Guide to 2023’s Best LED Candelabra Bulbs (E12, Dimmable)

If you have a chandelier or decorative light fixture, you may already know what candelabra bulbs are. Specifically, they’re a specialty style of lightbulbs, commonly found throughout homes.

Often used in nightlights, chandeliers, hanging fixtures and bathroom vanities, they tend to be small, often in a tear-drop or longer, narrow shape. That said, most candelabra bulbs are of the E12 variety. This means they have a small, screw style base that measures 12mm in diameter.

LED Candelabra vs Incandescent

Typically, candelabra bulbs are incandescent and use between 40-100 watts of energy while lit-up. However, most homeowners are now opting for LED Candelabra Bulbs, not only because of their energy efficiency, but their overall longevity as well. Simply put, incandescent varieties look nice, but they tend to get very hot and ultimately burn out prematurely.

However, if you take a trip to your local department or hardware store, you’ll likely be hard-pressed to find any LED candelabra bulbs to choose from. Sure, you may have a couple of options, but surely not as many as you do online.

Dimmable vs. Non-Dimmable

Needless to say, not all LED candelabra bulbs are created equally. Therefore, some are dimmable while others are not. Before you choose a replacement bulb, you’ll want to make sure if the fixture and switch you’re using requires dimming. If so, choose bulbs that are able to support dimming.

While dimmable bulbs are generally more expensive, it’s not by much. In fact, we’re talking a minor difference of only a few bucks – if that. Regardless, knowing the dimming requirements before you choose an LED replacement is an excellent idea.

Color Temperature

The precise color of light a bulb emits is also known as color temperature. These are represented in Kelvins, or “K” for short. Light that’s lower on the spectrum is typically referred to as warm. On the contrary, light that’s higher on the spectrum is considered to be daylight or “cool”.

A 3000K bulb will appear much more yellow/orange than a 6000K bulb that has more blue light. In general, the higher the Kelvins, the whiter the light will appear. Warm light is more traditional and best for providing calm, cozy environments. In fact, it’s the most popular choice for most homes.

Cool white, on the other hand, is generally associated with a more-modern, cleaner and brighter environment. No color is necessarily “wrong” per-se, it’s more a matter of preference. Regardless, it’s a good idea to match whichever bulbs you currently have with any of the replacement LED candelabra bulbs you choose.

Lumen Output

With each LED candelabra bulb, you’ll see an associate lumen rating for each one. Lumens are a unit that’s given to describe the amount of light that’s provided to a given area. Generally, one lumen is equal to the amount of brightness that a single candle emits. Obviously, this is an estimate, but it gives consumers a general measurement of overall brightness.

That said, the higher the lumens, the brighter the bulb. Conversely, the brighter the bulb, the more energy it’ll use. However, when dealing with LEDs, the amount of watts each one draws is generally 5 to 10 times lower than their incandescent equivalent.

Selecting the Best LED Candelabra Bulbs

Lately, we’ve been getting a lot of inquiries from readers asking us to help them determine which LED candelabra bulbs are the best. Therefore, we decided to write-up a comprehensive guide that showcases all of the top-rated options that are currently available.

We’ve scoured the web and hand-tested several different LED candelabra bulbs from a wide range of manufacturers. Today, we’re gathering several of our favorite options (with an E12 base) and reviewing each one.

While they may not all be created equal, each of them provides long-lasting, energy efficiency that we all crave. In the end, you’ll have a much better understanding of which specific bulbs will work best for your scenario. Let’s get right into it!

GE Relax HD Bent Tip Chandelier LED Light Bulbs

When it comes to indoor lighting and appliances, GE is a name brand that you know you can trust. Their Relax HD Bent Tip Chandelier LED Light Bulbs are not as economically-priced as other options, but their bulbs are some of the highest quality we’ve used. Available in either frosted 2700k soft white or clear 5000k daylight, these bulbs emit an even, steady glow regardless of the light fixture you’re using.

The frosted soft white GE Relax HD candelabra bulbs are said to be 40-watt replacements. Each one provides up to 300 lumens of brightness. That said, they use 4-watts per bulb. On the other hand, the clear daylight variety is rated as a 60-watt replacement, providing up to 500 lumens and drawing only 5 watts.

