Stacy Lewis, owner and principal designer at Eternity Modern, suggests shoppers start by reflecting on their space’s desired look. “Consider the room’s overall aesthetic—are you going for modern, contemporary, or antique?” she asks. “Choose a style, color, or material that resonates with you and build your candle holder collection around it.” Keeping these insights in mind, we researched dozens of high-quality candle holders in a mix of colors, shapes, and heights. Our top choice, the Royal Imports Glass Candle Holder Set, is a sturdy, attractive, and affordable option that’s versatile enough to work with different styles of decor and candles. Read on for the best candle holders for all of your needs. You’ll also have several options for the type of candle you use inside. Floating ones—with or without extras like foliage or flowers—are popular, but tea lights or small votives also fit in the round-shaped glass holders. If you aren’t adding water, make sure you use holders underneath your candles so you won’t spend lots of time scraping out melted wax afterward. The material feels substantial, and the wide base didn’t seem at risk of toppling over. Since they are glass, the candle holders may arrive damaged, but the return process, if needed, is simple. If you’re ordering these for a large event, you may want to get extras for peace of mind. Price at time of publish: $45 for clear color Dimensions: 16 x 4 inches (large), 14 x 4 inches (medium), 12 x 4 inches (small) | Material: Glass | Weight: 3 pounds | Number of Candle Holders: 3 The candle holders are made from aluminum and are easy to wipe down. Note that because they have a powder coating, the finish might be prone to flaking off. They also don’t have the one-of-a-kind quality one might find in the handcrafted spindle candles sold on Etsy or eBay, but given the cost and the good looks, many may find that an acceptable trade-off. Price at time of publish: $28 Dimensions: 12 inches (large), 11 inches (medium), 8.25 inches (small) | Material: Aluminum with powder coating | Weight: 3 pounds, 15 ounces (package) | Number of Candle Holders: 3 Note that the wooden tray is unfinished and can feel a bit rough to the touch, so you might choose to spruce it up by staining it. The color of the glass is painted on, and vigorous hand washing may remove it. The glass can be cleaned carefully, and you can use battery-operated votives to help keep the interior clean and preserve the finish. Price at time of publish: $67 Dimensions: 4 x 22 x 5.5 inches | Material: Wood and glass | Weight: 4 pounds | Number of Candle Holders: 9 The clean, modern look will work in various settings, and the gently tapered lines and gold tones give the candlesticks a slight mid-century flair. The set of two varies in height, with one candle holder being 5 1/2 inches and the other almost 8-inch height, to allow for an elegant look. The gold is painted on and can be prone to flaking off. The candlesticks also have a little weight to them—clocking in at about half a pound each. Price at time of publish: $20 for small and large set Dimensions: 3.5 inches (small) or 8 inches (large) x 3.5 inches; candle opening .75-inch diameter | Material: Metal | Weight: 1.1 pounds | Number of Candle Holders: 2 For a tableau that makes an impact, Urban Outfitters also sells candles in pretty hues and various textures that would coordinate well, like the Bubble Taper Candles or the multicolor Ombre Taper Candles. There are also a few perks that come with choosing ceramic, which has an earthy, arty appeal. Though fragile, it’s less likely to shatter than glass and won’t get as hot to the touch as a metal holder. Price at time of publish: $18 Dimensions: 4.5 x 3.5 inches | Material: Ceramic | Weight: Not listed | Number of Candle Holders: 1 Considering that individually they would retail for $12, these votive holders are a little on the expensive side. However, they are distinctive and will likely hold up well since the designs are seamlessly incorporated into the glass rather than just painted on the holder. Shoppers can choose between two color schemes: pink or neutral. Price at time of publish: $48 Dimensions: 2.5 x 2.5 inches | Material: Glass | Weight: Not listed | Number of Candle Holders: 4 This round-shaped candle holder is just 3 inches high and less than 3 inches across and can be used for other tasks around the house, including as a planter, a mini vase, and even a container for corralling cosmetic supplies like makeup brushes. They’re designed to hold tealights and will also fit smaller votive candles. “Glass conducts heat well, and tealight candles are best used in holders that allow heat to dissipate,” says interior designer and home improvement expert Jen Stark, founder of Happy DIY Home. Price at time of publish: $4 Dimensions: 2.75 x 3 inches | Material: Multifaceted glass | Weight: Not listed | Number of Candle Holders: 1 One thing to note is that each candle holder has a small metal spike designed to anchor a wax candle to the surface so you can move it around safely. These are not removable, so it’s not a good option for battery-operated votives or anything else besides wax (such as a candle enclosed in glass). Since it’s metal and it holds so many large candles, there’s the potential for it to emit quite a bit of heat; if you’re using it on a table, you’ll want to protect the surface below. Price at time of publish: $64 Dimensions: 11 x 11 x 21.5 inches | Material: Metal | Weight: 6 pounds | Number of Candle Holders: 9 candles within one frame With its rounded arched windows and top finial, the lantern has a lovely old-fashioned look that will blend into many different settings. You can mix and match lanterns at different heights to create groupings or use two large ones to flank a door. The lantern also comes with a mounting ring so you can hang it. Price at time of publish: $69 Dimensions: 5 x 5 x 15 inches | Material: Aluminum with powder-coated finish | Weight: Not listed | Number of Candle Holders: 1
Shape
Candle holders come in a variety of shapes, too. The item you select should reflect your desired aesthetic. For example, if your space leans toward more of a vintage style, a candelabra will add a wonderful, antique-like touch. If you have a modern home, a small assortment of individual jars may suit you better. If you enjoy decorating in farmhouse style, wooden candle holders will work beautifully in your home.
Height
It is up to you whether you wish to purchase a small jar or a taller candle holder. Keep in mind your lifestyle and needs—taller options look more formal but can also be easily knocked over by pets when not in use. Shorter options may be preferable for minimalists and easy to store in a cabinet. Consider where you want to display the candle, and think about scale. “A large holder in a small space will look out of place, while a small holder in a large space will be lost,” says Nelson. The candle’s placement may also affect the size you choose. “Candleholders can be used to draw attention to highlight key pieces in your home, such as a piece of art or a vase,” says Stark. If you’re hoping to spotlight a few prints above a sideboard, for example, make sure your candle holders are low enough so they don’t disrupt the view.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Lexi Dwyer is a writer and editor who has written for The Spruce about topics like cleaning, gardening, and home decor since 2019. She spent several hours researching different types of candle holders, and looked for ones that were durable, attractive, and versatile. She also aimed to include a mix of different retailers and price points, and tried to find candle holders that would make a pleasing visual statement, regardless of the style. For extra insight about shopping for candle holders, Lexi spoke to Stacy Lewis of Eternity Modern, Richard Fung of Forever Homes, Jen Stark of Happy DIY Home, and Evan Nelson of Nelson Cabinetry. If you’re short on time, try the hair dryer method. “First, put the candle on an oven mitt and heat the wax with the hair dryer. With a spoon or knife, remove the wax from the jar once it has melted and softened,” says Fung. Make sure to place your candle on something like a trivet or an oven mitt so as not to damage your surface as it heats up. Whichever method you choose, you’ll want to clean your candle afterward.
