7 Of The Best Candle Shaped Light Bulbs
Introduction
What are the best candle shaped light bulbs?
Candle shaped bulbs have the curved tapering top that is meant to remind us of a flame. Some even have a bent tip to further enhance the flame feel. These bulbs are normally used in chandeliers or light fitting that take multiple smaller light bulbs where the bulbs are visible. For this reason they tend to have the smaller E12 1/2 inch base. Whilst this review is titled Candle Shaped Bulbs we have also include the blunt tip bulbs. So we will include:
- B10 – Blunt tip with a 1 1/4” diameter bulb
- B11 – Blunt tip with a 1 3/8” diameter bulb
- CA10 – Candle shaped with bent tip with a 1 1/4” diameter bulb
- CA11 – Candle shaped with bent tip with a 1 3/8” diameter bulb
We have also included small and medium screw base bulbs:
- E12 – Edison screw small 12mm base – 1/2 inch diameter base
- E26 – Edison screw small 26mm base – 1 inch diameter base
Our selections for the best light bulbs are based on a number of criteria:
- Online reviews from a number of light bulb retailers
- Price, we are always looking for the best value
- Energy Star certified, whether the bulbs has met strict energy efficiency criteria set by the EPA
- Lifetime and length of warranty, as these provide a measure of quality
- Dimmable, having a bulb that can be used with a dimmer switch makes it more versatile
Best B10 Shape – Luxrite 60W LED
The Luxrite brand is part of All Start Lighting, a family-owned company who make a wide range of energy-efficient LED bulbs and fixtures. They who were founded in 2005 and are located in Avenel, New Jersey. Firstly these bulbs may seem a little expensive at over $5 each but remember that they are the 60W equivalent rather then the 40W so you get more light. Secondly they have the vintage look filament which makes for a good looking clear bulb. Finally they have excellent reviews with many reviewers mentioning how well the bulbs work with dimmer switches.
Fact sheet
- Rating: 4.9 stars out of 5
- Price: Around $5.30 a bulb if bought in a 6-pack
- Wattage: 60 watt equivalent / 5 watts actual
- Lumens: 550
- Light Range: Soft White (2700k), Warm White (3000k) and Daylight (5000k)
- Lifetime: Rated to last 10,000 hour (9 years based on 3 hours per day use)
- Warranty: 2 years
- Dimmable: Yes
- Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor and Outdoors, damp rated
Best B11 Shape – EcoSmart 60W Candelabra Vintage
If you are looking for a cheaper bulb than the Luxrite you might like to consider the EcoSmart. EcoSmart are a proprietary brand for Home Depot (this is a brand that is made by a different company but is only available in Home Depot). The company who manufactures them is Lighting Science Group Corporation, an American company based in Rhode Island. Again these bulbs are 60W equivalent so they are fairly bright. Also they come with a 15,000 hour lifetime, a 5 year warranty and are Energy Star certified. If you are looking so something not as bright they also come in 25W and 40W equivalents.
Fact sheet
- Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
- Price: Around $3.30 a bulb if bought in a 3-pack
- Wattage: 60 watt equivalent / 5 watts actual
- Lumens: 500
- Light Range: Soft White (2700k)Daylight (5000k) and Bright Daylight (6000k)
- Lifetime: Rated to last 15,000 hour (13 years based on 3 hours per day use)
- Warranty: 5 years
- Dimmable: Yes
- Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only
Best Ca10 Shape – Feit Enhance 40W Clear LED
Feit are a family owned and operated company based in Los Angeles, California who claim to maintain an inventory of 100,000,000 bulbs in their automated distribution center. Their CA10 bulb has a bent tip to make it look a little more like a candle flame. The bulbs is a 40W equivalent, so not particularly bright, though there is a 60W model. Also, they have a solid 15,000 hour lifetime and 3 year warranty to back this up. Finally they can be used outdoors and are Energy Star certified. All for a very reasonable $3.50.
