Household goods Recommendation Service

Top
Household goods
10 Best Flameless Candles UK 2022 | Luminara, Lights4Fun and More

10 Best Flameless Candles UK 2022 | Luminara, Lights4Fun and More

There are all sorts of occasions made for the soft flickering light of a candle, be that a wedding, a dinner party, or simply to add a cosy warmth or a sprinkle of festive cheer to your space. Flameless candles, or LED candles, aim to provide a realistic dose of atmospheric glow whilst forgoing the messy wax drippings and the fire hazards. Plus, they’re much safer for your pets and kids, and they never burn out!

The right flameless candle for your home or event may be battery-powered or rechargeable, votive, pillar or tea light, but if it’s your first time switching over you might need a hand getting started. Stay tuned for our expert tips on how to choose, as well as our ranking of the best buys from Amazon and eBay, guaranteed to brighten up your day.

Last updated: 04-04-2022

Table of Contents

How to Choose a Flameless Candle in the UK – Buying Guide

There’s more to choosing a flameless candle than you think, and one person’s ideal will certainly vary from another's. Where you want to use them will determine the design, features and quantity, and how you want them to look will depend on the atmosphere you want to create. Let’s shed some light!

Decide on the Size and Style of Candle Depending on the Location or Look You Want to Create

Firstly, you'll need to decide on the style of flameless candle much in the same way as you would with a traditional version. Does the occasion or decor call for a scattering of tea lights or a set of chunky pillar candles? Here are the LED alternatives to consider.

Sets of Pillar Candles Make Realistic Displays, or Choose Single Pillars to Use Alone or Scatter

Pillar-style flameless candles are typically either white or the ubiquitous wax-ivory shade, so make a note of which if you have a specific colour preference. Out of all the options, these usually look the most realistic, particularly when the “flame” is positioned to be hidden from sight.

Purchase your pillar as a single or in a set, choosing between identical heights or varying sizes that appear half-used depending on the look you want to go for. Both would suit multiple situations, from a row in a festive window display to a table centrepiece or simply placed around a large room for a wedding or party.

Tapered Candles Fit Into Your Candlestick but May Give the Game Away

Providing you find the correct circumference, tapered candles can replace the stick candles you place in your favourite candlestick or candelabra, only they’ll still be going strong by the end of the meal! Sometimes you can find coloured taper LED candles, but as with most varieties they are usually white or cream.

Select whichever pack size you require for your display, but if you are looking for a realistic taper candle that will be positioned right in your guests’ line of sight, we would suggest going for one with a semi-hidden flame. That said, the larger protruding flames are usually brighter, so they may look better in a window or on a shelf.

Use Flameless Tea Lights or Votives to Create Subtle Warmth That Lasts

Tea lights create a subtle glow that just oozes romance and cosiness, but within a couple of hours, they’re burnt out and ready for the bin. Not to worry, flameless tea lights will continue to set the mood from the vows to the evening reception, and won’t blow out if you’re using them outside!

This means they're a much less wasteful and more eco-friendly option too, and can be purchased in large multipacks if you do want them for an event. There are also tea light-style votive candles to consider, which are the slightly higher two-inch kind used in churches.

Any of these shorter candles are also a wonderful substitute for use at home, whether you normally use them for a pampering bath at the end of the day or as a way to gently light your bedroom or living room on an evening.

Choose Between Battery-Powered or Rechargeable Candles and Note the Battery Hours

Most flameless candles are battery-powered, so it’s a simple case of buying the right batteries and changing them when they’re spent.

Alternatively, you could opt for a rechargeable set that come with a plug-in base to sit the candles on whilst they power up, or those charged via a USB cable.

Regardless of which you go for, it’s worth factoring in the hours of battery life per candle, and even more so if you are buying flameless candles for use outdoors.

For as Realistic a Look as Possible, Go for Candles With a Wax Casing and Flickering Flames

If it’s realism you want, there are a couple of things you can look for alongside the overall appearance of the candle and where the electric flame sits. The first is to choose those with a real wax outer casing, that will give the illusion of real candles without the melted mess.

