The Twinkly Strings are smart LED string lights that you can use to decorate your Christmas tree or drape anywhere else in your home that's in need of a little festive cheer. Once you've mapped their position using the Twinkly app, you can set them to a solid color, take your pick from dozens of animations, or even use them to create a picture (either a preset from the app, or one of your own).
I tested the Twinkly Strings RGB lights, but there's also an RGB+W version, which could be a good choice if you're planning to he the lights up all year round and would therefore enjoy more subtle white lighting at different color temperatures outside the festive period. The RGB lights are ailable with black or green cables, and if you opt for the RGB+W version, then you can also opt for clear cables that will be less obtrusive when installed more permanently.
The lights are positioned on springy, zig-zag-shaped wires, which are easy to hang and position. They don't become tangled as easily as conventional string lights; the shape of the wire makes them easy to bundle up once you're done, then secure each bundle with the Velcro tie included in the box. Although I had the black version, the wires weren't very visible when tucked among the tree branches.
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I tested the 105ft Twinkly Strings with RGB LEDs(Image credit: Future)
The strings are divided into two bundles connected by a length of cable, which allows you to spread them out more easily(Image credit: Future)
The zig-zag shape of the cable allows it to stretch(Image credit: Future)Once you've draped the Strings to your liking, open the Twinkly app on your phone (you'll need to create an account if you hen't used it before), switch on the lights and hold the button on the controller until the light turns turquoise. The app will then be able to find the lights, and you can connect them to your home Wi-Fi network. This worked perfectly during my tests, as it did with the Twinkly Line LED strip that I also tested recently.
When that's done and you've installed any necessary firmware updates as prompted, you'll be asked to use your camera to map their layout so that the software can assign the correct color to each bulb to create gradients, patterns and pictures. There are two ways to do this: Easy Mapping, which requires a simple straight-on view of your lights, works fine if they'll mostly be viewed from one angle; and Advanced Mapping, which uses images from multiple angles, and would be useful if you've positioned your Christmas tree in the center of the room or wrapped the lights around something outdoors.
Simple mapping worked just fine for my tree, which was against a wall. Interestingly, the software was able to deduce where the lights on the back were positioned well enough to project a smooth gradient onto the wall, as you can see in this review's main image.
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By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.The various preset animations work well, and you can create a playlist that will store them on the Strings' in-line controller, so you don't he to open the app each time you want to change them. Pressing the button on the controller will cycle through your sed options, and holding it will switch them off.
Some of the preset animations can be synced to music, as indicated by a musical note beside its name. This uses input from your phone, or from the Twinkly Music sound sensor dongle, which is ailable to buy separately. It would be nice if there was a microphone integrated into the controller, particularly since the Music dongle requires a USB power supply and the lights will already be using one of your electrical outlets.
I also experimented with using the Twinkly Strings to display a picture, but my tree was too small for this to work well. You could get the general idea, but there weren't enough lights visible at once to create a "canvas" with a sufficiently high resolution. It would be much more effective on a larger tree using the full complement of lights.
The Twinkly Strings work with all the major smart home platforms, and I had no issues at all connecting them to Google Home. The app found them immediately and added them to my living room. I was then able to use them like any other smart lights, and create automations that would turn on all the lights in the room at once with a voice command (such as "Merry Christmas"), or at a particular time.
If you only he room for a smaller tree (under 4ft) then you may find that the smallest size (26.2ft) is too long, so you might prefer to opt for the shorter Twinkly Dots.
Covering extra large areas isn't a problem, though. While you can't add extensions to the Twinkly Strings, you can group multiple Twinkly products via the app and use them all together as a massive "canvas".
Twinkly Strings: price and ailabilityThe Twinkly Strings are ailable globally direct from Twinkly, or from third-party retailers such as Amazon. The price depends on the length of the string, and whether you opt for the RGB or RGB+W lights.
Swipe to scroll horizontallyTwinkly Strings list pricesNumber of bulbsLED typePrice100RGB$69.99 / £69.99 / AU$137100RGB+W$69.99 / £89.99 / AU$176250RGB$119.99 / £119.99 / AU$234250RGB+W$139.99 / £125.99 / AU$273400RGB$169.99 / £169.99 / AU$332400RGB+W$199.99 / £199.99 / AU$390600RGB$229.99 / £229.99 / AU$448600RGB+W$289.99 / £269.99 / AU$526These prices are around a third less than the equivalent Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Festia string lights.
Govee (Twinkly's main rival for the best smart lights on a budget) doesn't he a product that's an exact equivalent – its Christmas String Lights are more like the Twinkly Dots, with LED beads inside a flexible tube that can be wrapped around objects.
You want lights you can use all year round
The Twinkly Strings can be used indoors or out, and the RGB+W version he clear cables that will blend into your decor when not in use – they'll be practically invisible until you're ready to get in the party mood.
You like to go all-out at Christmas
One of the biggest advantages of Twinkly's smart lights is the ability to connect multiple devices together via the app and use them all together to create a massive display.
Don't buy it ifYou only want to liven up a small area
Even the shortest Twinkly Strings is 26.2ft long, with 100 bulbs, and it can't be cut to length. If you want to jazz up a smaller area, the Twinkly Dots may be a better choice. They come in a 9.8ft version with 60 LEDs.
You want to keep it classic
The Twinkly Strings offer so many fun options, it would be a shame not to make the most of them by experimenting with colors, animations, and sound reactivity. They can do a classic twinkling effect, but if that's all you want then the smart Strings will be overkill.
Twinkly Strings: also considerSwipe to scroll horizontallyHeader Cell - Column 0 Twinkly StringsNanoleaf Smart Holiday String LightsGovee Christmas String LightsPriceFrom $69.99 / £69.99 / AU$137$119 / £119 (about AU$180)From $59.99 / £59.99 (about AU$90)Length26.2ft / 8m, 65.6ft / 20m, 105ft / 32m, and 157.5ft / 48m 66ft / 20m32.8ft / 10m or 65.6ft / 20mLED colorRGB or RGB+WRGB+WRGB+WWorks withAlexa, Google Home, Apple Homekit, Razer Chroma, HomeyGoogle Home, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKitAlexa, Google AssistantStill not sold on the Twinkly Strings? Here are two other options you might want to consider.
Nanoleaf Smart Holiday String Lights
Like the Twinkly Strings, these festive lights are a more affordable alternative to the Philips Hue Festia strings. They only come in one length, but it should be suitable for a typical 6ft Christmas tree. Unlike many smart string lights, these are Matter-compatible to help future-proof your festive setup.
Read our full Nanoleaf Smart Holiday String Lights review
Govee Christmas String Lights
These lights take the form of LED "beads" encased in a clear, flexible cable. They're easier to drape than conventional string lights – but the cable is quite noticeable, particularly on a small tree. They're bright and vibrant, though, and make a fun display.
Read our full Govee Christmas String Lights review
How I tested the Twinkly StringsTo test the Twinkly Strings, I wound one half of the 105ft length around a 4ft artificial Christmas tree, and strung the other half across the length of my living room. I used the Twinkly app for Android to connect them to my home Wi-Fi network. and tested both the simple and advanced mapping options to address the LEDs.
I used them together with the Twinkly Line LED strip, connecting the two devices in the Twinkly app, where I could control them as a single device. I also connected them to my Google Home setup and created custom automations to control them.
Read more about how we test.
First reviewed September 2024