Are you day-dreaming about the festive season already? With the winter on its way, Xmas is around the corner, and it’s time to ramp up your efforts at bringing the yuletide cheer.
There are so many elements about the Xmas season that come to mind. The taste of fresh eggnog, the smell of turkey roasting in the oven, and the tree is sparkling away in the corner. However, what are you doing for the lighting this year?
Lighting sets the tone of the room, enhancing your family’s Xmas spirit. By dressing up the tree and decorating the room, you get a festive theme the whole family can enjoy. Most family’s on the east coast have to deal with a brutal winter season. The heavy snowfall creates opportunities for kids to enjoy playing around in the falling snowflakes.
Spending Xmas indoors is just how things are on the Eastern seaboard. However, if you live in Florida, the Sun-belt states, or on the west coast, your Xmas experience is completely different. You have the option of enjoying the outdoor weather, with evening temperatures never dropping far enough to make things unpleasant for entertaining outdoors.
Regardless of whether you’re spending Xmas indoors or outdoors this year, outdoor Xmas lights can lift your spirits. Dressing up your outdoor space can help extend the Xmas theme throughout your home. This post will look at the best outdoor Xmas lights to add to your seasonal planning.
Our Top Picks
If you have a pumpkin pie baking in the oven and don’t have the time to go through all the Xmas lights in this review, this section is for you. From the hundreds of lighting arrangements available, we narrowed it down to ten choices for this review.
These three systems represent our picks for the best-of-the-best in outdoor Xmas lights. We selected a model to suit the needs of every homeowner. Choose the lights you need for your home, and start planning your festive season!
Last update on 2024-10-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- The Best Pick: Decute Multicolor LED Christmas Lights
With this Xmas lighting set, you get 300 LEDs in multiple colors for some festive cheer around your home’s exterior. There’s a 105-foot cable for extra length, and you can connect up to four sets to extend the Xmas theme around your home. - The Premium Pick: ZOIC 500 LED Christmas Fairy String Lights
If you’re looking for a fancy lighting system suitable for creating a Xmas theme in contemporary homes, this model is a great choice. We gave these lights the vote for the best premium outdoor Xmas lights, thanks to its elegant design and interesting color schemes. - The Budget Pick: Romasaty Christmas Lights
Holidaymakers looking for the best budget buy in this review will love the Romatasy Xmas lighting system. This traditional setup features large LEDs, with five different-color bulbs. You have the option of choosing from five color setups to suit your needs.
Outdoor Christmas Lights Reviews
Now that you know the basics about our top models, let’s unpack them in greater detail. We’ll also look at other lighting systems that deserve mention in the best outdoor Xmas lights.
Stick around after you finish reading the reviews, and browse through our buyer’s guide. We’ll give you tips for selecting the right Xmas lights and installing them around your home.
Decute Multicolor LED Christmas Lights
This LED Xmas light arrangement wins our best overall award in this review. This model features a 105-foot cable with 300-LEDs to brighten the mood around your home thins festive season.
- 【Upgraded String Lights for Outdoor/Indoor】: Super Bright - New upgraded LED bulbs. Safer - UL588 Approved plug in adapter. Extendable - 4 sets can be connected in series. Each one length is 105 feet, the max expandable length is 420 feet. Waterproof - Perfect for indoor/outdoor. 8 Lighting Modes - Romantic Decoration. Each one total length is 105ft, of which 99ft with lights.
- 【Waterproof Perfect Christmas Decorations Lights & Holiday Gifts】: For girls and children, with such beautiful christmas string lights, they will be happy with such romantic atmosphere and like the fantastic scene. Perfect for Patio, Garden, Yard, Porch, Roof, Fence, Restaurant, Hotel, Commercial building, Shopping center etc.
- 【Intelligent 8 Lighting Modes Twinkle Lights】: 8 Functions modes to fit different occasions, moods, feelings, holidays, festivals, anniversaries, etc. (Combination, In waves, Sequential, Slow Glow, Chasing/Flash, Slow fade, Twinkle/Flash, Steady on). Adjust the lighting modes by pressing the round button on the adapter. And it will intelligent remember your last choice, no need to reset every time.
