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These Christmas lights with remote reviews look at five LED sets that come with a remote in the box. One plugs in, three run on batteries and one uses USB, so we looked closely at what each remote can do.

We did not use these lights in person. Scores come only from each listing’s remote functions, modes, water rating and LED count. Read more in our editorial policy, or see our main best christmas lights guide for more choices.

Top 3 Christmas Lights With a Remote

Score 9.4/10Ollny 800 LED Christmas Lights With Remote, 262 Ft Green Wire

Ollny 800 LED Christmas Lights With Remote, 262 Ft Green Wire

  • 800 LEDs on 262 ft plus a 9.8 ft extension cord
  • Remote sets 8 modes, 4 brightness levels and 3 timers
  • IP67 rating with a memory function
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Score 8.4/10Metaku Battery Globe String Lights With Remote, 80 LED

Metaku Battery Globe String Lights With Remote, 80 LED

  • 80 crystal globe LEDs, each globe 17.5 mm
  • Remote with 8 modes and 10 brightness levels
  • IP67 string and IP65 battery case
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Score 8.4/10Hoofun 39 Ft 120 LED RGB Fairy Lights With Remote and Timer

Hoofun 39 Ft 120 LED RGB Fairy Lights With Remote and Timer

  • 120 LEDs on 39 ft with 16 colors
  • 4 modes and 4 timer choices by remote
  • IP67 wire with an IP44 battery case
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How We Score

CriterionWeightWhat we look at
Remote functions35What the listing says the remote can change
Lighting options25Listed modes, colors, brightness levels and timers
Weather rating20Listed IP rating for the string and the case
Coverage20Listed LED count, length and strand count

Christmas Lights With Remotes Compared

ProductBest ForScoreTypeKey spec
Ollny 800 LED Christmas Lights With Remote, 262 Ft Green Wire Ollny 800 LED Christmas Lights With Remote, 262 Ft Green WireMost LEDs Per Strand9.4Plug-in string800 LEDs, 262 ftView
Metaku Battery Globe String Lights With Remote, 80 LED Metaku Battery Globe String Lights With Remote, 80 LEDBest Globe Lights8.4Battery globe string80 globe LEDsView
Hoofun 39 Ft 120 LED RGB Fairy Lights With Remote and Timer Hoofun 39 Ft 120 LED RGB Fairy Lights With Remote and TimerBest Color Changing8.4Battery fairy lights16 colors, 39 ftView
JMEXSUSS 2 Pack Battery Fairy Lights With Remote, 66 Ft Each JMEXSUSS 2 Pack Battery Fairy Lights With Remote, 66 Ft EachBest Two Pack7.0Battery fairy lights66 ft per strandView
Minetom USB Plug-In Fairy Lights With Remote, 100 LED Minetom USB Plug-In Fairy Lights With Remote, 100 LEDBest USB Powered6.9USB fairy lights100 LEDs, USBView

Ollny 800 LED Christmas Lights With Remote, 262 Ft Green Wire

Most LEDs Per StrandOllny 800 LED Christmas Lights With Remote, 262 Ft Green Wire
Pros
  • 800 LEDs on a 262 ft run
  • Remote handles 8 modes, 4 brightness levels and 3 timer settings
  • IP67 rating for indoor and outdoor use
  • Memory keeps your last setting
Cons
  • Needs an outlet within reach
  • Timer lengths are not spelled out in the listing
  • Such a long strand can be a lot for a small tree
LEDs800
Length262 ft
Extension cord9.8 ft
Water ratingIP67

Ollny lists this as an 800 LED plug-in string in warm white on green wire, 262 ft long with an extra 9.8 ft extension cord. The bulbs are embedded for a sleek cord that the maker says avoids tangles. In the box you get the lights, a remote with its battery, a controller box, a plug and a manual.

