If you are tired of looking at the same lights every holiday season, color-changing outdoor Christmas lights could be for you! As the name would suggest, this type of lighting changes colors, so you don’t have to run out for new Christmas lights anytime you want to make a change.
We know it can be hard letting go of your old-school incandescent string lights, but you won’t regret making the change. So let’s look at color-changing Christmas lights and how they can spruce up your lighting display!
What are color-changing outdoor Christmas lights?
color-changing outdoor Christmas lights are exactly what they sound like. They’re lights that change color! Typically, they’re LED Christmas lights with smart lighting capability. Along with changing the colors, you can program them for light shows to sync them all together. Some of the best styles for color-changing outdoor Christmas lights are:
- Rope lights
- String lights
- Mini lights
- Icicle lights
- Fairy lights
- Permanent Eave LightsÂ
There are a variety of smart Christmas lights to choose from, so you’ll definitely find something to fit your preference. However, before running out to Home Depot and buying the first Christmas lights you see, it’s important to do some research first.Â
How do they work?
The next question on your mind is probably: how do they work? Without getting too technical, we’ll go over the basics. When it comes to Christmas lights, there are usually two types of bulbs: LED and incandescent. Color-changing outdoor Christmas lights are made with LED lights.Â
They aren’t just one simple bulb, however. Color-changing lights are made up of multiple LED lights inside that you can control with a smart plug, smart app, or other smart devices. There are two types of smart bulbs: RGB and color temperature.Â
RGB color LED lights
When we’re talking about color-changing outdoor Christmas lights, this is the type of bulb we mean. RGB bulbs typically consist of several smaller lights inside that are red, blue, and green. When combined, these lights can create any color you want. They also have a full range of whites, from warm white to pure white.Â
You will usually have the software you can access that allows you to use a color spectrum and create whatever you want.Â
Color Temperature Bulbs
Color temperature bulbs have a limited range of color compared to RGB LED bulbs. With this type of bulb, you get one color, but you can adjust the temperature. You’ll get a range from warm to cool, which will have orange tones to blue tones. These are great for your living room to create ambiance and have control, but they are not a great choice for outdoor Christmas lights.Â
Most color-changing outdoor Christmas lights can be controlled right from your phone on an app. You don’t even have to go outside to control your outdoor lights! You can create light shows, set timers, and change the ambiance within seconds.Â
Are smart LED lights worth it?
If you’re asking yourself, are smart bulbs worth it? The answer is typically yes. They last longer than traditional incandescent bulbs, giving you more control.Â
Overall, they’re easy to use. With a variety of options to choose from, they’re some of the best outdoor Christmas lights on the market. Not to mention that they are more energy efficient than their ancestors, the incandescent traditional holiday light. You can run them for longer periods of time without racking up a huge energy bill.Â
The best part is that while they’re ideal for Christmas, you could use them with different color settings all year. In addition, outdoor lights are excellent for parties and an added layer of security.Â
At JellyFish Lighting, our programmable LEDs are simple to use and have several functions. With the app, you can control all of your lighting in one place. The timer function allows you to create a calendar for how you want your outdoor color-changing Christmas lights to behave. You can plan it daily, weekly, and even monthly.Â
Our LED string lights can also be organized by zones. Most LED lighting options restrict you to the same color on one strip light. With Jellyfish Lighting, you can customize your holiday display with different colors on your string lights!Â
Smart Christmas lights are an efficient way to up your Christmas decorations this holiday season. Try out a smart light set today!Â
How much do they cost?
With all of those features, color-changing outdoor Christmas lights must be expensive, right? It’s going to depend on the type of LED lights you choose. Standard outdoor color-changing light bulbs can range from $50-200 per LED bulb.Â
String lights at the Home Depot or Target may be on the cheaper side, but it’s important to consider the color-changing bulb lifespan. On average, a smart LED bulb will last about 23,000 hours. The math on that checks out to about ten years. When you look at it this way, spending a bit more on LED Christmas lights that last is worth it. You’re also getting more features than you would with traditional holiday lights.Â
Another thing to consider is permanent color-changing lights. This is going to, of course, cost much more than purchasing LED string lights. You’ll likely need a professional to install them, but if you plan to stay in your home for a number of years, they might be the best outdoor Christmas lights option for you.Â
Permanent Christmas lights can cost around $2,000 to $10,000 upfront, but you will save money in the long run. You won’t have to replace your holiday lights every time you put up the tree or climb up on a ladder in the freezing cold.Â
Ultimately, the cost is going to depend on your lighting preferences. It’s possible to get the cheapest options on the market, but keep in mind that they won’t last and will require more maintenance than a quality set of lights. Remember, you’re going to be installing these lights during the frigid winter months. The less you have to go outside and deal with them, the better!Â
If you’re on a budget, there are always DIY outdoor Christmas lights. Not only are they more friendly on the wallet, but you also have the freedom to totally customize your design. Mix and match different types of Christmas lights to create your own Christmas decorations that stand out amongst your neighbors!
Do color-changing outdoor Christmas lights require maintenance?
As with many outdoor Christmas decorations, yes, some lighting will require maintenance. The good news is that modern Christmas lights have been designed to last. Especially JellyFish Lighting, which is installed once and lasts for years and year so you won’t be climbing up on a ladder to replace a bulb or Christmas light clips.Â
The idea with outdoor Christmas lights is that you can keep them up and on safely throughout the holiday season. This is why choosing the right bulb and light set is extremely important. Also, having color-changing lights means you won’t replace them every year when the trends change or you’ve gotten bored of the colors you chose.Â
Can I use color-changing LED lights on my Christmas tree?
Yes, you can! You can use LED Christmas lights on anything you’d like. They’re designed to be safe for indoor and outdoor use, so they’re a perfect addition to artificial Christmas trees and Christmas wreaths.Â
We recommend choosing a green wire for LED lights on your tree. You won’t be able to see it, and a white wire could be distracting from the rest of your decorations. White light gives an elegant look, but with color-changing lights, you can change your mind and experiment!Â
The good news is that if you have light strings on your tree and other color-changing lights, you can control them separately with Jellyfish Lighting’s system.Â
How can JellyFish Lighting help?
Ready to try permanent color-changing outdoor Christmas lights? JellyFish Lighting is here to help! We offer lighting solutions to get you started this holiday season. We want you to have the lighting display you’ve always dreamed of at an affordable price!Â
Our team of holiday light experts can answer any questions you may have and get you started with the best Christmas lights. Contact JellyFish Lighting today!
