What Is A Tealight Vs Votive Candle?
What Are Tealight Candles?
Tealight candles are a type of small candle typically placed in a metal or plastic holder (Wikipedia, 2023). They have the following characteristics:
- Small and circular in shape, usually wider at the bottom and more narrow at the top
- Typically 1.5 inches wide by 0.75 inches tall (Letine, 2022)
- Made of paraffin wax with a cotton wick in the center
- Placed in a thin metal or plastic cup that contains the melted wax as the candle burns
- The metal or plastic cup allows the candle to liquefy completely while lit (Wikipedia, 2023)
Tealight candles are primarily used for decoration, ambiance, and warming food. They can provide a soft light for centerpieces, mood lighting, or aromatherapy. The small size makes them ideal for confined spaces like bathrooms, closets, and cabinets. Their portability also allows them to be taken camping or placed in lanterns. They are affordable and come in multi-packs for household use.
What Are Votive Candles?
Votive candles, also known as prayer candles, are small candles intended to be used as an offering or for decoration in Christian religious rituals and services (Merriam-Webster). They are typically around 1-3 inches tall and 0.5-1 inch in diameter, constructed of wax with a cotton wick (Wikipedia). Their small size allows them to burn for around 5-10 hours (Good Light Candles).
Votive candles are commonly used in Catholic and other Christian churches as offerings during prayer. Worshippers will light a votive candle and place it in a candle holder, praying as the candle burns as a symbol of their prayer rising towards heaven. Votive candles are also used to decorate altars and add lighting ambience to religious services. Outside of religious services, votive candles are popular household decorations and used to create mood lighting during occasions like dinner parties (Good Light Candles).
Key Differences
There are several key differences between tealight and votive candles:
Size difference – Tealight candles are smaller, with a diameter around 1-2 inches and a height less than 1 inch. Votive candles are larger, typically 1.5-2 inches in diameter and 1.5-3 inches tall.1
Shape difference – Tealights are round while votives can be round or tapered.2
Wick difference – Tealights have a shorter, thinner cotton wick compared to the longer, thicker wick in votive candles.1
Holder difference – Tealights sit in a metal or aluminum cup, while votives use a glass container.2
Manufacturing Process
Tealight candles are made from paraffin wax, which is a byproduct of petroleum refining. The wax consists of a mixture of hydrocarbons that provide the ideal properties for candle making like a low melting point and high viscosity.
The wax is first melted and then dyed using oil or water-based dyes to achieve the desired color. The dye is mixed thoroughly to disperse evenly throughout the wax.
After dyeing, pre-tabbed wicks are manually or automatically inserted into the center of metal tealight cups. The wick needs to be centered to ensure even burning.
The tealight cups are then filled with the melted and dyed wax through pouring or injection molding. The wax cools and solidifies into the finished candle shape.
Votive candles go through a very similar manufacturing process, except larger wax pools are poured into short, wide glass containers instead of metal tealight cups.
Burn Time
Tealight candles typically burn for 3-4 hours, while votive candles can burn for 5-8 hours. Here are some of the key factors that affect burn time for each candle type:
For tealight candles, the size of the wick and amount of wax determines burn time. Most standard tealights contain about 1 ounce of wax and have a cotton wick. The smaller the wick, the slower the candle will burn. Similarly, higher wax content means a longer burn time.
Votive burn times also depend on wick size and wax content, but votives start out with more wax – usually around 1.5 to 2 ounces. Votive wax is thicker and denser than tealight wax because votives are designed to melt more slowly over a longer period.[1]
Outside factors can also influence burn time, including placement in a glass container versus open air and airflow around the candle. Drafts and ventilation will make candles burn more quickly. Humidity and temperature of the surrounding environment also play a role.
In summary, due to containing more wax and having a larger wick, votive candles tend to have burn times 50-100% longer than tealight candles under similar conditions.
[1] https://quickcandles.com/blogs/blog/tealight-candles-vs-votive-candles
Cost Comparison
When looking at the cost per unit between tealight candles and votive candles, there are some notable differences. According to Candlewic, tealight candles are generally much cheaper, often coming in at around $0.10 to $0.35 per unit depending on the wax type and quantity ordered. Votive candles on the other hand tend to range from $0.25 to $1 per candle. For example, a 100 pack of paraffin wax tealights from Candlewic costs $10 whereas a 100 pack of paraffin votives costs $45.
