Yahoo News The 14 Best Christmas Lights of 2023
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Make your holiday display shine with these top picks
People / Lecia Landis
It's time to add some sparkle to your home’s exterior. If you haven't already planned out your light show, this is your sign. If you haven't decked your tree, this is also your sign. Christmas lights can be used for your indoor tree, mantel, and anywhere else in your home, you'd like to add some cheer.
Many Christmas lights are also suitable for outdoor use but for safety, look for those labeled "indoor/outdoor lights" if you plan to deck your exterior halls with them. Bulb sizes can range from small fairy lights that twinkle on an artificial Christmas tree to large, vintage-style bulbs that look as good on a hipster tree as they did in your grandmother’s house. You'll also want to consider the length of each set of Christmas lights to make sure it will cover all areas you plan to light.
Below, find the best Christmas lights to make your home sparkle.
Best Overall: Knonew 1000 LED Outdoor Christmas Lights
Who It’s Good For
Anyone looking for remote-controlled outdoor lights.
Who It’s Not Good For
Those with small spaces or areas without access to electrical power.
The LED lights from Knonew are some of the best out there in terms of performance and utility. Not only do they bring a 1,000-light sparkle to your indoor or outdoor space, but they can also be adjusted and controlled with a handy remote control. If you have an especially large tree, this extra-long string of lights is just what you need. LED lights don’t get as hot as traditional incandescent bulbs, so you don’t need to worry about setting your tree on fire. (Although, we feel obligated to say that you should always use caution and common sense when decorating with lights.)
These Knonew lights also make excellent outdoor decor. There are eight lighting modes, including twinkling, steady, waves, and combinations. You can also put them on a timer for eight or 16 hours to help keep your electricity costs down. The lights and strands are waterproof, although the plug is not. You will need to plug it into an electrical outlet, and it is best to wrap it in plastic to ensure that water does not get inside. If you've got a small space, or don't have access to an electrical outlet that can reach these string lights, this might not be the right set for you.
Price at time of publish: $35.99
Number of Lights: 500 | Length: 197 feet | Color: Cool white | Indoor/Outdoor: Yes
Best Budget: Minetom Incandescent Bulb Mini Lights
Who It’s Good For
Anyone decorating individual Christmas trees and displays.
Who It’s Not Good For
Anyone who wants adjustable lights with special effects.
You don’t have to be a Kardashian to have some glam Christmas decor. These affordable mini lights will twinkle in your tree like little holiday gems. The dark green strands blend in while the white lights offer a warm glow. You can also connect up to five strands for an even longer and more luxurious display.
These lights come with an extra fuse and two extra bulbs, making it easy to do minor repairs if needed. However, you will need to manually plug them in each time you want to turn them on or off since they do not have a remote control. They also do not have any special effects, such as pulsing or twinkling. But if you want a classic white holiday light for an individual Christmas tree or display, this is a great option.
Price at time of publish: $10.99
Number of Lights: 100 | Length: 26.5 feet | Color: Warm white | Indoor/Outdoor: Yes
Best Christmas Light Projector: Minetom Halloween Christmas Projector Lights
Who It’s Good For
Those who want something for indoor parties and grand entrances, no matter the season.
Who It’s Not Good For
Anyone looking for a simple setup.
This light projector is great for all seasons because it's equipped with everything from Christmas displays to Halloween light shows. It can be used indoors or outdoors and is perfect for special events and parties as well as Christmas decor. You can also set it up to display a colorful background for a grand entrance.
The included remote control gives you plenty of options, including rotation speeds, timers, flashing, and cycling. With so many options, however, it can get confusing. The buttons aren’t labeled very well, and you’ll likely need to consult the user’s manual a few times before you get the hang of it. The company does have a helpful how-to video that goes through some of the features, including how to set it up.
Price at time of publish: $45.99
Number of Lights: N/A | Length: N/A | Color: Multi | Indoor/Outdoor: Yes
Best Indoor-Only Lights: Novolink LED Warm White Battery Operated Decorative String Light
Who It’s Good For
Anyone with small trees and displays not close to a power outlet.
Who It’s Not Good For
Those who want large strands and bulbs.
The big draw of the Novolink LED Warm White String Light is that you don’t have to plug it in. That’s right, this light string runs on a battery so you can put it just about anywhere in your home. It’s great for small tabletop trees that make a statement or if you want to create an entire forest, like Rachael Ray’s amazing Christmas trees.
These lights are micro-dots and very small, so they create a nice effect overall but don’t make much of a statement on their own, particularly for anyone who prefers long strands and large bulbs. You may want to string multiple strands together if you have a larger tree or big space to decorate, as they are ideal for wreaths and smaller trees.
