Humans have been burning candles for…a very long time. Before electricity, candles were a primary source of light, and candle wax was an important commodity. Candles were not cheap.
Burning candles whenever you wanted was considered something only the wealthy did. Finding the best wax for candles was less about quality ingredients and more about what you could afford and what was around you. While some people do still use candles for light, today burning candles is less for necessity and much more about aesthetics, mood, and overall enjoyment. We burn candles to set a mood, whether we want something romantic, calm, or simply something relaxing. We also burn candles for their pleasant scent.
As a note, I was involved in starting a small candle-making business many years ago. In all the research and testing I did, I fell in love with beeswax, and that’s the wax that I recommend above all others.
I’ll try to be objective and present many options here, but beeswax will always be my main recommendation for almost any type of candle-making project. When you’re choosing the best wax for candles, you should take several things into account. Some are based on safety and practicality, while others are more about environmental sustainability and eco-friendliness. So, let’s have a look at some of the best wax for candles that we’ve come across and why we recommend them.
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Reviews: 7 Best Wax for Candle making in 2022
First up, let’s take a look at the review section. Here, you’ll find seven high-quality waxes that will help you make amazing candles.
1. The Candlemaker’s Store Natural Soy Wax
The first wax on our list comes from The Candlemaker’s Store. It’s a bag of soy wax, providing a 125-degree Fahrenheit melting point, which provides a good balance between being really easy to use and still holding its shape in warm climates.
But it’s not just the melting point that sets it apart from the competition. A big advantage to this wax comes from its totally white color, making the addition of colorant much easier and accurate.
This specific wax also features a 15% fragrance capacity. So, adding your favorite scent is easier than ever, making almost any room a lot more pleasant to be in.
Another excellent benefit is the 2% blend of soy wax additive. It allows easy handling so you can prepare any type of candle with it.
The bag boasts 10 pounds of wax in pieces. This allows for straightforward usage, easy melting, and quick pouring to make candles in no time at all.
In short, we can say the Candlemaker’s Store is one of the best wax for candle making in the list. With the capacity to blend with 416 soy wax and receive any type of additive, colorant, or scent – it manages to surpass even the strictest expectations.
Highlighted Features
- Delivers up to 15% of fragrance when burning
- Boasts 100% natural soy wax
- White wax allows straightforward dye coloring
- Comes in packages of 10 pounds
- Exceptional price for the quality
2. BEESWORKS Pure White BEESWAX Pellets
Probably the most enticing of all waxes in the list – the Pure White Beeswax from BEESWORKS is an outstanding choice for sure.
It stands out for its hardness. Coming directly from honeycombs, which are 100% natural, this wax only melts at 144-degrees Fahrenheit. And it starts losing its color or blending with dyes at about 185-degrees. That’s enough to say it is one of the most durable and resilient.
You can use this beeswax to make almost any kind of candle. And sure enough, it mixes well with colorants as needed.
While it has a natural scent that resembles honey, you can still make it work with other soft smells to make it an even better option.
An exciting part of this bag is the pellets presentation. You won’t have to worry about flakes or bars with this one. Just pour the pellets wherever you want and melt it—no need to waste any effort or time cutting or preparing it.
Last but not least, you get a practical 1-pound bag with a plastic zipper. Using this wax won’t be a problem in the slightest.
Highlighted Features
- The slow-burn formula at 144-degrees Fahrenheit melting point
- Comes in pellet bags for easy operation
- Provides a honey-like smell without fragrance
- White color works decently well with dyes
- Available in 1-pound bags with an easy lock system
3. AMERICAN SOY ORGANICS FREEDOM SOY WAX
Freedom Soy Wax is another exciting option on our list. Why? Because it features many of the great things about the other natural soy waxes on the list, but with a twist: it comes in beads.
Similar to the flaked candle wax you might find, the beads make the overall use of this wax really pleasant. You can achieve exceptional melting, and you can pour your candles easily and quickly. At the same time, you won’t make as much of a mess while using it.
The real advantage of this wax is the capacity to melt in the microwave. That’s an exceptional feature to consider if you don’t want to use your stove or other forms of melting, like a dedicated wax melter.
And, it’s all possible thanks to its 160-degree Fahrenheit melting point. Once it melts, adding a fragrance or color will be a piece of cake as well.
