Best Electric Menorahs: What to Buy and What to Skip
Classic, mini and chrome flameless picks: the best electric menorahs for a safe, glowing Hanukkah.
An electric menorah lets you share the glow of Hanukkah without worrying about open flames. It is a smart choice for apartments, dorms, offices, hospital rooms and front windows, and it lets kids help light each night safely. The best electric menorahs look as elegant as a traditional candle menorah, offer bulbs you can switch on one night at a time and run on batteries or USB power so you can place them anywhere.
Below the product table you will find our three top picks, a buying guide, styling ideas for Hanukkah and answers to common questions. We also flag what to skip so your menorah lasts for many holidays.
Our Top 3 Electric Menorahs at a Glance
These picks cover a classic full size menorah, a compact budget option and a premium chrome menorah. All have solid ratings from Amazon shoppers.
Best for Most Homes: The Dreidel Company Traditional LED Electric Gold Menorah
This classic gold menorah is one of the most reviewed electric menorahs on Amazon, with about twenty eight hundred ratings and a 4.4 star average. It costs around $35.
- Large 13 inch height that looks impressive on a table or in a window.
- Battery or USB power, with a micro USB charging cable included.
- Traditional design in a warm gold finish, also offered in silver, white, blue and rose gold.
The drawback is a plastic body, which feels lighter than metal. It suits families who want a full size, classic menorah that is safe for any room.
Best Value: Rite Lite Go Menorah Mini Electric Menorah
This compact menorah is perfect for a desk, car dashboard or travel bag. It has a 4.5 star average from more than eight hundred buyers and costs around $15.
- Mini metallic design that fits on a desk or nightstand.
- Battery or USB power for use at home, in the office or on the go.
- Push button multi light settings, so you can add a light each night.
The drawback is its small size, which is less visible from the street. It suits students, travelers and anyone who wants a menorah at work.
Best Splurge: Aviv Judaica Chrome Plated Electric Menorah
For a more formal look, this chrome plated metal menorah has flickering bulbs that mimic candlelight. It has a 4.4 star average and costs around $99.
- Chrome plated metal that looks elegant on a buffet or window sill.
- Flickering bulbs that create a soft, candle like glow.
- Flameless design, safe for homes with kids and pets.
The drawback is price, and it needs an outlet nearby. It suits families who want a menorah that doubles as a lasting heirloom piece.
How to Choose the Best Electric Menorahs
Electric menorahs vary in size, finish and power source. Here is what to consider.
Style and Color Palette
Gold and silver finishes feel classic, while white with blue bulbs or black and silver arches feel modern. Match the menorah to your home decor or the room where it will shine.
Size and Placement
Full size menorahs around 12 to 14 inches look best in windows and on dining tables. Mini menorahs suit desks, nightstands and small spaces.
Materials and Quality
Plastic menorahs are light and affordable. Chrome plated metal feels sturdier and more formal. Look for bulbs that are easy to turn individually.
Indoor vs Outdoor Use
Most electric menorahs are made for indoor use. Placing one in a front window shares the light with the street, as tradition encourages.
Lights and Power
Battery and USB powered menorahs can go anywhere, while plug in models stay bright without battery changes. LED bulbs use little power and stay cool to the touch.
Storage and Reuse
Remove batteries before storing, wrap the menorah in soft cloth and keep it in its box to protect the bulbs.
How to Light an Electric Menorah Each Night
A menorah has nine branches: eight for the nights of Hanukkah and one helper light, the shamash, which usually sits higher or in the center. On the first night, turn on the shamash and one light on the far right. Each night after, add one more light moving to the left, and always light the newest one first.
| Night | Lights on | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shamash plus 1 | Start on the far right |
| 4 | Shamash plus 4 | Halfway through the holiday |
| 8 | Shamash plus all 8 | Every branch glows on the last night |
Menorahs with individually twisting bulbs or push button settings make this easy. Kids love being in charge of adding the new light, which is a safe job with an electric model. Many families also say the blessings together at the moment the new light comes on.
Types of Electric Menorahs
The table includes options for every home.
Traditional
The 13 inch traditional gold LED menorah offers a classic matte gold look with battery or USB power and a 4 foot cable included.
Modern and minimalist
The Zion Judaica large black and silver arch menorah measures about 14 inches wide by 12.5 inches tall, with a sleek landscape design.
Rustic and farmhouse
The Zion Judaica 12 inch silver LED menorah with flame shaped bulbs pairs nicely with wood tables, linen runners and simple greenery.
Light up options
The 12 inch round base chrome menorah has flickering bulbs for a candle like effect, and the Zion Judaica mini LED menorah offers multiple light settings for travel.
What to Skip
Skip menorahs that light all nine bulbs at once with no way to add one per night, since that defeats the ritual. Avoid very cheap models with flimsy switches, and check that battery compartments close securely so little hands cannot open them.
Styling Ideas for Hanukkah
An electric menorah can brighten any room.
Entryway and Porch
Place a full size menorah in a front window facing the street to share the light with neighbors.
Living Room and Mantel
Set the menorah on the mantel or a side table with blue and silver decor, dreidels and a bowl of gelt.
Dining Table
A menorah makes a meaningful centerpiece for Hanukkah dinners. Surround it with blue napkins and a simple runner. Add a plate of sufganiyot or latkes nearby, and the table instantly feels like a celebration for the whole family.
Are Electric Menorahs a Good Holiday Gift?
Yes. An electric menorah is a thoughtful gift for college students, apartment dwellers, older relatives and anyone who cannot use candles. The best electric menorahs let everyone celebrate safely.
Many of the top rated electric menorahs cost under $40, and a mini menorah makes a lovely office or dorm gift. For more ideas, see our guide to the best hanukkah gifts.
Safety Tips Before You Buy
Choose menorahs from reputable sellers with sturdy wiring. Keep batteries away from young children, since button and small batteries are dangerous if swallowed. Unplug plug in menorahs when you leave the house, and check that the base is stable on its surface.
FAQs
When should you put up electric menorahs?
Set up the menorah before the first night of Hanukkah, which begins at sundown on Friday, December 4 this year and ends on December 12.
How do you keep electric menorahs looking good year after year?
Dust it gently, remove batteries before storing and keep it in its original box.
Are battery operated electric menorahs worth it?
Yes. They can go anywhere, including windows far from outlets, and USB options save on batteries.
How do you store electric menorahs after the holidays?
Remove batteries, wrap the menorah in cloth and store it with your Hanukkah decor in a dry place.
Where can you buy electric menorahs online?
Amazon offers many styles, and the product table above shows current prices and ratings.
Final Thoughts
The best electric menorahs bring the light of Hanukkah into any space safely. The Dreidel Company traditional gold menorah is our top pick, the Rite Lite Go mini is the best value and the Aviv Judaica chrome menorah is an elegant splurge. Choose the size and power source that fits your space, then scroll back up to the product table to compare current prices on Amazon.