Price at time of publish: $14.98
Number of Lights: 100 | Length: 34 feet | Color: White | Indoor/Outdoor: Yes
Best Mini Lights: Home Accents Clear Incandescent Mini Lights
Who It’s Good For
Those who want to reuse the same lights each year.
Who It’s Not Good For
Anyone who loves special effects or adjustable settings.
For a classic strand of mini lights, the Home Accents Incandescents are affordable and deliver a warm white glow that is perfect for outdoor use or indoor decorating. They can be wrapped around your tree, wound through your bushes, or attached to other holiday displays. They come in warm white or multi-colored strands but keep in mind that they don't have any special effects and they are not adjustable.
Each strand has 100 lights and is just under 70 feet long, but they can be connected to form longer strands. You can connect up to five strands, which is ideal for trees up to 12 feet tall. If you get a real tree each year, you can adjust how many strands you use based on the height. If you're looking for a classic set that you can use each year, this is a great choice.
Price at time of publish: $19.95
Number of Lights: 300 | Length: 68.5 feet | Color: White or multi | Indoor/Outdoor: Yes
Best LED Lights: Twinkle Star 66ft 200 LED Christmas String Lights
Who It’s Good For
Those looking for eco-friendly Christmas decor.
Who It’s Not Good For
People who want to control their lights remotely.
These LED lights are certified by the Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) and they're energy-efficient, so they'll keep your costly holiday bills to a minimum. They also generate less heat than traditional incandescent bulbs, making them ideal for real Christmas trees. Plus, you can connect them safely to create a longer strand — up to 1000 lights!
You don’t need to go without special features just because you’re opting for a safe, eco-friendly option. These lights still have eight modes, including twinkle, pulse, chasing, slow glow, and more. However, they don't include a remote control, so you'll need to change the modes at the control box on the strand. They also need to be plugged in each time that you want to turn them on.
Price at time of publish: $18.99
Number of Lights: 200 | Length: 66 feet | Color: Warm white | Indoor/Outdoor: Yes
Related: The 10 Best LED Strip Lights
Best Lighted Netting: Wintergreen Lighting Constant White Christmas Net Lights
Who It’s Good For
Anyone looking to decorate bushes, walls, or other large areas.
Who It’s Not Good For
Those with traditional Christmas trees or small light displays.
These lights will take center stage on bushes, grass, walls, and other large areas. They come in a net form that measures four by six feet, with the lights spaced evenly throughout. There are a total of 100 LED lights in the netting that can be draped over greenery without worrying about overheating.
These aren’t great for putting on the edges of your roofline or using on your Christmas tree, but they look stellar on exterior landscaping. They have a steady warm white glow and look especially magical when the snow falls over them. Plus, this set has an average 60,000-hour bulb life, so you can use them for multiple years.
Price at time of publish: $37.99
Number of Lights: 100 | Length: 6 feet | Color: Warm white | Indoor/Outdoor: Yes
Best Multi-Colored Lights: Celebrations Indoor/Outdoor Light Set Multi-Colored
Who It’s Good For
Anyone who wants string lights with larger bulbs.
Who It’s Not Good For
Those looking to decorate real Christmas trees.
These C7 bulbs are mid-sized and good for most uses, including outdoor displays and traditional Christmas trees. They have bright alternating colors and the bulbs are made of ceramic glass. This makes them a bit more fragile but the colors come out very vibrant when the lights are turned on. Each strand has 25 lights, which is not a lot, but fortunately, you can string two sets together to make them a bit longer.
There are plugs at both ends of the strands, and they're certified safe through UL but are not energy-efficient like LED bulbs. They also get hot and aren’t the best option for real Christmas trees, but if you want the most colorful lights for your money, this is our top choice.
Price at time of publish: $26.74
Number of Lights: 25 | Length: 25 feet | Color: Multi | Indoor/Outdoor: Yes
Best Icicle Lights: Toodour Christmas Icicle Lights Outdoor
Who It’s Good For
Those looking to decorate both indoors and outdoors.
Who It’s Not Good For
Anyone with low-clearance walkways and doorways.
The varying lengths of these icicle lights give a realistic effect that will make your home look like a winter wonderland even if there's no snow on the horizon. If you are lucky enough to get real icicles alongside, they magnify and amplify the delicate lights. This set has a built-in timer that you can set for up to 18 hours and a memory chip so that you don't have to reset your preferences constantly.
Because they are LEDs, they are cool to the touch, so if you need to adjust the setting, that is easy to do even if the lights are on. There are 60 icicle drops on the 29.5-foot strand, with 360 lights in total. Not every icicle drop has the same length or number of lights, which contributes to the realistic look.
