a more vibrant and customizable lighting display compared to traditional options, letting you achieve effects that stand out all year.
When evaluating lights, look beyond the red and green. For holidays, the ability to customize with colors like orange for Halloween and blue for occasions such as patriotic displays or winter themes is key to creating a festive atmosphere. Ask yourself: “Will this look good on a random Tuesday in April?” We use our lights for security, ambient lighting for backyard BBQs, and even game days (Go Navy!). Permanent outdoor lights enhance the look and safety of your home at night, making your property both more inviting and secure. Year-round utility drives the real value of these systems.
Installation Is Where Long-Term Performance Is Won or Lost
You can buy the most expensive pro lights on the market, but if the installation is sloppy, they will fail. Conversely, a mid-range system installed with precision can last for years.
The installation of permanent outdoor lights can vary in complexity, with some options being easier to install than others.
The most critical factor is how you attach the lights to your roof eaves. Most DIY kits rely solely on double-sided tape or adhesive strips to stick the lights to surfaces. Permanent outdoor lights can be installed using adhesive strips or screws, depending on the surface of your home, but using screws and clips is recommended for a more secure installation. In my experience, tape is a ticking time bomb. Heat cycles cause expansion and contraction, and eventually, that bond weakens.
We see this all the time at Deliciosa Decor. It’s why we engineer custom mounts. A mechanical fastener (a screw) combined with a custom 3D-printed bracket ensures that the light stays exactly where you put it. It protects the wire, keeps the spacing uniform, and relieves the strain on the connections. A clean install doesn’t just look better; it physically protects your investment from the elements.
If you’re installing lights near your driveway or areas where a car is present, make sure to plan for accessibility and safety. When working at height, remember that using a ladder can be dangerous—renting a manlift may be a safer option for higher installations.
Cost vs Value: What You’re Really Paying For
I get it—permanent lights can seem a bit expensive upfront. When you look at the price tag of a 100-foot kit compared to a box of incandescent mini-lights, it’s a shock. The cost of permanent outdoor lights is usually significantly higher than that of traditional light strings.
But you have to reframe the cost over time. Think about the money you spend on disposable strings every few years. Think about the hours spent putting them up and taking them down. Or, if you hire a service, think about the $300-$500 annual fee for holiday light installation. In most cases, the initial investment in permanent outdoor lights can be offset by the reduced need for replacement and storage of traditional lights.
A permanent system pays for itself usually within 2-3 years. The real value shows up in the time you save and the safety of staying off the ladder. When comparing lighting kits, consider the total number of LEDs or components included, as this impacts both performance and value. However, that value is only real if the system lasts. That brings us back to installation—don’t cheap out on the mounting hardware, or you’ll be buying the system twice.
How to Choose the Best Permanent Outdoor Lights for Your Home
So, with all the options out there, how do you choose? Here are the questions I recommend asking before you hit “buy”:
- What is my roofline material? (Wood, aluminum, vinyl? This dictates how you mount them.)
- Do I want true white light? (Ensure the RGBW chip has a dedicated white diode.)
- How visible do I want the source to be? (Some lights are bulky; others are sleek. Our mounts help hide the wiring for a cleaner look.)
- Am I doing this myself? (If so, look for systems known for easy DIY installation like Govee or Eufy.)
For example, if your home’s exterior outlets are limited or far from your planned lighting area, proper planning for the electrical connection is crucial. In some cases, hiring an electrician may be necessary to ensure a safe and reliable setup.
Choosing flexibility over flash is always the smart move. You want a system that can adapt to your needs as your family grows or your tastes change. While Govee, Eufy, Nanoleaf, and Enbrighten are popular, there are other options available that may offer different features, brightness levels, or installation methods to suit your preferences.
Helpful Links and Resources on Govee Lights
Energy-Efficient Lighting Guide: Discover tips for choosing energy-efficient lighting solutions to save on electricity bills while maintaining a beautiful outdoor ambiance. Check Out Energy.gov
Weatherproofing Outdoor Lights: A guide to ensuring your outdoor lights are protected from the elements for long-lasting performance. Read the Guide on Bob Vila
Smart Home Integration Basics: Learn how to integrate smart outdoor lights like Govee Pro into your existing smart home ecosystem. Explore Smart Home Tips on CNET
DIY Outdoor Lighting Ideas: Get inspired with creative DIY outdoor lighting projects to complement your Govee Pro setup. Find Ideas on Pinterest
Govee Official Website: Explore the full range of Govee products, including the Pro Permanent Outdoor Lights, and access product specifications, FAQs, and support. Visit Govee
Outdoor Lighting Design Tips: Learn how to create stunning outdoor lighting designs to enhance your home’s curb appeal and functionality.
Read More on HGTV
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Buy for the Future, Not Just This Season
When you are shopping for the best permanent outdoor lights, try to look into the future. Don't just buy for this coming Christmas; buy for the Fourth of July three years from now.
Reframe “best” to mean durability, control, and adaptability. We started Deliciosa Decor because we wanted to help people bridge the gap between buying a product and living with it successfully. Whether it's our nature-inspired décor or our precision light mounts, everything we make is about adding resilience and beauty to your home.
So, slow down. Do your research. And remember, the lights are only one part of the system. How you mount them is what keeps them shining bright for years to come.
