Convenient and cozy flameless candles for every style and budget.
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Flameless candles are a convenient way to create a warm and cozy environment in your home. Unlike traditional candles, flameless candles are battery-operated, making them a long-lasting alternative without safety concerns, melting wax, or smoke. For homes with children and pets, they are especially useful.
“The best time to use flameless candles would be for long events, places where an open flame may be dangerous, or outdoors so they don’t blow out,” says Leslie Chilton, owner of Leslie Newpher Interiors.
If you’re on the market for flameless candles, we’re here to help. In addition to Chilton, we also spoke with Sara Ray, owner of Sara Ray Interior Design, to learn more about what to look for when shopping for flameless candles in every style and budget.
It has one of the longest battery lives on our list.
Batteries are not included, and the remote is sold separately.
Flameless candles are a great alternative to traditional candles for a worry-free experience. However, some are more realistic looking than others. “Flameless candles that are made of real wax are more convincing,” says Ray. We knew our top pick needed to look authentic, and this one is made of 100% pure paraffin wax. The LED light also flickers to resemble a traditional candle’s flame. Most flameless candles average 200 hours of battery life, but this Luminara candle comes in at 600+ hours, which is one of the longest battery lives on our list.
This traditional ivory candle is available in three heights: 4.5, 6.5, and 7 inches. The variety allows you to cater to your desired area, plus the varying heights look great when displayed together. Some of the key features include a handy timer function that keeps the candle lit for five hours and off for 19 hours. This means you’ll save battery life and not have to worry about turning them off at night.
Over time, you may notice dust collecting on your candles. Simply wipe with mild soap and a microfiber towel to get them looking good as new. It’s also important to keep in mind that the remote is sold separately as well as the required C batteries.
Size: 3 by 4.5 inches, 3 by 6.5 inches, or 3 x 8.5 inches | Battery Type: Two C batteries | Battery Life: 600+ hours | Features: Flickering flame, timer, and remote (sold separately)
It features a wax-dipped finish.
Exposed flames can look less luxe.
“In a budget-friendly candle, I think the most important thing is to make sure that you at least have a warm white flame,” says Chilton. “Cool lighting is uninviting and sterile, like a fluorescent light.” This pick features a warm flame that peeks out above the curved edges. The flame is exposed, which can look less luxe than flameless candles with buried wicks. However, the flame flickers to resemble a traditional candle flame.
Most budget picks aren’t made of great materials, but this Threshold candle set features a wax construction for an authentic look. Each cream votive is 5 inches tall and will fit in with most styles and aesthetics. Though there are many pros, you’re missing out on a timer and remote with this budget pick. Also keep in mind that the four required AA batteries (two each) are not included. It’s a plus that this candle takes AA batteries, though, as you’re more likely to have replacements on hand when needed. The battery life is not listed, but we estimate that this pick has a similar battery life to other candles that use AA batteries (200+ hours).
Size: 3 by 5 inches | Battery Type: Two AA batteries each | Battery Life: Not listed | Features: Flickering flame and wax-dipped finish; no timer or remote
You can use it both indoors and outdoors.
There’s no discount for buying a set.
“The number one benefit of using flameless candles is they don’t blow out or burn down,” Chilton says. “This is especially helpful when used outdoors.” When looking for a splurge flameless candle, we knew it was important to get the most value for your money. This candle by West Elm can be used both indoors and outdoors, meaning you’re getting double the use for the price. We also love this candle because it comes in heights ranging from 4 to 12 inches. The larger candles will add a cozy element to your front porch while the smaller, more delicate candles will look great styled on living room shelves.
This candle is made of plastic instead of wax to withstand outdoor elements, and the simple yet elegant design will never go out of style. Typically when you buy sets, it’s less expensive than buying each product individually. However, with these candles, it’s the same price to buy four individual candles as it is to buy a set of four. Ray is a fan of this candle’s buried wick for a more realistic glow as well as the remote and timer features. Keep in mind that while batteries are included, the remote is sold separately.
Size: 3 by 6 inches | Battery Type: Not listed (included with purchase) | Battery Life: Not listed | Features: Timer and remote (sold separately)
It's more expensive than most sets of taper flameless candles.