- 【More Safer & Extendable & Widely Use】: 29V low voltage plug with UL certified, make this lights safer than those without UL approval. Convinent to DIY the length, max 4 sets can be connected in series. Widely use to holiday season, bedroom decor, room decorations, wedding decorations, birthday decorations, holiday decorations, wall decor, home decor, teen room decor and so on.
- 【5-Star Customer Service】: We will be fully responsible for our string lights. If there is any quality problem or you are not satisfied with our string lights, please kindly contact us and we will reply within 24 hours.
Last update on 2024-10-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This model has IP55 waterproof design, with eight different light functions and onboard memory. The product meets UL certification standards, and you get full control of the lighting system through the button on the top of the plug.
These Xmas lights come in three color variations, and you can expand your lighting arrangement by adding up to four sets.
- 105-foot cable with 300 LEDs
- Eight lighting modes with memory function
- Classic design
- Available in three color setups
- UL certified and low voltage
- Connect up to four strands of lights
- IP55 waterproof rating
- Not suitable for perimeter use
ZOIC 500 LED Christmas Fairy String Lights
Do you own a contemporary home or apartment? Spread the festive cheer with this set of fancy Xmas lights. You get a 326-foot cable holding 500-LEDs. These lights are a great choice for use indoors and outdoors, with an IP65 water-resistant rating.
- Energy efficient: comes with 500 leds, total power 6w, with high electric energy convert rate, no heat energy consumption. Energy saving and safe for using.
- Easy to use: directly plug in and unplug it for power on and off. US standard,voltage 29, with just one button for modes switch.
- 8 modes for choosing: combination, in waves, sequential, slogs , chasing/flash, slow fade, twinkle/flash, and steady on.High brightness: 500 LED lights brighten up the happiness atmosphere inside or outside
- Popularly used for decorative - party, wedding, home, window, bathroom, festival, Holiday, shows, restaurant, hotel, commercial building, shopping center, shopcase, pub, club,concert, hall, cabaret, fashion show, dance, stage, etc.
- Please follow the manual to untangle these lights. It will be highly appreciated and welcome that customers can contact us for any problems.
Last update on 2024-10-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
You get your choice of five color arrangements, with eight modes and memory function. There’s a button to switch between modes, and operations for combination, waves, sequencing, slogging, flash/chasing, slow fade, flash/twinkle, and always on.
These Xmas lights will lift spirits around your home this season. You get a decorative finish that looks great on the tree, on your patio, or around your front door entrance.
- Fancy fairy Xmas lights
- Suitable for homes and apartments with a contemporary design
- Comes in five color options
- 326-foot cable with 500 LEDs
- Eight lighting modes
- Not suitable for perimeter use
Romasaty Christmas Lights
If you’re looking for some Xmas lights for your home’s perimeter,this affordable option is your best choice in this review. Hang these lights on fences, around your gutters, in trees, or around the patio edging.
- 25 Pack 5 Watt Multi color-Red, Blue,Green, Pink and Yellow C7 Christmas light Bulbs on green wire (plus 2 extra bulbs),C7/E12 Candelabra Base,125W per string,120V Power,25ft total length.Christmas lights are UL Listed
- 6" lead with male plug,12" spacing between bulbs,6" tail with female connector.Commercial grade Heavy Duty 20 gauge outdoor wire.End to end connection,Connect up to THREE Sets.Do not exceed 375 Watts.One bulb goes out will Not affect others Lighting
- Quick & easy set up your string lights in minutes.Vintage Christmas lights can be easily install and remove if you need to put them in other place.You just need to take them down carefully and put them in other place
- Great for indoor/outdoor use,backyard, garden, patio, wedding, party,Christmas,tree.C7 Christmas lights embellish your life with color to make it more meaningful and bring joy to the festival
- Installation Suggestion of string light bulbs: Do avoid hanging the string lights on outdoor when rainy or windy so as to prolong service life. Bulbs are fragile goods, please take it lightly
Last update on 2024-10-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
These lights feature a 25-foot cable with 25-LEDs. You get classic Xmas colors, with three other color options available. This model features an armored cable for rugged outdoor use and weatherproof bulbs. You can connect up to three sets to cover your yard and C7 bulbs that provide extended service life and plenty of light.
