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There are a few factors to consider when finding the best candle wax. The type of wax, the fragrance, and the colour can all play a role in making your final decision. There are six main types of wax: paraffin, beeswax, soy, coconut, rapeseed, and palm. Each type has its own unique properties that can make it better or worse for certain types of candles.
According to our survey of over 80 candle makers, IGI 4630 is the best candle wax on the market. This paraffin wax provides a great hot throw and is easy to work with. In second place is GB464, a soy wax that is the perfect alternative to IGI 4630.
In this article, we will review the opinions of more than 80 candle makers we surveyed to answer the question of the best candle wax. Read on to see our analysis and which candle waxes are some of the best on the market. This includes the runners-up and the best of each wax type. Let’s dive in!
What are the different types of candle wax?
Paraffin Wax
Paraffin wax is the most popular type of wax for candles. It is made from petroleum and has a high melting point, so it is ideal for making candles that will last a long time. Paraffin wax is also very easy to find and is usually less expensive than other types of wax. You can find everything you need to know about paraffin wax with our guide.
Beeswax
Beeswax is another popular type of wax for candles. It is made from the beeswax that covers the honeycombs in beehives. Beeswax is a natural product and is considered to be eco-friendly. It also has a low melting point, so it is ideal for making candles that will burn quickly. We provide a detailed review of beeswax in our beeswax guide.
Soy Wax
Soy wax is made from soybeans and is a renewable resource. Soy wax is also biodegradable, so it is considered to be eco-friendly. Soy wax has a low melting point and a creamy texture, making it ideal for making candles that are soft and have a smooth texture. Our soy wax guide has conducted an in-depth review of soy wax.
Coconut Wax
Coconut wax is made from the oil of coconuts. It has a high melting point and a firm texture, making it ideal for making candles that will last a long time. Coconut wax is also considered to be eco-friendly. You can learn more about coconut wax in our ultimate guide to coconut wax.
Rapeseed Wax
Rapeseed wax is made from the rapeseed plant. It is a renewable resource and is biodegradable. Rapeseed wax has a high melting point and a creamy texture, making it ideal for making candles that are soft and have a smooth texture. We have covered rapeseed wax in-depth in our ultimate guide to rapeseed wax – check it out.
Palm Wax
Palm wax is made from the oil of palm trees. It is renewable and biodegradable. Palm wax has a low melting point and a firm texture, making it ideal for making candles that will burn quickly. Our guide on palm wax will provide further details on using this type of wax, including the benefits and drawbacks.
What is the best candle wax?
According to our survey of over 80 candle makers, the best candle wax on the market is IGI 4630, paraffin wax. You can see the top ten waxes in the table below.
Rank | Candle Wax | Type of Wax | Number of Users |
1 | IGI 4630 | Paraffin | 12 |
2 | GB 464 | Soy | 11 |
3 | IGI R2322A Glass Glow | Palm | 6 |
4 | Calumet 5961 | Paraffin Blend | 5 |
4 | IGI 6006 | Parasoy | 5 |
4 | Soy C3 | Soy | 5 |
5 | Clarus 3022 | Parasoy | 4 |
5 | Sky Organics Beeswax | Beeswax | 4 |
5 | IGI 4625 | Paraffin Blend | 4 |
6 | Millennium Soy Wax | Soy | 3 |
Our analysis of 80 candle makers answers
To answer this pressing question, we asked 80 candle makers their opinions on what the best candle wax is during their testing. The results were interesting, with many participants picking from various waxes as their go-to choice. You can see the analysis below.
What is the best Paraffin Wax for candles?
According to the 80 participants in the survey, IGI 4630 is the best paraffin wax on the market. This is followed by Calumet 5961 as the second favourite in the survey. This is a paraffin blend and not purely paraffin. We have listed the top choices for paraffin and paraffin blends below.
Remember, even if the wax has one vote, it was still identified as a top performer among our participants. There are many wax blends on the market, so to make it into this list is an achievement.
