What Is an LED Candle Bulb? Types and Selection Criteria
An LED candle bulb is a decorative LED lamp with a slim, pointed, candle-like body, usually with an E14 cap, used in chandeliers and sconces.
An LED candle bulb is a decorative LED lamp with a slim, pointed body that resembles a candle flame. It is used in chandeliers, wall sconces and candlestick-style luminaires where the lamp stays visible. Most have a slim E14 cap; the same shape is also made with an E27 cap.
Types of LED candle bulbs
| Type | Appearance | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Opal (frosted) candle | Light spreads evenly over the body, the LEDs are not visible | Lampshades and shaded sconces, chandeliers with fabric shades |
| Filament candle | Thin filament strips visible through clear glass | Crystal and open-arm chandeliers, luminaires where the lamp is visible |
| Amber candle | Amber-coloured glass, warm and dim light | Decorative and mood lighting |
Selection criteria
- Cap type: An E14 cap has a 14 mm thread diameter, an E27 cap 27 mm. Check the luminaire's lamp holder before buying.
- Luminous flux (lm): Compare LED lamps by lumens, not watts. The candle bulbs in the catalogue range from 320 to 630 lm; the 7 W models give more light.
- Light colour: All lamps in a chandelier should have the same colour temperature; mixed colours stand out. The Cata models in the catalogue are 3200 K warm white or amber.
- Body size: The Cata candle bulbs in the catalogue are 3.5 cm in diameter and 10 or 12 cm long. The lamp must fit inside the glass bowl or shade without touching it.
- Dimmability: On a dimmer circuit, fit only lamps whose product page says dimmable.
Common mistakes
- Fitting a non-dimmable lamp on a dimmer circuit: The lamp flickers, buzzes or fails early.
- Mixing colours and wattages in one chandelier: The arms differ in colour and brightness.
- Buying an E27 lamp for an E14 luminaire: E14 and E27 do not fit each other directly.
- Choosing high wattage inside a small closed glass: LEDs shed heat through the body; in an unventilated closed luminaire their life is shortened.
Related standards
- IEC 60061-1: Dimensions and interchangeability of lamp caps, including E14 and E27; lampholders are in IEC 60061-2.
- IEC 62560: Safety requirements for self-ballasted LED lamps operating on mains above 50 V.
In the Welibaba catalogue
There are 7 active products in the LED Candle Bulbs category, all sold by the piece:
- Cata (6): CT-4062, CT-4066 and CT-4281 (4 W), CT-4280 amber (4 W), CT-4063 filament and CT-4064 (7 W); all E14
- Atlantis (1): A1126 glass candle LED bulb, 4 W
Standard pear-shaped lamps are in the LED Bulbs category, small G9 and G4 lamps in LED Capsule Bulbs.
Frequently asked questions
Does an E14 candle bulb fit an E27 holder?
No. The thread diameters differ (14 mm and 27 mm). Choose a lamp that matches the luminaire's holder.
Do LED candle bulbs work with a dimmer?
Only models stated as dimmable. A non-dimmable lamp on a dimmer circuit flickers and fails early.
What is the difference between a filament candle and an opal candle?
In a filament candle the thin LED strips are visible through clear glass and look like an old incandescent lamp. In an opal candle the frosted body spreads the light evenly with less glare.
What is an amber candle bulb used for?
The amber glass makes the light warm and dim. It is for mood lighting in restaurants, cafés and decorative chandeliers, not for reading or task lighting.