You get a spare fuse with your set and easy setup. Make sure you don’t exceed 375-watts total when connecting sets.
- Suitable for perimeter use
- Large LED bulbs with five colors
- Four color options available
- 25-foot cable with 25 bulbs
- Armored cable with a weatherproof design
- Not the best choice for entrances and entertainment areas
MYGOTO Xmas Lights String Lights
This MYGOTO Xmas light selection is outstanding, with excellent value for the homeowner. You get a 165-foot cable featuring 500-LEDs. The lights come in cheery Xmas colors, with three variations available to match your home’s design and color.
- Same quality and length with better price：Come on a storage wheel withUL Safe Plug powered 165ft/50m long wire with 500 led lights, can be decorated in dark coners, living room or around a tree in yard.The distance between bulbs is about 0.33ft/10cm.
- For indoor&outdoor use: Lights can be utilized both indoor and outdoor without worry of rainy weather, the high quality wire can keep the lights cool to touch.
- Long enough to decorative: Suitable for garden, yard, room or wherever you can imaged, they are so bright to create a warm, joyful, romantic sentiment.
- Safety and with 8 modes: No danger of electric shock. With UL Certificated 30V output voltage, lower than standard body safe voltage 36V. With Combination, in waves, sequential, slogs, chasing/flash, slow fade, twinkle/flash, and steady on 8 Modes.
- GUARANTEE: This lights will make your home and life lovely. we provide 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE! If for any reason you're not 100% SATISFIED, please let us know and our customer service team will help you RETURN OR REFUND.
Last update on 2024-10-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
You get eight lighting modes, along with a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee. These lights are suitable for indoor or outdoor use, with a weatherproof design ideal for outdoor conditions.
- 165-foot cable with 500-LEDs
- Weatherproof design
- Available in 12 color variations
- Eight lighting modes
- Satisfaction guarantee
- Not suitable for perimeter use
Good Tidings Northlight Holiday Light Set
This Xmas light set is another great choice for lighting up your home’s perimeter this festive season. With this set, you get a 25-foot armored power cable that’s weather-resistant and waterproof.
- 25 C9-style ceramic multi-colored lights
- Bulbs are clear with green wire strands
- Lights are UL Listed for Indoor or Outdoor use
- Bulbs easily screw in and out for quick replacement
- Spacing between bulbs: 12-inches
Last update on 2024-10-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
There are 26 LED lights in five colors to spread the holiday cheer around your yard. The lights come with C9 ceramic bulbs suitable to withstand rain and snow.
Connect up to three sets to extend the lighting around your yard. You have two color options when selecting your set, and 12-inch spacing between your LED bulbs.
- Suitable for perimeter use
- Available in two color options
- Xmas-themed colors
- 24-foot armored cable with 25 bulbs
- Weatherproof design
- Not suitable for entrances or entertainment areas
YULETIME 200 LED Mini Xmas String Lights
This set features a 66-foot cable holding 200-LEDs. This set is great value for money and a good choice for decorating large yards. You can connect up to 22-sets with this model, providing maximum coverage for your yard.
- Extra Long More Lights. 200 warm white LED bulbs on green wire, 1 strand total length 66 feet. 4-inch spacing, 6-inch lead, 6-inch tail. With a tangle-free design and robust commercial grade 22 AWG wire with a pure copper core, installation is swift and professional. Waterproof design allows it to be used indoors and outdoors. The versatility of our malleable string lights is limitless: adorn Christmas trees, railings, stairs, fences, bushes, or shape them creatively to match your décor.
