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You have the burgers ready, the drinks are cold, and then flies show up. A decent citronella candle stops them, but most fizzle out before the main course. The Aottom 3x14oz set wins for patios because it lasts 270 hours total and uses three wicks per candle, so the scent spreads wide enough to actually clear a table.
I’m Rikta — the founder and writer behind Lawn Gear Lab. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
After comparing burn durations, wick counts, and real-world effectiveness, here are the details on the best citronella candles for flies to help you pick the right one for your space.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best Citronella Candles For Flies
Flies are persistent, and a weak candle will not cut it. You need to focus on three things: how long the candle lasts in a single burn session, how much repellent oil is in the wax, and whether the flame stays alive in a light breeze. Here is what matters most.
Burn Time and The Real Number of Candles
A single small candle might give you 18 hours of burn time, but you will likely need two or three burning at once to cover a typical patio table. Look at the total burn time for the set and think about how many you will light per session. If a pack of six candles each burns for 25 hours, you have 150 total hours of coverage — more than enough for a summer of weekends.
Wick Design and Coverage
A single wick on a large candle can tunnel down the center, leaving a ring of unburned wax that never releases its citronella. A 3-wick design spreads the heat across the surface, melting the wax evenly so the oil vaporizes into the air. For flies, that steady release of scent is what keeps them from landing.
Container Material and Stability
Tin cans are lightweight and portable, but they get hot — you will need to set them on a heat-safe surface. Glass jars look nicer but can tip over in a gust of wind. For patio use, a wide, low-profile tin or bowl-style candle is harder to knock over and covers more surface area with the flame.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Total Burn Time | Wick Count | Wax Type | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coleman 6-Pack★ Best Overall | Compact & Portable | 150 hours (6×25) | 1 per candle | Paraffin blend | Amazon |
| Aottom Citronella Candles 3x14ozAlso Great | Large Patio Coverage | 270 hours (3×90) | 3 per candle | Soy Wax | Amazon |
| YINUO LIGHT 6-Pack | Best Value Set | 300 hours (6×50) | 1 per candle | Soy Wax | Amazon |
| Ofun Citronella 36oz | Artistic Design | 240 hours (3×80) | 3 per candle | Soy Wax | Amazon |
| Cliganic 2-Pack | DEET-Free Natural | 36 hours (2×18) | 1 per candle | Soybean & Beeswax | Amazon |
| TIKI 2-Pack Bowl | Premium Aesthetic | 60 hours (2×30) | 1 per candle | White Wax bowl | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Coleman Scented Outdoor Citronella Candle 6-Pack
Our pick — over 4.5★ from 800+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
The wooden crackle wick snaps and pops like a real campfire, and each 6 oz tin is light enough for a backpack.
These 6 oz tins are the smallest in the lineup, but the wooden crackle wick adds an experience that bigger candles do not — it snaps and pops like a real fire, which makes it feel more like an evening ritual. Each candle burns for 25 hours, and the six-pack totals 150 hours. The pine scent blends with the citronella, so it smells woodsy rather than medicinal. Reviewers consistently say this helps the ambiance during outdoor dinners.
One buyer mentioned that “mosquitoes disappeared within an hour indoors” after lighting a single candle. Compared to the Cliganic two-pack, which offers 18 hours per candle, the Coleman not only lasts longer per tin (25 vs 18 hours) but also comes in a six-pack — six candles compared to two. The trade-off is the tin gets hot enough that you should keep at least a foot of clearance around it. A strong overhead fan can blow out the flame.
At 0.49 pounds per candle, these are noticeably lighter than the Cliganic candles (0.75 pounds each), making them the better pick if you need to toss a few in a camping bag or distribute them across multiple tables.
The strong points
- Wooden crackle wick mimics a real campfire sound
- Compact tin is easy to pack for camping or picnics
- 6-pack gives you plenty to spread around a large space
The weak points
- Tin gets very hot during use
- Not as wide a melt pool as 3-wick candles
Best for: Portable use — throw a few in the car for camping or set them on individual side tables at a picnic, and the crackle sound adds atmosphere.
Not for: Windy patios — the flame is small enough that a breeze can snuff it out easily.
2. Aottom Citronella Candles (3x14oz)
Each candle has three wicks and weighs 14 oz, so they melt a wide pool that pushes scent across a whole deck.
If you have a large patio or want to surround a dining table, this is the kit that covers it without running out of wax by the second hour. Each of the three candles uses a triple wick, which means the wax melts evenly across the surface and releases the citronella scent steadily. You get 90 hours of burn time per candle — 270 hours total — so one set can easily last a whole season of weekly cookouts.