This set of taper flameless candles by Luminara come in at 9.75 inches tall and feature LED lights that flicker to resemble a traditional candle flame. Since they’re not a fire hazard, you can place them in a centerpiece or as table decor with no worry. These candles are great for shelving where a traditional flame would be a fire hazard. Plus, Ray points out that you won’t have to worry about wax melting down the candle and candlestick.
They come in 11 color choices ranging from holiday reds and greens to blues and neutrals that will work year-round. Since they’re flameless, you can even add them to holiday wreaths to add a touch of light. This pick is more expensive than most sets of taper flameless candles, but we love that they’re made from 100% pure paraffin wax to make them look even more realistic. Plus, they include a remote and timer setting for added convenience. The two required AA batteries are not included, but once added, you’ll have around 200 hours of battery life. This set makes a great gift since it comes packaged in sturdy boxes ready for wrapping.
Size: 1 by 9.75 inches | Battery Type: Two AA batteries per candle | Battery Life: 200+ hours | Features: Flickering flame, timer, and remote
There’s no timer or remote, which means you have to individually turn it on and off.
Votive candles are slightly taller than tea light candles, and they look especially great in table settings. This pick from Homemory is great for dinners, weddings, and outdoors events where wind might be an issue. The set comes with 24 flickering flameless candles, and all 24 batteries are pre-installed to save you time.
If the set of 24 isn’t large enough for your event, consider upgrading to the pack of 48. They use coin lithium batteries, which provide 200+ hours of battery life. (Just make sure to have replacements on hand for when you need them.) It’s also important to keep in mind that there’s no timer or remote, which means you have to individually turn 24 candles on and off.
Since there’s no actual fire involved, you’re able to use these candles with holiday decor. Place them inside carved pumpkins for Halloween, line them on your dinner table at Thanksgiving, and add them to your wreath or mantel for Christmas. However you use them, they’re sure to bring a cozy glow to your space.
Size: 1.5 by 1.6 inches | Battery Type: One CR2032 coin lithium battery per candle | Battery Life: 200+ hours | Features: Flickering flame; no timer or remote
Crate & Barrel
It's made of real wax for an authentic look.
There’s not a timer or a remote.
Tea light candles are one of the smallest options and add delicate lighting to the room. They look especially great in table settings, plus the flameless option is ideal for outdoor events or events with children. This pick by Crate & Barrel includes six candles with a realistic flicker. They’re made of real wax to add to the authentic look, and the wick resembles a candle wick that has been previously lit.
This pick comes in at 1.5 by 0.75 inches. Though small, the classic white design will make a big impact at your event or when added to your home decor. They can even be used for holiday decorating, including in Christmas villages and carved Halloween pumpkins. For outdoor events or weddings, you won’t have to worry about wind extinguishing the flame. It’s important to keep in mind that there is not a timer or remote, so you’ll need to manually turn off each candle. The website does not list information about the battery type, but similar candles have a battery life of 200+ hours.
Size: 1.5 by 0.75 inches | Battery Type: Not listed | Battery Life: Not listed | Features: Flickering flame; no timer or remote
It's available in four sizes to best fit your needs.
It's not sold individually.
With outdoor flameless candles, Ray says you won’t have to worry about the flame blowing out in windy conditions, and there’s no fear of causing a fire. It’s important for outdoor flameless candles to withstand weathering, and this pick by Arhaus fits the bill; the set of two is made from weather-resistant plastic to last outdoors.
Ray is a fan of flameless candles with a hidden wick to help them look more realistic. “If the wick is visible, it cheapens the look in my opinion,” she says. These Arhaus candles feature a hidden wick, and the LED lights flicker under the curved top. The included timer is a great option to have so you don’t have to remember to turn them off at night.
This pick is available in four sizes, and we love the largest size (6 by 12 inches) for patio decor. For this size, each candle weighs 1 pound each and takes three C batteries. Though the battery life is not listed on the website, similar flameless candles with the same batteries can run for 600+ hours. It’s important to keep in mind that they’re not sold individually, so if you need an odd number to fit your outdoor space, you’ll pay for an extra candle.
Size: 3 by 6 inches, 4.5 by 6 inches, 4.5 by 9 inches, 6 by 12 inches | Battery Type: Three C batteries per candle | Battery Life: Not listed | Features: Flickering flame and timer; no remote
You’re able to pick a flickering or continuous flame.
Batteries and the optional remote are sold separately.