Thankfully, the GE bulbs are completely dimmable without any flicker. Regardless of the dimming level, you’re assured an even glow without dull spots. In addition, each one is said to last for up to 13 years. While these claims are obviously difficult to prove, they’re covered by a 5-year warranty. That said, if any of the bulbs die within the first 5 years, you’re entitled to a refund or replacement. Simply put, this is an excellent guarantee from a long-time, reputable company.

Incandescent Equivalent: 40 to 60 watts.
Actual Energy Use: 4 to 5 watts.
Brightness: 300-500 lumens.
Dimmable: Yes.
Available Colors: frosted soft white or clear daylight.
Warranty: 5 years.

Philips LED Flicker-Free Candelabra Bulbs

As another top-choice from a highly reputable brand, the Philips LED Flicker-Free Candelabra Bulbs are a fantastic option. Available in either 2700k soft white or 5000k daylight, the bulbs are sold in a 12-pack, so you have plenty of replacements readily available. Like the GE, they’re a bit less affordable than off-brands, but these are well-made and specifically made to provide some of the best dimming capabilities.

The soft white variety only uses 3.3-watts and is equivalent to a 40-watt incandescent bulb, capable of providing up to 300 lumens. The daylight variety, on the other hand, uses 5.5-watts and is equivalent to a 60-watt incandescent bulb, capable of providing up to 500 lumens. Regardless of the color you choose, the dimming capabilties are very impressive. You can expect zero-flicker, uniform light and impressive longevity, regardless of the fixture or dimness you have them set to.

It goes without saying, Philips is a company that stands behind their LED bulbs. Each one is covered by an industry-leading 10 year warranty. This goes to show that they’re confident of their products and completely stand behind them. While each one is said to last up to 25,000 hours, you can rest assured knowing you’ll likely never need to replace them for over a decade plus.

Incandescent Equivalent: 40 to 60 watts.
Actual Energy Use: 3.3 to 5.5 watts.
Brightness: 300-500 lumens.
Dimmable: Yes.
Available Colors: Soft white or daylight.
Warranty: 10 years.

Ascher E12 Candelabra LED Light Bulbs

The Ascher E12 Candelabra LED Light Bulbs are an all-around excellent pick. Available in either 2700k warm white, 4000k cool white or 5000k daylight white, it’s easy to match any lighting color that you’d like. Each one is equivalent to a 60-watt incandescent bulb and provides 550 lumens of brightness. But since these are LEDs, they only draw 4-watts per bulb.

That said, they’re able to make a drastic different in your energy bill if you end up needing to swap-out several throughout your home. While they’re not dimmable, they don’t glare, will not flicker or cause any sort of strobe lighting effects. In fact, the light they produce is uniform, evenly distributed and distinctively different in color, depending on the variety you select.

Best of all, Ascher is a company that stands behind the produces they manufacture. Because of this, they include an 18-month warranty period for each and every bulb they sell. While they shouldn’t burn-out for over 20,000 hours, if they fail within the first year and a half, you’re covered.

Incandescent Equivalent: 60 watts.
Actual Energy Use: 4 watts.
Brightness: 550 lumens.
Dimmable: No.
Available Colors: warm white, cool white or daylight white.
Warranty: 18 months.

Amazon Basics Candelabra LED Light Bulbs

Amazon Basics is no stranger to creating well-made, affordable options for consumers. Their Candelabra LED Light Bulbs are no different. Available in either 2700k soft white or 5000k daylight, the bulbs are designed to create an even, 500-lumen glow while drawing consistently less energy than their incandescent counterpart. In fact, each bulb, regardless of color, only draws 4.5 watts.

They come with an E12 base, but are available in two different options – B11 or B11 CEC compliant. Simply put, the B11 CEC compliant bulbs are specifically designed to meet California Energy Commission requirements while the B11 are standard. Therefore, residents who are limited on options can find a suitable replacement candelabra bulb that’s available to them, even if they live in the restrictive state of California. Keep in mind, however, the B11 CEC compliant bulbs use 1 additional watt for a total draw of 5.5-watts each. Not much difference, but worth mentioning.

While these LED bulbs are relatively affordable, they’re not covered by any sort of warranty. There’s no mention of any guarantee on their lifespan, so we assume there’s none offered. While they aren’t dimmable, they seem to be well-made and provide an even glow in all directions.

