Candle Warmers Have Racked Up Millions of Views on TikTok — Here Are the Best Ones

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Candles are like mugs—we all have an abundance of them, and they make for pretty great gifts. We get why they’re so popular for gift-giving or collecting. Candles smell good, add warmth to any space, and double as a type of decor for your tables and shelves.

The problem with candles is that they are a fire hazard, so you need to watch them closely and never leave a candle burning unattended. Lighting candles can also create smoke, which can mask the candle’s aroma and release particulate matter that reduces indoor air quality. The more you burn a candle, the more unsightly soot accumulates in the jar, too. It’s also difficult to use up every bit of candle wax when it burns unevenly, leaving unused wax at the bottom of the jar.

One way to have your candles and enjoy them too is by switching from burning candles with flame to using candle warmers. Instead of melting candle wax with a flame, candle warmers use an electric heat source, such as a lamp or plate, to slowly and evenly heat the wax and release the fragrance. Plus, they make your candles last way longer.

Wax warmers have been around for a while, but candle warmers that allow you to heat up an entire candle have seen a massive spike in popularity thanks to recent viral TikTok videos. Some candle enthusiasts were skeptical at first, but many have come around to the cozy atmosphere that candle warmers create without the drawbacks of traditional candle burning. They come in a variety of designs that are suitable for most design styles. The next time you give a candle as a gift, consider pairing it with a candle warmer.

The Best Candle Warmers

• Best Overall: Marycele Candle Warmer Lamp

• Best Budget: CANDLE WARMERS ETC. Candle Warmer Plate

• Best For Scented Candles: NVRGIUP Candle Warmer

• Best With Timer: XJZJY Candle Warmer Lamp

• Best For Large Candles: CHIACHIA Candle Warmer Lamp with Timer

What to Consider

Candle warmers are simple, so the list of needs isn’t that long. Still, a few safety features can put your mind at ease while others check the box for convenience. At the end of the day, a candle warmer’s primary purpose is to release candle scents around the room, but it can also serve as a light source, add to your home's decor, and even work as a coffee warmer. To make sure your new candle warmer serves your needs, here are some factors to consider.

Materials

Candle warmers are commonly made from wood, metal, and glass, though some are also made from plastic and ceramic. The material can affect how hot the unit gets and lend to its durability.

When looking at candle warmer lamps, the material of the lampshade is more important than that of the base. Usually, the lampshades are made from glass or metal. Both are good at diverting heat towards the candle, and even dispersing some of the heat away to prevent overheating, but some say metal warmers get hotter. The intensity of the heat can do a better job at warming the candle and therefore emitting the scent, but hot tools can also be hazardous. If you have children or pets in the home, glass shades may be a safer route.

Warming plates may be made from plastic or ceramic. Plastic options tend to be more budget-friendly while ceramic may be longer lasting.

Heat Source

The entire point of lighting a candle is to melt the wax, which releases the candle’s fragrance and creates a warm atmosphere. You can replicate both through a candle warmer, which also heats up the candle wax.

There are two main types of candle warmers—lamps and plates. Both use a heat source but from different directions. Candle-warming lamps heat from above using lightbulbs. Most include two 50-watt halogen bulbs, though some only include one. Plates heat from below much like a coffee warming plate. The plates are more versatile and tend to be more affordable, but if your goal is warming candles, lamps tend to be more effective.

Features

It’s no secret that candles are a fire hazard. The National Fire Protection Association reports that thousands of candle-related fires occur in the United States each year, leading to deaths, injuries, and property damages. Candle warmers are a safer alternative, but with a few built-in features, they can be made even safer.

Since they use electricity, look for a candle warmer with automatic shutoff. This allows you to use the warmer overnight and gives you the freedom to leave the room without worrying about leaving it on. When you use the timer function, it will automatically shut off in as little as 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.

Other safety features include an anti-slip base for added stability. Some candle warmers are lightweight, making it possible for children and pets to accidentally knock them over. Heavier models with anti-slip pads or bases reduce this risk.

Aside from safety features, some added details increase a candle warmer’s convenience and functionality. Many, but not all, have a dimmer control so that you can increase or decrease the temperature and brightness of the lamp. When you turn up the brightness, the candle will warm up faster, making it more effective at diffusing scents. Alternatively, you can dim the brightness to prolong your candle’s life and use it as ambient light in the evenings.

Finally, adjustable height is a feature worth considering if you gravitate towards taller candles. Some can only accommodate candles up to 5.5 inches while others can fit candle jars that are 7 inches tall. Many candle jars are tall, so the ability to adjust the distance between the lampshade and base will come in handy later.

How We Selected

For this guide, we waded through dozens of models available, comparing their features and reading verified user reviews. We prioritized candle warmers that had built-in safety features, such as automatic shutoff, sturdy materials, and anti-slip bases. Functionality was also an important consideration. The best candle warmers should be able to accommodate a variety of candle sizes and types, including those with wide bases and tall jars. We factored in warmers with adjustable heights or enough clearance for taller candles as well as those with universal bases.

The candle warmers that made our final list are stylish, functional, and reliable. Many are affordable, too.

We also sifted through the editorial coverage of candle warmers, including from our sister site Good Housekeeping, which reported on the best options.

Candle Warmer Lamp

A best seller for its affordability, simple yet attractive design, and dimmer control, the Marycele candle warmer lamp checks a lot of boxes. It’s our top pick because it’s compatible with different types of candles, including those that have a wide base or come in medium-tall jars.