Most flameless candles come in shades of white and ivory, but they’re not the only options available. Colorful flameless candles are an easy way to add design and a pop of color to your home. This pick by Grandin Road comes in six shades: blush, fuschia, red, blue, mocha (dark gray), and burnt orange. Size varies by color, but there are choices of 3 by 4 inches, 3 by 6 inches, and 4 by 8 inches. With multiple sizes, you’re able to select the one that best fits your space or create a stunning arrangement with varying heights.
We love these candles because you’re able to pick a flickering or continuous flame. This is truly a personal preference, but our expert interior designers agree that a flickering flame looks more realistic. We also love the timer feature with two-, four-, or eight-hour burn times. The exterior of these candles is covered in a textured design that resembles melted wax and adds to the authentic appearance.
Though we love many things about this pick, we wish batteries and the optional remote weren’t sold separately. Each candle requires four AA batteries, and while the website does not list the battery life, similar candles have 200+ hours of runtime. If you’re interested in the optional remote, you can purchase it here.
Size: 3 by 4 inches, 3 by 6 inches, 4 by 8 inches | Battery Type: Four AA batteries | Battery Life: Not listed | Features: Flickering flame option, timer, and remote (sold separately)
You won’t need to buy replacement batteries.
You’ll need to place it near an outlet or deal with long cords on the floor.
Smart candles offer an elevated, more convenient experience to traditional flameless candles. The UBREW USA Smart Flameless Candles come in a pack of three candles in varying heights: 3 by 4 inches, 3 by 5 inches, and 3 by 6 inches. The shell is made from real wax, and the LED light flickers to resemble a traditional candle. Once the candles are plugged in, you can set them up to work with your smart home device for voice control, a countdown function, schedules, and more. They can also be operated with a mobile app or the on/off switches on the bottom.
We love this pick by UBREW because you’ll never have to buy replacement batteries. These Smart candles are USB powered and must be plugged in to work. That said, you will need to place them near outlets or deal with cords on the floor. Since the batteries are USB powered, this means they have endless run time and can be used as frequently as you’d like. Keep in mind that while you can work these candles via your smart home device or mobile app, there is not a physical remote included or available for purchase.
Size: 3 by 4 inches, 3 by 5 inches, and 3 by 6 inches | Battery Type: USB power adapter; no batteries needed | Features: Flickering flame, voice control, USB power adapter, and timer
It has one of the highest battery lives on our list.
Batteries are not included, and the remote is sold separately.
Not all flameless candles have the same look. Pottery Barn’s Sugared Birch Flameless Candle is an elevated option with a bark-inspired design and sugared glass coating. The plastic center is coated with 100% paraffin wax, and the warm LED light flickers for a realistic look. The base of the candle has an on/off switch, and the optional remote is sold separately.
On top of the elegant design, it has one of the highest battery lives of any candle on our list. Most flameless candles run for 200+ hours on AA batteries, but with two C batteries, you’ll get 600+ hours of runtime with this pick. Keep in mind that the batteries are not included with your purchase.
For those who enjoy a completely carefree experience, you’ll love the programmable timer. It comes ready to run for five hours and off for 19 hours, but you can adjust this by hourly increments. To keep the sugared exterior looking fresh, wipe clean with a soft, dry cloth. This pick comes in three different sizes: 3 by 3 inches, 3 by 6 inches, and 4 by 8 inches. They look stunning on their own or displayed as a group of mixed heights on your dinner table.
Size: 3 by 6 inches | Battery Type: Two C batteries | Battery Life: 600+ hours | Features: Flickering flame, timer, and remote (sold separately)
With a set of flameless candles, it’s particularly important to find high quality. Ray adds that it’s also important to find flickering flames for a more realistic look. The Luminara Flameless Pillar Candles come in a set of three and feature the coveted flickering flame. Each candle is 3 inches in diameter and comes in heights of 4.5, 5.5, and 6.5 inches.
This set is made with 100% pure paraffin wax and hand poured to create the look of a traditional candle. It’s available in white, ivory, or burgundy to add a pop of color to your room. Unlike most candles on our list, this purchase includes a remote that operates the candles’ power. The timer feature can be turned on at the bottom of the candle, and it lights the candles for five hours and turns them off for 19 hours. They run on two AA batteries each, and with that, you’ll get 200+ hours of battery life. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to purchase batteries on your own.