The soy wax base with lemongrass oil keeps the smell fresh rather than heavy. Buyers report it works well even against flies, not just mosquitoes. One buyer says the scent is “strong and delightful” and that they burn all three at once for maximum coverage. Unlike the smaller Cliganic candles (which only offer 18 hours per candle), this set gives you 90 hours per candle, making it the better value for regular use.
Reviewers do mention that the wicks can burn unevenly toward the end — some wax may be left in the tin with no wick to melt it.
Heavy hitter: The triple-wick on a 14 oz tin creates a wide melt pool that pushes the scent outward fast, so flies don’t get a chance to settle.
One honest flaw: The burn can tunnel in the final quarter of the candle, leaving usable wax behind.
Grab this if: You host on a large patio or deck and need three candles to place around the seating area — the burn time and scent coverage are the best of any mid-range set.
Consider something else if: You only need a single candle for a small balcony — the three-pack is more than you will use.
3. YINUO LIGHT 6-Pack Citronella Candles
Six candles with 7% citronella oil (higher than the 5% most packs use) push a stronger scent into the air.
This set leans harder into the active ingredient — 7% citronella oil in a soy wax blend, compared to the 5% you typically see in candles at this price. Each of the six tins burns for 50 hours, giving you a total of 300 hours of coverage. The higher citronella concentration means the scent is noticeably stronger right from the start, which helps in open spaces where a lighter candle might not push far enough.
The 2.8-inch wide tins are compact, so you can scatter them across a picnic table, along a deck railing, or around a campfire ring without them taking up too much room. A few owners mention that even with all six lit, mosquitoes were still biting — one reviewer noted they held a candle in each hand and still got bitten. That feedback suggests this set works best as a deterrent for flies and general bugs in a moderate breeze, not as a total bug shield in heavy-infestation areas.
The packaging is gift-ready with a decorative box and a magnetic bottle opener, making it a practical option if you are shopping for a friend who camps or hosts BBQs.
Why it stands out
- Highest citronella oil concentration in this lineup (7%)
- 300 total burn hours from a 6-pack
- Bonus magnetic bottle opener adds real utility
Where it falls short
- Some buyers found it ineffective against heavy swarms
- Single wick per tin limits melt pool size
Buy it for: The sheer number of candles you get — six tins let you surround a seating area, and the 7% oil gives you a stronger repellent punch than most budget sets.
Pass if: You are in an area with aggressive mosquito pressure — this works better as a fly deterrent than a mosquito eradication tool.
4. Ofun Citronella Candles Outdoor Decorative 36oz Set
Oil-painted tins look like table art, and each 12 oz candle has three wicks to spread the scent evenly.
The Ofun set stands out for its appearance — each tin has a colorful oil painting design that makes it feel like a decorative accent rather than a functional candle you hide in a corner. The set comes with three tins, each holding 12 oz of soy wax, and the three-wick system helps the wax pool melt evenly. The manufacturer lists a burn time of 60-80 hours per candle, totaling 240 hours for the set.
The scent combines a green citrus top note with a clean base, so it smells brighter than the heavier pine scent of the Coleman candle. The tins measure 5.1 inches wide by 2.1 inches tall — the same width as the KIYTARBOO candles, which means they cover a similar table footprint.
Compared to the KIYTARBOO set, the Ofun is slightly shorter in height (2.1 inches vs the same), but the oil painting design is more vivid. If aesthetics are a priority, these look better on the table than the standard silver tins of the Coleman or Cliganic candles.
What wins you over
- Artistic oil painting tins that match a decorated patio
- Triple wick helps the candle burn evenly
- Long burn time of up to 80 hours per tin
What holds it back
- Wick quality is inconsistent — some buyers got less burn time
- Smoke-free claim is true but the wick can drown in melted wax
Perfect for: Anyone who wants their candle to look good on a dinner table — the painted tins add color that the plain silver tins do not.
Stick with something else if: You need guaranteed full burn time without worrying about the wick failing midway.
5. Cliganic Natural Mosquito Repellent Candle 2-Pack
A DEET-free candle that uses soybean wax and beeswax infused with five essential oils for a gentler scent.
If you are trying to keep chemicals out of your outdoor space, the Cliganic candle uses soybean wax and beeswax infused with five essential oils — rosemary, peppermint, citronella, lemongrass, and cedarwood. It is 100% DEET-free, so there are no registered pesticides in the mix. Each 4 oz candle burns for 18 hours, giving you 36 hours total between the two.
