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How to choose a candle
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- Size and burn time: listed in ounces and hours by each maker. A 3-wick candle fills a larger room; a mini or travel tin suits a desk or a bathroom.
- Wax: makers describe soy, coconut, beeswax or blends. According to the National Candle Association, all types of quality candle wax burn cleanly and safely; what matters most is trimming the wick and burning correctly.
- Wick: cotton or wood. Wood wicks crackle; cotton wicks are the common choice.
- Scent: some makers use only essential oils, others fragrance oils. Each product page shows the brand’s own description and notes.
- Vessel: glass, tin or ceramic. Several makers encourage reusing the vessel.
Burn it well
Trim the wick to a quarter inch before each use, let the first burn melt the whole surface so the candle does not tunnel, keep it away from drafts and stop when half an inch of wax is left. Our candle care and safety guide lists the full rules with sources.
Shop by type
- 3-wick candles
- Mini and travel candles
- Wick trimmers and accessories
- Wax melts for the same scents without a flame
Questions people ask
Why does my candle tunnel?
Usually because the first burn was too short or the wick is too long. Let the melt pool reach the edge of the vessel on the first burn.
Is soy wax cleaner than paraffin?
The National Candle Association states that all quality waxes burn in the same manner and that soot comes mainly from improper burning, not the wax type. Brand claims such as “clean-burning” are the brand’s own.
How long can I burn a candle?
Makers such as Slow North and The Roosevelts Candle Co. advise no more than three to four hours at a time.