We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. Waterproof globe lights so your outdoor gatherings can continue long into the night. Hang them along your roofline, drape them on outdoor structures, or just string them up solo to give your backyard the most magical vibe.
Reviewers note that you should remove the bulbs before stringing up the strands and then install the bulbs.
Promising review: "I am loving my new lights! Just got them up in time for hanging out on the back deck for springtime. They give a great outdoor cafe feel to my back deck. I advise purchasing extra light bulbs when purchasing these lights. It comes with one extra, but they are extremely fragile/delicate. We ended up breaking four total during the hanging process." —charlee harris
Get a strand from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in four colors and lengths).
2. And solar-powered mason jar lights you can place around your backyard — on tables, along fences and railings, or on stair steps — to liven up evenings and make you nostalgic for nights spent catching fireflies as a kid.
Since these are solar-powered, you'll need to place them in the sun to get them to light up. Six to eight hours of sun exposure will work if you want roughly eight hours of light. And if you don't want to do that, no worries, because they have a spot for an optional AAA battery if you'd rather power them up without the sun.
Promising review: "Absolutely love these lights. I bought these about five years ago and they were very loved, so I upgraded and bought more this year. They add such whimsy to your garden and beautiful ambiance. I love that they're solar-powered. I will definitely recommend getting these." —folse1
Get an eight-pack from Amazon for $24.99 (available in five colors).
3. A set of color-changing inflatable pool balls for when the sun goes down but no one's ready to get out of the pool. They're completely waterproof and solar-powered (lasting about eight hours on one charge), and you could even hang them from the trees for a magical forest vibe.
Each light cycles through red, blue, white, and green.
Promising review: "My pool is so old school and boring that I bought these to liven it up and what a difference!! My pool went from 'meh' to WOW! The balls are easily inflated by mouth like a beach ball. Once inflated, a few hours in the sun and they are charged and ready to go. They light up after dusk (it has to be rather dark). There is no manual way to power them on or off; they glow all night long. The changing colors are vibrant and very beautiful. They have a loop at the top if you would like to hang them. They would be magical hanging in a tree or from a pergola. I really liked how easy these were to fill and charge, and I like the solar power and the amazing color display. They make my inner child happy." —J. Matheson
Get a set of four from Amazon for $55.99 when you clip the coupon for $10 off.
4. A lighted umbrella that'll help illuminate your hangout area when the sun goes down *and* provide that necessary shade during the day so you're not squinting and shielding your eyes during conversations.
Note that this includes just the umbrella, not the table!
Promising review: "Great umbrella! We don't keep it up all the time, just take it out when needed. Great quality. The lights are great at night, really elevates our backyard! The option for leaning the umbrella is really nice, too, in the mornings when I want to sit outside without the morning sun blaring down on me. If you don't want it to break, don't keep it outside all the time, that simple!" —Morgan
Get it from Amazon for $71.99+ (available in 11 color combos).
5. Or if you already have an umbrella, a clamp-on light you can attach to the pole for some convenient overhead lighting.
It adjusts to fit poles with a diameter of 0.86 to 1.81 inches and has three brightness modes! It requires four AA batteries, which aren't included.
Promising review: "When I bought this, it was totally on a whim. I was convinced that because it was so inexpensive, it would be a cheap piece of junk! Was I wrong! It does a great job of lighting up the table with the three different settings. AND, if you turn it upside-down, you can further vary the brightness. (Sometimes you just want a hint of a glow, rather than a spotlight in your face.) I'm very happy with this, especially since I left it out all summer long with no issues. It was hidden under a closed umbrella, but I'm sure it got a little damp with rainwater and it survived! For just $10, it is such an easy solution for my patio that has no electricity, and therefore, needs something battery powered." —LouiseN
Get it from Amazon for $11.97.
6. A patio table mosquito net enclosure if you're tired of getting eaten alive when you're just trying to catch up with friends and family outside. No mosquitos are invited to this get-together! Oh, and you can tie the netting back when it's not needed.
