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When choosing string lights, it is easy to get stuck on the length, cable type or the look of the bulbs. But in practice, it is often the brightness that determines how the final result actually feels once everything is in place. We usually say that the choice between 1W, 2W and 3W mainly depends on what you want from the lighting. Do you want a soft and cosy light, a bit more clarity, or as much light as possible?
For most customers who want to light up a pergola, patio or outdoor seating area, we usually recommend 1W first. It usually gives the most pleasant and atmospheric feeling. But there are definitely situations where both 2W and 3W are a better fit.
If you want the cosiest possible feeling, 1W is always the right choice.
If you want a bit more light but still want to keep a warm and pleasant feel, 2W is a good option.
If you need clearer light, for example over larger areas or in more open environments, then 3W may be the right choice.
To sum it up simply:
The most common mistake is to think that higher wattage automatically means better lighting. That is rarely the case. In many outdoor environments, stronger light does not feel nicer, only harsher. This is especially true in pergolas, on patios and around seating areas where the goal is usually to create atmosphere, not work light.
That is why we usually start with this question: should the string lights create atmosphere or provide a lot of light?
If the answer is atmosphere, you will often end up choosing 1W.
If we are to give one general recommendation, it is 1W. It is also the wattage that many of our customers choose, because it usually creates the nicest overall result. The light becomes warm, soft and pleasant without taking over too much.
1W is especially suitable for:
2W is suitable for those who want a bit more light without going all the way up to 3W. It is often a good choice for larger areas or where the string lights should both add atmosphere and provide a bit more practical light over, for example, a table or seating area.
2W works well for:
We usually see 2W as a good middle step when 1W feels a little too cautious but 3W feels too much.
3W is the right choice when you want the string lights to stand out and give a clearly visible light. It works best in larger spaces, darker locations or where the lighting should do more than just create atmosphere. It can also work well in restaurant environments, events and other larger installations.
3W is especially suitable for:
For a normal outdoor seating area at home, however, it is not always the best choice.
A smart option can be to choose 3W bulbs and then combine them with our LED dimmer. That gives you more flexibility and lets you adjust the light yourself depending on the occasion and setting.
At LY Sweden, we think this is a very good solution for those who sometimes want stronger light but still want to be able to create a softer and cosier feel when needed. With the dimmer, you can easily lower the brightness to the level that feels best at the moment.
This works especially well in pergolas, on patios and in environments where you want to switch between more practical light and more atmospheric lighting.
When customers ask us which wattage suits them best, we usually think like this:
For pergolas
Here we usually recommend 1W. It tends to give the calmest and most harmonious feeling.
For patios and outdoor seating areas
Here too, 1W is very often the right choice. If the area is larger or if you want a bit more light, 2W can be a good alternative.
For restaurants, events or larger environments
Then 2W or 3W becomes more relevant, depending on how clear the light needs to be.
For those who are unsure
If you want to play it safe, 1W is almost always the best starting point if your goal is warm and pleasant light.
Wattage determines how much light you get, but colour temperature determines much of the feeling.
At LY Sweden, we offer:
That means you can choose both brightness and light character.
2200K is the option we usually recommend to the largest number of customers. The light becomes warm, soft and very pleasant in the garden, pergola and on patios. Since 2200K is available in all three wattages, it is also a convenient choice when you know you want a warm tone but are still deciding how strong the light should be.
Our amber plastic bulbs are also available in 1W, 2W and 3W.
They are suitable for those who want an even warmer and more golden expression. Amber is especially beautiful in environments where the light is allowed to feel decorative and almost glowing, for example in pergolas, restaurants or patios with a strong evening atmosphere.
We offer 2700K in 1W. This is a good choice if you want a warm light but not one that is quite as golden as 2200K or amber. It still feels warm, but a little whiter and cleaner.
We think 2700K 1W works well when you want:
For those who want the string lights to have a stronger visual presence, we also offer our G80 bulbs. They are a good choice when you want a fuller and more decorative look than with a smaller standard bulb.
At LY Sweden, G80 is available in 2W, both as clear plastic glass and as amber 2W in glass.
We think G80 is a very attractive choice when the appearance of the bulb itself is allowed to be a clearer part of the overall impression. The larger shape makes the string lights feel a bit more distinctive and decorative, which works especially well in pergolas, on patios, at restaurants, events and in other environments where you want the lighting both to be visible and to contribute to the atmosphere.
We usually recommend G80 to customers who want a bit more character in their string lights rather than the most discreet look.
At LY Sweden, we also offer a 1W bulb in 2000K for those who want an even warmer and softer light. It is especially suitable when the goal is to create a really calm and cosy feeling, for example in pergolas, on patios or in other environments where atmosphere matters more than strong brightness.
Compared with 2200K, 2000K feels even warmer and slightly more golden in tone. We therefore think this bulb is a very attractive choice for those who want an extra soft and atmospheric look in their string lights.
Many of our customers choose 1W, because it usually creates the cosiest feeling.
Yes, the difference is clearly noticeable. 2W gives more light but still feels warm and pleasant.
That depends on what you want. For pure cosy lighting, we often think 1W or 2W is a better fit.
There, we usually recommend 1W.
Then 2200K or amber is usually the right way to go.