If there’s anything that I spend a dangerous amount of money on, it’s wax melts. I used to be a rep for a well-known wax melt company some years back and I was instantly hooked. Since then, I’ve tried and tested several different brands and discovered some delightful scents.
For a clean and easy way to fragrance your home that also feels cozy and inviting then I’d recommend giving these wax melt scents a try.
1. ScentSationals Sweet Cream Waffles
Freshly baked fragrances without the need to cook
I have been using ScentSationals wax melts for some time now and they are by far my favorite brand. I adore so many of the scents but Sweet Cream Waffles is a personal favorite. I’ve also noticed a ton of other people raving about this scent and that comes as no surprise as it’s so strong!
I have a very large house and just one wax melt fills the entire home with fragrance. It’s one of the most powerful I’ve ever used. What’s more, I get a lot of use out of one melt; typically around 12 hours before the scent starts to wane. With all that in mind, I wouldn’t recommend this scent if you like something delicate because there is literally no getting away from the smell.
Sweet Cream waffles smells super sweet, rich, and warm and is a perfect fall or winter scent. They’re soy melts so are much safer and cleaner to burn. But what really appeals to me is how affordable they are!
2. Yankee Candle A Calm And Quiet Place
A delicate meditative scent
I use A Calm And Quiet Place in the bedroom as it’s a very relaxing scent made with notes of jasmine, amber and musk. However, while it is stunning, A Calm And Quiet Place is not the strongest wax melt scent from Yankee Candle so I wouldn’t recommend it for a large space.
My bedroom is average sized and I find that these wax melts leave a gentle lingering fragrance. However, I can’t detect the smell anywhere else in the home. But I think this is ideal for something like a guest room where you want to create a welcoming atmosphere without going over the top. Plus, this scent is very generic so will appeal to most people.
My one gripe with Yankee Candle is that the brand still uses paraffin wax which doesn’t give such a clean burn. But this is less of an issue when using wax melts where it can be problematic when burning candles since there will be soot residue.
3. Partylite Papaya Paradise
Super long lasting wax melts, ideal for covering odors
When a wax melt performs well, I’m sold. So I was over the moon to find that Partylite wax melts can last for up to 60 hours. Now, this is on the condition that you use the company’s own electric burners but even when using a standard burner, I noticed that the scent lasted through several 4 hour tealights.
I chose the Papaya Paradise scent as a summer fragrance and found that it really filled my home with scent. Lighting it in the kitchen, I could still catch a whiff when descending the stairs. If you want something intense, then this is a real showstopper.
However, I have to point out that these are some of the more expensive wax melts on the market. While they do a great job of covering bad odors, they perform no better than the monster that is Scentsationals which are significantly cheaper.
4. Bath And Body Works Black Cherry Merlot
Delicate and affordable wax melts for everyday use
Now, I’m going to start with the downside of these Bath and Body Works wax melts; they’re not very strong nor do they have great longevity. However, I don’t want to totally bin them off because there are some good points about them.
If you’re looking for an everyday wax melt to use in a small space like a WC then I think these are fantastic. They’re $4.50 for four melts so they’re among some of the most affordable. However, if you want to fill a larger space with fragrance, then I’d recommend using more than one chunk, which does decrease the value for money somewhat.
Onto the scent; Black Cherry Merlot is, without a doubt, a stunning scent. I first experienced it in the form of the fragrance mist and just had to try the wax melt. It’s a perfect year-round scent with sweet red fruits alongside the warmth of merlot. There’s certainly a luxurious and elegant feel to the scent which I think is perfect for the bedroom.
5. Woodwick Cinnamon Chai
Rich and warm, perfect for the holiday season
At Christmas, I’m always trying to find the perfect welcoming scent and something cinnamon is always at the top of my list. I chose these Woodwick melts in Cinnamon Chai purely because of the reputation of the brand, and I wasn’t disappointed.
The scent is a sweet blend of cinnamon and vanilla which I think is pretty unique as cinnamon is normally blended with apple. When I burned these melts, they got a ton of compliments from guests and were instantly noticeable upon entering the room.
