House Grail is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

10 Best Mosquito Candles in 2024: Reviews & Top Picks

citronella candle in the grass

citronella candle in the grass

You’re relaxing on your porch and enjoying the gorgeous view, mild breeze, and your favorite music. The only thing ruining this calming atmosphere is the swarm of bugs and mosquitoes around you. Mosquitoes even find their way indoors, ruining the comfort of your home.

Of course, you could spray an insect repellent, but they always ruin the atmosphere with strong smells and hazardous chemicals. Citronella candles are a much better solution to this universal problem, allowing you to get rid of mosquitoes while enjoying a pleasant aroma.

These candles work their magic by covering the smells that appeal to mosquitoes, giving them no reason to enter your space and ruin the atmosphere. So, if you’ve gotten sick of itching at your mosquito bites, here are reviews for the top 10 mosquito candles this year.divider 1

A Quick Look at Our Winners in 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Cutter 95784 Citronella Candle Cutter 95784 Citronella Candle
  • Burns for up to 40 hours
  • Prevents flies and other flying insects
  • Has a relaxing scent
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Tiki Bitefighter Citronella Wax Candle Tiki Bitefighter Citronella Wax Candle
  • Sustainable and reliable container
  • Easy to carry
  • Long-running burn time
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Murphy's Naturals Mosquito Repellent Candle Murphy's Naturals Mosquito Repellent Candle
  • High concentration of essential oils
  • Pleasant smell
  • Adequate size
  • Coleman Scented Citronella Campfire Crackle Candle Coleman Scented Citronella Campfire Crackle Candle
  • Combination of pleasant scents
  • Lightweight
  • Affordable.
  • Mosquito Guard Citronella Tealight Citronella Candles Mosquito Guard Citronella Tealight Citronella Candles
  • Organic and DEET-free
  • Suitable for indoors and outdoors
  • Relaxing scent
  • The 10 Best Mosquito Candles

    1. Cutter 95784 Citronella Candle for Mosquitoes – Best Overall

    Cutter 95784 Citronella Candle

    Size: 20 ounces
    Burn Time: Up to 40 hours
    Number of Wicks: Three

    The Cutter 95784 Citronella Candle allows you to improve your outdoor gatherings by getting rid of irritating mosquitos and other insects. It is perfectly designed for a patio, porch, deck, or camping trip. The most effective ingredient in these candles is 100% natural citronella oil which protects you from all flying insects.

    In addition, the candle has three wicks, preventing soot development and wick mushrooming.

    While its solid aluminum base prevents the candle from falling apart, the Cutter 95784 Citronella Candle’s 40-hour burn time allows you to enjoy benefits for several days without a break.

    This candle offers more than just a practical solution to your mosquito problem. It emits a subtle, pleasant scent to make your experience more enjoyable, making it the best overall mosquito candle.

    Pros
    • Burns for up to 40 hours
    • Prevents flies and other flying insects
    • Has a relaxing scent
    Cons
    • Short wicks

    2. Tiki Bitefighter Citronella Candle for Mosquitoes – Best Value

    Tiki Bitefighter Citronella Wax Candle

    Size: 17 ounces
    Burn Time: 35 hours
    Number of Wicks: One

    Using the TIKI Citronella Candle, you can ward off all flying insects while fostering a cozy outdoor atmosphere. Its sleek metal bucket container complements almost every decor and comes with a handle for easy transportation.

    Moreover, it has a lid to prevent your candle from becoming dusty when not in use. The bucket is made with rust-free and recyclable metal, which makes it sturdy and excellent for outdoor use. The best part is that this candle emits a mellow glow and a delicate citronella aroma that won’t overpower your senses.

    The candle has a burn period of about 35 hours, making it long-lasting and reliable. Of course, you may find other citronella candles that offer the same benefits, but the low price of the Tiki Bitefighter Citronella Wax Candle makes it the best mosquito candle for the money.

    Pros
    • Sustainable and reliable container
    • Easy to carry
    • Long-running burn time
    Cons
    • Only suitable for outdoor use

    3. Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Candle – Best Premium Choice

    Murphy's Naturals Mosquito Repellent Candle

    Size: 9 ounces
    Burn Time: 30 hours
    Number of Wicks: One

    Whether indoors or outdoors, Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Repellent Candle will keep you safe from all flying insects. The active ingredients in these citronella candles are a mixture of beeswax and soybean oil. It also includes several essential oils and citronella in the perfect blend, creating a subtle and soothing scent.

    The best part about the candles is that their formula is not improved by adding any chemical insecticides or repellents, yet the candle still functions as intended.

