7 Common Types of Candles & Where to Find Them in 2025
Candles do more than just light up a room; they craft an atmosphere, evoke memories, and transform a house into a home. With a vast and expanding market, however, choosing the right candle can feel overwhelming. Are you seeking the long-lasting, clean burn of a specific wax? Do you desire a particular mood-enhancing fragrance for your space? Or perhaps you are drawn to the gentle, crackling sound of a wood wick? This comprehensive guide is designed to illuminate your options and simplify your search.
We will explore the most popular types of candles, helping you understand their unique properties, ideal applications, and how to style them effectively within your homeâs decor. This article delves into the nuances of various candle forms, from classic pillars and elegant tapers to modern container and specialty wood wick candles. For each type, we will provide a detailed definition, explore its best uses, offer practical styling tips, and suggest exceptional products from leading brands.
To make your search for the perfect candle even easier, we will showcase top-tier selections, including hand-poured, eco-conscious options from Canadian artisan Shivora Candles, alongside other notable retailers. Our goal is to provide clear, actionable insights that empower you to make an informed choice. By the end of this guide, you will be able to confidently select the perfect candle that aligns with your aesthetic, enhances your desired mood, and reflects your values, turning any space into a personalised sanctuary of light and scent.
1. Soy Candles: The Eco-Conscious Choice
Among the many types of candles available, soy wax candles have rightfully earned their place as a premier choice for discerning consumers. Derived from the oil of soybeans, soy wax is a completely natural, renewable, and biodegradable resource. This makes it a standout eco-conscious alternative to traditional paraffin wax, a byproduct of petroleum refining. Their growing popularity is a testament to a collective shift towards more sustainable and health-aware home fragrance solutions.
One of the most significant advantages of soy candles is their exceptionally clean burn. They produce minimal soot, safeguarding your indoor air quality and preventing the unsightly black stains that paraffin candles often leave on walls and ceilings. Furthermore, soy wax possesses a lower melting point, which translates into a slower, more prolonged burn. This means you can enjoy your favourite fragrances for a significantly longer duration, offering superior value and a more lasting ambiance.
Why Soy Candles Stand Out
Soy wax is not just cleaner; it is also a superior carrier for fragrance. It holds scents exceptionally well and releases them evenly as the candle burns. This ensures a rich, consistent, and true-to-scent experience that fills a room beautifully without ever becoming overpowering. This performance makes soy the preferred wax for complex and luxurious fragrance profiles.
Key Insight: The slow, clean burn of a soy candle is ideal for anyone sensitive to strong scents or indoor air pollutants, making it a perfect choice for creating a healthy and harmonious home environment.
Best Applications and Styling
The versatility of soy candles allows them to enhance nearly any setting. Their clean-burning nature makes them perfect for elevating daily routines and creating a welcoming atmosphere in any room.
- Everyday Ambiance: Place a soy candle in your living room, home office, or bedroom to create a calming and consistent background scent.
- Health-Conscious Living: For households with allergies, pets, or young children, soy candles are the optimal choice for minimizing airborne particulates.
- Elevated Dining: A subtly scented soy candle can complement a dining experience by adding a gentle layer of fragrance that enhances, rather than competes with, the aroma of your meal.
Styling soy candles is effortless, as they often come in chic, minimalist vessels like glass jars or ceramic containers that blend seamlessly with any decor. For a compelling visual effect, group several candles of varying heights on a decorative metal or wooden tray to create a dynamic centrepiece on a coffee table or console. To achieve a modern, sophisticated look, select a vessel with a pop of colour, like the one used for Shivora Candles' Blue Cedar & Lavender, which adds a refined aesthetic touch.
Featured Brand: Shivora Candles
When it comes to premium soy candles, Shivora Candles distinguishes itself through an unwavering commitment to quality, sustainability, and craftsmanship. Their entire collection is built upon a foundation of 100% natural soy wax, ensuring every product delivers the clean, long-lasting burn that soy is celebrated for.