There are a few reasons for this price difference. Tealights are made to be single-use, and their small size requires less wax and materials. Votives are meant to be reusable with a votive holder, and their larger size necessitates more wax. Votives also tend to have a longer burn time of up to 15 hours, compared to the 4-6 hour burn time of a tealight. This makes votives more economical on a per hour basis, but the lower upfront cost of tealights makes them the budget choice for one-time decorative uses.
Safety Considerations
Both tealight and votive candles can present fire hazards if not handled properly. Here are some tips for safe handling of these candle types:
Always keep candles away from flammable materials like curtains, paper, and decorations. Place candles on a stable, heat-resistant surface. Never leave burning candles unattended – blow them out before leaving a room or going to sleep.
Tealights and votives get very hot while burning. Use tongs or candle sleeves when moving a lit candle. Take care to keep children and pets away from burning candles.
Proper storage of candles is also important. Store unused candles in a cool, dry place away from heat and sunlight which can cause wax to melt or distort. Keep wicks trimmed to 1⁄4 inch before lighting to prevent excess smoke and uneven burning.
With some basic safety precautions, tealight and votive candles can be enjoyed safely. But always exercise caution around open flames which can quickly grow out of control.
Environmental Impact
Paraffin wax candles, which are made from petroleum, have some concerning environmental impacts. When burned, paraffin candles release chemicals like toluene and benzene into the air, which can contribute to air pollution (https://www.lalueurcandles.com/blogs/blog/are-candles-bad-for-the-environment). The soot released can also cause water pollution when it settles.
More eco-friendly alternatives include soy, beeswax, and coconut wax candles. Soy wax is made from soybeans, a renewable resource. Beeswax is a natural wax made by honeybees. Coconut wax comes from coconuts. These natural waxes burn cleaner than paraffin wax and are biodegradable (https://citizensustainable.com/tea-lights/). They produce less soot and release fewer harmful chemicals into the air when burned.
Overall, natural wax candles like soy, beeswax, and coconut wax have a lower environmental impact than paraffin wax candles. They are more sustainable options for those concerned about the environmental effects of burning candles.
Popular Brands
When it comes to popular brands for tealight candles, Yankee Candle, Bath & Body Works, and Chesapeake Bay Candle are some of the top options according to Amazon reviews. Yankee Candle’s tealights come in a wide variety of scents and boast a 4.8 out of 5 star rating from over 5,000 reviews, making them a customer favorite (source). Bath & Body Works is also known for their scented tealights in both classic and seasonal fragrances. Their Tealight Candle Day each December draws huge crowds. Chesapeake Bay Candle, a smaller brand, is praised for their natural soy wax blends and long burn times.
For votive candles, top brands include Nest New York, Jo Malone, and Voluspa. Nest New York offers a minimalist style with clean, sophisticated scents like Grapefruit, Moroccan Amber, and Cucumber Mint (source). Jo Malone is a luxury brand beloved for their unique scent combinations and brand experience. Their best-selling votives include Lime Basil & Mandarin and Wood Sage & Sea Salt. Voluspa is known for their beautifully packaged votives infused with essential oils like French Cade Lavender and Santiago Huckleberry.
The Future
The candle industry is projected to see steady growth in the coming years. According to Grand View Research, the global candle market size is expected to reach $17.21 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.7% from 2022 to 2030.[1] This growth will be driven by increasing demand for scented and decorative candles.
Innovation in materials, scents, designs, and more will shape the future of the candle industry. Soy, coconut, and beeswax are becoming popular eco-friendly alternatives to paraffin wax. Essential oil blending and novel scents like “thunderstorm” or “campfire” are trending. Artisanal and hand-poured designs provide a customized, high-end feel. Smart technology like flickering flameless candles controlled by apps could also emerge. Scented candle companies will need to stay on top of consumer preferences and candle innovations to thrive in the evolving market.[2]
