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The Best Flameless Candles – Your Ultimate Buying Guide

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Best flameless candles to use on a sideboard with candle holders

What are the best flameless candles on the market today? How exactly do LED candles work?

I spent many years selling flameless candles online and learned quite a few things about the LED candle market and technology. In this article, I’ll share with you all the things that I learned over the years about flameless candles.

I’ll also share what to look for when you buy, so that you can find out which flameless candles are best for you needs.

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Best Flameless Candles

Need a primer on how flameless candles work? Jump down to the How Flameless Candles Work section. Otherwise, let’s discuss what to look for when buying flameless candles.

Best Flameless Candles – Pillars

The ivory flameless candle in a pillar shape was one of the first styles to hit the market. Since then, these classic LED candles work well with a wide variety of decor styles. They can be displayed by themselves or grouped together with other flameless candles.

Before buying, consider if the candle comes with a timer and a remote control. These are usually standard when buying LED pillar candles.

Traditional flameless pillar candles are usually 3 to 4 inches in diameter. Slim flameless pillar candles with smaller diameters are also available. They offer a more streamlined profile than traditional pillar flameless candles.

Also consider the size of the batteries. Larger batteries = longer candle run time. This will save you money in the long run as the batteries need to be replaced less often.

Flameless Pillar Candles

Best Flameless Candles – Sets

Flameless candles look really nice when paired together in sets. The more candles, the more of a glow they’ll give off in your space.

Buying a flameless candles set can also save you some money over buying them individually. Most sets come with a remote control as well as the candles.

Flameless Pillar Candle Sets

Best Flameless Candles – Tea Lights

There are a lot of buying options when it comes to flameless tea light candles. Consider if you want to see the wick – cheaper versions offer a less realistic wick.

Also consider if you want them to flicker or if you’re ok with a steady light output. Flickering flameless tea lights will look more realistic.

Most LED tealights run on button batteries, meaning that they will have a shorter run time than other flameless candles. Some styles come with remote and timer features as well.

Finally, consider how many you’ll need. If it’s just a few for around the house, I would spend the money on nicer versions. If you’re looking for bulk flameless candles, you’ll want to make sure you’re getting decent quality for the price.

LED Tea Light Candles

Best Flameless Candles – Votives

Flameless votive candles come in several different heights and diameters, so you’ll want to shop around and find a size that will work best for your needs.

Some brands include timers and remote controls with the candles, others do not. Generally, the less features, the cheaper the LED votive candles will be. Most flameless votive candles are sold in sets of 2 or more.

LED Votive Candles

Best Flameless Candles – Tapers

Flameless taper candles have been on the market for a while now, and many improvements have been made to them over the years. Originally, the market mostly had moving flame styles. But now you can find a wide variety of wicks, colors and heights for flameless taper candles.

Most LED taper candles run on smaller sized batteries. So you won’t get as much run time from them as larger flameless pillar candles.

Timer and remote control features are available. This is handy with taper candles as sometimes it can be a challenge to get them to stand up straight in a taper candle holder. One trick you can use is to apply a little bit of mounting putty to the bottom of the candle before placing it in the taper candle holder.

Flameless Taper Candles

Best Flameless Candles – Large

Large and extra large flameless candles can be hard to find sometimes. But there are companies out there that make flameless candles that are bigger than your standard pillar candle.

How big? Most large flameless candles are around 6″ in diameter and between 6″ to 15″ in height. Some of these candles have 1 wick, while others have 3 wicks. Outdoor versions are available.

Be sure to check the battery size. If you want your candle to have a long run time, look for large LED candles that use C or D size batteries.

A favorite place for large flameless candles is Q Candles. They have a great selection and also feature very tall flameless candles.

Large Flameless Candles

Best Flameless Candles for Windows

I love the look of candles in the window at the holidays or even year round. Prior to flameless candles, you needed to have an outlet available to plug in window candles. But now, battery operated candles can be used in your windows without the need for plugs and cords.

When buying these candles, consider the battery size. Larger sized batteries provide a longer run time and offer more weight to the base of the candle. For flameless window candles with smaller batteries, see if they come with a clip to attach the candle to the window. This will keep it steady.

Many brands offer timers and remotes which can be handy to make sure your LED window candles turn on every evening around the same time.

LED Window Candles

Best Flameless Candles for Outdoors

Outdoor flameless candles are generally made of materials that can withstand the weather. Most are made of plastic with covered electronics.

Not all are waterproof however, so you’ll want to double check before you buy. Placing an outdoor flameless candle in a lantern can provide it additional protection from the elements.

Look for features such as remote controls, dusk to dawn timers and LED candles that can recharge in the sun.

