Looking to replace all fire burning candles with LED versions. Lots of junk out there of course, but looking to see if anyone has found anything like this:
1800-2000k temperature, any CRI
realistic flicker or solid (I’ve tried some that had a really visually annoying flicker that felt like a strobe)
charging: USB-C charging, or something like a large 18650, 21700, etc so it lasts forever at 1-5 lumen range roughly
medium to larger candles OK if it means a longer lasting battery. Main thing I’m trying to avoid is having to fuss around with recharging an LED candle every other day.
The rechargeable ones I’ve seen all seem to want to use 3 x AAA or 3 x AA batteries which is a ton of batteries to maintain if I have like 10 candles. Trying to simplify the charging and maintenance.
I was unsuccessful when I looked, but admittedly that was a while ago- If you have a place where a flashlight would work- I use a de-domed 2700K Nichia 519a as a relaxation light. It’s not quite 1800K of candles, but it’s not too far off.
The host I chose is a Convoy S2+, which was a poor choice in retrospect, as it rolls off surfaces and doesn’t have a magnet for fixing it to ferrous surfaces…
Have you tried candle mode on an Anduril light, or not like that one?
IMO the Nov-Mu V2S in 2000k makes an excellent electronic candle. Built in USB-C, efficient driver, multiple different 1800k to 2000k emitter options, and a very floody beam pattern.
I use a brass Fireflylite E07 as ambient light next to my bed. Works really well and gives great rosy light at around 2200 K. It has also this candle-light flicker mode due to Anduril. The slighty throwy beam is perfect for my room (reflection from the white wall), but in general a mule like Nov-Mu V2S as mentioned is great for ambient/mood indoor lighting. 1800 K 95 CRI FFL351A is really recommended anyway.
Precisely! I should have used the word “excitement” rather than hype, as hype can suggest something is overrated!
On topic: OP, have you considered fairy lights? I find the light extremely relaxing, because of the number of lights sources, there isn’t much glare, and no harsh shadows.
I have not shopped extensively for candles, but of those I have tried, the only ones I would rate as even decent are those from Ikea. Most LED candles for quite a while used amber LED’s, which really aren’t a great imitation of candle light. More recently there have an increasing number of white LED versions, but not warm enough - definitely over 3000K. And nearly all LED candles have a very abrupt flicker that isn’t very convincing.
The Ikea candles, on the other hand, advertise 2700K, and I think might even be a little warmer than that. The flicker is nice and smooth. They’re not as bright as real candles, but I haven’t seen any that are.
They run fine on a pair of NiMH. Mine use AAA’s, but I think the current version uses AA’s, which will cut down on charging.
I’d like to get some nice looking LED andles to gut and use as diffusers over 1800-2000K Anduril lights, but the cost of that would add up fast. Ikea candles are relatively inexpensive.
I have some FFL 351 in 1800k. They are not as good as the Nichia E21A… But with that being said, it is really close. So close in my opinion that you can only tell them apart when comparing side by side. And the fact they are standard 3535 size, makes them awesome in my opinion since them are easier to swap and use.
Maybe this is true (always depending on human eye, and tint variation/binning) - but the big advantage of the FFL is the footprint. They can be used in almost every light with 3535 footprint out there, as you wrote.
And the performance is much better due to dedicated themal pad.
The E21A is superior, no doubt, but it is not suitable for any use case out there.
