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10 Best Christmas Tree Lights for a Holiday That's Merry and Bright

Pick the best shape, size, and color bulbs.

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best christmas tree lights
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Every item on this page was chosen by an editor from The Pioneer Woman. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

Fact: A Christmas tree is just a plain old tree until it is strung with lights. It's true that Christmas ornaments and a pretty tree topper make it special, but it's that warm glow from lights that makes it so very merry and bright. If you're reading this in December, it's well past the question of when to put up the Christmas tree—the time is now! So once you decide if you're choosing a real tree or investing in an artificial tree you can use from year to year, the next step is selecting the best Christmas tree lights.

There are various shapes, sizes, and colors, but with one thing in common: they are all string lights, which are ideal for Christmas trees. First, read up on how to put lights on a Christmas tree to determine how you want to hang them and how much lighting you will need. It is recommended that you need about 100 lights per foot of tree. (So for example, a six-foot tree would need 600 lights.) Then, decide on the look that you want. They can be as simple as basic white lights, as complicated as app-controlled sets that blink to music, or somewhere in between.

The lights here can certainly double as outdoor Christmas lights if you want to hang them outside on your roof, too. Just make sure you are compensating with the amount you purchase, especially if they will be dispersed between solar Christmas lights and Christmas light projectors out over the lawn. And lastly, as you're shopping for lights, you may also want to consider your ideal Christmas tree storage so they don't end up in a tangled mess for next year. Happy decorating!

1
Best Overall

Clear Christmas String Lights

Clear Christmas String Lights
Credit: Amazon

If you're not sure where to start or want to ensure your lights go with any and every type of decoration, go with classic white string lights. The bulbs on this affordable set last an average of 2,500 hours and work independently of each other, so one burn out won't ruin the whole strand.

Bulb typeLED
Bulb count100
Length26.5 feet
End-to-end connection5 strings
2
Best Multicolor

Mini Multicolor Christmas Lights

Mini Multicolor Christmas Lights
Credit: Amazon

You can't go wrong with classic multicolored lights! This option is extra long, which is ideal for a larger tree. It also comes with four spare bulbs, four flasher bulbs, and two spare fuses so you can fix any small issues throughout the years.

Bulb typeIncandescent
Bulb count150
Length64.75 feet
End-to-end connection3 strings
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3
Most Versatile

Brizled Color Changing Christmas Lights

Brizled Color Changing Christmas Lights
Credit: Amazon

This set gives you so many options to play around with! It is remote controlled and provides four brightness levels and 11 different lighting modes. Try everything from simple warm white to flashing multicolor, all with a click of a button.

Bulk typeLED
Bulb count200
Length65.67 feet
End-to-end connectionNone
4
Best Value

LED Christmas Lights

LED Christmas Lights
Credit: Amazon

If you know you're going to be purchasing a larger tree or just don't want to deal with connecting multiple strings, this set of 300 lights is the way to go. It also has eight lighting modes and a memory function so you don't have to reset it every time you turn them on.

Bulb typeLED
Bulb count300
Length150 feet
End-to-end connection4 strings
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5
Best Large Bulbs

C7 Multicolor Christmas String Lights

C7 Multicolor Christmas String Lights
Credit: Amazon

Go big or go home if you want that vintage feel. C7 bulbs look just like the classic lights, but these are LED which conserve energy and last longer. Oh, and if one blows out, the whole string will still stay lit.

Bulb typeLED
Bulb count27
Length25 feet
End-to-end connection28 strands
6
Longest Lasting

Holiday Essence Mini Christmas Lights

Holiday Essence Mini Christmas Lights
Credit: Amazon

These mini bulbs are professional grade, so they will last up to a whopping 25,000 hours! They stay cool to the touch, come in five different solids and a multicolor option, and can connect up to 45 times. Mix and match or keep to one color!

Bulb typeLED
Bulb count60
Length16 feet
End-to-end connection45 strings
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7
Most Reviewed

Home Lighting Christmas String Lights

Home Lighting Christmas String Lights
Now 11% Off
Credit: Amazon

Looking for as many recommendations as possible? These lights have over 13,000 reviews! Fans love their memory function and their easy-to-program eight lighting modes. Most of all, they love how bright these lights shine even though they are small and are on the more affordable side.

Bulb typeLED
Bulb count200
Length66 feet
End-to-end connection4 strings
8
Best Twinkle Lights

612 Vermont Christmas Twinkle Lights

612 Vermont Christmas Twinkle Lights
Now 48% Off
Credit: Walmart

If it's twinkle that you're after, it's twinkle you shall have with this set! Only 12 of the lights actually twinkle out of the 100 per strand, but that is on purpose for optimal shimmer. You get two regular and two shimmer replacement bulbs with the pack, too.

Bulb typeIncandescent
Bulb count100
Length21.8 feet
End-to-end connection5 strings
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9
Best Color Options

Blue and White Christmas Lights

Blue and White Christmas Lights
Now 17% Off
Credit: Amazon

If you're kind of over white or multicolored lights, try another fun set. Go for blue and white, solid purple, or a mix of green and red. There are over a dozen options to choose from, all backed with a three-year warrenty.

Bulb typeLED
Bulb count70
Length24 feet
End-to-end connection44 strings
10
Worth the Splurge

Twinkly Strings App-Controlled LED Christmas Lights

Twinkly Strings App-Controlled LED Christmas Lights
Now 11% Off
Credit: Amazon

If you want all the bling options, this set is worth the money! Controlled with a phone app or a home device like Alexa, you can create thousands of different color combinations, brightnesses, and effects. You can even set these lights to flicker and move to music!

Bulb typeLED
Bulb count100
Length26.2 feet
End-to-end connections10 strings
Headshot of AnnMarie Mattila
AnnMarie Mattila
Senior Editor

AnnMarie Mattila is the Senior Editor for The Pioneer Woman, covering a wide range of topics from food and cooking to home, beauty, style, and more.

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