The 18 best flameless candles to create the right ambience for any occasion

The best flameless candles are ideal if you want to display gorgeously lit candles in your home, outdoors, or for an event such as a wedding without the worry of an open flame. 

An LED-operated flameless candle may not sound romantic, but the models available now are almost indistinguishable from real candles and can help you create the atmosphere you want in any space. While they make your house smell good like the best-scented candles, they can help to make your home feel cosy in exactly the same way as the real thing.

Once dubious, we're now complete coverts because flameless candles are much safer than regular candles. No open flame means you can place them around more freely, they don't let off smoke or toxins, nor do they drip hot wax, and there's no need to worry about kids or pets touching them. 

Best of all, LED candles can be reused again and again for years so more eco-friendly than their real counterparts and another step closer to living sustainably. Good news on all fronts.

We've tried and tested the top flameless candles on the market at the moment to create a list of the best flameless candles you can purchase for just about any occasion, at a variety of price points.

The best flameless candles at a glance

If you want to quickly snap up some of the best flameless candles, we've rounded up our top 5 picks in this easy list, before our more detailed descriptions and full list below:

1. Best flameless candle overall: Lights4fun LED Pillar Candles
2. Best luxury flameless candle: Amagic Flameless Candles
3. Best budget flameless candle: Homemory Flameless Votive Candles
4. Best outdoor flameless candle: Luminara Outdoor LED Candle
5. Most realistic flameless candle: Lights4Fun TruGlow 3-Wick Candle

How we tested the best flameless candles

The best flameless candles to buy in 2023

These three flameless candles are our pick for the best flameless candles overall. Why? Because the simple set ticks all our boxes, both looking the part and playing the part – plus, they are budget-friendly and thoroughly realistic thanks to the TruGlow innovative technology which uses hand-poured real wax to create a perfect finish. 

You can place these warm white candles anywhere in your home, including on a windowsill or dining table, or even outside in your garden in a lantern. When switched off, they look like a traditional church pillar candle in soft cream, but when powered on, this set of three pillar candles transforms into a warming aesthetic that's subtle, relaxing, and beautifully understated. 

With a flickering flame, they look realistic wherever they are placed, and whether they are styled indoors or out – these are the ideal flameless candles to use inside storm lanterns.

These Lights4fun flameless candles can be switched on and off using a remote control, and you can even put them on a six-hour timer for ease of use when you have guests over. Each candle requires just two AA batteries to shine for up to 600 hours – which is far, far longer lasting than regular candles.

Choose the Amagic Flameless Candles if you are searching for realistic flameless candles with a quiet luxury look about them. With already-burned faux wicks, these look convincingly real – from afar people will never suspect they are LED candles. 

Not only do these flameless candles have a unique melting effect, but they're also made of non-toxic unscented real wax which only adds to the authentic feel they bring to your home. They even boast faux 'melted wax' surrounding each wick.

The Amagic candle comes in a set of two, for dotting around your home or nestling together or even your patio since these are also designed for outdoor use. (However, they're not waterproof so bring them inside if it rains.) 

You can control these luxury flameless candles with the 10-key remote that comes included, and you can switch between making them flicker or opting for a steady glow. You can even adjust the brightness of your candles to set the mood. 

For convenience, you can even put them on a timer for up to eight hours – better yet, schedule them to turn on at the same time every day. Measuring three inches in diameter and three different heights from four inches to five inches, and six inches high, all you need is two AA batteries to light these candles. This should keep each one alight for an impressive 500 hours.

It is easy to see why these decorative shell candles are best-sellers on all sides of the globe. With a nod to the leading coastal interior design trend the embedded shell decorations make these candles worthy of displaying in their own right - even when not showing off their flickering flames.

The incredibly true-to-life design is made using a combination of real wax and sea shells, which results in a beautifully imperfect finish that adds to the realism - they really do look like artisan candles you'd pick up in a gift store. We loved these candles more than other plain pillar designs we tested during our reviews, purely because they look so decorative in comparison.