Rank | Candle Wax | Type of Wax | Number of Users |
1 | IGI 4630 | Paraffin | 12 |
2 | Calumet 5961 | Paraffin Blend | 5 |
3 | IGI 4625 | Paraffin Blend | 4 |
4 | CBL125 | Paraffin Blend | 3 |
4 | IGI 4627 | Paraffin Blend | 3 |
5 | IGI 1239 | Paraffin | 2 |
6 | CBL 141 | Paraffin | 1 |
6 | IGI 1260 | Paraffin | 1 |
6 | IGI 4636 (J50) | Paraffin | 1 |
6 | IGI 4786 & Beeswax | Paraffin | 1 |
What is the best Soy Wax for candles?
According to the 80 participants in the survey, GB 464 is the best soy wax on the market. In joint second place, we have Soy C3 and IGI 6006, with 5 participants voting for these as their go-to waxes when producing candles for the best finished product. You can see the runners-up and rankings in the table below.
Rank | Candle Wax | Type of Wax | Number of Users |
1 | GB 464 | Soy | 11 |
2 | IGI 6006 | Parasoy | 5 |
2 | Soy C3 | Soy | 5 |
3 | Clarus 3022 | Parasoy | 4 |
4 | Millennium Soy Wax | Soy | 3 |
5 | GB 444 | Soy | 2 |
5 | IGI 6006 | Parasoy | 1 |
5 | KY Parasoy | Parasoy | 1 |
What is the best Coconut Wax for candles?
Our 80 participants identified Mould Master Coconut as their favourite coconut blend wax. This is wax that is a blend of rapeseed and coconut. You can review the wax’s properties in this article’s properties section.
What is the best Beeswax for candles?
Our 80 participants identified Sky Organics Beeswax as their favourite candle-making beeswax. The runner-up wax was Too Get White Beeswax, which waxes a close second in the survey.
Rank | Candle Wax | Type of Wax | Number of Users |
1 | Sky Organics Beeswax | Beeswax | 4 |
2 | Too Get White Beeswax | Beeswax | 3 |
What is the best Palm Wax for candles?
According to our 80 candle makers, IGI R2322A Glass Glow was their favourite palm wax that they use to make beautiful candles that wow their friends and customers. You can look at the wax’s properties in the properties section of this article.
What is the best Rapeseed Wax for candles?
Our 80 participants identified Mould Master Rapeseed as their favourite Rapeseed blend wax. This is wax that is a blend of rapeseed and coconut. You can review the wax’s properties in this article’s properties section.
What are the properties of the most used candle waxes?
Below you will find a table of the properties of the candle waxes in our survey. This includes:
- The melting, pouring, fragrance, and colour temperatures.
- The candles use.
- The number of required pours.
- The fragrance load.
- The suggested wicks for each wax.
What can the candle waxes be used for?
Candle Wax | Number Of Users | Type of Wax | Use |
IGI 4630 | 12 | Paraffin | Container, Tea Light |
GB 464 | 11 | Soy | Container, Tea Light |
IGI R2322A Glass Glow | 6 | Palm | Container, Tea Light |
Calumet 5961 | 5 | Paraffin Blend | Container, Tea Light |
IGI 6006 | 5 | Parasoy | Container, Tea Light |
Soy C3 | 5 | Soy | Container, Tea Light, Wax Melts, Votives |
Clarus 3022 | 4 | Parasoy | Container, Tea Light |
IGI 4625 | 4 | Paraffin Blend | Pillar, Votive |
CBL125 | 3 | Paraffin Blend | Container, Tea Light |
Millennium Soy Wax | 3 | Soy | Container, Tea Light |
IGI 4627 | 3 | Paraffin Blend | Container, Tea Light |
IGI 1239 | 2 | Paraffin | Pillar, Votive, Wax Melts, Sculpture |
CBL 141 | 1 | Paraffin | Votive, Pillar, Wax Melts |
GB 444 | 2 | Soy | Container, Tea Light |
IGI 1260 | 1 | Paraffin | Votive, Sculpture |
IGI 6006 | 1 | Parasoy | Container, Tea Light |
IGI 4636 (J50) | 1 | Paraffin | Container, Tea Light |
KY Parasoy | 1 | Parasoy | Votive, Wax Melts |
IGI 4786 & Beeswax | 1 | Paraffin | Container, Tea Light |
Mould Master Coconut | 3 | Coconut | Wax Melts, Tea Light |
Sky Organics Beeswax | 4 | Beeswax | Container, Tea Light, Wax Melts, Votives |
What is the best wax for pillar candles?
