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Fairy lights are a great way to bring a sense of magic to various indoor and outdoor areas. Ideal for brightening up a space, these accessories can look fantastic in gardens and bedrooms alike. To help you with your choice, we’ve rounded up some of the most popular options on the market.
How We Compared Fairy Lights
To find the right fairy lights, we considered multiple factors, including:
- Durability
- Energy usage
- Features
- Ease of Use
Our team planned comparison points and specifically looked for products that would cater to all kinds of needs. We spent countless hours researching, consulting customer reviews and comparing features to come up with this list.
Fairy Light Reviews
OxyLED Festoon (Editor’s Choice)
Ideal for bringing elegance and illumination to any occasion, these modern and attractive fairy lights are ready to handle a range of indoor and outdoor environments. The shatterproof bulbs can withstand everything from wind to heat and water.
The OxyLED Festoon lights are practical and bold. Each of the 30 LED bulbs emits light independently, so you won’t have to replace the full string if one light breaks. IP65 waterproof rated and suitable for use even in extreme weather conditions, these lights are wonderfully versatile. As a bonus, low power consumption means you won’t have to worry about using too much energy.
These spherical bulbs deliver a wonderful warm lighting experience. The string even comes with a selection of three spare bulbs, just in case anything does break.
Pros:
- Shatterproof bulb design for long-term durability
- Suitable for indoor or outdoor use
- More energy efficient than traditional bulbs
- Three spare bulbs included
- Resistant to water, sun, and wind
Cons:
- The lead might be too short to be plugged into some outlets
- The bulbs may not be bright enough for some uses
Ollny 100m LED (Luxury Choice)
These fairy lights are a fabulous option if you want to decorate the front of your home for the festive period. With 100m of lights, adding up to around 800 LEDs, you’ll have no trouble making your house shine. The warm white glow has a very low voltage performance, so they remain cool to the touch no matter how long you leave your lights running.
The Ollny 100m lights are versatile, with eight lighting modes and a smart controller. You can create slow waves of light, steady twinkling or flashing sequences and more. The wireless remote control also ensures you can set your lights to run for a specific period, ensuring you don’t forget to switch your lights off when going to bed.
IP44 waterproofing also ensures your outdoor lights will continue to work well inside and outside for as long as possible. With an included dimmer mode, you can even create different types of ambience.
Pros:
- Timing modes and dimmable option
- Eight lighting patterns to choose from
- 100 metres of durable indoor or outdoor lighting
- Low energy consumption
- Versatile design with IP44 waterproofing
Cons:
- The plug might not fit with every outdoor socket
- The remote may not be as useful as it seems
Augone 2 Pack (Best Value)
Transform any room of your home instantly with a set of two fairy lights strings, adding up to 40 feet of light coverage. If you’re looking for a flexible lighting option, the copper wire in these strings makes them perfect for contouring into the shapes you need. There’s also a 3-foot lead cable and a USB port connection to give you more power options.
The Augone is great for any room in your house. Not only do you get a simple installation experience, but plenty of flexibility too. There are eight lighting modes included. Plus, a timer function ensures you can set your lights running at the perfect time every day without hassle.
The IP65 waterproof rating for these lights offers peace of mind if you want to brighten an outdoor area like a porch or gazebo. High-quality LED bulbs are also built for durability, offering up to 30,000 hours of illumination.
Pros:
- IP65 waterproof rating
- Easy to shape and install according to your needs
- Eight lighting modes and timer function
- 120 bright LEDs on each string
- Low energy consumption
Cons:
- The lights may flicker occasionally
- The remote control might be difficult to use
Lezonic Multi-Coloured (Best Colour Range)
These beautiful solar fairy lights come with 50 brightly coloured bulbs to bring a little fun to your home or garden. An IP65 rating means you can safely use them outdoors without worrying about rain damage.
The Lezonic solar light string covers around 23 feet of space, ideal for patios and gazebos. They also come with a useful solar power function, meaning you can recharge some of the battery throughout the day and minimise your energy use. Around 6-8 hours of charging provides up to 10 hours of illumination. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly product, this could be it.
With these lights, you’ll also be able to change the atmosphere at the touch of a button. You can choose between slow sequential lights in different colours, twinkling, flashing, and more. Built-in sensors turn the lights off automatically throughout the day.
Pros:
- Automatic shut-off function
- Advanced solar power technology for eco-friendly buyers
- Eight lighting modes to choose from
- 23 feet of high-quality LED bulbs
- Lots of different colours
Cons:
- The bulbs might not offer as many colours as shown in the photos
- The solar battery function may not be the most reliable
Joomer Solar Twinkle (Best Energy Saving)
If you want to make your home and garden look great but are worried about increasing your impact on the planet, this could be your product. These solar-powered bulbs deliver ultra-bright illumination with minimal energy, making them wonderfully eco-friendly. Each set comes with 72 feet of string lights (around 200 LED bulbs), bigger and brighter than most alternatives.
