Are Expensive Candles Worth It? A Candle Maker's Perspective

Are Expensive Candles Worth It? A Candle Maker's Perspective

Walk into a candle shop, and you'll find candles priced at $15, $30, $60, or even well over $100. They may look similar, have comparable scent profiles, and promise the same experience. So what exactly makes one worth more than another?

As the founder of Set Forth NY, I've spent countless hours sourcing materials, testing different formulations, and learning what makes a candle perform well. And if there's one thing I've learned, it's that a candle's price doesn't always tell you how good it is.

Are expensive candles worth it? Sometimes, absolutely. But an expensive candle isn't necessarily a better candle.

There's a lot that goes into making one, and much of that work happens long before a candle reaches the shelf. Understanding what you're actually paying for can make a difference in how you choose.

What Actually Goes Into the Price of a Candle?

It's More Than Just Wax

When people compare candles, one of the first things they look at is the type of wax. Soy, paraffin, coconut, beeswax, or some combination of these.

I've noticed how easily conversations about candle quality become conversations about wax alone, as though knowing the wax type tells you everything you need to know.

It doesn't.

A candle is made up of several components that need to work together: the wax, fragrance oil or essential oil, wick, and vessel. Each one influences how the finished candle burns and performs.

And once you introduce fragrance into the wax, you're working with a different formulation. You have to consider how that combination behaves, how it interacts with the wick, and whether it performs properly inside the chosen vessel.

The National Candle Association has addressed the misconception that one type of candle wax is inherently better than another. Quality waxes, including paraffin, can be used to produce well-made candles.

That's an important distinction because paraffin, in particular, often receives criticism simply because of its name.

For me, the question has never been whether one wax sounds better in a product description. It's whether the complete candle has been properly formulated and tested.

The Work Begins Long Before We Pour

Something consumers don't always see is the amount of time spent finding the right materials.

When I started making candles, sourcing wasn't simply a matter of finding a supplier with the ingredients I needed. I had to consider the credibility and reputation of the vendor, the quality of their materials, and whether I could build a reliable working relationship with them.

These things matter, especially when you're running a small business.

And finding a supplier is only the beginning.

Once the materials arrive, testing starts. You have to evaluate how the different components work together, make adjustments when something isn't right, and check the finished candle's performance.

Most importantly, you have to consider safety.

That process can take far more time than the actual candle-making itself. Sometimes what looks promising on paper doesn't work the way you expected once you put everything together.

Which brings me to one of the most frustrating experiences I've had as a candle maker.

What Candle Testing Taught Me About Fragrance Strength

When a Candle Smells Amazing Until You Light It

I remember working on a candle that had an incredibly strong scent before it was lit.

In candle-making, we call this cold throw, which refers to the fragrance you can smell from an unlit candle.

Naturally, I was excited about how it might perform once burning.

But when I lit it, I could barely smell anything.

The hot throw, which is the fragrance released while the candle is burning, was practically nonexistent.

It was frustrating because I had already put time and materials into developing that candle. And at the time, I didn't have an immediate answer for why it was happening.

So I started researching and asking questions.

I reached out to people who had been making candles longer than I had. What surprised me was how many different answers I received. Everyone seemed to have a different suggestion, explanation, or perspective.

I eventually realized I needed to revisit the entire formulation rather than assume one ingredient was responsible.

That meant looking at:

• The type of wax I was using
• The wick type and size
• The diameter of the vessel
• The amount of fragrance oil in the formulation
• The curing time before the candle was tested

Every one of these factors deserved attention.

More Fragrance Oil Doesn't Always Mean a Stronger Candle

One of the most surprising things I discovered during testing was that adding more fragrance oil didn't necessarily produce a stronger scent.

You would think it would, right?

More fragrance should mean more fragrance in the air.

But candle-making doesn't always work that way.

When I tested different fragrance oil loads alongside other formulation adjustments, I found instances where a lower fragrance load actually produced a stronger hot throw.

That changed how I approached testing.

It showed me why fragrance strength can't be judged solely by the percentage of oil used. The wax, wick, vessel, and overall formulation all influence the result.

