6 Types of Candle Wax and When to Use Them

Beeswax

Best for: pillar and taper candles
Cost: $8–$10/pound
Burn time: 1 hour per inch of candle width

Beeswax has been one of the most popular candle-making waxes for centuries. The natural wax has a subtle honey scent and signature golden color. Beeswax candles have the longest burn time and produce a warm-toned flame that doesn't give off any smoke, benefiting both your home and the environment.

You can use this wax for numerous types of candles, but it's particularly well-suited for pillar and taper candles as it doesn't drip very much, making it a good option for candle holders and wreaths.

Soy Wax

Best for: container candles
Cost: $13/pound
Burn time: 30 minutes per inch of candle width

Soy wax is a 100% natural wax made from soybeans, a natural and renewable source. It has a soot-free burn and while soy wax is expensive, it burns slower.

It usually comes in the form of flakes and is easy to work with, best suited for container candles such as jars, tins, or teacup candles. It's also a good scent carrier and using it for scented candles will give you a pure-smelling candle.

Paraffin Wax

Best for: colorful, scented candles of all types
Cost: $8+/pound
Burn time: 45 minutes per inch of candle width

Paraffin wax is the most widely used and inexpensive of all the waxes used for candle making. It holds color and scent well, making it a good choice for candles that are highly saturated in color and can be used for everything from containers to pillar candles.

Paraffin wax is a byproduct of petroleum and releases soot when it burns, which has raised some questions regarding its effects on the environment.

Gel (Wax)

Best for: clear container candles
Cost: $10/pound
Burn time: several hours per inch of candle width

If you want to make highly decorative candles, consider using gel. Technically, it's not a wax but a mix of resin and mineral oil that creates the see-through look gel candles are known for.

It's a great choice for clear container candles, as you can add various small objects such as dried flowers or seashells into the containers before pouring in the gel. It gives off a very bright light, so bright in fact that it's almost twice as bright as that of a regular wax candle.

Gel candles also have a very slow burn—almost twice the time of a regular wax candle—but like paraffin candles, they release soot.

Palm Wax

Best for: free-standing candles such as pillars, scented candles
Cost: $13+/pound
Burn time: 30 minutes per inch of candle width

Palm wax has become a popular choice in candle making in recent years because it burns cleanly and is an eco-friendly, sustainable choice. Compared to other waxes, palm wax is quite expensive but it produces high-quality candles with a long burn time.

It carries scent well and is a strong, firm, and durable wax, which makes it especially good for free-standing candles.

Coconut Wax

Best for: container candles, scented candles
Cost: $8+/pound
Burn time: 45 minutes per inch of candle width

Coconut wax is an eco-friendly, vegan, and sustainable wax choice. It releases very little soot and has a slow and even burn. Surprisingly, this wax doesn't smell like coconut and it's actually odorless and carries scent very well. It is often combined with soy wax and is best suited for making container candles.