I was digging in my stash for a new scented candle to enjoy. Imagine my dismay when I discovered that a lot of them had entirely lost their scent! Was it because I bought sub-par candles? This naturally led to me researching: are expensive candles worth buying? Here’s how to decide!
Expensive candles are worth buying if you:
- Want a stronger, room-filling scent
- Plan to store the candle and want the scent to last longer
- Prefer a slower-burning wax (meaning the candle will last longer)
- Need ease and consistency from the wick
- Are partial to designer packaging looks
- Can comfortably afford the luxury
It doesn’t matter if it’s one or multiple reasons from this list – the more expensive candles will net you a better result in all of these ways. If you’re just looking for a cheap candle to provide light during a power outage for example, then the splurge won’t be worth it to you.
Let’s dive into a bit more about each of these traits, though, so you can decide if an expensive candle is worth buying for your own needs.
Why Expensive Candles Are Worth Buying For Stronger Scents
It’s probably no big secret I’m revealing when I say that candles are made from wax, scents, and a wick, all poured into some type of container.
However, the amount of scents used in production makes a huge difference in the output while burning. Essential oils, particularly naturally derived ones, can be pretty expensive as a raw material. When you use more of them, that will drive up the cost of your candle accordingly.
The average “drug store” candle uses around 5% oil by weight to fragrance a candle. Expensive candles on the other hand range from 10% – 20% oil by weight, meaning it’s a much more saturated scent. This is why expensive candles are worth buying if strong scents are important to you.
For longer-lasting scents, you’ll also want more than one “note” in fragrance. Like a perfume, there should be base, mid, and top notes. Not only does this create a more complex scent, but it means that your candle will maintain smells longer after the initial fragrance burns off.
Designer and luxury candles more commonly add multiple notes and fragrances, resulting in a better experience. In addition, they tend to offer a wider variety and selection, and more choices are never bad!
Some of the scent load is also dependent on the type of wax used and the saturation level it can maintain, but more on that later.
Storing Candles – Cheap Versus Expensive and What to Buy
The way you store your candles directly correlates to how long they are fragrant for. In fact, I learned this the hard way with my own tarts, which are nothing more than boring wax blocks now.
So, why does how you store a candle relate to expensive candles being more worth buying? Well, it all has to do with the type of container the candle is stored in.
I’ve had a giant bag of candles sitting in the closet for probably 10 years (don’t judge me, I used to live near the Yankee Candle factory). The tarts wrapped in cellophane have completely lost all fragrance. My glass jars, however, still have noticeable fragrance after the same time period.
This is because the tarts are smaller, meaning less fragrance to begin with. Additionally, the wrapper didn’t do much to keep things preserved. The jars on the other hand had more fragrance to start purely by volume, and the lids sealed everything in to prevent air contact.
Obviously glass jars are more expensive to package in than cellophane, and it takes more wax to fill one, but the proof is in the results. If you don’t burn candles quickly and plan to store them, a more expensive candle is worth it for the scent life expectancy.
Rating Candle Packaging From Best to Worst for Scent Preservation
| Rating | Candle Type |
| 1 | Jar With Lid |
| 2 | Open Jar (no lid) |
| 3 | Votive (wrapped) |
| 4 | Tart (wrapped) |
| 5 | Votive (loose) |
| 6 | Tart (loose) |
| 7 | Tea Light |
Why Buying An Expensive Wax Candle May Be Worth It
As I briefly mentioned earlier, wax type plays an important part in what makes a candle more expensive, but also what makes it a higher quality. The chosen wax type affects two main things:
- The amount of fragrance it can hold
- How long it will burn for
If you want a candle that will burn slower, and holds more fragrance to be released, then it’s worth it to buy an expensive candle that uses a higher quality wax.
How Long Do Different Candle Wax Types Burn For?
| Candle Wax Type | Average Burn Time |
| Paraffin | 9 hours |
| Stearin | 11 hours |
| Palm | 15 hours |
| Beeswax | 17.5 hours |
| Soy | 20 hours |
| Coconut | 22 hours |
The above table is based on a standard votive-size candle and perfect burning conditions, so your results may vary. Also realize that many candle manufacturers mix wax types to reduce costs or to help them hold scents better. This would also alter your burn time.
As you’ll see, the more expensive waxes generally give you a longer burn time. So, even though you’re paying more, you’re also able to enjoy the same size candle for longer. Not to mention, they’re generally more eco-friendly so you can feel good about burning them!
