Which tealight candles are best?
Finding the best tealight candle is not difficult…
If you’re looking to set the mood and make a space feel warm and inviting, then you can’t do much better than a set of tealights. What these small candles lack in brightness, they make up for in overall atmosphere.
Originally designed to keep pots of tea warm, these round candles are now typically purchased in bulk and lit in multiple spots around a room. If you want the romantic glow of tealights without the messy wax, then Homemory Flickering Bulb LED Tealights are the top choice.
What to know before you buy tealight candles
What are tealights?
Tealights are small, round candles that are usually wrapped in metal or plastic. Unlike traditional candles that drip wax as they burn, tealights remain self-contained and liquefy completely in their casings. This makes them convenient sources of soft, intimate light for special occasions like holidays, anniversaries and religious events. Most tealights are even lightweight enough to float on water. While not particularly useful for illumination, these tiny lights are unmatched when it comes to setting the mood.
Wax types
Just like regular candles, tealights can be made from a variety of different wax types.
- Paraffin: Usually found in the most affordable tealights, paraffin is a commonly used petroleum byproduct. This kind of wax burns brightly, but environmentally conscious consumers may want to steer clear of these products.
- Soy wax: While this kind of wax burns cleaner and is more environmentally sustainable than paraffin, it also tends to produce dimmer illumination than other wax types.
- Beeswax: Another eco-friendly alternative to paraffin, beeswax has a natural earthy scent and produces a bright burn. These candles are typically more expensive than other wax types.
Quantity
Due to their small size and short burn time, tealight candles are often sold in bulk. As with other bulk items, you’ll usually save more money per candle if you purchase a large amount. Depending on the quality and the wax type, you can find a pack that contains anywhere from a dozen candles to over 100.
What to look for in quality tealight candles
Burn time
The vast majority of tealight candles will only burn for two or three hours. Some brands say that their candles feature an extended burn time, but this can only be achieved when there’s no wind, dust or humidity to extinguish the lights. If you’re purchasing tealights to use at an event, think about how long they’re going to last and consider bringing backup candles, if necessary.
Scents
Like regular candles, some tealights are scented. These can range from relaxing, floral scents like jasmine and lavender to spicy, seasonal fragrances like cinnamon and nutmeg. If you’re trying to avoid artificial ingredients, look at the product closely to make sure that the manufacturer derives their fragrances from natural oils.
Flameless tealight candles
If you’re concerned about fire safety, look into faux tealight candles. These lights are typically battery-powered and use LED lighting to simulate the appearance of a flickering candle flame. While usually more expensive than traditional wax tealights, faux candles can be used again and again with no risk of fire.
How much you can expect to spend on tealight candles
The cost of tealight candles can vary depending on the type of wax used and how many are included in the pack. Most consumers can expect to spend around $10-$30 for a large quantity of tealights.
We hope we have made it easier for you to find the best tealight candle.