Shivora's formulas are non-toxic, phthalate-free, and paraben-free, making them a safe choice for your family and pets. Each candle is hand-poured with meticulous attention to detail, resulting in a consistently high-quality product. To explore the full range of benefits and understand why this material is so exceptional, you can find a wealth of information in their article about the beauty of natural soy wax.
Their Candles Collection is the perfect entry point for experiencing the luxury of soy. It features a diverse array of expertly blended fragrance profiles designed to evoke specific moods, from energizing citrus to cozy vanilla.
| Feature Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Material Quality | 100% natural, non-toxic soy wax. Phthalate-free and paraben-free. |
| Product Range | Diverse selection including scented, wood wick, and seasonal candles. |
| Craftsmanship | Hand-poured for consistent quality and an extended burn time. |
| User Experience | Free shipping on orders over $75 in Canada and the U.S., plus seasonal promotions. |
| Availability | Primarily available online through their official website. |
Pros:
- Made with sustainable, non-toxic ingredients for a healthier home.
- Distinctive, expertly blended fragrances create specific atmospheres.
- High-quality craftsmanship ensures a long-lasting, consistent burn.
Cons:
- Premium ingredients may result in a higher price point than mass-market options.
- Online-only availability means you cannot purchase them in physical retail stores.
For those looking to invest in high-quality, eco-friendly candles that offer a superior sensory experience, exploring the offerings at Shivora Candles is an excellent decision.
2. Candella
Candella carves a unique niche in the candle market by transforming the comforting aromas of a favourite café into luxurious, handcrafted candles. This Canadian-based brand is the ideal destination for those seeking to elevate their space with sophisticated, gourmand scents that go far beyond typical vanilla or coffee fragrances. If you've ever wished you could bottle the specific scent of an 'Iced Matcha Latte' or a 'Strawberry CrÚme Frappe', Candella has made it a reality.
What truly sets Candella apart is its meticulous approach to scent creation and sustainability. Each candle is a testament to quality craftsmanship, offering complex and layered fragrances that you won't find in mass-produced alternatives. Their commitment to the environment is equally impressive, with all packaging made from 100% recyclable materials, appealing directly to the eco-conscious consumer.
What to Expect from Candella
Navigating the Candella website is a clean and visually pleasing experience. The products are the heroes, showcased with high-quality imagery that reflects their premium nature. Shoppers can easily browse the curated collection and read detailed scent-profile descriptions.
- Unique Scent Library: Explore distinctive café-inspired scents like London Fog, Pistachio Macaron, and Espresso Martini.
- Eco-Friendly Focus: The brand's dedication to sustainability means you can indulge in luxury without environmental guilt.
- Premium Quality: Hand-poured in small batches, these candles offer a clean, consistent burn and potent fragrance throw.
Pro Tip: Candella's candles make exceptional gifts due to their unique scents and beautiful, minimalist packaging. Consider the 'Duo' or 'Trio' sets to sample a variety of fragrances or to create a cohesive scent story in your home.
Practical Details
While Candella represents a premium choice among various types of candles, the value is evident in the quality and originality. The brand offers free shipping across Canada on orders over $80, making it easier to stock up on favourites. However, due to their popularity and small-batch production, some highly sought-after scents can occasionally be out of stock. Itâs wise to sign up for their newsletter to receive restock notifications and be the first to know about new releases.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Price Point | Premium |
| Key Offering | Luxury handcrafted candles with café-inspired scents |
| Sustainability | 100% recyclable packaging |
| Shipping | Free shipping over $80 within Canada |
| Website | candella.ca |
3. East City Candles
East City Candles elevates the art of scent by focusing on complex, multi-layered fragrances designed to create unforgettable olfactory experiences. This Canadian brand is the perfect choice for connoisseurs who appreciate depth and nuance in their home fragrance, moving beyond single-note scents. If you are looking for candles that tell a story and evolve as they burn, offering fragrances like 'Peony Yarrow' or 'Honey Wood', East City Candles delivers with sophistication.