Of course, the wick is black topped with a white 'flame' which doesn't look as realistic when it's not in use but that's, unfortunately, a common LED candle occurrence. However, the minute it's switched on the gentle flickering light is enough to emulate the look of a real candle. 

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A handy remote control makes it super easy to switch the set of three candles on and off from wherever they are placed around the room. You can also set them on a timer so they switch off automatically.

The set of three that we tested is the ideal height assortment (at 15, 12.5, and 10cm) to arrange on a coffee table or mantelpiece, but the design is also available in a spectacular 3-wick large round LED candle design – if you're looking for one statement shell candle.

The Homemory Flameless Votive Candles are great if you are on a smaller budget, or if you require several flameless candles for an event – perhaps for a wedding or a large party. Not only do they come in a pack of 24 for less than £20/$20, but they are warm white in color, which ensures they aren't too bright for placing on a dinner table. We'd suggest popping them inside tealight holders, or even lanterns. 

These candles are made from durable plastic, so they won't chip if you throw them into a box to store between events or holidays. However, the plastic design doesn't quite give off the most luxe look, but we liked that each one has a flickering flame to simulate a real candle burning. The flame on each candle also sits a few inches inside, to make it appear as if it has previously been lit and burned. 

Each candle has a switch at its bottom to turn it on or off (no remote control usage), and they are all the same size – 1.48 inches in diameter and 1.6 inches in height. To power these flameless candles, they require CR2032 batteries, and these should last for around 150 hours of use. 

The OSHINE flameless candles are our pick for the best flameless candles that are remote controllable. You can use the 10-button remote to completely control these candles, whether you want to turn them on, switch them to flicker, dim their brightness, or set them on a timer cycle—there's an option to create any ambience. 

Authentic in the way they look, they have a dancing flame so that they realistically flicker when switched on, and they are ivory in colour to add some warmth to your home. They are even made of real paraffin wax to add to the authentic feel –although this means you won't want to leave them in the sun or outside in your backyard at any point.

One candle is four inches high, another five inches and the last is six inches high. All three are also 3.15 inches in diameter. All that's required to give light to these flameless candles are two AA batteries—these will keep each candle shining for more than 300 hours.

This set of reflective glass votives from Wayfair pleasantly surprised us in real life, the look was rather more striking than we anticipated. The set comes with a remote control that allows you to switch the candles on and off in sync, from the other side of the room even. Of course, you can control them individually with a switch, if you don't wish to light all three at once.

The remote enables you to set a timer of two, four, six, and eight-hour run times – which automatically switches off after the selected time. There's also the option to dim the lights or turn them up brighter, opt for static light or choose flicker candlelight. 

The three assorted heights measure 15cm, 12.5cm, and 10cm to create a transcending light of illumination on a mantlepiece or styled as a graduating cluster in the centre of a coffee table. Each candle requires two batteries, so be prepared to buy enough.

Our only slight objection is that the flames are a bit too amber not really replicating a real candle flame – the intensity feels more like the core of a real fire. Having said that it's better to be too warm in flame likeness than too white and bright and therefore totally unrealistic.

The DANIP Flameless Candles are perfect if you're in the midst of planning your big wedding day. They are a very appropriate ivory colour wrapped with silver string lights (12 to 16 LED fairy lights) to enhance your table decor, and will also add a small amount of extra light to your table, or to a room. They even reflect small (yet bright) dots onto tables or walls, which is great for creating a party atmosphere. 

The best part? These candles don't just look great, they even flicker and their flame dances, similarly to what a real flame would do once lit. They are made of ivory wax, which makes them look a lot more realistic than plastic versions, too. You can also set these candles on a timer—and on a schedule—from two hours to eight hours, which is very handy for a party that extends well into the small hours.

Use the handy 10-key remote control to individually control both the candles and string lights, whether you want them to flicker, stop or you'd like to control their brightness from afar. They come in three sizes including four inches, five inches, and six inches, all with a diameter of 3.15 inches.

