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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, mantle, and anywhere else in your home you'd like to add some cheer. (If you need some inspiration, look to these celebrity-decorated trees from 2021.)
Many Christmas lights are also suitable for outdoor use but 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 to large, vintage-style bulbs that look as good on a hipster tree as they did in your grandmother’s house.
Below, find the best Christmas lights to make your home sparkle.
Anyone looking for remote-controlled outdoor lights
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, such as Kelly Ripa’s 2018 beauty, 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 8 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.
Price at time of publish: $55.99
Number of Lights: 1000 | Length: 394 feet | Color: Cool White | Indoor/Outdoor: Yes
Anyone decorating individual Christmas trees and displays
People who want adjustable lights or 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 together 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, this is a great option.
Price at time of publish: $14.99
Number of Lights: 100 | Length: 26.5 feet | Color: Warm White | Indoor/Outdoor: Yes
Those who want something for indoor parties and grand entrances, no matter the season
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: $38.99
Color: Multi | Indoor/Outdoor: Yes
Anyone with small trees and displays not close to an power outlet
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 six 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. 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: $13.98
Number of Lights: 100 | Length: 34 feet | Color: White | Indoor/Outdoor: Yes
Those who want to reuse the same lights each year
Anyone that 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 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.
Price at time of publish: $14.98
Number of Lights: 300 | Length: 68.5 feet | Color: White or multi | Indoor/Outdoor: Yes
Those looking for eco-friendly Christmas decor
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, you do need to change them 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: $16.99
Number of Lights: 200 | Length: 66 feet | Color: Warm White | Indoor/Outdoor: Yes
People who want easy installation and a vintage look
Those who want twinkling lights or adjustable settings
If you want a vintage Christmas look, the Noma LED Quick Clip Christmas Lights are perfect. Not only do the bulbs give off a vintage feel, but they also have a beveled outer portion that looks just as great when turned off as they do on. They still come with plenty of modern features, including energy-saving LED bulbs inside the C9s, an adjustable clip for easy placement, and a 3-year warranty.
Keep in mind these are large bulbs that might look overpowering on small trees and wreaths. They are best for outdoor light displays and large trees. They only have a steady light, which gives a classic feel. If you want something adjustable, this isn’t for you. But if you prefer a vintage look with the easy installation of a modern quick-clip system, these lights are your best bet.
Price at time of publish: $139.99
Number of Lights: 100 | Length: 66.8 inches | Color: Warm White | Indoor/Outdoor: Yes
Anyone looking to decorate bushes, walls, or other large areas
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 4 by 6 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: $45.98
Number of Lights: 100 | Length: 6 feet | Color: Warm White | Indoor/Outdoor: Yes
Anyone who wants vibrant colors
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, these are our top choice.
Price at time of publish: $27.47
Number of Lights: 25 | Length: 25 feet | Color: Multi | Indoor/Outdoor: Yes
Those looking to decorate both indoors and outdoors
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 actually 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 netting, 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: $26.99
Number of Lights: 360 | Length: 29.5 feet | Color: Warm White | Indoor/Outdoor: Yes
Christmas light bulbs range from small micro bulbs or dots all the way 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.
"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."
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, which are often more affordable, and connect them as your needs increase each year. Our top pick, the Minetom Clear Christmas Lights, comes in 25-foot strands, and you can connect up to five strands in a row.
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.
Well-known brands include Holiday Living and Home Accents Holiday, which are available at Lowe’s and 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.
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.
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.
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.
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