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The Best Christmas Light Projectors for Your Home

Instead of spending hours on a dangerous ladder hanging up Christmas lights, use one of these light projectors to get the same effect in just a few minutes.

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best christmas light projector
Staff, Courtesy of LightShow

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Putting up Christmas lights is a great way to spread holiday cheer throughout your neighborhood, but it’s also a time-consuming and potentially dangerous project. According to the (CPSD) Consumer Product Safety Division, there are about 200 injuries each day during the holiday season, and about half of them are decorating-related falls. These Christmas light projectors allow you to create the festive atmosphere you’re looking for, without ever stepping foot on a ladder. Most simply plug in and are ready to go, so you can avoid those long, cold hours outside hanging physical lights. For more great ways to get cold-weather projects finished quickly, check out our picks for the best snow shovels, snow blowers, and sidewalk scrapers.

What to Consider

Christmas Scene

The most important thing to consider when choosing a projector, is what you want projected. If you’d prefer a more classic lighting scheme that looks the most like traditional Christmas lights, go with a model that uses lasers to create their lighting effect. Or, if you’re a bit more adventurous and want something more fun and festive, consider a projector that can also generate images like Christmas trees and Santas.

Temperature Rating

Depending on the climate, you should also make sure your projector will be able to stand up to moisture, as well as extreme temperatures. While some models are designed to withstand temperatures as low as 30 degrees below Fahrenheit, others are less robust, so make sure to check first before purchasing.

How We Selected

I used my own experience with Christmas light projectors to put together this list, having used them to decorate several homes in upstate New York. The heavy snowfall in that area, combined with low temperatures, helped me recognize the importance of having options that could stand up to their environment As a result, I added a good variety of weather-resistant options to the list, as well as a few that are less rugged, and might be better suited for warmer climates. I did my best to include a range of prices as well, so regardless of your budget, you should find a projector that works for you.

1
Best Overall

Poeland Outdoor Garden Laser Lights

Best Seller
Outdoor Garden Laser Lights
1
Best Overall

Poeland Outdoor Garden Laser Lights

$119 at Amazon
Pros
  • Includes security lock
  • Ideal for buildings and trees
  • 12-month warranty
Cons
  • Only one pattern
  • Expensive

We’re big fans of the soft, twinkling lights projected by this model, creating a classic Christmastime atmosphere as they slowly float across your home. This makes it effective for lighting trees or large bushes as well. You can control the speed, colors and timer cycles through the remote control, and the 12-month warranty should have you covered if any issues arise.

This Christmas lights projector also includes a security lock that can be looped around a streetlight, tree, or fence, making it a good option if you’re concerned about leaving it unattended overnight.

Key Specs

ColorsRGB
WaterproofIP65
Patterns1
2
Best Snowflake Projector

KEVE Snowflake Projector

On Sale
Snowflake Projector
2
Best Snowflake Projector

KEVE Snowflake Projector

Now 27% Off
Pros
  • Easy to use
  • Low price
Cons
  • Only one color choice

This projector would be a good choice for anyone looking to create a general winter-wonderland-type mood, and not specifically a Christmas or holiday atmosphere.

Its adjustable neck can rotate 180 degrees and you can use either a stake or platform base to set it in place. This projector provides a variety of snowflake designs, and is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

Since it only has one color, it lacks the variety offered by most of the other options on our list, but that simplicity could make it a good fit for someone who just wants a hassle-free option.

Key Specs

ColorsWhite
WaterproofIP65
Patterns1
3
Best for Maximum Effect Options

Points of Light 122 Lightshow

On Sale
122 Lightshow
3
Best for Maximum Effect Options

Points of Light 122 Lightshow

Pros
  • Festive casing
  • Swivels for easy placement
Cons

    With an impressive 15 color combinations and 122 lighting effects, this projector would be a great choice for homeowners who want a wide variety of light options this holiday season. Its coverage extends up to 50 feet in width, and the projector itself is designed to look like a holiday ornament, which is a nice perk.

    The included remote is simple to use, and with just four buttons to choose from, is much easier to navigate than others that can have eight or 10 buttons. The unit can be positioned using the stake function, or expanded out to create a tripod.

    Key Specs

    ColorsRGBW
    WaterproofYes (but no specific rating provided)
    Patterns15
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    4
    Best for Image Projection

    LightShow Gemmy Lightshow

    Gemmy Lightshow
    4
    Best for Image Projection

    LightShow Gemmy Lightshow

    Pros
    • Decorative body blends in with other decorations
    • Can be placed inside or outdoors
    Cons
    • No remote

    If you’re more interested in Christmas-time imagery and expressions than sparkly lights, you might appreciate this projector. Its powerful LEDs project six different scenes, and they can be programmed to swirl around or remain stationary depending in your preference.

    Its lack of remote control could make this projector less convenient than you might like, although its low price and hassle-free setup could be worth the trade-off. This model also features a festive casing—green with a red bow—which allows it to blend in with the rest of your lawn ornaments.