Promising review: “We bought this for a rather large umbrella over our table in the back yard, and used it for the first time last night. We were less concerned about mosquitoes because we have a service to eliminate them — it's the bees that were disturbing our outdoor meals and events. My wife hosted a few friends last night, and they all fell in love with this. They've all been fighting with bees lately, and they were not bothered once by any bugs. Every friend bought the netting on the spot. Also, when you're inside the netting sitting on chairs, it's almost as if the netting is invisible; most of the time you can't tell whether it's even there, especially at night.” —Sara Olshanky
Get it from Amazon for $29.65+ (available in three styles, including an LED-lit option).
7. Or a high-voltage insect zapper you can set up near the grill, patio, fire pit, or wherever people will be hanging out the most in your backyard. It eliminates mosquitoes, gnats, flies, and other bugs with wings that are undeniably the worst part of lounging around outside.
It has a range of up to 1,500 square feet!
Promising review: "Usually if I am outside with a group of people, the bugs come hunting for me and nobody else gets bitten if I am in the area. I got tired of putting on bug spray every time I go out on the patio, so I bought this to try and it has made a huge difference. I turn it on for a little bit every night, even if I am not outside, and you can hear and see it doing its thing, and now I can sit out back and have no bug spray and nothing bothers me. Very effective product." —Todd F
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in two sizes, three colors, and a two-pack).
8. A cosmic-themed fire pit, complete with moons and stars etched into the sides, so you can set up an area for s'mores, late-night chats, and star-gazing. Cozy ambience, here we come.
It's made of thick durable steel and covered with rust-resistant, high-temperate pain. And the effect of the light shining through the moon and stars at night? Stunning.
Promising review: "Got this as part of our backyard renovation project. Shipping was super fast, received it earlier than expected. Large fire pit, super easy to assemble. It’s a sturdy piece! I read the reviews and decided to take some precautions — we drilled three drain holes at the base, fast and easy to do. We also bought a cover just in case. Used it the same day during a chilly North Carolina night to watch an outdoor movie with friends and blankets in the backyard. Worked amazingly and kept us toasty. Love the cutouts! Friends asked where we got it all night. Would recommend to anyone!" —Isabel
Get it from Amazon for $239.
9. Or a gorgeous wildlife ring firepit so you can pretend you're out in the wilderness telling ~spooooky~ stories by the campfire while listening to the sounds of nature (and trying to remember if there are bears in this area).
Five Metal Design is a Neenah, Wisconsin-based Etsy shop creating metal ring fire pits featuring intricate (and often times custom) designs.
Promising review: "This is EVERYTHING they said it would be. Always hard to tell if something will look as amazing as the picture. In this case it’s as great or better than the picture. Fast delivery great friendly service! I highly recommend this company. Best purchase yet on Etsy!" —pjmklm2004
Get it from Five Metal Design on Etsy for $196+ (available in four sizes).
10. And a pack of marshmallow roasting sticks to keep on hand so everyone can take a turn roasting up fluffy marshmallows for the iconic campfire treat. *Technically* you can use that stick you found in the woods, but it's time to start taking your s'mores operation a little more seriously.
You can use these to roast hotdogs, small corn, and veggie skewers too! For convenience, you can also pick up a Hershey's s'mores kit that comes with everything you need to make them.
Promising review: "Roasted a lot of marshmallows on sticks and clothes hangers. The MalloMe sticks make it so much easier and more fun. First, they are compact, easy to carry, and easy to find in their own bag. Next, it is easy to put a marshmallow on the stick. Then, extending the stick as much as needed is easy. Rotating over the fire carefully is easy. The twin tines keep the marshmallow from falling off. And taking the marshmallow off is easy. Cleaning is not very hard but I'm not sure I'm doing the best job. I love these sticks and intend to buy several more as gifts." —catch1949
Get a five-pack from Amazon for $9.99 (also available in larger packs).
11. Mystical Fire flame colorant so you can pretend you're a wizard when you drop a couple of these packets onto your bonfire and green, blue, purple, and yellow flames start to emerge. This one's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Promising review: "Love these, have purchased a few times and will now buy the 50-pack because they really add a ton of fun to my bonfires. Depending on how much your fire is raging, they will last 30-60 minutes. I use two to three packets at a time. Highly recommend." —JAO
Get a six-pack from Amazon for $7.50.
12. A discreet pair of waterproof, LED-lit Bluetooth speakers for hanging around your firepit, patio, or table so whoever's DJ-ing can control the tunes right from their phone and keep the party going all night long. And because there's two of them, you can position them on opposite sides for a ~surround sound~ effect.
