Flameless candle with photodetector

A flameless candle, includes: a body; a light source; a photodetector; and circuitry. The body has a shell surrounding an interior region. The light source emits light that emulates a candle flame. The circuitry detects the voltage across the photodetector and also detects the state of a user input. In response, the circuitry selectively controls the light source by turning it ON or OFF. While the light source is OFF, the circuitry compares the voltage of the photodetector to a first threshold, and when the voltage transitions to less than the first threshold, the circuitry turns the light source ON. While the light source is ON, the circuitry compares the voltage of the photodetector to a second threshold, and when the voltage is greater than the second threshold, the circuitry turns the light source OFF. The first threshold is less than the second threshold.