- Soft Warm White. The bulb is the same clear shell as traditional mini light. It is a unique warm glow, similar to the light emitted by old incandescent bulbs, which is soft and warm. It is definitely not harsh white! The string light has a rectifier for stable current, which eliminates invisible flicker to the naked eye and protects your eyesight. Traditional style LED bulb not only have the classic appearance of traditional mini lights, but also have the long life and energy saving advantages of LED.
- Stay Lit Lights. Series-parallel circuit structure allows bulbs to work separately when one or more bulbs are damaged, dropped, or extinguished. It does not affect the power, voltage, or current of the entire circuit. Even if a single bulb is damaged, the entire string lights will still be on. To order the Christmas tree with this lights pre-installed, please search ASIN B0CGFBYFNC or B0CGFC5661.
- End-to-End Connectivity. The connectable female plugs and stackable male plugs allow for easy end-to-end connections, enabling you to extend the length of your light display. With a total power of 7 watts and a maximum rated connection power of 216 watts, you can connect up to 30 strands simultaneously, creating a stunning and cohesive lighting arrangement.
- UL Certified. The string lights are UL certified, ensuring the highest safety standards for you and your loved ones. Every component, including the raw materials, wires, plugs, and accessories, meets the strict UL requirements, providing you with reliable, high-quality lighting for your family's festivities.
Last update on 2024-10-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The LEDs are energy efficient, and you get a 25,000-hour service life that lasts for many Xmas seasons to come. You get IP44 waterproofing and weather resistance with this set, as well as an extra fuse included with your purchase.
- 66-foot cable with 200-LEDs
- Connect up to 22-sets
- IP44 weatherproof rating
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
- Energy efficient
- Available in three color options
- Battery operation and mains
- Not suitable for perimeter use
Moobibear LED Xmas String Lights
This model is another premium choice for contemporary homeowners. Bring some festive cheer to your apartment this year, and hook up this set. You get your choice of four RBG colors for your lighting system or always-on warm white function. This set provides a subtle light that’s a great choice for use indoors or outdoors.
- EXTRA LONGER STRING LIGHTS: Moobibear LED Starry String Lights has 66 feet long copper wire lights with 200 Leds includes a 5 feet long connecting cord can covers quite a large area;
- DURABLE,BENDABLE&WATERPROOF- Made from thin and bendable copper, 66 feet length, durable enough to experiment with any shapes. These fairy lights are waterproof IP65, you can use it outdoor for all kinds of decoration without worrying rain saturation. (please kindly note the power adapter is not waterproof, it should be covered in rainy days.).
- SAFE TO USE- Power Adapter is guaranteed with UL certification. The copper wire of this string light is enamel coated, making it well-insulated. Please feel free to use with safety.
- REMOTE CONTROL-24 key remote adjusts brightness,speed and modes. 10 brightness are available. 3 options of lighting modes: Flash / Strobe / Fade. Intelligent memory function: the remote controller takes you back to the mode you were in when you turned the light off.
- WELL PACKAGE- High quality copper wire that is thin and flexible and coiled on a paperboard in order to avoid clutter or damage during transit, so it will not make a mess, easy storage and can ready for next use.
Last update on 2024-10-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
You get a 66-foot cable with 200-LEDs, and timer and memory modes. The auto-memory function remembers your timing. It turns on the lights for 6-hours at night, and off for another 18-hours before repeating the cycle.
This set is a great choice for the balcony, veranda, or patio, with IP65 waterproofing for outdoor use in wet weather.
- Fancy color design
- A great choice for contemporary homes and apartments
- 66-foot cable with 100-LEDs
- 16 lighting modes
- IP65 weather-resistance
- USB connection
- Not suitable for perimeter use
Homeleo Cold White Snowflake Xmas LED Fairy Lights
If you want to jazz up the Xmas theme in your home this festive season, check out this set of LED Xmas lights. With this set, you get LEDs shaped like snowflakes, bringing that extra bit of ambiance to your home this year.
