💡 Are LED Christmas Lights Worth It? Here's the Truth from Real Installers
When you're buying Christmas lights for your home or for professional installs, you’ll face the big question:
Should you go with LED or incandescent lights?
While incandescent bulbs are often cheaper upfront, there’s a reason professional installers overwhelmingly choose LED. And it’s not just about energy savings — it’s about reliability, longevity, and safety.
🎯 LED vs. Incandescent: What’s the Real Difference?
- 🔋 Lifespan: Incandescent lights typically last 1 season. LED lights? Expect 5–7 years of use, even with commercial-grade installs.
- 🎨 Color Fade: Incandescent bulbs use color-coated glass. Over time, that paint chips, fades, or peels. LED bulbs have color built into the diode or lens — they stay vibrant for years.
- ⚡ Power Usage: LEDs use up to 90% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. That means lower power bills and more lights per circuit.
- 🔥 Heat & Safety: Incandescent bulbs get hot and are more prone to failure. LED bulbs stay cool, which reduces fire risk — especially important for rooflines, trees, and bushes.
⏱️ Incandescent = 1 Season. LED = Years of Service
If you’ve installed incandescent lights before, you’ve likely seen this:
- ☹️ Entire strands dim or fail by the end of the season
- ☹️ Color bulbs look washed out after a few weeks
- ☹️ Bulbs break easily during takedown or storage
With commercial-grade LEDs, most installers get 5 to 7 full seasons — even when using the same lights year after year on rooftops, trees, and shrubs.
💡 Want the Classic Incandescent Look Without the Hassle?
We get it — some customers (and even some installers) love that old-school warm glow you only get from traditional glass incandescent bulbs.
If that’s you, there’s a perfect solution: LED Filament Bulbs.
These bulbs look exactly like classic incandescent glass bulbs — even with the visible filament — but with all the durability, energy savings, and safety of LED.
🔗 Shop C9 LED Filament Bulbs Here
Perfect for historic homes, nostalgic installs, or clients who want that traditional Christmas feel — without replacing bulbs every year.
🏠 Residential or Commercial — LED is the Right Choice
Whether you're decorating a home or lighting a business, the answer is the same:
LED lights win.
- They last longer
- They perform better
- They use less power
- They’re safer to install
There's no real case where incandescent lights come out ahead unless you're going for a one-time install and want to save a few dollars upfront — and even then, LEDs often pay for themselves after just one season of use.
💡 Ready to Upgrade to LED?
At Lights at Wholesale, we offer the most installer-trusted LED C9 and C7 Christmas bulbs on the market — including Commercial Elite (with a 5-year warranty) and Minleon (industry-leading color and quality).
🛒 Browse C9 and C7 LED Bulbs Here
Our bulbs are trusted by professional installers across the country. If you're building your lighting business or just want to avoid replacing bulbs every year, LED is the way to go.
🙋 Still Have Questions?
Our team of real installers is here to help. We don’t just sell lighting — we use it ourselves in the field every season. Reach out and we’ll guide you to the best options for your setup, your region, and your install style.
LightsAtWholesale.com — Built for Installers, by Installers.
