Shopping for Christmas lights in 2026 means choosing between very different things: a curtain that shows pictures, a projector that throws them onto a wall, a tree made of light strands, fairy lights you bend into any shape. They don't do the same job, so the best choice depends on where the lights go and what you want people to see. Here's a quick comparison first, then what each type is good at.
At a glance
| Type | What it shows | Where it works best | Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smart curtain lights | Pictures, words and animations from 400 individually controlled LEDs | Windows and balconies; IP44, so under cover outside | USB 5V |
| Christmas light projector | 16 rotating Christmas patterns on a wall, ceiling or house front | Indoors, parties, porches; 1.5 to 5 m (5–16 ft) from the surface | USB, 5V/2A adapter |
| Star waterfall lights | A cone-shaped tree of light from a star topper, 8 modes | Garden trees, porch posts, balconies and patios | USB or solar |
| Firecracker fairy lights | Warm-white bursts of light on a wire that holds any shape | Indoors: the tree, a mantel, a vase, a window | USB, with remote |
| Photo clip string lights | A warm-white glow with your photos and cards clipped on | Indoors: walls, headboards, shelves, stairs | 3 × AA batteries |
1. Smart curtain lights: pictures, words and animations
If you want people in the street to see Santa, falling snow or "Merry Christmas", you need individually controlled LEDs. Our smart curtain lights have 400 of them on a 2 × 2 m or 3 × 3 m curtain, with 100+ scenes, your own text and drawings, 5 music modes, an app, a remote and a timer. They hang from a balcony railing, a curtain rod or a window frame. IP44 means splash-resistant, so outside, hang them under cover.
Shown: the smart animated Christmas lights on a balcony railing. Still comparing sets? Here's how to choose Christmas curtain lights.
2. A light projector: moving pictures with nothing to hang
A projector is the quickest way to cover a big surface: point it and plug it in. Ours turns slowly and throws 16 Christmas patterns, from snowflakes to Santa and reindeer, onto a wall, a ceiling or the front of the house. The further away it stands, from about 1.5 to 5 m (5–16 ft), the bigger the picture. It needs a surface for the picture to land on and looks best once it's dark. It runs on USB: use a 5V/2A adapter, not a fast charger (adapter not included).
Shown: the Christmas light projector at a party, with how big the picture gets at each distance.
3. Star waterfall lights: a tree of light outside
No room for a real tree by the door or in the garden? Star waterfall lights drop nine light strands from a star topper: fix the star at the top of a garden tree or a post and peg the strands out into a cone. They come with 2 m or 3 m strands in warm white, white or multicolour, with 8 modes from a steady glow to twinkle and chase. For a spot without a socket, pick the solar version with its own panel (in warm white or multicolour).
Shown: star waterfall Christmas lights in a snowy front garden. More ideas: 8 Christmas tree alternatives.
4. Firecracker fairy lights: a soft sparkle in any shape
When you want glow rather than pictures, firecracker lights are the most flexible: little bursts of warm-white LEDs on a fine silver wire that holds whatever shape you bend it into. Weave them through the tree, lay them along the mantel, fill a glass vase or frame a window from the inside. There are 1.5 m (50 LEDs) and 6 m (200 LEDs) sets, a remote for modes and brightness and a USB plug (adapter not included). They're for indoor use.
Shown: firecracker fairy lights shaped into a heart, around a sign and on a reindeer.
5. Photo clip string lights: light with your photos and cards
These are lights you live with: a string of warm-white LEDs with clips for this year's Christmas cards, family photos or the kids' drawings. Choose 2 m (20 LEDs), 5 m (50 LEDs) or 10 m (100 LEDs). They run on 3 AA batteries (not included), so they go indoors on any wall, headboard or staircase, even with no socket nearby.
Shown: photo clip string lights with instant photos. More ideas: 8 easy ways to display Christmas cards.
6. Power: USB, solar or batteries
Check the power before you fall for an effect. The smart curtain lights, the projector and the firecracker lights run on USB: a standard USB wall adapter (not included) works for all three, for the projector a 5V/2A one rather than a fast charger, and the curtain and the firecracker lights also run from a power bank. The star waterfall lights come as USB or solar, and the photo clip string lights run on AA batteries. Outdoors, always keep the USB plug and adapter somewhere dry and covered.
7. Mix two types for the whole house
These types work best together because each does a different job. Smart curtain lights on the balcony for the pictures and star waterfall lights on the garden tree below; the projector on the living room wall and firecracker lights on the mantel; photo clip lights with the cards in the hallway. Pick one light that people see from the street and one you enjoy from the sofa.
Shown: the projector in a living room with the tree and the fireplace. More ideas: 8 Christmas photo backdrop ideas.
The short answer
- Pictures and words on a balcony or in a window: smart curtain lights.
- Moving patterns on a wall or the house front with nothing to hang: a light projector.
- A tree of light outside, even without a socket: solar star waterfall lights.
- A soft glow in any shape indoors: firecracker fairy lights; with photos and cards: photo clip string lights.
- Delivery: free tracked shipping, dispatched in 1 to 3 business days and delivered in 7 to 12. Order by 1 December for Christmas.
- Returns: unused items in their original packaging can be returned within 30 days of delivery.
More Christmas lighting ideas
- More ideas: how to choose Christmas curtain lights, 8 Christmas balcony decoration ideas, 8 Christmas window decoration ideas and how to hang curtain lights.
- Browse all our Christmas decorations or our 12 Christmas gift ideas under $30.
Not sure what to write on your curtain lights? Here are 48 short messages for Christmas and New Year.
Looking for more lights? See all our Christmas lights.
Still have a question? Here are 15 answers about smart curtain lights.
Want the lights to put on a show? Here's how to make a Christmas light show at home, no programming.
Using a projector? Here are 8 tips for a Christmas light projector: wall, distance and picture size.
Questions about shipping, returns or the warranty? See our help page.