Best Smart Garden Lights for UK Weather: 2025 Expert Review
Oli at OR Electrics
Fully Qualified 18th Edition Electrician
Smart garden lights have changed the game for outdoor living. Being able to change the mood of your patio from your phone is brilliant, but navigating the market can be tricky. In my line of work, I see a lot of outdoor lighting failures—usually caused by cheap seals giving way to the relentless Leeds rain.
The biggest issue isn't usually the light itself, but the installation and the waterproofing. Many 'outdoor' lights come with plugs that aren't actually waterproof, or controllers that need a dry box. If you get this wrong, you're tripping your RCD and sitting in the dark.
In this review, I'm looking at three smart lighting options: a budget-friendly fun lamp, a high-quality string set that plays nice with smart home systems, and a permanent eave lighting solution that saves you climbing ladders every Christmas.
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Specs vs. The Real World
The Spec: "IP Regulation Claims (Waterproof)"
"Manufacturers claim IP44 is sufficient for outdoor use."
IP44 is merely splash-proof. In a Yorkshire winter, driven rain can penetrate these seals. I always recommend aiming for IP65 or IP66 for equipment that is fully exposed to the elements, or ensure connections are housed in a proper weatherproof enclosure.
The Spec: "Wi-Fi Connectivity"
"Smart lights connect easily to your home router."
External brick walls (especially the thick solid walls we have in Leeds terraces) kill Wi-Fi signals. You may need a Wi-Fi repeater or mesh node near the garden door to ensure your lights actually respond to the app.
My Top 3 Recommendations
Three options to cover different needs and budgets
Smart Garden Products Lamp, Multicoloured, S
sgpuk
If you're looking for a simple, low-stakes way to add a bit of colour to a garden table or corner without complex wiring, this is a decent budget entry. It's not a serious lighting system, but for under £14, it's a cheerful addition.
The Good
- Very affordable price point
- Simple to set up - no complex wiring required
- Compact size fits easily on tables or small patios
The Bad
- Not a permanent lighting solution
- Limited brightness compared to mains-powered options
- Plastic construction may degrade in prolonged direct sunlight
Installer Tip:
Treat this more like an ornamental feature than a light fixture. Bring it indoors during heavy storms or winter months to prolong its life, as budget seals often fail in freezing conditions.
Priced at £13.90 at the time of writing
Check Price on AmazonGovee Outdoor String Lights 15M, Smart RGBIC Dimmable
Govee
Govee has set the standard for smart consumer lighting recently. These string lights boast an impressive IP66 rating for the bulbs, making them genuinely durable for UK weather. The app integration (Alexa/Google/Matter) is seamless, making them ideal for smart home enthusiasts.
The Good
- High IP66 waterproof rating for the string lights themselves
- Matter support ensures future-proof smart home compatibility
- RGBIC allows multiple colours on one string simultaneously
The Bad
- The power adapter is only IP44 (needs protection)
- Price per metre is higher than basic fairy lights
Installer Tip:
Crucial safety note: Whilst the lights are IP66, the plug/driver is only IP44. Do NOT leave the plug exposed in a wet garden. It must be plugged into a proper IP66 rated outdoor socket or housed inside a weatherproof 'Dri-box'. As an electrician, this is the most common failure point I see.
Priced at £69.99 at the time of writing
Check Price on AmazonGlobaLink Smart Eave Lights, 15m 30LEDs Permanent Outdoor Lights
GlobaLink
These lights solve a specific problem: the annual hassle of putting up and taking down Christmas lights. Designed to be installed permanently under eaves, they offer a discreet look by day and vibrant effects by night. It's a 'fit and forget' solution for festive lighting.
The Good
- Eliminates the need to climb ladders every winter
- Discreet design tucks away neatly under eaves
- Triple control options (App, Remote, Bluetooth)
The Bad
- Installation requires working at height (safety first!)
- Adhesive pads alone may fail on dirty soffits; screws recommended
Installer Tip:
When installing under eaves, clean the soffit surface thoroughly with a solvent cleaner before sticking the pads, but ALWAYS use the screw fixings too. The changing temperatures in Leeds will eventually cause adhesive to fail, and you don't want a 15m cable drooping down.
Priced at £42.29 at the time of writing
Check Price on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
Can I plug smart garden lights into an indoor socket?
Why do my smart garden lights keep going offline?
What is the difference between IP44 and IP65?
Do I need an electrician to install these lights?
Are permanent eave lights expensive to run?
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