Based upon our analysis of 80 candle makers, the best candle wax for pillar candles is IGI 4625 which is a paraffin wax blend.
What is the best wax for container candles?
Based upon our analysis of 80 candle makers, the best candle wax for container candles is IGI 4630 which is a paraffin wax.
What is the best wax for tea lights?
Based upon our analysis of 80 candle makers, the best candle wax for container candles is IGI 4630, a paraffin wax.
What is the best wax for votive candles?
Based upon our analysis of 80 candle makers, the best candle wax for pillar candles is IGI 4625 which is a paraffin wax blend.
What is the best wax for wax melts?
Based upon our analysis of 80 candle makers, the best candle wax for pillar candles is Soy C3 which is a paraffin wax blend.
What are the melting and temperatures for these waxes?
Candle Wax | Melting Point | Colour Temperature | Fragrance Temperature | Pouring Temperature |
IGI 4630 | 120 | 185 | 185 | 160 – 180 |
GB 464 | 113 – 119 | 185 | 185 | 130 – 140 |
IGI R2322A Glass Glow | 150 – 160 | 200 | 200 | 200 – 205 |
Calumet 5961 | 138 | 185 | 185 | 155 |
IGI 6006 | 133 | 185 | 185 | 165 – 175 |
Soy C3 | 124 – 130 | 185 | 185 | 140 – 150 |
Clarus 3022 | 125 -140 | 185 | 185 | 165 – 175 |
CBL125 | 128 – 130 | 180 – 185 | 155 – 160 | 155 |
IGI 4625 | 131 | 185 | 185 | 175 – 185 |
Millennium Soy Wax | 130 | 160 | 160 | 115 |
IGI 4627 | 125 | 185 | 185 | 175 – 185 |
IGI 1239 | 138 | 185 | 185 | 180 |
CBL 141 | 144 | 185 | 185 | 175 – 185 |
GB 444 | 119 – 125 | 185 | 185 | 135 |
IGI 1260 | 163 | 185 | 185 | 180 |
IGI 6006 | 133 | 185 | 185 | 165 – 185 |
IGI 4636 (J50) | 128 | 170 | 170 | 150 – 160 |
KY Parasoy | 132 | 160 -175 | 160 -175 | 150 – 160 |
IGI 4786 & Beeswax | 124 | 200 | 200 | 180 – 190 |
Mould Master Coconut | 167 | 113 – 149 | 113 – 149 | 113 – 149 |
Sky Organics Beeswax | 145 | 130 – 140 | 130 – 140 | 130 – 140 |
Recommended wicks, number of pours and fragrance loads
Candle Wax | Number of Pours (up to 24oz) | Fragrance Load (%) | Suggested Wicks |
IGI 4630 | 1 | 0.08 – 0.10 | Zinc Core, Paper Core, CD, Hemp |
GB 464 | 1 | 0.1 | CD, ECO |
IGI R2322A Glass Glow | 1 | 0.03 | CSN |
Calumet 5961 | 1 | 0.08 | CD |
IGI 6006 | 1 | 0.1 | CD, ECO |
Soy C3 | 1 | 0.1 | CD, ECO |
Clarus 3022 | 1 | 0.1 | Paper Core |
CBL125 | 1 | 0.08 | Zinc Core, LX, RRD, CD, HTP |
IGI 4625 | 2 | 0.06 – 0.08 | LX |
Millennium Soy Wax | 1 | 0.12 | ECO, HTP, RRD, W1700 |
IGI 4627 | 1 | 0.12 | LX |
IGI 1239 | 2 | 0.03 | LX |
CBL 141 | 2 | 0.06 – 0.08 | LX |
GB 444 | 1 | 0.1 | CD, ECO |
IGI 1260 | 2 | 0.06 | LX |
IGI 6006 | 1 | 0.1 | CD, ECO |
IGI 4636 (J50) | 1 | 0.06 – 0.1 | CD, ECO |
KY Parasoy | 2 | 0.1 | Zinc Core, Wood, CD |
IGI 4786 & Beeswax | 1 | 0.15 | Zinc Core |
Mould Master Coconut | 1 | 0.15 | ECO |
Sky Organics Beeswax | 1 | 0.09 – 0.11 | Square Braid |
What type of wax is the best for candles?