What truly distinguishes East City Candles is its commitment to intricate scent architecture and sustainable practices. Each candle is a hand-poured masterpiece, showcasing layered aromas that you won't find in typical store-bought options. Their dedication to using eco-friendly soy wax appeals to the environmentally aware consumer who doesnât want to compromise on quality or performance.
What to Expect from East City Candles
The website provides a straightforward and pleasant shopping journey, allowing the unique product offerings to shine. High-quality images and detailed descriptions of the scent profiles make it easy for shoppers to understand the complexity of each fragrance before making a purchase.
- Complex Scent Profiles: Explore unique and layered fragrances such as Oakmoss Amber, Rosemary Sage, and Tobacco Vanilla.
- Eco-Friendly Soy Wax: The brand uses sustainable soy wax, ensuring a cleaner, longer-lasting burn for all its types of candles.
- Tester Packs: Unsure which intricate scent to choose? East City Candles offers 'Tester Packs', allowing you to sample multiple fragrances before committing to a full-sized candle.
Pro Tip: The Tester Packs are an excellent way to discover your signature scent or find the perfect gift for someone with discerning taste. Sampling the scents first ensures you'll love the full-size version, especially given the complexity of the fragrances.
Practical Details
East City Candles occupies a premium space in the market, with its value found in the meticulous craftsmanship and originality of its scents. While the website provides clear product information, details on shipping policies are somewhat limited, so customers may need to proceed to checkout to see final costs. Due to their complex nature, some scents might be more niche and may not appeal to every preference, but their variety ensures there is something for every fragrance lover.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Price Point | Premium |
| Key Offering | Hand-poured soy candles with complex, layered scents |
| Sustainability | Use of eco-friendly soy wax |
| Shipping | Shipping policy details available at checkout |
| Website | eastcitycandles.com |
4. Candlehaven.ca
For the hands-on enthusiast, Candlehaven.ca is the ultimate playground for creating custom types of candles. Rather than selling finished products, this comprehensive Canadian supplier empowers both beginners and seasoned artisans with a vast selection of high-quality candle-making supplies. It's the perfect destination for anyone wanting to move beyond purchasing pre-made candles and dive into the craft of creating personalized scents and designs from scratch.
What makes Candlehaven.ca a standout resource is its sheer breadth of inventory and commitment to quality. The platform caters to the creative spirit, offering everything from eco-friendly waxes and a dizzying array of wicks to over 100 unique fragrance oils and stylish vessels. This focus on providing the raw materials for candle making allows for complete creative control, ensuring your final product is truly one-of-a-kind.
What to Expect from Candlehaven.ca
The website is logically organized, making it easy for crafters to find exactly what they need for their next project. You can shop by category, whether you need specific waxes like soy or coconut, or browse their curated collections for seasonal inspiration. The product descriptions are detailed, providing crucial information for successful candle making.
- Extensive Supply Selection: Find everything you need in one place, including various waxes, wicks, vessels, dyes, and an impressive library of fragrance oils.
- DIY Focus: Ideal for hobbyists and small business owners who want to control every aspect of their candle's creation, from scent blending to vessel choice. If you're unsure which scents to combine, you can explore candle fragrance families on shivoracandles.com to guide your choices.
- Eco-Conscious Options: The site offers a good selection of sustainable and natural products, including soy wax and wood wicks, catering to environmentally aware creators.
Pro Tip: If you're new to candle making, start with one of Candlehaven.ca's all-in-one kits. They provide pre-measured ingredients and step-by-step instructions, removing the guesswork and ensuring a successful first attempt.
Practical Details
Candlehaven.ca is dedicated solely to supplies, so you won't find finished candles for sale. The value lies in the ability to purchase high-quality components in quantities that suit your needs. The brand offers free shipping on Canadian orders over $150, which is a great incentive for stocking up on materials. Customer feedback frequently praises the product quality and responsive customer service, making it a trusted source within the DIY community.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Price Point | Varies by product (Supplies) |
| Key Offering | Comprehensive range of candle-making supplies for DIY projects |
| Sustainability | Offers sustainable choices like soy wax and eco-friendly options |
| Shipping | Free shipping over $150 within Canada |
| Website | candlehaven.ca |
5. Best Buy Canada
While often recognized for electronics, Best Buy Canada has carved out a surprising and valuable space for itself in the home fragrance market. It serves as a convenient, one-stop shop for those looking to purchase high-quality, branded candles without visiting a specialized boutique. This platform is ideal for shoppers who appreciate the reliability of well-known names like VOLUSPA and NEST and want the ease of integrating their candle purchases with other household shopping.