Curing time is another factor consumers rarely hear about.

Depending on the wax and formulation, a candle may need several days, two weeks, or sometimes longer before its fragrance performance can be properly evaluated.

The point is that developing a candle involves more than blending ingredients and pouring wax into a container.

There's a process of observing, adjusting, and testing that customers may never see.

And sometimes, getting it right means starting over.

Does a $100 Candle Perform Better Than a $30 Candle?

Not necessarily.

I believe a $30 candle can absolutely outperform a $100 candle, depending on how each one has been made and how you define performance.

That doesn't mean every affordable candle is excellent or every expensive candle is overpriced.

There are beautifully made candles across different price ranges.

But price alone isn't proof of quality.

Why Established Candle Brands Can Charge More

It's difficult for a small business to compete with brands that have spent decades, sometimes generations, establishing their names.

These companies have built reputations, cultivated recognizable aesthetics, and created a sense of prestige around their products.

When someone purchases a candle from a renowned brand, they may be paying for much more than the candle itself.

They're also paying for its history, packaging, design, storytelling, and the experience associated with owning something from that particular brand.

And I don't necessarily see anything wrong with that.

Brand heritage has value to some people. Beautiful packaging has value. The feeling a product creates can have value, too.

Some consumers purchase because they trust the brand. Others care primarily about the product's performance. Some connect with the story behind both.

None of those reasons is automatically more valid than another.

What matters is understanding what you're paying for and deciding whether those things are important to you.

Why I Prefer Hand-Pouring Candles

Larger companies often have the equipment, resources, and production capacity to manufacture candles in substantial quantities.

Small businesses typically operate differently.

At Set Forth NY, I prefer the hand-pouring process. I value being closely involved in how our candles are made and being able to pay attention to the details of our production.

That doesn't mean a hand-poured candle is automatically superior to a mass-produced one.

Large manufacturers can have sophisticated testing and quality-control systems, just as small candle makers can produce exceptional products through careful formulation and testing.

For me, hand-pouring is a choice about how I want to approach the work.

It's the process I prefer, and one that allows me to stay connected to the product I'm creating.

But regardless of production scale, I believe the finished candle should be judged by its quality, performance, and safety.

What Makes a Candle Worth the Money?

A Good Candle Doesn't Have to Overpower a Room

One thing I've noticed from customer feedback at Set Forth NY is that people often appreciate fragrances that aren't overpowering.

Many of our customers describe loving the subtlety of our scents and how evenly the candles burn.

I find that interesting because fragrance strength is often treated as one of the biggest indicators of candle quality.

But stronger isn't necessarily better.

Some people want a bold fragrance that fills a large space. Others prefer something softer that becomes part of the atmosphere without dominating it.

Neither preference is wrong.

A candle that smells too strong to one person might be exactly what another person is looking for.

That's why I don't believe the strongest-smelling candle should automatically be considered the best.

The better question is whether the fragrance performs as intended and whether you actually enjoy living with it.

Sometimes the Story Matters as Much as the Product

Something else I've learned through Set Forth NY is that people connect with the reasons a brand exists.

Our candles have received positive feedback for their fragrances and even burns, but what means a great deal to me is hearing how customers connect with the story behind the brand.

Set Forth NY began from a very personal place.

After losing my mother, lighting a candle became part of how I moved through grief. It wasn't going to change what had happened or make everything better. But there was something about having that flame present, even during the day, when so much of my world had changed.

That experience eventually shaped how I came to think about candles.

Not as solutions to life's difficulties, but as companions through the moments we experience.

It's why our brand has always been about more than fragrance.

And when customers tell us they connect with that meaning, it shows me that the value of a product isn't always limited to its physical components.

Of course, a meaningful story shouldn't be used to excuse a poorly made candle.

The product still needs to deliver.

But when craftsmanship, performance, and personal meaning come together, the experience can become something worth paying for.

What Should You Look for Before Buying an Expensive Candle?

Whether you're considering a $15 candle or one that costs $100, there are a few things I would encourage you to think about.

1. Start With the Fragrance, Especially if You Have Sensitivities

When someone asks me to recommend a candle, one of the first questions I ask is whether they have any allergies or fragrance sensitivities.

