Shopping for a pre-lit Christmas tree? If you’re overwhelmed by the various lighting options, remember there are two types of lights — incandescent and LED Christmas tree lights. Each one offers certain benefits and knowing the difference will help you make a better choice.
Difference Between LED and Incandescent Christmas Tree Lights
Balsam Hill offers a wide range of pre-lit trees with incandescent or LED Christmas tree lights in various colours. The main differences between these two different types of Christmas tree lights lie in their energy efficiency and longevity.
Incandescent Lights
Traditional incandescent light string bulbs heat a metal filament to produce light, which makes the bulbs also heat up in the process. Balsam Hill uses commercial-grade filaments and glass casings on our trees with incandescent lights. We also use a patented technology wherein the lights remain lit even if one bulb is broken or loose.
LED Lights
LED Christmas bulbs use light-emitting diodes that don’t produce much heat. For Balsam Hill trees with Candlelight LEDs, we tightly control the temperature to keep them consistent and ensure a warm glow instead of a cold, harsh light.
Comparing Options: Incandescent vs LED Tree Lights
Several points to consider when choosing between these two light types, such as power usage, brightness, and durability, are listed below to help you compare.
Cost
Although available at lower price points, incandescent lights burn out over time and consume more energy. Regarding Christmas lights LED vs incandescent cost, remember that while LEDs may cost more upfront, they’re more energy-efficient, emit brighter light, and stay lit longer. In the long run, LED lights save you on electricity and replacement bulbs.
Brightness and Light Quality
When comparing Christmas light brightness, decide whether you prefer cool or warm lighting. Traditional incandescent Christmas lights are popular for their clear, warm glow that gives your Christmas tree a timeless and familiar look. Newer LED Christmas lights can radiate the same warm glow of traditional lights that you wouldn’t be able to tell them apart.
Variety and Availability
The assortment of incandescent and LED lights varies with every retailer. Christmas trees with incandescent lights are widely available online or in brick-and-mortar stores, giving you more options to choose from. Some retailers, however, may only have a limited range of trees with LED lights. Balsam Hill offers an assortment of LED options, from app-controlled Twinkly lights to micro-LED fairy lights.
Durability
Balsam Hill’s pre-lit trees come with premium commercial-grade, long-lasting lights so that if one bulb burns out or is removed, the rest stay lit. The lights are also professionally strung on the tree by hand to minimize the appearance of wires. When maintained and stored properly, our pre-lit trees last for many seasons.
Warranty
Balsam Hill offers a Three-Year Limited Warranty that guarantees the quality of our artificial Christmas trees’ factory-installed lights (excluding burned-out bulbs), frame, foliage, hinges, and tree stand. Read our warranty page for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some answers to common questions about Christmas tree lights.
Is It Okay to Use Incandescent Lights on a Christmas Tree?
Yes, incandescent Christmas lights remain popular for their warm, traditional glow. However, they can get hot and are less energy-efficient, so it’s important to monitor them and turn them off when unattended to reduce any fire risk.
Are LED Christmas Lights Worth the Extra Cost?
In terms of power consumption and longevity, LEDs are worth the money. They may cost more upfront, but they are more energy efficient as they don’t need heat to produce light. According to the United States Department of Energy, LED lights consume 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than traditional incandescent lights.
What Are the Pros and Cons of LED vs. Incandescent?
LED lights are more energy-efficient, last longer, and stay cooler than incandescent lights, but they can be more expensive upfront. Incandescent lights offer a warmer glow and lower initial cost but use more energy and have a shorter lifespan.
How Many Watts Are LED Christmas Lights Compared to Incandescent?
It varies, but generally, incandescent light wattage is 80-90 percent more than LED wattage.
Can You Leave LED Christmas Lights on All Night?
Yes, you can leave LED Christmas lights on all night because they are energy-efficient and produce very little heat, reducing the fire risk. However, it’s still a good safety practice to turn them off when you’re not around or before going to bed.
Like with any décor, there are no hard and fast rules when buying pre-lit trees. Whether traditional or LED, the best type of lights for Christmas trees is one that suits your style and budget. Compare and see which lights fit your decorating needs. Visit Balsam Hill to browse our collection of pre-lit artificial Christmas trees.
Learn More About Christmas Lights
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