The best string lights for camping or backyard gatherings
October 29th, 2026
Home → Gear Reviews → Camping
Our verdict
After testing dozens of camping lanterns over the years, we think the best string lights are the BioLite Luci 44′ Solar String Lights with detachable power hub. At 44 feet in length, these string lights are long enough to not just light up your tent, but an entire campsite or camping area.
We were especially impressed that daytime solar charging replenished enough power to run the warm-white lights on low again the next evening.
We also liked that these aren’t just string lights. The BioLite Luci 44′ lights come with a robust detachable 4,000 mAh lithium-ion power hub. You can charge phones and other devicese far from outlets. I’ve had to rely on this lantern a lot for charging when living off-grid for several months
BioLite Luci 44’ Solar String Lights
We tested the Luci for two years including two months straight of living off-grid in the Eastern Sierra. We also used it for weeks of road-tripping and camping at three national parks and two state parks. Lastly, we’ve used it at least once a month for the past few years to add ambience for backyard get-togethers.
The BioLite Solar String Lights come in two versions: one that only has white/warm lights and one that has colored lights. We tested both versions and think they are equally great, depending on whether you want fun color or brightness.
After our main testing period, we gave the Luci 44′ to a friend who went to Jamaica for a month after a hurricane wiped out electricity to a rural community. Not only are these solar lights fun, but they are practical in emergency situations.
The Luci 44′ Solar String Lights with Power Hub are fun and practical and make a clear upgrade to your campsite, backyard party, van life, or any other time when you need more light (and could benefit from an additional battery, too). That is why they are a winner in our best camping lanterns guide as well as our tips for camping solo article, plus our camping gift guide.
While they are expensive, the BioLite Luci 44′ Solar String Lights add a great amount of joy to your campsite and life and would make a great present (even if it is just to yourself!).
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BioLite Luci 44’ Solar String Lights specifications
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Price:$100 (includes lights and hub)
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Weight:1 lb, 11.5 oz (white),1 lb. 10.2 oz (color)
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Number of LEDs:40 LEDs in 20 shatterproof, energy efficient bulbs
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Battery capacity (mAh):4000 mAh lithium ion battery
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Runtime (warm-white version, low/high):40 hours (low), 8 hours (high)
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Charging methods (input): Solar (charging time varies) or USB-C (3-5 hours)
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Charging capabilities (output for mobile devices):USB-A or USB-C
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Light color: White (plus red, orange, purple, and green in the fun color model)
Best for
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Off-grid lighting and phone charging
Comparison table
| Camping Light | MSRP | Battery Life | Max Lumens | Weight | Power Source | IPX Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BioLite Luci 44′ Solar String Lights (white) | $100 | 8 – 40 hours | 140 | 27.5 oz | 4000 mAh lithium-ion | IPX4 |
| BioLite Luci 44′ Solar String Lights (color) | $100 | 7 – 25 hours | Varies by color | 26.2 oz | 4000 mAh lithium-ion | IPX4 |
| Nite Ize Radiant StarLit Lantern + String Light | $55 | 3 – 6.5 hours | 200 | 7.3 oz | USB-C lithium-ion | IPX4 |
| BioLite Luci Site Lights | $100 | 6 – 20 hours | 90 | 20.5 oz | Solar- or USB-C charged 2600 mAh case | IPX4 |
What we liked
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Really long so you can light up a big area
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Detachable power hub can be used as a power bank to charge your phone or other electronic devices by USB-C and USB-A
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Can recharge by USB-C or solar, which helps add more juice when you are far from an outlet
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Compact packed size with the ability to wrap the string around the base
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Fun colors (in the fun color version)
What could be better
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Not bright enough for cooking or task lighting by itself
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Solar charging really depends on sun exposure and should be thought of more like a back-up than the main way to keep it charged
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More expensive than basic decorative string lights
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No hand crank to bring the lights in
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Not quite as intuitive as other lanterns because of separate USB hub and storage port; can get confusing
How we tested
As mentioned above, we tested the Luci for two months of living off-grid in the Eastern Sierra while living at a summer camp. We used it to decorate our campsites and hung it on 4-person tents and 6-person tents, as well as the cabin porch.
The BioLite Luci 44′ Solar String Lights come in two versions. We tested both: the fun color version and the white/warm-light version. They set up similarly, but their lighting modes and runtimes differ.
