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The Best String Lights

Last updated on June 22, 2020

We looked at the top 10 Holiday Lights and dug through the reviews from 48 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Holiday Lights.

Our Review Process

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Decorating your home or office with lights is an excellent way to get into a happy spirit. It’s even better when you can gather family or friends and put up the lights while listening to your favorite music. Before you plan your little get-together, you’ll need to make sure you have the correct lights with the right number of bulbs.

Read the product packaging to determine if the lights are safe to use outdoors. This is only important if you are planning an outdoor display. Just remember that outdoor lights can be used indoors, but indoor lights cannot be used outdoors. Indoor lights are not made to withstand wind, rain, snow and ice.

Check to see whether the lights have a green or white wire. For example, the Prextex Green Wire Light Set features green wiring in between each light, which blends in with the green foliage of an evergreen tree beautifully. A white wire would stick out in a tree but would look great across a white fireplace mantel.

Determine what type of lights you’d like, as there are a wide variety of choices. You could stick with all white lights or go with multicolored lights. You can opt for lights that flicker, flash or strobe. The TaoTronics String Lights with Remote Control has 10 different brightness settings to choose from. Thanks to the handy remote, users can even change the setting from across the room.

Size is also important, as lights come in large, regular and mini sizes. Of course, you’ll need to read the product packaging to determine how long the strand is, as the number of lights doesn’t determine this. That’s because the lights may be spaced further apart on one set than another. Even though the Ehome String Lights has 100 regular-sized lights, it’s only 4 feet shorter than the Noma/Inliten Light Set, which features 300 mini lights.

When browsing similar models, look for any extras that may set one model above the others. Does the light set come with a few replacement bulbs? Is it powered by a USB port instead of batteries or an electrical outlet? Perhaps it’s made with bendable copper wire for easier placement around picture frames and banisters.

Our Picks For The Top Holiday Lights

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Product Overview
Our Take
  Best Globe Lights

Brightown Globe String Lights, 25 ft

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

Brightown

Globe String Lights, 25 ft

Each strand of this set of string lights is 25 feet long, which makes them perfect for rooftops, patios, backyards and even wedding venues.

Overall Take

Classic Globe LookThese string lights are perfect for creating an Instagram-worthy back patio or for decorating indoors.

  Best Decorative USB

Ehome String Lights

Ehome

String Lights

You can't go wrong with this set of string lights, one of the more affordable light sets on the market. Thanks to the copper wire, users can bend and position the lights in a myriad of ways. That also makes them a cinch to wrap around a banister. Perhaps the biggest draw is its ability to be powered via USB port.

Overall Take

Powered by USBYou won't need to worry about batteries with this strand of string lights, as it is powered by a USB plug.

  Also Great

Noma/Inliten Light Set

Noma/Inliten

Light Set

Although this set of string lights is made up of mini lights, it comes with 300 lights in each strand. The wire is green, which means it will easy blend in with the green foliage of your tree. The wires and sturdy and durable and you can use up to three strands together at the same time.

Overall Take

Best Mini LightsWith each set of these string lights, you'll get 300 mini lights with a green wire that blends in perfectly with your evergreen tree.

  Best Classic Light

Prextex Green Wire Light Set

Prextex

Green Wire Light Set

Perfect for decorating a fireplace mantel or a small evergreen tree, this set of string lights features 100 elegant white lights on each strand. Users can connect up to five strands to accommodate larger projects. This light set does come with two extra bulbs.

Overall Take

Simple Yet ElegantThis string light set made exclusively of white lights can be used indoors or outdoors to set either a festive or romantic mood.

Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, Simplemost analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
17

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the holiday lights available to purchase.
10

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

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48

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources.

10,385

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

The Best Bang For Your Buck

Ehome String Lights

Our Total Score

8.6

Our Take

You can't go wrong with this set of string lights, one of the more affordable light sets on the market. Thanks to the copper wire, users can bend and position the lights in a myriad of ways. That also makes them a cinch to wrap around a banister. Perhaps the biggest draw is its ability to be powered via USB port.

What to Look For

  • Never use a light set that has frayed cords, empty sockets or exposed wiring.
  • Never add more strands than what is recommended in the product information sheet. This could pose a fire hazard.
  • When hanging outdoor lights, stick with light clips that are designed specifically for use with lights. Nails and screws work to secure the lights, but there is a risk you could puncture the cord and expose the wiring. You’ll also need to use a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet with outdoor lights to protect against the winter elements.
  • Always conduct an inspection of any lights that you have from a previous year before using them again.
  • Look for a UL Safety Certification on the product label. This certification means that the lights have gone through testing and have been found to meet industry standards.
  • Festive lights don’t have to be stored away 11 months out of the year. They work great to accent a family portrait or a piece of wall art. They can be used to light up your banister or an outdoor walkway for better night vision.
  • If you have a strand or two of lights that no longer work, you can recycle them. Many organizations are willing to take the old lights off your hands because lights are made using copper, plastic and sometimes glass. All of these materials can be melted down to make new products, which reduces waste.
  • When comparing light prices, you’ll first need to take into account how many lights are on each strand. After that, look for any extras the light set may offer. For example, the Noma/Inliten Light Set has 300 lights per strand versus the 100 lights the other sets offer, so it commands a higher price. Although the TaoTronics String Lights with Remote Control has the same amount of lights as the Prextex Green Wire Light Set and the Ehome String Lights, it costs a little more due to its added remote control and multiple brightness options.

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