Which Is The Best Wax To Make Wax Melts?

ByAva Wilson

Wax melts are a popular way to fragrance your home. They are pieces of wax that are melted in a wax warmer, releasing fragrance as they melt. The wax itself does not contain fragrance; it is infused with essential oils or fragrance oils to provide scent.

There are a few main types of waxes that can be used to make wax melts: paraffin wax, soy wax, beeswax, gel wax, coconut wax, and palm wax. The criteria for choosing the best wax for melts includes the melting point, fragrance throw, ease of use, environmental impact, and price. The ideal wax will melt at a low temperature, hold and disperse fragrance well, be easy to use in warmers, have a low environmental impact, and be affordable.

This article reviews the properties of the main waxes used for making melts and compares them to determine which wax is the best choice overall for wax melts.

Paraffin Wax

Paraffin wax is a petroleum byproduct created when crude oil is refined into gasoline. It is composed of saturated hydrocarbons, giving it excellent thermal stability and burn properties. Paraffin wax is odorless and colorless in its raw form (1).

Paraffin has some benefits when used for making wax melts:

  • It is very inexpensive compared to natural waxes like soy or beeswax. This makes it budget-friendly for making large quantities of wax melts (1).
  • Paraffin wax has a high melting point of 130 to 185°F, giving wax melts a long burn time. It will retain its shape well without slumping or bending (2).
  • The wax holds colorants and fragrance oils very well. Melts scented with paraffin wax will have a strong, long-lasting aroma (2).
  • Paraffin wax melts are smooth and glossy. They release fragrance evenly as they melt (1).

However, paraffin also has some drawbacks when used for wax melts:

  • It is a petroleum product, so it is not as environmentally friendly as natural waxes. There are concerns about pollution from paraffin production (1).
  • Some users find the fumes released by melting paraffin unpleasant. The wax can release more soot than natural waxes when burned (2).
  • There are disagreements about whether paraffin wax releases toxic fumes when melted or burned. But many natural wax proponents believe paraffin poses health risks (1).

Soy Wax

Soy wax is made from soybean oil and is a popular natural alternative to paraffin wax. It is biodegradable and derived from a renewable resource. Soy wax has a lower melting point than paraffin, so soy candles burn slower and cooler.

Some of the pros of using soy wax for melts are:

    soy wax being poured into a mold to make wax melts

  • Soy wax retains fragrance oils better than paraffin wax, giving melts a stronger scent throw (https://www.everythingdawn.com/blogs/news/34785665-the-pros-and-cons-of-soy-wax).
  • It’s environmentally friendly and made from a renewable resource.
  • Soy wax melts slower and more evenly than paraffin.

However, there are some downsides to soy wax for melts:

  • It can be more expensive than paraffin wax.
  • The fragrance throw may not be as strong as paraffin (https://joetiehome.com/blogs/news/the-pros-and-cons-of-soy-wax-candles-what-you-need-to-know).
  • The melting point is lower than paraffin so melts may not last as long.

Beeswax

Beeswax is a natural wax produced by honey bees. It is secreted from special glands on the bee’s abdomen and used by bees to build the walls of their honeycomb. Beeswax has a natural honey-like scent and color that ranges from yellow to brown. It is often used to make candles, lip balms, furniture polish and more due to its versatile properties.

Some of the pros of using beeswax for wax melts include:

  • It’s all-natural – Beeswax is organic and non-toxic, making it a good option for people looking for a natural wax melt.[1]
  • Long-lasting scent – The honey-like smell of beeswax lasts a long time when heated in wax melts.
  • Burns cleanly – Beeswax melts burn without producing smoke or soot.
  • Biodegradable – Since it’s natural, beeswax is biodegradable and better for the environment.

Some potential cons of beeswax for wax melts are:

  • Expensive – Beeswax tends to be more costly than other wax options.[2]
  • Messy – It can get messy to work with in its raw state.
  • Brittle – Beeswax can become brittle and crack or break when cooled.
  • Softens in Heat – The melting point is low so beeswax melts can get soft in warmer environments.

Gel Wax

Gel wax, also known as jelly wax, has become a popular replacement for regular wax melts for its performance and scent throw. Gel wax has a thick, smooth, gelatinous texture that holds fragrance oils better than other waxes. The oils don’t seep through gel wax as quickly as harder waxes like soy or paraffin. This allows the scent to last longer when melting.

There are several pros to using gel wax for melts according to Ella & Andi:

  • Strong scent throw – Gel wax retains fragrance oils better for fuller, stronger aroma when melting.
  • Slow melting – The wax melts slower, allowing the scent to last longer.
  • Smooth texture – Gel wax has a creamy, smooth texture that is aesthetically pleasing.
  • Easy to use – Gel wax is easy to handle and make melts with.

