Have you ever wanted to make your own candles but weren’t sure what the best wax for candles is or the materials you needed? Or are you a candle lover with certain needs in mind? Choosing candles shouldn’t be hard as it seems, but with so many options, you need to find the right candle wax for you. The best candle wax depends on the type of candle you’re trying to create and personal preferences, so in this article we’ll cover a few different types and help you decide which candle wax is best for you. We have also included our top picks for ready made candle wax scents.
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Types of Candle Wax
If you’re just starting out, it can be hard to know what type of wax is best for your project. Some of the most popular types of candle wax used include soy wax, paraffin wax, beeswax and palm wax. Each type has its own unique properties and advantages so it’s important to research them all before deciding which one is best for your project.
Paraffin Wax
This is the most affordable and common candle wax. Paraffin wax is a byproduct of petroleum, and is used to create different types of candles due to its versatility, long burn time, lack of odor, and strength of throw. However, with the shift to more eco-friendly products nowadays, paraffin wax has gained a bad rep as the chemicals it emits in the air as it burns can be harmful to the environment. It also creates smoke and can leave soot.
Soy Wax
Made from soybeans, soy candles are considered to be one of the best natural waxes due to its budget and eco-friendly nature. Unlike paraffin, a major advantage of a soy wax candle is that it has a soot free burn and slow burn time. Soy waxes have excellent cold and hot throw, and are widely used for scented candles.
Beeswax
This wax comes from way back, since ancient times (think Neolithic!). Extracted from honeycombs, beeswax candles have excellent burn time and a smokeless burn – a healthy option for a candle. Beeswax candles also have a sweet natural scent and yellowish hue, but can be more expensive than soy or paraffin wax.
Coconut Wax
Considered the newest entry for natural wax options, coconut wax has a long burn time and produces little to no soot. This type of candle wax is odorless and can hold scents well and has a good cold and hot throw, making it best for scented candles. Since it is new, coconut wax candles can be hard to find, and are more expensive.
Rapeseed Oil (Canola Oil) Wax
Made from rapeseed, a yellow flowering plant locally grown in Europe or the UK, this natural wax is a new addition to the eco-friendly candle wax selection and is even considered to be an alternative to soy wax. The wax has good scent retention and throw, and has a slow, clean burn. Due to its softer consistency, the wax is best used for making container candles, and is often mixed with other wax varieties.
Palm Wax
Another eco-friendly option for candle wax is palm wax. With its distinct crystal and feathered patterns, this wax is harder than coconut wax and can carry scents well. It also delivers a smokeless, long-lasting burn. As this wax is still relatively new in the market, it is also difficult to find and can be more expensive than other wax varieties.
Wax Blends
Whether it is to reduce cost, or to just simply get the best of each wax type, waxes can be mixed in together when creating candles. Some examples of wax blends in the market include paraffin and soy (the most common wax), coconut and soy, and soy and palm wax, to mention a few.
Gel Wax
If you are looking for highly decorative candles with striking colors, consider purchasing candles made of gel. It is not wax; it is made by mixing resin and mineral oil. The clear consistency of the gel allows other objects to be added in the candle for decoration. They burn twice as long as regular candles and they burn brighter too, however, they can only hold a limited variety of scents and they make soot as well.
Candle Making Resources
If you’re looking to get more education on candle making, there are a variety of courses and resources available online. These can help you further refine your craft and learn more about the different types of wax and how they can be used in different types of candles.
Best Candle Making Course: Candle Making 4 You
From simple enthusiast to aficionado, with ease: this is the promise of Candle Making 4 You. Authored by professional candle maker Danica White, the online course aims to teach the basics of candle making – from creating different types of candles, the kinds of wax to use, how to load scents, up to tips on having candle-making equipment using the materials you have in your home. The course steps up a notch as well, it provides tips on how to actually turn your candle-making hobby into a business. This straightforward, comprehensive course is offered for only $37, and if you think that the course has not helped you, you have 60 days to get your money back.
Candle Making Kit: Haccah Complete Candle Making Kit
Looking to start your journey in the candle-making scene? The Haccah Complete Candle Making Kit with Wax Melter is the perfect starter kit for budding candle making beginners. The kit already contains plenty for basic candle making: nature-friendly wax, wicks, scents, dyes, containers and most importantly, the stove and melting pot. The kit has received positive reviews for its ease of use and durability.
Candle Making Supply Kit: Hearts & Crafts Natural Soy Wax
All natural soy wax flakes that melts easy and holds scents well: the Hearts & Crafts Candle Making Supply Kit is the perfect refill supply for the more experienced candle making hobbyists. Their unique soy wax blend ensures excellent scent throw, while still being environment-friendly. Although there are mixed reviews on the quality of the finished product, the soy wax itself is easy to work with.