What makes Best Buy Canada stand out is its accessibility and the trust associated with a major national retailer. The platform brings premium candle brands to a wider audience, often featuring exclusive collections or gift sets that might be harder to find elsewhere. For the consumer who values both luxury and convenience, it offers a streamlined way to explore different types of candles from established brands, complete with detailed product information and a robust customer review system.
What to Expect from Best Buy Canada
The shopping experience on Best Buy Canada's website is efficient and user-friendly, as expected from a major e-commerce player. Customers can easily filter by brand, price, and customer rating, making it simple to find exactly what they're looking for. The added benefit of in-store pickup provides a level of flexibility that many online-only retailers cannot match.
- Access to Premium Brands: Discover and purchase sought-after candles from renowned brands like VOLUSPA and NEST Fragrances.
- Convenient Shopping: Benefit from a seamless online experience with multiple fulfilment options, including home delivery and free in-store pickup.
- Customer Reviews: Make informed decisions by leveraging the extensive library of customer ratings and reviews for each product.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on Best Buy's major sales events, like Black Friday or Boxing Day. These are excellent opportunities to find significant discounts on premium candle brands that are rarely marked down at other retailers.
Practical Details
While the selection may not be as extensive as a dedicated candle shop, Best Buy Canada focuses on curating a collection of best-sellers and popular scents, ensuring a high standard of quality. The pricing is competitive for these premium brands, and the platformâs regular promotions can offer substantial savings. The combination of a trusted retail environment and access to luxury home fragrance makes it a noteworthy destination.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Price Point | Mid-Range to Premium |
| Key Offering | Curated selection of scented candles from renowned brands |
| Sustainability | Varies by brand; product descriptions often include details |
| Shipping | Free shipping on orders over a certain threshold; in-store pickup available |
| Website | bestbuy.ca |
6. Eleanor Candles
Eleanor Candles offers a thoughtful and sustainable approach to home fragrance, making it a standout choice for the eco-conscious consumer. This Toronto-based brand specializes in hand-poured, 100% natural soy wax candles designed to evoke specific moods and enhance daily rituals. For those looking to align their purchases with their values without sacrificing quality or scent complexity, Eleanor Candles provides an ideal solution.
What distinguishes Eleanor Candles is its commitment to both environmental responsibility and curated scent experiences. The use of natural soy wax and clean-burning cotton wicks ensures a healthier indoor environment, while the brandâs recyclable packaging appeals to those aiming for a zero-waste lifestyle. The diverse collections, categorized by moods like 'Romantic' or 'Unwind', make it simple for shoppers to find the perfect fragrance to match their desired atmosphere.
What to Expect from Eleanor Candles
The website provides a seamless and user-friendly shopping experience, with clear categories and detailed descriptions for each product. High-quality imagery showcases the minimalist aesthetic of the candles, which can complement any home decor. Customers frequently praise the impressive scent throw and longevity of the candles.
- Mood-Based Collections: Easily discover your next favourite scent by browsing collections tailored to specific feelings, such as Unwind, Focus, and Romantic.
- Sustainable Materials: All candles are crafted from 100% natural soy wax and feature cotton wicks, ensuring a clean and long-lasting burn.
- Sample Packs: For those unsure which full-size candle to commit to, the sample collection packs offer a perfect way to explore the brand's diverse scent library.
Pro Tip: When exploring the various types of candles on their site, pay close attention to the scent notes listed in the descriptions. Eleanor Candles excels at creating layered, nuanced fragrances, and understanding the top, middle, and base notes will help you select a scent you'll truly love.
