The Best Flameless Candles for a Warm Glow Without the Fire and Smoke

Best Overall

Eywamage Glass Flameless Candles

$25 at Amazon $48 at Walmart

Our top pick is this set of three flameless candles from Eywamage, which stands out because it comes with glass jars and paraffin wax, just like real candles. The flame has a warm glow and a 3D simulated flame, which flickers without the wick moving for a realistic effect. With a lifespan of over 50,000 hours, the LED bulbs in these flameless candles will last for years to come, though keep in mind you’ll need to supply your own AA batteries. 

The included remote control and timer function on these flameless candles allow you to tailor their brightness depending on the mood and setting, power on/off, and set a timer for four or eight hours. These flameless candles are also available in clear, gold, green, and red jars to match any decor or aesthetic.

Size: 3 by 3 by 4-6 inches | Battery Type: 2 AA (not included) | Features: Remote control, timer

Best Budget

Threshold Flickering Flame Candle Set

$17 at Target

Trying to keep costs low? That doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the quality of your home decor. These inexpensive flameless candles from Target, which come in a set of two, will create a warm, satisfying atmosphere in your home. The pillar candles are made with real wax and have a wavy edge to mimic the appearance of unevenly burned wax. 

These flameless candles have a flickering LED light that’s meant to look like a real, natural flame. They operate on a timer and come with a convenient remote, so you can control them from across the room and set them to turn on and off at certain times. Batteries are sold separately, but that’s a small hassle considering how great these candles will look and feel in your home, especially at such a low price. The only major downside is that this pick doesn’t come in multiple sizes or colors.

Size: 3 by 5 inches | Battery Type: 4 AA (not included) | Features: Timer, remote

Best Colorful

Grandin Road Flameless Textured Candle

View on Grandinroad.com

Brighten any room with these vibrant flameless candles from Grandin Road—the eclectic hues range from burnt orange to pear to fuchsia, so you can definitely find a color that pops in your space. The textured finish and real wax construction lend these candles a realistic look, while the LED flame illuminates whatever color you select from within. Keep in mind that these candles are for indoor use only. 

Like many flameless candles, this pick has a remote which allows you to control the timer (with increments of two, four, six, and eight hours), power on and off, and select a steady or flickering flame mode. You can choose from three sizes, with heights of 4, 6, and 8 inches, or select multiple for a colorful, clustered finish. 

Size: 3 sizes ranging from 3 by 4 to 4 by 8 inches | Battery Type: 4 AA (not included) | Features: Remote, timer

Best Flickering

Simply Collected Flickering Flameless Candles

$30 at Amazon

If you want a flameless candle that closely mimics the look of a real candle, then make sure to opt for one with a flickering, swaying LED flame like this pick from Simply Collected. Available in a set of two, these candles will make a gorgeous addition to your home, thanks to their warm-white flickering “flame,” sunken design (so you can see the flame clearly wherever you are), and thick, attractive rose-pink wax pillars.

These top-rated candles come with a remote and automatic timer option so you can choose how many hours to keep them on, and you can use that remote to adjust the brightness of the flame or turn off the flicker if you choose. The candles can last for up to 800 hours before their batteries (which aren’t included) will need to be replaced. One small negative is that the rose-pink hue of the pillars might not go with every decor, so if you’re looking for more neutral and versatile candles that can go in any room, these likely won’t be the best choice.

Size: 3 by 5 inches, 3 by 6 inches | Battery Type: 2 C (not included) | Features: Timer, remote

Best Taper

GenSwin Flameless Taper Candles

$23 at Amazon $60 at Walmart

Taper candles are long, cylindrical candles that look beautiful when placed in candlestick holders to decorate a table, windowsill, or mantle. This set comes with six flameless taper candles that are made from real wax and feature a flickering LED light. Even though they’ll look best in a decorative holder, these taper candles can also stand on their own.

