Candle-making is more than just a craft or hobby. For many, it’s a creative outlet, a small business venture, or a therapeutic way to unwind. Whether you’re new to the world of candles or looking to improve your skills, one of the first and most important decisions you’ll make is choosing the right wax. The type of wax you use affects how your candle burns, how it smells, how it looks, and how long it lasts.

With a growing number of options on the market in 2025, from eco-friendly choices to high-performance blends, it can feel confusing to decide which wax is right for your specific needs. In this in-depth guide, we will cover the top eight candle waxes used by makers around the world. You’ll learn what they are made of, their pros and cons, what types of candles they are best for, and how to work with them.

Let’s explore each wax one by one so you can find your perfect match.

1. Soy Wax

Soy wax is one of the most popular waxes used in candle making today. It is made from soybeans, which are a renewable resource. This wax is often used by people who prefer natural or eco-friendly ingredients in their products. It is a great choice for beginners and experienced candle makers alike.

Advantages:

• Made from plants and fully biodegradable
• Burns clean without producing harmful smoke
• Has a lower melting point, which means a slower burn and longer-lasting candle
• Works well in containers like glass jars
• Excellent for holding natural essential oils and fragrances
• Affordable and widely available

Disadvantages:

• Can form a frosty or uneven appearance after cooling
• Does not always perform well in hot or humid climates unless additives are used
• Not as strong in scent throw as paraffin when used alone

Best Uses:

Soy wax is perfect for container candles, especially if you want an eco-conscious product that looks clean and modern. It works great for personalized gifts, home décor, or small-batch production.

2. Paraffin Wax

Paraffin wax is one of the oldest and most commonly used candle waxes in the industry. It is a petroleum-based wax, meaning it comes from crude oil. Despite being synthetic, many candle makers still choose paraffin because it offers unbeatable performance in terms of scent throw, color, and finish.

Advantages:

• Excellent at holding and releasing strong fragrance
• Produces bright and vibrant colored candles
• Burns evenly with a strong flame
• Melts easily and cools quickly, making it easy to work with
• One of the most affordable waxes available

Disadvantages:

• Comes from a non-renewable source (petroleum)
• Produces more soot compared to natural waxes if the wick is not trimmed properly
• Some customers may avoid it due to environmental concerns

Best Uses:

Paraffin wax is best used for highly scented candles, colorful designs, votives, pillars, and taper candles. It is especially good for commercial candle makers who need consistent results at a low cost.

3. Beeswax

Beeswax is a completely natural wax produced by honeybees. It has been used for centuries for candle making and is still loved for its clean burn, natural golden color, and subtle honey scent. Because it comes directly from the hive, beeswax is often considered a luxury wax.

Advantages:

• 100 percent natural and chemical-free
• Naturally aromatic with a mild honey scent
• Burns longer than many other waxes
• Produces very little smoke or soot
• It may help purify indoor air by releasing negative ions

Disadvantages:

• More expensive than other types of wax
• Not ideal for strong added fragrances since its natural scent can overpower them
• Can be difficult to color and mold due to its high melting point

Best Uses:

Beeswax is ideal for tapers, votives, and container candles when you want a natural, elegant feel. It is also great for people who are sensitive to synthetic fragrances or who want a candle that is as close to nature as possible.

4. Coconut Wax

Coconut wax is a newer addition to the candle making world but is quickly becoming a favorite for luxury candle brands. It is made by cold-pressing coconut meat and then refining the oil into wax. This wax is creamy, smooth, and very soft, so it is often mixed with other harder waxes to improve its performance.

Advantages:

• Made from a renewable and sustainable crop
• Burns cleanly and slowly
• Has one of the best scent throws among natural waxes
• Creates a smooth, glossy finish when cooled
• Provides excellent fragrance retention for essential oils

Disadvantages:

• Generally more expensive and harder to find
• Too soft to use on its own for pillar candles or tapers
• Often sold as part of a wax blend rather than pure coconut wax

Best Uses:

Coconut wax is ideal for luxury container candles. It works wonderfully with natural scents, botanical infusions, and essential oils. If you are creating a premium candle brand, coconut wax will help set your product apart.

5. Palm Wax

Palm wax is made from palm oil and is known for its hard texture and beautiful crystallized finish. It can create unique surface patterns, such as feathering or marbling, which adds a decorative touch to any candle. While visually stunning, palm wax does come with environmental concerns unless sourced responsibly.

