Your home deserves the best holiday ambiance possible.
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Lighting is crucial to creating the ambience you want in a room. And during the holiday season, we want a warm, inviting, cozy mood. The best way to achieve this is to invest in the best Christmas lights money can buy. They twinkle and glow gently for that magical feel we all love come December. Though you may immediately think of the light strands that you wrap around your tree, you don't need to limit yourself: there are no rules on how you should use Christmas lights. You can interwine them in your garland on the mantel, twist them around the handrail of your front porch, or artfully arrange them on your outdoor shrubs to illuminate the path toward your house—the world is your oyster.
Once you've figured out where exactly you'll place the lights, it's time to figure out how many lights you should get and what color you want, as they range from multicolor to a soft, white glow. Ahead, we rounded up our favorite editor and expert-approved Christmas lights in addition to several highly-rated options based on online reviews. Whether you're looking for a classic string set or something a little more unique, like these candy cane stripe bulbs, you're guaranteed to find the right mood lighting from our curated list below.
Best DealSince Christmas lights can all look the same, we're kicking off your search with an editor-backed set. "Last year I Googled how many lights I’d need for a four-foot-tall Christmas tree, and ended up getting this 500-light set from Amazon, which was the cheapest option I could find by a landslide," Digital Director Blair Donovan says. "The internet led me astray, and I only needed about 200 bulbs total, but this kit is sold as five individual strings that connect to one another, so you can easily add more depending on your tree size." You can easily repurpose the set for another project, though, as Donovan noted, "One of my friends even borrowed the whole set to decorate his entire living room for a New Year’s Eve party."
| Light Source | LED |
|---|---|
| Power Source | Cord |
| Length | 66 feet to 165 feet, depending on which set you get |
For a nontraditional take on Christmas lights, go with this set of candy cane bulbs from Terrain. If you're not a fan of hanging sweets on your tree but do like how the color combo pops against green branches, this set is perfect for achieving the quintessential holiday look. Because this is composed of glass, LED, and a copper base, the lights are fragile, so be careful when setting them up on your tree. Socket strands are also sold separately, so make sure you buy this too for your bulbs.
| Light Source | LED |
|---|---|
| Power Source | Cord |
| Length | N/A |
The worst thing about wrapping lights around your Christmas tree is running out of lights, resulting in a tree that's partially lit. Make sure you measure correctly, but we love this 33-foot set for extra length. It has over 12,000 reviews on Amazon, with shoppers saying the lights are good quality and not overpowering when on.
"I love these so much, I am ordering a second pair," wrote one reviewer. "We put them in our family room so when we watch TV, there is no glare on the TV screen. It makes the room feel very cozy. We use them all year round. Buying a new set to put on our back porch so we can enjoy it at night." Another customer said, "I really like these lights. They are good quality, thick cord, and strong, sturdy lights. One string wasn’t enough for my 7-foot tree, so I had to order another one."
| Light Source | LED |
|---|---|
| Power Source | Cord |
| Length | 33 feet |
You may notice that the bulbs on these are very different from the others on our list, and for good reason. They're meant to look a little old-school and bring a touch of nostalgia to your Christmas decorations. These energy-efficient LED lights cast a warm glow reminiscent of classic incandescent bulbs, perfect for creating a cozy, festive atmosphere indoors or out. "Vintage lights are my favorite because they create that traditional, nostalgic warmth the holidays are all about," says Aubrey Horowitz, decorative holiday merchant at The Home Depot. "I love these 50 Warm White C9 LED Lights and the 50 Multi-Colored C9 LED Lights."
| Light Source | LED |
|---|---|
| Power Source | Cord |
| Length | 49 feet |
If classic white lights aren't your style, go with multicolor string lights. It will add a playful look to your decor that's sure to stand out. You can buy these in a 50-count all the way to a 500-count! One person wrote: "I love having lights in my kids' rooms year-round, so I was thrilled when I found these. They are great lights and super bright. The quality is strong. My kids love them."
Some users have reported quality control issues, but the lights are still worth buying because you can easily return them on Amazon if you're not satisfied. "I spent hours last year looking for lights (lol I know I’m picky) that mimic the old times colors and found these. They were wonderful, BUT the advertised amount didn’t quite cover our 7.5ft tree," one reviewer said. "SO, we got the exact same strand this year (like went back to the previous order in history to make certain they were the same), and they don’t match...I don’t mind the different blue—but I do mind the inconsistency in product. Keep in mind that what is manufactured may be different from one year to the next. So if you care to be able to replace or want continuity, this may not be the pick."
| Light Source | Incandescent |
|---|---|
| Power Source | Cord |
| Length | 10 feet to 100 feet, depending on which set you get |
Dreaming of a snowy, white Christmas tree? You'll likely want your lights to blend in with your fir, and this highly reviewed option is a solid pick. It comes in two different lengths and can be used both indoors and outdoors. A happy customer wrote, "I had a crystal and white light string of Christmas lights for a long time that I loved. Finally, the lights gave out. My husband turned off the lights on the crystal strand and measured and counted the lights. We found these, ordered them, and he replaced them on my crystal strand, and voila, I have what looks like a brand new strand of fancy Christmas lights! I am so happy, and these lights burn very nicely and brightly. I love them."
| Light Source | Incandescent |
|---|---|
| Power Source | Cord |
| Length | 9 to 18 feet, depending on which set you get |
For string lights that you can bend and shape to your will, go with these dainty fairy lights. They emit a warm, white light. One happy customer wrote, "We have moved into a rental for a few months while our house is being finished. I didn’t want to go without a Christmas tree…so I bought a tiny one. These lights are absolutely perfect! We enjoy having them on in the evening! Absolute perfection!"
