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candle wax guide

Find the best type of wax for your candles!

What is the best wax for candles?

'Which wax should I use?' and 'What's the best candle wax?' These are common questions we hear from candle makers.

While there isn't one simple answer for selecting the right wax, there are many good choices available for your candle making—and we're here to help you understand the different options!

With numerous types of candle wax available, selecting the best wax for your project comes down to these considerations:

  • The type of candle you're making. A pillar candle requires a different wax than a container candle!
  • Preference for using natural wax. Some makers choose natural options like soy or beeswax, while others prioritize the strongest hot throw possible with paraffin wax and blends.
  • The color and texture you're seeking. Looking for bold colors in your candles? Want to make candles with a frost-free finish? Your wax selection affects these aesthetics.
  • Particular burn quality and fragrance throw. For example, a lower melting point wax like soy offers a slow burn. Paraffin wax, on the other hand, is prized for its superior hot throw.

For beginning candle makers, we recommend starting with CandleScience Coconut Apricot Wax because of its high performance, aesthetic quality, and all-around ease of use. However, with some testing, you may find other types of candle wax better meet your unique needs. Please check out our candle wax guide for a breakdown of which wax to use to make your candles.

And if you have candle wax questions after looking through this guide, please contact our helpful Support Team for more assistance.


Custom Wax

Product Use Form Max Fragrance Melt Point Pour Temp Rec. Wicks
Product
CandleScience Coconut Apricot Wax

A user-friendly, single-pour container wax ideal for luxury candles, offering strong hot throw and smooth tops.

Use Containers Form Soft Slab Max Fragrance 1.6oz./lb or 10% Melt Point 121-131°F Pour Temp 175℉
(± 5℉)
Wicks
Product
CandleScience CocoSol Soy Pillar Wax

A custom, natural wax blend developed for high fragrance loads in wax melts and pillars, CocoSol is a blend of coconut, sunflower, and soy wax, that offers optimal scent throw over competing waxes.

Use Pillars, Tarts, Wax Melts Form Pastilles Max Fragrance 4 oz./lb or 25% Melt Point 128-136°F Pour Temp 175℉
(± 5℉)
Wicks

Natural Soy Wax

Product Use Form Max Fragrance Melt Point Pour Temp Rec. Wicks
Product
Golden Brands 464 Soy Wax

This is our bestselling wax. Made from American-grown soybeans, 464 contains a soy-based additive to reduce frosting, improve jar adhesion and strengthen scent throw in container candles. A popular choice for first-time and seasoned candle makers alike!

Use Containers, Tealights Form Flake Max Fragrance 1.6oz./lb or 10% Melt Point 113-119℉ Pour Temp 135℉ Wicks
Product
Golden Brands 444 Soy Wax

This soy wax includes additional soy-based additives to reduce frosting, but not as much as 464. Has a higher melting point than 464, which reduces the risk of melting in warm weather. Some makers who primarily use 464 switch to 444 in the summer so soy wax candles that are shipped can withstand higher temperatures while in transit.

Use Containers, Tealights Form Flake Max Fragrance 1.6oz./lb or 10% Melt Point 119-125℉ Pour Temp 135℉ Wicks
Product
Golden Wax 415 Soy Wax

Soy wax with no additives. 415 is ideal for making your own soy wax blend and it blends well with all types of waxes. Not intended to be used independently.

Use Containers, Tealights Form Flake Max Fragrance 1.6oz./lb or 10% Melt Point 121-125℉ Pour Temp 95℉
(± 5℉)
Wicks
Product
Blended Waxes® Pillar Soy Wax (BW-921)

BW-921 is an excellent natural pillar wax for creating smooth and creamy structural pillar candles, melts, and other molded products that resist frosting. It exhibits very good scent throw, vibrant colors, and good mold release.

Use Pillars, Tarts, Votives, Wax Melts Form Pastilles Max Fragrance 1.6oz./lb. or 10% Melt Point 135℉ Pour Temp 170℉
(± 5℉)
Wicks
Product
EcoSoya PB Pillar Soy Wax

For melts, tarts, votive candles, and pillars. Makes smooth and creamy structural candles that can be burned or used for decorative purposes..

Use Pillars, Tarts, Votives, Wax Melts Form Pastilles Max Fragrance 1oz./lb. or 6% Melt Point 131℉ Pour Temp 160℉
(± 5℉)
Wicks
Product
EcoSoya CB-Advanced Soy Wax

Resistant to frosting and retains color consistently. Made with 100% soy and soy-based additives.

Use Containers, Tealights Form Pastilles Max Fragrance 1.6oz./lb. or 10% Melt Point 100℉ Pour Temp 150℉
(± 5℉)
Wicks
Product
EcoSoya CB 135 Soy Wax

Good scent throw and glass adhesion with smooth, even tops.

Use Containers, Tealights Form Pastilles Max Fragrance 1.6oz./lb. or 10% Melt Point 100℉ Pour Temp 135℉
(± 5℉)
Wicks
Product
SoyMax M124B

100% soy wax with no additives. Blends well with natural vegetable waxes or paraffin waxes. Performs best when blended with other waxes.

Use Containers, Tealights Form Pastilles Max Fragrance 1oz./lb or 6% Melt Point 120℉ Pour Temp 160℉
(± 1℉)
Wicks

Soy-Natural Wax Blends

Product Use Form Max Fragrance Melt Point Pour Temp Rec. Wicks
Product
Golden Brands 454 Coconut Soy Wax

The benefits of soy wax with a boost of coconut wax for reduced frosting and a smooth finish.

