The 11 Best Candle Warmer Lamps of 2023
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All the benefits of a candle, without the flame
The Spruce / Reese Herrington
Candle warmers are a great, flame-free alternative to traditional candles, using a variety of mechanisms to heat the wax without having to light a wick. If you want all of the benefits of candle without the flame, candle warmer lamps are a great option. "For anyone looking for a safe and non-flame option for enjoying home fragrance, candle warmer lamps are perfect," says home fragrance expert Kudzi Chikumbu. What's more, they also come in a variety of styles and shapes to better match your decor.
Keeping Chikumbu's insights in mind, we researched options of various sizes, materials, and styles. Our favorite is the Cozyberry Esencial Candle Warmer, an aesthetically pleasing piece with a built-in timer and dimmer function.
Cozyberry Esencial Candle Warmer
Best Overall
What We Like
Aesthetically pleasing
Helps candles last longer
Dimmer and timer
What We Don't Like
Bulb isn't long-lasting
If you ask us, Cozyberry makes the best candle warmer lamp. The Esencial Candle Warmer is designed to melt your candle wax from the top down, releasing a noticeable fragrance without any flames or smoke. According to the brand, your candles will last twice as long as burning them the traditional way.
Available in white or black, this visually pleasing product has a solid rubberwood or real marble base and a metal arm and shade. There's also cork on the bottom of the base to help it stay in place on various surfaces. It comes with a 50-watt halogen bulb that emits a warm glow reminiscent of real candlelight. Not only that, but the Esencial Candle Warmer has a dimmer function and a built-in timer with an automatic shutoff feature.
One thing to note is that the bulb isn't very long-lasting, but replacement bulbs are pretty affordable. We wouldn't call this product budget-friendly, but the price is reasonable considering the overall quality and attractive design.
Price at time of publish: $54
Dimensions: 13 x 6 x 4 inches | Material: Rubberwood or marble, metal, cork | Dimmable: Yes
Candle Warmers Etc. Aurora Candle Warmer Lamp
Best Budget
What We Like
Reasonably priced
Multiple finishes available
Ideal medium size
What We Don't Like
Not dimmable
Candle warmers don't vary too much in price, but if you're on a budget, this is one of the more affordable options. The Aurora Lamp from Candle Warmers Etc. is made of metal and comes in your choice of a black, brown, pewter, or silver finish. It has a curvy stem and a frosted shade over a 25-watt warming bulb that emits light as it slowly melts wax.
This warmer lamp is an ideal medium size to accommodate candle jars up to about 16 ounces. We also like that it's compact enough to place on a desk, shelf, table, or countertop without taking up too much space. The design of this product is relatively basic, so it's not dimmable and doesn't have a built-in timer. Still, we think it's a good value for the price.
Price at time of publish: $36
Dimensions: 10.5 x 7.5 x 5.5 inches | Material: Metal | Dimmable: No
Gatórleds Romantic Nordic Melting Candle Lamp
Best Luxury
What We Like
Solid oak base
Attractive design
Produces cleaner scent
What We Don't Like
Pricey
Must choose dimmer or timer
If you're interested in a higher-end design, consider the Gatórleds Romantic Nordic Melting Lamp. Available in black, green, or white, this attractive candle warmer has a solid oak wood base and a metal stem. We're big fans of the simple yet elegant design, which will pair effortlessly with modern, mid-century, and traditional decor schemes alike.
The included bulb is designed to slowly pool the wax in your candle and produce a cleaner, more fragrant scent than you'd get from lighting the wick. There are two options available, one with a dimmer function and the other with a built-in timer. But unfortunately, the lamp isn't available with both features. All things considered, the price is a little steep but definitely not unreasonable.
Price at time of publish: $90
Dimensions: 14 x 7 x 4.5 inches | Material: Metal, oak wood | Dimmable: Optional
PDGrow Candle Warmer Lamp
Best Adjustable
What We Like
Brightness controls
Adjustable arm height
Automatic shutoff
What We Don't Like
Shade gets hot to the touch
Looking for an adjustable model? Check out the PDGrow Candle Warmer Lamp. It has a dimmer function that allows you to control the brightness, plus a built-in timer you can set to automatically shut off after two, four, or eight hours. Both features are easily accessible by a controller located on the cord.
In addition to the brightness, you can adjust the height of the lamp arm. This allows you to position the bulb farther or closer to accommodate various candle sizes and melt the wax at different speeds. The only drawback of this product is that the metal shade gets hot to the touch, so you'll definitely want to let it cool down for a while after turning it off before moving it.