The compact size (3 inches wide by 2 inches tall) makes it easy to stash in a camping bag or slide into a cup holder on a patio chair. But compared to the Ofun candle, which measures 5.1 inches wide, the Cliganic covers a much smaller radius of scent. One owner reported the candle is “great unless it is breezy,” noting that the wind blows out the flame easily and the burn is uneven in any airflow. At 0.75 pounds per candle, they are heavier than the Coleman candles (0.49 pounds) but smaller in size, so the weight comes from the thicker tin, not more wax.
The natural essential oil blend smells lighter than the straight citronella of the KIYTARBOO or Ofun candles. Some buyers prefer this, but it also means the repellent effect is gentler.
What works
- DEET-free and made from plant-based waxes
- Pleasant essential oil blend — not just heavy citronella
- Small size fits in a cup holder or small table
What does not
- Only 18 hours per candle — you will replace them often
- Wind blows out the flame easily
- Small melt pool means limited coverage area
Best for: A quick, DEET-free option for small patio tables or camping trips where you only need coverage for a few hours — the natural ingredients are a plus for families with kids.
Not for: Large decks or windy evenings — the 18-hour burn time and small size are not enough to cover a big space or stay lit in a breeze.
6. TIKI Citronella Candle 2-Pack (White Wax Bowl)
A 7-inch wide bowl with a concrete finish that looks like outdoor decor and burns evenly for 30 hours per candle.
The TIKI candle takes a different approach — instead of a tin or glass jar, the wax comes in a 7-inch wide bowl with a concrete-like finish. It is designed to sit on a table or deck railing as a decorative piece, not something you hide behind a plant. Each of the two candles burns for 30 hours, giving you 60 total hours of coverage.
The wide bowl creates a larger surface area than the small tins of the Cliganic or Coleman candles, so the scent spreads across a wider radius. Reviewers consistently mention the aesthetic as a highlight — one customer observed it is “much larger than expected” and another called it “aesthetically pleasing,” noting the wick spacing makes it burn evenly. Unlike the Ofun candle, where wick quality is inconsistent, the TIKI bowl has a single wick that customers note stays lit and burns clean.
The white wax bowl is heavy and stable — one user highlighted it stays put even during storms. However, the price is higher than any other candle here, and the total burn time (60 hours) is shorter than the Aottom set (270 hours) or the YINUO set (300 hours), so you are paying more for the design than for raw runtime.
Design-first approach: The concrete-finish bowl is more substantial than any tin or jar in this lineup, making it a deliberate decor choice for a modern outdoor space.
Runtime trade-off: 30 hours per candle is middle-of-the-pack — the Coleman gives you 25 hours per tin at a lower cost, while the Aottom gives you 90 hours per candle.
Buy this if: How the candle looks matters as much as how it works — the bowl design is the most polished option here and blends into a contemporary deck or garden setting.
Skip this if: You want the maximum hours for your money — the runtime per dollar is lower than any multi-pack in this guide.
Understanding the Specs
Burn Time
This is the total number of hours a single candle will burn continuously until the wax is gone. A longer burn time means you do not have to replace the candle as often. For a summer of weekly use, look for at least 50 hours per candle or a multi-pack that totals over 200 hours.
Wick Count
A multi-wick design (2 or 3 wicks) creates a larger melt pool than a single wick, which means more wax is turned into active citronella vapor per hour. This matters most when you need to clear a larger table or a breezy patio quickly.
Citronella Oil Percentage
This is the concentration of the active repellent oil in the wax. A 5% concentration is standard and works well in calm conditions. A 7% concentration pushes more scent into the air, which helps in open spaces or when the breeze dilutes the vapor.
Wax Type
Soy wax is the most common base for citronella candles because it burns clean and holds fragrance well. Soybean and beeswax blends are less common but avoid petroleum-based ingredients. Paraffin wax candles burn hotter and may produce more soot.
FAQ
How many citronella candles do I need to keep flies away from a patio table?
Do citronella candles actually repel flies or just mask the smell?
Will a 3-wick candle last longer than a 1-wick candle?
Can I use citronella candles indoors for flies?
How do I store citronella candles so they last all season?
Is a higher citronella oil concentration always better?
Why does my citronella candle tunnel down the middle?
How long should I burn a citronella candle to make it effective?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most buyers, the citronella candles for flies winner is the Aottom 3-Pack because it combines a long 270-hour total burn time with a triple-wick design that pushes the scent across a large patio. If you want the highest citronella oil concentration and a six-pack of compact tins, grab the YINUO LIGHT 6-Pack. And for a portable, crackle-wick experience you can toss in a camping bag, the standout is the Coleman 6-Pack.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of July 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
As an Amazon Associate, Lawn Gear Lab earns from qualifying purchases. This does not affect which products we feature.