The remote sets 8 lighting modes, 4 brightness levels and 3 timer settings, and memory keeps your last choice for next time. The listing gives a 29V output and an IP67 rating for indoor and outdoor use. Score: Remote functions 9, Lighting options 9, Weather rating 10, Coverage 10.

Who the Ollny 800 LED fits best

Pick it if you want one long warm white strand for a big tree or house front, all run from a remote.

Who should skip the Ollny 800 LED

Skip it if you need lights where there is no outlet.

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Metaku Battery Globe String Lights With Remote, 80 LED

Best Globe LightsMetaku Battery Globe String Lights With Remote, 80 LED
Pros
  • 80 crystal globe LEDs in warm white
  • 8 modes and 10 brightness levels by remote
  • Timer runs 6 hours on and 18 off
  • IP67 string with an IP65 battery case
Cons
  • Battery details in the listing do not match, so check before you buy
  • Listing gives two different lengths, so measure with care
  • Maker lists no memory function, unlike the Ollny 800 LED pick here
LEDs80 globes
Globe size17.5 mm
Brightness10 levels
Water ratingIP67 string, IP65 case

Metaku puts 80 warm white LEDs inside crystal globes, and each globe measures 17.5 mm across. The maker says the globe refracts the light for a dreamy glow. A PVC tube protects the string, and the set runs on batteries, so you can hang it away from an outlet. The listing names indoor and outdoor use.

The remote picks from 8 modes, including combination, slow glow, twinkle and steady on, plus 10 brightness levels. The timer runs 6 hours on and 18 off. The string carries an IP67 rating and the battery case IP65. Score: Remote functions 9, Lighting options 9, Weather rating 9, Coverage 6.

Who the Metaku Globe Lights fits best

Pick it if you want warm white globe lights on a remote for a spot without an outlet.

Who should skip the Metaku Globe Lights

Skip it if you need a long run with hundreds of LEDs.

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Hoofun 39 Ft 120 LED RGB Fairy Lights With Remote and Timer

Best Color ChangingHoofun 39 Ft 120 LED RGB Fairy Lights With Remote and Timer
Pros
  • 16 RGB colors on 120 LEDs
  • Remote adjusts brightness, colors and modes
  • Timer choices of 4, 6, 8 or 24 hours
  • Button on the battery case as a backup
Cons
  • Only 4 modes listed: fade, jump, flash and chase
  • Needs 3 AA batteries
  • Battery case carries a lower water rating than the wire
LEDs120
Length39 ft
Colors16
Timer4, 6, 8 or 24 hours

Hoofun makes this 39 ft fairy string with 120 LEDs on thin copper wire that bends into shapes. It cycles through 16 RGB colors for a playful look. The listing names Christmas trees, blanket forts, walls, bedrooms, living rooms, gardens, decks, patios and camping, and it is listed for indoor and outdoor use.

The remote turns it on and off, adjusts brightness and switches among 4 modes: fade, jump, flash and chase. Timer settings of 4, 6, 8 or 24 hours are listed, with 6 hours on as the default. The wire is IP67 and the battery case IP44. Score: Remote functions 9, Lighting options 9, Weather rating 8, Coverage 7.

Who the Hoofun RGB Fairy fits best

Pick it if you want color changing fairy lights for a kid’s room or dorm with a flexible timer.

Who should skip the Hoofun RGB Fairy

Skip it if you want more motion effects than the 4 listed modes.

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JMEXSUSS 2 Pack Battery Fairy Lights With Remote, 66 Ft Each

Best Two PackJMEXSUSS 2 Pack Battery Fairy Lights With Remote, 66 Ft Each
Pros
  • Two strands, each with 200 LEDs on 66 ft of copper wire
  • Remote works from up to 16 ft with no obstacles
  • Specs list dimming and a timer
  • IP44 rating for indoor and outdoor use
Cons
  • Needs 3 AA batteries, not included
  • Listing does not name the lighting modes
  • IR remote needs a clear line to the battery box
Pack2 strands
Per strand200 LEDs, 66 ft
Batteries3 AA, not included
Water ratingIP44

JMEXSUSS packs two fairy light strands, and each one has 200 LEDs on 66 ft of flexible copper wire with a reel. The wire bends around wreaths, garlands, Christmas trees and wedding bouquets. The listing also names bedrooms, classrooms, dorms, mantels and porches, and it lists indoor and outdoor use.

