Types of Christmas Lights: A Guide to Every Style

You open the storage bin in November and find three kinds of lights tangled together: tiny ones, chunky old-style bulbs and a strand of something that hangs down like icicles. They all count as Christmas lights, but each one does a different job. The main types of Christmas lights are mini string lights, big-bulb C7 and C9 lights, curtain and icicle lights, net lights, specialty effects like meteor shower and waterfall lights, permanent eave lights and projector lights. This guide explains what each type looks like, where it works best and how to pick the right one for your tree, porch and roofline.

What are the main types of Christmas lights?

There are seven common types of Christmas lights, and most homes use two or three of them together. Here is a quick comparison before we go through each one.

Mini string lights: the everyday workhorse

Mini string lights are the small lights most people picture when they think of a Christmas tree. Each light is tiny, so you need a lot of them to make an impact, which is why they come in long strings with hundreds of LEDs. They wrap easily around branches, slip through garland and outline a porch rail without looking bulky.

For a typical tree, a dense multicolor string like the 400-LED multicolor string lights covers a lot of branches in one go: 400 lights on a 33 ft string, rated IP44 for indoor and outdoor use, with an end-to-end plug to add more sets. If you are lighting a big outdoor tree or outlining a whole house, a single very long run saves a pile of connections. Our 330 ft string with 1,000 LEDs comes with a remote for 8 modes and 8 brightness levels, plus a daily timer (6 hours on, 18 hours off).

Not sure how many strings your tree needs? Our chart in How Many Feet of Christmas Lights for a Tree breaks it down by tree height.

What is the difference between C7 and C9 Christmas lights?

C7 and C9 lights are both large, classic-shaped bulbs, and the main difference is size: C9 bulbs are the bigger of the two. The letter refers to the cone-like shape and the number to the bulb's size, so a C9 reads clearly from the street while a C7 is a little more delicate.

Because they are bold, big bulbs are the traditional choice for rooflines, gutters, fences and porch rails, where you want the outline of the house to stand out from a distance. They can also go on a tree for a vintage look, though they work best on larger trees with sturdy branches.

Our C9 LED string lights have 25 faceted bulbs that catch the light and sparkle, on a green wire, plug-in at 120V and IP44 for outdoor use. They come in warm white, cool white or multicolor, so you can go nostalgic or crisp.

Curtain, icicle and net lights: coverage without wrapping

Curtain and icicle lights hang strands down from one long top line, so you get a whole wall of light from a single run. Icicle lights have shorter, uneven drops and usually go along the eaves; curtain lights have longer drops and suit windows, walls and party backdrops.

The 300-LED warm white curtain lights spread 12 strands across 9.8 ft, with 8 modes chosen from the adapter button and a low-voltage design rated IP44. Hang them behind sheer curtains and they look just as good in January as they do in December. For more ways to use them, see our Christmas front porch light ideas.

Net lights solve a different problem: bushes. Instead of wrapping a hedge string by string, you lay a grid of lights over it. The battery Christmas net lights measure 6.6 x 9.8 ft with 192 warm-white LEDs and 8 modes, and because they run on batteries, you don't need an outlet near the garden bed.

Meteor shower and waterfall lights: lights that move

Effect lights add motion to a display. Meteor shower lights are clear tubes where light runs down from top to bottom, so a tree or roofline looks like falling rain or shooting stars. Our meteor shower Christmas lights use clear PC tubes made for outdoor use, plug in with the included plug and come in sets of 1, 2 or 4, so you can hang them in trees, along eaves, on a pergola or on an indoor tree.

Waterfall tree lights are the shortcut for anyone who dreads wrapping a tree. A ring sits on the top of the tree and the strands fall down to the base. The waterfall Christmas tree lights fit trees from 4.9 to 7.9 ft, come with 10 or 16 strands of 6.6 ft each, run on USB power and switch colors and effects from a remote.

Permanent eave lights: put them up once

Permanent Christmas lights are light pods that mount along the eaves, roofline or gutters and stay up all year, so you skip the ladder every December. With RGB-IC control, each pod can show its own color, which means warm white on ordinary nights, red and green for Christmas and orange for Halloween from the same lights.

Our RGB-IC permanent eave lights come in 50, 100 or 150 ft runs, with app and remote control, music sync and a timer. The lights are IP67 sealed and the controller is IP65, rated for -4°F to 122°F, and they mount with screws or self-adhesive backing.

Projector lights: the quickest decoration

Projector lights cast moving patterns, like snowflakes, Santa or stars, onto a wall, ceiling or the front of the house. You set one down, aim it and plug it in, so there is no hanging at all. They are a smart pick for renters, for high walls you can't reach and for kids' rooms. Browse the full range in our projector lights collection.

LED or incandescent: which type of Christmas light should you choose?

For most homes, LED is the better choice. LED Christmas lights use much less electricity than old incandescent bulbs, stay cooler to the touch and handle being packed away and pulled out year after year. Incandescent lights still have fans for their soft, old-fashioned glow, but warm white LEDs now come very close to that look.

A few other choices matter more than the bulb technology:

• Power source. Plug-in strings suit long runs and big displays. Battery lights work where there is no outlet, such as a wreath, a mantel or a garden bed.
• Indoor or outdoor. Check the product page. Only use lights outside if they are rated for outdoor use, and keep plugs and adapters out of puddles and snow.
• Color. Warm white feels cozy and classic, cool white looks crisp and wintry, and multicolor feels playful and nostalgic.
• Control. A remote or app lets you change modes and set timers without going outside in the cold.

Which type of Christmas lights works best for each spot?

You will find all of the string, curtain, net and effect lights above in our Christmas lights collection.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most popular types of Christmas lights?

Mini string lights are the most common, since they go on almost every tree. C9 bulbs and icicle lights are the most popular choices for the outside of the house.

Are C9 or mini lights better for a Christmas tree?

Mini lights are better for most trees because they tuck into the branches and give an even glow. C9 bulbs give a bold vintage look on larger trees with sturdy branches.

Can you use indoor Christmas lights outside?

No. Only use lights outdoors if the product says they are made for outdoor use, and use outdoor-rated extension cords. Keep adapters and battery boxes out of standing water and snow.

What is the difference between curtain lights and icicle lights?

Both hang strands from a top line. Icicle lights have short, uneven drops for eaves, while curtain lights have longer strands that cover a window or wall.

Are permanent Christmas lights worth it?

They are worth it if you dislike ladder work or want lights for several holidays a year, since they stay up and change colors from an app.

Conclusion

Once you know the types of Christmas lights, planning a display gets easier: mini lights for the tree, big bulbs or eave lights for the roofline, nets for the bushes, curtains for the windows and an effect light or projector for a little magic. Pick two or three types, keep the colors consistent and follow each product's instructions, and your home will glow all season.