    Despite the small container, the label estimates that this product lasts up to 30 hours. It comes in a discrete metal container with a lid to keep it neat and easier to carry. It also includes a single wick, which seems to be sufficient, given its tiny diameter.

    Using these candles, you can instantly create an aromatic yet mosquito-repellent atmosphere anywhere. Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Repellent Candle is undoubtedly on the pricier side, but its endless benefits make it the premium choice when it comes to mosquito-repellent candles.

    Pros
    • High concentration of essential oils
    • Pleasant smell
    • Adequate size
    Cons
    • Relatively expensive

    4. Coleman Scented Citronella Campfire Candle for Mosquitoes

    Coleman Scented Citronella Campfire Crackle Candle

    Size: 6 ounces
    Burn Time: 25 hours
    Number of Wicks: One

    The Coleman Scented Citronella Campfire Crackle Candle is one of the most affordable options for mosquito candles. This small, single-wicked candle has a compact design and burns for up to 25 hours without running out of wax.

    Its portable size allows you to fit in your backpack easily, so you can take it wherever you go and stay mosquito-free on your next camping trip. Although it is small in size, it works effectively both indoors and outdoors. Plus, the candle comes in a sleek and small metal tin that goes along with all types of decor.

    The calming, pine-infused aroma and the wooden crackle wick in this citronella candle are just another bonus. The mild golden glow and delicate scent create a relaxing environment while keeping the mosquitoes away. Its excellent woodsy scent, convenient packaging, and affordable price make it one of our top picks for a citronella candle.

    Pros
    • Combination of pleasant scents
    • Lightweight
    • Affordable.
    Cons
    • Crackling sounds may not appeal to everyone

    5. Mosquito Guard Citronella Tealight Citronella Candles

    Mosquito Guard Citronella Tealight Citronella Candles

    Size: 7.7 ounces
    Burn Time: 4 hours
    Number of Wicks: One per tealight

    These Citronella Tealight Candles by Mosquito Guard are 100% organic and free of DEE—a harmful insecticide commonly present in other pest control solutions. There are 16 tealight mosquito candles in one box, each measuring roughly 1.5 inches in diameter. If the candles are not used all at once, they should each burn for more than 4 hours, giving them a combined 48 hours of effectiveness.

    Another advantage of the tea lights is that you can quickly set up a barrier and light a set of candles around your outdoor resting area. These small candles can also easily fit in small lanterns for convenient carrying and aesthetics. In addition, the Mosquito Guard Citronella Tealight Candles give off a fresh aroma that isn’t too overbearing, offering an alluring blend of citronella, rosemary, peppermint, cedarwood, and lemongrass.

    Pros
    • Organic and DEET-free
    • Suitable for indoors and outdoors
    • Relaxing scent
    Cons
    • Very short burn period

    6. Cutter Scented Citronella Candle for Mosquitoes

    Cutter Scented Citronella Candle

    Size: 11 ounces
    Burn Time: 30 hours
    Number of Wicks: One

    The Cutter Scented Citronella Candles are made to create an enjoyable outdoor atmosphere while protecting you from bugs. It incorporates natural citronella oil, vanilla, and lavender, giving the perfect aroma for a special occasion.

    If you’re not a big fan of these scents, you can opt for the unscented version. However, those who want to prevent mosquitoes while enjoying a pleasant aroma can opt for their cinnamon spice, fresh rain, sweet cedar, tropical oasis, honeysuckle, and lilac variations.

    Undoubtedly, its frosted glass container is one of its fascinating features, complementing the purple candle. Moreover, the candle has a burn time of up to 30 hours, making it ideal for overnight use.

    Pros
    • Choice of fragrances.
    • Beautiful glass container
    • Long-lasting
    Cons
    • The wick is too fragile

    7. Coleman Citronella Candle Outdoor Lantern for Mosquitoes

    Coleman Citronella Candle Outdoor Lantern

    Size: 6.7 ounces.
    Burn Time: 70 hours
    Number of Wicks: One

    When it comes to candles and torches, there’s nothing more convenient for outdoor use than a lantern. The Coleman Citronella Candle Outdoor Lantern has a burn time of more than 70 hours, making it one of the most long-lasting options on our list.

    This lantern’s convenient and portable shape allows you to take it on your next outdoor adventure. Not only does it eliminate any flying insects in your surroundings, but its light is also bright enough to illuminate your path effectively.

    Its washable cap protects the candle from dust or dirt particles, increasing its durability. According to its size and materials, this candle is perfect for keeping pests away within a three-foot range.

    Besides light and mosquito protection, the Coleman Citronella Candle Outdoor Lantern enhances your outdoor experience with its pleasant citronella fragrance. Its convenient glass container and exceptional burn time are a few other features to consider.