We also used it for weeks of road-tripping and camping across Big Sur, the Sonoma Coast, Sequoia National Park, Pinnacles National Park, and Redwood National Park.
We also use it at our own home. We love using these lights along our fenceline or hanging off planters during backyard get-togethers. From potlucks and barbeques to surprise birthday parties, these lights have added ambience to nearly every friends’ gathering.
BioLite prides itself on their work in international communities. We gave the Luci 44′ to a friend who went to a rural community in Jamaica for a month after a hurricane wiped out electricity. The solar charging and reliable light ended up being helpful.
Performance in the field
Brightness and coverage
The warm-white Luci 44′ Solar String Lights have three brightness modes: low, medium, and high. The color version offers red, orange, blue, purple, green, and warm white, plus a color-cycle mode.
Battery performance
The Luci 44′ lights charge by solar andby USB-C. It takes 3-5 hours to charge the 4,000 mAh lithium-ion battery, which seems long compared to other 10,000 mAh batteries we’ve charged, but it lasts a long time. In the warm white model, the run time changes a lot depending on brightness level, with low (20 lumens) running up to 40 hours without recharge, medium (70 lumens) running up to 24 hours, and high (140 lumens) running 8 hours.
We found the solar recharge over the course of a day wasn’t enough to top off the entire power bank, but it was enough to regenerate the electricity needed to get the lights to run on low every night, a feature that we loved.
It also has a battery level indicator, which is not found on every lantern. This proved helpful when our other power banks were out of juice and we had to decide whether to charge phones off the Luci or not.
Modularity and usability
The Luci has an adjustable hanging strap that is secure and easy to use. However, the whole unit is pretty heavy, so I usually just leave the base on the ground or the bannister of a porch and then string up the lightweight lights.
Aside from the weight, the only issue I have with these lights is that they aren’t the most intuitive to set up. Folks who read directions should be fine, but as someone who just jumps into things, I was confused by exactly where and how to get the lights to connect to the power hub. The system is set up to be IPX4 water-resistant so the port location wasn’t immediately clear, but once I figured it out, it seemed obvious (see photos for the correct port to use).
Portability
The BioLite Luci String Lights wrap around the power hub base. The whole system is fairly heavy due to the solar panel and power bank, especially compared to smaller string lights like the Nite Ize Disc-O lights. We wish it had a hand crank to rein in the string lights, as can be found on the Nite Ize.
Durability
The BioLite Luci String Lights are more durable than I was expecting. Based on experience with other lanterns, USB-A and USB-C cords that have the possibility of getting wet or getting sandy inside can be a failure point. Solar panels can crack in too much heat. Lantern handles can break. Shockingly, I haven’t had any of those issues with the Luci String Lights despite heavy use. The USB ports are covered by flaps—to the point of being annoying to access—though that’s what is protecting the ports from water and sand. Unlike other BioLite lights I’ve tested, the rubber handle is thick and very solid (it is designed to hold up a heavy lantern, after all). I’ve left the hub out in coastal drizzles (what we Southern Californians call “rain”) and short Sierra thunderstorms and had no issues. Though in a serious snowstorm, I brought it inside the tent.
Sustainability and corporate ethics
BioLite is a Climate Label Certified brand. In its 2025 Impact Report, BioLite reports that its clean-energy work has reached 16.1 million people, offset 7.6 million tons of CO₂ through clean cookstoves, and saved families $980 million in fuel costs. The report also highlights findings from independent impact-measurement firm 60 Decibels, including its reach among women-led households. You can read more inBioLite’s Impact Report.
Features
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44-foot string length:the longest string lights we tested
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Detachable rechargeable power hub:ended up being veryuseful for charging phones and other electronics
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Integrated solar panel:can help top off power capacity when you can’t recharge from an outlet
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USB charging capability:Pro-tip I learned the hard way: get the bulk of your charging done here and don’t just rely on the solar
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Multiple brightness settings:low setting gets the best battery life for all-night use
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Compact spool storage:helps somewhat with keeping the super long string lights from getting tangled
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Weather-resistant construction:shockingly durable in intense all-day sun and light rain
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Hanging clips:extremelyhelpful for getting your lights to stay up on awnings and rainflies on tents
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Battery indicator:useful when you are making decisions about whether to charge another phone or have lights tonight
Similar products
BioLite Luci Solar String Lights vs. Nite Ize Radiant StarLit Lantern + String Light
Price:$55
Battery life:3 – 6.5 hours
Max Lumens:200
Weight:7.3 oz
Power
The Nite Ize Radiant StarLit Lantern and String Lights are another great string light. We really like both string lights, but in our mind, these serve a different purpose than the BioLite Luci string lights. The Nite Ize are much shorter at only 18’ long. It has lots of fun colors, including blinking Disc-O mode party lights. It has a much shorter battery life and no detachable USB hub, so you can’t charge your phone off it. It also doesn’t have a solar panel. The Nite Ize is also more affordable. Choose the Nite Ize if you just need fun lights for a few hours and aren’t far from an electrical outlet. Choose the Luci if you have a bigger campsite and will be out for more than one night or need light for more than a few hours.