Fact sheet
- Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
- Price: Around $3.50 a bulb if bought in a #-pack
- Wattage: 40 watt equivalent / 3.3 watts actual
- Lumens: 300
- Light Range: Soft White (2700k), Daylight (5000k) and Bright Daylight (6000k)
- Lifetime: Rated to last 15,000 hour (13 years based on 3 hours per day use)
- Warranty: 3 years
- Dimmable: Yes
- Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor and Outdoor
Best CA11 Shape – Luxrite 40W Dimmable LED
Luxrite, who we mentioned earlier, also produce this 40W bent tip candle shaped bulbs. We like the little glass curl at the top of the bulb. They may not be the cheapest of bulbs but they come very highly rated so it may be worth paying that little extra for a good quality bulb. They come in a range of light from soft white to bright daylight and there is also a 60W version.
Fact sheet
- Rating: 5.0 stars out of 5
- Price: Around $4.25 a bulb if bought in a 12-pack
- Wattage: 40 watt equivalent / 4 watts actual
- Lumens: 400
- Light Range: Soft White (2700k), Warm White (3000k) Daylight (5000k) and Bright Daylight (6000k)
- Lifetime: Rated to last 10,000 hour (9 years based on 3 hours per day use)
- Warranty: 2 years
- Dimmable: Yes
- Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only
Best E26 Medium Base – GE Relax CA11
Not only have GE been in business since 1892, they are also the most popular brand here in the U.S. We here at Light Bulb AtoZ are big fans. One reason being that they make a huge range of bulbs with good lifetimes and reasonable prices. Also, we particularly like the candle shape of these bulbs with the flame tip, clear bulb and yellow filament. They are competitively prices at $4 as well as being rated to last 13 years and Energy Star certified.
Fact sheet
- Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
- Price: Around $5.50 a bulb if bought in a 6-pack
- Wattage: 40 watt equivalent / 4 watts actual
- Lumens: 300
- Light Range: Soft White (2700k)
- Lifetime: Rated to last 15,000 hour (13 years based on 3 hours per day use)
- Warranty: 5 years
- Dimmable: Yes and works with most dimmer switches
- Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only
Best Smart – Geeni Prism Plus B11
Smart bulbs provide flexible lighting in your home, though they can be a little expensive so you should choose wisely. These bulbs from Geeni allow thousands of color variations or different temperature whites (from soft and warm to cool daylight). Additionally, they can be controlled via the Geeni app over Wi-Fi (using the 2.4 GHz band). They also have 9 preset modes including night, cocktail, blinking and rave lighting. You can also use Alexa and Google home for voice command operation.
Fact sheet
- Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
- Price: Around $13 a bulb if bought in a 4-pack, though you may find cheaper online
- Wattage: 40 watt equivalent / 4 watts actual
- Lumens: 350
- Light Range: Thousands of color variations or different temperature whites
- Lifetime: Rated to last 25,000 hour (23 years based on 3 hours per day use)
- Warranty: 1 year
- Dimmable: Yes though only via the app
- Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only
Best Vintage – GE 25W EQ CA10 Amber
We have already mentioned in previous reviews how much we love the GE vintage style amber glass range. In particular the warm candle light the bulbs give off as well as the decorative clear yellow glass. Also this model comes with a distinctive spiral filament which we rather like. Additionally it has a bent tip design, a standard base (E26, 1 inch screw), a 15,000 hour lifetime and GE’s standard 5 year warranty.
Fact sheet
- Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
- Price: Around $7.50 a bulb if bought individually
- Wattage: 25 watt equivalent / 3 watts actual
- Lumens: 125
- Light Range: Candle light (2000k)
- Lifetime: Rated to last 15,000 hour (13 years based on 3 hours per day use)
- Warranty: 5 years
- Dimmable: Yes and works with most dimmer switches
- Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only
In Conclusion
Best Candle Shaped Light Bulbs
In conclusion, there are a lot of good bulbs in this range. Look for one with a good lifetime at a price you can afford. Moreover, these bulbs are there to be seen. So as Marie Kondo likes to say “look for one that sparks joy”.