Price at time of publish: $64
Dimensions: 13.5 x 6 x 6 inches | Material: Metal, wood | Dimmable: Yes
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ChiaChia Candle Warmer Lamp
Best with Timer
What We Like
Warm ambient glow
Adjustable heat/brightness
Extends life of candles
What We Don't Like
Assembly required
We also like the ChiaChia Candle Warmer Lamp. It calls on a 50-watt halogen bulb to gently heat your candle wax so that it melts slowly and evenly, emitting a nice fragrance into your space. Not only that, but the heating method helps extend the life of your scented candles. The 2700-kelvin bulb also creates a warm, ambient, candle-like glow without creating any soot or smoke.
What's more, you can adjust the brightness to control how quickly the wax melts and set the built-in timer to automatically turn off after a couple of hours. This product has a minimalist, mid-century appeal that'll make a simple statement in your space. The only drawback is that you'll have to assemble it at home, but it should be a quick and easy process.
Price at time of publish: $58
Dimensions: 16 x 14 x 5.5 inches | Material: Metal, wood | Dimmable: Yes
Hestia Candle Warmer Magic Candle Warmer Lamp
Best for Large Candles
What We Like
Wide base and shade
Adjustable height
Warm, candle-like glow
What We Don't Like
Stiff adjustment knob
Pricey
If you like to burn Yankee, three-wick, or otherwise large candles, the Hestia Magic Candle Warmer is your best bet. This product has a wide base and comes with a 50-watt halogen bulb within a frosted shade that calls on top-down technology to melt your candle wax and release the strongest, purest fragrance without any flames, smoke, or soot.
We also appreciate that the bulb creates a warm ambient glow. This product is available with a dimmer function only or a timer and a dimmer, the latter of which costs a little more. You can adjust the height of the arm so that the bulb is closer or farther from your candle, but some buyers have noted that the knob is a little stiff.
Price at time of publish: $65
Dimensions: 11 x 6 x 6 inches | Material: Metal | Dimmable: Yes
Sokcvsea Fragrance Candle Warmer Lamp
Best for Small Candles
What We Like
Compact
Minimalist-modern design
Burns wax evenly
What We Don't Like
Metal gets hot to the touch
For smaller candles, we recommend the Sokcvsea Warmer Lamp. The base has a round divot in the center, where you can place candle jars between 8 to 12 ounces. Crafted from wood and metal with a matte finish in your choice of black or white, this attractive piece has a minimalist-modern appeal.
When you switch it on, it'll begin melting your candle wax after about 10 to 20 minutes, at which point you'll begin to notice the fragrance in your home. You can also dim the bulb to adjust the brightness and control the wax-melting speed. One thing to note is that the metal shade and stem get pretty hot to the touch, so be careful when handling it.
Price at time of publish: $68
Dimensions: 12.5 x 7 x 7 inches | Material: Wood, metal | Dimmable: Yes
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Candle Warmers Etc. Hurricane Candle Warmer Lantern
Best Lantern
What We Like
Old-fashioned design
Gentle heat and even melting
Smoke-free scent release
What We Don't Like
Not portable
Not dimmable
We're also big fans of this lantern-style option from Candle Warmers Etc. Instead of resembling a traditional tabletop lamp, the Hurricane Warmer is modeled after an old-fashioned lantern. In traditional lantern fashion, it's crafted from iron and has a handle on top, but bear in mind it's not actually portable in that it has to be plugged into a wall to work.
This product comes with a special halogen warming bulb that gently heats your candle wax so that it melts evenly from the top down, safely releasing a scent into your home without any smoke. Unfortunately, it doesn't have a dimmer function. But since the price is on the more affordable end, we still think it's a great value.
Price at time of publish: Varies
Dimensions: 11.5 x 7 x 4 inches | Material: Iron | Dimmable: No
Aikut Candle Warmer Lamp
Best Wooden
What We Like
Boxy, modern design
Adjustable ambiance
Automatic shutoff feature
What We Don't Like
Short power cord
If you're drawn to wooden home decor, this one's for you. Made of solid wood with a natural finish, the Aikut Candle Warmer Lamp features a boxy design and a decidedly modern appeal. The simple shade is made of metal with a black powder-coated finish. It shines the included halogen bulb directly down onto your candle to ensure the wax melts evenly.
Thanks to a built-in dimmer function, you can adjust the brightness of the lamp to your preferred ambiance while controlling the speed at which the wax melts. This lamp also has a built-in timer, so you can set it to automatically shut off one to four hours after turning it on. Since the power cord is somewhat short, you'll want to make sure there's a nearby outlet where you plan to place it.
Price at time of publish: $65
Dimensions: 11 x 8 x 6.5 inches | Material: Wood, metal | Dimmable: Yes
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Perpurity Candle Warmer Lamp
Best Modern
What We Like
Oversized shade
Unique curved metal arm
Works with all candle sizes
What We Don't Like
Somewhat short power cord
If your home decor taste leans modern, go with the Perpurity Candle Warmer Lamp. Made of stainless steel and wood, this visually appealing product features a C-shaped arm and an oversized shade that shines a 50-watt bulb directly over the base. It'll make a striking statement in your space while melting your candles safely and evenly without emitting any soot.
