Updated October 2026
The right candle LED bulb comes down to six choices:
- The base that fits your socket.
- The shape: a standard candle or a flame tip.
- The glass: clear, frosted or porcelain.
- The brightness: measured in lumens, not watts.
- The colour temperature: from candle-gold 2200K to crisp 4000K.
- Whether it dims smoothly on your dimmer.
Get those right and a chandelier, sconce or bedside lamp looks better than it did with old incandescent globes, while using about 90% less power.
This guide walks through each choice in order, with a quick chooser table, a brightness guide for chandeliers, and answers to the questions we're asked most.
What is a candle LED bulb?
A candle LED bulb is a light bulb shaped like a candle flame: a slim body about 35 mm wide that tapers to a tip. It replaces old incandescent candle globes in chandeliers, wall sconces and small lamps, giving a similar warm glow from LED filaments for about a tenth of the power.
Quick chooser: which candle bulb for which fitting?
| Fitting or room | What to choose |
|---|---|
| Crystal or brass chandelier, bulbs on show | Clear candle or flame tip, 2700K, 2.5W to 4W per arm |
| Dining chandelier as the main light | Clear 5.5W candle (806 lm), on a dimmer |
| Fabric or paper shade | Frosted candle, so the filament doesn't cast shadows on the shade |
| Contemporary fitting, no glare | Porcelain candle |
| Bedside or reading lamp | Frosted 4W in 2700K, or 2200K for winding down |
| Kitchen, vanity or study | Clear candle in 4000K natural white |
| Imported US light fitting | E12 base |
| Caravan, boat or low-voltage wet area | 12V or 24V DC candle |
| Dining or alfresco, candlelight when dimmed | Sunset Dim dim-to-warm candle (arriving soon) |
Step 1: Match the base to your socket
The base is the one choice you can't get wrong, because a bulb with the wrong base simply won't fit. The quickest check is the code printed on the old globe. Otherwise, compare the socket with the table below.
| Base | Type | Size | Where you'll find it |
|---|---|---|---|
| E14 | Small Edison screw | 14 mm | Chandeliers, sconces and small lamps. One of the most common candle bases in Australia. |
| B15 | Small bayonet cap | 15 mm | Older chandeliers, wall lights and compact fittings |
| B22 | Standard bayonet cap | 22 mm | Pendants, ceiling fittings and table lamps, common in Australian homes |
| E27 | Standard Edison screw | 27 mm | Pendants and lamps, common in European fittings |
| E12 | Mini Edison screw (candelabra) | 12 mm | Light fittings made for the US market |
Screw (E) bases twist in, and bayonet (B) bases push in and turn. The two aren't interchangeable, so check before you buy.
Shop by base: E14, B15, B22, E27, E12.
Step 2: Choose the shape
Standard candle. A slim body that tapers to a rounded tip. It's the versatile choice for almost any fitting, and it comes in every base and finish.
Flame tip. It narrows to a fine point with a subtle twist, echoing a real candle flame. In a multi-arm chandelier, a set of flame tips looks more dramatic and traditional. Try the 4W Flame Tip Candle E14 Clear for crystal and brass chandeliers.
If the bulbs are on show and upright, a flame tip adds character. If they're hidden by a shade or point downwards, a standard candle is the simpler choice.
Step 3: Choose the glass
| Finish | The look | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Clear | Visible filament with a warm sparkle | Chandeliers, open sconces and any fitting where the bulb is on show |
| Frosted | Soft, even glow with no hotspots | Fabric and paper shades, bedside lamps and multi-bulb fittings |
| Porcelain | Smooth, opaque white surface with zero glare | Contemporary fittings and bulbs seen at eye level |
Frosted glass matters most inside a shade. A clear filament bulb can throw striped shadows onto fabric or paper, and a frosted one avoids that. For the softest light, the 4.2W Porcelain Candle E14 has no visible filament at all.
Step 4: Get the brightness right
LED brightness is measured in lumens. Watts only tell you how much power a bulb uses. Here's how Dulora's candle range compares with the old incandescent globes:
| LED wattage | Lumens | Replaces | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2W to 2.5W | 200 to 250 lm | 25W | Multi-arm chandeliers, accent sconces |
| 4W to 4.2W | 400 to 500 lm | 40W | Most chandeliers, wall lights and lamps |
| 5.5W | 806 lm | 60W | Chandeliers used as the main light in a room |
How many candle bulbs does a chandelier need?
As a rough guide, a dining room lit mainly by a chandelier needs about 100 to 150 lumens per square metre.
For a 12 m² dining room, that's about 1,200 to 1,800 lumens. Six 2.5W bulbs give 1,500 lumens, and four 4W bulbs give about 1,900. Three 5.5W clear candles give about 2,400 lumens, which leaves plenty of headroom to dim.
If in doubt, go slightly brighter and fit a dimmer. You can always turn a bright chandelier down, but a dim one can't go up.
Step 5: Pick the colour temperature
- 2200K extra warm: a deep, golden tone close to real candlelight. Ideal for dining rooms, bedrooms and heritage fittings.
- 2700K warm white: the classic, flattering warm white. It's the everyday choice for living areas, chandeliers and lamps.
