By Stacey L Nash | Updated Nov 6, 2023 10:02 AM
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What would the holidays be without Christmas lights? These twinkling decorations can illuminate even the darkest of winter nights. Christmas lights are available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and styles, from globe lights to lights with “smart” features, which can make shopping for them a frustrating task. When choosing the best indoor Christmas tree lights, look for lights that are both functional and eye-catching.
We researched more than 90 indoor Christmas lights from almost as many brands. Specifically, we looked at user experience, reliability, and durability. LED lights were more likely to make this list because of their energy efficiency and ability to work with smart technology. However, incandescent bulbs also made the list for their soft, warm light and affordability.
Finally, we considered design. Bulbs, both large and small, globe and novelty, made the list, but they had to have the durability and reliability to warrant their inclusion. We tried to represent a wide range of options and brands to fit different preferences.
The top picks listed here feature different styles and types of Christmas lights. Durable enough to last several holiday seasons, they fall within different price ranges. These lights meet the criteria previously listed, but they also are attractive and offer a positive user experience.
The JMEXSUSS string lights offer 33 feet of clear-wired holiday illumination. Each string is equipped with 100 LED lights, which emit a warm-white light. The clear wire blends in with different backgrounds like mantels, Christmas trees, banisters, or garlands.
A button on the electrical plug switches through eight lighting modes, which include combination, waves, sequential, flash, slow fade, chasing, slow glow, and steady. If the strand is unable to reach a convenient electrical outlet on its own, this string has a 10-foot lead wire that provides extra length. Finally, the lights include a memory function, which means that when they’re turned on, they revert to the last used lighting mode. However, they can’t connect to another string of lights.
Get the JMEXSUSS indoor Christmas lights at Amazon.
The Lidore indoor string lights go back to basics with white wire and traditional incandescent bulbs. These mini lights are strung on a 21-foot wire with a 16-inch lead and 4-inch tail, so most of the wire is devoted to the 100 lights. The white wire option blends with flocked trees or white Christmas ornaments. It can also mix well with tulle and other Christmas fabrics.
Designed so that the entire string will stay lit if one of the traditional incandescent bulbs goes out, the set includes two replacement bulbs. Multiple strings connect to create a continuous light display. The incandescent bulbs aren’t as energy efficient as LED lights, but they emit a traditional warm light. However, these lights may not last as long as standard LEDs, especially if used constantly over several weeks.
Get the Lidore indoor Christmas lights at Amazon.
Plugging in and unplugging Christmas lights is a thing of the past with the Brizled LED Christmas lights. All 200 of these warm white and multicolored LED lights are remote controlled, can be used indoors and outdoors, and come with 11 lighting modes to provide any ambience desired. Plus, these lights come with four different dimmer settings to emit a warm glow or bright spectacle.
To make Christmas morning even more relaxing, shoppers can rely on the 26.25-foot range of the remote control for quick adjustments and the programmable timer so the lights stay lit as long as needed. Plus, this 82-foot strand of lights can be connected to two other strands of Christmas lights, extending the lighting effects to more than 246 feet.
Get the Brizled LED Christmas lights at Amazon.
These Loende battery-operated string lights provide versatile decor options and reduce presence of wires and cords. The LED lights operate on three AA batteries and include a built-in timer to help conserve battery power. The lights follow a 6-hour-on, 18-hour-off schedule. The battery pack has a small loop to hide it on wreaths or other decorations.
The Loende lights also come in multicolor and white with a white wire option as well. Each type has eight lighting modes, including combination, slow glow, flash, slow fade, sequential, waves, twinkle, and steady. These lights are waterproof for indoor or outdoor use.
Get the Loende indoor Christmas lights at Amazon.
Whether it’s for a 10- to 12-foot tree, a very long stairway banister, or even for hanging around the ceiling, the MZD8391 105-foot Christmas lights can fit the bill. This option has eight different light modes, a copper wire in PVC construction, up to 20,000 hours of life, and LED bulbs to help lower holiday energy consumption. Plus, each of the 300 LED lights stays cool to the touch, no matter how long they are in use.
These Christmas lights also come with the benefit of a memory function and an IP65-rated waterproof construction to double for outdoor use. The end-to-end design supports connecting up to four strings of lights together for a maximum length of 420 feet. Finally, this option comes in multiple colorways and has an easy-to-use remote control.
Get the MZD8391 Christmas lights at Amazon.
The Twinkle Star fairy light string includes 200 energy-efficient mini lights densely strung on a 66-foot green wire on the lighted portion, which has a 16-foot lead wire. The Twinkle Star lights can connect to an additional four strings, extending their reach to create a unified lighting display.
In addition to the standard “steady” mode, these mini lights also can be used in a combination of their various functions: waves, sequential, slow glow, chasing, slow fade, and twinkle. The control box on the lead wire manages the various modes. Their small size works well for indoor displays, but they’re advertised as indoor-outdoor lights. However, if used outdoors, they must plug into an indoor outlet.
Get the Twinkle Star Christmas mini lights at Amazon or Target.
Made to resemble authentic vintage decorations, the Hayata bubble lights have a retro vibe straight from the 1940s. While each string is only 6.6 feet long and contains seven lights, it can connect to an additional 11 sets for a total of 12 strands.
The Hayata lights contain traditional incandescent bulbs, so their soft, warm light feels vintage, too. These lights also come in different colors and one additional theme (Halloween). Replacement bulbs can be purchased separately.
Get the Hayata indoor Christmas lights at Amazon.
At almost 160 feet long, the Twinkly multicolor LED string holds 600 LED lights. It comes with a free app that lets users map the lights using the camera on the connected device. From there, map out the lights’ location and set colors and effects by section.
