Handmade craft products are often a lot more valuable than manufactured goods. If you choose to shop handmade this holiday season, you can put the money you’d spend on mass-manufactured goods to good use. You’ll find that the quality of many handmade products is also superior to their mass produced counter parts.
However, if you’re looking for Christmas lights for your home, you’ll probably have to look beyond the options handmade retailers are offering. The best Christmas lights are usually the ones made by professional manufacturers. Our roundup of the best battery operated Christmas lights of 2019 is a good example of those.
Generations of homeowners have relied on these lights to add extra sparkle to their Christmas decorations. In fact, the top picks might seem familiar to some of you.
While these lights are very popular, if you are still on the fence, there are excellent alternatives made by smaller companies.
They might not be very well-known, but, rest assured, our in-depth reviews will prove to you that they are just as good.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Operated String Lights | Best Overall |  |
| Dailyart Globe String Light,LED Starry Light Fairy Light | Budget Pick |  |
| Christmas Lights 50 LED String Lights Battery Operated Clear Mini Lights Set | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Battery Operated String Lights
Pros:
- Waterproof, submersible lights make them great for indoor or outdoor use
- The battery life is excellent
- Last up to 3 years with normal use and 1,000 hours of use
- Lights are very bright
Cons:
- The clear bulbs can yellow and fade over time
- The cord is a bit short
- The lights work best if there is no humidity in the air
- Requires 5AA batteries (not included)
2 Years Warranty.
The LOENDE light strings are one of, or the best, LED lights on the market. These lights can be placed inside or outside. They are rechargeable and the battery lasts a long time.
Once you turn these lights on, these babies are brighter than many others on the market.
2. Christmas Lights 50 LED String Lights Battery Operated Clear Mini Lights Set
Pros:
- Waterproof
- 4 different colors (red, blue, green, and white)
- Approx. 50 LED bulbs
- On/off switch on the end of the string
- Battery powered with 3 AA batteries included
- Functions as a guide light
Cons:
- Fewer lights than some other battery powered sets on the market
- Not quite bright enough to supplement electric lights
- Wire is very delicate and bends easily if moved roughly
These 50 light string lights are about the most inexpensive battery powered options out there. They’re great for parties and gatherings, and since the lights operate independently from each other you can even wrap them in the wire and create blinking colored scarves for dancing or other activities.
Since these run on battery power they’re also safe to use outdoors, and great for decorating trees. If used outdoors in the rain, it’s best to remove the battery pack.
Their lightweight and flexible wire makes them the perfect choice for hanging Christmas lights on wreaths or other objects.
3. accmor 6 Pack 10ft/3m 30 LEDs Mini Bulb Battery Operated Fairy String Lights
Pros:
- Plenty of good color selection
- The battery case is included with purchase
- Bright and safe for indoor/outdoor use
- Lightweight
- Won’t overheat
Cons:
- Some users have reported they took some time to arrive
- Make sure you turn off the lights. The battery cover can’t seem to close all the way with the lights turned on
These adorable lights from Accmor are a fun addition to any home. Whether you have children who think they’re the best thing ever or you just want a few strands to decorate your home these are a great choice.
They come in either warm white or cold white with festive blinking or steady illumination modes that you can pre-set before you’re ready to use them.
It features a wrap around design that allows for more coverage and they come with handy hooks on each of the lights that allow you to hang them up for a more permanent installation.
4. Dailyart Globe String Light,LED Starry Light Fairy Light
Pros:
- Available in 6m and 13m
- Safe for children, the lights don’t attract insects or animals
- A fantastic price/quality ratio
Cons:
- The low-intensity means they lose their charge quickly
- The light can be a bit dim
- The battery life is about one month under natural sunlight
We have all been there. You’ve finally completed your Christmas decoration and you want everyone to admire your handiwork. You then realise that you’ve forgotten to buy lights to hang up outside your house.
You start panicking, but then you remember that you do have this string of battery powered lights! Once you’ve purchased them, you can finally hang up your Christmas lights.
These lights’ 40 LEDs produce an attractive warm white glow, and they feature 5 levels of flickering effects. And they’re waterproof so you can put them out however you want.
5. LE Globe String Lights
Pros:
- Timer Function
- Bright and Long Lasting Lights
- Efficient Battery
Cons:
- The battery box is hard to hide, especially when your lights are outside
- Remote can be flimsy
- Some have reported faulty remotes
LE Globe String Lights, Battery Operated, Ball String Lights with Remote, Timer and 8 Modes, 16.4ft 50 LED, Indoor Outdoor Decorative Fairy Lights for Bedroom, Party, Christmas and More
This battery operated string of globe lights is perfect for setting a romantic mood in your bedroom, dining room, kitchen and patio.
The globe string light is made up of 13 individual icicle-looking globe shaped LED lights on a 10 feet long clear string wire.
6. Outdoor LED String Lights,17 feet 50 LEDs Mood Lighting Strands,Diamond Strawberry C3 Bulbs,Colored Christmas Lights,for Patio Garden Holiday Wedding Decor-MAXINDA
Pros:
- Long life
- Dimmable
- UL certified
- Waterproof
- Great price
- 2 year warranty
- EZ to hang
- LEDs are rated to last 50,000 hours
Cons:
- Some of the bulbs have issues with cracking
- Some of the bulbs have issues with blinking
These UL Certified outdoor patio string lights are going to make decorating for the holiday fun and easy. They feature a thin, LED strand wire which makes it impossible to tangles. Plus, they’re waterproof and have a weather-resistant design so that you can place them anywhere in the home or garden, even places that get wet.
This collection features translucent colored bulbs, multi colored. Each bulb shines a bright white light, the LED bulbs will glow for up to 8 hours after being turned on. These are fantastic for creating a beautiful atmosphere on your patio. They’re weather resistant so they’ll last year after year.
