How to Choose a Hanukkah Menorah: Shamash, Size, Finish and Candle Fit

A Hanukkah menorah, also called a hanukkiah, has nine candle holders: eight for the nights of the holiday and one for the shamash, the helper candle used to light the others. A seven-branch menorah is a different object and does not have enough holders for Hanukkah, so count the cups before you buy a gift.

The shamash holder stands apart from the row of eight, usually higher. Both layouts are common: most of our menorahs raise it in the center, while our Tree of Life menorah raises it on the left end, apart from the eight cups set in a row.

Many families like the eight cups for the nights at one height in a line. If that matters to you, look at the product photos from the front before you choose.

Tradition places the lit menorah where it can be seen, often in a front window or near the door. Wherever it goes, it needs a flat, stable spot clear of curtains, blinds and papers.

Depth matters most on a windowsill. Our slimmest bases are 2 in deep on the slate blue steel menorah and 2.3 in on the medium textured tree. The large textured tree is 2.75 in deep, and the Tree of Life menorah is about 3.5 in deep, which suits a table, a sideboard or a deeper sill.

Width runs from 6.5 in on the traditional Star of David menorah to about 10 in on the Tree of Life and the large textured tree. Height runs from 8 in to 10.75 in before the candles, so leave room for them under a shade or a shelf above.

All six of our menorahs are metal. The polished aluminum menorah and the textured tree, which is hand-cast, are aluminum; the slate blue menorah is steel.

Light metal is easy to carry to a window, but a menorah with nine lit candles has to sit level. Our geometric menorah weighs 12.3 oz and has a rubber mat under its base, which helps on a polished table. The slate blue steel menorah weighs 0.65 lb and arrives assembled.

A polished finish reflects the candlelight and shows fingerprints, so keep a soft cloth nearby. An antiqued finish has an aged look that brings out the texture of the metal rather than a mirror shine.

Silver is the widest choice: polished aluminum, polished silvertone, plain silver on the geometric menorah, and antiqued silver on both tree menorahs.

For gold, there are the gold tone geometric menorah and the antique gold Tree of Life. The medium textured tree also comes in antique bronze, a finish over aluminum. Blue and silver are the colors many families use on a Hanukkah table, and two of ours come in blue: the metallic blue geometric menorah and the slate blue steel menorah.

Shapes fall into three groups. Tree menorahs have leaves, bark texture and a base shaped like roots, and look good on a shelf between holidays. Star of David designs put the star at the center, framed by open geometric branches or beaded curved arms. Modern menorahs use clean sweeping curves, like the polished aluminum and slate blue ones.

Menorah cups are made for Hanukkah candles, which are short and thin. Dinner tapers are usually too thick, and hand-dipped or beeswax candles can run wider than boxed ones.

Our geometric menorah takes candles up to 0.3 in wide. The polished aluminum and slate blue menorahs fit most Hanukkah candles, and the Tree of Life and Star of David menorahs take standard Hanukkah candles.

Plan to buy candles on their own: one menorah uses 44 over the eight nights, two on the first night up to nine on the eighth.

Both are traditional. An oil menorah holds small glass cups with wicks and olive oil. A candle menorah needs only a box of Hanukkah candles, and its cups are easier to clean.

All six menorahs we carry are made for candles.

Set a lit menorah on a nonflammable surface, such as a metal tray or a sheet of foil that also catches wax drips. Keep it away from curtains, children and pets, and never leave burning candles unattended. Our slate blue steel menorah is for indoor use only.

Let wax harden before you clean it off, and lift it away with a soft cloth so the finish does not scratch.

Between holidays, the large textured tree goes back in its velvet storage pouch. The tree designs can also stay out as decor.

All six are metal and hold nine candles. Hanukkah 2026 begins at sundown on Friday, December 4. Most orders arrive within about 8 business days, so order by about November 18 for the first night. Ships to US addresses only.