Secondly, some flameless candles flicker, and some don’t, so choose those that do if you want the convincing look of a dancing flame.

Candles With Remote Controls Allow Adjustments, and Switch Off on a Timer

With some candles, you won’t even have to get up to dim the lights or ramp up the atmosphere – you can do it all from the comfort of the sofa with a remote-controlled variety. Remote controls can feature a basic on/off switch alongside other adjustments such as brightness or a choice between a flickering or static flame.

Arguably the most useful feature for a remote-controlled candle is a timer, which will save you accidentally draining all its power if you forget to turn them off inside or in the garden. Each product’s remote functions will vary, so think about which would be most useful for you.

Scented Candles Act as an Additional Room Fragrance

Scented candles are a great way to delicately fragrance a room, and it’s not just wax models that can do so. Though you won’t find the plethora of fragrance options in flameless candles, there are still some options with simple scents like vanilla.

Flameless candles that emit fragrance are usually those with a wax casing, as scented oils can be blended into the wax in the same way as traditional candles.

Top 10 Best Flameless Candles in the UK

You know how to get the glow you’re after from a flameless candle, which means it’s time to pick which one to buy! We’ve made sure our ranking has something for everyone, so keep your preferences in mind while you have a browse.

OMGAILED Tea Lights

Pack of 24

£13.99

View product on Amazon

A Cheap and Bright Tea Light Set

This is an excellent value set of 24 white tea lights, which would still be an affordable option for an event with another couple of packs thrown in too! They’re battery-operated and very bright, and they even come with some decorative faux rose petals for you to scatter in your space.

The light itself is a warm white and they flicker too, so they don't look too unconvincing in that sense. However, if you want real authenticity, they may be better in candle holders, pumpkins, or lanterns as the protruding 'flame' is a bit of a giveaway.

Style	Tea light
Candle/Flame Colour	White/warm white
Size	1.5 x 3.5 cm
Power Source	CR2032 batteries
Battery Life	60 hours+
Wax Outer	No
Flicker Function	Yes
Remote Control	No
Scented	No

Lights4Fun Extra Large LED Outdoor Pillar Candle

£15.99

View product on Amazon

An Outdoor Pillar Candle That Stays Lit

Create a lovely amber glow in the garden or for an outdoor event with this weatherproof outdoor pillar candle. It’s a good size for the price at 22 cm tall, and it has a gentle flickering flame hidden under the realistic curved edges.

This is a not remote-controlled candle, but it does have a timer fitted that allows you to set when it powers on at the same time each day. Unfortunately, the C-type batteries are not included, and aren’t as easy to get hold of as your average AA’s.

Style	Pillar
Candle/Flame Colour	Ivory/amber
Size	22.5 x 11.5 cm
Power Source	C battery
Battery Life	–
Wax Outer	No
Flicker Function	Yes
Remote Control	No
Scented	No

RhytsingRed LED Taper Candles

Set of 4

£15.99

View product on Amazon

Festive Dining Candles Made With Real Wax

These red taper candles would look beautiful on a festive table or just to add a pop of colour to a room, and their smooth wax finish is quite realistic. There’s also an ivory-coloured option if you prefer.

A remote control lets you regulate power, brightness, a timer, and whether you want a steady or glowing flame, and they’re conveniently battery powered with one AA battery per candle which come included. Just remember to check that the 2 cm diameter fits your candlesticks, though.

Style	Taper
Candle/Flame Colour	Red/warm white
Size	27.5 cm
Power Source	AA batteries
Battery Life	–
Wax Outer	Yes
Flicker Function	Yes
Remote Control	Yes
Scented	No

SimpdecorWhite LED Taper Candles

Set of 3

£13.99

View product on Amazon

Realistic White Tapers to Fit Any Candlestick

Our second set of tapered candles may not have a remote control, but they do have a power-saving timer that keeps them lit for 6 hours and then off for 18. They’re made with real wax and do look the part as the modest flame is positioned to be unnoticeable beneath the 'melted' flower edge.