Price at time of publish: $22.43 (orig. $26.99)
Number of Lights: 360 | Length: 29.5 feet | Color: Warm white | Indoor/Outdoor: Yes
Best Battery-Operated Outdoor Lights: Joomer Battery-Operated Christmas Lights
Who It's Good For
Anyone who wants to easily brighten up any indoor or outdoor space.
Who It's Not Good For
Someone who likes larger bulbs.
You don’t have to be confined to the distance from an electrical outlet with this fairy light set from Joomer. The 66-foot set includes multi-colored 200 LED lights and can be used indoors or outdoors. The lights have eight lighting modes (combination, waves, sequential, slogs, chasing/flash, slow fade, twinkle/flash, and steady on) and are controlled by four AA batteries, which you’ll need to purchase separately. Hang these lights on your Christmas tree, house, patio, fence, or landscaping, they're easy to use to brighten any indoor or outdoor space. They’re rated IP65 water-resistant and can be used to decorate year-round.
The lights are spaced just under four inches apart, so they create a nice, bright glow. This set also has a memory function that retains your last mode and an auto timer that keeps the lights on for six hours and off for 18 with the press of a button. If you're a fan of larger bulbs, these fairy lights might not be your best choice.
Price at time of publish: $12.99 (orig. $16.99)
Number of Lights: 200 | Length: 66 feet | Color: Multi | Indoor/Outdoor: Yes
Best Permanent Outdoor Lights: Lumary RGBAI Permanent Outdoor Lights
Who It's Good For
Anyone who enjoys having a variety of colorful lights on the exterior of their home at all times.
Who It's Not Good For
Someone who prefers to use lights only seasonally.
These customizable outdoor LED lights from Lumary can become a permanent fixture in your home. The lights are rated IP67 (waterproof), so they can stay up year-round. Each 118-foot-long set includes 78 lights that can be independently controlled. The lights have a domed top, so they put out a good amount of color in all directions.
The lights have a strong adhesive backing and are easy to install on the eaves of your home, whether it’s made of wood, fiber, cement, metal, or vinyl. Clips to manage the cables — which come with stick-on adhesive or can be nailed on — are also included. Once the lights are installed, they can be easily controlled using the included remote control, Google Home, Alexa, or the Lumary app. The lights can be set to any color by dragging the cursor to the shade of your choice, so they're ideal for anyone who enjoys having a variety of colorful lights on the exterior of their home at any time. You can also select a single color, rainbow, or several presets. Each light can be changed individually for color and dimness. The app also allows you to set the lights to music, and if you have another Lumary set, you can control and coordinate colors and speed on more than one set at the same time. You can even set the lights to automatically turn on and off at a desired time each day. Since the lights can be set to any color, they are ideal to enjoy all year. However, if you prefer to use outdoor lights only seasonally, this permanent set might not be worth the investment.
Price at time of publish: $199.99 (orig. $265.99)
Number of Lights: 39 | Length: 65 feet | Color: Multi | Indoor/Outdoor: Outdoor
Best Solar-Powered Christmas Lights: Joomer Solar Christmas Lights 72 foot - 2 Pack
Who It's Good For
Anyone interested in reducing their electric bill.
Who It's Not Good For
Anyone without a suitable outdoor area to install the required panel.
These multi-colored solar fairy lights allow you to add an energy-efficient, cost-saving element to your holiday decor. The two 72-foot-long strings of 200 LED lights are ideal to brighten up your home, patio, or landscaping. The string lights are powered by a solar panel that you install in the ground outdoors, so this set isn't suitable for anyone who doesn't have the outdoor space for the panel. A light sensor operates the lights automatically when it becomes dark and charges them during the day. The lights are rated IP65 for water resistance, so you can leave them outdoors all year.
As long as you have plenty of sunlight and keep the solar panel outdoors, you can even use these string lights indoors. Keep in mind that the cable that runs from the solar panel to the first LED light is 6.5 feet long, so you’ll need to set up your lights within that distance. These lights are easy to install with eight modes and a built-in memory chip that automatically saves your last mode.
Price at time of publish: $21.99 (orig. $25.99)
Number of Lights: 200 (x2) | Length: 72 feet (x 2) | Color: Multi | Indoor/Outdoor: Yes
Related: The 10 Best Outdoor Solar Lights of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Best Palm Tree Christmas Lights: LairtPOW Waterproof Solar Rope Light
Who It's Good For
Someone who enjoys decorating in unique ways.
Who It's Not Good For
Anyone who would rather have traditional lights.
This long, flexible LED rope light is solar-powered and can run for eight to 12 hours once fully charged. The warm white color gives a classic look to landscaping (particularly palm trees!) but looks equally stylish in a gazebo, living room, or window. This set is rated IP65 for water resistance and has a high battery capacity.