How Much Fragrance Can Different Candle Waxes Hold?
| Candle Wax Type | Maximum Fragrance Load |
| Paraffin | 6% |
| Stearin | 10-12% |
| Palm | 20% |
| Beeswax | 12-15% |
| Soy | 10% |
| Coconut | 12% |
Note that Stearin is generally used as an additive into other wax types to increase their fragrance load, and is not the sole component of the candle. Other types may modify load with additives and blends.
As you see, the type of wax used plays a huge part in the amount of fragrance that could be infused within. That being said, many manufacturers use less than the maximum load, with industry average being 6-10%. This is a combination of cost savings as well as ease of working with the ingredients.
However, if you’re buying a cheaper paraffin candle, you know that it’s unable to hold 10% fragrance, meaning that it will throw less scent than a more expensive candle of the same size.
Different Wick Types Add Expense, But May Be Worth It In Your Candle
If you’ve ever shopped for candles, I’m sure you’ve noticed there are a variety of different options in wicks available. Of course, putting more wicks into the candle means more material cost and a more expensive candle.
The more wicks a candle has, the larger surface area it should have. This means a longer burn time and better scent throw. You’re less likely to waste wax with a more even burn from the various wicks. It may be more expensive, but it’s worth buying over a cheap candle that creates waste.
A correctly wicked candle should have approximately 1 wick for every 3-4” in diameter of the candle. If it’s less than that, then it’s not going to burn evenly and you’re wasting wax and scent.
There are also a large variety of types of wicks that affect how the candle lights and burns. The most common materials are cotton or wood, with the former being offered in many different styles.
For example, a braided wick will need more raw material to produce, but it burns slower and far more evenly than a twisted wick of the same type. If you want to savor your candle longer, the wick type is very important. A more expensive candle is worth buying for a quality wick designed specifically for the size and type of wax in your candle.
Buying For the Quality Display Packaging of Expensive Candles
I know, you’re probably thinking, “Who cares about the packaging, don’t you just throw it away?”. Well, ultimately, yes. The thing is, though, that a candle in a nice box looks great sitting on your table before you even open it up to enjoy.
If you’re anything like me, I’ve got two of them sitting on my side table right now, just biding their time until I come after them with a match. The unwrapped votives and less attractive jar candles, though? They’re totally being hidden in a closet.
Especially if you’re giving a candle as a gift, the outer packaging is an important part of the overall look and quality feel of the candle. Not to mention that it’s easier to wrap. Have you ever tried to gift wrap a round jar?
So, is an expensive candle worth buying for the packaging alone? Not really. However, when you couple that with the other quality components you expect from a luxury candle, it certainly adds to the appeal.
Don’t believe me? People sell empty luxury candle jars just for others to display in their homes or to store small utensils. I’d say it’s got to be important!
What Do Expensive Candles Really Cost to Buy Compared to Other Candles?
The cost of an expensive candle is an important factor to consider. There’s obviously a huge difference between enjoying a nice candle, and breaking the bank over it.
If you’re stressing out about affording buying a candle, then I promise you it’s not worth it. However, if you’re able to swing a more expensive candle, then it’s worth it to treat yourself!
Price Comparison of Different Candles
| Candle Type | Price Per Ounce |
| Bargain Candle | $0.44 |
| Mid-Tier Candle | $1.55 |
| Luxury Candle | $10.00 |
Of course, this is just one example selection of a candle from each class. As you’ll see though, there’s a tremendous difference in price across candles.
Based on what you want to get out of your candle, how long you want to use it, and your overall enjoyment, that will help you determine if the extra cost is worth it for you.
In Conclusion
In short: expensive candles are worth buying if you’re willing and able to spend a little bit more money for quality wax, scent, and burn. However, they’re still a luxury item, so if it will break the bank or if you just need a candle for a practical purpose, then you may not find it worth it.
There’s nothing I enjoy more after a long day than sitting down with a glass of wine, a good book, and a great smelling candle to help me unwind. Splurging on yourself everyone once in a while? Totally worth it.
If a luxury candle isn’t in the budget, check out some of these other unique candles:
Who said birthday candles had to be boring? Have your cake and eat it too with edible chocolate birthday candles
If flames aren’t your thing, this flameless LED Starry Night candle might be right up your alley
For those pesky power outages, try a Candle by the Hour. It may not smell like roses, but it offers 80 hours of eco-friendly burn time!
While this color changing citronella candle isn’t some designer scent, it does help keep those mosquitoes away!
You probably won’t hatch a real dragon from Game of Thrones dragon egg candles, but they’ll look great on display in any collector’s home!
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