According to the answers from the 80 participants, Paraffin Wax is the best wax for candle making. Based on the analysis, we can rank the best candle waxes in the order below. Our ranking below is not indicative of personal preference; people will have personal preferences. However, according to our sample, the rankings below are the most used and preferred waxes in the sample surveyed.
Choosing Your Favourite Wax
There are many different types of candle wax available on the market. The best wax for your candles will depend on several factors, including:
- The type of wick you are using.
- The scent you want to add to your candles.
- The colour you want your candles to be.
- The type of container you are using.
- The type of wax you are using.
We suggest you read our article about the difference between container waxes and pillar waxes and how this is important for the candle you want to make. All waxes are not suitable in all scenarios, especially when you want to make tarts and pillar candles. Container waxes will not work for these projects.
The best type of wax for candles is ultimately up to the individual candle maker. Different types of wax will produce different results, so it is essential to experiment with them to see what works best for you.
How to test your candle wax choice?
The best way to test your wax choice is to make a small batch of candles. This will allow you to see how the wax burns, smells, and looks in the finished product. Once you have decided on a particular wax, you can move on to making larger batches of candles.
You can review our article on conducting a proper burn test to ensure that you are testing your candles correctly. This will allow you to ensure that each test uses the same variables and that the results are accurate and fair between different wax types.
Choosing Your Fragrance
Once you have decided on the type of wax, the next step is to choose a fragrance. Many different types of fragrance oils can be used to scent candles. The most popular scents for candles are citrus, floral, and woodsy.
When choosing a fragrance oil, it is essential to choose one compatible with the type of wax you are using. Not all fragrance oils will work with all kinds of wax.
In our article on the subject, you can learn more about choosing the right fragrance oil for your candles.
Choosing Your Wick Types
The type of wick you use will also impact the performance of your candles. Different wicks work better with different kinds of wax.
For example, zinc core wicks are not recommended for use with soy wax. This is because they can cause the candles to produce soot. Cotton wicks, on the other hand, work well with soy wax and are the preferred type of wick for soy candles.
When choosing a wick, you need to take into account the following factors:
- The type of wax you are using.
- The type of container you are using.
- The size of the candle.
In our article on the subject, you can learn more about choosing the right wick for your candles.
Choosing Your Candles Colour
The last step in choosing the best candle wax is to decide on a colour. Candle wax can be dyed with natural or synthetic dyes. The most popular colours for candles are white, pink, and blue.
When choosing a colour for your candles, you need to take into account the following factors:
- The type of wax you are using.
- The type of container you are using.
- Your preferred appearance of the candle.
- The message behind the colour of your candle colour.
You can learn more about choosing the right colour for your candles in our article.
Final Thoughts
The best candle wax is ultimately up to the individual candle maker. Different types of wax will produce different results, so it is essential to experiment with them to see what works best for you. According to our 80 participants, the best candle wax is IGI 4630. If you want to avoid paraffin wax, you can use GB464, Sky Organics White Beeswax, Mould Master Coconut, or IGI R2322A Glass Glow.
Your choice will come down to your personal preferences with the different wax types. We suggest you check out our ultimate guides to each wax type so you can get a feel for each of the waxes before you choose.
What is your favourite wax? Let us know by contacting us. If you want to get involved in our following survey, get in touch, and we will add you to our email list.
As always, happy candle-making!