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For a patio that needs light without refills or an open flame, the solar tiki torch side of solar tiki torch vs citronella torch is the pick, while a real flame with citronella belongs on the citronella torch side. This comparison uses one solar example and two citronella examples, one torch set and one fuel bottle, judged on light source, runtime, pack contents, height and weather detail. The solar example runs on a rechargeable battery and switches on at dusk, while the citronella examples burn fuel in an open flame.
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Solar tiki torch vs citronella torch: side by side
| Solar tiki torch vs citronella torch | Awethone Solar Torch 6 Pack | TIKI Bamboo Torch 4 Pack | TIKI Citronella Torch Fuel | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Side | Solar tiki torch | Citronella torch | Citronella torch, fuel | |
| Light source | LED flame effect | Open flame | Fuel for open flame torches | |
| Runtime stated | At least 12 hours per charge | Up to 5 hours per 12-ounce fill | Not stated | |
| Pack | 6 torches | 4 torches | 1 bottle, 32 fluid ounces | |
| Height or size | 23 inches tall | 57 inches tall | 4 by 2.5 by 8.75 inches | |
| Weather detail | IP65 | Water resistant, no code stated | Not stated | |
| Warranty | 30 days return and exchange | Not stated | Not stated |
Specifications are manufacturer rated as listed, collected 28 October 2026.
Light without fuel
The solar example is an LED torch with a flickering flame effect, so it gives the look of a flame with no open flame and no fuel to refill. The Awethone listing states a 600mAh rechargeable battery with working hours of at least 12 hours after a full charge, a daylight sensor that turns the torches on at dusk and off at dawn, 33 light sources, ABS material, IP65, ground spikes and longer ground stakes, and a set of 6 torches at 4 by 4 by 23 inches. Charging time depends on weather and season, per the listing, so a cloudy stretch means a shorter night of light than the headline figure.
Real flame and fuel
The citronella side is defined by an open flame. The TIKI bamboo example lists 4 torches at 57 inches tall, woven bamboo, wide-mouth 12-ounce canisters with flame guards, durable fiberglass wicks and snuffers, with up to 5 hours of burn time per 12-ounce fill when used with TIKI torch fuel, which is sold separately. The third example is not a torch at all: it is a 32 fluid ounce bottle of TIKI citronella torch fuel, described by the maker as a clean burning, smokeless and low-soot formula with mosquito repellency, in a plant-based formula for use with TIKI Brand torches and table torches. A buyer comparing torches should weigh the fuel bottle on its own terms, as a consumable for the torches, not as a third torch.
What the listings leave unclear
The fuel bullets say one 32 fl ounce bottle can fill five 12-ounce canisters, a claim that sits oddly beside the bottle size. The bamboo torch spec table lists a voltage of 0.01 volts for a fuel torch, which reads as a listing error, and its weight of 1.44 ounces sits oddly beside a 4-pack of 57-inch bamboo torches. The solar example states a weight of 1.3 kg without saying whether that covers one torch or the set of 6. None of these gaps changes the side verdict, but they are reasons to read the torch listings on their stated figures rather than their stray spec table lines.
Three examples
| # | Product | Solar Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Awethone Solar Torch 6 Pack | 9.6/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |  TIKI Bamboo Torch 4 Pack | 9.5/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |  TIKI Citronella Torch Fuel | 9.2/10 | Buy on Amazon |
Awethone Solar Torch 6 Pack
A set of 6 solar torches with an LED flickering flame effect, a daylight sensor and IP65 stated, for garden paths and patios.
Pros
- Working hours of at least 12 hours after a full charge, per the listing
- Daylight sensor turns the torches on at dusk and off at dawn
- IP65 stated, with ABS material and a sturdier stake and spike
- Flame effect with no open flame and no fuel to refill
Cons
- Charging time depends on weather and season, per the listing
- Weight of 1.3 kg is stated without saying whether it covers one torch or the set of 6
- Spec table lists 33 light sources with no per-torch split
- Return and exchange term of 30 days is short beside a full season of use
Detailed Review
The listing states a 600mAh rechargeable battery, working hours of at least 12 hours after a full charge, a daylight sensor with auto on at dusk and off at dawn, a flickering flame effect, ABS material, IP65, plastic ground spikes, longer ground stakes and an instruction manual, in a set of 6 torches at 4 by 4 by 23 inches. The spec table lists 33 light sources, a push button control, a matte black finish and a water resistant level, and the manufacturer warranty description gives a 30 days return and exchange term. The weight of 1.3 kg is stated without saying whether it covers one torch or the whole set.