- Snowflake LED string light, with 50 Clear Snowflake styled lamp beads
- Total length: 25ft, Lead wire: 19 Inch, Star Icon dia: 1.6 Inch
- 8 Light Modes and Brightness Dimmable: Press DIM- or press DIM+ of remote control to adjust the brightness of the lights
- Timing program (6 hours on, 18 hours off) provides a set-and-forget operation
- Waterproof Design, Great for Outdoor Christmas Decor, New Year, party or other celebration occasions
Last update on 2024-10-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This model features a 25-foot cable with 50-clear, snowflake-shaped LEDs. It’s a great choice for use around the patio, front door, windowsills, and even trees. You get eight lighting modes, including dimmable brightness, to set the mood around your home.
This set comes with a timing program featuring 6-hours on and 18-hours off, making for an energy-efficient setup. The waterproof design makes it suitable for use outdoors, and you get a remote control for use within your home.
- Cute snowflake LED design for yuletide cheer
- 25-foot cable with 50 clear LEDs
- 1.6-inch star size
- Timing program
- Eight lighting modes
- Dimmable brightness function
- Waterproof design
- Not suitable for perimeter use
Everglow Clear White Xmas Wire Light Set
Homeowners looking for an affordable and effective outdoor Xmas lighting system need to check out this model from Everglow. You get an 18-foot cable featuring 100-mini lights that burn bright on Xmas night.
- 100 mini lights on white wire (Replace with 2.5 volt, 170 mA, 0.425 watt lamps only)
- Indoor/outdoor use, Connect up to 5 sets end-to-end
- Spacing between the bulbs approximately 2.2"
- Lighted length: 18 ft | Total length: 20 ft.
- 18 Inch lead from male plug, 3.5 Inch lead from female plug
Last update on 2024-10-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This set is a great choice for lighting up windowsills, patios, and gutters. You get a weatherproof design and easy setup.
- Classic white color
- Available in various other color options
- 18-foot cable with 100 mini-lights
- Affordable
- Not LED
Other Best Selling Options
- Charming Xmas Lights: Christmas 300 LED string lights, use UL-certified 29V low-voltage plugs to ensure the safe use of the product. The outdoor Christmas lights has 16.5 FT leading wire, and the light string is 98.5 FT, total length is 115 FT, the bulb spacing is 3.9 inch. The string light using green wire, which looks more natural and suitable for winter using.
- 8 Modes: Dazzle Bright 300 LED string lights with 8 light modes: combination, in waves, sequential, slogs, chasing/flash, slow fade, twinkle/flash, by pressing the button on the plug to change the mode, using different pattern to fit different application require.
- Connectable: Can connect up to 4 light strings (Max 1200 LED), connect according to the size of the scene you need to decorate, to meet the needs of various venue decorations to the greatest extent. Decorating your home with Dazzle Bright fairy string lights, creating a romantic festival vibe, enjoy the pleasure festive holiday with your family.
- Safety & Waterproof & Low Loss: 29V low voltage guarantees safety, the string lights has IP44 waterproof grade, the switch can be controlled by plugging and unplugging the power supply, and the energy-saving materials used can save a lot of energy.
- Perfect Christmas Decoration: The multicolored color of Dazzle Bright 300 LED string lights can decorate your room, garden and courtyard well on Christmas, very suitable for Xmas party scenes, holidays, performances, hotels, parks, restaurants.
- ALL WEATHER DURABILITY: Manufactured with high quality UV resistant materials to ensure a stable appearance and performance for a long time even under sun exposure, no need to worry about them fading or getting damaged under the sun. And with an IP67 waterproof rating, they are able to withstand rainwater effectively. It still works well in bad weather. Whether it's a cold winter day or a hot summer day, our fixtures can withstand extreme temperature changes to provide you with a long-lasting lighting solution!
- BETTER LIGHTING EFFECT: Unique lens design provides 100° triangular lighting effect; For best results, install them 2-4 inches away from the wall to achieve 24 inches wall wash depth, which can evenly illuminate the area you need and make the whole space well lit; 16 million colors are available for you to choose the most suitable one according to your own preferences and needs. colors to create a more vivid and rich atmosphere.