Incandescent Equivalent: 60 watts.
Actual Energy Use: 4.5 watts or 5.5 watts for the CEC compliant variety.
Brightness: 500 lumens.
Dimmable: No.
Available Colors: Soft white or daylight white.
Warranty: None.

Hudson LED Candelabra Light Bulbs

Offering a uniquely small size and shape, the Hudson LED Candelabra Light Bulbs are another great option. Although they’re only available in 3000k warm white, they’re much more narrow with a unique U-shaped design. That said, they’re designed to offer a better fit when it comes to small light fixtures with minimal clearance. Additionally, the filament is highly visible, giving off an Edison-style appearance with a vintage-vibe.

Each Hudson LED bulb emits 400 lumens but draws only 4-watts. However, each one is equivalent to a 40W incandescent bulb. Best of all, they’re fully dimmable and don’t flicker, even when dimmed extremely low. In fact, each one emits a steady, uniformed stream of light without any dim-spots. Whether this has something to do with the oversized filament in each bulb or not, the glow is genuinely pleasing in every regard.

Best of all, each bulb is covered by a warranty. There’s a 1-year warranty against any issues due to manufacturer defects. In addition, there’s also 2-year replacement warranty program in case any of them prematurely die. While there’s no mention of this on the Amazon sales page, you can register your bulbs through Hudson Bulb Company website. While the bulb should greatly outlast the available warranty, it’s nice to see this included.

Incandescent Equivalent: 40 watts.
Actual Energy Use: 4-watts.
Brightness: 400 lumens.
Dimmable: Yes.
Available Colors: Warm white.
Warranty: 1-2 years.

Stvono Candelabra LED Bulbs

As one of the brightest options available, the Stvono Candelabra LED Bulbs look quite unique with a futuristic appearance. Available in either 3000K warm white or 6000K daylight white, there’s a wide range to select from. While they’re not dimmable in any regard, each one is incredibly bright at 1500 lumens each. Simply put, each one capable of producing vivid, uniform color temperature throughout any room or environment.

Rather than your standard filament light bulb design, each one contains an array of individual LED chips, covered by a clear polycarbonate layer that promises excellent light transmission. In addition, the chips are contained within an aluminum housing and an assortment of vents to promote proper heat transfer and dissipation. It’s a good thing, too, since each bulb emits up to 1500 lumens; 3-4 times as bright as anything else we’ve showcased in this article.

While the Stvono Candelabra LED Bulbs are brighter than most, the one trade-off is that they use a bit more energy than others. In fact, each one draws about 16-watts when lit-up. Thankfully, however, these are covered by a warranty, even if it’s not quite as generous as what other brands offer. That said, there’s a 3-month free replacement period and a 12-month warranty on each bulb.

Incandescent Equivalent: 100 watts.
Actual Energy Use: 16 watts.
Brightness: 1500 lumens.
Dimmable: No.
Available Colors: Warm white.
Warranty: 1-2 years.

Which LED Candelabra Bulbs are the Best?

As you can see, there are several excellent options to choose from. We’ve showcased several of our favorite picks that we consider to be the best options for 2022. However, determining the precise “best” one for your exact scenario requires a bit of preference from yourself.

If you’re in need of dimmable bulbs, look no further than either the GE Relax HD Bent Tip or Philips LED Flicker-Free Candelabra Bulbs. In general, these are both made from reputable companies that have been in the lighting industry for decades. Each one is covered by some of the best warranties available, making the choice simple for those who want a guarantee for years to come. Both the GE and Philips provide an even glow, regardless of the dim setting, and both are available in a two color temperatures so you can acquire the perfect match to your existing fixtures.

If you want the absolute brightest option, look no futher than the Stvono Candelabra LED Bulbs. Capable of emitting 1500 lumens per bulb, they’re incredibly bright. While you cannot dim them to any degree, they’re perfect for those who need to fill the surrounding environment with as much brightness as possible. Keep in mind, however, that they use 16-watts of energy, each. While this is still better than their incandescent counterpart, it’s 3-4 times as much as any of the other LED candelabra bulbs we’ve showcased.

The Hudson, Ascher and AmazonBasics, on the other-hand, are also great picks. While they may not have the dimming capabilities that you may require, they’re well made, affordable and universally compatible with virtually any fixture or chandelier.