The generous three-wick 12cm diameter candle is thoroughly realistic, it looks like it may have been purchased from an artisan candle shop. This is largely thanks to the encapsulated real dried fruit in the real paraffin wax design – yes that's right the TruGlow flameless candles feature hand-poured real wax and innovative technology to perfectly mimic the appearance of an authentic candle with real flames.

This has to be a favorite of all the flameless candles we've tested as part of this round-up because it really does look real and even faintly smells like a winter fragrant candle. Even the gentle flickering light has a “just lit” feeling that emulates the natural glow and movement of real flames. It's hard to appreciate in pictures but the tip of each faux wick is slightly shaded to mimic that of a real burning wick for added realism, it's all these little touches that we adored.

This decorative winter candle is perfect for creating a cozy setting either on a living room coffee table or a dining table centerpiece. Simply pop in three AA batteries and place them on the 6-hour timer for illumination that lasts all evening before switching itself off.

These  WeixiDesigns taper candles are the best flameless candles if you want something that's more of a candlestick shape or something to go in a candelabra. These tapered candles give off a warm glow making them perfect for bestowing on your dinner table, or even on a windowsill. 

They even boast a realistic wax dripping effect, and a moving wick to make them look ten times more real. With a unique, handmade beeswax construction, they are also environmentally friendly and non-toxic, too. Ivory white in colour, these candles emit a warm white glow once lit, and we reckon they make for the ideal table centrepiece, whether for a special occasion dinner party, or a wedding.

These four LED candles have a remote so that you can control them all at the same time, and using this remote they can also be set on a timer for up to eight hours. They can also be set to turn on at the same time each day if you plan on using them daily. At 9.8 inches high and with a small diameter of 0.8 inches, they should fit well in most candelabras or tall candle holders. They are on the pricier side for a flameless candle, however.

It was love at first sight upon unboxing this dazzling trio! Just like the best overall candles we love (no.1) but with a little something extra. Not for everyone, but if you like a little touch of glam and gold these are the perfect flameless candles for your home. The ombre gold effect around the base of each candle is subtle yet sophisticated enough to make a traditional pillar candle feel ultra-luxe.

Same as the plainer counterpart this set of three pillar candles emit a warm white flickering glow that looks just like the real thing, only these candles have a battery life of 600 hours. Each candle requires two AA batteries, all are individually turned on and off via a switch in the bottom that can be instant or flick to a timer that switches off automatically after 6 hours.

Because of the time of year, we can't help but feel that the gold detailing makes these pillars ideal for any manner of Christmas decorating ideas to offer a safe alternative to using real candles and naked flames.

On the hunt for the best flameless candles and want to shop at Amazon (eg, you need a quick delivery)? These ones made by YIWER are a great bet—they have a real wax outer, to make them look as realistic as possible, and have more than 18,000 reviews and an impressive 4.6-star rating. 

They are ivory in colour, as opposed to plain white, and each one has a dancing wick to make them seem very realistic while in action. They are perfect for placing atop a table during an intimate dinner—or inside a candle holder. Three candles come included in one pack, and each differs in size from four inches in height to five inches and even six inches high. 

You can control these three flameless candles using a remote control, to make them flicker or to adjust their brightness. And you can even set them on a timer from two hours to up to nine hours, which is handy for more lively parties, or day-long events. Two AA batteries provide life for more than 300 hours to each candle, meaning they'll last and last. They aren't waterproof though, so don't use them outside.

These Lights4fun best-selling pillar candles are our top pick for the best and most stylish flameless candles. Not only are they made of real wax, but they come in a huge range of colours too – including this on-trend navy blue, lighter champagne, or a distressed black finish. The slightly marbled finish would no doubt add a sophisticated touch to any room of your house (though if you're after a scented candle, instead, that also makes a style statement, you might want to peruse our guide to the best Diptyque candles). 