That said, I found that the scent didn’t spread as far as when I’ve used Woodwick candles. But when used in a small to medium sized room, you’ll get more than enough of a delicate fragrance that lasts very well.
6. Flippin’ Happy Wax Melts Beach Linen
A new innovation on the soy wax melt
Flippin’ Happy wax melts are made in such a way that you don’t get that crumbliness that soy melts are known for. So, my initial experience was one of sheer delight that I didn’t have a lot of mess to clean up.
But what about the scent? Well, I chose Beach Linen because I think it’s the perfect scent for a happy home. It’s summery, fresh, and really welcoming. For this reason, I often use these melts in the hallway and guests always comment on the lovely fragrance. However, they also work very well in a bathroom.
Beach Linen has quite a strong scent but I find that it doesn’t last as long as the brand claims. Even after just a few hours, the scent is barely noticeable and for the price, I would have expected more.
7. Pioneer Woman Cedar and Citrus
Perfectly presented for a beautiful gift
Not only do these wax melts come in the most adorable little tin but they’re among some of the best performers on my list. I found Cedar and Citrus to be a really inviting scent that I can’t get enough of around my home.
Even living in a larger property, I noticed that the scent of the melts carried from room to room. It wasn’t overpowering but certainly noticeable and I think this is the best balance I’ve smelt in a wax melt.
It also smells really luxurious. It almost reminds me of a cologne with notes of moss, orange, and amber. This makes me want to use the melts in the bedroom for a really comforting and luxurious experience.
8. Tuscany Candle
Delicately fragranced soy wax melts
Coconut Jasmine is a limited edition scent that I just had to try. I never used to be a fan of summery, tropical scents like this but over time, my nose seems to have evolved to love them. So, I had high hopes for this one and I was very happy with the results.
This Tuscany Candle scent is gentle yet noticeable. If you’re looking for something super strong, I’d steer clear as, while it starts out quite in your face, this quickly fades to something more delicate. That I did not have a problem with as I was using this in a guest toilet where it more than filled the space with enough aroma.
That said, I think this would also work well in a bedroom as there’s a real hint of clean laundry that feels cozy and comforting. But if you wanted something stronger, I’d suggest Yankee Candle Coconut Beach which is very similar.
9. Huntington Home First Snow (Aldi)
Stunning budget scents
Honestly, I’ll admit that I wasn’t expecting too much from the Aldi wax melts purely because they were so affordable. They couldn’t possibly perform well at that price; could they? How wrong I was because these are among some of the strongest smelling wax melts I could find.
First Snow is a lovely wintry with peppermint and vanilla. It’s sweet but not too sweet and is perfect in a kitchen or dining room. I found that the scent spread evenly through the room and remained noticeable for quite a long time. It’s not as long lasting as some other brands like Woodwick but the scent is notably stronger.
10. Swan Creek Fresh Strawberry
They’re almost good enough to eat (but don’t!)
For all the foodies out there, I couldn’t find any wax melts that made my mouth water as much as Fresh Strawberry from Swan Creek. These melts smell very realistic and I think are perfect in a kitchen or dining room for a summer dinner party.
Before I get into more about how great these melts smell, I should point out that they’re quite difficult to break and get out of the packaging. It’s not the end of the world but it does mean things get a little messy.
However, I’d say it was worth it as these wax melts perform insanely well. The spread of the fragrance is massive and when lighting the burner in one room, I could easily smell it several rooms away; it’s really that strong. Plus, it lasts much longer than other brands, up to 25 hours. Although, I found that between 12 and 16 hours is more realistic.
11. Febreze Lavender And Eucalyptus
Great for fighting nasty odors
If you regularly notice unpleasant odors in your home then these Febreze wax melts are designed to tackle the problem. But do they work? Well, yes and no; I found that they covered some odors but the scent wasn’t strong enough for very bad smells.
For things like pet smells or a stinky teenage bedroom, the delicate Lavender and Eucalyptus scent did a great job. However, for things like cigarette smoke, I don’t think they perform quite as well.
I really liked the herbal, fresh scent of these melts but I was disappointed that it didn’t last longer. From a fragrance powerhouse like Febreze, I definitely expected more in terms of longevity but for occasional or casual use, they’re great value for money.
