Is It Better To Burn Candles Or Wax Melts?
In this article, we will compare candles and wax melts on several factors to determine which is the better option. We will look at differences in safety, cost, convenience, fragrance options, ambiance, usage tips, environmental impact, and more. By the end, you should have a good understanding of the pros and cons of candles vs. wax melts to decide which is right for you.
Safety Differences
Wax melts may be safer as there is no open flame. Candles can pose fire hazards if left unattended or get knocked over easily. According to this source, wax melts do not require an open flame so they eliminate the risk of accidental fires. With candles, the naked flame can ignite nearby objects if the candle gets tipped over. Wax melts use an electric warmer so there is no fire danger. For households with kids or pets, wax melts remove the open fire risk that comes with burning candles.
Cost Comparison
When looking at the costs of candles versus wax melts, it’s important to consider the cost per hour of use. Wax melts may be more economical in the long run. According to source, a high-quality wax melt can last up to 8 hours, with some claiming 12 hours of use. Candles generally provide 4-6 hours of burn time. So while the upfront cost of a wax melt may be more than a similarly sized candle, the wax melt provides more hours of fragrance. When calculating cost per hour, wax melts are often cheaper. For example, if a wax melt costs $5 and lasts 8 hours, that’s about $0.63 per hour. A $10 candle that burns for 5 hours costs $2 per hour. The longer lifespan and slower release of fragrance make wax melts a more economical choice in many cases.
Convenience
Wax melts tend to be more convenient than candles in a few key ways:
First, wax melts do not require trimming wicks like traditional candles do. The wax simply melts and diffuses fragrance without needing a wick (source: https://www.facebook.com/p/Stone-Creek-LLC-61551649004092/?locale=uk_UA). This makes using wax melts more convenient as there is no wick maintenance required.
Additionally, wax melts are very portable and easy to transport to different rooms. You can simply place a wax melt cube in a warmer and move it wherever you like. Candles are less portable, especially once lit, making wax melts a more versatile option (source: https://www.facebook.com/p/Stone-Creek-LLC-61551649004092/?locale=uk_UA).
Finally, it’s easy to change up fragrances with wax melts by switching out cubes. With candles, you need to wait for them to fully burn before switching scents. Wax melts allow you to customize your fragrance on a room-by-room or even day-by-day basis if desired.
In summary, the lack of wick trimming, portability, and ability to quickly change fragrances makes wax melts a very convenient home fragrance option.
Fragrance Options
When it comes to the variety of available fragrances, wax melts tend to offer more options and versatility compared to candles. With wax melts, you can easily mix and match different scents by simply switching out the wax cube or disc in your wax warmer. On the other hand, most candles come in a single fixed fragrance. To get a variety of scents from candles, you would need to purchase multiple candles, which can get costly (source: https://www.facebook.com/twinkle.radiance/).
Wax melt manufacturers produce an extensive range of different fragrance options, often with entire collections based around a theme or season. You can find wax melts in just about any scent imaginable from fruity and floral to spiced and seasonal. With such a wide selection available, it’s easy to tailor your home’s fragrance to your personal preferences. Candle scents tend to be more limited in range by comparison (source: https://www.realhomes.com/advice/candle-vs-wax-melt).
The versatility of being able to easily alternate between fragrances is a major advantage of wax melts over candles. With just a few wax cubes, you can create customized scent experiences to match your mood or activities throughout the day. The single fixed fragrance of a candle offers less flexibility.
Ambiance Differences
Candles and wax melts create very different ambiances due to the presence or absence of a flickering flame. Candles provide a traditional ambiance with the flickering flame and dancing light on the walls. Many find the flame mesmerizing and enjoy watching it burn. Candles create a distinct aesthetic that nothing else quite matches. As one source notes, “The ambiance of a wax melt doesn’t hold a flame (ha) to a gorgeous glowing candle.” (source)
In contrast, wax melts provide a much more subtle ambiance without a visible flame. The fragrance diffuses gently into the room. While some may miss the visual appeal of a candle flame, the more subtle ambiance can also be preferable for many situations. Wax melts allow you to experience lovely scents without the distracting flicker of a flame. Their ambiance may be better suited for conversing, working, or sleeping.
Usage Tips
When using candles, it’s important to follow proper safety precautions. Always keep candles on a stable, heat-resistant surface away from drafty areas. Never leave burning candles unattended. Trim wicks to 1⁄4 inch before lighting to avoid excess smoke and uneven burning. Allow melted wax to harden before relighting candles. Consider using flameless candles which provide ambiance without the fire risk. Switch to battery operated candles before going to sleep or leaving home.
With wax melts, use an appropriate wax warmer designed for melts rather than improvising with a candle warmer or hot plate. These appliances can overheat. Keep wax melts out of reach from children and pets when melting. Clean your wax warmer regularly to prevent wax buildup. Allow melted wax to fully harden before handling or cleaning the wax warmer. Never leave melting wax unattended. Frequently check and refill wax warmers to enjoy continuous fragrance. Turn warmers off when not in use.
In summary, exercise caution with open flames from candles. Wax melts with warmers reduce fire risks yet also require safety awareness. Proper usage of both candles and wax melts allows you to enjoy ambient lighting and home fragrance safely.
Environmental Impact
Both candles and wax melts have some impact on the environment in terms of carbon footprint and waste produced.
Candles produce more soot and smoke when burned, contributing larger amounts of particulate matter into the air. However, wax melts require electricity to melt the wax, increasing carbon emissions from power generation. According to one source, burning a candle for one hour produces the same amount of emissions as running a 11-watt LED light bulb for six hours.
In terms of waste, candles produce more hard waste in the form of glass, metal, and wax leftovers after use. Wax melts produce less waste overall. However, wax melt plastics are not always recyclable. Candle wax can be reused or repurposed more readily than melted wax cubes.
Both products require cleanup to deal with leftover melted wax and fragrance residue. Proper cleanup is important to minimize environmental impact. Using candles and wax melts sparingly can reduce waste and emissions.
Comparison Chart
Here is a summary of the key differences between candles and wax melts discussed in this article:
| Factor | Candles | Wax Melts |
|---|---|---|
| Safety | Open flame can lead to fire hazards if left unattended | No open flame makes wax melts safer |
| Cost | Typically more expensive per ounce of fragrance | More affordable per ounce of fragrance |
| Convenience | Require matches/lighters to light repeatedly | Just place a cube in the warmer to melt and scent |
| Fragrance Options | Usually fewer scent choices | Often have a wider variety of scents |
| Ambiance | Provide flickering light ambiance | Do not provide lighting effects |
| Environmental Impact | Additional packaging from glass jars | Less packaging waste from plastic clamshells |
Conclusion
In summary, candles and wax melts both have their benefits and drawbacks when it comes to cost, convenience, fragrance options, ambiance and environmental impact. Candles can be more cost effective if you purchase unscented ones in bulk and provide ambient lighting, but they come with safety concerns and air quality issues from smoke. Wax melts are safer, more convenient and have less environmental impact, but limited fragrance options and no flame ambiance.
Overall, for most households, wax melts tend to be the better option. They provide fragrance without smoke or fire risk, they’re inexpensive and last a long time, and you can easily change scents. However, for occasional ambiance, nothing beats the warm glow of a candlelit dinner or relaxing bath. In moderation, candles can be used safely by following precautions. The best approach may be using a combination of candles for ambiance at times and wax melts for everyday fragrance.
