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Christmas Lights

Expert Picks for January 2026

Best Christmas Lights

The glow that makes December magical. We compared Christmas lights from classic incandescent to smart LEDβ€”finding what shines brightest without tripling your electric bill.

Last updated: January 28, 2026
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Best Overall Our top recommendation
Best Overall
Twinkly Smart LED String Lights

Twinkly

Twinkly Smart LED String Lights

4.7 (15,678 reviews)

The lights that made the neighbors ask how you did that. App control lets you create custom patterns, sync to music, and change colors without climbing a ladder.

Length

100 LEDs / 33ft

Connectivity

WiFi/Bluetooth

Colors

16 million

Waterproof

IP44

Pros

  • βœ“ App-controlled colors
  • βœ“ Millions of color combinations
  • βœ“ Music sync feature

Cons

  • βœ— Expensive
  • βœ— Requires WiFi
  • βœ— App learning curve

Head-to-Head Comparison

ProductRatingPrice Action
Twinkly Smart LED String Lights
Twinkly Smart LED String Lights Best
Twinkly
4.7
$80 View
StayBright LED Mini Lights
StayBright LED Mini Lights Value
GE
4.6
$25 View
LED Icicle Lights Outdoor
LED Icicle Lights Outdoor
Brizled
4.5
$35 View
Christmas Net Lights
Christmas Net Lights
Prextex
4.4
$18 View
LED C9 String Lights
LED C9 String Lights
Home Accents
4.5
$30 View

* Prices may vary. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

All Recommended Products

Best Overall
Twinkly Smart LED String Lights

Twinkly

Twinkly Smart LED String Lights

4.7 (15,678 reviews)

The lights that made the neighbors ask how you did that. App control lets you create custom patterns, sync to music, and change colors without climbing a ladder.

Length

100 LEDs / 33ft

Connectivity

WiFi/Bluetooth

Colors

16 million

Waterproof

IP44

Pros

  • βœ“ App-controlled colors
  • βœ“ Millions of color combinations
  • βœ“ Music sync feature

Cons

  • βœ— Expensive
  • βœ— Requires WiFi
  • βœ— App learning curve
Best Value
StayBright LED Mini Lights

GE

StayBright LED Mini Lights

4.6 (28,934 reviews)

The reliable classic that just works. When one bulb goes out, the rest stay lit. Warm white glow that looks like Christmas is supposed to look.

Count

200 lights

Color

Warm white

Connection

End-to-end

Warranty

3 years

Pros

  • βœ“ Classic warm white
  • βœ“ Energy efficient LED
  • βœ“ Connect up to 45 strands

Cons

  • βœ— No color options
  • βœ— Basic design
  • βœ— Not smart-enabled
Premium Pick
LED Icicle Lights Outdoor

Brizled

LED Icicle Lights Outdoor

4.5 (12,456 reviews)

The dramatic roofline treatment that stops traffic. Cascading drops create that winter wonderland effect professionals use on commercial displays.

Length

29.5ft

Drop

19 inches

Modes

8

Rating

Commercial grade

Pros

  • βœ“ Cascading icicle effect
  • βœ“ 8 lighting modes
  • βœ“ Commercial grade

Cons

  • βœ— Takes time to hang properly
  • βœ— Heavy for gutters
  • βœ— Limited color options
Christmas Net Lights

Prextex

Christmas Net Lights

4.4 (8,765 reviews)

Throw it over a bush, plug it in, done. Net lights eliminate the frustration of wrapping individual branches. Perfect even coverage every time.

Size

4x6 ft

Lights

150

Spacing

Even grid

Use

Bushes/shrubs

Pros

  • βœ“ Covers bushes perfectly
  • βœ“ Even light distribution
  • βœ“ Easy installation

Cons

  • βœ— Fixed pattern
  • βœ— Not for trees
  • βœ— Tangling possible
Budget Pick
LED C9 String Lights

Home Accents

LED C9 String Lights

4.5 (19,234 reviews)

The big, bold bulbs your parents usedβ€”but LED. Classic C9 look with modern efficiency. Perfect for rooflines and pathways.

Count

25 bulbs

Spacing

12 inches

Style

Faceted C9

Energy

80% less than incandescent

Pros

  • βœ“ Classic C9 bulb look
  • βœ“ LED efficiency
  • βœ“ Faceted lens sparkle

Cons

  • βœ— Not dimmable
  • βœ— Fixed colors
  • βœ— Larger bulbs need more space

Buying Guide: How to Choose Christmas Lights

How to Choose Christmas Lights

LED vs Incandescent
LEDs cost more upfront but last 10x longer and use 80% less electricity. The warm white LEDs now match incandescent warmth.

### Light Styles
Mini Lights: Classic tree and bush wrapping. C7/C9: Big bold bulbs for rooflines. Icicle: Cascading roofline drama. Net: Easy bush coverage.

### What to Measure
Count your roofline feet, tree height, and bush circumference before shopping. Nothing worse than running out halfway through.

Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Lights

How many Christmas lights do I need?

For trees: 100 lights per vertical foot. For rooflines: measure the linear feet. For bushes: net lights sized to bush dimensions work best.

Can I connect different brands of Christmas lights?

Generally yes for same voltage, but check maximum connection limits. Most allow 3-5 strands connected, smart lights may have different limits.

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