If you love spending time outdoors, mosquitoes and other bugs can easily ruin a planned activity like an afternoon picnic or evening stargazing session. Much time has been spent trying to figure out how to repel these tiny pests, including endless trail runs with the long list of products aimed at keeping pests at bay. Enjoy the outdoors without being bombarded by buzzing, biting bugs with the best citronella candles on the market.
There are some tried-and-true tricks to keeping bugs off your body, like how you can avoid wearing certain colors. To keep your chances of getting bitten and bothered by mosquitoes and other pests down, a good bug repellant is often your best bet. However, you may not want to cover yourself in smelly, sticky sprays that are often made with harmful chemicals.
If you’re enjoying time on your patio or in your yard, though, you may want something that will help keep the number of bugs down in a larger area. That’s where citronella candles come in, as they can help keep you from waving bugs away, even though a recent study found that swatting at mosquitoes may actually help them learn to stay away from you. Citronella essential oil naturally repels mosquitoes and other annoying insects, making these candles wildly popular for keeping bugs away.
An attractive, inexpensive citronella candle that covers a large area is ideal, and it can be time consuming comparing the many options that are out there. That’s where StudyFinds stepped in to help, as we went straight to the experts to draft this list of the best citronella candles on the market. Let us know what your experience with these products was like in the comments, and if they kept the bugs at bay.
The List: Best Citronella Candles, According to Experts
1. Coleman Citronella Candle Lantern
This long-lasting citronella candle can burn for more than 70 hours. The attractive lantern also makes it more resistant to wind and weather damage than other candles. Past customers appreciated this Coleman lantern for its impressive combination of presentation and effectiveness,” notes Country Living.
The Spruce states “Insects are typically more plentiful in wooded areas, so it’s a good idea to bring along a product like the Coleman Citronella Outdoor Lantern when you go camping. The 6.7-ounce candle comes in a convenient lantern container that you can place on your table or hang up near your tent, and despite its relatively small size, it can burn for up to 50 hours, making your trip a far more comfortable experience.”
“Designed to burn for at least 70 hours, it will give you a lot of mileage this summer. And, thanks to its enclosed canister, you won’t have to worry about this candle going awry. In fact, the lantern even comes with a reusable cap that will protect your flame from spontaneous rain or debris,” notes Southern Living.
2. Murphy’s Naturals
With a unique mix of all-natural oils, this citronella candle is effective and smells great. It’s made of a blend of soy wax and beeswax to provide up to 30 hours of bug-free time. “Murphy’s Naturals prides itself on creating ethically sourced, plant-based products that are free from harmful chemicals like DEET and petroleum,” writes Country Living. “Their citronella candle contains a blend of rosemary, lemongrass, peppermint, and cedarwood, and many previous customers agree it’s the best on the market.”
“Peppermint and lemongrass smell mixes with the citronella oil to create a clean-burning pleasant-smelling natural bug repellant,” notes Best Reviews.
Cosmopolitan writes, “If you’re in search of a citronella candle backed by positive customer feedback, consider this candle by Murphy’s. It’s amassed more than 3,600 four-and-five-star ratings from satisfied shoppers.”
3. Cutter Citronella Candle
With a triple-wick design and pleasant smell, this citronella candle is one of the best. It’s an affordable way to get up to 40 hours of relief from mosquitoes for a four-foot area. Bob Vila writes, “If you enjoy sitting outside long into the night, you need a long-lasting mosquito deterrent like the Cutter Citronella Candle. … This citronella candle burns evenly and efficiently with three wicks that create a very hot flame to release even more citronella into the air.This candle’s cone shape protects the flame from wind, and the wide base helps ensure the candle stays upright. The natural citronella scent can be off-putting for some people, but it isn’t overpowering.”
“With over 5,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, a 4.4/5 rating on the site, Cutter’s Copper 20-Ounce Candle is a winner, states Southern Living. “Between the sturdy, copper construction and wide base, its container will ensure your candle stays put should a gust of wind blow by. Go ahead, add to your patio, garden, or porch—and take in that glorious glow.”
“These citronella candles have a wide, stable base to prevent tipping, and the high sides help to prevent the flame from being extinguished on windy days,” writes The Spruce. “The container has an attractive copper finish that gives it a more decorative look, but we found that you may need to purchase a few to protect a larger area.”
4. Candle by the Hour Citronella Candle
Made with all-natural beeswax, this citronella candle is both beautiful and effective. Its unique coil shape allows you to determine how many hours you want to let it burn. “This citronella candle is a beautiful conversation piece that will help keep bugs at bay creating a calm environment,” writes Best Reviews.
“We can’t say enough about this all-natural citronella beeswax candle. For starters, its exceptional design—glass hurricane and copper-tone metal base included—is next-level in comparison to other options,” gushes Popular Mechanics. “Also, considering its high-quality, upscale look and effective performance, its price point is shockingly reasonable. It offers an impressive burn time of up to 80 hours and is dripless when used properly, plus there’s an extinguishing clip attached to ensure the flame is completely out.”
“This centerpiece-worthy citronella candle burns just as much wax as you allot above its metal clasp. One inch provides about 20 minutes of burn time, and the coiled wax will give you 80 bug-free hours in total,” writes Best Products.
5. Repel Citronella Candle
These three-wick candles burn up to 40 hours. Made with real citronella oil, it’s effective for a three-foot area. “This easily portable candle, equipped with a metal handle, is suitable anywhere from your patio, to camping trips, and other outdoor gatherings,” states Country Living.
“These candles come in a plain green container with a wide base to prevent tipping, and they even have a small handle that makes them easier to move around,” writes The Spruce. “The three wicks ensure a more even burn, and for best results, you’ll want to place several of the candles around the perimeter of your outdoor living area.”
Popular Mechanics writes, “The pack is cheap enough that you may have enough money in the budget to buy several, and the smart, effective strategy is to do just that, creating a perimeter around your outdoor dining or lounge area. … The candle has a rustic, woodsy look, and a metal handle to move it around once it has cooled.”
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Sources
- The Spruce
- Best Reviews
- Best Products
- All Recipes
- Bob Vila
- Country Living
- Buyer’s Guide
- Southern Living
- Popular Mechanics
- Cosmopolitan
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.