The 10 Best LED Strip Lights of 2023

The best pick to deck your halls is the Tenmiro 100 foot LED lights with Remote and App Control

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Want to go full Clark Griswold without losing your mind at the electricity bill that comes a few weeks later?

LED strip lights are an energy-efficient way to add holiday cheer to the interior or exterior of your home. These are also perfect for interior lighting and effects, whether you’re celebrating a fun family holiday or just want to amp up your Tuesday. They can even give you the perfect place to get a fantastic selfie — like Kylie Jenner who relied on her refrigerator lighting to capture that sought-after glow. Many of our top picks can be controlled remotely. This helps you adjust the color, turn them on and off, and even sync with music.

Keep scrolling to discover PEOPLE's picks of the best LED strip lights.

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People who want to set up two distinct areas or control their lights using a remote.

Anyone needing lights for low-key events and celebrations.

This light strip has everything you need to create the perfect party atmosphere or a dazzling light display. It comes with two rolls that are each 50 feet long so you can customize your space or decor. You can sync the lights to music and they will pulse based on the volume and intensity of your jams. The included remote allows you to change the color, adjust the brightness, and choose from 25 preset modes.

These aren't cheap LED lights and may be more than you need if you just want some soft lighting in your room. They do have a white mode that you can dim. If you think you may want the option to add different colors, put the lights on a timer, or sync to music in the future, these are good to keep that as an option.

Price at time of publish: $35.99

Length: 100 feet | Color: Color changing | Power source: Corded electric

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People who need budget-conscious LED lights or some for one-time celebrations.

Anyone planning to set up lights on uneven surfaces.

For something more budget-friendly, the strip LED lights from Ksipze provide 100 feet of adjustable lighting. It also has a remote and can be controlled via an app. These allow you to change color, set a timer, set the lights to music, and toggle between solid lights, flashing, jumping, or fading. You can use the precision color feature to select the exact hue that you want.

These use an adhesive back to stick but it is not as sticky as some higher-end options. If your surface is uneven or resistant to sticky things, you might need to add double-sided tape to keep this light strip from peeling over time. Fortunately, these are super affordable and leave room in your budget to add extra adhesive if needed — they're typically on sale, too.

Price at time of publish: $29.99

Length: 100 feet | Color: Color changing | Power source: Corded electric

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People who want to set up an entire lighting plan they can control from their smart home device or those who want the best color blending.

Those with rooms that need a long light strip.

This light strip does it all and looks great doing it. You can connect it to your smart home device, including Alexa, Google Home, and Apple Homekit. Phillips Hue also has other smart lighting so you can connect all of your lights and control them from one central place. The strip is more subdued than some others, with the lights hidden behind a thin opaque strip. The color-blending is seamless and more subtle than other less expensive options. There is a single-color option that is about half the price.

There's no denying that this is an expensive light strip and likely more than most people need if they just plan to use it once. But if you want to set up LED lights that will last and are easy to control, this is worth the cost. They are a bit shorter than other options but you can extend them up to 32 feet total without worry about pulling too much power.

Price at time of publish: $179.99

Length: 6 feet | Color: Gradient color | Power source: Corded electric

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People who don't want to put up and take down the lights a lot or those looking to save on energy costs.

Anyone needing lights for large-scale exterior decorations.

The Commercial Electric lights are easy to hang outdoors and can stand up to the elements, even in a winter wonderland. The strip is made of copper, which resists corrosion and rust. So even if it snows and rains, you can leave your light strip up. The adhesive is strong but may be impact by moisture over time.

These make great lights to use around the holidays. Because they are LEDs, they use less power than traditional Christmas lights. You can also adjust the color, brightness, and light pattern using the included remote. You can cut them to the length that you want, although if you are hanging them outside, keep in mind that each strip is only 32 feet long and you will need to plug it in for power.

Price at time of publish: $44.97

Length: 32 feet | Color: Color changing | Power source: Corded electric

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People who don't want to cut the strips themselves.

People with super large or super small TVs.

These precut LED strip lights are the perfect setup for your TV. All you need to do is peel the backing off and use the built-in adhesive to stick them behind your TV. They also work great for shelves to add some interest and lighting that shows off your favorite collection. Each strip can be controlled via a remote or app to choose between 12 colors, 19 modes, flashing, and different brightness levels.

If your TV is a different shape, you may be better off getting a strip that you can cut to custom lengths. Each strip is one foot long. Given that most TVs now are wider than they are tall, this may mean that you need to combine some strips or make adjustments to avoid gaps.

Price at time of publish: $26.99

Length: Four 1-foot strips | Color: Color changing | Power source: Corded electric

Amazon

People who want to control lighting without getting out of bed or those who have rooms needing long strips of lighting.

Anyone wanting lights for bathrooms or other places with steam.

These lights have 100 feet of continuous lighting that is perfect for your bedroom. You can adjust the color and brightness to set the right mood or provide a nightlight effect using the included remote or by connecting to the app. With this easy-to-use feature, you don't even need to get out of bed to change the lights. They also have a timer feature that allows you to set a shut off timer or a turn-on alarm.

These are for indoor-use only and are not waterproof. They may not be the best option for a bathroom or other room that gets a lot of steam, since the adhesive back can become less effective over time if exposed to a lot of moisture.

Price at time of publish: $21.99

Length: 100 feet | Color: Color changing | Power source: Corded electric

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Those with small spaces who want a super affordable option.

Anyone who tends to lose remotes.