Outdoor & Waterproof Flameless Candles

Best Flameless Candles for Weddings

Many wedding venues these days don’t allow real wax candles to be used during the reception because of fire hazards. Luckily, you can still get the look of real candles by using flameless candles instead.

Which flameless candles are best for your wedding? Most flameless candles for weddings involve using votives or tealights. You can also use LED floating candles. Consider if the candle will be seen or will be covered in a candle holder. Cheaper tealights usually have flameless pieces that don’t look as realistic as more expensive kinds.

If you want to use flameless candles for you wedding that are bigger than tealights or votives, consider renting them. You’ll save a ton of money over buying flameless candle pillar sets. See my article on how to rent flameless candles: How to Rent Flameless Candles for Weddings – Everything to Know

LED Votive & Tea Light Candles for Weddings

Best Flameless Candles – Decorative

When you first get started purchasing flameless candles, you can’t go wrong with classic white or ivory shades. But as your collection grows, consider adding different style flameless candles into your decor.

You can find flameless candles in all sorts of shapes and colors. It can be fun to change them out for the different seasons. Some are designed to work with a certain holiday, while others work well year round.

One of my favorite places to shop for decorative flameless candles is QVC. They have a wide variety of different Luminara styles that you won’t find anywhere else.

Decorative Flameless Candles

Best Flameless Candles – Color Changing

Color changing flameless candles can be a fun way to decorate for parties and events. Or consider using them in kid’s rooms.

You can find color changing flameless candles sold in sets or individually. Consider if you want to see the flame or not. Cheaper versions don’t have a moving flame piece and may not flicker.

Outdoor versions are available. You should be able to find LED color changing candles in just able any size – from tealights, votives, pillars, etc.

Color Changing Flameless Candles

Best Flameless Candles – Rhythm Sensing

Because flameless candles are electronic based, companies can offer different tech features as part of the candle.

A unique flameless candle feature to hit the market recently is rhythm sensing mode. Symphony brand flameless candles change the flicker of the flame to match music that is playing in the room. As the music changes, the flame pieces glows brighter or dims based on the sounds.

Flameless candles like these are fun to use at big events such as weddings. Or use them in a room in your house where you frequently play music.

Rhythm Sensing Flameless Candles

Best Flameless Candles – Rechargeable

If you’re tired of buying new batteries for your flameless candles, consider using rechargeable flameless candles instead. Simply plug them into the charging cord or set them on the charging base.

Most rechargeable flameless candles are ready to go after a few hours of charging. They come in all different shapes and sizes, from pillars to tea lights. Remote controls and timers are generally included with any rechargeable flameless candles you might buy.

Rechargeable Flameless Candles

How Flameless Candles Work

Everything you need to know about how flameless candles work. Before you shop, make an informed purchase decision. Flameless candles can be expensive upfront, but can last you for years to come!

Best flameless candles to use with trays, on shelves

Flameless Candle Styles

There are lots of different shapes and styles to consider when purchasing flameless candles. Here’s a breakdown of what to look for when shopping.

Types of Flameless Candles

Do they make flameless taper candles? What about LED votives & tealights? All of these candle styles are available in flameless versions.

Common flameless candle styles include:

  • Pillar
  • Slim pillar
  • Taper
  • Votive
  • Tealight
  • Jar/Glass Enclosed
  • Decorative Shapes (e.g. pine cones, Christmas trees, etc.)

Basically, if there is a real wax candle shape available, you can probably find a corresponding flameless candle version.

Flame Piece Styles

Some of the biggest changes in flameless candles over the years involve the flame piece style. The flame piece is generally where the light emits from the flameless candle. The style of the flame piece can have a big effect on how realistic the flameless candle seems.

Best flameless candles with different types of faux flames
Moving Flame, 3D Flame, Push Button Flame

Some common flame piece styles include:

  • Moving flame – flame piece moves around, usually on a small wire attached to the candle
  • 3D flame – flame piece is static. Can be visible on top or hidden in the candle.
  • Push button flame – flame piece is static. Pushing the flame piece turns the candle on/off, sets the timer, etc.

Top Edge Styles

Flameless candles have different top edge styles depending on the brand.

Best flameless candles with different types of faux flames
Flat top, Wavy top, Scalloped top, Tapered top

Common top edge styles include:

  • Flat top or 360 degree – designed to allow the flame piece to be visible from all sides
  • Wavy – similar to flat top but with gentle curves around the top edge
  • Scalloped or Curved – standard with most Moving Flame candles. The curved top edge allows more light be reflected from the flame piece.
  • Tapered – designed to look like a taper candle top that has just been lit.

How do flameless candles flicker?

liown flameless candle inner parts diagram

What makes a flameless candle flicker? Depending on the flame piece style, a flameless candle will either flicker because of the LED’s electronic settings (3D & push button styles). Or because the flame piece is moving and light is being projected onto it (moving flame styles).

