Candle warmer quick picks
Editor-favorite candle warmer: Marycele Candle Warmer Lamp
Simply designed candle warmer: Candle Warmers Etc. Original Candle Warmer Plate
Vintage-inspired candle warmer: Geezo Candle Warmer Lamp
Candles are a wonderful way to add ambience and aromatherapy to your home, but they simply aren’t ideal for some households. For those who live with pets or small children or in a building with strict rules, having an open flame around is a no-go — but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the benefits of a scented candle. That’s where candle warmers come into play.
A candle warmer is essentially a heat lamp that melts the wax on your candle, releasing its fragrance in your home, without an open flame. These candle-warming lamps come in a myriad of styles, which we made sure to reflect in our picks so you can find the best one for your space.
Benefits of a candle warmer
“There are so many benefits to a candle lamp warmer. I can’t recommend them enough,” says Kudzi Chikumbu, the candle connoisseur behind Sir Candle Man. We already talked about how they’re a great way to enjoy your candles without having an open flame, but there are a few other benefits, especially when it comes to keeping your candles in good shape.
“Candle lamp warmers help level out the wax on your candle so you won’t have any tunneling, which can lead to wasted wax,” Chikumbu says. “Lastly, for people who like to cherish their candles over time, some people feel that they get more bang for their buck because the melted wax doesn’t evaporate as fast compared to when lighting a candle.”
Another benefit of candle warmers is that they help you get more value out of your candle. Instead of throwing out a candle when the wax is low and the wick no longer lights, Chikumbu likes to put it under his lamp to use the very last bit of wax.
He’s also a fan of candle warmers because they require less of a time commitment than a traditional flame. “Instead of lighting a candle for a short time that might lead to tunneling, I put the candle under the lamp warmer, which ensures the wax remains level and is usable again regardless of whether I choose to light it or warm it under the lamp,” Chikumbu says.
How to use a candle warmer
Even if you’re new to candle warmers, Chikumbu assures us they’re quite simple to figure out. “After you buy one that fits your budget and aesthetic, you place a candle under the lamp and switch it on,” he says. In about 30 minutes, the candle wax will begin melting and emitting fragrance in your home for as long as you leave it on.
“Don’t forget to switch it off when you’re done because, unlike a flame, you may forget about it because you don’t see a flame flickering,” he cautions. If you’re on the forgetful side, many candle warmers come with a built-in timer.
Best candle warmers
With over a dozen styles to choose from, this candle warmer is one of the most popular on Amazon — and it’s also an editor favorite! Our home and gifts editor Amina Lake Abdelrahman has been using it for a few months now, and her candles last so much longer. Its dimmable bulb warms up quickly, which leads to a better scent throw than a flame, and it has a convenient built-in timer.
This candle warmer has a sleek, minimal look that complements most decor styles. The lamp is dimmable, and it's tall enough to work with candles that are up to 6.8 inches in height. Like some of the other options on our list, it also comes with two free replacement bulbs.
Sleek yet whimsical, this midcentury-inspired candle warmer can double as a lamp or portable heater while adding a playful touch to your decor. The bulb is dimmable too, so you can control how quickly your candle melts to get more bang for your buck. It comes in four colors, but the light green (aptly named Matcha) is our favorite.
The geometric detailing on this lantern-style candle warmer makes it stand out from the rest. It's made of matte oil-rubbed bronze, and its design casts an elegant shadow while in use. Most 22-ounce candles should fit inside, as long as they're under 6.25 inches tall.
This candle warmer embodies a minimalist design and can work with candles of all sizes, including your favorite three-wick jars. It includes a dimmable heat lamp so you can set the perfect ambience while you enjoy your scented candle, and it comes in three color options (we love the pink!).
This candle warmer sure knows how to make a statement. Its vintage-inspired design makes for a fun decor piece to add to your home, but it’s also quite functional: It has four brightness settings and features a timer so you can set its warming bulb to turn off after two, four or eight hours of continuous use.
If you care less about the ambience and more about the scent, consider this candle warmer plate that has a no-fuss design. Simply plug it in, place your candle on top and enjoy its aroma. Since it’s an electric warmer, you don't have to worry about replacing batteries or lightbulbs. Just note that it's designed for smaller candles, ranging from 4 to 12 ounces.
With its glass flower-shaped lampshade and dimmable bulb, this candle warmer channels a vintage vibe and is as practical as it is cute. It comes in several colors, including amber, purple and white, and has the essential features: a timer and adjustable brightness.
It's hard to resist this candle warmer's retro charm. It only comes in two colors (each with a slightly different style), but its functionality is generally the same. The base can fit candles up to 6 inches tall, and it has a dimmable bulb (two are included!) and an auto shut-off timer.