- 3000K soft white: a touch brighter and cleaner, while still warm. Suits kitchens and rooms that double as workspaces.
- 4000K natural white: crisp and neutral, for vanities, studies and anywhere you need to see colours accurately.
Keep one colour temperature within each fitting, and ideally within each room. Mixed tones look patchy.
Dim-to-warm. Most LEDs only get dimmer when you turn them down. Our Sunset Dim candles also get warmer, shifting from 2700K at full brightness to a deep 1800K amber, the way an incandescent bulb used to. They're arriving soon in E14, E14 Porcelain, B15, E27 and E12.
Step 6: Dimming and flicker
Not every LED dims, and not every dimmer suits LEDs.
- For 240V candle bulbs: use a trailing-edge LED dimmer, such as those in our dimmer range. Older leading-edge dimmers designed for incandescent globes can make LEDs buzz or flicker.
- Check the dimmer's minimum load: candle LEDs draw very little power, so two 2W bulbs total only 4W. If the total falls below the dimmer's minimum, the lights may flicker or switch off at low settings.
- Keep bulbs matched: use the same bulb type on one dimmer, since different brands dim at different rates.
Dulora's 240V candle bulbs are dimmable and flicker-free on a compatible trailing-edge dimmer.
Colour accuracy: why it matters
Colour accuracy, measured as CRI, shows how true colours look under a light. Aim for CRI 90 or higher for dining tables, artwork and anywhere skin tones matter. Lower-quality bulbs can make timber look flat and food look grey. Every Dulora candle bulb in this guide has ultra-high colour accuracy.
Low-voltage candle bulbs: for caravans, boats and wet areas
Some fittings run on 12V or 24V DC rather than 240V mains: caravans, boats, off-grid cabins, and lighting near water. Low-voltage candle bulbs give the same decorative look with a much lower risk of electric shock.
Dulora's range includes a 12V DC candle in E14, and 24V DC candles in E12, E14, E27, B15 and B22. They dim on PWM dimmers, and some also support 1-10V.
Check your system voltage first: low-voltage bulbs won't work on mains power, and mains bulbs won't work on low voltage.
What about smart candle bulbs?
Smart candle bulbs from brands such as Philips Hue and LIFX can change colour and dim from an app or voice assistant, with no wall dimmer needed. They suit homes already set up for smart lighting.
The trade-off is looks. Colour smart candles use a solid, frosted body rather than a visible filament, so they won't give a clear crystal chandelier the same sparkle. Filament-style smart candles exist, but they're typically white only.
Installation and troubleshooting
- Switch off and let the old bulb cool before removing it.
- Check the voltage: 240V bulbs for mains fittings, and 12V or 24V bulbs for low-voltage systems only.
- Fit it gently. Screw bases turn clockwise until snug, and bayonet bases push in and twist. Don't overtighten.
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Buzzing | Leading-edge dimmer | Switch to a trailing-edge LED dimmer |
| Flicker at low settings | Load below the dimmer's minimum | Add bulbs or choose a dimmer with a lower minimum load |
| Uneven dimming | Mixed bulb brands on one dimmer | Use matching bulbs throughout |
| Early failure | Heat build-up in a sealed fitting | Improve ventilation or use an open fitting |
Recycling: LED bulbs contain small electronic parts, so keep them out of household rubbish. Check your local council's e-waste or household recycling drop-off, as many accept LED globes.
Frequently asked questions
What size are candle light bulbs?
Most candle bulbs have a body about 35 mm wide, often labelled C35. The base is what varies: E14, B15, B22, E27 or E12. Check the code on your old globe or compare the socket with the base table above.
What's the difference between E14 and B15?
Both are small bases used in chandeliers and wall lights. E14 is a 14 mm screw base, and B15 is a 15 mm bayonet base that pushes in and twists. They aren't interchangeable.
How many candle bulbs do I need for a chandelier?
Aim for roughly 100 to 150 lumens per square metre if the chandelier is the main light. A 12 m² dining room needs about 1,200 to 1,800 lumens, for example six 2.5W bulbs or four 4W bulbs.
Should I choose clear or frosted candle bulbs?
Choose clear for sparkle in chandeliers and open fittings where the bulb is on show. Choose frosted for fabric or paper shades and for softer, glare-free light.
Are LED candle bulbs dimmable?
Many are, including all of Dulora's 240V candle bulbs. Use a trailing-edge LED dimmer for 240V bulbs, and a PWM dimmer for 12V and 24V bulbs.
Can I use LED candle bulbs in enclosed fittings?
LEDs last longest when heat can escape. In a fully sealed fitting, check that the bulb is suitable for enclosed use, and give it as much airflow as possible.
Are LED candle bulbs safer than real candles?
Yes. There's no open flame, and they run far cooler than incandescent globes. They also use about 90% less power than the old 40W candle globes they replace.
Find your candle bulb
Start with the base, choose the shape and glass to suit the fitting, then match the brightness and colour temperature to the room. Replacing a 40W incandescent candle with a 4W LED saves about $17 a year per bulb at around 33c per kWh and four hours a night, so a six-arm chandelier saves roughly $100 a year.
Explore the full range of candle LED light bulbs, add a trailing-edge dimmer, or contact our team for help matching bulbs to your fitting.