Nite Ize Radiant StarLit Lantern + String Light
BioLite Luci Solar String Lights vs. BioLite Luci Site Lights
Price:$100
Battery life:6 – 20 hours
Max Lumens:90
Weight:20.5 oz
Power
The BioLite Luci Site Lights are not just string lights, but you can use them like that if you hang them on a sting that you provide. If you place them in the ground, you can use them to light up a wide area around your campsite. The set is solar-powered and includes six individual lights on removable tent stakes that each run off their own battery. This means you can place them all around your campsite for ambient lighting and to help you a little from tripping on rocks. It comes with a 2,600 mAh battery that runs off solar or can be quick-charged via USB-C, similar to the Solar String Lights. We found the Solar String Lights easier to use and gave a better amount of lighting (not really a fair comparison since we’re talking 40 LED bulbs vs. 6, though). Choose the Site Lights if you’ve got a couple areas farther than 44’ apart that need lighting, like a walkway between a toilet and tents.
BioLite Luci Site Lights
Should I buy the BioLite Luci 44’ solar string lights?
Buy if:
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You host outdoor gatherings like backyard parties or barbeques
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You want solar-powered ambient lighting
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You camp or hang out away from electric outlets and could benefit from the modular, detachable power systems
Skip if:
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You need focused task lighting
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You want the cheapest possible string lights
Where to buy
The BioLite Luci Solar String lights are populars, so you have options when it comes to retailers. Here are some of the pros of the retailers.
Pros:100% satisfaction policy for 1 year and 10% rewards (on select non-sale items) for members.
Amazon
Pros: Free 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime membership (can be same-day delivery in some areas)
Backcountry
Pros: Member-only offers and early access to select promotions through Summit Club; Gearhead chat customer service is excellent
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Yeah, these lights are pretty awesome, and that is coming from someone who tests a lot of gear. They are fun, maybe not the most practical, but really make a campsite feel homey. The battery life is better than that of other string lights, so they are best for multiple days of camping or people who don’t want to recharge as often.
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Yes, though it depends on which version you get. The warm-white version produces up to 140 lumens across the entire string on high. BioLite does not publish a lumen rating for the color version. In our testing, its warm-white mode looked similar to the white version’s medium setting and worked best for ambient light.
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BioLite says runtime varies by color, with most users getting 7–10 hours and purple lasting up to 25 hours.In our testing, the colored version lasts 8 hours (there’s no way to toggle between low and high).
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It takes 3-5 hours to charge4 hours. Solar charging really depends on sunlight levels. In the Sierra in July in full sun, we were unable to fully charge it over the course of the 15 hours of daylight (but didn’t adjust the angle to be ideal)
Why you should trust us / About the author
Liz Thomas is an award-winning Los Angeles-based writer and Editor-in-Chief of Treeline Review. A former Fastest Known Time (FKT) record holder on theAppalachian Trail, Liz came to Treeline Review from New York Times/Wirecutter, the New York Times’ product review site, where she was a staff writer on the outdoor team.
Liz has talked gear on Good Morning America (TV), in The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, Buzzfeed, Men’s Journal, Women’s Health, Gizmodo, and Outside Magazine.
Liz has been testing lanterns for the past 4 years and has been professionally testing other outdoor electronics, including headlamps, since the founding of Treeline Review 8 years ago.
To test the lanterns, she essentially lugged them around with her everywhere–including a 2,000-mile camping road trip on California’s Highway 1 and roadtrips throughout the desert southwest. She also has lived four months off-grid, where she relied on camping lanterns at night.
You can read more about Liz at her Wikipedia page here or on her website. See all her Treeline Review articles on herauthor page.
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