Which Wax Gives The Best Scent Throw?
The purpose of this article is to examine and compare the scent throw abilities of different types of candle waxes. Scent throw refers to how strongly a candle’s fragrance is dispersed into the surrounding air when burned. A candle with excellent scent throw will have a noticeable fragrance that fills the entire room. On the other hand, a poor scent throw means the candle’s smell is weak and fails to travel beyond the immediate vicinity of the candle.
We will be testing and comparing the scent throw qualities of five common candle waxes: paraffin, soy, beeswax, palm, and coconut wax. Multiple candles of each wax type will be burned in controlled testing environments to evaluate how well their fragrances spread. Factors such as wax properties, wick type, room size and more can impact scent dispersal. By controlling variables, we aim to determine which wax offers the strongest natural scent throw.
Understanding scent throw abilities can help consumers choose the right candle wax for their needs. A strongly scented candle can set the mood in a room, while a subtle scent is ideal for those sensitive to fragrance. This article provides an in-depth, unbiased comparison of scent throw performance to inform candle buyers.
Test Methodology
The testing was conducted in a controlled environment to accurately compare scent throw between different wax types. Each candle was made with the same fragrance oil at 10% fragrance load. The wax types tested include paraffin, soy, beeswax, palm, and coconut wax.
The candles were all poured into identical 8 oz glass containers and allowed to cure for 2 weeks before testing. Each candle was burned for 4 hours in a bathroom with the door closed and a ceiling fan running to disperse the fragrance. After 4 hours, the strength of the fragrance scent throughout the room was evaluated on a scale of 1-10.
The testing methodology is based on recommendations from candle making experts like Testing for Scent Throw in Candles and How To Measure Hot Throw. Conducting controlled tests in a closed room over a consistent burn time allows for an accurate comparison of scent throw between different wax types.
Paraffin Wax
Paraffin wax is a petroleum-based wax made from refining crude oil. It is one of the most commonly used waxes for candle making due to its high oil content, which allows it to hold fragrance oils better than other waxes. Paraffin has excellent scent throw capabilities when allowed to cure properly. According to The Flaming Candle, paraffin candles should cure for 24-48 hours before burning to maximize scent throw.
In candle testing, paraffin wax consistently rates high for its ability to retain and disperse fragrances. The long hydrocarbon chains in paraffin are ideal for trapping scent molecules. However, paraffin wax also has some drawbacks when it comes to scent. The petroleum base can produce more soot when burned, muting aromas. Additionally, paraffin wax candless may lose their scent more quickly over time compared to natural waxes.
Soy Wax
Soy wax is made from hydrogenated soybean oil. It was introduced to the candle making industry in the 1990s as an alternative to paraffin wax. Soy wax is appealing to many candle makers because it comes from a renewable resource and is biodegradable (Source).
In testing, soy wax generally provides a lower scent throw compared to paraffin wax. The scent throw can vary depending on the fragrance oil used, but paraffin wax still tends to produce stronger scent projection (Source). However, there are methods candle makers can use to help boost soy wax’s scent throw, such as adding more fragrance oil or using certain candle wax additives.
The main advantages of soy wax are that it’s made from a sustainable resource, is biodegradable, and burns cleaner than paraffin. The drawbacks are that it generally has a lower scent throw and can be more expensive than paraffin wax.
Beeswax
Beeswax is a natural wax produced by honey bees of the genus Apis. It is secreted by special glands in the bee’s abdomen and used by bees in constructing their honeycomb cells (cite url=”https://www.candlesalon.com/post/which-candle-wax-gives-the-best-scent-throw“). Beeswax has been used historically in candles since at least the middle ages due to its high burn temperature and natural scent (cite url=”https://www.candlesalon.com/post/which-candle-wax-gives-the-best-scent-throw“). In testing, beeswax consistently ranked among the top waxes for scent throw. Its natural honey aroma pairs well with floral and honey scents. The downside is that beeswax is expensive compared to paraffin and other commercial waxes. It also needs to be blended with other waxes to achieve a smooth finish. Overall, beeswax is an excellent choice for candles where scent is a priority.