- SMART APP CONTROL: By setting custom colors through the app, you can choose from 58 preset scenes to change the color of these outdoor eave lights, adding different atmosphere and style to your outdoor space. The zone management feature allows you to control the color and brightness of each light independently, and the timer feature provides even more convenient control. You can set the lights to turn on and off automatically based on the time of day, and smart app control makes it easy to personalize the color and brightness of your outdoor roof lights.
- Enhanced RGB Lighting: Our multi-functional fixtures are not only suitable for holiday decorations but also meet the needs of daily and accent lighting. The soft RGB light easily brightens up your outdoor space, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for any event. Whether you are having a family gathering, spending time with friends, or looking for a peaceful moment by yourself, our lights offer the ideal ambiance to enhance every moment, whether it's day or night.
- EASY INSTALLATION: Supplied with all the accessories needed for installation, use adhesive, peel, stick and press each light for 8 seconds to ensure a solid connection, then install on the eave. Mount lights 2-4 inches from the wall. If any problem occurs during installation or use, please feel free to contact our after-sales service, 24 hours for you to solve the problem.
- Creative DIY Mode: With 16 million vivid colors and 47 vibrant scene modes, Govee outdoor lights will shine your garden decor scenery. Upload a photo then Govee Home app will recognize colors and apply to the Halloween decorations outdoor.
- RGBIC Lighting Effect: Set each led light bulb to a different color, showing more than one color at a time. Enhance personalized outdoor Halloween decorations with vibrant colors and help your patio stand out.
- Music Sync Mode: Dance the night away as the outdoor lights for patio react to your songs via the integrated mic. With the patio lights outdoor waterproof don't only hear your music, but live it with beautiful dynamic lighting.
- Smart App & Voice Control: Manage the outdoor Halloween lights with Govee Home App or pair with Alexa and Google Assistant. Must combine 2 ropes of 48ft lights for normal use. Please note the total length should not exceed 96ft (including adapter).
- IP65 Waterproof: Enjoy Halloween lights outdoor no matter the weather. Designed plastic Govee outdoor lights is also shatterproof to survive knocks and falls. Please note that power adapter is not waterproof.
Last update on 2024-10-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Outdoor Christmas Lights Buyer’s Guide
There’s something about Xmas that gives every American a special feeling during the festive season. You walk through malls to the sound of Xmas music, with decorations across storefront windows. Turn on the radio to another Xmas song as you drive home, and get in the festive spirit.
During the festive season, decorating your home is an American tradition. It’s common to see neighbors competing for the best-decorated home on the block, and there are outdoor displays in every neighborhood across the country. It’s time to join in on the fun and get yourself a set of the best outdoor Xmas lights this season.
Lighting is what makes the difference to your display – especially at night. If you want to show that you’re taking part in the holiday cheer, a set of Xmas lights is a must for every homeowner. By now, you should have a good idea of the types of Xmas lights available.
All the sets I this review are top-quality buys for your home this festive season. However, you might need some more information to help you choose the best set of Xmas lights possible.
This section will look at the factors you need to consider when buying the best outdoor Xmas lights.
What Do I Need to Look for When Shopping for Xmas Lights?
There are hundreds of sets available from online retailers. Settling on the right Xmas light setup for your home can take you hours of searching through listings. However, we did the hard work for you in this review. With our top-10 models, you’re sure to settle on a set for your home.
However, you need to understand your decorative needs when selecting your ideal set. A traditional home in the suburbs will have different décor requirements and themes to a contemporary apartment in the city. We took the time to include models in this review to suit any residence.
Ask yourself the following questions when settling on the best outdoor Xmas lights.
Do I Need Outdoor or Indoor Xmas Lights?
When planning your festive decorations, the first step is to decide where you’re going to set up your lights. If you want lights for the perimeter, you’re going to need a different setup to sets designed for use around the patio and front entrance to your home.
