Solar candles tested: Romance without the cable clutter
18/8/2026
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Pia Seidel
I love candlelight. Open flames in the garden, not so much, especially when children are nearby or I have to leave the house for a moment. The 'Solar Candle Set big' from STT promises both: the ambiance of candlelight without me having to keep an eye on it all the time.
A balmy evening, a glass of wine on the terrace, and flickering candlelight: to me, that is pure summer. However, I always get a bit nervous with real candles outdoors: wind, rain, unattended flames. The «Solar Candle Set big» from STT is supposed to solve this problem, without needing a cable or a power outlet nearby. I ordered the candles via Galaxus and tested them for several weeks in the garden and on the windowsill.
First impression: simple and tidy
The candles come in classic white and in two different heights: seven and ten centimeters, each with a diameter of ten centimeters. If you want something taller, you can find them in a larger size. While they don't look like wax candles, they appear high-quality, and their solar panel remains hidden. The housing is made of robust PE/PVC, making it suitable for outdoor use.
I am a bit more critical regarding the color: the pure white shows stains easily, though they can be removed effortlessly with a magic eraser. A cream tone would also add a touch more naturalness to the look.
Set up and forget
Operation is incredibly simple: place the candles, expose them to the sun during the day, and enjoy the flickering light in the evening. The rechargeable battery is already included and can be replaced if necessary, for example after a few years of use.
There is no app or complex control system. I just have to unscrew the housing once and turn it on. Thanks to the twilight sensor, the candles turn on automatically as soon as it gets dark. I especially like this because I don't have to remember to switch them on in the evening.
However, if I want to save battery in the evening, I can also turn the candles off. It is a bit cumbersome that the switch is located under the screw cap, but that does keep it invisible.
Light: warm, cozy, and with a real flickering effect
The light is a pleasant warm white and actually reminds one of real candlelight, including a flickering effect that manages the illusion of a flame surprisingly well. When the candles are on, the light also reflects slightly on the surface and the solar panel, which makes the impression of a real flame even more convincing.
The smaller «STT Solar Lights», which I also tested, flicker in the same way. While the large candles work as standalone decorative elements, the small lights are great for distributing among plants or on the table. Their disadvantage: the solar panels are clearly visible, which can, however, be concealed with containers.
Weatherproof in everyday testing
The last few weeks have brought little rain and wind, but plenty of bright sun. So the candles had it easy. In bad weather, however, I would bring them inside, as they weigh little and could be blown away depending on the location.
I couldn't check how the charging performance behaves on consistently cloudy days during the test period. Charging would likely take longer then. On full summer days, the candles last for several hours in the evening. The nice thing is: no matter where I place the candles or how often I move them, unlike with real candles, I don't have to worry about open flames or dripping wax.
By the way, the candles work just as well indoors, but only near windows with sufficient daylight. I now even use the smaller candle as a night light when I need to go to the bathroom at night, and I've noticed: it actually stays lit all night long.
One more thing you should know: the sensor only reacts to darkness. If you want a candlelit atmosphere before twilight, you're out of luck. A real candle, on the other hand, could be lit at any time.
In a nutshell
Warm atmosphere thanks to "sun"
The "Solar Candle Set big" impresses with atmospheric, warm white light including a flickering effect and operation that works by itself. The candles are weatherproof, come completely without cables and switch on automatically thanks to a twilight sensor. If you like more light accents, the "STT Solar Lights" are a suitable addition for the garden bed.
Pro
- simple look
- automatic switching on and off at dusk
- versatile
- no power connection necessary
- replaceable battery
- looks more convincing in the evening thanks to light reflection
Contra
- visually, it doesn't come close to wax candles during the day
- Charging power decreases in cloudy weather
- White casing shows stains quickly
Header image: Pia Seidel
Pia Seidel
Senior Editor
Pia.Seidel@digitecgalaxus.chLike a cheerleader, I celebrate good design and bring you closer to everything furniture- and interior design-related. I regularly curate simple yet sophisticated interior finds, track down trends and interview creative minds about their work.
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