Are LED candles more sustainable than real candles?

In most respects: yes. Here's an honest comparison.

Lifespan An LED candle lasts an average of 500 to 1,500 burning hours. A real 20 cm candle burns for approximately 40-60 hours. So you need 10 to 30 real candles to match one LED candle.

Raw materials Real candles are made from paraffin (petroleum derivative) or beeswax. They are completely consumed. An LED candle is produced once and lasts for years.

Emissions during use Real candles produce soot, particulate matter, and small amounts of CO2 and volatile substances. LED candles produce nothing during use.

Batteries The downside of LED candles is the batteries – they are not endlessly reusable. Opt for rechargeable LED candles if you want to minimize this, or ensure you take used batteries to a collection point.

Conclusion: For intensive use, LED candles are more sustainable. Production has a higher footprint, but this is offset by their long lifespan.