A beautiful, long-lasting candle does not have to come with a designer price tag. Some of the best candles available are well under £20, and knowing what to look for means you can buy with confidence. Here is what matters when shopping for candles on a budget.
What makes a good candle under £20?
Price is not always a reliable indicator of quality in the candle world. A candle from a small British maker using quality soy wax and carefully developed fragrance oils can easily outperform a heavily marketed luxury brand at three times the price. Here is what to look for:
- Wax type: Soy wax burns cleaner and longer than paraffin. A soy candle under £20 will typically outlast a paraffin candle of the same size.
- Wick quality: A cotton wick that is correctly sized for the vessel produces a clean, even burn. Avoid candles where the wick is visibly off-centre or very thin relative to the vessel size.
- Fragrance load: A good candle should smell noticeable both when unlit (cold throw) and when burning (hot throw). If a candle barely smells in the shop, it will barely smell at home.
- Burn time: Check the stated burn time. A quality candle under £20 should offer at least 20 to 30 hours of burn time for a small to medium vessel.
- The maker: Small independent makers, particularly British ones, often offer exceptional quality at accessible prices because they are not paying for celebrity endorsements or luxury retail markups.
Candles under £20 as gifts
A candle under £20 is a perfectly generous gift for many occasions. For a birthday, thank you, or housewarming, a single quality candle in a beautiful vessel feels thoughtful and considered. Add a handwritten note and it becomes a genuinely lovely gift regardless of the price.
If you want to give something more substantial on a budget, consider two smaller candles in complementary scents. Two candles at £10 each feel more generous than one candle at £20, and gives the recipient options for different rooms.
Getting the most from your candle
Whatever you spend, you will get significantly more from your candle by following a few simple care habits. Trim the wick to 5mm before every burn, allow the melt pool to reach the edges on the first burn, and never burn for more than 4 hours at a time. These habits can add several hours to the life of any candle.
Browse our Best Selling candles for quality soy candles at accessible prices, or explore our full range of Scented Soy Candles. All hand-poured in Cumbria.