Are Aldi Candles As Good As Yankee?

Yankee Candle and Aldi are two popular brands known for their wide variety of scented candles. Yankee Candle is an American company founded in 1969 that helped start the scented candle trend. They are known for their trademark jar candles and offer over 150 different scents. Aldi is a German discount supermarket chain that has also expanded into selling various homegoods, including candles, at low prices. While Yankee Candle is seen as the premium candles brand, Aldi aims to provide quality candles at a fraction of the price. This article provides an in-depth comparison between the two brands to determine if Aldi’s candles stand up to the iconic Yankee candles in terms of quality, fragrance, value and overall performance.

Table of Contents

Brand Reputation

When it comes to candles, Yankee Candle is widely considered one of the most well-known and reputable brands. Founded in 1969 in Massachusetts, Yankee Candle pioneered the scented candle industry in America and became known for their innovative candle-making techniques and high-quality, long-lasting candles.

Over the decades, Yankee Candle has built up a reputation for being a premium candle brand that creates safe, sophisticated and nostalgic scents using high grade wax and fragrances. Their candles are designed to provide a clean, soot-free burn and strong scent throw. The company frequently releases new limited edition seasonal and holiday collections that often sell out. Overall, Yankee Candle is synonymous with excellent quality and longevity when it comes to their candles.

Candle Quality

When looking at candle quality, three key factors come into play – the wax type, wick quality, and fragrance intensity. Both Aldi and Yankee Candle use a blended wax like paraffin or soy wax in their candles. Paraffin wax is derived from petroleum, while soy wax comes from soybeans. Paraffin tends to be cheaper, but soy wax is often viewed as a more natural option. The wicks in both Aldi and Yankee candles seem comparable – they are cotton or paper-based and appropriately sized for the candle shape and wax type. This helps ensure an even, complete burn. As for fragrance intensity, consumers report Aldi candles as having strong, bold scents when lit, while Yankee Candles are more subtle but still fill a room effectively. Overall, the candle quality is quite similar between the two brands in terms of ingredients and performance.

Fragrance Options

One key difference between Aldi and Yankee candles is the variety of available fragrances. Yankee Candle has been around since 1969 and offers over 150 different scents to choose from. Their catalog includes classic fragrances like Clean Cotton, Vanilla Cupcake, and Fresh Cut Roses as well as more unique options like Campfire Treats, Beach Walk, and Pink Sands.

Aldi’s candle selection is much more limited with usually around 20-30 fragrances available at any given time. Their scents tend to be more generic like Spring Blossom, Warm Woods, and Ocean Breeze. While Aldi may offer seasonal fragrances, their overall catalog doesn’t compare to the extensive options that Yankee Candle provides.

So for shoppers looking for a wide range of scents, from fresh and fruity to spicy and woody, Yankee Candle is the clear winner. Their depth of fragrance options gives customers far more choice to find a candle tailored to their personal preferences. Aldi’s smaller scent selection may be sufficient for some customers, but Yankee offers a vastly superior range of fragrances year-round.

Price Comparison

At first glance, Aldi candles are significantly more affordable than Yankee Candle options. A typical 14oz Aldi candle costs around $3.99, while a 14oz large jar Yankee Candle costs $27.99 at full price. However, Yankee Candle frequently offers sales, promotions, and coupons that can bring the price down closer to $15-20 per large jar candle. They also sell smaller jar and votive candles that cost less than the large jars. So while Aldi candles generally have lower everyday prices, Yankee Candle prices can be competitive during sales seasons like the holidays or summer.

The bottom line is that Aldi candles deliver exceptional value for the cost compared to most major candle brands. But savvy Yankee Candle shoppers can sometimes find deals to make the pricing more comparable, especially on seasonal scents. Overall, Aldi still wins out as the more affordable option, but the pricing difference narrows with Yankee Candle promotions.

Performance Testing

When evaluating the performance of Aldi candles versus Yankee candles, three key factors come into play: burn time, scent throw, and tunneling.

In terms of burn time, several direct comparison tests found that Aldi candles tend to burn for a shorter amount of time than Yankee candles. On average, Aldi 3-wick candles lasted around 25 hours, while Yankee 3-wick candles burned for 30-40 hours. The wax, wick type, and vessel shape all impact burn time.

For scent throw, which refers to how well the fragrance is dispersed when the candle is lit, Yankee candles are often reported as having a stronger scent presence in a room. However, some reviewers found Aldi’s large jar candles to have comparable performance to Yankee in terms of scent diffusion. The fragrance oil concentration impacts throw.