These pillar candles truly do look the part too, with a flickering white warm bulb that imitates a real flame. These are great for use in the fall, especially in the lead-up to and on the day of Halloween alongside your best pumpkin-spiced-scented candle. Just don't style them outside your home on your front porch, as they are only meant for inside use. 

Each candle has a three-inch diameter, and they vary in height from four inches to five inches and six inches. Turn over the candles to switch them on or off at their base, or set them on a timer for six hours. Each candle has an amazingly good battery life too—they'll 'burn' for up to 600 hours at a time.

The more wicks on a candle, the more luxurious it looks in a home. This is why we were very happy to find a three-wick flameless candle—safety meets style. Not only is this large candle statement-worthy but it's also made of real ivory wax that's impressively thick. This is essentially a real candle without the real flame. 

Three-wick candles normally cost a lot more than average-size candles, and without the need to replace this one every few months after it burns away, you'll be sure to get your money's worth. With a flickering flame on each wick, this candle looks like it has just been lit, with faux melted wax pools surrounding each burnt wick. 

You can also set it to a steady flame if that suits the mood of your room the best. This Lamplust Store flameless candle is also remote controllable, which means you can set it on a timer for four or eight hours at a time. 

Because not all candles are church-like cream pillar candles, we wanted to test this charcoal-coloured LED design. Particularly because we personally have an almost identical real candle, bought as a keepsake from a trip to St Eval in Cornwall – the real one boasts a deep oaky scent but sometimes when you love a candle it seems sacrilege to burn it too often for too long – or is that just us? 

Consider this the perfect stand-in for your favourite fragranced candle. after you've enjoyed an hour of the scented candle you can simply switch the flameless version on and imagine it's the same one. 

The texture and gradient of this design make it feel incredibly realistic like a real candle with its perfectly hand-poured imperfections. The wick is less realistic by daylight because of the stark contrast of the black against the white 'flame', but when it's in use all is forgiven as it flickers like a real candle.

The brooding colour of this 10cm pillar candle evokes more of an ambience as the flame appears to dance in total darkness because the base is disguised in the shadows of a room by night. It requires two AA batteries to power (included) and features a six-hour timer to ensure it's not left on, unnecessarily draining the battery life.

These non-flickering LED tealights from LUMABASE are the best flameless tea lights you can buy. Not only are they safe to use around children and pets, but they also come in a wide variety of colours, so you're sure to find one to match your room decor. 

Use these LED candles inside tea light holders for the full effect – but you might want to note that these candles are non-flickering, so don't look super realistic. They are made of plastic to make them easy to reuse year after year, and occasion after occasion. We say they would look perfect dotted around a table or even placed around a room, and they make decorating for an event or a party easy. 

Best of all, this set of 12 flameless candles is a bargain at under $20. Each candle has an on-and-off switch at its base, and each requires a CR2032 battery (included) to work for an impressive 30 hours each. It's not the longest battery time of all the picks in our guide, but pretty good for such a small flameless candle.

These LED block candles by IKEA are made to emulate the look of real candles that have naturally burnt down to different heights, with an imperfect finish to offer a touch of realism – despite being flameless designs. This set of 3 feels more like the real thing due to their overall aesthetic and also from the cosy flickering light given off that resembles a real flame.

On the underside of each candle is a button with three positions – Off, 6H, and a hand symbol. The 6H represents timer mode, where you can set the candles to switch on at an allotted time, while the hand symbol indicates that the smart motion sensory mode is activated.

The 'flame' can be controlled without touching the candles and this set can be controlled by a quick sweeping hand movement thanks to the clever built-in motion sensor. Simply wave a hand over the LED flame to turn it on or off, forgoing the tell-tale signs of imitation candles by having to turn them upside down to access an on/off switch. 

The smart built-in timer sets the candles to automatically illuminate at the same time every day, as soon as dusk falls for instance. Fear not if you forget to switch them off, they will automatically switch off after 6 hours of static use as a safety precaution. 