The package includes two light bulbs and the lamp itself, which features a wooden base, gold lamp pole, and clear glass lampshade. It’s also available in an amber lampshade for added warmth and ambiance, but it’s cozy and inviting all on its own.

It has a few special features you can’t see just by looking at it, including a non-slip base so it doesn’t slip or move while in use. The cord has a dimmer control, so you can adjust the strength of the light, which affects how slowly or quickly the candle will melt. You can also use the auto-shutoff timer so it powers down after 2, 4, or 8 hours.

It’s not height adjustable, so it’s not suitable for candles over 5.5 inches tall, but there’s plenty of room for various candle heights.

Candle Warmer Plate

Candle lamps are trending on social media, but they’re not your only option. A candle warming plate is a more cost-effective and compact option—some even consider this option the original candle warmer.

This one is budget-friendly coming in at under $12 and only requires a few inches of space on your nightstand or table. While warming lamps heat from above, warming plates heat from below. You can place the candle directly on the plate, switch it on, and enjoy it for up to eight hours. After that point, the auto-shutoff timer will automatically turn it off for your safety. According to user reviews, this warming plate can also double as a coffee warmer.

Candle Warmer Lamp with Timer

There’s a misconception that candle warmers don’t emanate scents as well as burning a candle with a flame. This can vary depending on the warmer, so if you want candle fragrance to fill the room, this is the candle warmer for you. It’s fully adjustable, so you can position the warming lamp as close to the candle as possible. This model also allows you to adjust the brightness—turning it up warms up the candle more, increasing the intensity of the scent.

This candle warmer also earns points for its attractive design. It has a wood base that adds neutral tones to any space along with a gold finish lamp pole. The lampshade is glass like our top pick, but it has a more vintage-inspired design, making it decorative and functional. It also comes in black.

Dimmable Candle Warmer Lamp

With its unique design, this candle-warming lamp complements modern homes. A black lampshade is hoisted above a matching black base, held up by bronze poles. While it’s not adjustable, it leaves plenty of room for tall candles, and it’s adjustable in other ways.

It has controls to turn it off, set an auto-shutoff timer, and adjust the brightness of the light bulbs. You can time it to automatically turn off after 2, 4, and 8 hours, which provides peace of mind overnight.

Jar Candle Warmer

Lots of people already have large jar candles from Yankee Candles, which are some of the tallest candles on the market. Fear not—this candle-warming lamp is up for the challenge. While you can’t adjust the height to fit taller candles, you don’t need to. At more than 15 inches in overall height, this model is one of the tallest we’ve seen, allowing for ample space between the base and the lamp.

It also has other features to look for in a candle warmer—the light is dimmable, and it has a timer to turn it off automatically after 1, 2, and 4 hours. Both are accessible via a control on the power cord.

Touch Control Candle Warmer Lamp

Many candle warmers have buttons on the units themselves or controls on the power cords, but you can control this one hands-free with a remote control. It has buttons to turn it on and off, adjust the brightness, and set a timer for 2, 4, and 8 hours. These functions are also available on the wooden base, which has a touch control panel. Both the remote control and touch control panel offer added convenience over fumbling with the power cord.

The amber-colored glass lampshade has a vintage feel to it, making it a great gift or addition to your home decor. It also comes with two light bulbs.

Electric Top Candle Melter

If you’re looking for a candle warmer with all the bells and whistles, this is the one to gift. The height is adjustable to accommodate candles up to 7 inches tall, and the power cord has a timer and dimmer. You can set it to turn off after 1, 2, and 4 hours.

What really sets this candle warmer lamp apart from others, however, is the durable construction. It’s made from metal, so expect it to be heavier and sturdier than others with a wooden base.

The attractive design is the cherry on top. It’s sleek, modern, and comes in multiple colors.

Electric Dimmable Wax Melter Lamp

Candle warmers come in a variety of designs, ranging from sleek and modern to vintage and glam. This one falls in the latter camp with its floral lampshade, so it’s a more unique choice if you’re looking for the perfect gift.

It’s more than just aesthetically pleasing—it also has a few thoughtful features. Like a few of our other picks, it has a timer built into the power cord, which allows you to set it to power down after 30 minutes, 1, and 4 hours. We haven’t come across any other candle warmer that operates for as little as 30 minutes, which is a plus if you fall asleep quickly or enjoy candles in quick bursts. It’s also dimmable and includes two light bulbs, but the height isn’t adjustable.

3-in-1 Scented Wax Fragrance Melter

Can’t decide between a candle warmer and a wax melter? This one does both! It actually has three purposes—it warms candles, melts wax cubes, and works with essential oils. It’s not a lamp but rather a heating plate, so it distributes warmth from the bottom up. Simply place your candle on top of the plate. To use it with wax cubes or essential oils, place the included ceramic dish on the plate first. Then, pour your essential oils or wax cubes into the ceramic dish.

This option doesn’t have a ton of bells and whistles, but it does have an automatic shutoff and a power switch on the electric cord.

Wooden Farmhouse Candle Warmer

With its rustic design, this candle-warming lantern will look great on your autumnal mantle. It's decorative and functional. With a hidden light bulb, it heats candles from the top, releasing their fragrance almost instantly. It’s not dimmable like others we’ve seen, but this one isn’t designed to be a significant source of light. The warming light bulb only has one intensity and one purpose, which is to warm up candles and release their aromas, which it does effectively.

It has a 1-year warranty, and it comes from a trusted brand. We wish it had auto shutoff for safety purposes, but it’s easy to toggle on and off using the roller switch on the cord.

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