Keep Your Outdoor Space Pest-Free With These Top-Rated Citronella Candles

Whether you’re dining under the stars, relaxing around the fire pit, or sitting on the beach at dusk, nothing kills the fun more than getting attacked by mosquitos, forcing a retreat to the house. While a bug zapper may get the job done, if it’s ambiance you’re after, a citronella candle is the way to go. They provide a lovely, soft glow, a pleasant scent, and they keep the bugs away. Plus, there are plenty of options that are relatively inexpensive, which means you can—and should—buy more than one to get the best results. Discover our top picks—and what we think you should consider before buying—below.

Best Citronella Candles

What to Consider

Before checking out a citronella candle’s size, burn time, or attractive packing, consider the ingredients it uses to ward off bugs. Pure citronella is a natural essential oil that can help deter pests, though some candles may only contain a small amount of it—like 3 percent, for example—with the other 97 percent labeled as “other” and not listed on the packaging.

Some candles have potentially harmful chemicals and must be used outdoors—and that doesn’t include porches or semi-enclosed areas attached to the house, and certainly not inside tents. But there are also citronella candles made of all-natural ingredients (often beeswax- or soy-based), that are free of DEET, parabens, artificial dyes, and other additives.

With that out of the way, aim to place candles between roughly 18 inches and 3 feet apart around the perimeter of your space, plus additional candles on tables and areas where people will be gathering and eating. Think of it as you would “layering” lighting inside a house: You’ll want citronella candles of different sizes, and at different heights, for the most effective coverage. Also, while burn time generally increases with a candle's size, it isn't an absolute, because other variables can be at play. For example, a 16-ounce candle may have a similar burn time to one that's nearly twice its size.

How We Selected

There's certainly no shortage of citronella candles on the market to consider that suit a variety of uses, from camping to backyard barbecues to quiet evenings reading on the porch. All the ones we feature have an average customer rating of four stars or more, and we cover candles across a range of styles and price points. Below, you'll find a mix of basic, functional candles and those with some serious style. We also include a mix of standard candles from names like Repel and Coleman and those made with all-natural ingredients.

For more smart ways to keep your space bug-free, check out our picks for the best bug zappers and mosquito repellents!