Who it's for: patio and garden owners who want torch light with no fuel, no open flame and automatic dusk switching. Who should skip it: buyers who want a real flame, or a longer stated warranty term.
Its Solar Score of 9.6/10 comes from performance 29/35, build 21/25, value 21/25, safety 8/10 and warranty 1/5: 80 of 100 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.
Key Specifications
| Battery | 600mAh rechargeable |
|---|---|
| Runtime | At least 12 hours per charge |
| Weather | IP65 stated |
| Size | 4 by 4 by 23 inches, set of 6 |
Figures as published on the retailer listing, collected 28 October 2026. Performance figures are manufacturer rated.
Safety and Warranty
What this listing states. IP65 stated, plus LED flame effect with no open flame, so safety scores 8 of 10. 30 days return and exchange stated. It does not say everything a buyer needs, such as who pays return shipping, so warranty scores 1 of 5. See How We Pick.
Outdoor solar lights. Treat lumens, run time and weather ratings as the maker's figures, place the panel where it gets direct sun, and replace batteries only with the type the maker specifies.
This is general buying information, not professional advice. Follow each product manual and local rules, and see our Safety Disclaimer.
TIKI Bamboo Torch 4 Pack
A 4-pack of 57-inch bamboo torches with wide-mouth 12-ounce canisters, fiberglass wicks, flame guards and snuffers.
Pros
- 57 inches tall, in woven bamboo for patios, gardens and backyards
- Up to 5 hours of burn time per 12-ounce fill with TIKI torch fuel
- Wide-mouth canisters with flame guards for easier refilling
- Snuffers included for extinguishing the flame
Cons
- Torch fuel is sold separately, per the listing
- No warranty term is stated, with the warranty description given as N/a
- Spec table voltage of 0.01 volts reads as a listing error for a fuel torch
- Weight of 1.44 ounces sits oddly beside a 4-pack of 57-inch bamboo torches
Detailed Review
The listing states 4 bamboo torches at 57 inches tall, easy-pour wide-mouth 12-ounce canisters with flame guards, durable fiberglass wicks and snuffers, with up to 5 hours of burn time per 12-ounce fill when used with TIKI torch fuel, which is sold separately. The spec table gives a floor mount, an open flame lighting method, a water resistant level, dimensions of 5 by 5 by 57 inches, a weight of 1.44 ounces and a warranty description of N/a. The 0.01 volts figure in the spec table does not fit a fuel torch and reads as a listing error.
Who it's for: patio owners who want a real flame in tall bamboo torches and already use torch fuel. Who should skip it: buyers who want no open flame, or a stated warranty term.
Its Solar Score of 9.5/10 comes from performance 26/35, build 20/25, value 20/25, safety 4/10 and warranty 0/5: 70 of 100 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.
Key Specifications
| Height | 57 inches |
|---|---|
| Burn time | Up to 5 hours per 12-ounce fill |
| Canister | 12-ounce, wide-mouth, with flame guard |
| Pack | 4 torches with wicks and snuffers |
Figures as published on the retailer listing, collected 28 October 2026. Performance figures are manufacturer rated.
Safety and Warranty
What this listing states. Flame guards and snuffers stated, water resistant bamboo stated, so safety scores 4 of 10. No warranty term, so warranty scores zero. See How We Pick.
Outdoor solar lights. Treat lumens, run time and weather ratings as the maker's figures, place the panel where it gets direct sun, and replace batteries only with the type the maker specifies.
This is general buying information, not professional advice. Follow each product manual and local rules, and see our Safety Disclaimer.
TIKI Citronella Torch Fuel
A 32 fluid ounce bottle of citronella torch fuel, not a torch, for use with TIKI Brand torches and table torches.