Another excellent thing about this soy wax is the capacity to make any type of candle. It doesn’t matter whether you’re making tapers, container candles, or freestanding candles – the Freedom Soy Wax from American Soy Organics works wonderfully.
Don’t forget that you can pick between the 5-pound, 10-pound, 25-pound, and even the 45-pound option. Whatever your demands – this wax won’t let you down.
Highlighted Features
- Practical bead presentation in a bag with a closure
- Sturdy composition melts at 160-degrees Fahrenheit
- Comes in packages of up to 45 pounds
- Works well in the microwave
- Delivers exceptional fragrance burn
4. GOLDEN BRANDS 444 NATURAL SOY WAX
If soy wax 415 doesn’t meet your standards, you can always go for the slightly thicker 444 natural soy wax.
Coming from Golden Brands once again, this scentless alternative delivers an even whiter and easier to blend composition. You can add the color you prefer as well as any scent, making it look outstanding and smell unbeatably well.
This wax also offers a 185-degrees Fahrenheit melting point. It allows easy operation and makes it possible to create a wide array of candle types as needed.
The wax comes in flakes. It allows even easy operation so you can melt them however you like—no need to waste any time or effort preparing this wax for your candles.
Similarly, it makes it possible to create candles in jars, glasses, or tins. There’s no limit to where you can pour this wax and prepare the candles you’re looking for.
Apart from all that, you get a 50-pound bag. That’s enough to make up to 40 candles at 20 ounces of weight. So, you can expect enough wax to last a long time, even if you’re an enthusiast candle maker.
For those who want every single desirable feature in the wax – the Golden Brands 444 soy wax comes like a charm.
Highlighted Features
- Hard and resilient wax melts at 185-degrees Fahrenheit
- Flake presentation makes it easy to use
- Comes in packages of 50 pounds
- White ivory color ensures adequate dye mixing
- Allows fragrance mixing and provides excellent scent
5. Hearts and Crafts Natural Soy Wax
If we had to pick the best candle wax for scent throw, we wouldn’t hesitate to choose the Hearts & Crafts Soy Wax.
The main advantage is the fragrance throw it offers. You can add any fragrance you want, and this wax will slowly burn into throwing a subtle scent. If you don’t want a strong aroma, then you can always enjoy the balanced scent it offers by default – making it an even more exciting option.
It all comes down to its natural source. This is a totally smooth wax that melts at 120-degrees Fahrenheit, free of any toxicity and boasting plant-based components that don’t cause any harm.
There’s a lot more to this wax, though. One of these things is the addition of waxed wicks. These wicks will make it a total pleasure to make your favorite candles. You even get a centering device which allows an even easier candle-making process.
All of that matches well with the flake form of the wax. Coming in packages of either 10 or 50 pounds, you can get as much as you need for your requirements.
Overall, this wax leaves nothing behind. For those who want to enjoy excellent scent throw, this one will offer it all.
Highlighted Features
- Safe and reliable natural soy wax
- Easy-to-melt 120-degrees Fahrenheit melting point
- Comes with waxed wicks for extra convenience
- Available in 10 and 50-pound packages
- Allows easy shaping, fragrance-adding, and dyeing
6. Oraganix Natural Soy Wax
A 100% natural soy wax will never disappoint you. When it comes from a quality brand like Oraganix, then it’s likely to surpass your expectations in every way. And sure enough, it will.
This starts with one of the cleanest and smoothest textures. The soy wax composition ensures maximum softness on the wax even when melted, providing a beautiful canvas for any kind of colorant.
Also, the wax melts at a perfect temperature of 120-degrees Fahrenheit. Take it a little further at 180-degrees Fahrenheit if you want to add scents or colorants. Either way, it will burn fast enough for preparation – so you can operate it as needed.
Because it is so easy to use, the wax can be an almost perfect option for beginners. People who are just learning how to make candles will love this one.
And if all that wasn’t enough, the wax is extremely safe; no need to worry about fumes or unwanted smells with this one.
Lastly, you can enjoy a set of 6-inch wicks so you can create tons of candles. Coming in a 10-pound package, you have enough to make over 50 small candles or 20 large ones, no buying candles anymore.
