Long hot days are the perfect time to get outside, stretch your legs and enjoy your back garden. Whether you just like reading a book, hosting BBQs or creating your own vegetable patch, spending time in the fresh air is good for you. That's where the best outdoor candles come in...
When the days are hot and long, the chances of getting pesky flies, mosquitoes or bugs dive bomb you are pretty high. Put the bug repellent away and opt for a garden candle instead. Not only will this smell great, but it’ll also look very stylish surrounded by beautiful flowers and maybe even a pond.
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When the pests start to disappear in the autumn, this shouldn’t mean you have to put your candles away until they come back again in the spring. Outdoor candles can be used all year round. If you have decking or a fixed gazebo, candles are a cheap and easy way to make this space more inviting.
Believe it or not, there are lots of different types of candles. From the traditional wax kind to battery-operated versions, you’ll find a wide range of colours, patterns and models. So, what are you waiting for? Light up your garden with the best outdoor candles now.
The best garden candles
Best garden candle design
Purchase a candle that looks as good as it smells. From its abstract willow pattern influence to its pure soy wax, this pack of two will be an incredible garden feature. If you're hosting a garden party or BBQ, its fragrance will keep away pesky mosquitoes, flies and bugs. Trust me - it works, and you won't be disappointed.
Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars
Review: "Wow! Just WOW! After struggling in the heatwave we've been having recently, we were most distressed to see an influx of flies in our house. At a time when you have to have your windows open during the day to cool down, it seemed that there was no way we would be able to get rid of the flies... but then..... we found these fantastic straight from heaven citronella soy candles!!! Now as an avid candle lover, I just want to mention how gorgeous these candles are. They come in a beautiful box and tin and make a great feature in any room. However, more importantly, they WORK!"
Longest burning time
Create the perfect summer atmosphere with this citronella candle. We love its marble-esque print design and the fact that it is biodegradable and eco-friendly. Plus, it has approximately 70 hours of burning time, which means that you can enjoy it again and again.
Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars.
Review: "I love citronella essential oil in general, and the candle did not disappoint. I haven't seen a mosquito since I started using it. Love the presentation, and I think it will make a nice gift."
Best outdoor citronella tealights
These Citronella Tea Lights emit a gentle flickering flame and a pleasant odour that will keep unwanted flying insects away, on top of setting a relaxed mood. They are suitable for individual use but are even better when burnt inside a candle lantern to shield them from draughts.
Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars
Review: “Bought these during the hot summer weather and have used them every day so far. We love sitting in the garden under the gazebo and these lovely candles have kept wasps, flies, mosquitoes, and everything else away! Brilliant purchase and will be buying again.”
Editor's pick
This beautiful combination of appearance and practicality is perfect for creating a great atmosphere outdoors, without any worry of open flames. These LED candles flicker and glow just like real ones and create the same warm candlelight ambience, what’s not to love? Placed in gorgeous lanterns you can display them anymore, from a tree to the garden dining table, your options are endless.
Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars
Review: “Lights up beautifully and has been out a couple of weeks in the rain and they are surviving. Very happy with them, they stay on late too! I’m not sure how long but I was up in the early hours and they were still on :)”
Best outdoor tealight holders
You’ve got the tealights, now you need a gorgeous way to display them, and we think these glass globes are perfect. We can picture it already, flickering flames dangling off a tree on a warm summers evening, we love it!
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
Review: “These items arrived very well packaged and sooner than expected. They look amazing and put me in mind of my dad who was a glassblower. So happy with this purchase!”
Best garden LED candles
If you’ve already got some spare lanterns laying around, these LED candles are perfect, and even if you don’t these look great as the centrepiece for a table. Fully weatherproof, you can use these outdoors all year round.
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Review: “I am really pleased with these lights, I purchased them over a month ago and they have come on every day. They give a great warm flickering light. Once you turn them on the first night they then come on the same time every day and turn off after 6 hours, so mine are coming on at 17:30 and turning off at 23:30.
“I was worried that I would have to replace the batteries regularly but so far still going strong. Great that they can stay outside in whatever weather, the top has two little holes to stop them from filling with water. So pleased, I am thinking of buying them as a gift for someone else. Would definitely recommend them as I love mine.”
Best garden lanterns
These underrated and classic, antique-looking candle holders are everything we could ask for in an outdoor decorative candle. The hanging lanterns are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, so they're super versatile and great for all occasions – whether it's for a dinner party or a night spent by the fire pit outdoors.
Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars
Review: "Good price for two of these decent sized, lightweight metal lanterns with additional battery operated (removable) candle lights… I will probably buy them again and put fairy lights in them. They are very lightweight but definitely a good buy, happy customer!”
Best sustainable garden candle
www.etsy.com
Made from one hundred present natural beeswax, these beautiful, hand-poured, Amber Bee candles add extra warmth and ambience to a summer/autumn evening. Made using natural ecologically sourced beeswax, recycled flowerpots and ecologically sourced cotton wicks, these candles smell good while doing good for life on our planet!
Rating: 5 stars
Review: “These candles were packed up so carefully. They are beautiful and will look lovely on my garden table.”
Best garden LED tealights
Waterproof with impressive battery life, these LED tealights are perfect for any evening events. Another great thing is that their submersible, this means you can light up any water fountains, fish tanks or table centrepieces.
Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars
Review: “These little lights are so bright and easy to use. I use about 4 of them in a little water feature I made in my garden. They sit in approx. 47cm of water and still give a really good light. It's lovely to sit and watch the water changing colour in the evenings. Really good value for money.”
Best luxury garden candle
www.etsy.com
Set the atmosphere and keep the bugs at bay this summer with this Gold Moon Studios outdoor candle. Fragranced with 100% pure citronella oil, rumoured to be excellent at keeping the midges and mosquitoes away, this candle is perfect for any outdoor setting.
Rating: 5 stars
Review: “Absolutely beautiful candle, smells divine. Handmade, and with some extra special touches, and a lovely handwritten note from the seller.”
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Lily Anderson is a Senior Commercial Content Writer at Bauer Media, where she tests products for titles such as Heat, Closer, What’s the Best and Mother&Baby.
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