The Bluetooth distance between phone and speaker is up to 33 feet, while the dual pairing distance between the two speakers is up to 66 feet! The handles at the top make them easy to hang, but you can also just set them on the ground or a table!
Promising review: "The surround sound that we get at night while sitting around the fire pit is wonderful! We invested in shepherd's hooks so that we can relocate wherever we want! Nice." —Denise Peoples
Get the two-pack from Amazon for $169.98 (available with white lights or rainbow lights).
13. A pair of flexible magnetic lights — secure these to your grill, and you'll be able to keep the crowd well-fed even after the sun's gone down. Nothing better than enjoying some kebabs by the light of a flickering fire.
Promising review: "I used these for the first time the other night and they were exactly what I wanted. I often tend to grill after dark and I can’t see what’s on the grill, but not anymore. These light up the entire grill surface area perfectly. Would definitely buy again." —Flossie DeGrave
Get a pair from Amazon for $22.29.
14. And a rechargeable, waterproof cooler light ensuring people don't have to whip out their phone flashlights every time they get up to go for another drink.
One charge is good for 60 hours of white light and up to 31 hours of red light.
Promising review: "Such a neat item! I purchased this for my husband’s hunting trip and he’s truly enjoyed the handiness of the light. He said it provided extra light in the dark wilderness. The light is compact, and easy to charge. It lasted multiple days from one charge. Also, the different light modes are fun and one can even have a party with the blinking effect!" —Elena
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
15. A highly rated projector so you can designate an area as the outdoor movie spot and host your own watch parties in the open air. Just pair it with a good screen, and your backyard will be the new go-to hangout on warm evenings.
It connects easily to a Fire TV Stick, laptops, DVD players, and more via HDMI input.
Promising review: "I NEVER leave reviews, but thought I should leave one because this thing is awesome. Super good quality picture! Could be a liiiittle brighter, but for the price, I’m not complaining. I use a Fire Stick and have no problems streaming anything at all. The sound isn’t super loud and doesn’t have any bass, so if you have people over, you probably won’t be able to hear very well if you use the projector speaker. Plug in a speaker through the aux cord jack, and there’s no issues!! 10/10 recommend for anyone wanting to have movie nights in the backyard. I got so many compliments; all of my friends have been asking me where to get it!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $67.99. If you need a screen, here's a 120-inch option for $26.99 that many people buy alongside this projector.
16. A mounted outdoor fan, because ample air circulation won't just keep things cool; it'll also help cut down on the bugs that linger while you're sitting outside at night.
This weatherproof fan has a fully sealed and permanently lubricated industrial motor to protect it against wetness.
Promising review: "Great fan at a good price! I bought this fan for my backyard to help circulate the air in hot days and deter mosquitoes at night around the fire pit. This fan worked perfectly. It has three speeds, the highest of which is super strong. The fan at high speed is a bit noisy, but nothing unexpected of a powerful fan. It is also 100% waterproof, which is a must. My only minor issues would be 1) it would be nice if the fan came with a cover for when it’s not used (I bought 20-inch tire storage covers to do the job), and 2) the fan is only adjustable up and down not side to side — if they could make it oscillate that would be great. Having said that, I would recommend this fan for sure and would not hesitate to buy it again" —Bigdad
Get it from Amazon for $106.99+ (available in three sizes).
17. Solar-powered light-up flowers designed to come on as the sun goes down, transforming your yard and garden into a whimsical fairyland. You can mix them in with your real flowers, or if you don't have an actual flowerbed, stick them into the ground.
Promising reviews: "I absolutely LOVE THESE!!!! They’re so colorful and bright...I’ve said 100 times I wish I could put them all over my front and backyard. My favorite Amazon purchase all summer!!!!!" —Misty
"Love it! Looks beautiful at night, and guests love them! Planning on ordering more soon! Works in all weather, rain, snow, heat! Just need sunlight! Only con is probably not a con, but they only stay lit at night for approximately two and a half hours. That’s fine because we head to bed, so it’s perfect for us! Highly recommended!" —Damon R. Jackson
Get a six-pack from Amazon for $33.99 (also available in a 10-pack).
