When choosing between a candle warmer and a wax melter, consider your preference for fragrance intensity, maintenance, and cost. Candle warmers are ideal if you enjoy the gentle aroma of jarred candles without the hassle of an open flame. They’re versatile and can be used with wax melts when equipped with a special dish. However, they do have a higher upfront cost compared to wax melters, which makes them a more premium option for a safer candle experience.
Wax melters, on the other hand, provide a stronger and quicker fragrance throw by melting wax cubes directly. They are more budget-friendly, especially for those who frequently like to change scents, as wax melts are cheaper and more versatile than candle jars. While they require cleaning between uses, they allow for greater flexibility in your fragrance choices. Ultimately, your choice depends on whether you prefer the convenience and aesthetic appeal of candles or the versatility and stronger scents that wax melts offer.
To give you a detailed idea about the difference between candle warmer and wax melter, we'll cover the following topics in this article:
Table of Contents
Unlike traditional candle burning, it uses no open flame to heat your favorite candles, rather warm them gently to produce a refreshing aroma all around.
Two types of candle warmers are prominent, and they are-
Candle Warmer Plate: These are the bottom-up candle warmers, consisting of a heating plate to heat the candles from the bottom.
Candle Warmer Lamp: The lamp-style warmers are, however, top-down devices with halogen bulbs to heat the candles from above.
With any of the two types, you don't see any flickering flame or burning wick to cause accidental fire; or produce smoke, soot, or residue to damage your walls (or maybe wallpapers).
Thus, electric candle warmers offer a much safer way of enjoying your favorite fragrance, eliminating fire hazards.
Generally speaking, wax melters are electric devices equipped with lids, typically used for producing larger batches of candles by melting pounds of wax at once.
However, when you are looking for home fragrance essentials like candle warmers, apart from these giant tanks, there are smaller and more convenient wax melters, also known as wax warmers.
So, here's the deal:
Designed to melt scented wax melts (small, pre-made wax cubes or tarts, infused with fragrance oil), wax melters fill your space with sensory delight by following the flameless way of fragrance release, much like a candle warmer.
However, they are available in two models-
Here, we will mostly talk about electric melters as the tea light ones use open flame. So, they are pretty similar to burning candles.
So, how do electric wax melters work? Are they the same as candle warmers?
The answer is no. Here you don't put candles, but scented wax melts on the melter's dish or reservoir.
And when you plug in the melter, it slowly warms the wax to liquefy it, dispersing the aroma evenly.
So, it does follow the same heating mechanism as traditional candle warmers, but the heating elements are different.
Before we delve into the details, here's a quick comparison chart between candle warmers vs wax melters:
| Aspect | Candle Warmer | Wax Melter |
| Purpose | Heats candles without burning wicks | Heats pre-made wax melts |
| Used with | Jarred candles | Scented wax melts/ cubes |
| Ease of Use | Simply put the candle jar on the warmer | Put the wax cubes on the melter's dish |
| Fragrance Throw | Slow and subtle aroma release | Quick and strong fragrance flow |
| Safety | No open flames, no fire risks | Electric models are safe from exposed flame, not the tea light ones |
| Versatility | Some models are suitable for wax melts alongside jarred candles | Specifically designed for wax melts |
| Burn Time | Warms candles slowly resulting in longer candle life | Added wax cubes can extend the burn time |
| Cleanup | Candle jars typically create no wax mess | You need to clean the wax dish before adding new cubes |
| Cost | Higher upfront cost | Better value for money in the long run |
Now, let's break down the major points below to decide on the right pick:
Candle warmers are basically for candle lovers who want to forego the open flame hassle.
By liquefying scented candles electrically, they create an inviting aroma without burning wicks or producing soot.
On the other hand, the primary purpose of a wax melter is to disperse enchanting smell by melting wax cubes, emphasizing a better fragrance experience.
Most candle warmers heat the candle jar indirectly, either with a halogen bulb or an electric heat plate.
Thus, it warms the candle wax gently, resulting in a subtle fragrance release.
But when placed in a wax melter's dish, wax cubes receive direct heating, allowing faster melting and stronger fragrance flow.
Thus, you get a slightly better scent intensity from a wax warmer.
In terms of versatility, candle warmers are a little ahead in the race. Some specific models let you use them with wax melts too.
But wait, do you plan to put the wax cubes directly on candle warmers?
Don’t do it unless you want to ruin your device.
Instead, use a flip dish to house the wax melts, and then you can warm the dish with a candle warmer.
Unfortunately, wax melters don't offer the convenience of heating a candle jar.
As I discussed earlier, candle warmers are free of exposed flame, therefore, they are way safer than lighting candles without any potential fire hazards.
Following the same heating mechanism, electric wax melters don't pose any safety concerns, as they are flameless too.
Though tealight melters use an open flame, it's mostly covered by the wax melt dish, reducing the risk of catching fire.
Still, it's better to avoid tealight warmers if you are not a fan of those flickering flames,
Wax melters offer more flexibility in fragrance choice.
Suppose, you like a fruity smell in the morning and a woody aroma in the evening.
No worries, just clean the wax melt dish from the morning and try some new wax cubes to change the mood.
But with candle warmers, it gets a bit more expensive to shift between scents frequently.
After all, wax melts are available at a fraction of cost of a candle jar, and therefore, having multiple wax cubes is way more budget-friendly than having multiple candle jars.
Did you know, you need to clean a wax melter before every use?
And, it could be trickier unless you already know the process.
That's why candle warmers are a safer choice without all the cleaning hassle. Just remove the candle jar, wipe the warmer’s surface, and you are good to go!
Candle warmers offer extended candle life by heating them slowly, but they come with a higher upfront cost.
The reason, however, is that candles are way more expensive than wax melts.
A single candle can cost 2-3 times more than a pack of wax cubes.
Given that, wax melters, although similarly priced as candle warmers, offer a more cost-effective solution to scent your home.
When choosing an ideal home fragrance source, there’s no right or wrong between candle warmers vs wax melters. It all depends on personal preferences.
If you prefer a flame-free candle ambiance with a simple, plug-and-play operation, a candle warmer is your thing.
Plus some exclusive units (particularly lamp warmers) add great aesthetic value to your setup with their sleek white-sprayed architecture.
However, for wider fragrance options at lower cost, greater scent intensity, and better value for money, a wax melter is a wiser purchase.
Then again, you must be prepared to deal with cleaning the wax dish every time you try some new wax cubes.
Seems a great hassle? I suggest picking lamp-style candle warmers for a more convenient fragrance experience.
They disperse a soothing scent and create a welcoming glow at a time, generating a relaxing atmosphere altogether.
Yes, you can use a candle warmer as a wax melt. As candle warmers come in wide varieties, there are some specific models that work for both candle jars and scented wax melts.
Let's break down the science behind this:
Wax melts are made of the same wax as traditional candles, coming in smaller cubes. So, candle warmers can melt them quite efficiently.
However, you have to add a wax dish on the warmer to hold the wax melts, as candler warmers are not designed for no-container wax.
Aside from creating a wax mess on the warmer base, it may affect the overall performance of the unit.
Don't make a mistake, follow the rules, and wax melts will absolutely transform your home fragrance experience.
However, we highly recommend checking the user manual before you use a candle warmer with wax melts.
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We have something better to offer.
Our premium Mickey-Mouse Candle Warmer Lamp could be your perfect home fragrance companion with a lot of additional benefits.
With an adjustable height, it can accommodate various candle sizes based on your preferences.
Ergonomc LLC
30 N Gould St Ste R
Sheridan, WY 82801
+1 (929) 312-6528
support@ergonomc.com
