Curtain lights are easy to buy, but not every set turns a balcony or a window into what you see in the photos. Some only flash in a few patterns, others show moving pictures and text, and not all of them can live outside. Here are 8 things to check before you buy Christmas curtain lights, so the set fits, lasts and shows exactly what you have in mind.
1. Measure the space first
Before you look at effects, measure where the lights will hang: the width of the window, the stretch of balcony railing or the wall. Our smart curtain lights come in 2 × 2 m (6 ft 7 in) and 3 × 3 m (9 ft 10 in): the 2 m set fits most balconies and patio doors, the 3 m set wide balconies and house fronts. Pick the width that matches what you measured.
Hanging them for the first time? Here's how to hang curtain lights without drilling.
2. Plain fairy lights or individually controlled LEDs
A plain light curtain can only flash, fade or run a few fixed patterns. With individually controlled LEDs, often called pixel LEDs, every LED gets its own colour, which is what makes pictures, words and animations possible: Santa, falling snow or a greeting. If you want pictures, this is the line to check.
Shown: plain fairy lights before, then a snowman on our smart animated Christmas lights with 400 individually controlled RGB LEDs.
3. How sharp the pictures will be
How detailed a picture looks depends on how many LEDs share how much space. Our curtains always have 400 LEDs: on the 2 m set they sit closer together, so pictures look finer up close; on the 3 m set the picture is bigger and reads well from the street.
Shown: nine of the animated designs on the smart Christmas lights.
4. Indoors or outdoors: the weather rating
The IP rating tells you how well a light is protected against dust and water. IP44 means splash-resistant: fine indoors and in sheltered outdoor spots, like under a balcony roof or a porch, but not for a spot that takes the rain all night. Check the plug too: the USB plug and adapter belong somewhere dry and covered.
Shown: people in the street looking up at a snowman on a balcony.
5. Power: a wall plug or USB
Many light curtains come with their own mains adapter. Ours run on USB 5V: any standard USB phone charger or a power bank works, so the set suits every country, and with a power bank you can hang it where there's no socket. The USB adapter is not included.
6. App, remote and timer
An app is handy for picking designs, typing text or drawing your own; a remote is quicker when you only want to switch. The timer is the feature people underrate most: it switches the lights on and off by itself every evening. Our curtains have all three: a Bluetooth app for iOS and Android, a remote and a timer.
Shown: colourful curtain lights in a living room window, switched with the remote from the sofa.
7. Effects you'll actually use
Think about what you'll look at every evening: ready-made scenes, your own text, your own drawings and music. Our smart curtain lights have 100+ scenes, text and pictures, a DIY mode for drawing, 5 music modes and 16 million colours, with adjustable brightness and speed. If Christmas at your house is about the Nativity, there's a Christian version with a Nativity scene, the Star of Bethlehem and herald angels.
Shown: the features of the smart Christmas lights; the Christian version is our Christian Christmas lights.
8. What's in the box, and what counts after you buy
Check what comes with the set so you can hang it the evening it arrives. With ours: the 400-LED curtain, the USB controller, the remote (AAA batteries not included) and hanging hooks; plus free tracked shipping, 30-day returns with a free return label and a 2-year warranty.
Shown: what comes in the box of the smart Christmas lights.
Quick checklist
- Size: 2 × 2 m for most balconies and patio doors, 3 × 3 m for wide balconies and house fronts.
- Outdoors: IP44 means splash-resistant; hang it under cover and keep the USB plug and adapter dry.
- Power: USB 5V; any USB phone charger or power bank works (adapter not included). The remote takes AAA batteries (not included).
- 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 curtain light ideas
- More ideas: 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 curtain lights are the right type? Compare curtain lights, a projector and fairy lights.
Not sure what to write on your curtain lights? Here are 48 short messages for Christmas and New Year.
Decorating a shop or a café? Here are 8 Christmas window display ideas for shops.
Still have a question? Here are 15 answers about smart curtain lights.
Questions about shipping, returns or the warranty? See our help page.