They emit a warm, ambient light and come in several wax colors, including ivory, gray, and red. You can also opt for a “drip” version, which appears to have dripping wax to make the candles look even more realistic. The set comes with a remote control that you can use to adjust the brightness, change the flicker mode, and set a timer for up to eight hours—much longer than many other flameless candles.

Sizes: 0.78 by 9.64 inches | Battery Type: 2 AAA batteries per candle (not included) | Features: Timer, remote

Best Pillar

Angelloong Flickering Flameless Candles

$22 at Amazon

Pillar flameless candles are best for people who don’t want to keep their candles in jars or containers since they can stand alone. Thanks to its elegant ivory color (one of over 20 options to choose from, including gold, purple, and clear) and melted wave-top design, this flameless pillar candle from Angelloong will look beautiful in any space.

These pillar candles come in three sizes, all of which have a simulated black wick, and you can use the included remote to dim the candles’ brightness if you want a different vibe for the room The remote also lets you pick from timer options of four, five, six, and eight hours, and the battery life is designed to last up to 500 hours. The resin material does look and feel a bit more plasticky than some people might like, but on the upside, it’s strong enough to hold up to weather outside, so you can use the candles in your backyard (as long as the rain isn’t too hard).

Sizes: 3 by 3 by 4 inches, 3 by 3 by 5 inches, 3 by 3 by 6 inches | Battery Type: 2 AA batteries (not included) | Features: Timer, remote

Best With a Timer

Hanzim Flameless Flickering Candles

$24 at Amazon $37 at Walmart

This set of nine pillar flameless candles can add a relaxing ambiance and warmth to any space, whether it be on your dining table or bedroom bookshelves. We especially love that these flameless candles come with two remotes and a timer feature, so you can split up the set and place candles in different rooms or areas of your home. 

The timer function allows you to toggle between two, four, six, and eight hours and resets on a 24-hour loop—making these candles extremely hands-off. You can also set blinking lights and brightness with the remotes. With various sizes that make them look just-melted, elegant ivory wax, and a flickering flame, the Hanzim Flameless candles can easily replace the real thing—no smoke or fire hazard necessary. 

Size: 6 sizes ranging from 2.2 by 4 inches to 2.2 by 9 inches | Battery Type: 2 AA (not included) | Features: Timer, remote

Best Splurge

Luminara Wax Pillar Candles

$50 at Pottery Barn

If you have a taste for high-end candles, try this flameless pick from Pottery Barn on for size. It may cost a bit more than most other options on this list, but it comes in a wide range of sizes (from 2 by 5 inches to 6 by10 inches) and two different colors (ivory and white). Each flickering candle is made of paraffin wax with a plastic center and features a battery-powered, amber-hued light that resembles a flame. It also comes with an on/off switch and a helpful timer that keeps the light on for five hours and off for 19 hours. 

Like many of the other options on this list, batteries are not included, and you’ll either need two C or D batteries per candle depending on which size you choose. The only other downside is that the remote is not included, either, so you’ll need to purchase it separately if you want to be able to control the candle from afar.

Sizes: 6 sizes ranging from 2 by 5 to 6 by 10 inches | Battery Type: 2 C or D batteries, depending on size (sold separately) | Features: Timer

Best Tea Light

Homemory Homemory Battery Tea Lights with Timer

$14 at Amazon

They may be tiny, but tea lights can make a huge difference in the ambiance of the room and the overall decor. These flameless tea lights from Homemory come in a set of 12, so you can display them all together for serious brightness or spread them out to add warmth to various spaces. The plastic candles  have eye-catching melting edges as well as a soft, flickering LED light. Whether you choose to place these candles in small jars or display them on their own, they’ll undoubtedly provide romantic coziness to the area in question. 

These candles have an on/off switch and a timer that keeps them on for six hours before turning them off for 18 hours, repeating every day and lasting a total of up to 150 hours. Helpfully, batteries are included (so you can start using the candles right after taking them out of the package!), but sadly the candles don’t come with a remote, so you have to rely solely on the timer and on/off switch to control the lights.

