Best citronella candle

Citronella candles make for a quick and easy way to keep mosquitoes and other bugs at bay. Peep our top picks.

Best citronella candles
(Image credit: @Joni Gutierrez on Unsplash)

Citronella candles are a great alternative to chemical insect repellents. Once lit, the citronella oil extract in the candles gives off a natural yet powerful scent that mosquitoes and other flying bugs don't like. Besides warding off insects, the candles also give off a fresh, citrusy aroma and a gentle glow, perfecting for creating a warm, reinvigorated ambiance. Here are some great citronella candles that made the cut.

Best overall

Repel triple-wick insect repellent citronella candle

(Image credit: Amazon)

Repel triple-wick insect repellent citronella candle

Comes in a sizeable tin

Take the worry out of outdoor entertaining by setting up this citronella candle near your table or on the patio.

Pros:

  • Large 20-ounce tin
  • Triple-wick design
  • Lasts up to 40 hours

Cons:

  • Scent is a tad weak

Enjoy your deck or patio at night with the help of this 20-ounce, triple-wick bug-repellent candle. It is made with real citronella oil, alongside other ingredients, to protect for up to 40 hours. The triple-wick system offers enough heat to melt the candle and give off enough fragrance to keep bugs at bay. For optimum coverage, you can use several candles spaced 18-inches apart.

Scent options

Coleman scented citronella candle

(Image credit: Amazon)

Coleman scented citronella candles

Enjoy the sounds of a real fire

This variety pack carries pine, campfire, and s'mores scented candles.

Pros:

  • Three, 6-ounce tins
  • Variety of scents
  • Fully recyclable tins
  • Wooden crackle wicks

Cons:

  • Pretty small in size

These classic citronella candles are a nostalgic throwback to a simpler time. They come in cute metal tins, and each burns for up to 25 hours. The wooden wick creates a nice crackle sound and aroma, perfect for setting a calming mood. The three original scents, including pine, s'mores, and campfire, will definitely bring a different level of charm to your backyard or campsite.

Must-have brand

Cutter 95784 citronella candle

(Image credit: Amazon)

Cutter 95784 citronella candle

Optimized for outdoor use

Add an elegantly nostalgic touch to outdoor dining or entertaining spaces with this stylish copper candle.

Pros:

  • Attractive copper bowl
  • Made with real citronella oil
  • Burns up to 40 hours

Cons:

  • Not for use in enclosed spaces

Cutter's citronella candle is made with real citronella oil extract, so it not only smells delightful but also keeps those annoying bugs at bay. Each candle comes in a copper casing with three wicks and can burn up to 40 hours. A wide base ensures the bowl doesn't tip over by accident. You can also opt to hang the bucket on a hook and enjoy the gentle, protective glow near your patio, porch, or gazebo.

Double the power

Murphy's Naturals mosquito repellent candles

(Image credit: Amazon)

Murphy's Naturals mosquito repellent candles

Harness the nature's might

These all-natural, soy and beeswax mosquito repellent candles use safe and effective essential oils to create a protective barrier around you and your backyard.

Pros:

  • Cotton wick
  • All-natural ingredients
  • 30 hours burn time
  • Convenient 9-ounce tins with matching lids

Cons:

  • Scent can be overwhelming

This all-natural candle doesn't contain any harsh chemicals or synthetic fragrances. Once lit, its powerful natural oil blend of citronella, cedarwood, rosemary, peppermint, and lemongrass will help keep the mosquitos at bay. The 100 percent soy and beeswax blend creates a soothing, long-lasting aroma to help you enjoy your evening outdoors without fear of bites. Each candle burns for up to 30 hours, so you can enjoy your patio, backyard, or porch from dusk to dawn, bite-free!

Decorative

Hyoola tealight citronella candles

(Image credit: Amazon)

Hyoola tealight citronella candles

Ideal for both in and outdoors

Tealight candles are an easy, affordable way to help keep mosquitos, flies, and other insects away from you or your guests.

Pros:

  • Works for both in and outdoor spaces
  • Perfectly encased
  • 50-pack
  • Natural citrusy scent

Cons:

  • Not so effective outdoors

Made with pure citronella oil, these tealight candles will create a more relaxing mood while repelling mosquitos indoors or outdoors. The candles have no added artificial scents because real citronella oil has a refreshing citrus aroma. They come packaged in reusable metal tins, so you can take them with you when you travel. With the ability to burn for over 4 hours each, these little candles give off a warm glow perfect for creating a relaxing ambiance.

Enjoy the glow while deterring bugs

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Citronella candles are perfect for creating calm and relaxed spaces in more ways than one. First, they emit a scent that keeps pesky bugs at bay. Second, they give off light with a warm glow, making your surroundings seem much cozier. 

At the top of our list is the Repel triple-wick insect repellent citronella candle. This bucket candle burns evenly, creating an effective insect barrier. You can opt to use it as a tabletop candle or hang it over hooks and enjoy up to 40 hours of burn time.

For an authentic outdoor feel, try the classic Coleman scented citronella candles. The candles come in three distinct scents and are fitted with a wooden wick that crackles like fire, once lit, to keep bugs at bay. Each lasts up to 25 hours, which is pretty decent.

Why trust us?

At GardeningEtc, we recommend the best products to enhance your life. As expert curators, we handpick products based on quality and usefulness to positively impact your day-to-day, from cart to doorstep. We take our responsibility seriously — testing products, reading reviews, and sourcing knowledgeable outlets to ensure our selections are worthy of your time and money. We deliver detailed product overviews, balancing objective information with subjective opinions, so making the best choice for your home and lifestyle is as easy as possible.

Grace Monene is an avid writer with a keen eye for home and office improvement. She has a knack for finding the best little things that will improve the quality of indoor and outdoor living. When she's not writing, you will typically find her reading or testing out the latest technology.