Palm Wax
Palm wax is derived from the palm oil of palm trees. It has become a popular candle wax due to its natural origins and sustainability when ethically sourced (Sojourn).
In scent throw tests, palm wax performed poorly compared to paraffin and soy wax. Palm wax had “little to no scent throw” even when essential oil concentrations were increased (Craft Server). The naturally soft texture of palm wax makes it difficult for fragrance oils to bind properly (Sojourn).
The pros of palm wax are its natural origins, customization possibilities by blending with other waxes, and slower burn rate. The cons are its very weak scent throw and soft texture that can lead to issues like wet spots in containers (Sojourn).
Coconut Wax
Coconut wax is made from the oil of coconut palms. It has become a popular natural wax for candle making in recent years. Coconut wax consists mainly of hydrogenated coconut oil, making it a vegetarian and vegan alternative to beeswax and other animal-derived waxes (Source).
In tests, coconut wax has been found to have excellent scent throw capabilities. The natural molecular makeup of coconut wax allows fragrance oils to bind very well with the wax. This gives coconut wax candles the ability to efficiently deliver aromas into the surrounding air (Source).
The pros of coconut wax for scent throw include its natural ability to hold and disperse fragrances, making coconut wax candles very aromatic. The cons are that some lighter fragrances may get drowned out by the coconut scent of the wax itself.
Comparison
When comparing scent throw across different wax types, testing has shown that paraffin wax consistently performs the best for maximizing fragrance diffusion. According to research from CandleSalon.com [1], paraffin wax can project scent up to 3 times farther than soy wax. The following table summarizes scent throw test results across wax types:
| Wax Type | Scent Throw Rating |
|---|---|
| Paraffin | Excellent |
| Soy | Good |
| Beeswax | Fair |
| Palm | Good |
| Coconut | Fair |
As shown above, paraffin wax had the top rating for scent throw distance and intensity compared to other wax options. Soy wax and palm wax also performed well, while beeswax and coconut wax produced weaker scent projection.
Factors Affecting Scent Throw
There are several factors that can influence a candle’s scent throw besides just the type of wax used:
Fragrance Load – Using a higher percentage of fragrance oil in a candle (up to around 12%) can increase scent throw. However, too high a fragrance load can cause issues like sooting.
Wick Size – Properly sized wicks lead to complete wax pool melting and ideal flame size, which helps disperse fragrance. Wicks that are too small or too large for the candle diameter result in poor scent throw.
Burn Temperature – Heating wax to an ideal temperature range (150-170°F) during burning maximizes fragrance release into the air. Cooler or hotter wax won’t throw scent as effectively.
Proper Wax Pooling – Full top-to-bottom melting of wax allows more fragrance oil to be released. Incomplete pooling due to issues like under-wicking limits hot throw.
Container Size/Shape – Wide mouth and shorter jars release more scent than narrow, tall vessels since more melted wax is exposed. The material of the container (glass/metal) also impacts throw.
By carefully controlling variables like wick diameter, wax type, fragrance load, and vessel design, candle makers can optimize their formulation for maximum scent throw.
Conclusion
In summary, the testing showed that paraffin wax provided the strongest scent throw overall. The hot throw was intense and traveled far, filling the room with fragrance. Soy wax also performed well, with a slightly more moderate throw that persisted over time. Beeswax and palm wax had medium throw, noticeable but not overpowering. Coconut wax produced the weakest throw in testing.
Based on the results, I would recommend using paraffin wax if the top priority is creating candles with an extremely strong scent presence. The high oil content allows paraffin wax to hold and disperse fragrance oil exceptionally well. Soy wax is also a good option if you prefer more natural waxes but still want a noticeable throw. It provides a balanced, consistent throw over the life of the candle. For more subtle scented candles or those focused on visual appeal over fragrance, beeswax, palm wax, or coconut wax may suffice. Consider testing waxes with your specific fragrance oils to determine which offers the ideal throw for your needs.
