Best Christmas lights 2025: I tested dozens of decorations in my home - these are my favourites from top brands like John Lewis, Argos and more
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With Christmas right around the corner, there's no better time to start decorating the house with festive cheer.
But with so much choice, it can be hard to know where to start when it comes to choosing which lights are the best for your gaff and how to avoid Christmas decor mistakes.
Do you go for coloured or white lights, simple or something different? And do you decorate just your tree or the mantelpiece and rest of your home too?
Luckily, we've reviewed dozens to find the prettiest and most twinkly illuminations available to buy right now.
And there's something to suit every home - whether you live in a house or a flat.
Best Christmas lights at a glance
- Best overall Christmas tree lights: John Lewis 500 Multifunction LED Lights
- Best white lights: Ollny Fairy Lights Battery Operated
- Best coloured lights: Habitat Multicoloured LED Christmas String Lights
- Best for Christmas parties party: John Lewis Neon Xmas Light
- Best outdoor Christmas lights: B&Q 300 Warm White LED Icicle Lights
- Best bauble Christmas lights: Lumineo Battery Operated 20 Led Bauble Lights
- Best window lights: Argos Home Warm White Star Christmas Curtain Lights
- Best mantelpiece Christmas lights: B&Q 10 Warm White Snowglobe LED String Lights
How we test
Hayley Minn tests out Christmas lights around her flat
When testing Christmas decorations, we put them up in our home to see what they actually look like in real life. In the case of Christmas lights, we also try and see how many times the string will wrap around a 6ft Christmas tree. If you still haven't got round to buying your tree yet, read our expert guide on how to pick one out fit for royalty.
From looking at how the lights are powered, to how good they look, and how versatile they are, our tests are designed to ensure every product on this list is worth your money. We also take into consideration things like design and value for money, so that our reviews tell the full story.
You can read more about our testing methodologies across all product categories.
We then collate and compare how well each product performs so you can choose the best Christmas lights for your home.
1. Best overall Christmas tree lights: John Lewis 500 Compact Multifunction LED Lights
John Lewis' 500 Compact Multifunction LED Lights - pictured on the tree in white - were Hayley's favourite overall
500 Compact Multifunction LED Lights
Product Specs
- Colour variationsWarm white, Multicoloured
- FunctionsSteady on, In waves, Sequential, Slo-glo, Chasing/Fade, Slow fade, Twinkle/flash, Combination
What we love
- VersatileThese lights can be used indoors and outdoors
- Flashing functionsThere are so many different modes the lights go through
- TimerThe timer automatically switches the lights off after eight hours
I absolutely loved these lights. At 11m long, they're so versatile, and come in both white and multicoloured.
They can be used indoors and outdoors, but I put them around my 6ft Christmas tree, and they fit perfectly.
They have so many different flashing functions, so give that festive vibe constantly when they're on.
And you don't need to remember to turn them off as they come with a timer, which turns the lights on at the same time every evening, and switches them off after eight hours.
2. Best white Christmas lights: Ollny Fairy Lights Battery Operated
Ollny Fairy Lights Battery Operated
Product Specs
- Battery capacity3 AAAs (not included)
- Dimensions10m x2
- Waterproof?Yes
What we love
- VersatilityCan be used outdoors and indoors
- PriceGreat value for money
What could be better
- Battery-operatedQuite a few AAAs will be needed to get you through Christmas
- No flashing functionThey're just steady lights
These white lights are so pretty and made my flat feel really warm and Christmassy.
They're also really long and waterproof, so can be used anywhere - indoors or outdoors.
However, because they're battery-operated rather than mains, you're likely going to need quite a few AAA batteries to get you through Christmas if you want to keep them on for long periods of time.
Also, they don't have flashing functions, like some of the others do.
3. Best coloured Christmas tree lights: Habitat Multicoloured LED Christmas String Lights
Habitat Multicoloured LED Christmas String Lights
Product Specs
- TimerYes
- Functions8
- Dimensions80 lights, Full length: 8.9m, 5m lead length between plug and decoration. 3.95m lit section with 5cm distance between bulbs.
What we love
- PriceThese lights are so affordable and great value for money
- FunctionsLoads of light modes
What could be better
- VersatilityCan only use the lights indoors
4. Best Christmas party lights: John Lewis Neon Xmas Light
Neon Xmas Light
Product Specs
- Power sourceMains
- FunctionsStatic
- DimensionsW12 x D40cm
- Light colourBlue
What we love
- DesignIt's a really fun, unique design
- Easy to hang upComes with a kit so it's easy to hang up
What could be better
- VersatilityIt's not a very versatile light
- SizeIt could be bigger for more of a statement
Considering how cheap they are, these coloured lights are great. They fit all the way round my 6ft Christmas tree about five or six times and made the whole room come alive.