But what I really love about them is the long life LED technology. These lights are going to last for a long time. Depending on the brand of LED bulb, they’re rated for anywhere from 350,000 to even a million hours.
7. DecorNova Rattan String Lights
Pros:
- Can set for 24 hours on mode
- 3 AA battery case included
- 18 month warranty
- Different lighting modes: warm white, fast flash and slow flash
- Can connect to one another when placed in the same mode and sync up to create a long string of light
- Can light up to 30 days on one set of 3 AA batteries, or until the bulbs blow (but that doesn’t happen often)
- Featured on Shark Tank and named best lights on the market
Cons:
- The bulbs aren’t as bright as the C9 LED Christmas bulbs
- The string of light doesn’t get real hot
If you’re looking for great lights for an outdoor event, these battery powered Christmas lights won’t disappoint. With warm white bulbs, steady flash or fast flashing, you can’t find a better deal than this.
The light can last 30 days on a set of 3 AA batteries and are bright enough to light up your home in the dark of winter.
These lights are surprisingly well built and put out a lot of light. They’re made with quality materials, not cheap plastic.
8. Homeleo 50ft 100 LED Star String Lights,Battery Operated LED Star Lights
Pros:
- Extendable by adding more strings
- No electrical cords
- Slow twinkle effect
- No warm-up delay
- No restriction on placement
Cons:
- Higher initial cost than typical lights
- Main unit appears to be plastic
- String can feel a little flimsy
Let's talk about Christmas lights for a minute. Yes, it seems like a random thing to talk about, but I'll tell you why it's completely legit.
We received a set of these star string lights and I had no idea what to do with them. I was sure I had seen them before but couldn't think of where I had seen them. After a bit of a Google search, I determined that it's the same exact lights they have at Disney, but in a different shape.
I don't know about you, but going to Disney in the summer isn't exactly on my bucket list … but we've definitely got the Christmas lights. And you know what? The quality is spectacular. They are nice and bright with just the right amount of twinkle.
9. IMPRESS LIFE Candy Cane Christmas Theme String Lights
Pros:
- High rating on amazon
- Good length
- Easy to setup
- Bright
- Decently priced
- USB powered
- 8 modes
- No cords
Cons:
- Only one set of lights not larger.
- Volume is low
- Colors are a bit limited
These Candy Cane Christmas theme lights are perfect for decorating indoors and out. They’re lightweight and easy to use. They’re powered by three AA batteries (not included).
These lights have a handy remote that can control all of the lights and their modes. The remote has three stop lights so you can always find the light you’re looking for. The lights are bright enough to cover a wide area but not too bright to dazzle you and your guests.
Some lights (not this one) also have a built-in light sensor that shuts them off at dawn and turns them on at dusk.
10. Battery Operated Warm White LED String Lights
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Cheaper than regular lights
- Safe
Cons:
- Requires batteries
- Only available in one color
For Decorations, Forests, Trees, Luminaries.
There are a hundred and one reasons to love these battery powered lights. They’re not only cheaper than standard lights, but you can easily change the length, so if you need them to be longer or shorter you can. They’re safe for indoor use, and they’re the perfect cheaper alternative to real glass LED light bulbs. You won’t be afraid to extend them over a railing, or to hang in a tree, nor will you have to worry about your young children being too close to them because they’re entirely safe to use.
The downside is that you’ll need to keep your batteries in check, and make sure they’re all regularly charged, but it’s worth this small inconvenience for the amazing benefits they have.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the best battery operated Christmas lights?
The Energizer® Easy-Grip® 25-Light LED Battery Operated Christmas Light Set is my favorite pick for most people. These lights are waterproof and come with a storage bag for easy storage.
If you don’t want to deal with replacing the batteries, the GE® C7BN/C5/W5 LED 25-Light Battery Operated Christmas Light Set is a great option. This set contains a charger that can hold up to six strings of lights, and it charges in almost any outlet.
Here are some more of our favorite Christmas power options.
How long do battery powered Christmas lights last?
Battery-operated Christmas lights come with a variety of claims on how many hours their lights will glow before the batteries need to be replaced. This is an exaggerated promise, of course. You should never count on a timer to get you through an entire holiday season. In reality, you can expect several weeks to a month or so of light-show fun from a set of batteries.
If that time frame is acceptable for you, then battery-powered Christmas lights are a great choice. If you’re planning to leave the lights up all year, you might want to consider infrared automatic Christmas lights instead.
Can you power Christmas lights with batteries?
Yes, it is possible to power standard Christmas lights with batteries. This solution makes particular sense if you're not sure about your power supply. For example, if your power is unreliable (as it might be during a long power outage), then you might use battery power.
What are the best Christmas lights to buy?
This might not be an easy question to answer, but these days there is a variety of options for LED and incandescent lights. The quality, length of bulb life, and the cost all factor into that decision.
In our opinion, the best strings of lights to buy are the LED variety. Although they cost more up front than incandescent options, they last much longer and are cost-effective in the end. Sometimes I stick a few 100-count packs of incandescent lights on the tree to fill in the gaps and help save some cash.
Conclusion
In the world of Christmas lights, you shouldn’t expect to find anything cheap. In fact, they’re some of the most expensive Christmas decorations you’ll find. That said, the best decorations for a Christmas light display do offer a great value that can create the ambience you want for a celebration.
What are the best battery operated Christmas lights? For 2019, we’ve selected the new version of LOREX Starry.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Operated String Lights | Best Overall | |
| Dailyart Globe String Light,LED Starry Light Fairy Light | Budget Pick | |
| Christmas Lights 50 LED String Lights Battery Operated Clear Mini Lights Set | Upgrade Pick | |