Best Wallet Friendly Supply: American Soy Organics
Those looking for a more budget-friendly natural candle wax supply can give the American Soy Organics wax beads good consideration. Though sold cheaper than other natural waxes, the quality of the wax is not compromised, as the wax itself is easy to work with, and has excellent cold and hot throw. The Freedom Soy Wax is excellent for beginners, and the brand has other variants that best fit the type of candles to be created and the level of expertise of the candle-maker. Candles made with waxes from this brand are reviewed to be of good quality: smooth, no uneven textures, and are long lasting.
Tip: Use this fragrance load calculator for stress free candle making
Best Candle Dye: Sig Wong 24 Colors Candle Dye
Give your DIY candles a punch of color with 24 Colors Candle Dye from Sig Wong. Compared with other dyes, their dyes are safe and easy to work with as it only requires mixing to achieve the desired colors. Made with non-toxic chemicals, the dye works well with several types of candle waxes, and does not emit residue or interfere with the scent of the candle when burned. The dyes come in a bottle with its own nozzle applicator, and while there are several reviews commenting on the amount of dye released by the bottles, others would simply just adjust the nozzle size by trimming it.
Top 4 Recommendations
Now that you know more about the best candle wax, here are our top ready made candle recommendations.
Best Overall: Yankee Candles
Anyone who is into scented candles would have already tried or has one or more Yankee Candles in their possession. The US-based candle brand is widely known for its vast collection of scents that are perfect for all seasons. In varying sizes – from the tea light candles to its classic large jar varieties, Yankee Candles have excellent scent throw (both cold and hot) and are known to last long, especially the larger varieties. The Original Jar varieties are made with paraffin wax, while the newer ones, especially their Signature collection, are made with healthier and eco-friendly soy wax blend.
Best Versatile: YFYTRE 4 Pack Scented Candle Set Soy Wax
Want a candle but not sure which one you’d get, or just want to give one to someone? Then give the YFYTRE 4 Pack Scented Candle Set Soy Wax Candles a closer look. Offered in bundles of 3, 4 and 6 in varying fragrances, these soy wax candles pack a punch when it comes to burn time and scent load and are great for small to medium rooms, in spite of their small size. The amber containers they come in can complement any room theme and are reusable.
Best Premium: Siblings.co Coconut Wax
Refillable candles. This is what the creators of the Siblings candle had in mind when they developed the concept of their candles – you are given scented wax in a bag, a wick, and a container, or you can just use one that you already own. With sustainability in mind, Siblings candles are made from coconut wax blend, with its scents made from non-toxic fragrance and essential oils. The throw is excellent; scents are full, but are not overpowering, and is also long-lasting. The Siblings candle also gives its users the DIY experience, each pack comes with a set of instructions on how to “create” the candle itself.
Best Eco Friendly: Candle by the Hour Natural Beeswax
Drawing from courtship candles of old, this candle from Candle by The Hour has a unique design that self extinguishes “by the hour” (talk about long lasting :)). The candle is made of beeswax, an eco-friendly option, ensuring the subtle scent of honey with air purifying effects each time it is lit. The eye catching design is also a perfect complement or centerpiece to any décor theme in the home.
FAQ
What is the best type of wax for candles?
The best candle wax depends on the kind of candle you prefer. If you’re just starting out, the best candle wax for beginners is probably soy wax. Soy wax is easy to work with and has a longer burning time. It also doesn’t require any chemical additives or special temperatures for melting. For the best wax for scented candles, paraffin or beeswax are great choices as they hold scent better.
Is paraffin wax or soy wax better for candles?
It really depends on your preference. Paraffin wax has a higher melting point than soy wax, so it will stay solid for longer and can hold more fragrance oils in the candle. However, paraffin wax is not as eco-friendly as soy wax since it’s derived from petroleum products. Soy wax is natural and biodegradable, but may not hold as much fragrance as paraffin. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which wax is best for your needs.
What is the best and safest wax for candles?
Natural wax such as pure soy wax, coconut wax or beeswax are best as they are natural, non-toxic, biodegradable and made from renewable resources.
They each come with their own benefits and drawbacks depending on what you’re looking for. Soy wax is more economical and often used in mass-produced candles, while beeswax holds scent better and is great for making dripless tapers. Coconut wax is a bit pricier but has excellent scent throw and creamy texture when melted. In all cases, make sure to buy from a reputable source with a 100% ingredient label, and follow safety instructions when using these waxes.
What candle wax holds the most fragrance?
Paraffin wax is the best choice for those wanting a candle with a strong scent, as it has a higher melting point and can hold more fragrance oils. However, keep in mind that paraffin wax is not eco-friendly, so if you’re looking for an environmentally conscious option, soy wax is still the better choice.
Wrap Up
No matter what your needs, there is always a wax for you! We hope this buying guide has helped you find the best wax for candles. For those of you who are just getting started in the art of homemade candles, consider learning from other candle makers to get more tips and tricks on how to make quality candles. Good luck and happy candle-ing!