    Pros
    • Up to 70+ hours of burn time.
    • Easy to carry
    • Great for hiking
    Cons
    • Fragile glass casing

    8. Aottom Citronella Candles for Mosquitoes

    Aottom Citronella Candles

    Size: 2.2 ounces
    Burn Time: 10 hours
    Number of Wicks: One per candle

    These outdoor decorative citronella candles by Aottom contain pure, natural soy wax and lead-free cotton wick, lemongrass, and citronella essential oils. They can burn for 10 to 15 hours each while having a strong, lingering smell. You can use them together for a strong barrier against mosquitoes or one at a time for a collective burn time of 90–135 hours.

    The Aottom Citronella Candles are infused with citronella plant oil, which purifies the air and eliminates odors in the immediate vicinity. They come in a stylish, lightweight, and portable collection of small tin citronella candles. You can take it anywhere and enjoy outside meals, gardening, picnics, camping, or rooftop parties. The sets also make an excellent gift for a scented-candle enthusiast.

    The dripless wax of the lemongrass candles guarantees clean burning and pristine surroundings. The best feature of these smokeless outdoor citronella candles is that they effectively guard your home against toxic gasses. Finally, they come in a sustainable metal bucket which can perfectly function as a reusable container once you run out of wax.

    Pros
    • Smokeless
    • Reusable and decorative container
    • Eco-friendly
    Cons
    • Not the strongest scent

    9. The Pioneer Woman Vintage Floral 3-wick Mosquito Candle

    The Pioneer Woman Vintage Floral 3-wick Outdoor Citronella Candle

    Size: 5 ounces
    Burn Time: 30 hours
    Number of Wicks: Three

    The Pioneer Woman Vintage Tin Candles are undoubtedly the most aesthetically pleasing option on our list. This candle collection is all-in-one, combining beauty, aroma, durability, and quality. So, whether searching for a present for someone or a candle to make your outdoor adventures more relaxing, these candles will not disappoint you.

    The set includes a variety of scents, including mint and floral, and a burn time of over 30 hours. Plus, the stunning flower designs and silver tins provide an antique feel, adding the perfect touch of elegance to any outdoor and indoor space. If your home already features some vintage decorations, the Pioneer Woman Vintage Floral 3-wick Outdoor Citronella Candle will be the perfect addition.

    The candles’ soothing fragrances of rose, geranium, red apple, fir, honeysuckle, and hydrangea will instantly transform your home into a summer-spring garden. In addition, each candle comes with a lid for protection from dirt when not in use.

    The size of the candles makes it easier for transportation, so you can carry the aroma everywhere you go or place them in various spots throughout your home. Once the wax runs out, you can use the tins on your vanity or as decoration pieces.

    Pros
    • Delicate scents
    • Decorative tins
    • Reusable containers
    Cons
    • Not highly effective in preventing mosquitoes

    10. Cutter Citro Guard Candle for Mosquitoes

    Cutter Citro Guard Candle

    Size: 20 ounces
    Burn Time: 60 hours
    Number of Wicks: One

    One of the main reasons why Cutter Citro Guard Triple Wick Candle is a great choice is its longevity. Each of these 20-ounce candles contains genuine citronella oil, eliminating mosquitoes and emitting a pleasant scent simultaneously.

    More importantly, these candles have an exceptional combined burn time of 60 hours. The container of the Cutter Citro Guard Triple Wick Candle is also stylish yet reliable. It has a lovely copper finish that gives it a more ornamental appearance and has high edges and a wide, robust base. Its rigid base prevents tipping and keeps the flame from going out on windy days.

    These mosquito candles are also reasonably priced and feature a huge triple-wick design that will burn longer and cover a larger area. Plus, the candle burns bright enough to illuminate your path on any outdoor adventure.

    Since these candles are inexpensive enough, you can buy numerous sets to cover a wider area while camping or out on your lawn. You have a better chance of preventing mosquito bites by creating a mosquito candle barrier around you than by leaving one large candle in the corner.

    Pros
    • Reasonable price.
    • Long-running burn time.
    • Durable container.
    Cons
    • Overpowering smell.

    divider 1

    Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Mosquito Candle

    Finding the best pick among the long list of citronella candles on the market is challenging. Here are a few elements to remember when looking for the perfect mosquito candle:

    Scent

    You can choose any candle based on its aroma from a variety available, as long as it fulfills the purpose of keeping the insects away. The various scent options in mosquito candles include essential oils, peppermint, and rosemary, but citronella is the most common.