That's important to me because a candle should be something you can comfortably enjoy.

Before choosing a scent, look at its fragrance notes. Think about the scents you already enjoy and those you tend to avoid.

If you have a known allergy or sensitivity, ask the seller about relevant ingredients rather than relying on fragrance notes alone. Scent descriptions don't necessarily identify every ingredient or potential allergen.

And don't assume that something labeled natural or made with essential oils will automatically be suitable for everyone.

What smells wonderful to one person may be unpleasant or irritating to another.

2. Consider the Candle's Size and the Space You're Using It In

A smaller candle isn't necessarily a poor performer simply because it doesn't fill a large room with fragrance.

The size of the candle, its vessel, the formulation, and the environment where it's being burned can all influence how far the scent travels.

If you're purchasing a candle for a large living room, you may need something different from what you'd choose for a small bedroom or a more intimate space.

This is also why comparing prices without considering product size can be misleading.

A $15 candle might cost less than a $30 candle partly because it contains less wax or uses a smaller vessel.

Look at the net weight, estimated burn time, and intended use, where that information is available.

Rather than asking only which candle is cheaper, consider what you're getting for the price and how well it fits your needs.

3. Pay Attention to How the Candle Burns

An attractive vessel and a beautiful fragrance can catch your attention, but performance matters once you bring the candle home.

A properly designed candle should maintain a controlled flame and burn as intended when used according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Uneven burning, excessive smoking, or a flame that repeatedly grows too large can be signs that something needs attention.

I pay particular attention to burn performance during testing because a candle needs to do more than smell good.

When shopping, customer reviews can offer useful insight, especially when people describe their experience after actually burning the product rather than simply opening the packaging.

4. Look for Clear Candle Care and Safety Instructions

This is something I believe should never be overlooked, regardless of price.

A candle is an open flame, and safety should always be part of the conversation.

Look for clear safety warnings and instructions from the manufacturer. These should explain how to use the candle properly and what precautions to follow.

The National Candle Association's candle safety guidance recommends practices such as trimming the wick to approximately ¼ inch before lighting, keeping candles away from flammable objects, and never leaving a burning candle unattended.

It's also important to follow the manufacturer's recommended burn duration and instructions for when to stop using the candle.

As someone who makes and sells candles, I believe providing this information is part of our responsibility.

Consumers shouldn't have to guess how to use a product safely.

And no matter how beautiful or expensive a candle may be, safety is something I would never encourage anyone to compromise on.

5. Choose a Scent That Calls to You

After considering the practical things, this is the advice I always come back to.

Choose the scent that calls to you.

Not necessarily the one with the highest price tag. Not the one that everyone on social media seems to have. And not the one that promises the strongest fragrance.

Choose something you genuinely enjoy.

Maybe it's a familiar scent. Maybe it reminds you of a place, a person, or a particular time in your life. Or perhaps you simply like how it makes your space feel.

You don't need a complicated reason.

A candle should fit the way you want to experience it.

So, Are Expensive Candles Really Worth It?

I don't think there's one answer that applies to everyone.

An expensive candle can be worth every dollar when the quality, performance, craftsmanship, design, and experience align with what the customer values.

But a higher price doesn't automatically guarantee a better candle.

I've learned firsthand how much work goes into developing a formulation, how small adjustments can change performance, and how misleading it can be to judge a candle by a single ingredient.

I've also learned that people value different things.

Some care deeply about fragrance strength and burn time. Others appreciate design, brand heritage, or the meaning behind a product.

And sometimes, a candle that costs considerably less can give someone exactly the experience they're looking for.

As a candle maker, I believe the responsibility lies with us to create products thoughtfully, test them properly, and make safety a priority.

As a consumer, you have every right to decide what makes something worth your money.

For me, the best candle isn't necessarily the most expensive, the most recognizable, or the strongest-smelling one.

It's the candle that has been made with care, performs as it should, can be enjoyed safely, and feels right for the person bringing it home.

Because ultimately, the value of a candle isn't determined by its price alone. It's also determined by what you find worth paying for.