17 Best Tea Light Candles We've Tested 2024
Brandon Forder Apr 24, 2024 1:26 PM
No matter if you're going for a tranquil ambiance or a more intimate, romantic setting, candles may help set the mood. Candles come in all shapes and sizes and can be crafted from a wide range of materials. Tea light candles cast a warm glow and add a lot of character, despite their diminutive size.
Generally tiny and circular in shape, tea light candles consist of wax in a plastic or metal cup. When the tea light is lit, the wax melts entirely (as opposed to the slow drips of wax you might see running down the sides of a larger candle). Tea light candles are versatile and can be used in candle holders or as table centerpieces.
In order to compensate for the low candlepower of tea lights, several are often lighted simultaneously. Between two and four hours, the glow could remain. In this article, we'll go deeper into the specifics, shedding light on the numerous alternatives so you can discover the perfect tea light candles for your needs.
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Wax types
Tea light candles, as well as regular candles, can be made from one of three different types of wax. You will find all three accessible for purchase.
Paraffin
This widely used and cheap choice is created from fossil fuels. Consumers who are concerned with protecting the environment may wish to avoid it because it is a finite resource. Paraffin wax candles, on the other hand, burn steadily and brilliantly for a long time. Incorporated scent is more intense, which may be a positive or a drawback depending on your sensitivity to fragrances. Candles made with paraffin wax may produce soot and smoke, however this is likely less evident in smaller candles like tea lights than in larger jar candles.
Soy wax
Consumers concerned about the environment and those looking for cleaner burning candles often choose soy candles because soy wax is a renewable resource. Candles made from these waxes don't produce the soot and smoke that paraffin wax does, but they also don't burn quite as brightly. Fragrances from soy candles tend to be muted and have a shorter "throw."
Beeswax
Beeswax tea light candles are another option for individuals concerned about the environment. Beeswax is natural, harmless, and it doesn't produce smoke or soot like paraffin wax does. Like soy and paraffin, candles made from beeswax can be scented to add ambiance or a specific scent. However, beeswax's natural scent, which includes notes of honey and soil, is favored by most users.
Quantity
Tea light candles are sold in large quantities despite their low unit price because of their short burn time. Like many other things, you can get a better price per candle if you buy in bulk. You can find packages with anywhere from a dozen candles to well over a hundred, depending on the quality and type of wax used.
Usage
Tea lights are often utilized for developing a mood and creating a warm space. Candles are a great way to set the mood in any place, whether indoors or out, and they look beautiful in elegant candle holders. When used as the primary light source, they provide an intimate glow.
Scents
Some tea lights, like scented candles, have an added smell. Relaxing floral scents like jasmine and lavender can be contrasted with the warm, comforting aromas of cinnamon and nutmeg for the holiday season. Check the label to make sure the producer gets their scents from natural oils if you're attempting to avoid artificial components.
Burn time
Due of their small size, most tea lights only last for a few hours. Some brands may claim longer burn times, however these numbers only apply under ideal conditions. A candle's life expectancy is decreased by environmental factors such as humidity, dust, and filth. The entire burn time of your tea lights might be affected by how often you snuff and relight them.
Faux tea lights
Tea light candles powered by batteries are designed to look like actual candles. Such venues are pleasant to the eye while still being secure and convenient. In other words, these are flameless tea lights.
Some people prefer flameless tea lights because they can be used frequently without producing smoke or soot or posing a fire hazard, even though their illumination is not as natural as that of traditional tea lights. An artificial glow is created by the flickering of fake tea lights.
Faux tea lights can be more expensive than regular ones, but they offer more color options and can have either cool or warm flames. The colors of some of them shift.
Packaging
Even more so than the contents, the container in which tealight candles are sold is crucial. When dealing with hundreds of candles, it's important to pack them as firmly as possible to prevent any movement. It doesn't matter if you like traditional stores or the convenience of online shopping, this is essential information.
If you're buying something online, read some reviews written by previous customers. If previous customers haven't experienced any problems with the packing, you presumably won't either.
Candle size
Candles in the size of a tea light are typically displayed in tea light holders. It's important to make sure the candle tins aren't bigger than the candle sockets in the holder if you plan to utilize them for both purposes.
If the candles are going to be set on a table or the floor, this is not a major concern. But if you're tight on square footage, you should think about candle size as well.
Floating ability
Tealight tins can often float in water, therefore they may be used in the bath. Not all tea light candles are water-safe, so if you want to use them in a vase of water, you should read the product description first.
What are tea light candles used for?
The purposes for tea light candles are as varied as the occasions where they are lit, from religious ceremonies and holidays to intimate candlelit dinners at home.
Do I need a holder for my tea light candles?
Candles that already have their own plastic or metal casings are self-contained and don't require holders. In the absence of a protective sheath, your tea lights should be placed in a suitable candle holder just like any other kind of candle.
Do tea light candles need maintenance?
Tea lights don't need as much maintenance as regular candles because of their shorter burn times. If you want to reuse a tea light, you should store it somewhere dry so the wick doesn't become wet.
Can I make tea lights at home?
Making candles at home is easy, if time-consuming. You'll need wax, cups (metal or plastic), wicks, plus a few more equipment like a funnel and a stirrer to get started. You may still produce your own tea lights at home, but doing so in quantity can help you save money. If you're trying out new scents, there will be a learning curve.
Since finding the perfect candle is an individual endeavor, our evaluators looked at each product from every angle to determine its potential performance under various conditions. We hope that this review helps you select the perfect candle, whether you're just starting out or have a serious collection.