18. Or a two-pack of solar-powered garden lights that look like little fireflies so you can enjoy your gorgeous flowers and landscaping at night as well as during the day.
Promising review: "I am totally obsessed with these lights. I bought my first set and had them for about a week and couldn’t get over how lovely they were. So I have now purchased two more sets. They light up my flowers and azalea bushes beautifully. They have a lovely orange glow like little fireflies." —A Lombardo
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $21.98 (available as a four- or six-pack).
19. A hammock so comfortable, it has reviewers swearing off their *actual* beds entirely. Pair it with a refreshing drink and a good book during the day, and at night, lean back for some star-gazing. Just be warned: You might end up falling asleep in this thing and spending the whole night outside!
Plus, the stand is easy to assemble, disassemble, and pack up in the included carrying case for storage or travel.
Promising review: "Features to love: The cotton fabric is sturdy and breathable. I never feel stuck to it the way I do in a nylon hammock. The set up/take down is super easy and the frame is very sturdy — we have definitely put 300+ pounds in it. The ability to raise and lower the hammock with the multiple hook positions might be the best feature. I have bad knees and like to get into the hammock from a higher position... no problem. My kids like it lower so they can reach the ground to swing it... no problem. It works great as a traditional hammock to lay in. It works as a 'swing' to sit on. It has enough fabric that you can cover up if you're cold or want to block out light or bugs. We have accidentally left it out in the rain several times and it dries great, hasn't faded from the sun, hasn't had any mold, and hasn't developed any weird smell. Things not to love: Nothing! This is a great hammock. It may not be as portable as those little nylon hammocks but if this is for your yard and not for camping, this is hard to beat." —Mary
Get it from Amazon for $69.99+ (available in 39 colors).
20. An inflatable hot tub because if you've never sat in a hot tub on a clear night with a chilled drink, you're missing out. It'll give your yard some of that luxurious spa energy without shelling out thousands — or committing to have an actual giant hot tub in your backyard year-round.
It sports 120 air jets and heats up quickly to a soothing 104 degrees, and it fits up to four people!
Promising review: "My fiancé and I wanted a hot tub but weren't sold on the idea and didn't want to invest a lot of money on something that we weren't sure about, so we thought that we would buy this mini hot tub to try it out and see how we enjoyed it. We were so surprised, it was packaged well, arrived a day early. Very easy to assemble, it took us about 35 minutes to get it all put together and blown up. It filled up really fast and took a full day to get up to 104 degrees. We bought a few LED lights and a Bluetooth speaker for it and we've had a blast in this little tub." —Monica
Get it from Amazon for $458.99.
21. A light-up palm tree in case you're constantly planning your next vacation — this can tide you over by channeling some of that tropical ambiance into your own backyard. Besides, one can never have too much funky lighting!
Some people even use these as coastal Christmas trees!
Promising review: "New pool needed a little something and this tree made it! We love it! Our neighbors love it! Our guests love it and everyone is asking where to get one! Fast delivery, easy set up and looks terrific! Daytime and nighttime awe! It's held up to storms and wind so far. I screwed the base down into the deck but the framework is sturdy! I've even had birds fooled into thinking this thing is REAL! Well worth it folks!" —Jon
Get it from Amazon for $79.99+ (available in five heights).
22. A tabletop glass fireplace you can place in your backyard seating area if you don't have the space for a firepit. It's not just nice to look at — it can also be used for s'mores!
A bit of assembly is required when you first unpack this mini fireplace, but the pieces snap together pretty easily. You'll just need to provide your own fuel (this three-pack of Sterno cans from Amazon will work just fine), and you can buy it with or without sand and rocks. The sand is needed to protect the wood base from direct heat, so you'll need to use some of your own if you don't get the Deluxe kit. When not burning a fire, you can also just use this as a holder for a regular candle!
One Man One Garage is a small business based in Nashville that was founded in 2013 and offers artisan designs, many of which also make great gifts!
Promising review: "Absolutely beautiful! I bought this for a friend, and she had a great time putting it together. The instructions were clear and easy to follow. I got the deluxe box with extras, and it didn't disappoint! The wooden forks for the s'mores were perfect. The overall structure is sturdy and adds such an ambiance, a perfect centerpiece while chatting it up for hours! Definitely recommend." —Megan
Get it from One Man One Garage on Etsy for $40+ (available in Deluxe sets with flat or beveled glass frames, and in a cheaper mini size that uses a tea light instead).