Use Containers, Tealights Form Flake Max Fragrance 10% Melt Point 114-124°F Pour Temp 170℉
(± 14℉)
Wicks

Paraffin-Natural Wax Blends

Product Use Form Max Fragrance Melt Point Pour Temp Rec. Wicks
Product
IGI 6006 Paraffin/Soy Blend Wax

Our most popular wax for those wanting to branch out from soy, IGI 6006 combines the fragrance throw and easy burning of paraffin, with the appealing look and usability of soy.

Use Containers, Tealights Form Soft Slab Max Fragrance 1.6oz./lb. or 10% Melt Point 133℉ Pour Temp 170℉
(± 5℉)
Wicks
Product
IGI 6046 Coconut/Paraffin Blend Wax

The slow burn of coconut and the great scent throw of paraffin combine into this bright white container wax.

Use Containers, Tealights Form Very Soft Block Max Fragrance 1.6oz./lb. or 10% Melt Point 120℉ Pour Temp 175℉
(± 5℉)
Wicks
Product
IGI 6028 Paraffin/Soy Pillar Blend Wax

This pillar wax blend combines the fragrance throw and easy burning of paraffin, with the appealing look and usability of soy.

Use Pillars, Tarts, Votives, Wax Melts Form Hard Slab Max Fragrance 1.5oz./lb. or 9% Melt Point 133℉ Pour Temp 180℉
(± 5℉)
Wicks
Product
Blended Waxes® Paraffin/Soy Wax (BW-910)

This wax blend combines the fragrance throw and easy burning of paraffin with the appealing look and usability of soy. It offers a lower melt point than the comparable IGI 6006 Paraffin/Soy Blend.

Use Containers, Tealights Form Soft Slab Max Fragrance 1.6oz./lb. or 10% Melt Point 120℉ Pour Temp 160℉
(± 2℉)
Wicks

Paraffin Wax

Product Use Form Max Fragrance Melt Point Pour Temp Rec. Wicks
Product
IGI 4630 Harmony Blend Wax

We recommend this paraffin wax because of its exceptional hot and cold throw with fragrance oils, single-pour properties and good jar adhesion. Smooth and slightly glossy appearance.

Use Containers, Tealights Form Soft Slab Max Fragrance 1.6oz./lb. or 10% Melt Point 119℉ Pour Temp 170℉
(± 5℉)
Wicks
Product
IGI 4627 Comfort Blend Wax

Very soft wax that holds the most fragrance of any of the paraffin waxes we carry. Excellent cold and hot throw. Good single-pour properties and good glass adhesion. Smooth and glossy appearance.

Use Containers, Tealights Form Very Soft Block Max Fragrance 2oz./lb. or 12% Melt Point 125℉ Pour Temp 180℉
(± 5℉)
Wicks
Product
IGI 4625 Pillar and Votive Blend Wax

A top-performing, pre-blended pillar and votive wax. Accepts dyes and colors well and has good mold release.

Use Pillars, Votives, Wax Melts, Tarts Form Hard Slab Max Fragrance 1oz./lb. or 6% Melt Point 142℉ Pour Temp 180℉
(± 5℉)
Wicks
Product
IGI 1239 A Paraffin Wax

An extremely versatile, refined paraffin wax with strong scent throw. It works great for pillar candless, votives, tarts, and cut-and-carve candles. This hard, translucent wax produces candles with a mottled appearance.

Use Pillars, Votives, Wax Melts, Tarts Form Hard Slab Max Fragrance 0.5oz./lb. or 3% Melt Point 138℉ Pour Temp 180℉
(± 5℉)
Wicks
Product
Paraffin Container Wax (MP-117)

A high-performance, single-pour container wax with minimal shrinkage, this wax requires no additional additives.

Use Containers, Tealights Form Soft Slab Max Fragrance 1 oz./lb or 6% Melt Point 117℉ Pour Temp 170℉
(± 5℉)
Wicks
Product
Paraffin Pillar Wax (MP-137)

A paraffin wax with excellent scent throw, MP-137 comes in pastille form for easy scooping.

Use Pillars, Tarts, Votives, Wax Melts Form Pastilles Max Fragrance 1 oz./lb or 6% Melt Point 135-140℉ Pour Temp 180℉
(± 5℉)
Wicks

Beeswax

Product Use Form Max Fragrance Melt Point Pour Temp Rec. Wicks
Product
White Beeswax

Pure beeswax that has been filtered to remove its natural color. White beeswax accepts dye well and produces vibrant colors. Beeswax can be a challenging wax to work with because of its high melt point and hardness, which makes wicking difficult. Generally not recommended for first-time candle makers.

Use Containers, Tealights, Pillars, Votives Form Granules Max Fragrance n/a Melt Point 144℉ Pour Temp 178℉
(± 5℉)
Wicks
n/a
Product
Yellow Beeswax

Pure beeswax with a subtle honey scent. Pair with essential oils for all-natural beeswax candles. Beeswax can be a challenging wax to work with because of its high melt point and hardness, which makes wicking difficult. Generally not recommended for first-time candle makers.

Use Containers, Tealights, Pillars, Votives Form Granules Max Fragrance n/a Melt Point 144℉ Pour Temp 175℉
(± 5℉)
Wicks
n/a

*The information and recommendations of this candle wax guide are based on our testing and experience.