Highlighted Features
- Super-clean burn prevents toxic fumes
- Melts with ease thanks to 120-degrees Fahrenheit melting point
- Boasts 6-inch wicks for easy candle making
- Extra-soft wax allows easy shaping
- Blends well with other waxes, scents, and dyes
7. Blended Waxes Household Paraffin Wax
If you want to take your candle-making to the next level, then nothing will make you happier than paraffin wax. And this one from Blended Waxes is undoubtedly one of the best.
You get a completely odorless and colorless wax. It is not white but almost transparent. This makes it a perfect alternative for those who want to customize it to the max.
The wax starts melting at 130-degrees Fahrenheit and allows blending with other waxes or with scents and dyes at about 180-degrees. Whether you want to prepare highly stylized candles or scented ones, this one won’t let you down.
Another interesting advantage is the 1-pound block presentation. You don’t get it in flakes or in beads, but in blocks. That allows straightforward usage and convenience for almost any purpose.
Paraffin wax is also water-resistant. You won’t experience a single issue if it gets wet. And it is easy enough to work as a freestanding candle if needed.
Considering it is paraffin, you may think it is not safe. Well, that’s wrong. This is one of the cleanest paraffin candles out there. Along with its excellent slow burn, you get no less than fantastic results.
Highlighted Features
- High-hardness paraffin wax for durability
- Colorless wax makes it a no-brainer to add dyes
- Blends well with any kind of fragrance
- Practical and easy-to-use block presentation
- Super-clean composition despite being paraffin
How to Find the Best Wax for Candles in Your own Projects
There is much debate online and elsewhere over whether or not we should even be burning candles in the first place. You can read article after article about which wax or what wick is the most dangerous to burn in your house. It’s important to see where these articles are coming from before choosing what to believe.
Getting the best wax for your candle projects by reading our reviews and information is a great start. But, the best way to truly know what’s best for you and your situation is to learn more about candle wax itself.
Here are a few factors that will help you with that:
What are the Different Types of Candles?
First off, let’s go over some of the more popular types of candles that you can make with wax.
Pillar Candles
If you want a candle that stands on any surface without a base or container – then you want a pillar candle.
Pillar candles are wonderful statement pieces. You can often find them with single or multiple wicks, and they burn beautifully on a plate, a candle holder, or a countertop that is easy to clean, such as marble or other stone.
Since pillar candles are both free-standing and also larger than votive candles and tealights, the wax needs to be strong and should have a higher melting point, especially if you live in warmer climates.
For this type of candle, beeswax works well, as does paraffin if you’re going that route. You can also use blended waxes to achieve a thick enough wax for a pillar candle.
Votive Candles
Votives are similar to pillar candles, but they’re usually much smaller and have only one wick. Normally, you would place them in a votive holder, often made of glass, when burning.
Votive candles are great for placing all around a table for a dinner party or around the bathroom tub for a relaxing bath.
Votives are super versatile and come in almost every color and scent. They’re also one of the easiest candles to pour yourself. These were some of my favorite types of candles to make with beeswax.
Container Candles
Like the name says, these are candles that you pour inside a glass, plastic, or metal container. You can use almost any type of wax for container candles since the container itself provides structure and shape.
While you can use almost any wax, including blended waxes, it’s recommended to use softer waxes like soy for container candles as they pool well when they burn.
As a note, we made many sizes and shapes of container candles with beeswax over the years, and it works wonders.
Taper Candles
Tapered candles are super traditional, very multi-use, and look wonderfully elegant in almost any setting.
These are the long, thin candles that you often see on dinner tables, at weddings, and any other occasion where an elegant candle can help set a mood.
You’ll need candlestick holders for this type of candle, and the wax should be hard enough to hold its shape in almost any environment.
Taper candles are also called dipped candles because they’re made by dipping into a vat of wax over and over to build up many layers until you reach the thickness you’re looking for.
Beeswax is excellent for tapers and is actually very traditional. Although, most types of wax with a high enough melt point can be used to make taper candles.
How is Candle Wax Normally shipped?
Commercially purchased wax can come in many forms. We’re not necessarily talking about the packaging, but the wax itself.
For example, a lot of the best wax for candles these days comes in flakes. These flakes make it easy to melt and pour into whatever shape or container that you need. Some wax flakes can even be melted in the microwave.
You’ll also find wax beads and pellets. These can be even more practical than flakes at times, depending on your needs and preferences. The beads are usually quite small. However, they’re still relatively simple to use.
