According to the National Candle Association, candles are used in 7 out of 10 households in the United States. Candles are purchased for a number of different reasons including, decorating, ambiance, emergency use, and to freshen the air. With the advances in technology, battery operated candles are now available that can meet the demand for each of the reasons people purchase candles.
In the beginning candles were usually made out of plastic and didn’t look very realistic. Now many battery candles are made using real wax so they feel and look just like the real thing. Early battery powered candles used low watt light bulb to try and replicate the glow from a candle flame. These primitive designs did not flicker like a real candle flame does. In addition the color of the light emitted from these bulbs didn’t match the natural glow of candle light. Also these candles would drain the batteries pretty quickly.
The newer battery candles now use LED’s to give off a realistic flicker and glow simulating natural candle light much better than before. This means that you can get the ambiance from an LED candle like you would from a real one. Also because LED bulbs don’t use much energy, the batteries last much longer. A few of the LED candles will change colors automatically or can be set to a specific color with a remote control if you want something other than the natural yellowish glow.
The battery operated candles now also come in a variety of sizes, colors, and fragrances. This makes them perfect to decorate with around your home or for events. Many of the candles are also scented, freshening the air as well as being decorative.
There are many options available when it comes to turning your battery candles on and off. All of them come with a manual on/off switch, usually on the base of the candle, out of sight. In addition to that, some also have built in timers 
which will turn the candles on and off automatically. Some of the more advanced battery candles are remote controlled. Usually 1 remote control can be used for all the candles in your home as long as they are from the same manufacturer.
Battery powered candles also come in a wide range of sizes and shapes from tealights to pillar candles and jars to tapers. There are unique holiday themed candles like ghosts for Halloween, pumpkins for Thanksgiving, and snowmen for Christmas available too. The greatest benefit to LED candles is that there is no open flame to watch or worry about. They can be used safely around kids and pets.
U.S. Candle Company Blog 