Guides / Candle history and craft
Candle types explained
Container candles, pillars, tapers, votives, tealights, wax melts, multi-wick and wooden-wick candles compared, with what each one is best for and how to burn it.
Why candle type matters
The shape and style of a candle affect how it burns, how strongly it scents a room and how you should use it. A taper on a dinner table and a three-wick jar in a living room do different jobs. Knowing the types helps you choose. See how to choose a candle.
The main types
| Type | What it is | Best for | Burn notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Container candle | Wax poured into a jar, tin or vessel | Fragrance, everyday use | Safest and most popular; scent stays contained |
| Pillar | Freestanding thick candle | Decor, unscented ambience | Needs a heat-safe plate; harder wax |
| Taper | Tall, thin candle | Dining tables, special occasions | Needs a holder; keep away from drafts |
| Votive | Small candle, usually burned in a cup | Groups of soft light | Liquefies fully; must be in a holder |
| Tealight | Tiny candle in a metal or plastic cup | Warmers, lanterns, ambient light | Short burn time |
| Multi-wick | Large container with two or more wicks | Big rooms, strong scent | Burn long enough for full melt pool |
| Wooden wick | Container candle with a flat wooden wick | Crackling sound, cozy mood | Trim shorter; flame is lower and wider |
| Wax melts | Scented wax with no wick, melted in a warmer | Flame-free fragrance | See candles, diffusers and melts |
Container candles
Container candles are the most common scented candles. The vessel holds the melted wax, so the candle can use softer waxes such as soy, which give a strong scent throw. Choose containers made for candles, and stop burning when about half an inch of wax remains. See container vs pillar.
Pillars
Pillars stand on their own, so they need firmer wax. A well-made pillar burns down the middle, leaving a thin outer wall that glows. Always place them on a heat-resistant plate to catch drips.
Tapers
Tapers are classic for dinner tables. They are traditionally made by dipping. Drip-free tapers use harder wax blends. Keep them upright in a snug holder, and away from drafts, which cause dripping and uneven burning.
Votives and tealights
Votives are designed to melt completely, so they must sit in a holder that fits them closely. Tealights come in their own cups and are useful in lanterns and oil or melt warmers.
Multi-wick candles
Wide containers need more than one wick to melt evenly to the edges. Burn them long enough for the melt pool to reach the edges, and trim all wicks to the same length. See trimming the wick.
Wooden-wick candles
Wooden wicks give a gentle crackle and a wide, low flame. They need trimming shorter than cotton wicks, usually about an eighth of an inch, and can be harder to light at first.
Special and decorative candles
- Floating candles for bowls of water.
- Gel candles in clear containers with decorative inclusions.
- Birthday candles, small and fast-burning.
- Emergency candles, unscented with long burn times.
- LED candles, flameless alternatives for safety.
Choosing by room
| Room | Good choice |
|---|---|
| Living room | Multi-wick container |
| Bedroom | Small container or wax melts |
| Dining table | Unscented tapers or pillars, so food aromas are not masked |
| Bathroom | Small container candle |
| Outdoors | Lanterns with tealights or citronella containers |
Whatever the type, never leave a burning candle unattended, keep it away from flammable items and out of reach of children and pets. See candle fire safety.