And finally, you’ll find wax bars and blocks. You’ll find this form the most when you’re buying wax for candles in bulk. We’ve noticed that wax bars and blocks are more often used for beeswax and paraffin wax, as they are usually the thickest types of wax available.
Wax shipped as bars or blocks can be a little harder to deal with as you’ll have to either cut or break up the pieces before melting. We used to go at it with a hammer to break up large bars, and I have heard of people dropping the blocks from high up so that they shatter inside a plastic bag. Sometimes you have to get creative.
Which Candle Wax Burns Cleanest?
When we talk about a clean-burning candle wax, we generally mean that the wax doesn’t produce high levels of fumes and toxins. The fumes are often strong smelling, but the toxins are usually invisible and scent-free.
Some studies have shown that certain waxes can produce chemicals like toluene and benzene. Just know that there is a LOT of debate on this issue. And, in general, most studies agree that almost every type of wax can produce some level of chemical or soot in the air, but that most commercially available candle wax produces these substances at well under the acceptable amount.
This report from CNN does a pretty good job of just summarizing the debate and what each side is saying.
While nearly all types of candle wax, burning at reasonable levels and in well-ventilated areas, are generally safe, you should still be careful of soot. Soot from burning wax can stain metal, wood, and walls. It can also aggravate asthma and other respiratory conditions.
One note to be aware of, some studies that I’ve read show that scented and dyed candles actually produce more bad stuff in the air than plain wax candles. In the end, it seems that ventilation is your best friend.
Should I use Natural or Artificial Wax?
So, it does look like, as long as we’re careful, burning candles is generally safe for most people. However, you may also need or want to consider whether you prefer natural or artificial waxes.
What’s the difference? Well, artificial waxes are usually made from the byproducts of certain industries, such as the petroleum industry with paraffin wax.
Natural waxes, in contrast, are produced through natural methods, such as gathering wax caps from beehives.
Even if you’re fine with burning paraffin wax in your home, you may want to consider what the production of your chosen wax does to the environment. For instance, palm wax, while arguably more sustainable and eco-friendly than paraffin, has been tied to the clearcutting of large areas of trees and deforestation.
Just do your homework and be reasonable about your decisions. It will make you feel a lot better about the crafts that you produce.
How does candle wax work with Scent and Color?
If you’re choosing a wax for making your own candles, then you may need something that works well with colorants and scents. Again, do your homework and opt for something natural rather than artificial whenever possible.
Some types of wax hold on to color and scent much better than others do. This is one of the main reasons that paraffin is still so popular. It does really well with color and scent.
The top candle wax for scent throw, for example, will throw at least 10% of the fragrance once burned. This scent throw is what delivers the unique fragrance some candles have.
Also realize that some waxes will have their own unique scent, even before adding anything to it. Beeswax, for instance, has a very distinct and pleasant warm honey scent when it’s burning. But this does make adding other scents a bit more challenging. However, definitely not impossible.
Similarly, you want the wax to be easily colored if you’re going that route. For that, consider white waxes that you can color once melted before making the candle. Almost every type of wax, including beeswax, comes in a white option.
Durability
Not many people tend to consider this, but different waxes have different durability. For example, paraffin tends to be cheap and fast to burn. But other waxes like beeswax and palm tend to burn really slow, which makes them more durable.
What are the Different Types of Wax for Candles?
As mentioned, going through our review section and buying guide will give you a decent idea of what you need and what your options are. But, nothing compares to learning about the different types of wax in-depth. So, here’s an explanation of each type of wax, so you can have a better idea of what to go for:
Beeswax
I’m biased. I admit it. This is my favorite wax for candle making.
Beeswax is the material that bees use to create their honeycombs. When beekeepers harvest honey, they remove the wax cap from the hive and this is what we turn into beeswax. It’s a very sustainable resource as well since the bees are constantly making more as they work.
Beeswax is an excellent alternative for people who want natural wax. It doesn’t produce harmful fumes, and it delivers a soft but gentle scent when burned. It’s lovely stuff.
One unique advantage of beeswax is the way it burns. Not only is it slow-burning, but it also creates a gorgeous white flame that apparently is in the same spectrum as natural sunlight.
But beeswax isn’t free from disadvantages. Beeswax can be pretty expensive. It’s much more affordable in bulk once you start to buy larger quantities though.
Like most wax, beeswax can leave marks wherever it spills, and it can be a very sticky wax to work with.
