We researched the best battery-powered candles available online, ranking them on brightness, battery life, and adjustability. Our top overall choice is the Simply Collected 3D Flickering Flameless Candle, a realistic-looking option with a four-hour automatic timer and long battery life. Here are the best flameless candles for your home. The Simply Collected 3D Flameless Candles are as close to the real thing as you’re going to get. Made from extra-thick, unscented real wax pillars, they throw out a bright warm flame that looks just like candlelight from every angle. You can turn the light on and off manually, or set the 4-hour automatic timer if you want the candles to shut off on their own. There’s also a remote (sold separately) that can operate all of the candles at once, so if you have more than one, you can turn them on and off simultaneously. The candle comes in two colors—white and ivory (for a more golden glow)—and three sizes, so you can create a tiered trio or mix and match around the house. Customers love the white color for its realistic appearance, while the ivory adds a warmer touch to any space. Hundreds of satisfied customers relay that the candle is even more realistic than expected. Plus, the battery lasts a long time and they are inexpensive compared to normal candles. Price at time of publish: $28 Price at time of publish: $20 Price at time of publish: $30 Price at time of publish: $30 Price at time of publish: $13 for 4 x 4 Price at time of publish: $15 Price at time of publish: $99 Other thoughtful features such as a remote control that turns the candles on and off, adjusts the brightness, and sets the timer are also included in this set. Although we love the design that went into this set, we are worried that these candles may not be safe to use around children or pets because they are quite small. We recommend keeping them out of reach of wandering hands, if you do decide to purchase them. The flicker feature on these candles is also not completely realistic, but we don’t consider this a dealbreaker, as imitating flames is challenging. Overall, these rechargeable tea lights are not only an affordable option, but they’re also practical for savvy hostesses and avid Halloween decorators alike. Price at time of publish: $34 Price at time of publish: $48 for 4 x 7 Price at time of publish: $33

Design

Unlike a real candle, flameless candles are available with lots of convenient features and settings. Battery operated, some flameless candles come with a timer so you can set them to turn off automatically after a few hours. Others come with a remote control that includes a timer as well as different modes to control the flame style. The look, tone, and style of the flame can vary as well with some options appearing to look more realistic than others. Some options are made of real wax so they look and feel just like a traditional candle.

Scented vs Unscented

Similar to traditional candles, flameless candles can be found scented or unscented. You can even find options that double as a diffuser to use with your favorite essential oils. If you want to enjoy the glow of a candle but don’t like a strong odor, choose unscented.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This article was written by Lindsey Lanquist, a Nashville-based home and lifestyle writer who has been contributing to The Spruce since 2019. When selecting picks for this article, she pored over dozens of customer and third-party reviews, considering the design, battery life, and cost of each option. She landed on this list of realistic options that are sure to add a warm ambiance to your space.