The Best Christmas Lights, According to Interior Designers
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Christmas lights are a symbol of the holiday on par with trees, stockings, and festive cookies. And they’re only getting more popular — the Christmas light market is expected to continue growing over the next decade.
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The good news: The Christmas lights on the market this year are infinitely better than those from years past. They use less energy, they’re safer, and they’re easier to customize and control. That means that opting to go all in on holiday décor is an easier decision, as energy bills won’t spike quite as badly and the chance of a house fire is much lower than in the nascent years of the technology.
There are also some new possibilities, like integration with smart home technology, that make the best Christmas lights particularly exciting holiday additions on any budget.
What the Experts Say
Sources within the lighting and design industries agree that light type, size, and safety are the key factors to consider when shopping for Christmas lights. For this story, SPY spoke with Raf Michalowski, interior designer and founder of Meble Furniture; David Mason, interior designer and founder of Knobs.co; and Joshua Jackson, a professional holiday lighting contractor, decorator, and franchisee for Christmas Decor in Halifax, Nova Scotia, to help sort through the best Christmas lights available now.
The Christmas lights of yore included halogen and incandescent options, but LED lights are the expert favorite. “LED lights are a popular choice as they use less energy, last longer, and emit less heat compared to traditional incandescent lights,” says Michalowski.
LED lights come in lots of sizes, but Jackson says there are three main options. “C9 is a classic bulb size that hearkens back to old-time Christmas past,” says Jackson. They’re 1¼ inches wide and 2½” inches tall. “C7 is a medium size bulb [1 inch wide and 1½ inches tall] that also works great for homes and trees,” he continues, adding that mini lights, or those that eschew the bulbous shape of old-fashioned Christmas lights, are great “to wrap around branches, trees, shrubs, and more.”
And, while LED lights are safer than their progenitors, “It’s also important to choose lights with safety certifications, such as UL or CSA,” says Mason.
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Philips LED Mini String Lights, 100 ct.
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Philips makes high-quality versions of everything from TVs to toothbrushes, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the company’s take on string lights is also excellent. “These lights come in various colors and are waterproof, making them suitable for both indoor and outdoor use,” Michalowski says. Plus, they’re tested to UL standards for safety.
They’re also widely available, which is nice for when it’s time to expand the holiday display — up to 30 (!) strands can be connected for a 3,000-bulb display powered by one outlet. They aren’t reinventing the wheel, but Christmas is built around traditions, and these lights provide a classic look that most people will appreciate.
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Star Shower Projector Lights
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Made For: Those who want maximum impact with minimal effort. “They’re a
hassle-free way to decorate your home,” says Michalowski. “These lights create festive patterns and images on your windows, saving you the trouble of hanging traditional string lights.” No ladders, no hooks, no problem.
Why It Stands Out: Along with the obvious ease of installation, Star Shower lights create a unique look with hundreds of red and/or green dots on the side of the house. They’re also easily controlled with the included remote that allows for seamless switching between static, motion, and blinking modes.
BEST TWINKLY
Brite Star Clear Twinkle Mini Christmas Lights
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Made For: Those who dream of a white Christmas, snow or not. “If you prefer traditional string lights, then these are the ones to go for,” Mason says. “They have a clear white
color with a twinkling effect which gives a classic holiday feel.” The twinkle adds a bit of subtle visual interest, too.
Why It Stands Out: These lights still use incandescent bulbs, which offer a different effect than LED options, though they do use more energy to get there.
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Govee Wi-Fi RGBIC Outdoor Strip Lights
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Why They Stand Out: The effect of these strip lights is a glowing aura — a more ethereal look than what string lights can offer.
Coolest Feature: “These lights are perfect for creating a festive atmosphere, be it for Christmas or any other occasion,” says Mason. “They have highly customizable colors and modes.” Also, controlling these lights with the Wi-Fi-enabled app means it’s possible to utilize the complete color spectrum, sync the lights to music, and even adjust them with Google Home or Alexa voice commands.
BEST INFLATABLE
FUNBOY Inflatable Light Up Christmas Bulb – 2 Pack
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Made For: Fans of FUNBOY’s over-the-top water inflatables who want that vibe in the winter months. As Raquel Barret, the co-founder of the company, puts it, “We’ve added FUNBOY’s signature design flair to holiday decor…[to] provide an elevated and refined glow to your holiday decorating.”
Why It Stands Out: These lawn ornaments — pun intended — are battery operated, color-changing, and remote-operated. And because they’re inflated, they’re also easy to store — maximum seasonal impact with minimal off-season hassle.
BEST OUTDOOR
Philips Warm White Hanging Spheres
Made For: People with big spaces to fill with light. Jackson says that, with Christmas lights, “you want to create an atmosphere that gets people into the festive spirit as they pass the threshold.” These lights fit that bill and then some.
Why It Stands Out: The white sphere shape is reminiscent of a snowflake, so it’s a great winter decoration, in general. It’ll look great into February, in other words.
Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Lights
What are the best Christmas lights?
It all comes down to the desired vibe once the sun goes down. Some people will prefer a high-tech, modern take on the holiday season. Others are more nostalgic. “For me, the best Christmas lights are the ones that bring back cherished memories,” Mason says. The specific bulb type, color, and size one chooses should dovetail with their preference on this question.
How can I get maximum impact with a minimal budget?
“I would recommend that if you’re on a budget, [you should] focus on one
feature of the home or business done spectacularly,” says Jackson. “Some examples of this
would be finishing an entire road facing a roof line [or] one tree wrapped really nicely.”
Can white light and multi-color light people ever get along?
Yes, but it will take a Christmas miracle.
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