Are flameless candles tacky?

Some people might find flameless candles to be tacky. After all, even with all of the LED technological advances, they aren’t quite the same as real wax candles.

Here are some things that make flameless candles look more realistic:

  • Real wax coatings (instead of cheap plastic coatings)
  • Flickering flames (instead of static flames)
  • Moving flame pieces (instead of static flame pieces)
  • Candle shape/edges/finishing (some styles look more realistic than others)

As they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If a flameless candle looks tacky to you, consider finding a more realistic style, or hide the candle in a glass hurricane, votive holder, etc.

What are the brightest flameless candles?

Most flameless candles aren’t very bright because they are attempting to replicate wax candles. Because of this, most manufacturers don’t list flameless candle lumens (measure of brightness) in their marketing materials.

If you’re looking for super bright battery operated candles, consider the doing following:

  • Create a large grouping of high quality LED candles. The light given off from multiple flameless candles will be a decent amount.
  • Use something like a portable LED lantern, table lamp or night light instead. The light given off from these devices will generally be more bright than from a single flameless candle.

Battery Life & Run Time

Before purchasing flameless candles, it’s important to consider the candle’s battery life & run time.

You might think you’re getting a deal on cheaper flameless candles, only to spend a small fortune on batteries for them. This is a trick that manufacturers use to provide cheaper flameless candles, but it can end up costing you more in the long run.

Most brands will state the expected candle run time in their packaging and product information. To save money on batteries, consider using rechargeable batteries to power your flameless candles.

How long do battery powered LED candles last?

Generally, the bigger the batteries being used the longer your flameless candle will run before you need to replace the batteries. Not all brands are the same however. The quality of the electronics, the output of the LED light, etc. can all affect the battery life of your flameless candles.

The following chart shows general run times for different LED candle batteries. Always check with the manufacturer of your candles for their expected run time.

BatteriesAverage Run Time
1 button battery50 – 100 hours
3 AAA batteries100 – 200 hours
2 AA batteries200 – 500 hours
2 C batteries300 – 800 hours
2 D batteries500 – 800 hours

How long do LED flameless candles last?

The electronics inside of an LED flameless candles will last quite a while if properly handled. Consider that the average LED flame piece will last between 50,000 – 100,000 hours. If you left a flameless candle on for 5 hours each day for a year, the candle would run for 1825 hours over the course of a year. Although often expensive upfront, flameless candles can last for many years.

How long does a flameless tea light last?

Most flameless tea lights run on button batteries. These batteries generally provide 50 to 100 hour of candle run time before they need to be changed.

Which flameless candles have longest battery life?

The larger the batteries used, the longer the flameless candle battery life. Look for flameless pillar candles that use C or D batteries for the longest candle run time.

Some flameless candles will only run on smaller sized batteries due to the design of the candle. For example, flameless tapers generally only run on AAA or AA batteries.

Timers & Remote Controls

Flameless Candle Timers

Best flameless candles with timer features

Most flameless candles come with a timer feature. The timer is designed to turn your candles on at a certain time each day and keep them on for a set period of time. After the timer is done, the candle will automatically turn off.

Timer features make it easy to have your flameless candles turn on & off each day at the same time. Generally, you can set the candle’s timer once and not have to bother with it again until the candle’s batteries run out.

Standard flameless candle timers run for 5 hours on, 19 hours off. However, you can find flameless candles with a wide range of 24 hour timers – from 2 hours on to 10+ hours on.

Flameless Candle Remote Controls

Best flameless candles with remote controls

Many flameless candles come packaged with a remote control. Or you can buy a remote control separately.

Be sure to buy a remote control that works for your flameless candle’s brand. Additionally, you might be able to mix and match flameless candle remote brands, but usually, your candle will work best with a remote control from the same manufacturer.

Remote control features vary based on the brand. Common flameless candle remote control features include:

  • Turn candle on/off
  • Set the candle’s timer
  • Change the candle’s color
  • Change the brightness, flicker of the flame

How do you set the timer on a flameless candle?

There are several ways you can set the timer on your flameless candles. It depends on the brand of the candle, so be sure to check the packaging instructions that came with your candle or reach out to the manufacturer for help.

To set the timer on a flameless candle:

  • Switch the on/off switch to the timer position.
  • Use the timer feature on the flameless candle’s remote control
  • Push and hold down on the on/off button or flame piece.

Many flameless candles are designed to blink a few times to indicate that the timer has been set.

Can battery operated candles stay on all night?

Yes, battery operated candles can stay on all night. Since there is no real flame, it is safe to leave flameless candles running throughout the night. This makes flameless candles a great choice for night lights.

Are flameless candles safe?