On top of all that, they have several different-sized silicone bases which allow them to fit any number of candlesticks or holders. Batteries aren’t provided, but they're easy-to-find AA's.

Style	Taper
Candle/Flame Colour	White/amber
Size	23 cm
Power Source	AA batteries
Battery Life	500 hours
Wax Outer	Yes
Flicker Function	Yes
Remote Control	No
Scented	No

Frostfire Vanilla-Scented Colour-Changing Candles

Set of 3

£16.99

View product on Amazon

Sweet-Smelling Colour-Changing Pillars

For a real mood-setter, how about this set of innovative pillar candles? They can be programmed to change colour using the remote, as well as to each glow a different hue. They also have flicker and timer modes, and, best of all, the outer wax is vanilla-scented.

The three different sizes make for quite a realistic appearance (perhaps minus the rainbow colours), as does the well-hidden flame. They also claim to last an impressive 50,000 hours per candle before the AAA batteries need changing!

Style	Pillar
Candle/Flame Colour	Ivory/multiple colour choices
Size	16, 12, 10 cm
Power Source	AAA batteries
Battery Life	50,000 hours
Wax Outer	Yes
Flicker Function	Yes
Remote Control	Yes
Scented	Yes

EXTSUDRechargeable Flameless Tea Lights

Set of 12

£25.69

View product on Amazon

Rechargeable Tea Lights for Indoors or Out

Though a bit more expensive than some other LED offerings, you won’t have to keep buying and replacing each individual battery with these rechargeable tea lights, and they’ll keep on glowing for 8-12 hours.

They're water-resistant and come with a set of frosted candle holders, making them wonderful for setting the mood outdoors as well as in. Or, you can also use them without the holder as simple tea lights if you prefer, using as many or as few as you like.

Style	Tea light
Candle/Flame Colour	White/warm white
Size	4 x 4.6 cm
Power Source	USB charging base
Battery Life	8-12 hours
Wax Outer	Yes
Flicker Function	Yes
Remote Control	No
Scented	No

amazon.co.uk

Luminara LED Fragrance Diffusing Candle

£47.99

View product on Amazon

The New Scented Range From a High-Quality Candle Brand

Like most of Luminara’s products, this is an excellent quality candle and its craftsmanship and reliability makes it completely worth the extra cost. One of their latest forays is this fragrance-diffusing candle, which can be used alone or with one of their 8 gorgeous scent capsules.

The wax candle base has a convenient timer, and you can’t fault their signature 'living flame' because it really is the most realistic we’ve ever seen! It is remote-control enabled too, but you’ll need to purchase one separately.

Style	Pillar
Candle/Flame Colour	Ivory/warm white
Size	10 x 20 cm
Power Source	D battery
Battery Life	500 hours
Wax Outer	Yes
Flicker Function	Yes
Remote Control	Yes, not included
Scented	With capsules

Homemory LED Votive Tea Lights

Set of 12

£13.99

View product on Amazon

Style	Votive
Candle/Flame Colour	White/warm white
Size	3 x 3.7 cm
Power Source	CR2032 batteries
Battery Life	100 hours
Wax Outer	No
Flicker Function	No
Remote Control	No
Scented	No

Lights4fun Skinny Wax Flameless Candles

Set of 6

£24.99

View product on Amazon

A Stunning Wax-Coated Set to Show Off

These pretty battery-powered pillars can be used for up to 100 hours, and come in a great variety of different sizes. Their classic ivory-coloured shell is complemented with handmade dripped wax that really could fool you from a short distance!

The attractive skinny 5 cm diameter really sets them apart from the competition looks-wise, and they’d make a beautiful display sat together at home, or just bought as a good value set to place individually wherever you choose.

Style	Pillar
Candle/Flame Colour	Ivory/warm white
Size	5 x 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 17.5, 22.5 cm
Power Source	CR2032 batteries
Battery Life	100 hours
Wax Outer	Yes
Flicker Function	Yes
Remote Control	No
Scented	No

DANIP Ivory Flameless Candles

Set of 9

£24.99

View product on Amazon

Stunning Multi-Adjustable Authentic-Looking Pillars

Our top recommendation is another great money-saving set, whether you choose to arrange them as an eye-catching display or place them separately. The remote control allows timed operation, adjustable brightness and a moving flame mode.