The Joomer Solar Twinkle lights are bright enough to light up a garden or create a soft and romantic ambience. With eight lighting modes, you can create any kind of atmosphere. The ultra-thin and bendable copper wire also ensures you can adjust the shape of your lights with ease.
The waterproof design (IP65 rated) is perfect for withstanding all kinds of weather. Moreover, its useful memory chip remembers your previous settings. Hence, you can spend less time managing your lights.
Pros:
- Eight lighting modes to choose from
- 72 feet of solar-powered lighting
- Environmentally-friendly design
- Automatic light sensor turns lights off in the daytime
- Memory function to remember previous settings
Cons:
- They might be difficult to remove once you’ve put the lights up
- The lights may swap between different lighting modes unexpectedly
Augone Globe (Best for Versatility)
This upgraded set of 120 LED lights is perfect for various occasions. The insulated and waterproof bulbs stay safe when outdoors. You can even safely touch the bulbs after hours of use because the low voltage design keeps heat to a minimum.
The Augone Globe lights are a modern choice for any home. There are eight lighting modes to choose from and a convenient remote where you can switch between settings. The remote even allows you to adjust the brightness and leverage timer functions. The IP65 waterproof bulbs are also safe to use in unpredictable weather conditions.
These bulbs can hang easily on walls or fences and are easy to install and eco-friendly. There’s no battery needed, and the energy consumption is minimal.
Pros:
- Range of eight modes
- Attractive modern bulb shapes
- Safe to use inside or outdoors
- Automatic timer function
- Easy to arrange on walls, fences, and in other areas
Cons:
- The bulbs may change colour over time
- The remote might not have the best range
Sauvage LED Cotton Balls (Best for Children’s Room)
Available in a wide selection of colours to complement any room, these attractive fairy lights are fantastic for children. This product could be the perfect solution if you have youngsters who don’t like sleeping in the dark. The bulbs are safe and efficient, emitting minimal heat. Hence, they don’t pose a risk if your children use them all night.
The Sauvage LED cotton balls are beautifully designed and brimming with personality. The transparent plastic and braided cotton work together to create a charming aesthetic. At the same time, the LED bulbs deliver high performance with minimal energy demands. You can even choose from a range of four brightness levels.
Recycled materials give you peace of mind you’re not harming the environment with your lighting choices. There are also timer features available for automatic switch-off.
Pros:
- Wide range of colour options
- Safe and durable design
- Various brightness levels
- Easy to install and use
- Minimal power consumption
Cons:
- The lights might have a slight plastic smell
- The cord may not be the longest for distant outlets
How to Choose Fairy Lights
The ideal fairy lights for your needs will depend on many factors. You might want a set of lights you can use outdoors to decorate your garden or brighten your house for the festive season. Alternatively, you might be looking for something convenient you can use as a night light in a child’s room. When considering your options, it’s worth keeping some of the following points in mind.
Durability
A great set of fairy lights should stand the test of time. One dead bulb can be very difficult to replace with string lights, and it can reduce the impact on your entire aesthetic. Looking for versatile lights with highly durable and shatterproof bulbs is a good idea.
If you’re planning on using your lights outdoors, you may also need to consider water resistance ratings. Some lights may even need to be tested to ensure they can withstand high heat levels in the summer.
Energy Usage
Ideally, your lighting choice shouldn’t have a huge impact on the environment. When choosing fairy lights for indoors or outdoors, consider the energy usage. It’s best to look for low-voltage products which can still deliver excellent brightness and visual appeal.
Where possible, you might even be able to look into solar-powered lighting. These options use miniature solar panels to collect energy from the sun during the day.
Features
Aside from offering beautiful illumination, some fairy lights can also have extra features. You might find options which allow you to change the colour of your lighting with a remote. Many come with brightness control, as well as multiple lighting modes.
Other great features to consider when searching for fairy lights include automatic timers. Turning your lights on and off without touching a button during the day can be very convenient.
Ease of Use
High-quality fairy lights should be easy to install indoors and outdoors. Many of the most popular options on the market today come with copper wiring included. This ensures you can bend your lights according to the shape of the space you want to cover.
If you’re going to be removing your fairy lights from time to time, make sure you can unravel them easily, too. It’s also worth looking into how much cable length you have so you can connect your lights to an outlet.
Summary
Our favourite fairy lights are the OxyLED Festoon bulbs. These versatile and attractive string lights come with 30 LED bulbs, each emitting light independently for long-term durability. Moreover, all the lights are weather-resistant and suitable for indoor or outdoor use.
Rebekah is a writer who loves to explore new products and find hacks that make life easier. She has a knack for all things home improvement, health and fitness. So you’ll often find her on Pinterest or browsing Houzz for ideas.
She’s always looking for the next thing to fix up around the house or what gadget might be just right for her lifestyle. Rebekah enjoys exploring new recipes, taking care of her family, and making sure she stays healthy with regular workouts at the gym.