Candles are a home decor staple. They’re attractive, smell lovely, and bring a warm ambiance into the space. The sheer volume of candles on today’s market is overwhelming. Consumers can choose from a wide variety of scents, designs, and wax and wick materials.
Soy candles are made from natural soy wax, which is derived from soybeans. You can find soy candles in many different fragrance profiles, from fresh and sweet to woodsy and mellow. Take some time to unwind with some of the best soy candle options for the home.
- BEST OVERALL: Lulu Candles Luxury Scented Soy Jar Candle
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Milkhouse Candle Company Butter Jar Candle
- BEST AIR FRESHENER: Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Soy Aromatherapy Candle
- BEST DECORATIVE: LA JOLIE MUSE Gift Candle
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Soy Candle
When choosing the perfect candle, consider fragrance, purpose, and design. Soy candles, which come in a wide variety of fragrances, are available in many types, shapes, and sizes. The best soy candle is one that smells good and complements the space.
Purpose
Soy candles are a popular choice for air freshening and eliminating odors. Fresh and clean fragrances can help eliminate daily home odors like cooking and pet smells.
Candles emit a warm glow perfect for relaxing and winding down. Some buyers choose candles simply for this purpose, while others choose aromatherapeutic scents like calming lavender and energizing citrus to help balance their mood.
Some candles are purely for decoration. With the large variety of designs on the market, a candle design and color exist to accommodate any kind of decor.
Functional vs. Decorative
Soy candles can play a functional part in a home’s decor. For a candle that freshens the air, choose a fragrance that cuts through bad smells. Strong scents often compete with cooking smells and other odors.
For ambiance, a lighter scent or an unscented candle may work well. A light fragrance means the candle can burn longer without overwhelming the entire space.
When choosing a candle for decoration, consider ornamental jar candles. These candles look pretty, and the jar often can be reused as a decorative item after the candle has burned out. Some candles, such as shaped or colorful tapers, are purely decorative; as such, they are never lit. Burning these candles would ruin their appearance.
Container vs. Tea-Light Candles
Soy wax is soft and has a cooler burning temperature than other candle waxes. Since soy wax has a lower melting point, soy candles are usually container or tea-light candles.
Container candles hold the melted wax while the candle is burning. Containers come in a variety of styles, sizes, and designs. Container materials include glass, tin, and ceramic.
Tea lights are smaller and have a simple design. Because of their small size, they also have a shorter burn time. They often are used in decorative tea-light holders or essential oil burners. Artfully designed tea-light glasses, charming lanterns, and more are available.
Scent Type & Strength
Soy candles have a wide range of fragrances, including fresh cotton and citrus, deep cinnamon and herbal, woodsy pine or campfire scents, and more.
Candles are sometimes used in aromatherapy, a practice that uses natural extracts to promote well-being. Soy candles that contain fragrant essential oils, such as lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, and citrus, are ideal for this purpose.
Soy candles are made in different scent strengths, depending on the candle manufacturer. Stronger fragrances are often used for freshening the home and reducing odors. Those who are sensitive to strong fragrances may prefer a lighter scent or an unscented candle.
Burning Time
Burn time refers to the length of time that a candle can burn. Smaller candles generally have a shorter burn time.
Using a candle correctly allows users to take full advantage of their burn time. To reduce the amount of smoke, remember to trim the wick before each use. Additionally, allow the wax to melt evenly across the surface with each burn. Proper use extends the burn time of the candle.
Eco-Friendliness
Soy candles are an eco-friendly alternative to paraffin wax candles. Since soy candles are derived from soybeans, they come from a natural, renewable resource. On the other hand, paraffin wax is derived from non-renewable crude oils.
Soy wax candles may burn cleaner and last longer than paraffin wax candles. Less frequent candle replacements creates less waste. And since soy has a lower melting point, they’re often in glass containers. Glass containers and jars are an eco-friendly option that can be reused or recycled after use.
Our Top Picks
Burning a candle helps people destress and unwind at the end of the day. With the large variety of scents and styles on the market, a soy candle is available to suit nearly any taste, budget, or space. This list focuses on pleasant fragrance, long burn time, and appealing design.
Photo: amazon.com
Lulu Candles are hand-poured in the United States using high-quality ingredients. This wild lemongrass scented candle comes in a 6-ounce size and has a long-lasting burn time. Its sweet, citrusy scent fills the room.
Lulu Candles aims to merge beauty and affordability. This candle has a clean black-and-white design that suits many aesthetics. Made with eco-friendly soy wax and a 100 percent cotton wick, this candle is vegan, cruelty-free, and paraben-free.
Photo: amazon.com
The adorable design of this Milkhouse Candle Company Scented Soy Candle mimics an old-fashioned milk jug. After cleansing with hot water and soap, the candle jar is reusable, which means you can use this charming candle more than once. Its unique design and pleasant white sage and bergamot scent give this product a cozy feel.
This candle is made from soy wax that’s infused with pure beeswax for a better burn. With more than 120 hours of burn time, this 22-ounce candle is a long-lasting option. It has a lead-free cotton wick for a cleaner and more soot-free burning experience.
Photo: amazon.com
Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day candles are made from renewable natural soy and vegetable wax. Their formulas are cruelty-free and never tested on animals.
The garden-inspired lemon verbena scent is light and citrusy. It’s the perfect candle to burn in the background while doing household chores. This product comes in a two-pack of 7.2-ounce candles. Each candle has a 35-hour burn time for many hours of fresh fragrance.
The candle contains a non-metal, lead-free wick and comes in a recyclable glass candle jar. The jar can be repurposed or recycled after use.
Photo: amazon.com
The elegant design, amber sandalwood scent, and wooden wick give this La Jolie Muse Wood Wick Soy Wax Candle a luxurious feel.
The ornate glass jar and large size of this La Jolie Muse Wood Wick Soy Wax Candle make it a chic decorative piece. This candle not only looks pretty, it also offers an impressive 90+ hours of burn time. It has an earthy amber sandalwood scent, with additional notes of lemongrass, jasmine, and vanilla.
Made with natural soy wax, this candle fills the room with a long-lasting scent that’s clean and soot-free. This 19.4-ounce candle has a wooden wick that adds character and an elegant feel. The wood wick emits a relaxing crackling sound while the candle burns.
FAQs About the Best Soy Candles
Soy candles are easy to use. For a safe burn, make sure to trim the wick frequently and burn the candle in a safe spot. Now that you’ve purchased one of the best soy candles on the market, you may wonder how to clean up wax spills, clean wax from carpets, or make the candle last longer. Keep reading to find a few of the more commonly asked questions about soy candles.
Q. Are soy candles better than regular candles?
When used properly, all candle waxes are considered safe. But soy candles are an especially good choice for those who prefer a naturally derived, more eco-friendly option.
Q. Do soy candles smell stronger?
Many experts report that soy wax candles have a lighter scent than paraffin wax candles. Ultimately, a candle’s fragrance strength depends on the candle-making process.
Q. What happens if you overheat soy wax?
With proper use, a soy wax candle should not overheat. Make sure to use the candle on a heat-resistant surface and don’t burn it longer than the recommended burn time.
Q. What’s the best fragrance oil for candles?
A dizzying range of options exist in fragrances made from essential oils. Popular scents for soy candles include lemon, lavender, peppermint, ylang-ylang, and eucalyptus. The best soy candle scent is a matter of personal preference.