Scented candles create a certain ambiance in the home. They can also create a signature scent that visitors will associate with your home. When your children have flown the nest, they will also think of home when they light a similar scented candle. Choosing the top home fragrance candles in 2023 for your needs might seem like a daunting task. However, with our help, you will significantly narrow down your choices.
Scented candles can also cover up some difficult-to-remove odors and are especially useful if you have pets. There are thousands of different fragrances and many more fragrance and color combinations of scented candles. Continue reading to see the things we recommend considering before you buy a scented candle.
Things to Consider Before Purchasing a Home Fragrance Candle
There are several things you should consider before purchasing a scented candle.
Type of wax
Different types of wax have different pros and cons. A common type of wax is used in paraffin. This is a cheaper alternative to other forms of wax. However, the fumes created have been linked to cancer, and are known to set off asthma attacks. Instead, you may want to look for any of the following:
Beeswax
Beeswax is a cleaner alternative to paraffin wax and does not emit smoke, soot, and chemical residues. Some believe it purifies the air and can combat free radicals found in dust, viruses, mold, and bacteria.
Coconut wax
Coconut wax also creates a smoke-free burn. It has a coconutty scent and is often mixed with soy wax.
Soy wax
If you do not want to use a candle with a coconut scent you should consider buying a soy wax candle. They burn just as cleanly as beeswax but are more affordable.
Type of wick
There are several types of wicks you may wish to consider. These include:
Zinc
Zinc candle wicks are cotton wicks with a zinc core. They create a slow burn which will not reduce the intensity of the fragrance but may make the candle burn for longer. This type of wick is often used with paraffin wax, but you may also find it in soy wax candles.
Cotton
Cotton wicks make a taller flame and will burn a little faster than a wick with a zinc core.
Wood
A wooden wick creates a lower flame and will burn for longer than both cotton and zinc wicks. They are an excellent accompaniment to scented candles as the slow even burn ensures the scent is fully saturated.
Fragrance type
There are so many fragrances to choose from, it is difficult to know which one to choose. Sometimes fragrances are not named to match a particular fragrance, such as apple, or cut grass. They are sometimes named after a mood or atmosphere they hope to replicate. This might be “happiness” or “midnight bloom” for example. If you are not sure of what fragrance to purchase, we recommend choosing a word that describes the mood you wish to capture.
Alternatively, you can search for a scented candle based on specific fragrances. If you love apples, or cinnamon, for example, you can begin your search with this fragrance and you will certainly find plenty of scented candles to match your tastes.
Seasonal
If you want a scented candle to capture a particular holiday or season, you can begin your search by looking for these criteria. We love Christmas scented candles, incorporating cranberries, cinnamon, and clove. Similarly, you will find plenty of pumpkin spice-scented candles during the fall.
Color
Many scented candles are colored in a way to match their fragrance. For instance, a fresh linen scented candle is likely to be white, or cream and an ocean breeze scented candle is likely to be blue. We recommend starting your search by looking for a particular color if the color of the candle is more important to you than its scent.
If you have a specific color and scent combination in mind, it is probably out there somewhere, but if you are looking for something obscure like a black candle with a “summer breeze” fragrance, you may find your choices are limited.
Size
Consider how much available space you have for your scented candle. You do not want to place it near flammable objects and should leave plenty of space around it. If you are trying a new candle for the first time, you may wish to buy the smallest size to see if you like the fragrance. However, most of the time, you will get a better deal if you purchase a larger candle.
Candle type
There are several types of candles available. Some of these include:
Tealight candles
Tealight candles work well in candle holders and will take up less space in your home.
Jar candles
Jar candles negate the need for any extra candle holders. The jar will stop any wax from spilling. However, some may find it difficult to light a candle in a jar towards the end of its life.
Pillar candles
Pillar candles come in a variety of sizes but are mostly much taller than they are wide. They need to be placed inside candle holders or at least placed on a saucer on a flat surface (If wide enough to stand unaided).
Home Fragrance Candle Price Range
You can purchase a single scented candle for less than $1. This will likely be a very small candle made from paraffin wax. You can purchase a single large scented candle for as much as $300. We think about $10 is a reasonable price for a medium-sized scented candle.
