Yes, LED strip lights can be used outdoors, but there are important factors to consider. The outdoor environment introduces variables like changing weather, humidity, and temperature fluctuations, all of which can affect the performance of LED strip lights.

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Why Use LED Strip Lights Outdoors? 

The cycle of day and night is a natural phenomenon. During the day, there is abundant sunlight, and we don’t typically need artificial lighting. However, bright artificial light becomes essential for carrying out activities once night falls.

If you’re hosting a barbecue or a backyard party, waterproof LED strip lights are an excellent choice.

Enhance Your Outdoor Space Outdoor LED strip lighting offers vibrant color options to brighten your patio, deck, or pool area. These color-changing lights can create a unique ambiance, transforming the feel of your outdoor space.

Add Color to Your Patio, Deck, or Pool Garden paths, in particular, require adequate lighting for safety. Walking in your backyard without light can be hazardous, but outdoor LED strips can illuminate your walkway, guiding you safely.

Guide Your Path A popular use for outdoor LED strip lights is to install them beneath the eaves of a house. This placement provides enough light to illuminate the perimeter of your home, minimizing dark areas and reducing the risk of accidents.

Additionally, bright lighting can deter thieves, as there will be no shadows to hide in.

Ensure Safety by Illuminating Dark Areas

Types of Waterproof LED Strip Lights 

When selecting outdoor LED strip lights, you’ll often come across ratings like IP20, IP65, IP67, and IP68. These ratings indicate the lights’ resistance to water and dust:

• IP20: Suitable for indoor use in dry environments.
• IP65: Suitable for outdoor use where lights are protected from splashes and water jets but not for submersion.
• IP67: Suitable for most outdoor applications but not for prolonged immersion in water.
• IP68: Fully waterproof and suitable for use in pools or underwater settings.

The higher the IP rating, the better the waterproofing.

Considerations for Choosing Outdoor LED Strip Lights 

Outdoor LED lights must withstand two main factors:

1. Humidity: Ensure the LED strip has the correct IP waterproof rating for the outdoor environment.
2. Temperature: Outdoor temperature changes can affect LED strips. Most LED strips operate in temperatures between -4°F (-20°C) and 122°F (50°C). Ensure that the strip light is rated for the temperature range of your area, especially if it’s an extreme environment like a sauna or freezer.

Waterproofing Materials LED strips are made waterproof by coating them with materials like epoxy resin, polyurethane (PU) glue, or silicone glue. Silicone glue is generally the best option because it is environmentally friendly, and it performs well in both high and low temperatures without yellowing over time. However, the waterproof coating can slightly increase the color temperature of the lights.

How to Make LED Strip Lights Waterproof?

To make LED strip lights waterproof, a protective waterproof layer is applied to the strip. This can be done by either coating the circuit board with non-waterproof LED strips (IP20) with a layer of glue to cover all the electronic components or fully encasing the entire strip in glue. This process transforms the regular LED strip into a waterproof version.

Three main materials are commonly used for waterproofing LED strips: epoxy resin, PU (polyurethane) glue, and silicone glue. Among these, silicone glue is considered the best due to its environmental friendliness.

Comparison of Waterproof Materials:

Waterproof Material	Epoxy Resin	PU Glue	Silicone Glue
Cost	Low	Medium	High
High-Temperature Resistance	No	Yes	Yes
High Temperature Resistance	No	No	Yes
Thermal Conductivity	Worse	High	High
Yellowing	Yes	No	No
Toxicity	Low	Yes	No

It’s important to note that the waterproof layer can reduce the heat dissipation efficiency of the LEDs. To address this, you can place the waterproof LED strips inside an aluminum channel or use waterproof LED strips with lower power to manage heat better.

Important Tip: The transparent waterproof layer can raise the color temperature of the LED strip lights by about 1000K, so make sure to choose your strips carefully when considering outdoor lighting needs.

How to Install Outdoor LED Strip Lights 

Outdoor LED strips can often be secured with 3M double-sided tape. However, it’s important to clean the surface before applying the tape to ensure it adheres well. If you’re worried about the tape losing its grip over time, you can reinforce it with additional glue. For a more durable solution, you can use mounting clips and screws.

Hiding LED Strip Lights To conceal the lights, you can install them in grooves, under deck railings, or in aluminum channels with diffusers. The diffusers help to hide the strip itself while softening the light for a more polished look.

Powering Outdoor LED Strip Lights LED strip lights need a power supply. If your setup is exposed to the elements, be sure to use a waterproof power supply and cables. When installing multiple rolls of strip lights, watch for potential voltage drops and power each roll separately if needed.

For color-changing or chasing lights, use a controller with a synchronization function to control multiple strips simultaneously.

With proper installation and consideration of these factors, outdoor LED strip lights can enhance your outdoor space while being both functional and visually appealing.

How To Power Outdoor LED Strip Lights?

The wiring setup can vary depending on whether you’re using low-voltage or high-voltage strips to power outdoor LED strip lights. Here are the two common configurations:

Wiring Layouts:

1. Low-Voltage LED Strip Lights:
   • Connect the low-voltage outdoor LED strip to an LED controller, then connect it to an AC to DC converter, and finally plug it into an AC socket.
2. High-Voltage LED Strip Lights:
   • Connect the high-voltage LED strip (with or without a controller) directly to an AC outlet.

Steps for Installation:

1. Determine Power Supply Location:
   If the power supply and connection cable will be exposed to outdoor conditions, use a waterproof power supply and waterproof cables to ensure durability.
2. Decide LED Strip Placement:
   Plan where you will install the outdoor LED strip lights.
3. Cut and Connect Properly:
   Identify where the strip needs to be cut and where it needs to be connected. Ensure that any cut or connected sections are properly waterproofed. If no connection is needed after cutting, use an end cap, seal it with glue, and cover it with a heat-shrinkable tube for added protection.
4. Prepare and Install:
   After gathering all materials and planning, you can proceed with the installation.

Additional Considerations:

• If you’re using multiple rolls of LED strips, check for voltage drop. If a voltage drop occurs, each roll should be powered separately.
• For multiple rolls of color-changing or color-chasing LED strips, select a controller with a synchronization function to control all the strips simultaneously and prevent inconsistencies in lighting.

Power Supply Tip: Make sure the power supply capacity is at least 1.2 times the total power required by the outdoor LED strip lights to ensure stable performance.