If you’re setting up outdoors, it’s critical to ensure you get a set with a waterproof rating. Look for sets that offer a rating of IP45 or better for a weather-resistant outdoor Xmas lighting solution. Some models come with dual use for inside and outside the home. Choose a set that matches your needs.
Incandescent Vs. LED Bulbs – Which Is the Better Choice?
LED lights are the new lighting technology sweeping the world by storm. Very few manufacturer’s offer incandescent options, and prefer to produce LED products
LEDs are more efficient than incandescent options, with extended service life. In candescent setups, give you an average operating lifespan of around 5,000 to 10-hours, depending on the manufacturer. With LEDs, you get 25,000 to 50,000-hours, depending on the brand.
That’s a significant increase in the LED option’s service life, giving you enough light for decades of festive season celebrations. There is not much of a cost difference in the price tags between incandescent and LED outdoor Xmas light sets.
However, incandescent bulbs produce that traditional warm glow that we all love to languish in on cold winter nights during the festive season. Incandescent lights produce heat, making them somewhat of a fire-hazard compared to the cool LEDs.
Another notable feature of LEDs is the efficiency of the bulb. You consume a fraction of the electricity you do with incandescent lights.
What Is the Best Bulb Shape, Color, and Size for My Xmas Lights?
You have plenty of options for bulb shapes, sizes, and colors when picking out your ideal Xmas light set. The teardrop bulb design is a popular choice with Xmas lights, with globes and decorative designs gaining traction in recent years.
Choosing the right bulb color is important, and you want to try and match it to your home. For instance, if you have a contemporary apartment in NYC, you might own a balcony that you decide to decorate during the festive season.
In this scenario, a set of fairy lights with eccentric colors like those in the TaoTronics set would be a good choice. However, these same lights wouldn’t do well in traditional family homes. A family home would probably do better with the standard seasonal colors of red, green, blue, and white.
LEDs come in a range of ratings to suit different outdoor environments.
- C6 LEDs – These bulbs are small, around the size and shape of a strawberry. They’re a good choice for indoor trees and decorative purposes.
- C7 LEDs – These lights have a rounder design compared to the C6, and they look good wrapped around staircase banisters or outdoors around the patio.
- C9 LEDs – The traditional teardrop shape and size for the Xmas lights most of us know and love. These lights are around 2.5-inches in length, with a classic teardrop design. They make a fantastic visual impact on outdoor displays.
- Novelty LEDs – Novelty LEDs are a rising trend. Some manufacturers mold special LED lights, like the Homeleo Cold White Snowflake Xmas, LED Fairy Lights in this review. These snowflake lights add more value to your lighting theme, giving a special Xmas feel to your decorations this year.
What String Length and LED Spacing Do I Need?
When picking up your ideal Xmas light set, make sure you check on the cable’s length and the number of LEDs you get with the set. You should also look at the spacing between the LEDs to see if it suits your purposes.
Perimeter Xmas lights will have larger spacing between lights, typically around 6 to 10-inches. That kind of setup is not the best choice for the front door or windowsills. Choose the set that makes sense for your outdoor arrangement purposes.
Bulb and Spacing Recommendations
As a rule of thumb, most mini-light sets feature spacing of 4 to 6-inches between lights. Most of these sets come in strings that can be up to 50-feet in length. However, some models can have light lines of up to 330-feet, with as many as 500-LEDs per cable.
Some models come with a connectable design, allowing you to string multiple lights together to cover larger areas. You’re going to need to
Here are a few guidelines you can use for setting up the best outdoor Xmas lights.
- If you’re decorating a tree outdoors, remember to use 100 LEDs per foot of height in the tree.
- Mock out the lighting area before you buy it. Measure the space you need to cover to ensure you get enough LEDs and cable length from your set.
- Remember to account for the wire’s length connecting from the controller to the plug and the light string.
- Check all connections when linking sets.
- When combining sets, only use the same set for the same manufacturer. Using different lights could result in electrical faults, producing hazards around your home.
