These are surprisingly bright to the point they light up my living and dining area from the patio! I installed a timer, so now it wont feel like daylight at 1 or 3 am. We want to use a dimmer as well for that ambient look and also to not affect the neighbors with the brightness. We use these for the look and as a criminal deterrent not to mention I can keep an eye on my dog as well. Very impressed by this string lights.