The best tiki torches, for a summer patio after dark
A row of torches is the classic summer patio light. Height, build, how much fuel it holds and how you put it out decide which set.
By Sawyer V. · Published
A line of torches along a patio edge is the oldest summer party light there is, and on a July evening nothing else looks quite like a real flame. It is also the one light on this site that is actually on fire, so it gets the most careful ranking.
Four of the five below burn fuel; one is a solar LED flame for yards where an open flame is not welcome. Five below, one to skip.
Wreath & Watt earns a commission on qualifying purchases made through the Amazon links on this page. It costs you nothing and it does not change the order of the picks — here is exactly how we are funded.
Quick picks
| # | Product | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | No imageTIKI Simply Metal torches, 4 pack, 65 in, bronze, easy install65 or 50 in, metal, 4-piece pole, fiberglass wick, snuffer | The best-built flame torch | 8.8/ 10 | Check price #ad · Disclosure |
| 2 | No imageLegends Direct metal torches, set of 4, 53 in, 20 oz oil lamp, snuffer53 in metal, 20 oz oil lamp, fiberglass wick, snuffer | The most fuel per fill | 7.0/ 10 | Check price #ad · Disclosure |
| 3 | No imageTIKI Royal Polynesian bamboo torches, 4 pack, 60 in, walnut and pecan60 in bamboo, easy-pour canisters, fiberglass wicks, snuffers | The tallest bamboo torch | 6.8/ 10 | Check price #ad · Disclosure |
| 4 | No imageTomCare solar flame torch lights, 4 pack, 43 in, 99 LEDs, flickering flame43 in, 99-LED flickering flame, solar, waterproof | The flame look without a flame | 7.3/ 10 | Check price #ad · Disclosure |
| 5 | No imageTIKI Urban metal 4-in-1 torch, 65 in, singleOne 65 in metal torch, 4-in-1Skip this | Skip | 6.0/ 10 | Check price #ad · Disclosure |
Scores are our own weighting of published manufacturer specifications, explained in full on how we research. They are not test results. We have not tested these products.
The picks in full
#1 — The best-built flame torch
TIKI Simply Metal torches, 4 pack, 65 in, bronze, easy install
65 or 50 in, metal, 4-piece pole, fiberglass wick, snuffer
8.8
/ 10
The pick. Metal, adjustable, snuffer included, burn time published.
Published specifications
- Torches
- 4
- Height
- 65 in full size, or 50 in mid size
- Build
- Metal, 4-piece pole with easy-install lever
- Wick
- Long-lasting fiberglass
- Snuffer
- Metal, included
- Burn time
- Up to 5 hours per 12 oz fill of TIKI BiteFighter fuel
Our scoring
- Build
- 10 / 10
- Height options
- 10 / 10
- Fire safety
- 6 / 10
- Spec completeness
- 9 / 10
Good
- Two heights from one pole: 65 in or 50 in
- Metal, with a snuffer included — the right way to put a flame out
- Burn time published
Watch out
- A real flame: it needs clearance from anything that burns
- Fuel not included in the listing title
Specs from the Amazon listing (ASIN B09MV84P7R), verified 2026-09-11.
#2 — The most fuel per fill
Legends Direct metal torches, set of 4, 53 in, 20 oz oil lamp, snuffer
53 in metal, 20 oz oil lamp, fiberglass wick, snuffer
7.0
/ 10
Best for a long evening: the biggest reservoir here, so fewer refills.
Published specifications
- Torches
- 4
- Height
- 53 in
- Build
- Metal, brushed bronze
- Reservoir
- 20 oz oil lamp
- Wick
- Fiberglass
- Snuffer
- Included
- Burn time
- Not stated in the listing
Our scoring
- Build
- 9 / 10
- Height options
- 5 / 10
- Fire safety
- 6 / 10
- Spec completeness
- 8 / 10
Good
- A 20 oz reservoir — two-thirds more fuel per fill than a 12 oz canister
- Metal, with a snuffer
Watch out
- 53 in, shorter than the 60 and 65 in torches
- Burn time not published
Specs from the Amazon listing (ASIN B08959NK38), verified 2026-09-11.
