10 Best Outdoor Christmas Lights for a Magical Display
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It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas—or at least, it will once you’ve put up your holiday decorations. This season is all about spreading joy, and one of our favorite ways to do that is by making our homes merry and bright. That’s why finding the best outdoor Christmas lights for your home can be so important! Holiday string lights and twinkly bulbs not only make you feel jolly, but it’ll bring that holiday spirit to the whole neighborhood too. Even the simplest solar or battery-powered outdoor LED Christmas lights take time to install, which is why we recommend making a plan for your outdoor display before you even put up your Christmas tree or other Christmas decorations.
The good news? We did some of the legwork for you and researched the best-reviewed outdoor Christmas lights available. All of the bulbs we found are able to withstand the elements outside, are eco-friendly, and were highly rated by customers for being long-lasting and beautifully festive. Whether you go for multicolor bulbs or favor the twinkly, soft-white string lights, your home is sure to sparkle this holiday season. So let’s fill our mugs with some hot cocoa and get to work!
01
Twinkly Strings 400 Multicolor LED Lights
Amazon
$138.99
This waterproof LED light string lets you customize your own light show and choose from millions of colors through the coordinating app. With so many options, you’ll be tempted to leave the lights up year round…or at least through January.Â
“The lights can be anything from a warm and cozy white to bold and wild party colors,” wrote one enthusiastic Amazon reviewer. “Using the Twinkly app, you can control every individual LED, creating patterns, animations, and color schemes exactly how you want. You can even map the lights to match the shape of your tree or outdoor setup. How cool is that?” Wanna see them in action? Check out Drew’s display from last year!Â
02
Dazzle Bright Outdoor Solar String Lights, 2 Pack
Amazon
$12.99
No batteries or electrical outlets are necessary with these solar Christmas lights, which can last for 10 to 14 hours depending on the weather. It also comes with eight different modes, from “twinkle” to “steady on,” so you can create whatever winter wonderland works best for you.Â
“These lights were easy to set up and they look great,” reads one five-star customer review. “They can be easily seen at night from a distance… So far they’ve lasted through several days of rain with no issue. And the price is very affordable.”
03
Wintergreen Lighting Warm White LED Christmas Lights, Set of 25
Amazon
$24.98
If you prefer the glow of white twinkly bulbs over multi-color options, these outdoor LED Christmas lights are pretty dazzling. Even better, they are Energy Star-certified and come with a three-year seasonal warranty.
“I like the warm light these produce, and lack of flicker which is common in cheaper lights,” writes one reviewer. “Also, the gap between bulbs is only 8 inches, tighter than many other products.”Â
04
Happylost Outdoor LED Christmas Net Lights
Walmart
$19.99
Net lights are the easiest way to make trees or shrubs around your yard look very merry indeed. This happy customer agrees, writing in their review, “They are just what I wanted. The colors are beautiful and bright. They are going to look festive on my shrubbery this Christmas. I highly recommend this product. The price is a great bargain.”
05
The Holiday Aisle LED Snowflake String Lights
Wayfair
$23.99
Twinkling snowflakes are a magical way to complement the rest of your holiday display. These indoor/outdoor string lights would look best in your window or hanging from a front porch, fence, or balcony. Some reviewers noted that the set arrived tangled but, as one customer said, “once untangled they look stunning.”
06
GE StayBright Warm White LED Christmas String Lights
Lowe’s
$39.98
07
The Holiday Aisle LED Icicle Lights
Wayfair
$31.99
Help light Santa’s path by hanging these icicles from your front porch, roof, or balcony. You may need to buy a few strands to cover the whole space, depending on the size, but up to 31 strings can be connected.Â
“These are perfect,” reads one five-star review. “Easy to hang and connected five strands to one another. We’ve received compliments from our neighbors and comments about not seeing anything like these before.”
08
LOENDE LED Battery-Operated Christmas Lights
Walmart
$28.99
Battery-operated outdoor Christmas lights, especially LED ones, can be safer than plug-in options and don’t have to rely on good weather as much as solar-powered strands. These also come with a timer function for extra peace of mind.
“These are the best battery operated lights I have purchased,” shares one pleased customer. “They have a timer and by my surprise they turn on the exact time everyday and cut off six hours later… I ordered two and just purchased two more for next year. I don’t have to worry about plugging in the lights or leaving them on all night. You don’t need an outlet, just put them up, add 3 AA batteries, set the lights, and enjoy your day. I really love these.”
09
Brizled Smart Color-Changing Christmas Lights
Amazon
$75.99
Can’t decide between soft white, bright white, green, multicolor, red and green, or something else entirely? You can have it all with these smart Christmas lights. It even offers hands-free voice control, so you can change to whatever setting you want through Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
“I purchased these lights for my trees out front,” says one Amazon customer. “The main reason I purchased these is to only install once for the whole holiday season. It’s perfect for Halloween and Christmas! I love the different color choices! They are stunning.”
10
Atronor Christmas Snowflake Projector Lights
Amazon
$19.99
Whether you’re tired of untangling and installing a ton of Christmas lights every year or need something last minute, a projector is an easy way to stay festive without putting in the work. This snowflake lamp is also waterproof, so it’ll last even when the weather outside is frightful.
“I can’t wait until it is time to decorate for Christmas,” says one reviewer. “This is absolutely the simplest, most practical way to decorate. Just plug it in, situate it on the spot you want, and turn it on. The white snowflakes project perfectly all over the door and the whole front of the house. LOVE THIS.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What Christmas lights are best for outside?
For the outdoors, you’ll want lights that can withstand any harsh weather and maintain a safe electrical connection. When buying outdoor Christmas lights, check the description or packaging to make sure it is labeled as “outdoor compatible” or “outdoor safe.” You can typically use outdoor lights inside the home, but not vice versa.
The shape of the bulb is also worth considering. Many professional Christmas light installers say they prefer C7 or C9 bulbs for outside because they’re larger and can cover more area. T5 mini lights—or anything labeled “mini” for that matter—would work better around railings, small bushes, or columns near your front door.
What outdoor Christmas lights last the longest?
Are LED Christmas lights better?
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