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Convenient and cozy flameless candles for every style and budget.
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For homes with children and pets, they are especially useful.
Leslie Chiltonis the owner of Leslie Newpher Interiors.Sara Rayis the owner and lead designer of Sara Ray Interior Design.
If youre on the market for flameless candles, were here to help.
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Overall, we found this candle to be easy to set up and operate.
The three-position toggle on the bottom is clearly labeled with on, off, and timer.
During testing, this candle had a yellow-orange glow that resembled an authentic candle.
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The whole pillar doesnt light up evenly, which is also what youd expect from an actual candle.
Both of these design elements contribute to a more authentic appearance.
Its available in three heights: 4.5, 6.5, and 8.5 inches.
This means youll save battery life and wont have to worry about turning them off at night.
Keep in mind thatthe remote is sold separatelyas well as the required C batteries.
We tested the candle without the remote and still found it to be user-friendly.
Product Details: Size:3 x 4.5 in., 3 x 6.5 in., and 3 x 8.5 in.
Exposed flames can look less luxe, so we love that this pick has buried wicks.
They give off a cozy, flickering flame that looks especially realistic from afar.
Cool lighting is uninviting and sterile, like a fluorescent light.
During testing, we were impressed that these budget candles include a remote control and a five-hour timer option.
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.
Product Details: Size:3 x 5 in.
They come in 14 color choices, ranging from holiday shades to neutrals, that will work year-round.
We tested the Iceberg Green color and found it would be perfect for holiday table prefs.
Ray points out that you also wont have to worry about wax melting down the candle and candlestick.
The flames flicker and give off a warm, yellow glow that looks just like a real candle.
The brightness is not adjustable, but we loved how much light they give off.
They turn on with a simple push of a button and include a five-hour timer function.
Keep in mind thatthe remote is sold separatelyas well as the required AA batteries.
Smaller batteries usually mean shorter battery life, so expect around 200 hours of use before needing replacements.
This set makes a great gift since it comes packaged in sturdy boxes ready for wrapping.
Product Details: Size:1 x 9.5 in.
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The set comes with 24 flickering flameless candles, and all 24 batteries are pre-installed to save you time.
Theyre also sold in sets of 12, 50, and 100 to meet your needs.
We found these candles looked like actual candles, both in color and texture.
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The warm, yellow glow and realistic flicker creates an authentic experience.
They use coin lithium batteries, which provide 200-plus hours of battery life.
Since theyre flameless, youre able to use these candles with holiday decor.
However you use them, theyre sure to bring a cozy glow to your space.
Product Details: Size:1.5 x 1.6 in.
This set from Crate & Barrel includes six candles with a realistic flicker.
They were much brighter than we expected, yet still had a pleasant glow.
Traditional tea light candles can burn out quickly, so flameless tea light candles feel like a better investment.
Each tea light measures 1.5 by 0.75 inches.
They can even be used for holiday decorating, including in Christmas villages and carved Halloween pumpkins.
For outdoor events or weddings, you wont have to worry about wind extinguishing the flame.
Product Details: Size:1.5 x 0.75 in.
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 attractive curved top.
However, we enjoyed the subtle flicker.
|Battery punch in:Three AAA batteries per candle for 3-x-6-in.
Pottery Barns Sugared Birch Flameless Candle is an elevated option with a bark-inspired design and sugared glass coating.
The base of the candle has an on/off switch, and the optionalremote is sold separately.
During testing, we found this pick to be as realistic as it is aesthetically pleasing.
The flickering flame resembles that of a traditional candle with a warm, yellow glow.
Keep in mind that the batteries are not included with your purchase.
For those who enjoy a completely carefree experience, youll love the programmable timer.
They look stunning on their own or displayed as a group of mixed heights on your dining table.
Keep in mind that while batteries are included, theremote is sold separately.
During testing, we found the three-toggle switch to be easy to operate.
The flame appeared more orange than warm yellow, but it gave off the right amount of brightness.
The flicker was more subtle than other candles we tested, which we thought gave it a realistic appearance.
Typically when you buy sets, its less expensive than buying each product individually.
We also love that its made of 100% paraffin wax to resemble a traditional candle.
First, we set up the flameless candles according to the manufacturers instructions.
We took note of the candles flickering flame and if the brightness was adjustable.
Finally, we determined if the price was reflective of the products value and all of its features.
Were continuing to test the candles and at home and updating the article with additional insights.
However, some are more realistic-looking than others.
The overall design of a flameless candle will determine if it looks authentic or obviously fake.
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For this reason, Ray is a fan of flameless candles without an exposed wick.
Buried wicks are surrounded by a wax tunnel and give off a similar glow to traditional candles.
For candles with exposed wicks, a flickering feature gives a more authentic look.
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Chilton says one of the most important things to consider is a warm, yellow flame.
Cool lighting is uninviting and sterile like a fluorescent light, she explains.
Battery pop in And Battery Life
Battery life usually goes hand-in-hand with the battery pop in.
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 run on a powered cable instead of batteries.
This means you wont have to buy replacement batteries, but youll deal with outlets and long cords.
options And Special Features
Not all flameless candles are made alike.
Questions And Answers
How do you make flameless candles look more realistic?
How long do flameless candles last?
You wont 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.
Can you leave flameless candles on overnight?
Flameless candles are not a fire hazard when left on overnight.
However, leaving flameless candles on when theyre not being enjoyed will quickly run down their batteries.
Why Trust Southern Living
Addie Mortonis a writer forSouthern Livingwho specializes in home decor and lifestyle content.
Morton spent hours sifting through the results of our Lab testing and researching products that made the cut.
She also spoke with two interior designers:Sara RayandLeslie Chilton.
Ray is the owner of Sara Ray Interior Design, which opened in Nashville in 2013.
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