Yes, flameless candles are safe. The LED flame piece stays cool to the touch. Flameless candles are great to have around kids or pets. Or use them at wedding venues that don’t permit real flame candles.

Best Flameless Candle Brands

There are lots of flameless candle brands on the market today. Some stores feature their own private label brands using the same technology as the more well known national brands.

Best flameless candles to use with rattan lanterns, dough bowl, faux greenery
Uyuni Flameless Candles

What is the best brand of flameless candles? Here are a few of the bigger brands in the flameless candle market. Many would consider some of these brands to be the best for flameless candles.

Luminara FAQs

One of the biggest brands of flameless candles on the market today, Luminara is a very popular choice when it comes to buying flameless candles. Here are some answers to common questions about Luminara flameless candles.

Best flameless candles to use with lanterns, trays, outside

What are Luminara candles?

Luminara is a brand of LED, battery operated candles. Luminara was one of the first flameless candle brands on the market and is probably the most recognized name in flameless candles.

How do Luminara candles work?

Luminara uses a patented moving flame piece in their flameless candles. Air currents gently move the flame piece while light is projected onto it. This creates the soft, flickering glow that imitates a real flame.

Do Luminara candles last forever? Are Luminara candles worth it?

Luminara is known for making high quality, realistic flameless candles. Because of the quality of the materials used, Luminara candles generally last much longer than cheaper imitation brands.

Most Luminara candles use D batteries, providing for 500+ of run time. Most Luminara candles will last for thousands of hours of use. Personally, I have Luminara candles I bought years ago that are still going strong.

They are expensive up front, but will last you for years to come. Because of this, I think Luminara candles are well worth the price and are some of the best flameless candles on the market.

Why is my Luminara candle blinking?

Luminara candles will blink slowly a few times when the battery is starting to get low. Simply replace the batteries and the blinking should stop.

Luminara candles will blink rapidly when the electronics are starting to fail. Try changing the batteries and resetting the timer feature. If the candle is still rapidly blinking, it’s probably time to get a new one.

Why do Luminara candles stop working? Why won’t my Luminara candles stay on?

Luminara candles stop working and won’t stay on for a few reasons: 1) the batteries need to be replaced. 2) the candle is set to the timer feature and the timer is in the “off ” mode. 3) the electronics in the candle are failing.

Luminara candles are high quality and will last for years. However like any electronic product, the hardware can wear out over time. If replacing the batteries and resetting the timer don’t fix the problem with your Luminara candle, it might be a faulty hardware issue. At this point, the flameless candle most likely needs to be replaced.

Do all Luminara candles work with remote?

Yes, unless otherwise stated on the packaging or product information, all Luminara candles will work with standard Luminara remote controls.

How do I get my Luminara remote to work?

To get your Luminara remote to work, first check that the battery is correctly placed in the remote. Sometimes the batteries get slightly off centered within the remote causing the contacts to not function. Open the battery drawer on the remote and make sure the battery is in the correct position. Carefully close the battery drawer on the remote.

Point the remote at your Luminara flameless candle. If within range, the remote should turn the candle on/off, set the timer, etc. If the remote is not working try 1) moving closer to the candle. 2) moving further away from the candle. 3) changing the batteries in the candle. 4) changing the battery in the remote. If none of these things work, you might need a new Luminara remote control.

How long do batteries last in Luminara candles?

Most Luminara candles are designed to work with D sized batteries. Because of the larger battery size, you can expect your Luminara candle to have 500+ hours of run time.

Some of the smaller Luminara candles such as the votives use smaller sized batteries. These Luminara candles will generally have a shorter run time.

How long is the Luminara candle timer?

The Luminara candle timer is 5 hours on, 19 hours off. To set the timer, slide the on/off switch to the “timer” setting. The candle will remain on for 5 hours and will turn off for 19 hours.

How do you reset Luminara candles?

To reset the timer, slide the on/off switch to the on or off position. Then slide the on/off switch back to the timer position. The timer can also be reset using a Luminara remote control.

Can Luminara candles be used outside?

Luminara makes a special type of outdoor flameless candle. These candles are designed to be used outside and will hold up to various weather conditions.

Normal wax Luminara flameless candles should not be used outside. The sun can melt the wax and the rain can damage the electronics.

What is the largest size Luminara candle?

Over the years, Luminara has made flameless candles in larger sizes. Generally these candles are 6″ in diameter and come in 6″, 10″ and 14″ heights.

What flameless candles does Disney use?

Disney has been a leader in creating much of the technology behind various flameless candles on the market today. Luminara uses the moving flame technology that was pioneered at Disney for their Haunted Mansion ride.

How do I contact Luminara?

You can contact Luminara through their website.

More Candle Decor Ideas

For more candle decor inspiration, tips and styles, check out these posts:

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