Practical Details
While Eleanor Candles operates exclusively online without a physical storefront, their dedication to quality and customer satisfaction is evident. The brand has built a loyal following based on the consistency of their products and their ethical production practices. Due to their popularity and small-batch nature, some scents can sell out, so acting quickly or signing up for restock notifications is recommended.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Price Point | Mid-Range to Premium |
| Key Offering | Hand-poured 100% natural soy wax candles categorized by mood |
| Sustainability | Eco-friendly practices, recyclable packaging |
| Shipping | Ships across Canada and the USA |
| Website | eleanorcandles.com |
7. Heavenly Outhouse
Heavenly Outhouse acts as a curated online boutique for home fragrance, offering a thoughtfully selected range of candles from well-regarded brands. This platform is perfect for shoppers who appreciate having a variety of high-quality options in one place, removing the guesswork from finding a reliable and beautifully scented candle. They specialize in carrying established brands known for their performance and sophisticated aromas, like the ever-popular Thymes.
What makes Heavenly Outhouse a standout destination is its role as a multi-brand retailer. Instead of being limited to a single brand's style, you can explore different types of candles, from multi-wick options to elegant votives, all meeting a certain standard of quality. This makes it an excellent resource for gift-giving or for anyone looking to discover a new favourite scent from a trusted name without hopping between multiple websites.
What to Expect from Heavenly Outhouse
The website offers a straightforward and pleasant shopping experience, with clear categories and detailed product pages that provide all the necessary information about scent notes and candle specifics. High-quality images give you a good sense of the product's aesthetic, helping you choose a candle that fits your home decor.
- Curated Brand Selection: Access popular and beloved candle brands like Thymes, known for iconic scents such as Frasier Fir.
- Variety of Forms: Find everything from large 3-wick candles perfect for scenting a large room to smaller votives ideal for sampling or creating ambient clusters.
- One-Stop Shopping: A convenient place to purchase from different established brands in a single order.
Pro Tip: When exploring the site, use the filter options to sort by brand or scent family. This can help you quickly narrow down the diverse selection to find exactly what you're looking for, whether it's a specific floral fragrance or a classic holiday aroma.
Practical Details
Heavenly Outhouse provides a reliable service with clear shipping policies, making it a dependable choice for Canadian shoppers. While it doesn't focus on small, artisanal makers, it excels at providing access to proven, fan-favourite products. As with any multi-brand retailer, stock levels for specific scents can fluctuate, so it's a good idea to purchase your favourites when you see them. Before lighting any new candle, it's always wise to review essential practices to ensure a great experience; for a helpful refresher, explore these top candle safety tips.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Price Point | Mid-Range to Premium |
| Key Offering | Curated candles from various established brands like Thymes |
| Sustainability | Varies by brand; check individual product details |
| Shipping | Free shipping over $99 within Canada |
| Website | heavenlyouthouse.com |
Top 7 Candle Brands Comparison
| Item | đ Implementation Complexity | đĄ Resource Requirements | đ Expected Outcomes | Ideal Use Cases | â Key Advantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candles Collection Page | Moderate - requires curated selection & craftsmanship | High - premium ingredients, hand-pouring labor | High quality, eco-friendly, diverse aromas | Personal use, gifts, mindful luxury | Wide variety; sustainable; distinctive scents |
| Candella | Moderate - handcrafted with unique scents | Moderate - artisanal scent creation & eco packaging | Premium sensory experience | Luxury candle buyers, eco-conscious consumers | Unique café-inspired scents; eco packaging |
| East City Candles | Moderate - complex scent layering | Moderate - soy wax, intricate fragrance design | Memorable, multi-layered scent profiles | Fragrance connoisseurs, unique scent seekers | Depth in fragrance; tester packs |
| Candlehaven.ca | High - broad product supply & kits | High - extensive inventory & DIY materials | Enables custom candle making | DIY candle makers, hobbyists | Wide supply selection; eco options; kits |
| Best Buy Canada | Low - retail & distribution | Moderate - stocked luxury brands | Convenient access to premium candles | Shoppers seeking ready-made luxury candles | Brand variety; in-store pickup; promotions |
| Eleanor Candles | Moderate - hand-poured eco soy candles | Moderate - natural soy wax & recyclable packaging | Sustainable, mood-based scent collections | Eco-conscious buyers, mood-specific gifting | Ethical production; diverse scents |
| Heavenly Outhouse | Low - curated multi-brand retail | Moderate - variety of brands stocked | Diverse scent and candle type options | Buyers seeking multiple brands in one place | Popular brands; clear info; free shipping over threshold |
Choosing Your Perfect Flame
The journey through the diverse universe of candles reveals a simple yet profound truth: a candle is never just a candle. As we've explored, the world of illumination is rich with variety, offering a perfect flame for every individual's taste, every home's aesthetic, and every specific occasion. From the classic elegance of tapered candles gracing a formal dinner table to the modern, minimalist appeal of a concrete-poured soy candle, the choices are as vast as they are inspiring.
