Black Friday 2026 Christmas Lights: What to Check Before You Buy

Check where the lights will hang, then match the rating, bulb type, strand length and plug style. Lights labeled for indoor use only should stay inside, and the label should state how many strands can connect end to end. Measure your tree or roofline first. More in the christmas trees and decor department.

Indoor or outdoor

Packaging says whether a set is for indoor use only, outdoor use or both. Outdoor lights are built to handle weather, with sealed sockets and covers. Using an indoor set outdoors risks damage to the lights and to the wiring.

Outdoor sets plug into a weather-protected outlet, and extension cords should also be rated for outdoor use. Follow the label and the manual for safe use.

Bulb types compared

Measuring how much you need

For a tree, measure the height and the width at the base, since strands wrap around as well as up. For rooflines, measure each edge. For shrubs, a net set covers a lot of area quickly.

Check strand length including the lead cord, the space between bulbs and the number of bulbs. Strands with closer bulbs look denser. Many sets can be connected end to end, but each has a limit.

Christmas Lights to compare

Check whether the lights are rated for outdoor use, and measure what you plan to cover. Listings by light type are below.

Shop Christmas Lights→

Opens eBay in a new tab. Check condition, seller feedback and returns.

• Warm whiteBrowse →
• MulticolorBrowse →
• C9Browse →
• MiniBrowse →
• IcicleBrowse →
• NetBrowse →

Color and effects

Warm white gives a traditional glow. Cool white is crisper and bluer. Multicolor suits a playful look. Some sets offer color-changing modes, steady burn, twinkle or chase effects, often through a controller or a remote. Look at whether the effects can be turned off, since some people prefer steady lights.

Wire, plug and controls

Green wire blends into a tree, white wire hides against light-colored trim, and black wire disappears on dark surfaces. Check the plug type, since some strands have a second socket on the end for linking. Timers and remotes are handy, and plug-in timers save you from switching lights on and off by hand.

Battery-powered strands are useful where there is no outlet, such as wreaths and centerpieces.

Handling and storage

Wind lights loosely around a spool or cardboard when you take them down. Test each strand before you hang it, replace failed bulbs where the set allows it and throw away strands with cracked insulation. Keep cords off sharp edges.

Hanging and powering safely

Plan your route from the outlet before you start. Fasten strands with clips made for the job, not nails or staples through the cord. Test every strand on the ground first, and replace any bulbs that fail. Use outdoor-rated extension cords outside, and keep plugs off the wet ground. Avoid overloading outlets, and turn lights off when you leave home or go to bed, or use a timer. Take the lights down carefully at the end of the season, and keep them coiled in a box or on a reel so they are ready for next time.

Lights for different spots

Each spot suits a different strand. Trees are happiest with mini lights wrapped on the branches from the trunk outward. Rooflines and gutters suit icicle strands or larger bulbs, which show up from the street. Railings, wreaths and mantels take smaller, bendable strands, and battery-powered sets save the trouble of finding an outlet. Windows look good with curtain lights that hang in vertical drops. For shrubs and hedges, net lights save time. Pick a color scheme across your spots so that the display looks planned instead of mixed.

Buying online

For marketplace listings, look for clear photos of the package label showing the rating, the length and the bulb count. Check whether the set is indoor, outdoor or both, and whether a spare bulb or fuse is included. Confirm that new sets are sealed in their original packaging. Used strands should be tested, so ask the seller whether they work. Look at the seller’s feedback and the return policy before you order.