How to Choose a Candle Warmer: Warming Plates, Lamps and Wax Melt Warmers Compared

A candle warmer lets you enjoy the scent of a candle without lighting the wick. Instead of a flame, gentle heat melts the wax so the fragrance can fill the room. They’re popular in homes with pets or small children and in dorms and apartments where open flames aren’t allowed. Here is how the main types work and how to pick the right one.

How candle warmers work

Fragrance in a candle is carried by the wax. When the wax melts, the fragrance evaporates into the air; this is what candle makers call “scent throw.” A flame is one way to melt wax, but heat from a warming plate or bulb does the same job without burning the wick.

Because the wick never burns, there is no flame, no smoke from a snuffed wick and no soot from a flickering flame. The wax itself doesn’t disappear the way it does when a candle burns, but over time the fragrance in it fades. When a warmed candle stops smelling like much, it’s done.

The three main types

Warming plates

A warming plate is a small heated pad that a jar candle sits on. It melts the wax from the bottom up.

• Good for: jar candles with flat bottoms, and travel tins.
• Watch for: plates that are too small for wide jars, or too weak to melt a large candle all the way across.

Warmer lamps

A warmer lamp looks like a small table lamp. A bulb in the shade shines down onto an open jar candle and melts the wax from the top. Many have a dimmer to control how much wax melts and an adjustable height to fit different jars.

• Good for: larger jar candles, and anyone who wants the warmer to double as soft accent lighting.
• Watch for: the bulb type and wattage the maker specifies. Use only the replacement bulb the manufacturer recommends.

Wax melt warmers

These have a small dish on top, warmed by a bulb or heating plate underneath. Instead of a jar candle, you add wax melts (small scented cubes or shapes). Some are plug-in models that go straight into a wall outlet. Read more in our guide to the benefits of candle melts.

• Good for: switching scents often, small spaces, and using up leftover wax.
• Watch for: tealight-style melt burners, which use a real flame and don’t give you the flame-free benefit.

Features to look for

• The right size. Measure your favorite jar’s diameter and height and check them against the warmer’s limits.
• A timer or auto shut-off. This is the single most useful safety feature. Many warmers offer settings that switch off after a few hours.
• Adjustable heat or dimmer. Lets you turn the scent up for a party or down for a bedroom.
• A stable, weighted base that won’t tip if bumped.
• Easy bulb replacement for lamps and melt warmers.

Which candles work best on a warmer

Almost any jar candle can be warmed, but some work better than others:

• Flat-bottomed glass jars or metal tins sit evenly on plates.
• Wider jars suit lamps, which melt the surface across the whole top.
• Natural waxes such as soy and coconut-soy melt at lower temperatures and respond well to gentle heat. Our guide to soy and natural wax candles explains the differences.

A few to try on a warmer:

• The Stargaze candle, with bergamot, sandalwood and grapefruit notes. It’s a warm, woody scent that works in a living room or office.
• The Sweet Gardenia jewelry candle, a large 18 oz coconut-soy candle with gardenia, rose and vanilla notes.
• The Crescent Hotel candle, with oak, citrus and neroli, named for the Arkansas hotel often called “America’s Most Haunted Hotel.” A fun pick for fall.

Candle warmer vs. burning the wick

Warmers and flames each have a place. A warmer is great for steady, all-day scent and for rooms where you don’t want a flame. Burning a candle gives you the glow and ambiance that a warmer can’t, and often a stronger scent throw.

If you switch between the two, burn the candle long enough to melt the surface evenly when you do light it. Short burns after warming can lead to tunneling; our guide to fixing candle tunneling explains why. If you’re looking for other flame-free ideas, see candle alternatives for fragrancing your home.

Safety tips

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, including maximum jar size and bulb wattage.
• Use the timer, and switch the warmer off when you leave home or go to bed.
• Set the warmer on a stable, heat-safe surface away from curtains and paper.
• Keep it out of reach of children and pets. The plate, bulb and melted wax get hot.
• Don’t move a candle while the wax is liquid. Let it cool and harden first.
• Never light the wick of a candle that’s sitting on a warming plate.

FAQ

How long does a candle last on a warmer?

It depends on the candle and how long the warmer runs each day. The wax doesn’t burn away, so the candle is “used up” when the scent fades.

Can I use a warmer with any candle?

Most jar candles work. Avoid jars that aren’t heat-safe, and check the size limits for your warmer. Pillar candles without a container aren’t suitable for warming plates.

Is a warmer safer than a lit candle?

There’s no open flame, which removes some risks, but warmers still get hot and are electrical appliances, so use them with the same care.

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