Sizes: 1.4 by 1.4 by 1.25 inches | Battery Type: 1 CR2032 button per candle (included) | Features: Timer

Best Votive

Homemory Flameless Votive Candles

$17 at Amazon $19 at Walmart

Like tea lights, votive candles are small, delicate, and great for those who love the look of numerous flames. These flameless votive candles from Homemory can be placed in most votive jars for a more authentic look. Available in a set of six, these candles have warm LED lights, a realistic dripping wax look, and a melted edge design. They even have a black wick at the center, so your guests are more likely to mistake these flameless candles for the real thing.

The automatic timer keeps the light on for six hours and off for 18 hours, but you can also control the candle with the on/off switch. Batteries are included, which is helpful for people who don’t have extra button batteries around the house. Just note that you’ll need to purchase votive jars or containers separately to achieve the most realistic look.

Size: 2 by 2 inches | Battery Type: 1 CR2450 battery per candle (included) | Features: Timer

Best Scented

Luminara Fragrance Diffusing Candle Pillar

View on Luminara.com

If you’re looking to create the ultimate cozy experience at home, opt for a flameless candle that doesn’t just look warm and inviting but also releases a soothing, appealing scent. This tall, elegant candle from Luminara allows you to insert a fragrance pod inside, with delicious options ranging from Honeycrisp Apple to Spiced Cinnamon to Vanilla Sea Salt.

Unfortunately, you do have to buy the fragrance pods separately—which are made from essential oils—but on the plus side, they come in sets of three, so you can load up on a few different scents at once. As for the candle itself, its ivory-colored pillar is made from smooth paraffin wax and features a melted top and warm LED “flame.” You can control the light via an on/off switch at the bottom of the candle and set it to a timer for five hours on and 19 hours off. It doesn’t come with a remote, but you can buy one separately if you want that option, and the batteries (also not included) can last for over 500 hours before needing replacement.

Sizes: 3.75 by 7 inches | Battery Type: 2 D batteries (not included) | Features: Timer

Best Rechargeable

ALED LIGHT Rechargeable Candles Flickering with Remote

$30 at Amazon

Even though most flameless candles can last a long time before dying, it can still be a huge convenience to opt for ones that come with rechargeable batteries, such as this set of three flickering pillar candles made by ALED Light. Available in three sizes, the paraffin wax candles take just a few hours to fully charge and helpfully display a light to indicate when they’re totally set. All in all, they can last for over 50,000 hours, and they even come with a charging cable.

These great candles also stand out for their ability to be displayed in 12 colors (like purple, gold, and blue) that you can pick using the included remote, or you can set it up so that the candles switch gradually between each color option. Speaking of the remote, you can also use it to put the candles on a timer for four or eight hours, or control the lights manually if you prefer. It’d be ideal if the candles looked a bit more realistic, but overall, there’s much to love about them, especially their rechargeable nature.

Sizes: 3 by 4 inches, 3 by 5 inches, 3 by 6 inches | Battery Type: 2 AA batteries (not included) | Features: Timer, remote

Best Outdoor

Enido Flickering Flameless Outdoor Candles

$13 at Amazon

Flameless candles are most often used indoors, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use them outdoors, too. You just need to make sure you’re using flameless candles that are designed to handle the elements. The Enido flameless candles come in a set of three, and they’re made of plastic, which makes them easy to wipe down and keep clean. They also have an IP44 rating, which means that splashes of water from any direction (like rain) won’t cause damage. Plus, the candles are designed with drainage holes to prevent water from pooling and a rubber ring to seal off the battery chamber.

The candles also have a timer with four different cycles ranging from two to eight hours, and they can be controlled via remote, which will come in handy if you forget to turn them off before you’ve already gone inside for the night. 

Sizes: 3 sizes ranging from 3.25 by 4 to 3.25 by 6 inches | Battery Type: 2 AA batteries per candle (not included) | Features: Timer, remote