- Test the lights after setting them up and run through the different lighting modes.
- If you have any faults, inform the retailer, and return the product.
What Kind of Power Source Do I Need for My Xmas Lights?
All the Xmas lights in this review receive power from an electrical outlet. Some models feature controllers on the plug, allowing you to switch between modes. These sets will come with electrical connections to suit the US market; if you’re buying them in Europe, you’ll need to get a plug adapter.
Some sets come with battery-powered operation, allowing you to set them up on windowsills and places where there is no other power supply. Most light sets are efficient, giving you plenty of light off a set of batteries.
Are There Any Special Features I Need to Look for In My Xmas Lights?
When choosing the best outdoor Xmas lights for your yard, look at the additional features available in the set. Here are some of the special features you’ll find in the top models in this review.
- Remote control – Look for models that come with remote controls. If you install the lights in hard-to-reach places, a remote control makes it a lot easier turning the lights on and off. Remotes make things convenient. Turn the lights off with the remote when you go to bed without walking across the room to hit the switch.
- Lighting modes – As mentioned, look for models that include different lighting modes. Most of the sets in this review offer up to eight modes.
- Timer – A timer helps you save electricity. Set the time to work anywhere from 6 to 18-hours, and the system will shut down automatically and switch on by itself.
- Novelty design – Novelty LED designs like snowflakes can add an extra visual edge to your light display this festive season.
- Linkable sets – Look for sets that allow you to link them up and increase coverage. Remember only to link compatible sets to avoid electrical hazards.
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Christmas Lights
Outdoor Xmas Lights FAQs
Does rain affect outdoor Xmas lights?
Most outdoor Xmas lights come with armored cables suitable for use in outdoor conditions. Check that your Xmas lights come with a UL certification for weatherproofing. Lights that don’t have waterproofing present electrical hazards around the home.
How do I string up Xmas lights in my backyard?
When stringing up your lights in your backyard, secure them to fences, trees, sheds, gazebos, and any other structure. It’s amazing what you can do with a pack of zip-ties.
How do I untangle Xmas lights?
After stowing your Xmas lights away for the year, it’s time to break them out for some yuletide cheer. However, they’re a tangled mess – Now what? The best strategy for untangling is not to get them in this situation in the first place. Follow this quick guide when packing away your lights this year.
- Take the end of the LED lights between your forefinger and thumb
- Bend your arm at the elbow
- Loop the lighting cable around your elbow and back to your fingers
- Wrap the plug and lead cable around the lights to secure the wrap
Where can I buy the best Xmas lights?
We recommend you pick up your Xmas lighting from the world’s largest online retailer, Amazon. Amazon has the lowest prices, and many of these lighting systems are on sale with coupons on the site right now. If you’re a Prime member, you get fast shipping and buyer protection for your order.
Outdoor Xmas Lights – The Verdict
By now, you should have a good idea of the best outdoor Xmas lights to bring some cheer to your festive season this year. We understand that it’s tough to choose from a few models. With this amount of variety on display, it’s challenging not to want to take them all.
However, if you’re still on the fence with your purchase decision, why not rely on our top picks? Our top three models have a lighting system to suit any homeowner’s needs or budget.
The Diojilad Multicolor LED Christmas Lights are a great choice for anyone that wants to light up their home this Xmas season.
These lights are a great choice for use around the patio and entrances of your home. They feature a 105-foot cord with 300-LEDs brightening up your residence. You get eight lighting modes, along with full waterproofing, and you can connect up to four strings of lights.
Homeowners looking for something fancy can go with the ZOIC 500 LED Christmas Fairy String Lights. This model features a design with a 328-foot cable and 500 LEDs. You get eight memory modes and low energy consumption. These lights come in five different color schemes to suit your home’s theme.
The Romasaty Christmas Lights are a great choice for lighting up the perimeter of your home. These Xmas lights feature large bulbs with 6-foot spacing and a heavy-duty gauge cable. You get your choice of five color schemes, with a 25-foot cord and 25 bulbs.