#3 — The tallest bamboo torch
TIKI Royal Polynesian bamboo torches, 4 pack, 60 in, walnut and pecan
60 in bamboo, easy-pour canisters, fiberglass wicks, snuffers
6.8
/ 10
Best bamboo: the stained Royal Polynesian, snuffers included.
Published specifications
- Torches
- 4
- Height
- 60 in
- Build
- Bamboo, walnut and pecan finish
- Canister
- Easy-pour
- Wick
- Long-lasting fiberglass
- Snuffer
- Included
Our scoring
- Build
- 8 / 10
- Height options
- 5 / 10
- Fire safety
- 6 / 10
- Spec completeness
- 8 / 10
Good
- 60 in — the tallest bamboo torch here
- Wicks and snuffers named in the listing title
Watch out
- Bamboo is a natural material; store it dry over winter
- Burn time not in the listing title
Specs from the Amazon listing (ASIN B078W8MQNJ), verified 2026-09-11.
#4 — The flame look without a flame
TomCare solar flame torch lights, 4 pack, 43 in, 99 LEDs, flickering flame
43 in, 99-LED flickering flame, solar, waterproof
7.3
/ 10
Best without fire: a solar flame for a yard where an open torch is not welcome.
Published specifications
- Torches
- 4
- Height
- 43 in
- LEDs
- 99 per torch
- Power
- Solar, automatic dusk to dawn
- Charge and runtime
- 6-8 hours to charge, 10-12 hours of light
- Weather
- Waterproof
- Stake
- Reinforced ground stake
Our scoring
- Build
- 7 / 10
- Height options
- 4 / 10
- Fire safety
- 10 / 10
- Spec completeness
- 8 / 10
Good
- No fuel and no flame — safe beside children, pets and a dry lawn
- Charge time and runtime published
Watch out
- An LED flicker, not a real flame: convincing across the yard, less so up close
- 43 in, shorter than the fuel torches
Specs from the Amazon listing (ASIN B07RBPLRPV), verified 2026-09-11.
#5 — skip this
TIKI Urban metal 4-in-1 torch, 65 in, single
One 65 in metal torch, 4-in-1
6.0
/ 10
Skip. The Simply Metal set is also 65 in TIKI metal, and it comes in fours.
Published specifications
- Torches
- 1
- Height
- 65 in
- Build
- Metal
- Design
- 4-in-1
- Color
- Midnight blue (also sold in beach sand)
- Burn time
- Not stated in the listing
Our scoring
- Build
- 9 / 10
- Height options
- 6 / 10
- Fire safety
- 5 / 10
- Spec completeness
- 4 / 10
Good
- 65 in metal, from TIKI
- Sold in more than one color
Watch out
- Sold as a single torch; lining a patio takes four
- The listing title does not explain what 4-in-1 means
Specs from the Amazon listing (ASIN B071XSMVGR), verified 2026-09-11.
How we ranked these
Build and the safety kit first — a snuffer to put the flame out and a pole that stands firm. Then height, fuel capacity and what the listing publishes.
| Torches | Pack | Height | Build | Fuel | Snuffer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TIKI Simply Metal | 4 | 65 or 50 in | Metal | 12 oz fill, up to 5 h | Metal, included |
| Legends Direct | 4 | 53 in | Metal | 20 oz oil lamp | Included |
| TIKI Royal Polynesian | 4 | 60 in | Bamboo | Easy-pour canister | Included |
| TomCare solar | 4 | 43 in | Solar LED | None | Not needed |
| TIKI Urban | 1 | 65 in | Metal | Not stated | Not stated |
TIKI's 5-hour figure is for a 12 oz fill of its BiteFighter fuel, per the listing.
Source: Manufacturer listings on Amazon.com, verified September 2026.