The listing says it runs on 3 AA batteries, which are not included. The IR remote works from up to 16 ft with no obstacles, and specs list dimming, a timer and automatic on-off. The IP44 rating covers outdoor use. Score: Remote functions 7, Lighting options 6, Weather rating 7, Coverage 8.

Who the JMEXSUSS 2 Pack fits best

Pick it if you want two long matching strands for a mantel and a wreath with remote control.

Who should skip the JMEXSUSS 2 Pack

Skip it if you want named lighting modes or a long range remote.

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Minetom USB Plug-In Fairy Lights With Remote, 100 LED

Best USB PoweredMinetom USB Plug-In Fairy Lights With Remote, 100 LED
Pros
  • 100 LEDs on flexible silver wire
  • Plugs into a USB port, no batteries
  • 8 modes from the remote or USB control
  • Timer runs 6 hours on and 18 off
Cons
  • Listing gives two different lengths, so measure with care
  • Needs a USB power source nearby
  • Water rating listed only as IPX4
LEDs100
Power cord6.7 ft
PowerUSB
Water ratingIPX4

Minetom builds this fairy string with 100 LEDs on flexible silver wire and a 6.7 ft power cord. It runs from a USB port, so a computer, laptop or phone charger can power it. The listing describes a soft, warm glow and lists indoor and outdoor use, with parties, outdoor spaces and holidays as uses.

You can change among 8 modes with the remote or the USB control, and the timer runs 6 hours on and 18 off in a 24 hour cycle. Specs list dimming and an IPX4 rating. Score: Remote functions 7, Lighting options 8, Weather rating 6, Coverage 6.

Who the Minetom USB Fairy fits best

Pick it if you want remote fairy lights near a USB charger with no batteries to replace.

Who should skip the Minetom USB Fairy

Skip it if your spot has no USB power.

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What to Check Before You Buy Holiday Lights With a Remote

Read what the remote controls

Some remotes only switch modes, while others also set brightness, timers or colors. Read the listing to see which functions you actually get.

IR or RF signal

An IR remote needs a clear path to the receiver, while an RF remote is not tied to line of sight in the same way. Check the listing for the signal type and any stated range.

Plan for the power source

Plug-in sets need an outlet, battery sets need fresh cells, and USB sets need a port or charger. Pick the one that matches the spot you have in mind.

Look at the timer options

A fixed 6 hours on timer is simple, while a choice of hours gives more control. Match the timer to your evening routine.

Check string and case ratings separately

Some listings give one IP rating for the wire and another for the battery case. The lower one tells you how carefully to place the box outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What matters most in christmas lights with remote reviews?

Look at what the remote is listed to control, then check the water rating and length. A remote that sets brightness and timers covers the most needs.

Which Christmas lights here change colors?

The Hoofun RGB Fairy is the only pick that lists color changing, with 16 RGB colors.

Which of these LED Christmas lights uses crystal globes?

The Metaku Globe Lights, with 80 warm white LEDs inside 17.5 mm crystal globes.

Do battery fairy lights with a remote need an outlet?

No. The Metaku Globe Lights, Hoofun RGB Fairy and JMEXSUSS 2 Pack run on batteries, so you can place them away from an outlet.

Final Verdict

Christmas lights with remote reviews, in short: the Ollny 800 LED stands out with 8 modes, 4 brightness levels, 3 timers and an IP67 rating on one remote. The Metaku Globe Lights suit a battery globe look, and the Hoofun RGB Fairy is the pick for 16 colors.

Looking for something else? Explore more holiday decor guides.

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