One of the main cons of gel wax is that it is a byproduct of refined crude oil, so it is not considered an eco-friendly or natural option according to Nikura. When melted, gel wax can release toxins into the air. Those looking for a non-toxic, environmentally-friendly wax melt option may want to avoid gel wax.

Coconut Wax

Coconut wax is made from the oil of coconut palms. It has a smooth, creamy texture and naturally smells like coconut. Coconut wax contains fatty acids that give it a high melting point between 76-86°F (Sources: https://www.candlescience.com/wax/coconut-wax-sls-free/, https://makeandtakes.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-candle-wax/).

Some pros of using coconut wax for melts are:

Some cons of coconut wax for melts are:

Palm Wax

Palm wax is derived from the fruit of palm trees. It has a high melting point of around 130-135°F and holds fragrance oils exceptionally well (Greenkoala). Palm wax makes melts that are glossy, hard, and smooth.

Some pros of using palm wax for melts include:

  • Good fragrance throw and retention (Craftybase)
  • Creates hard melts with a smooth finish
  • High melting point allows melts to last longer

However, there are some significant cons to consider with palm wax:

  • Harvesting palm oil leads to deforestation and habitat loss for endangered species like orangutans and Sumatran tigers (Candlescience)
  • Not a sustainable or eco-friendly option
  • Production of palm oil contributes to climate change and environmental damage

Due to the major environmental impacts, many buyers and sellers are moving away from using palm wax. There are more sustainable waxes that provide comparable results without the ecological harm.

Comparing Waxes

When choosing the best wax for wax melts, there are a few key criteria to consider:

Cost

Paraffin wax is typically the most affordable option. Soy wax is moderately priced. Beeswax and palm wax are usually the most expensive.

Scent Throw

Paraffin wax and soy wax tend to have the strongest scent throw. Beeswax and palm wax have moderate scent diffusion. Coconut wax and gel wax have lighter scent throw.

Melting Point

Beeswax has the highest melting point, maintaining its shape longer when burning. Palm wax, paraffin, and soy wax have moderate melting points. Coconut wax and gel wax have lower melting points.

Burn Time

Paraffin wax and soy wax have the longest burn times. Beeswax, coconut wax, and palm wax burn moderately long. Gel wax has the shortest burn time.

Ranking the Waxes

Taking all the criteria into account, here is how the waxes rank for wax melts:

  1. Paraffin Wax – Most affordable, great scent throw, long burn time
  2. Soy Wax – Moderate price, strong scent diffusion, long burn
  3. Palm Wax – Higher cost but still good performance
  4. Beeswax – Moderate cost, natural but lower scent throw
  5. Coconut Wax – Affordable, lighter scent throw
  6. Gel Wax – Higher cost, poor scent diffusion, short burn

Paraffin wax and soy wax consistently perform the best across all criteria. While beeswax and palm wax work well too, they come at a higher price. Coconut wax can be an affordable option but has lighter fragrance. Gel wax generally ranks lowest for making wax melts.

The Best Wax for Melts

Based on criteria like scent throw, melt point, ease of use, and cost, the best wax for wax melts is soy wax. Soy wax has excellent scent throw and hot and cold scent payoff, melts at a relatively low temperature, and is easy to work with (Source). It’s also affordable compared to other waxes like beeswax or coconut wax.

When using soy wax for melts, opt for a soy wax blend formulated for containers and melts like CandleScience’s EcoSoya CB Advanced or Golden Brands 464 Soy Wax. Avoid pillar soy wax blends. Use fragrance oils at 6-8% for optimal scent throw. Add stearic acid or vybar to help the melts release from the molds. And make sure to fully cure the wax melts for 1-2 weeks before using (Source).

Conclusion

There are many great wax options for making fragrant wax melts, but soy wax is the best overall choice. Soy wax has an excellent scent throw, is easy to work with, and is clean burning. It can hold fragrances for weeks and melts completely without wicks or soot. Soy wax melts retain scent strength even when mixtures of wax and oils are used, unlike paraffin. Beeswax and coconut wax make nice additions to soy wax, but using 100% beeswax or coconut wax can be costly and have drawbacks. Gel wax and palm wax often have quality control problems and are not ideal for wax melts.

If you want the very best wax for making long lasting, highly fragrant wax melts, go with soy wax. It has the right balance of fragrance retention, consistency, clean burning, and affordability. Make sure to get soy wax specifically formulated for making melts as the melt point is lower and it’s blended to be easy to use. With quality soy wax and your favorite essential oil or fragrance blend, you can create wonderful wax melts to fill your home with amazing scents.

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