We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›
I’ve tested a lot of outdoor string lights and learned that even a basic café strand can change the way a patio or courtyard feels after dark. But the Enbrighten VIBE Wi-Fi Sphere Lights did more than add a warm glow. With 6-inch globes that looked almost like colorful balloons overhead, they adorned my courtyard a festive look right away.
Once I started changing the lights’ colors, dimming the brightness, and trying the preset scenes in the app, they felt less like accent lighting and more like an intentional outdoor living design choice. Ahead, find out what I liked the best about these oversized orbs and what I’d do to improve them.
Key Takeaways
- Transformative lighting for outdoor spaces. Enbrighten Sphere Lights offer vibrant colors and customizable settings, enhancing patios and courtyards.
- Easy setup and versatile use. Quick pairing with the app allows for seamless color changes and seasonal themes.
- Year-round appeal with festive options. Suitable for various holidays, these lights adapt to different occasions effortlessly.
- Minor installation challenges. Clip design could be improved for easier setup.
Bottom line: Enbrighten Sphere Lights provide a colorful, versatile lighting solution for outdoor spaces, ideal for year-round use despite minor installation issues.
Best Smart Outdoor Globe Lights
Photo: Glenda Taylor for BobVila.com
What We Like
- Large 6-inch globe lights
- Excellent color and dimming control
- Useful schedules and timers
- Indoor or outdoor rated
What We Don’t Like
- Mounting clips need refinement
- Requires 2.4GHz Wi-Fi
Product Specs
-
Bulb type:
LED smart globe -
Number of lights:
12 -
String length:
72.5 feet total; 57 feet illuminated -
Connectable:
No -
Control:
Enbrighten app, Alexa, Google Assistant -
Wi-Fi:
2.4GHz
The Enbrighten Sphere Lights in Use
I tested the 57-foot strand by hanging it between the eave of my covered patio roof and the courtyard wall. The set includes 12 large spheres spaced 5 feet apart, which provided enough reach to illuminate the seating area and cast a little glow onto the nearby walkway. Since I had already used the Enbrighten app while testing the company’s Eternity lights, setup was quick. The Sphere Lights paired without fuss, and within minutes, I was scrolling through colors and scenes.
How bright are they?
The clear white setting was bright enough for reading a book while sitting under the strand, while the lowest settings gave off just enough glow to safely light the walkway.
The colors were the fun part. Soft blue looked beautiful against the white flowers in my moon garden, and the warmer tones made the courtyard feel ready for dinner outside. The seasonal settings are great, too, since the same strand can switch from everyday patio lighting to holiday decor in just a few seconds using the app.
The Enbrighten Lights are pretty enough for entertaining and quiet evenings in the courtyard, and the color options keep them from being a one-season strand. Red and green work for Christmas, green fits St. Patrick’s Day, and red, white, and blue give them a Fourth of July feel. These are string lights that can be left up all year and adjusted to suit the holiday or season.
Installation was mostly straightforward. The included clips can be strung on a wire or slipped over hooks or screws for a more permanent setup. The only feature I’d like to see improved is the clip design. They use a slide-down-and-lock mechanism, and I had to force a few of them into place. The concept is good, but the execution could use some fine-tuning.
Are the Enbrighten Sphere Lights worth the price?
The 6-inch globes give the sphere lights a very different look from standard outdoor string lights. They produce a broad, even glow instead of the small points of light you get from café bulbs.
I personally preferred the colors at lower intensities, where they added color without overpowering the seating area. At around $150 to $170, this is probably not the strand to buy for just one party, but it’s well suited for extended use in a courtyard, pergola, covered patio, or outdoor dining area where app dimming, schedules, and seasonal colors make it versatile enough to use year-round.
Where to Buy
Photo: Glenda Taylor for BobVila.com
The post Enbrighten Sphere Lights Review: Big Color for Backyard Nights appeared first on Bob Vila.