With eight lighting modes — fireflies flashing, waves/fading, chasing, flashing, fading slowly, twinkling, flashing, and steady on — this decorative 100-LED rope light will add charm and ambiance to your home all year long. It’s easy to wrap the wire around trees and furniture or create your own custom shape. These lights are ideal for anyone who likes decorating in unique ways but may not be the right set for someone who would rather have traditional lights. Simply install the solar panel in the ground outdoors, and the built-in rechargeable battery will absorb solar energy during the day and automatically turn the lights on at dusk.
Price at time of publish: $9.99
Number of Lights: 100 | Length: 39 feet | Color: Warm white | Indoor/Outdoor: Yes
Best Blue Christmas Tree Lights: JMEXSUSS 66ft 200 LED String Lights
Who It's Good For
Someone who prefers a more streamlined aesthetic.
Who It's Not Good For
Anyone who prefers multi-colored lights.
These super bright blue lights are ideal for lighting your Christmas tree or decorating your garden, balcony, bedroom, or for a party. These indoor/outdoor lights have energy-saving bulbs, are rated IP44 for water resistance, and have eight lighting modes. The 66-foot-long clear wire connects directly to an electric outlet and includes 200 clear LED fairy light bulbs that provide 360-degree viewing.
In addition to blue, this set also comes in 14 other colors and combinations. These lights are the ideal set for anyone who likes a more streamlined aesthetic when it comes to decorating, but they may not be the right choice for those who like the look of multi-colored lights.
Price at time of publish: $14.39 (orig. $18.99)
Number of Lights: 200 | Length: 66 feet | Color: Blue | Indoor/Outdoor: Yes
How to Pick the Right Christmas Lights
Type of Bulb
Christmas light bulbs range from small micro bulbs or dots to large C9 bulbs. Mini lights are popular for indoor use but can also be used outdoors. Larger C7 and C9 bulbs have a vintage look and make a more significant statement when used on a Christmas tree or outdoor display. We love the Celebrations Indoor/Outdoor Light Set which includes classic C7 Christmas light bulbs.
"C7 and C9 bulbs are [the] classic, oversized bulb look that looks great outside to line your windows, porch, and roof," says Sheva Knopfler, lighting designer and co-founder of Lights.com. "They are often multi-colored and look like little gumdrops on a gingerbread house."
Length
Christmas light strands measure between 25 and 400 feet, with lights typically spaced up to a foot apart. Some shorter strands have lights closer together, while longer strands tend to have more space between each light.
You can also look for shorter strands of Christmas lights, which are often more affordable, and connect them as your needs increase each year. Our best budget pick, the Minetom Clear Christmas Lights, comes in 25-foot strands, and you can connect up to five strands in a row.
Safety
Look for Christmas lights that are tested and certified safe. It’s also important to follow the manufacturer's instructions when you connect multiple strands. (Most are limited to between two and five strands in tandem.) If you plan to put your lights on a real Christmas tree, look for LED lights that do not get hot like traditional incandescent. Hot lights can become a fire hazard when put on a dry tree.
"New, modern Christmas lights that are made with LEDs are generally safe to leave on all night long, but make sure to do your homework," says Knopfler. That includes getting your lights from a reputable seller and making sure the lighting cords are free of damage and easily accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What brand of Christmas lights is best?
Well-known brands include Holiday Living and Home Accents Holiday, which are available at Lowe’s and The Home Depot. It is essential to look for a reputable retailer when choosing Christmas lights for your home. Look for safety certifications, clear use instructions, and durable components.
What Christmas lights do professionals use?
Professional displays often use white Christmas lights because they complement most decor and offer plenty of customization options. It is also easier to find specialty lights, such as icicles or twinkle lights, in warm white. Also, professionals like to use LED lights because they use less electricity and are less likely to pose a fire hazard because they do not get hot. Our pick for the best LED lights is the Twinkle Star LED Christmas String Lights, but if you want a more permanent Christmas lights option, we recommend the Lumary RGBAI Permanent Outdoor Lights.
What are the best outdoor Christmas lights to buy?
The best Christmas lights that we found are the Knonew 1000 LED Outdoor Christmas Lights. They come in long strands, have a bright white color, and are affordable.
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Katie Melynn is a freelance writer who covers the best home and lifestyle products available. To compile this list, Katie researched and reviewed Christmas lights in a variety of sizes with unique features. Having climbed behind her own family’s Christmas tree for many years to plug and unplug the lights, she made special mention of any remote control or adjustable features. For this article, she also spoke to Sheva Knopfler, lighting designer and co-founder of Lights.com for insights about how to pick the best Christmas lights for your home.
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