Size: 3 by 4.5 inches, 3 by 5.5 inches, and 3 by 6.5 inches | Battery Type: Two AA batteries per candle | Battery Life: 200+ hours | Features: Flickering flame, remote, and timer
The 10-key remote allows you to personalize your experience.
When you have multiple flameless candles, remotes come in handy so you can operate them all at the push of a button. However, not all remotes are made equally. Some remotes only operate candles’ power while some will also operate the timer. The set of Genwin Flameless LED Candles comes with a 10-key remote to personalize your experience. In addition to the on/off buttons, there's a timer, mode button, and dimmers.
The timer buttons feature two-, four-, six-, and eight-hour timers to fit your needs. The mode button allows you to select from a flickering or continuously lit flame, which can work better for dinner parties where more light is needed. The dimmer buttons allow you to fine-tune your candles’ brightness to create your perfect cozy ambiance.
The set of three features candles made with real wax in glass containers for a realistic look. The candles share the same diameter but vary in heights from 4 to 6 inches. When displayed together, the varying heights will add visual interest to your decor. Though there are many pros with this set, keep in mind two AA batteries are needed per candle, and they are not included with your purchase.
Size: 3 by 4 inches, 3 by 5 inches, and 3 by 6 inches | Battery Type: Two AA batteries per candle | Battery Life: Not listed | Features: Flickering flame, timer, and remote
The Luminara Flameless Pillar Candle is our top pick for its 600+ hour battery life. Plus, it’s made from real wax and features a timer option. Our budget pick, the Threshold LED Flickering Flame Pillar Candle, is a cost-effective option with a realistic flickering flame and classic cream votive.
Flameless candles come in a variety of sizes, and most sets come with multiple heights for visual interest. When picking sizes, Chilton says she likes multiple sizes and heights mixed together, and 6-inch-tall candles are a great height to consider. Ray adds that you won’t have to worry about flameless candles melting down like traditional candles, so you’ll be able to enjoy them at the same height as the day you bought them.
Battery life usually goes hand-in-hand with the battery type. Our best overall and best design picks take large C batteries and have a battery life of 600+ hours, while most picks on our list take smaller AA batteries and have a battery life of 200+ hours.
“Personally, I prefer [flameless candles] that take AA or AAA batteries,” Chilton says. “Those are more likely to be on hand if a battery needs to be replaced.” Some flameless candles, including our pick for best smart, run on a powered cable instead of batteries. This means you won’t have to buy replacement batteries, but you’ll deal with outlets and long cords.
Not all flameless candles are made alike. Some candles have special features to make your experience more enjoyable, and usually, this comes at a higher price tag. When searching for flameless candles, Chilton says she’d look for a flickering feature to resemble more of an authentic flame. She adds that a timer feature comes especially in handy if you’re using multiple candles or for events and parties.
“Also, a remote control feature is always a bonus for many reasons, such as flame brightness, on/off switch in one hand, or to get your guests’ attention without turning the main lights on and off,” Chilton says. Though additional settings and special features are typically more expensive, we think the features mentioned above are worth the upgrade.
For a more realistic look, Chilton likes to put flameless candles in a frosted glass container that is at least an inch taller than the candle. She says this presentation conceals the wicker flame, shows off beautiful illumination, and mimics movement of a real candle. If you prefer to display just the flameless candle, Ray is a fan of flameless candles without an exposed wick for a more realistic look. Buried wicks are surrounded by a wax tunnel and give off a similar glow to traditional candles.
You won’t have to worry about burning through flameless candles, unlike traditional candles. With a set of new batteries, your flameless candle will light up anywhere from 200 to 600 hours. Most of the LED lights used in flameless candles’ wickers have a lifespan of 100,000 hours, so you’ll never burn through the bulb.
Flameless candles are not a fire hazard when left on overnight. They do not have an open flame, and most won’t even be hot to the touch when left on for extended periods. However, leaving flameless candles on when they’re not being enjoyed will quickly run down their batteries.
Addie Morton is a contributing writer for Southern Living who specializes in home decor and lifestyle content. For this story, she spoke with two interior designers, Sara Ray and Leslie Chilton. Ray is the owner of Sara Ray Interior Design, which opened in Nashville in 2013. Chilton is the owner of Leslie Newpher Interiors and has 30 years of experience in Nashville and the surrounding areas. Using Ray’s and Chilton’s expertise and recommendations, Morton researched hundreds of options to compile a list of the best flameless candles on the market.
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