What is the Difference Between a Votive and Tealight Candle?

At Creative Candles, we deeply appreciate the timeless charm and enchanting atmosphere that candles bring to our homes and lives. With a wide array of shapes, sizes, and types available, each candle possesses its own distinctive qualities and purposes.

Exploring Votive Candles

Votive candles are small cylindrical candles, typically measuring around 2 inches in height and 1.5 to 1.7 inches in diameter. Unlike some candles, they are designed to be used in votive holders, which securely hold the candle. These candles have a burn time of approximately 15 hours, making them ideal for creating a serene and relaxing ambiance in your home.

Discovering Tealight Candles

Tealight candles, also known as tea candles or tea lights, are small and cylindrical, with a diameter of about 1.5 inches and a height of only 0.5 inches. They come in metal containers that are intended to be disposed of after the candle has burned out. Tealights typically burn for around 4 hours, perfect for generating a cozy and intimate atmosphere in your living space.

Tealights vs. Votive Candles

Size Matters

One of the key distinctions between votive candles and tealights lies in their size. Votive candles are larger and taller, while tealights are smaller and shorter. Consequently, votive candles burn for a longer duration compared to tealights.

Burn Time and Usage

Given their burn time of up to 15 hours, votive candles are better suited for long-term use, such as in weddings, meetings, receptions, or even romantic dinners. On the other hand, tealights are better suited for short-term purposes, such as religious services or ceremonies, yoga classes, or as decorative accessories in candle holders, oil warmers, and more, where a four-hour burn time is desirable.

Candle Holder Type

Another distinction between these candles lies in their holders. Votive candle holders are commonly made of glass, while tealight holders are typically made of metal. This variation influences how you replace and interchange them. While the metal holder of a tealight can be discarded when the candle has burned out and replaced with a new one, votives require melting the remaining wax out of the glass container before inserting a new candle.

Embracing the Beauty of Votives and Tealights

As we can discern, when deliberating between votive candles and tealights, it is crucial to consider factors such as size, burn time, and intended use. By understanding the distinctions between these two types of candles, you can select the one that aligns with your needs and creates the perfect ambiance for your home or special occasion.

At Creative Candles, we have been expertly crafting small-batch, artisan-made premium candles since 1961. By preserving the ancient art of candle making, we strive to provide the world with access to top-notch, high-quality candles that create the ultimate ambiance for any occasion.