Some people say that beeswax doesn’t work well with dyes or scents. This can be true to some extent, however, I fell in love with the natural scent, and adding subtle colors is not a problem.
Paraffin Wax
Paraffin wax is a byproduct of the petroleum industry. It’s one of the most popular and practical types of candle wax to use as it mixes well with dyes and scents. On top of that, it’s quite affordable.
A large percentage of commercially produced candles today are made from paraffin wax.
One potential drawback of paraffin wax is that being petroleum-based, it may not be as biodegradable as beeswax and other vegetable-based waxes. Also, if it touches fabric when melted, it will probably leave a mark.
Soy Wax
As the name says, this wax comes from soybeans, specifically soybean oil. Soy wax is generally easy to clean and is also an affordable choice.
One big reason that soy wax has become popular is that it works well with fragrances. It can also be very white, which allows it to hold onto colors quite well.
If you want maximum results from soy wax in a scented candle, however, then you’ll want to mix it with a thicker wax or additive.
Palm Wax
Like palm oil, this wax also comes from palm trees. It’s one of the most expensive waxes on the market because of its durability and hardness.
Yet, it really shines as a blend with other types of wax. It works wonders by delivering extra thickness to waxes like soy. You can blend it to enjoy all its benefits along with the benefits of other waxes as well.
Palm wax is not necessarily toxic, but it can produce slightly harmful fumes at full strength. When blended with other waxes, its toxicity is reduced greatly.
Find a reputable manufacturer. The harvesting of this type of wax can also contribute to some nasty environmental issues.
Gel Wax
Last but not least, there’s gel wax. It’s a combination of paraffin with other oils, making it more liquid than it would be normally.
Gel wax can be dried, though. When it is, it hardens almost as much as a soft soy wax. The difference, however, comes from this wax having an oil-rich composition that makes it somewhat transparent. This adds a fantastic appearance to gel wax, making it a go-to choice for decorative candles.
The drawback of gel wax is that it doesn’t stand on its own, which means that it can only be made into container candles. Also, it usually contains paraffin, which could be an issue if you’re trying to avoid petroleum-based wax. And because it is soft, it also burns a little faster than others.
Frequently Asked Questions
While reading through this long article, you may have come up with some questions that weren’t quite fully answered. Well, hopefully, you’ll find those answers in this Q&A section:
1. What is the best candle wax?
Beeswax, obviously.
But seriously, you’ll find that all waxes offer excellent results for different purposes, as explained above. Each type of wax offers different qualities that may or may not suit your specific candle-making project.
Paraffin holds color and scent well, but beeswax and soy are probably much better for the environment. There are always trade-offs when deciding on the best wax for candles.
2. How much wax do you need for candles?
It depends on the size and type of candle that you want to make.
To calculate your needs, you should multiply the number of candles you want to make by their end weight. Then, divide the result by 20. For example, 50 candles at 10 ounces each mean 500 total ounces. Divided by 20, it turns out you need 25 pounds of wax.
3. Is candle wax toxic?
Generally, the wax you’ll find on sale from reputable sellers is not toxic, per se. However, some types of wax, like paraffin, can produce toxic fumes when burned. Most wax when burned will produce some kind of fume or throw off chemicals that can be inhaled. So, practice safe candle burning no matter what type of wax you choose.
Also, realize that if the skin comes in contact with hot wax, then it can burn quite seriously if you’re not careful.
4. What is the cleanest wax for candles?
When it comes to clean waxes, we like to recommend beeswax and soy wax. They’re generally free of toxic substances and are among the safest to use. Once you get the hang of using them, they still manage to deliver excellent scent throw and mix well with dyes as needed.
5. How do you melt the wax?
Wax comes in solid form, harder than candles. That’s why it is essential to melt it using a microwave, a boiler, or a pot in a stove. Just pour the wax in a container that can heat up and start the microwave or stove. Let the wax melt for about 10 minutes until it melts completely. Then get it off.
Best wax for candles: Final thoughts
Getting the best wax for candles won’t be an easy job if you’re a beginner in candle-making. But with enough effort and time, you’ll realize it is not rocket science either.
For the best experience, follow our advice and recommendations. It will help you find the ideal wax for your candles.
So, are you eager to start your candle-making journey? Then don’t waste more of your time and pick one. You won’t believe how fun making candles with the right wax can be!