    Key Specs

    ColorsRGB
    WaterproofYes (but no specific rating provided)
    Patterns6
    5
    Best Multi-Holiday Projector

    Samyoung Christmas Projector

    Christmas Projector
    5
    Best Multi-Holiday Projector

    Samyoung Christmas Projector

    Pros
    • Large variety of images
    • Affordable price
    Cons
    • Limited Christmas patterns

    If you’re interested in reusing your projector for multiple holidays, this Samyoung model could be a good fit. Its 12 patterns include a variety of holiday imagery, including Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Easter. Its IP65 rating ensures it won’t be damaged by rain or snow, and it can still operate in temperatures as low as 31 degrees below zero (Fahrenheit).

    Its remote control is effective up to 26 feet away, and allows you to easily set 2-, 4-, or 6-hour automatic shut-off settings. This projector can be installed outdoors with a stake, or indoors using the included platform.

    Key Specs

    ColorsRGB
    WaterproofIP65
    Patterns12
    6
    Best for Large Homes

    LedMAll® Motion Light Projector

    On Sale
    Motion Light Projector
    6
    Best for Large Homes

    LedMAll® Motion Light Projector

    Now 12% Off
    Pros
    • 30- to 50-foot remote range
    • Large coverage area
    • Durable housing
    Cons
    • Expensive

    With a wide coverage area of 3,000-4,000 square feet, this Ledmall option would be a convenient choice for larger homes. It also offers eight moving light patterns, and combined with red, blue, and green lasers, should provide a good amount of variety when it comes to exterior light shows. Its IP67 waterproof rating gives it that extra level of durability, and the 25-foot power cable should allow for you to place it effectively.

    This model is a bit pricier than similar options, but the included security lock should protect your investment from any potential thieves.

    Key Specs

    ColorsRGB
    WaterproofIP67
    Patterns8
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    7
    Best for Easy Operation

    Star Shower Motion Laser (2-Pack)

    On Sale
    Motion Laser (2-Pack)
    7
    Best for Easy Operation

    Star Shower Motion Laser (2-Pack)

    Pros
    • Automatic nighttime sensor
    • Easy to use
    • Includes two units
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Only two settings

    The hassle-free operation of this Christmas light projector makes it a great choice for those who just want a plug-and-play option that doesn’t require a ton of work to set up. You just plug the power cord into your home outlet, stab the spike into the ground, and you’re good to go.

    Best of all, the built-in sensor automatically turns the unit on when the sun goes down, and off when it rises again.

    This projector doesn’t come with a remote, but with just two settings, and this automatic operation, you probably won’t miss having one.

    Key Specs

    ColorsRG
    WaterproofYes (but no specific rating provided)
    Patterns1
    8
    Best Sound-Activated Projector

    CHINLY Party Light Projector

    Party Light Projector
    8
    Best Sound-Activated Projector

    CHINLY Party Light Projector

    Pros
    • Syncs with music
    • Optional strobe effect
    • Multi-functional remote
    Cons
    • Not waterproof

    If you’re interested in adding music to your christmas light show, this sound-activated party-style projector could be the perfect choice. Its sound-activated projections move and change to the beat of the music, and the comprehensive remote provides all you need to adjust the settings from afar.

    It’s not waterproof like our other options, though, so unless you want to use it indoors for a holiday party in an auditorium or venue hall, it would be best used in a dry climate.

    Key Specs

    ColorsRGB
    WaterproofNo
    Patterns36
    9
    Best for Indoor Use

    Kupoody Christmas Light Projector

    Christmas Light Projector
    9
    Best for Indoor Use

    Kupoody Christmas Light Projector

    Now 10% Off
    Pros
    • Easy to use
    • Can be handheld
    • USB rechargeable battery
    Cons
    • Has shorter runtime than plug-in options
    • Only two Christmas-specific slides

    The compact size and simple setup of this Kupoody Christmas projector makes it perfect for lighting up your Christmas tree or projecting on the living room wall during the holidays. It includes 12 different image slides that you simply insert into the projector, so no remote control needed. Plus, since this model uses a rechargeable lithium battery, you won’t need to worry about annoying power cords cluttering up your home. The bendable tripod legs allow you to position its projections at the exact angle you want.

    Key Specs

    ColorsRGB
    WaterproofNo
    Patterns12
    Headshot of Alex Rennie
    Alex Rennie

    Alex Rennie is a freelance writer who specializes in the Home Improvement, DIY, and Tool space. As a former residential and commercial carpenter, Alex uses his hands-on experience to write practical buying guides, how-to articles, and product reviews. His work has also appeared in Business Insider's Insider Picks, and before his writing career, he was a full-time carpenter living in New York City. There, he worked as part of a team designing, building, and installing large furniture pieces, as well as performing a variety of home repair and maintenance projects. Alex currently lives in Los Angeles, CA, and spends his free time exploring the beaches and mountains with his fiancé and their dog Louie.

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