Unlike most sets, however, there are two controls included, which can be used on all nine candles individually. A wonderful substitute for the real thing, this bright, well-made and stunning-looking wax-coated set tops our charts, as it should yours!

Style	Pillar
Candle/Flame Colour	Ivory/amber
Size	10, 12, 15, 17, 20, 22 cm
Power Source	AA batteries
Battery Life	8-12 hours
Wax Outer	Yes
Flicker Function	Yes
Remote Control	Yes
Scented	No

Compare the Best Flameless Candles

Image	1 DANIP	2 Lights4fun	3 Homemory	4 Luminara	5 EXTSUD	6 Frostfire	7 Simpdecor	8 Rhytsing	9 Lights4Fun	10 OMGAI
Name	Ivory Flameless Candles	Skinny Wax Flameless Candles	LED Votive Tea Lights	LED Fragrance Diffusing Candle	Rechargeable Flameless Tea Lights	Vanilla-Scented Colour-Changing Candles	White LED Taper Candles	Red LED Taper Candles	Extra Large LED Outdoor Pillar Candle	LED Tea Lights
Features	Stunning Multi-Adjustable Authentic-Looking Pillars	A Stunning Wax-Coated Set to Show Off	Warm and Cosy Votives to Set the Mood	The New Scented Range From a High-Quality Candle Brand	Rechargeable Tea Lights for Indoors or Out	Sweet-Smelling Colour-Changing Pillars	Realistic White Tapers to Fit Any Candlestick	Festive Dining Candles Made With Real Wax	An Outdoor Pillar Candle That Stays Lit	A Cheap and Bright Tea Light Set
Price	£24.99	£24.99	£13.99	£47.99	£25.69	£16.99	£13.99	£15.99	£15.99	£13.99
Style	Pillar	Pillar	Votive	Pillar	Tea light	Pillar	Taper	Taper	Pillar	Tea light
Candle/Flame Colour	Ivory/amber	Ivory/warm white	White/warm white	Ivory/warm white	White/warm white	Ivory/multiple colour choices	White/amber	Red/warm white	Ivory/amber	White/warm white
Size	10, 12, 15, 17, 20, 22 cm	5 x 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 17.5, 22.5 cm	3 x 3.7 cm	10 x 20 cm	4 x 4.6 cm	16, 12, 10 cm	23 cm	27.5 cm	22.5 x 11.5 cm	1.5 x 3.5 cm
Power Source	AA batteries	CR2032 batteries	CR2032 batteries	D battery	USB charging base	AAA batteries	AA batteries	AA batteries	C battery	CR2032 batteries
Battery Life	8-12 hours	100 hours	100 hours	500 hours	8-12 hours	50,000 hours	500 hours	–	–	60 hours+
Wax Outer	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Flicker Function	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Remote Control	Yes	No	No	Yes, not included	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	No
Scented	No	No	No	With capsules	No	Yes	No	No	No	No
Link	View Amazon	View Amazon	View Amazon	View Amazon	View Amazon	View Amazon	View Amazon	View Amazon	View Amazon	View Amazon

Looking for More Cosy Candles?

Flameless candles are a great choice if you are looking for a safe and low-maintenance alternative to traditional candles. But sometimes you just want the real deal! If you're looking for some delicious-smelling wax candles for a hygge-inspired home, take a look at our recommendations.

10 Best Christmas Candles UK 2022 | Neom, Yankee Candle and More

Top 10 Best Scented Candles in the UK 2021 (Jo Malone, Yankee Candle, and More)

Top 10 Best Non-Toxic Candles in the UK 2021

Summary

Adding soft candlelight to your space can instantly transform it, but for those of us with small children, pets, or a party to host, they’re not always the best option. Luckily these clever flameless varieties can provide all of the atmosphere with none of the hassle. Hopefully today we’ve found your match!

Author: Natasha Dziubajlo