Advantages:

• Produces a hard, durable candle that holds its shape well
• Ideal for making pillars and votive candles
• Creates stunning visual effects as it cools
• Has a long burn time and good scent throw

Disadvantages:

• Not suitable for container candles unless blended
• Environmental concerns related to palm oil production
• Must look for RSPO-certified or sustainable sources to ensure ethical practices

Best Uses:

Palm wax is best for freestanding candles like pillars and molded designs. Its decorative finish makes it ideal for artistic or holiday candles that serve as both lighting and décor.

6. Gel Wax

Gel wax is a clear, jelly-like substance made from mineral oil and a polymer resin. Unlike other waxes, it is see-through, which makes it possible to embed objects such as seashells, glitter, or small decorations inside the candle. Gel wax is not actually a true wax, but it behaves similarly in candle applications.

Advantages:

• Transparent appearance allows for creative designs
• Long-lasting burn time
• Holds fragrance well
• Perfect for novelty and decorative candles

Disadvantages:

• Requires specific wicks and safety testing due to its unique burn properties
• Not suitable for pillar candles
• Made from synthetic materials

Best Uses:

Gel wax is perfect for decorative candles, especially when you want to showcase objects inside the candle. It is commonly used in themed candle gifts, aquarium-style candles, or coastal designs.

7. Blended Wax (Soy-Paraffin, Coconut-Soy, etc.)

Blended waxes combine the benefits of two or more waxes to create a product with better performance, appearance, or ease of use. Common blends include soy-paraffin, coconut-soy, and beeswax-coconut. These waxes are often sold as pre-formulated mixes to candle makers.

Advantages:

• Improved scent throw and burn consistency
• Easier to pour and mold depending on the blend
• Combines the best features of different waxes
• Often designed for specific candle types like containers or melts

Disadvantages:

• Not always 100 percent natural
• Requires experimentation to get consistent results if blending yourself
• May be more expensive than single-ingredient waxes

Best Uses:

Blended waxes are great for people who want the clean burn of natural waxes with the performance of synthetic ones. They are ideal for hobbyists and professionals alike, especially for scented candles in containers.

8. Rapeseed Wax (Canola Wax)

Rapeseed wax is gaining popularity in 2025 as a sustainable alternative to soy and palm wax. It is made from the oil of the rapeseed plant, also known as canola. While still emerging in some markets, it is becoming more common in eco-conscious brands, especially in Europe.

Advantages:

• Made from a renewable, locally sourced crop in many countries
• Biodegradable and clean-burning
• Offers good fragrance retention
• Long-lasting burn time
• Neutral scent, which makes it great for custom fragrance blends

Disadvantages:

• Less readily available in all regions
• Still gaining traction among suppliers
• Can be more expensive due to limited production

Best Uses:

Rapeseed wax is ideal for eco-friendly container candles and is a good alternative to soy for those who want to support local agriculture or avoid soy-based products.

Final Thoughts:

Every type of wax has its strengths and weaknesses. The best one for you will depend on what you want your candle to look like, how you want it to smell, and who it is for.

If you are just starting out and want a user-friendly wax that is also eco-friendly, go with soy wax. For artistic projects or embedded decorations, gel wax is the clear winner. If you are focused on premium quality, coconut wax and beeswax offer a clean burn and elegant finish. Looking for strong fragrance? Paraffin or a paraffin-soy blend might be your best bet.

For natural and sustainable options that support ethical sourcing, consider beeswax, coconut wax, or RSPO-certified palm wax. And if you want something new in 2025, rapeseed wax is definitely worth trying.

Frequently Asked Questions

01. What is the safest wax to use for home candles?

Soy wax, beeswax, and coconut wax are considered the safest because they burn clean and do not release harmful toxins.

02. Can I mix different waxes together?

Yes, many candle makers create custom blends to balance performance, fragrance, and appearance.

03. Which wax is best for scented candles?

Paraffin wax has the best scent throw, but coconut and soy also work well with the right fragrance oils.

04. Do natural waxes produce soot?

Natural waxes like soy and beeswax produce very little soot if the wick is trimmed properly and the candle is burned in a clean environment.

05. Is beeswax vegan?

No, beeswax is made by bees, so it is not considered vegan. Soy, coconut, and rapeseed wax are better vegan alternatives.