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Hailing from Ireland and originally made with turnips, the notorious jack o’lanterns made their debut in America in the 19th and early 20th centuries. These lanterns are a staple of Halloween decorations, and many people decorate their decks with carved pumpkins with candles inside. While these decorations look spine-tingling, they’re not built to last, and the pumpkin starts rotting in a few days, ruining your décor.
That’s where off-the-shelf jack o’lanterns come into play. Most decorative jack o’lanterns are made with plastic and feature a built-in lighting source. But choosing the right ones for your Halloween decorations can be tricky, given that plenty of sinister-looking jacks are out there. So, we’ve reviewed the top jack o’lanterns of 2024 to help you make a well-informed purchase.
Comparing Our Favorite Jack O’Lanterns of 2024
Seasonal Visions Evil Jack O’Lantern — Best Overall
The Seasonal Visions Evil Jack O’Lantern is a creepy-looking evil pumpkin head that’ll elevate the eeriness of your Halloween décor. Its intricate detailing makes it look alive and mischievous enough to scare your guests off their feet. And, with its terrifying rotten face, this lantern will easily spook trick-or-treaters, and you may end up winning the spookiest décor award on your block.
Even more, this sinister-looking pumpkin head is large enough to be placed on a deck, stairs, or any other flat surface. It’s also made with high-quality plastic, so it won’t start tumbling with a sudden strong wind. The sturdy build and lifelike appearance of this jack o’lantern are what make it bag the top spot on our list.
Pros
- Durable, high-quality plastic construction
- Real-looking details to enhance the spookiness
- Easy-to-use flip switch design
Cons
- Light could be brighter
Lulu Home Tabletop Jack O’Lanterns Lamp — Easiest Assembly
If you want to bring the spookiness inside, the Lulu Home Tabletop Jack O’Lantern is the perfect option. It is a tabletop lamp featuring three stacked jack o’lanterns wearing a witch hat. The lamp is made with lightweight wood, so you can easily move it around. Just remember to be careful because the wooden patterns are highly delicate and may break if not handled gently.
Best of all, it is operated with batteries, making it easier to display anywhere without an electric socket. And, since this jack o’lantern lamp uses double boards, its light glows brighter and warmer.
Pros
- Very lightweight construction
- Painted with exquisite
- Provides bright light at night time
Cons
- Wooden boards come off with rough usage
AMZNian Resin Jack O’Lanterns — Multiple Power Sources
This jack o’lantern from AMZNian is a resin-based decorative lamp. The resin is high quality, so you can reuse this lamp for years to come. Additionally, it features LED lights that you can turn on using batteries or a power cord. And, since the lamp is so compact, you can display it on your work or bedside table for Halloween.
Most important, though, is its design, and this pick doesn’t disappoint in that department. The lamp features three stacked jack o’lanterns, a bat, a spider with a spider web, and two ghosts. The overall design is somewhat goofy and fun, despite being Halloween decor, making it perfect for the kids’ room.
Pros
- High-quality resin build prevents degradation
- Uses two power sources for convenience
- Small footprint is perfect for indoor décor
Cons
- Paint job is average
WATERGLIDE Jack O’Lantern Stakes — Most Budget-friendly
If you want the complete outdoor décor package for your yard, WATERGLIDE’s Jack O’ Lantern Stakes helps you get the best bang for your buck. It comes with four jack o’lantern heads, four plastic stakes, and 20 incandescent bulb string lights. You also get a spare fuse and two extra bulbs in the package.
The pumpkin heads are made with durable plastic, and the bulbs are perfectly molded into the socket to prevent them from falling off. You can connect up to 29 sets with the end-to-end plugs of each light. Overall, this is the perfect way to spookily illuminate your home this Halloween.
Pros
- Sturdy, durable plastic build
- Easy to assemble without any tools
- Emits a bright light
Cons
- Not waterproof
JOYIN Jack O’Lantern 6-pack — Lightweight Pick
If you want lightweight but real-looking Halloween décor, the JOYIN Jack O’Lantern 6-pack is ideal. This set of six eerie-looking pumpkin heads is made with styrofoam; and, since styrofoam is extremely lightweight, you can easily carry them around and place them wherever you’d like. Even better, they are battery-powered, so you don’t have to place them next to an electric socket. That being said, these jack o’lanterns are better displayed indoors or where the wind cannot blow them away.
Pros
- Features multiple color LED lights for ambiance
- Various sizes for different corners of your house
- Durable, long-lasting construction
Cons
- Not suitable for outdoors
Jack O’Lanterns: A Buying Guide
There are three major elements of a successful Halloween: spooky costumes, delicious candy, and spine-chilling decorations. Of course, your seasonal decorating isn’t complete without jack o’lanterns, which have been a part of American Halloweens since at least the 19th century. Creating the perfect Halloween can be challenging if you don’t know how to carve a pumpkin or don’t want to deal with a decaying pumpkin down the line, but luckily, you can easily find ready-to-display jack o’lanterns. So, here’s a quick guide explaining what to look for when choosing a jack o lantern.
What To Consider When Buying a Jack O’Lantern
Material
Since most jack o’lanterns are displayed outdoors, they must be durable enough to withstand the weather. They should be sturdy and not made with cheap or flimsy material to stay in place and withstand wear and tear. A wobbly lantern will keep falling over and swaying by the wind, so make sure you get a well-built and solid one to withstand windy weather.
Size
You need to choose your lantern’s size based on the display area. For instance, if you’re displaying a jack o’ lantern in your window or on your mantel, you don’t need a giant one — a small decorative pumpkin head will do. Alternatively, you can display jumbo-sized jack o’lanterns on the stairs, deck, or yard.
Lighting
Lighting plays a vital role in elevating the spookiness of a jack o’lantern. If your lantern looks eerie, but the lighting isn’t dramatic enough, the creep factor will be compromised. So, look for a lantern with sufficient lighting or replaceable bulbs.
What Are Jack O’Lanterns Made Of?
Plastic
Plastic jack o’lanterns are the most common ones and can be used both indoors and outdoors. They offer sufficient sturdiness without too much weight. Even better, they’re easier to clean and revamp than other materials.
Resin
Resin is a natural material derived from plants, so it is not as stable as plastic. Resin-based jack o’lanterns provide a subtle, subdued light glow and are most suitable for indoor décor.
Styrofoam
Styrofoam is used for making food containers, but you can also find jack o’lanterns made with this material. It is a lightweight material, and if you keep styrofoam lanterns outdoors, they can blow away with the wind. As a result, you’ll have to tie them or keep some weight inside to prevent them from blowing away.