The lights have eight different modes, all of which give a festive feel, and there's a handy timer so you don't need to remember to switch them off.
The only downside of these is you can only use them inside.
5. Best outdoor Christmas lights: B&Q 300 Warm White LED Icicle Lights
B&Q's 300 Warm White LED Icicle Lights wrapped all the way around Hayley's balcony and across her table and chairs
300 Warm White LED Icicle Lights
Product Specs
- Number of functions8
- Dimensions22m
- Light colourWarm white
What we love
- DesignSo pretty and Christmassy
- PriceGreat value for money
- SizeSo long I was able to wrap them around my balcony and table and chair set
I absolutely love these lights. They're so pretty and perfect for decorating your house, hanging them to your roof, or your balcony like I've done.
In fact, they're so long, I was able to wrap them across my - quite long - balcony, and then around my table and chairs set.
They come with a timer too, so you can set them to come on in the evening and turn themselves off.
They're also great value for money.
6. Best bauble Christmas lights: Lumineo Battery Operated 20 Led Bauble Lights
Lumineo Battery Operated 20 LED Bauble Lights
Product Specs
- Power source2 x AA batteries (not included)
- DimensionsLength: 30cm
What we love
- DesignReally cute and unusual
- VersatileCan be used anywhere - just not on a big tree
What could be better
- LengthShort so can't wrap all the way around a tree
- Battery-poweredThe AA batteries will need replacing
These lights are very cute - and perfect if you love baubles. They'll brighten up any house.
They're quite short, so dont really work to go around a tree, but they'd look great decorating the mantelpiece.
They're also battery powered, so it's likely you'll need a good few AA batteries to get you through Christmas
7. Best Christmas lights for windows: Argos Home Warm White Star Shaped Christmas Curtain Lights
Argos Home Warm White Star Shaped Christmas Curtain Lights
Product Specs
- Number of functions8
- TimerYes
- DimensionsSize H 180, W 180
What we love
- DesignSo pretty and really long
- VersatilityCan go indoors or outdoors
- Mains poweredDon't need extra batteries
I love these so much - with 180 stars, they're so long.
And they can go indoors or outdoors, so they're perfect for putting in the window, or hanging off your balcony or roof.
They're also mains powered, so you don't need any extra batteries for them.
8. Best mantelpiece Christmas lights: B&Q 10 Warm White Snowglobe LED String Lights
B&Q's 10 Warm White Snowglobe LED String Lights are perfect for decorating a mantelpiece
10 Warm White Snowglobe LED String Lights
Product Specs
- Power source2 x AA batteries
- Dimensions1.65m, 10 bulbs
What we love
- DesignReally cute and unusual, like snowglobes
- PriceReally great value
- TimerAutomatic timer
What could be better
- Battery-poweredThe batteries will probably need replacing
These lights are so unusual, and so sweet with the little Christmas trees inside, almost like light-up snow globes.
They're perfect for a mantelpiece, or I've put mine on my TV stand underneath my television.
They can only be used indoors and are powered by two AA batteries, which will probably need replacing at some point before Christmas. But there's an automatic timer included on the lights, which means they switch off after six hours and back on again after 18.
Our verdict
If I were to buy any Christmas lights on this list, it would be the John Lewis 500 Compact Multifunction LED Lights. At 11 metres long, they're really versatile, and can be used all over the home - so will be great for a good few years even if I move house. I also absolutely loved B&Q's 300 Warm White LED Icicle Lights. They're so pretty and can be used to decorate the roof of a house or a balcony - and there's so many of them.
If you're looking for lights specifically to decorate your windows, I’d highly recommend the Argos Home Warm White Star Shaped Christmas Curtain Lights. They're so Christmassy and great value for money.
Why trust us
Our expert team has been testing products and writing reviews for many years, covering a wide range of lifestyle products. This includes everything from coffee machines to vacuum cleaners.
Our reviews are honest, impartial and based on real-world testing. We take into consideration all budgets and lifestyles when reviewing products to ensure you have all the information you need to make an informed buying decision.
FAQs
Can I use indoor lights outdoors?
Not always. Outdoor Christmas lights are built to withstand wet and cold conditions, but a lot of indoor lights aren't.
When buying your decorations, check whether the lights are waterproof, and where the transformer is. It usually states this on the website.
How many lights does my tree need?
While it's dependent on how dense you want the lights on the tree to be, a 6ft fir needs 600 to 900 lights, a 7ft needs 700 to 1050, and an 8ft tree needs 800 to 1200.
When should I take my Christmas lights down?
Tradition says on the 12th day of Christmas, January 6th, but some people just can't bring themselves to return their homes to normal.
It's up to you how long you want to celebrate Christmas for!