The app can connect to other devices and control several smart light strings at once. Smart capabilities allow users to set timers, turn the lights on and off from anywhere, and create custom effects. These lights can sync with music and connect with another set of string lights. However, all the cool effects come with a relatively high price, and the app may have connectivity issues.
Get the Twinkly indoor Christmas lights at Amazon or Best Buy.
These Twinkle Star lights bring the Christmas star front and center. They can connect to a maximum of 10 strings. Those connections stay close together with an adaptable design that lets users remove the 16-foot lead wire when connecting strings.
Eight lighting modes are available, including sequential, combination, flash, twinkle, stead, slow fade, and waves. While these lights are white, they are definitely a cool white. They’re indoor-outdoor lights, but the transformer must be kept inside, limiting the number of ways the lights can be hung outdoors.
Get the Twinkle Star Christmas lights at Amazon or Target.
Suitable for indoor and outdoor use, the Holiday Essence mini Christmas lights come with 16 feet of LED Christmas lights with more than 60 LED lights per strand for ample light during the holiday season. These mini lights come in six colorways including blue, cool white, green, multicolored, red, and warm white to suit multiple preferences, and they can be connected to more than 45 other strands of lights at a time.
As for durability, these mini lights are listed as indoor and outdoor lights and should last for greater than 25,000 hours of use. Plus, these lights come at an affordable price point, which makes buying multiple units a cinch.
Get the Holiday Essence Christmas lights at Amazon.
The Louis Choice shatterproof LED bulbs save energy, but they’re also equipped with a built-in timer that runs on a 6-hour-on, 18-hour-off schedule. A 49-foot string provides adequate length to use on a large Christmas tree or banister. However, 16 feet is devoted to the lead wire to help the string reach an outlet.
This model can extend by an additional nine light strings to lengthen its overall reach. A memory feature turns the lights on in the same mode in which they were turned off. Eight modes are available, including slow fade, twinkle, steady, combination, sequential, waves, slow glow, and flash. The package includes 10 twist ties for installation. The globe portion of the light is attractive, but it’s plastic, which can be quite fragile.
Get the Louis Choice indoor Christmas lights at Amazon.
Everything from the string length to the bulb size and power source can affect the look and feel of Christmas lights. The following considerations are important to take into account before starting to browse for the best indoor Christmas lights for the home.
Traditional incandescent bulbs work by creating enough heat to make a filament inside the bulb light up. Consequently, these lights use a lot of energy and release a significant amount of heat. However, they’re less expensive than LEDs and have a warm white glow that LEDs don’t.
LED Christmas lights have diodes that emit light via the movement of electrons within the semiconductor. LED bulbs are significantly more energy efficient and durable than traditional incandescent bulbs. They also release far less heat. LED bulbs are used in most smart lights, offering up to several million color choices.
Distance to a power source is a concern when buying and installing Christmas lights. For indoor lights, power must come from electricity or batteries. Lights with an electric plug require access to an electrical outlet or an extension cord. Electricity provides consistent power that never runs out (unless the power goes out). Several strings can connect to each other to use power from a single outlet. However, outlets can get crowded with all the light plugs.
Battery-powered Christmas lights are less common, though they are convenient. They can hang almost anywhere without proximity to an outlet. However, battery-powered lights have a short runtime and will dim as the power runs out.
Wire lengths vary from short 10-foot strings to 66- to 100-foot strings. A longer cord means fewer outlets and connection points between strings; however, experts recommend using strings in lengths appropriate for the decor job at hand. Use a tape measure to estimate the distance required to wrap around the tree or run down the banister.
Bulb size should be to scale with the rest of the holiday decor. Delicate ornaments may get overpowered by large bulbs. If unsure of the right size, mini lights blend into the background no matter the style or theme.
White, single-color, and multicolor sum up the Christmas light color options. Whites can be warm (yellowish) or cool (bluish), and single colors can be red, green, blue, orange, purple, and various hues in between. Pick a color or several colors that complement holiday themes. White makes an ideal neutral when unsure of which color to choose.
Shapes range from globes and small teardrop lights to vintage bulbs shaped like candleholders or snowmen. The shape should complement the rest of the decor, just like the color and style.
A few lighting modes include twinkle flash, slow glow, chasing flash, slow fade, and steady on. Smart LED Christmas tree lights offer the most lighting options. Some allow the user to set the colors by section or offer variable brightness adjustments. Lights that feature lighting modes may cost more than a typical string of Christmas lights, especially if they’re smart lights, because they usually cost more.
Choosing the right lights with the perfect length, color, and style isn’t an easy decision. We’ve answered the most common questions to help make your choice easier and get those twinkling Christmas lights up and running.
The Christmas lights used by professionals are usually LED lights with coaxial connectors, which are a little more hard-core than domestic lights. The wiring may be different, but the lights are not.
Color depends on the decor theme and personal preferences. White offers a clean, classic look, while a single color adds mood. Cheerful multicolor lights bring fun to the holidays. Think about the look you want to create, and go with a color that supports your decor.
Incandescent bulbs are approved for safe use on Christmas trees. However, LED Christmas lights don’t get as hot, which probably makes them a safer option for a live tree.
Remove each bulb one at a time, placing a piece of foil in the socket after removing the bulb. If the lights turn back on, you’ve found the bad bulb.
Longevity and durability vary by brand, but incandescent bulbs typically last two or three seasons, and LED bulbs typically last six or seven seasons. Both can last longer if cared for and stored appropriately. Certain conditions, such as living near the ocean or in an area that experiences extreme heat, can shorten their lifespan.
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