Tunneling, or the uneven burning of wax which leaves holes on the candle surface, occurred more frequently and quickly in Aldi candles based on anecdotal evidence. Yankee candles seemed to exhibit less issues with tunneling. Proper wicking helps prevent tunneling problems.

While Yankee candles edged out Aldi overall for burn time, scent throw, and tunneling, Aldi still provides decent performance at a fraction of the price. With some tweaks to the wax blend, wick size, and fragrance load, Aldi could potentially equal or surpass Yankee.

Customer Reviews

When looking at customer reviews on sites like Amazon and personal blogs, Yankee Candles tend to be more positively reviewed overall compared to Aldi candles. On Amazon, top-selling Yankee jar candles have around a 4.5 out of 5 star rating based on thousands of reviews. People praise their strong scents, long burn times, and quality ingredients. Meanwhile, Aldi’s Hunter’s View and Gemtree jar candles have closer to a 3.5-4 star rating with reviews indicating they don’t smell as strongly or burn quite as long as Yankee.

Likewise, bloggers and vloggers who have tested both Aldi and Yankee candles side-by-side find that Yankee has better scent projection and more complex fragrance notes. Although some feel Aldi candles are decent for the low price point, most agree that Yankee candles are higher quality and worth the extra investment if you’re looking for a strong, noticeable fragrance in your home.

Overall, customer feedback indicates that if fragrance strength and burn time are your top priorities, Yankee Candles beat out affordable options like Aldi. However, Aldi candles can provide satisfactory performance for more casual candle users on a tight budget.

Other Considerations

When comparing Aldi and Yankee Candles, there are a few other factors you may want to take into account beyond just fragrance, price, and performance:

Availability

Yankee Candles are sold in their own retail stores as well as major retailers like Bed Bath & Beyond. Aldi candles are only available in Aldi stores. So Yankee likely has the advantage when it comes to accessibility and convenience of shopping.

Packaging

The signature Yankee Candle jar is iconic and makes for nice home decor when not being used. Aldi candle packaging tends to be more standard and plain. So if you want a candle that doubles as decor, Yankee may be the better choice.

Corporate Responsibility

When comparing companies, ethics and values can also come into play. Yankee Candle has committed to using eco-friendly soy wax and essential oils, giving back to the community, and reducing its carbon footprint. Less is published about Aldi’s values and sustainability efforts. This could be a consideration for consumers who want to support responsible brands.

Summary

When comparing Aldi and Yankee candles, there are several pros and cons to consider for each brand:

Aldi Pros:

Significantly lower prices than Yankee
Good selection of seasonal and everyday scents
Candles burn cleanly and evenly

Aldi Cons:

Fragrances may not be as complex or long-lasting as Yankee
Less brand recognition and reputation than an established name like Yankee
Smaller selection of candle styles/sizes compared to Yankee

Yankee Pros:

Iconic brand with long-standing reputation for quality
Unique scent formulations and proprietary fragrances
Large variety of jar styles, shapes, and decorative accessories

Yankee Cons:

Significantly more expensive than Aldi candles
Scents may not appeal to all consumers
Not as readily available at discount stores like Aldi

In summary, Yankee candles lead in brand reputation and scent uniqueness, while Aldi offers comparable performance at a fraction of the price. It comes down to individual priorities – sophisticated fragrances vs. great value. Both produce quality candles loved by many.

Final Verdict

When comparing Aldi and Yankee candles, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and budget. Both brands offer quality candles with nice scents, though Yankee Candle has a much wider selection. The main advantage of Aldi candles is their very affordable price point. Yankee Candles are generally 3-4 times more expensive. For candle enthusiasts who want premium fragrances, don’t mind paying more, and appreciate the vast options that Yankee offers, they are likely the better choice. However, for budget-conscious shoppers who still want nice candles, Aldi is a great alternative that provides excellent value.

While Yankee Candles are the premium brand, Aldi candles hold their own in terms of burn time, scent throw, and quality. The wax, wicks, and fragrances are comparable. Those focused solely on affordable prices while getting a quality candle will be very satisfied with Aldi. The variety is more limited but their seasonal scents and dupes of popular Yankee fragrances give buyers plenty of choice. Since Aldi candles cost a fraction of the price, buyers can stock up on multiple scents while staying within budget.

In the end, it comes down to the individual’s needs and preferences. For shoppers wanting premium status, top-notch fragrances, and diverse choice, Yankee Candles are worth the splurge. Cost-conscious buyers who still appreciate scented candles will be thrilled with the quality and value of Aldi candles. While one may be more established, both deliver an enjoyable candle experience.