How long a fill lasts
The arithmetic
- TIKI Simply Metal: a 12 oz fill = up to 5 hours (listing)
- Legends Direct: a 20 oz reservoir
- 20 / 12 = 1.67
- If it burns at TIKI's rate (an assumption): 1.67 x 5 = about 8 hours
The Legends Direct reservoir holds two-thirds more fuel than a 12 oz canister. Its listing does not publish a burn time, so the 8 hours is our estimate at TIKI's rate, not a spec — but it is the torch to fill once for a long evening.
How many torches a patio edge takes
The arithmetic
- Example: a 24 ft patio edge (an assumption)
- One torch every 8 ft: 24 / 8 = 3 gaps = 4 torches
- That is one 4 pack
A 4 pack lines a 24 ft edge at 8 ft spacing. A bigger patio takes two packs, so plan the fuel for 8 torches, not 4.
Metal or bamboo
Metal holds up to weather and stands on a steadier pole; the Simply Metal set’s 4-piece pole has an easy-install lever and sets up at 65 in or 50 in. Keep the taller setting for the edge of the patio, away from where people walk. The Royal Polynesian is the classic bamboo look, dressed up with a walnut and pecan stain, but bamboo is a natural material: store it dry over winter.
A flame without the fire
The TomCare torch imitates a flicker with 99 LEDs, charges in 6 to 8 hours of sun and runs 10 to 12 hours, per its listing. At 43 in it is shorter than the fuel torches, and it is convincing from across the yard rather than up close. For a family yard or a dry summer, it is the safe pick. The solar trade-offs are on solar vs plug-in outdoor lighting.
Why the TIKI Urban is the skip
The TIKI Urban is a single 65 in metal torch, and its title does not explain what 4-in-1 means. Lining a patio takes four, and the Simply Metal set is also 65 in TIKI metal, sold in fours.
The rest of the patio
Torches are the flame layer. The string-light layer is on patio string lights and how to hang patio string lights; the path out to the yard is on solar path lights.
Questions
›How long does a tiki torch burn?
TIKI’s listing gives up to 5 hours per 12 oz fill of its fuel. A 20 oz reservoir, like the Legends Direct, holds two-thirds more.
›How far apart should tiki torches be?
There is no fixed rule. At 8 ft spacing, a 24 ft patio edge takes four torches. Keep them out of walkways and well clear of anything that burns.
›Are there tiki torches without a flame?
Yes. Solar flame torches like the TomCare use 99 LEDs to imitate a flicker, with no fuel. They are shorter, at 43 in, and the safest choice around children and pets.
›How do you put out a tiki torch?
With the snuffer; every fuel torch here except the single TIKI Urban names one. Let the torch cool before refilling it.
Sources
- TIKI Simply Metal torches listing (ASIN B09MV84P7R) — 4 pack, 65 in or 50 in, metal, 4-piece pole with easy-install lever, fiberglass wick, metal snuffer, up to 5 h per 12 oz fill of TIKI BiteFighter fuel
- Legends Direct metal torches listing (ASIN B08959NK38) — Set of 4, metal, 53 in, snuffer, fiberglass wick, 20 oz oil lamp, brushed bronze
- TIKI Royal Polynesian torches listing (ASIN B078W8MQNJ) — 4 pack, 60 in, bamboo, walnut and pecan finish, easy-pour canisters, fiberglass wicks, snuffers
- TomCare solar torch lights listing (ASIN B07RBPLRPV) — 4 pack, 43 in, 99 LEDs, flickering flame, 6-8 h charge, 10-12 h runtime, reinforced ground stake, waterproof
- TIKI Urban torch listing (ASIN B071XSMVGR) — Single 65 in metal 4-in-1 torch, midnight blue
- Burn-time and spacing arithmetic — Burn time scaled by reservoir size at TIKI's published rate, and torch spacing, are stated assumptions — our arithmetic
We have not tested these products. Every figure above comes from a published manufacturer specification or from arithmetic shown on this page, and anything a maker does not publish is printed as unavailable rather than estimated. How that works, and what we will not claim, is set out on how we research.