Weâve navigated through the different types of candles, understanding that each one offers a unique experience. The robust, clean burn of a pillar candle, the delightful surprise of a hidden-gem candle, the cozy crackle of a wood wick, and the targeted sensory journey of an aromatherapy candle all serve distinct purposes. Your selection can transform a simple room into a sanctuary, a quiet evening into a cherished memory, or a routine bath into a luxurious spa-like ritual.
Key Takeaways for Curating Your Atmosphere
To truly harness the power of candles, itâs essential to move beyond surface-level aesthetics. Recapping our deep dive, remember these crucial considerations:
- Wax Matters: The foundation of your candle experience lies in its wax. Whether you choose the eco-conscious, clean burn of soy, the luxurious feel of coconut wax, the long-lasting stability of paraffin, or the natural air-purifying qualities of beeswax, your choice impacts scent throw, burn time, and environmental footprint.
- Wick Wisdom: The wick is the heart of the flame. A traditional cotton wick offers reliability, while a wood wick provides a unique multi-sensory experience with its gentle crackling sound, reminiscent of a miniature fireplace. Proper wick trimming is non-negotiable for a safe, even, and soot-free burn.
- Scent & Purpose Alignment: Match the fragrance profile to your intention. Invigorating citrus and mint scents are perfect for a home office or kitchen, while calming lavender, chamomile, and sandalwood are ideal for bedrooms and relaxation spaces. For entertaining, consider warm, welcoming scents like vanilla, amber, or subtle florals that enhance the ambiance without overpowering conversation or cuisine.
Your Actionable Guide to Selecting the Right Candle
Now, armed with this comprehensive knowledge, you can approach candle shopping with the confidence of a seasoned connoisseur. Instead of being overwhelmed by options, you can make intentional choices. Before your next purchase, ask yourself these guiding questions:
- What is the primary purpose? Am I seeking a decorative accent for my mantelpiece (a sculptural candle), a powerful fragrance to fill a large living area (a multi-wick jar candle), or a tool for a wellness routine (an aromatherapy candle)?
- What is the desired ambiance? Do I want a cozy and rustic feel (wood wick), a modern and chic vibe (a candle in a minimalist vessel), or a timeless and elegant atmosphere (taper candles in sophisticated holders)?
- What are my personal values? Is sustainability a priority (soy or coconut wax)? Do I prefer to support local, artisanal crafters? Am I looking for a clean-burning option to maintain air quality?
Answering these questions will narrow down the vast array of types of candles and lead you directly to the perfect match for your specific needs. You are no longer just buying a product; you are curating an experience, carefully selecting a tool to shape your environment and mood. The perfect flame is not just about finding a scent you like; itâs about discovering the candle that complements your lifestyle, reflects your personality, and illuminates your world in just the right way.
Ready to find a candle that perfectly aligns with a conscious, luxurious, and beautifully scented lifestyle? Explore the curated collection at Shivora Candles. We specialize in crafting high-quality, eco-friendly candles across various types, ensuring you can find the perfect, clean-burning flame to elevate your space. Discover your next favourite candle at Shivora Candles.