23. A pack of citronella candles to deter those pesky mosquitoes from being a *major* damper on backyard hangouts. Each one lasts up to 30 hours!
They have a citrusy smell that's a blend of rosemary, peppermint, and lemongrass oils. It'll smell great to you (and is non-toxic!), but mosquitos can't stand it.
Promising review: "I live in Northern California, where we have some mosquitos and bugs at night. Since we started using this we have barely seen any bugs and haven’t been bothered or bitten at all. The aroma of the candle is quite nice and actually adds to the atmosphere outside. The candle lasts a while too. I am very happy with the purchase and will eventually be buying another." —Ken R
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $23.99 (also available in a pack of six).
24. Or a box of mosquito-repellent incense sticks from the same brand so you have a moment of zen in your backyard without all the skeeters making you their next snack. They're made from a blend of five plant-based repellent oils: rosemary, peppermint, citronella, lemongrass, and cedarwood.
Each stick provides about two and a half hours of protection!
Promising review: "I am so happy to have this mosquito repellent. I wanted something for my back patio in the evenings. This is so pleasant! Everyone comments about the scent; it’s not offensive like other nasty repellent sprays or candles." —Namaste
Get a box with 12 sticks from Amazon for $13.99 (also available in packs).
25. Comfortable, weather-resistant Adirondack chairs to replace your mismatched assortment of camping chairs and make the coziest seating for late-night chats. They're made of a plastic material that looks like real wood but is resistant to rot — a good thing since you'll want to just leave them outside parked by the firepit.
If you've never sat in an Adirondack chair before, I can testify to their comfort. My parents have a set of these that sit outside by their fire pit in Missouri year-round, and we've sat in them for hours during countless bonfires. The angle of the seat feels great on your back as it's helping relieve pressure on your spine, and the wide arm rests give you a place to lay your arms and relax your shoulders as well.
Promising review: "It took me about 25 minutes to assemble, I will admit I was a little overwhelmed at first, but luckily the instructions were very clear and easy to follow. The finished product was well worth it. The wood look finish is even prettier in person. It has somewhat of a gloss to it but not too much; it looks gorgeous when the sun is beaming on it. Totally surpassed my expectations! The color is also just what I was expecting from the pictures, so it matches the rest of my decor perfectly. The chair is quite heavy; it is totally designed to last! I am sure I will get many years of use out of this. A gorgeous new addition to my backyard." —Barby4321
Get them from Amazon for $127.99+ each (available in 13 colors and multiple sets and styles).
26. Or some portable folding rocking chairs you can store when not in use — they even have cup holders so no one accidentally knocks over your drink on their way to the cooler.
Note: This is the firepit-specific version of this chair that's lower to the ground, ideal for lounging by the fire and for people who are on the shorter side, but there are other chair styles on the listing!
Promising review: "The best camp chair I’ve ever owned! I camped five days in this and didn’t want to get out of it. The fire pit rocker sits lower to the ground (but not weirdly so) and I’m 5'-tall and this is the first time my legs didn’t dangle from a chair. Super comfortable if you have hip or back pain. I actually felt better after sitting in it after a hard hike. And! I was able to get out of it quickly to kung fu fight a raccoon trying to steal my s’mores! I will be ordering a second one for my daughter since we fought over who got to sit in it." —wer002
Get it from Amazon for $75 (available in many other colors and styles).
27. A puffy outdoor blanket for when the chilly nighttime temps hit and you don't want to bring one of your indoor throws outside. This is made of the same stuff you'd find in an insulated sleeping bag (aka you'll be sooo warm and cozy), and it's machine-washable. PLUS, this quilt packs up into a lil' bag for taking on the go!
These blankets are made by a Portland-based small business called Rumpl that specializes in blankets made for the outdoors. They were also featured on Shark Tank, BTW.
Promising review: "Took this quilt camping and it was perfect! Kept me warm and cozy all night when temps dropped down to the upper 50s. This is my new favorite summertime quilt and I won't leave home without it!" —K. Kovaleff
Check out our full Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket review to learn even more!
Get it from Amazon for $85.03+ (available in 37 colors)
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.