At just 16.4 feet long, these lights are perfect for smaller spaces, like apartments and dorm rooms. They are dimmable and color changing using the included remote. Unfortunately, you can't connect an app so make sure that you keep track of the remote if you want to adjust the lighting. You can choose between 16 colors and different modes, as well as adjust the brightness level.

These are also some of the most affordable light strips on our list, perfect for broke college students or parents who want to surprise them with a little something to brighten their space. They are shorter, at just 16.4 feet long, but you can get a longer version if you need it — just expect to pay a bit more for the extra length.

Price at time of publish: $13.99

Length: 16.4 feet | Lights/foot: 9.1 lights per foot | Color: Color changing | Power source: Corded electric

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People who want some more lighting in their closet or those with shelving that have a lot of corners and tight spaces.

Anyone wanting the ability to change the color of the lights.

Adding strip lighting to your closet will instantly elevate an otherwise practical space. These lights only come in soft white, but that makes them great for a closet so that you can see the colors of your clothing and accessories while still enjoying some mood lighting. They are also slightly shorter than other options, perfect for smaller closet spaces and shelving. The strip has a motion sensor that automatically turns it on when it sense motion and turns it off after 15 seconds of no motion.

They also have built-in corners; These flexible joints let you frame your shelving and clothing racks securely without worrying about adhesive coming off of tricky corners. The built-in 3M adhesive is strong and keeps the lighting sections in place. They are a bit on the expensive side, given their shorter length. But the superior adhesive and corner joints make them ideal for closets, where you likely don't need a really long strip of lights.

Price at time of publish: $23.99

Length: 9.8 feet | Lights/foot: 8.1 lights per foot | Color: Soft white | Power source: Corded electric

Amazon

People with home theaters or walkways that need bright, even lighting.

Those with rooms that need long lighting.

LED strip lights are a great way to provide illumination to dark walkways without creating a tripping hazard in the process. These lights from Daybetter provide dimmable white lights, perfect for lighting up the floor without taking the focus off the rest of your decor. They are especially great for home theaters, where you want to recreate the movie theater experience while maintaining a reasonable budget. They also have a lot of lights per foot, resulting in a more even lighting effect.

They come in daylight white or warm white and you can dim them to further customize the lighting. These strip lights do not have the capability to change color or a remote control, so they’re best to turn on and turn off without changing settings. You can adjust them using a knob on the control panel but it can be difficult to get it changed once you install them.

Price at time of publish: $19.99

Length: 40 feet | Lights/foot: 18 lights per foot | Color: Daylight white or warm white | Power source: Corded electric

Amazon

People with cars that need extra interior lighting.

Those who live in environments that get a lot of rain and/or snow.

The customization of these light strips make them perfect for your vehicle. You can match your car's interior exactly or choose another color to really make it pop. If you like decorating your car to match the holidays, these can be customized with multiple colors. You can use an app to make adjustments to the color, mode, or brightness, although we should put a disclaimer that you should only do that when you’re not driving — safety first.

The adhesive on the back is okay but may wear out faster if you live in an area where you track a lot of snow, ice, or dirt into your car. This is especially true if you put the lights on or near the floorboards. Each strip is just under 12 inches long and there are lengthy cords that run between them so that you can place them in your car and control via one toggle switch or app. These connect to power via the cigarette lighter in your car.

Price at time of publish: $16.99

Length: Four 1-foot strips | Color: Color changing | Power source: Car adaptor

Look for the right lights that suit your space. Some are as short as 6 inches and are great for shelving, behind TVs, and smaller spaces that you want to highlight. Long LED strip lights can be 100 feet. You may also be able to connect strips together to expand their length. Just make sure that the power supply can support the additional load. Our top pick, the Tenmiro LED lights, spans an impressive 100 feet.

Many LED strip lights use a remote control or are compatible with a company app that lets you control them without bending down or reaching up to get to a knob or switch. The most advanced, and most expensive, options can be controlled via your smart home device. If you want to be able to change the lights frequently, this is a great feature. For the more budget-conscious, choosing a model that does not have a remote feature can save money.

If you want to be able to customize your lighting, look for an LED strip light that has multiple modes, colors, music syncing, and a timer. These options often come with a remote control that let you adjust the settings easily. For those using their LED lights for a party, this is a great way to go.

While LED lights are considered safer than traditional string lights, you should still use caution and common sense when placing your lighting strips around your home or yard. And, look for safety certifications. "LEDs don't get hot like old-fashioned Christmas lights, and if they come with an electrical plug, they should be labeled as ETL or UL-certified," says Sheva Knopfler, lighting designer and co-founder of Lights.com.

Most LED strip lights come with an adhesive back. All you need to do is peel off the backing and stick it to a clean, dry surface. Some adhesives are more effective than others. Moisture can make the adhesive wear out faster, as can removing and re-sticking the strip frequently. Usually, you can add a double-sided adhesive to the back when the built-in one no longer works well.

LED lights are a great way to add ambiance to your social media photos and videos. Consider if you want natural lighting or something with added color. White lights, especially warm white, can give a flattering glow and make help make your social media feed very tranquil.

LED tape lights are the same as LED strip lights, called so for the tape adhesive that is on the back to help them stay in place. Most LED strip lights come with an adhesive backing. But not all adhesive is equal and lower quality products may need some new adhesive over time.

To compile this list, Katie Melynn researched and reviewed LED strip lights. She looked for lights that had adjustable settings, including those that could sync to music for the best party look. There are lights at every price point, from those perfect for college students eating ramen to the fanciest house throwing the fanciest party. While researching LED strip lights, we woke with Sheva Knopfler, lighting designer and co-founder of Lights.com.

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