    Other typical ingredients include oils made from herbs like rosemary and mint, but they are less common as they haven’t been proven to prevent mosquitoes.

    The citronella scent is fresh and citrusy, making it practical and enjoyable at the same time. If you prefer even more potent scents, you may choose a candle with dripless wicks and a high concentration of citronella oil combined with other essential oils.

    Although citronella oil smells good enough on its own, it gives out an even more soothing and pleasant smell when it has been mixed with other scents. Cedarwood, lemongrass, peppermint, rosemary, pine, cinnamon spice, fresh rain, vanilla, lavender, honeysuckle, and lilac are some ideal scents to combine with citronella.

    Citronella

    Citronella candles are experts at repelling mosquitoes and other pests, so you must ensure your mosquito candle has citronella. Of course, mosquito candles with other repellent oils may get the job done, but not as efficiently as citronella.

    A citronella mosquito candle essentially burns and disperses vaporized citronella oil, which has a strong, fresh scent and is created from specific types of grass. The candle’s intense smells attract mosquitoes and alter their sensation since they locate their prey by smelling their breath. This makes it easier to use scented candles to deter mosquitoes instead of killing them. Citronella oil is the perfect solution to a mosquito problem as it confuses insects in finding its human target. Another reason this oil is preferred is that it is reasonably safe and on the list of repellents with the lowest potential for harm.

    citronella candle
    Image Credit: faithie, Shutterstock

    Durability

    Along with the quality of the candle, its longevity and efficiency are highly influenced by how you use and keep it. The majority of citronella candles are sold in tins or metal containers that come with lids. You must keep the top on to prevent dust buildup when the candle is not in use. Since it entirely negates the purpose of your mosquito candles and also does the job of a scented candle, you wouldn’t want to burn one covered in cobwebs and dirt.

    If you’re in search of a versatile option that works brilliantly indoors and outdoors, the best pick would be one that is suitable for enclosed spaces. Another essential feature you should never ignore is the burning duration. Longer burn times are beneficial because you’ll likely be bothered by insects day and night. So, when you’re out camping, you should make sure to carry the most long-lasting, insect-repellent candles.

    Stocking up on these candles to cover your entire area should also be a top priority when heading to the woods. Soybean oil-based candles are said to burn longer than paraffin-based ones, and their sustainability makes them an even better option.

    Container

    When picking a mosquito candle, remember that the most refined candle will have a balanced shape with a diameter that isn’t too large and numerous wicks so that there isn’t a deep hole right in the center and only one-third of the wax is being used.

    You must also make sure that the container has a lid, as using a cover is necessary to keep your candle clean and dry during traveling. Finally, you should opt for a candle that comes in a sturdy can or bucket for outdoor use. A solid case can be pretty helpful since flimsier objects often bend or break while transported.

    Metal tins and buckets are best for outdoor use and traveling, as both styles are less likely to overheat. It’s worth noting that most high-quality mosquito candle companies use these containers, indicating that they’re focused on the candle’s practicality more than its appearance.

    When it comes to campgrounds and hiking paths, large buckets of citronella candles are preferred and more effective in large-sized buckets. Such huge candles have a more extended burn period and more coverage. Although they are less portable and heavy, they are excellent at protecting you from mosquitoes.

    Citronella candle in a glass jar on a wooden table
    Image Credit: Cmspic, Shutterstock

    Style

    Of course, you don’t need to compromise on the candle’s aesthetic value just because you’re looking for the most effective option on the market. Containers for mosquito candles come in various sizes, hues, and patterns, so you can maintain your home’s aesthetics while keeping the bloodsuckers away.

    For indoor use, you’ll typically find mosquito candles in glass jars. Though glass jars have an adequate burn period and amount of wax, they’re also beautiful and go well with most home decor. You’ll even find some frosted glass options on our list for even better aesthetics.

    divider 4

    Conclusion

    If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, there’s no better pick than the Tiki Bitefighter Citronella Wax Candle, which doesn’t compromise on quality.

    However, if aromatics are your priority, the Cutter Scented Citronella Candle will serve you best. It offers a pleasant combination of cinnamon spice, fresh rain, vanilla, lavender, sweet cedar, tropical oasis, honeysuckle, and lilac.

    Finally, the Cutter 95784 Citronella Candle is the perfect, all-encompassing mosquito candle that hits the mark in every aspect – durability, appearance, burn time, efficiency, and scent. Read the reviews for each insect-repellent candle to find the best pick for your home.


    Featured Image Credit: Guido Benedetto, Shutterstock

    Contents

    Related posts

    OUR categories

    Project ideas

    Hand & power tools

    woodworking

    Garden

    Automotive