The 3-piece set comprises 1 LED block candle H10 cm; 1 LED block candle H13.5 cm and 1 LED block candle H16, all of which offer a warm white glow. Batteries are sold separately; 6 pcs AA is required.

Perfect if you're decorating for a garden party or looking for things to bring your outdoor living room ideas to life, this LED candle is designed especially to withstand the elements outdoors. More than merely waterproof, the candle is also windproof and sunproof, making it the best overall outdoor flameless candle that is built to withstand the elements and all unpredictable weather.  

The 22cm high pillar candle is made from waxless, matt plastic to give the appearance of a real candle, which when placed inside a lantern you would be forgiven for thinking it was 100% the real thing. 

Of course, because it's not real you get the added bonus of being able to set a timer so this imitation LED candle illuminates on command with a 5-hour and 19-hour timed option. And unlike a real flame, this LED flame won't be blown out by wind or rain showers.

And because the candle is specially made to be left outside it is also safe to clean too. We tried wiping the candle with a soft, dry cloth to remove any watermarks and it worked well.

Following the success of the TuGlow range of LED candles, this range has been specially designed to welcome a touch of flameless candle magic to outdoor living rooms and patio areas. And while ok, they don't look as realistic by day because they are quite obviously plastic – which we were a little disheartened by when we opened the box on arrival – all that was forgotten once dusk fell because these outdoor flameless candles only really come into their own once it's dark and then they can shine bright. 

The 'flame' by night is as good as the real thing - only far safer for most settings. Plus these artificial candles won't be spoiled if a sudden downpour occurs, because they are waterproof. 

These outdoor candles would be perfect for storm lanterns and hurricane lanterns because you aren't wasting any aspect of the design, unlike the Luminara outdoor candle in our buying guide, these outdoor candles don't try to look like life-like burnt-down candles, they are unapologetically simple pillar designs that don't try too hard aesthetically – in a good way.

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While we tested the pillar duo you can also get smaller pillar candles in the same design. The fact that you can get the design in a variety of different sizes is ideal for covering all your garden party needs. The differing heights mean you can dress the table with the smallest pillar candles or illuminate the patio (as we did) with the largest design to ensure the entire yard is adequately lit. 

What are the benefits of flameless candles?

We could write a long list of the benefits of flameless candles. Some of them include:

• Safe around children and pets: As opposed to real candles that require a firelight, flameless candles have no flame so don't run the risk of burning or injuring people, especially pets and children. They also don't give off any smoke so they're not harmful to ingest, nor do they contain artificial fragrances. 
• Eco-friendly: Typically the best flameless candles have a long battery life, so you can reuse them again and again, unlike new candles. With flameless candles, you'll only need to buy one (or a set), every few years, cutting down on waste.
• No wax drip: Unlike even the best aromatherapy candles, flameless candles don't drip wax, so they won't ruin a surface, tablecloth—or even clothing.
• Good on a budget: Flameless candles won't ever need replacing unless they break. They will need their batteries changed, but other than that they should be good to use for years to come. 

 “LED candles are the ultimate accessory when it comes to decorating your home, especially throughout the winter months,”  says Lights4Fun’s director of products, Amy Mason. “Safe for both children and pets, the hyper-realistic flameless candles cast a warm ambient glow throughout your home. Choose from an assortment of sizes, colours, and designs and simply style along the dining table, windowsills and side tables to achieve the perfect cosy display.”

Can you leave flameless candles on all night?

Yes, you can leave flameless candles on all night, though we suggest putting yours on a timer if you're likely to forget to switch them off. Leaving one of these candles on all night will run their battery low and waste energy, but popping them on a timer will help conserve their battery life.

"An optional timer function allows the candles to illuminate for 6 hours at the same time each evening, before automatically switching off," explains Amy, "and with a battery life of 200 hours, they’ll continue to provide a warm welcome home."