Pros
- Described by the maker as clean burning with less soot and smoke than traditional torch fuels
- Plant-based formula, unscented, in a 32 fluid ounce easy pour bottle
- Listed for use with all TIKI Brand torches and table torches
- Bottle size and form are stated plainly, with no torch claims attached
Cons
- Not a torch: it gives no light on its own and needs a torch to burn in
- Bullets say one 32 fl ounce bottle can fill five 12-ounce canisters, which sits oddly beside the bottle size
- No burn time per bottle is stated
- No warranty term is stated
Detailed Review
The listing states a 32 fluid ounce bottle of citronella torch fuel with a clean burning, smokeless and low-soot formula described as mosquito repellent, a plant-based formula, an unscented scent, a liquid form and dimensions of 4 by 2.5 by 8.75 inches at 1.9 pounds. It lists use with all TIKI Brand torches and table torches, and it says one easy pour bottle can fill five 12-ounce canisters, a claim that sits oddly beside the 32 fluid ounces in the bottle. This example is fuel, not a torch, so it scores below the torch examples on this comparison.
Who it's for: owners who already own citronella torches and need fuel for them. Who should skip it: buyers looking for a torch itself, who should look at the torch examples instead.
Its Solar Score of 9.2/10 comes from performance 15/35, build 15/25, value 15/25, safety 3/10 and warranty 0/5: 48 of 100 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.
Key Specifications
| Size | 32 fluid ounces, pack of 1 |
|---|---|
| Formula | Plant-based citronella, unscented |
| Use | TIKI Brand torches and table torches |
| Dimensions | 4 by 2.5 by 8.75 inches |
Figures as published on the retailer listing, collected 28 October 2026. Performance figures are manufacturer rated.
Safety and Warranty
What this listing states. Smokeless and low-soot citronella formula stated, so safety scores 3 of 10. No warranty term, so warranty scores zero. See How We Pick.
Outdoor solar lights. Treat lumens, run time and weather ratings as the maker's figures, place the panel where it gets direct sun, and replace batteries only with the type the maker specifies.
This is general buying information, not professional advice. Follow each product manual and local rules, and see our Safety Disclaimer.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
How we scored them
The Solar Score weighs performance, build, value, safety and warranty. For outdoor torches, safety means a stated weather code, flame guards and snuffers, or an LED flame effect with no open flame, as the listing actually states. One of the three picks states a 30 days return and exchange term, and the other two state no warranty term. How we pick explains the weights.
| Product | Solar Score | Perf. /35 | Build /25 | Value /25 | Safety /10 | Warranty /5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awethone Solar Torch 6 Pack | 9.6 | 29 | 21 | 21 | 8 | 1 |
| TIKI Bamboo Torch 4 Pack | 9.5 | 26 | 20 | 20 | 4 | 0 |
| TIKI Citronella Torch Fuel | 9.2 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 3 | 0 |
Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score.
Solar tiki torch vs citronella torch: which should you choose?
Choose a solar tiki torch if the patio needs light with no fuel to buy, no open flame and no refilling: the Awethone example suits a path or garden edge where the torches can sit in sun during the day. Choose a citronella torch if a real flame matters more than a battery figure, and the patio already has fuel on hand or a fuel bottle in the same order: the TIKI bamboo example suits that use, with the fuel bottle as its consumable, not as a standalone light.
| If you need | Look at |
|---|---|
| Light without fuel or flame | Awethone Solar Torch 6 Pack |
| A real flame for a patio evening | TIKI Bamboo Torch 4 Pack |
| Fuel for citronella torches | TIKI Citronella Torch Fuel |
Sizing Notes
- Match the light source: the solar example lists an LED flame effect, while the citronella examples use an open flame with fuel.
- Match the height: the solar example measures 23 inches tall, and the bamboo example measures 57 inches tall.
- Check the runtime figure: at least 12 hours per charge on the solar example, and up to 5 hours per 12-ounce fill on the bamboo example.
- Check the pack: 6 solar torches with spikes and stakes, 4 bamboo torches with canisters and snuffers, and 1 fuel bottle of 32 fluid ounces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do solar tiki torches need fuel?
No. The Awethone example is solar powered with a 600mAh rechargeable battery, and the listing states working hours of at least 12 hours after a full charge.
How long does one fill last on the bamboo torches?
Up to 5 hours per 12-ounce fill, when used with TIKI torch fuel, per the listing.
Is the fuel example a torch?
No. The TIKI fuel example is a 32 fluid ounce bottle of citronella torch fuel for use with TIKI Brand torches and table torches, not a torch itself.
Which example states a weather code?
The Awethone example, with IP65 stated. The bamboo example states water resistant bamboo with no code, and the fuel example states no weather detail.
Related guides
See every Path, String and Deck Lights guide and all Solar Lights, Cameras and Fans guides.
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