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The Festival of Lights deserves a centerpiece that’s both meaningful and beautiful. Whether you’re looking for your family’s first menorah or adding to a cherished collection, today’s options range from timeless traditional styles to striking modern designs. From sleek minimalist pieces that complement contemporary homes to elaborately decorated heirlooms-in-the-making, we’ve researched dozens of menorahs to help you find the perfect one for your celebration. The best menorahs on our list balance both form and function – because the candles that tell our ancient story deserve a fitting stage for their glow. What are some of your family’s Hannukah traditions? Share them with us in the comments.
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Best Hanukkah Menorahs, According to Experts
1. Via Maris Trace Menorah
Looking to modernize your Hanukkah celebrations? The Via Maris Trace menorah is turning heads with its contemporary design that, as CBS News playfully notes, definitely isn’t your grandmother’s traditional candleholder. What sets this beauty apart is its practical approach to modern celebrations, featuring removable cups that make post-holiday cleanup a breeze.
Architectural Digest says this menorah swaps out traditional brass and gold-plated finishes for sleek powder-coated steel. It’s part of Via Maris’s larger mission to breathe fresh life into Judaica for contemporary homes, and with multiple color options available, you can choose one that perfectly matches your aesthetic.
But don’t let its modern design fool you – Better Homes & Gardens emphasizes that this menorah is as functional as it is fashionable. The curved base provides rock-solid stability during those long nights of burning, while thoughtful engineering makes handling and lighting the candles safe and simple. It’s the perfect blend of tradition and innovation, proving that sacred objects can evolve while maintaining their spiritual significance.
2. Michael Aram Twist Menorah
Michael Aram’s take on the traditional menorah proves that sometimes a single design element can transform the entire piece. Better Homes & Gardens likes how the artfully twisted base of this nickel-plated beauty adds just enough visual intrigue to elevate it beyond the ordinary, while still maintaining a timeless appeal that justifies its investment-piece price tag.
Aram has built a reputation for creating some of the most elegant Judaica available. The design manages to walk that delicate line between classic and contemporary, making it a versatile choice for any home (Elle Decor).
According to HGTV, this piece fits perfectly within Aram’s signature style of nature-inspired metalwork. While the twisted base brings a modern edge, there’s something universally appealing about the design that helps it transcend any particular trend or era. It’s the kind of menorah that could become a cherished family heirloom, looking just as stunning on your grandchildren’s holiday table as it does on yours today. You can get this menorah in a gold or silver finish.
3. West Elm Glass Menorah
West Elm’s crystal glass menorah is a standout favorite for the holiday. Better Homes & Gardens points out why: its minimalist design plays nicely with virtually any decor style. The transparent construction creates a striking visual effect where the candles seem to emerge from your display surface. Be prepared to keep a cleaning cloth handy, as those gorgeous crystal surfaces do tend to show fingerprints.
This piece proves that sometimes less is truly more. Architectural Digest says that its clean-lined, block-style design acts as a sophisticated stage for your candles to shine. There’s something particularly appealing about how versatile it is – you can keep things classic with traditional white candles or get creative with colorful ones to match your holiday decor scheme.
The real magic happens when you light the candles, creating what CNN describes as an almost floating effect. It’s this ethereal quality that has helped make this menorah such a popular choice among those looking to blend tradition with contemporary design. Think of it as a modern twist on an ancient tradition, where the simplicity of the design allows the light itself to become the star of the show.
4. MacKenzie-Childs
MacKenzie-Childs has become a go-to name for those looking to add a dash of playfulness to their Hanukkah celebrations. Town & Country is particularly smitten with their Courtly Check Ceramic Menorah, where hand-painted details transform a traditional piece into something delightfully whimsical – think Alice in Wonderland meets timeless Judaica.
The Courtly Classic design takes that same spirit and dials up the elegance a notch. As Architectural Digest notes, it manages to be both regal and fun, with gleaming gold accents on the borders and candle cups that catch the light beautifully. Best of all, it’s the kind of piece that works overtime, serving as an artistic accent piece on your bookshelf long after the last candle has burned down.
Elle Decor hits the nail on the head when they point out how perfectly these harlequin-inspired designs capture the joyful spirit of Hanukkah. The pattern might be inspired by court jesters, but there’s nothing foolish about these pieces – they’re proof that sacred objects can celebrate both the solemnity and the joy of the holiday season. After all, who says tradition can’t have a touch of whimsy?
5. Pretti.Cool Menorah
This is a truly unique menorah from Texas-based artist collective Pretti.Cool that’s shaking up traditional designs with its innovative use of materials. Using a custom lightweight concrete blend and rubber molds, these artisans are crafting pieces that feel both ancient and modern at once (CBS News).
Elle Decor is particularly taken with the eye-catching blue terrazzo version, which brings a pop of contemporary color to the traditional form. It’s the kind of piece that makes you do a double-take – is it a menorah or a piece of modern sculpture? (Spoiler alert: it’s both).
Who knew West Elm would become a destination for Hanukkah? As Hunker points out, the retailer’s collaboration with these Houston-based artists is bringing these handcrafted concrete beauties to a wider audience. It’s a perfect example of how traditional religious objects can be reimagined through a contemporary lens while maintaining their spiritual significance.
6. Jonathan Adler
For those who want to get a little more out-of-the-box with their menorah collection this year, Jonathan Adler’s animal-inspired menorahs are stealing the show. Elle Design crowns him the current king of menorah design, particularly pointing out his delightful dachshund version that manages to turn man’s best friend into a celebration of the Festival of Lights.
If long dogs aren’t your style, Better Homes & Gardens points to the equally charming elephant version as an alternative. The white ceramic piece keeps things compact – perfect for those working with limited display space – while providing a pristine canvas for whatever colorful candle combination strikes your fancy.
What’s particularly impressive, as Kveller notes, is how Adler has managed to turn whimsical animal shapes into designs that feel both contemporary and timeless. These pieces strike that perfect balance between fun and sophistication, proving that even the most traditional religious objects can benefit from a little imagination. Who knew a dachshund or elephant could feel soโฆ elegant?
7. Apeloig Modern Lucite Menorah
Like many of the designs on our list, the Apeloig Collection menorah offers another fresh take on ancient customs. As Elle Decor points out, this sleek acrylic piece is designed for oil rather than candles – a nod to the original miracle – and comes in an array of eye-catching translucent colors. Plus, it has a clever second life as a flower vase once the holiday ends, proving sacred objects can be both beautiful and practical. Just fill it with water instead of oil and, voilร , you have a vase for multiple blooms.
Here are your options: you can choose between a vibrant multicolor version that brings a contemporary pop to your celebration, or a sophisticated smokey finish for a more subdued look. Just remember to stock up on those oil cup candles – this isn’t your standard wax-and-wick situation (Better Homes & Gardens).
Town & Country says this a chic, modern take on the traditional oil-burning hanukkiah. By combining age-old customs with contemporary design, this menorah manages to bridge the gap between ancient tradition and modern aesthetics. No more dealing with messy wax drips, just pure, clean light that honors the traditional use of oil in celebrating Hanukkah.
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I would say it would be better to call these groups as a “Toast Masters” or a Pysch Supercell, but “church” doesn’t make sense.