Customers love the overall look and quality of the lights, but several have said not to leave these on 24/7 because they will drain your AA batteries. Since batteries aren't included in this purchase, and you will need three, get a big pack here.
| Light Source | LED |
|---|---|
| Power Source | Battery Powered |
| Length | 10 feet |
For Christmas lights with different bulb shapes, try this set of micro LED lights. They are flicker-free, so they have a consistent glow and can change colors from multicolored to warm white. "You’ve probably heard of The Home Depot's viral Grand Duchess Artificial Tree, known for its beautiful twinkling lights," Horowitz says. "Now, you can just get the standalone lights, and customers have been loving them."
| Light Source | LED |
|---|---|
| Power Source | Cord |
| Length | 33.3 feet |
The tiny pearls on this copper wire light up to give you the most dreamy winter wonderland scene, whether you're wrapping the lights around a mini tree or around your Christmas wreath. Designed especially for Terrain, meaning you won't find these anywhere else, the lights are illuminated by warm white LED bulbs and are for indoor use only. They are elegant and help set your home apart.
| Light Source | LED |
|---|---|
| Power Source | Cord |
| Length | 16 feet |
You may think buying Christmas lights is a simple matter, but when you're faced with thousands of options that more or less look the same, you start to feel confused. We asked Horowitz for some shopping tips and guidance. She says, "Think about details like bulb type, size, and color to create your goal holiday aesthetic."
Bulb Type: "Choosing the right bulb size depends on your personal style and how bold or subtle you want your lighting to be," she adds. "Some examples are: C9 light bulbs are larger bulbs that evoke nostalgic charm–perfect for outlining rooflines, gutters, and driveways. C6 Light Bulbs are the size and shape of traditional Christmas lights and are known for their distinct faceted bulb design."
Bulb Size & Shape: "The size of your bulb affects both the brightness and overall aesthetic. Larger bulbs create a bold, vintage look, while smaller ones deliver a classic look with either bright white lights or a warm, cozy glow," Horowitz says. "Meanwhile, faceted bulbs provide a diffused glow, while smooth bulbs give off a sharp, direct shine. Mini light bulbs are ideal for garlands and wreaths, and they come in a variety of colors and lengths. The Home Accents Holiday 100 Count Warm White Mini LED Lights provide a modern, twinkling effect that’s ideal for wrapping trees, shrubbery, or balconies."
Color: Whatever color light you choose, know that it'll affect the vibe you're going for. "The color of your lights sets the mood for your display," she says. "Warm white lights offer a cozy, classic feel, while cool white lights create a crisp, snowy look. Multicolored lights bring playful, festive energy."
Length: To figure out how many lights you need for a Christmas tree, follow Horowitz's advice:
"Again, this all comes down to your personal preference and how you want your tree to look," she says.
You can leave modern LED Christmas lights on for several hours, typically six to eight hours. Horowitz says she always "recommends that customers unplug their Christmas lights when they leave the house," though. And while this sounds like a pain, especially if you're rushing out the door with the kids or think you'll be back home soon, it's for safety reasons. Leaving lights on unattended increases the risk of overheating, which can lead to fires, even with modern LED lights.
Additionally, experts advise turning off the lights before you go to bed. According to Magothy Electric's website, "Those lights can get hot enough to start a fire in the attic or basement, despite what we think. If you haven’t shut them off by midnight, turn them off and ensure they’re cool before bed." Moreover, turning off the lights rather than leaving them on 24/7 helps keep your electricity bills low, which is a plus when you're already spending so much money elsewhere (re: gifts for family and friends).
If you're wondering what's a good rule of thumb for how long you can leave your lights on at night, here's a quick breakdown:
At House Beautiful, we're determined to answer any question you have about the home, especially when it comes to lighting. In the past, we have covered how to hide your ugly boob light, how color temperatures can affect your space, and the difference between soft white vs. daylight bulbs. We have provided plenty of photo inspiration, too, if you're looking for more design content, like this story on the best designer-approved living room lighting ideas. Tips aside, as shopping editors, we also want to recommend the most stylish lights to buy, helping readers discover the best floor lamps that make a statement in the home or the best table lamps to buy for their nightstand.
For this story on Christmas lights in particular, we first asked our own editors for brands they'd tested and recommended, and we also tapped an expert, Aubrey Horowitz, for her own favorite picks and what is resonating with customers this season.
Horowitz is the merchant of decorative holiday at The Home Depot, overseeing the development and strategy of seasonal and year-round decor offerings. She joined The Home Depot in 2012 as a business analyst, store operations, and has since held roles including merchandise marketing manager, visual merchandising senior manager, portable power associate merchant, and hardware online merchant. With more than a decade of experience with the company, Aubrey holds a Bachelor of Science in Management and a graduate certificate in Engineering Management, both of which have been instrumental in driving product strategy and enhancing the overall customer experience.
For the products that did not pass through our hands directly, we read hundreds of reviews and included only the Christmas lights with the most positive reviews and a generous return policy in our roundup.
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