12. Better Homes and Gardens Vanilla Caramel Spice
A very realistic smelling wax melt
When I burned these wax melts, my home was transformed into a quaint little bakery. I love these sweet scents as they make me feel really at home and the fragrance was very convincing. What I also really liked about the Vanilla Caramel Spice from Better Homes and Gardens was how well it masked odors.
This one works excellently in hallways for welcoming guests and will not go unnoticed. The rich, warm aroma easily moved around my home and I certainly didn’t need to be in the same room to get a good smell of it. Plus, it lasts incredibly well before the scent starts to disappear.
However, what I did find was that the melts did not come out of the packaging easily. This is especially true when they’re very cold and I almost broke a nail in the process!
13. Kohl’s Love Spell
A signature scent for your home
One of the reasons that I love Love Spell so much is that it’s a really unique smelling wax melt. It’s a blend of florals and musk including jasmine, cherry blossom, and cyclamen. There’s also the bergamot and white peach which add to the summery accord of these melts.
I can see where it gets its name because everyone that comes into my home when I burn this melt says how wonderful it is. However, it’s not a very powerful scent. Therefore, I find this works best in smaller spaces.
While it is one of the more delicate scents on this list, it does have good staying power and I get a lot of use out of one melt.
14. Mainstays At The Fair
A sweet treat for dessert fans
At The Fair is meant to be a blend of things like churros, brown sugar, and caramel, among other things that remind you of a night at the fair. I do get some of that sweetness and there’s no denying that this is one of the best dessert-themed wax melts but I expected more. To me, this doesn’t smell all that different from Sweet Cream Waffles where I wanted more chocolate and cinnamon which it promised.
However, it’s still a beautiful scent and incredibly strong. The performance of this, I think, is better than any other sweet wax melt. I had no problem smelling the fragrance from the other side of my home and it was the gift that just kept on giving with hours of scent.
15. The Candle Daddy Georgia Peach
A super sweet and fruity scent that’s perfect for summer
If you love fruity scents then Georgia Peach will be right up your street. What’s more, where a lot of wax melts smell very synthetic, I noticed how much like real peaches this one smelled. It feels very natural and I noticed that there were a lot of other scents that are less common such as watermelon and vanilla waffle cone. If you want wax melts that are a little different from the norm, this brand is worth trying.
That said, they’re among some of the more expensive wax melts so you have to wonder whether it’s good value for money. The truth is the Georgia Peach projects enormously well around the room and beyond. I could easily smell this strong scent in the next room over.
What’s more, I found these wax melts to last for a very long time. Continually burning the same melt all day had no impact on the strength of the fragrance.
FAQs On Wax Melts
Are wax melts toxic?
Wax melts are typically safer to burn than candles as they release fragrances without harmful chemicals which may be present in things like paraffin wax.
Are wax melts safe for pets?
When used safely, wax melts should be fine to use around pets; ensure good ventilation and keep your pets away from direct contact with the melts. However, as with all artificial fragrances, there is a risk to your pet’s health so it’s worth considering.
Wax melt fragrances contain chemicals that could cause respiratory upset. If you are using your wax melts safely and notice any negative effects on your pet, you should cease use immediately.
Are wax melts better than candles?
Not only do wax melts give a cleaner burn than candles, they are also safer. While you can use a burner with a tealight candle, there are also flame-free burners that heat up using electricity so there is no risk of fire.
How many wax cubes to use?
You should only need to use one wax melt at a time. Depending on the brand, quality, and strength, a single wax cube could last anywhere between four and twelve hours. That said, there are some companies that make much smaller wax melts and in this case, you may wish to add two or three to increase the fragrance. Just be sure that, once they melt, the liquid wax won’t spill out of the burner.
Will wax seals melt in the mail?
In very hot climates, there is a chance that the wax will begin to melt. However, manufacturers will often use cold packs to prevent this from happening. In normal climates, it’s unlikely that the wax cubes will melt during shipping.
How long do wax melts last unused?
Wax melts can be kept for up to 12 months unused. However, they’re more likely to lose their scent if they are not stored correctly. Make sure to keep them out of direct sunlight and in a sealed container.