The base is designed to work with all candle sizes, including mini jars, Yankee candles, three-wick containers, and everything in between. There's also a dimmer function that allows you to adjust the brightness, warmth, and wax-melting speed. Since the power cord is on the shorter side, just make sure there's an outlet within a few feet of where you plan to place it.
Price at time of publish: $56
Dimensions: 15 x 12 x 7.5 inches | Material: Stainless steel, wood | Dimmable: Yes
Novamer Candle Warmer Lamp
Best Vintage-Inspired
What We Like
Feminine, retro aesthetic
Amber-tinted glass shade
Automatic shutoff feature
What We Don't Like
Light isn't centered over base
The Novamer Candle Warmer Lamp has a vintage-inspired glass lampshade that adds a feminine, retro touch to your decor scheme. Since the glass is tinted to an amber hue, it helps the bulb emit a warm glow to enhance your candle-melting ambiance without the need to light any flames indoors. You can even use it as a bedside lamp, with or without a candle on the base.
We also appreciate that this light has a dimmer function, so you can adjust the brightness and warmth. You can also set the timer to automatically shut off after a couple of hours of use. One thing to note is that the light isn't centered exactly over the base. This may not be an issue, but it could affect how evenly the wax melts, depending on the size of the candle.
Price at time of publish: $60
Dimensions: 13 x 6.5 x 6 inches | Material: Metal, wood, glass | Dimmable: Yes
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After researching today's best candle warmers, our top choice is the Cozyberry Esencial Candle Warmer. In addition to the aesthetically pleasing design, we like that it helps your candles last longer and has handy features, like a dimmer and timer function. The Candle Warmers Etc. Aurora Candle Warmer Lamp is a more affordable option that comes in multiple finishes—just bear in mind it doesn't have a dimmer.
What to Look For in a Candle Warmer Lamp
Size
Candle warmer lamps don't vary a whole lot in size. As with the Cozyberry Esencial Candle Warmer, most measure roughly 13 inches tall and 6 inches at the base. In any case, check the dimensions to make sure it'll fit in your space. You'll also want to make sure the power cord is long enough to reach the nearest outlet.
Candle Capacity
As noted, candle warmers don't vary too much in size. However, depending on the base and height, they may not be able to accommodate all candle sizes. For instance, the Hestia Magic Candle Warmer Lamp is designed to fit Yankee candles and three-wick jars, whereas the Sokcvsea Fragrance Candle Warmer Lamp is more suitable for small votives. Something with an adjustable height will offer more flexibility in terms of what candles can fit.
Material and Style
"A great-looking candle warmer lamp adds a fun, decorative touch to your home," says Chikumbu. With this in mind, you'll want to pay attention to the material, as this will affect the aesthetic.
Many candle warmers are made of wood and metal, like the Aikut Candle Warmer Lamp, which lends to a modern, versatile appeal. There are also vintage-inspired options with amber-tinted glass shades, like the Novamer Dimmable Candle Warmer Lamp. One thing to note is that any metal components can get pretty hot, so keep this in mind any time you have the light on.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a candle warmer lamp? And do they work?
As Chikumbu explains, "Candle lamp warmers use the heat from a light bulb to melt the candle wax and diffuse the scent into your space without the need for a flame." In terms of melting the wax and emitting a fragrance, they definitely work. They're also considered a safer option than lighting the wick, as you can avoid having an open flame in your home.
How long will a candle's scent last when using a candle warmer lamp?
"Candle scent longevity depends on so many factors, [but] mostly the amount of fragrance oil used," says Chikumbu. When you use a candle warmer lamp, you can expect the fragrance to last about as long as it would if you lit the wick. That said, it might be slightly different or not as strong as you're used to since it won't have the distinct smokey smell.
"Candle warmer lamps are perfect for using candles for short amounts of time because they burn the top wax layer evenly every quickly, unlike a flame, which you have to give an hour or two for a full melt," adds Chikumbu.
What is the downside of using a candle warmer lamp?
One potential downside of using a candle warmer lamp is that it doesn't use an open flame. While this eliminates the risk of a fire hazard, some people just prefer the warm, ambient glow of a burning wick.
"Over time, wax under a candle warmer lamp will lose its fragrance strength," Chikumbu notes. "It takes a few days or weeks, depending on the frequency of use and the amount of fragrance oil."
Why Trust The Spruce?
Theresa Holland is a freelance writer and product reviewer specializing in decor and lifestyle. For this article, she interviewed home fragrance expert and candle influencer Kudzi Chikumbu, who offered insight into how candle warmers work and their benefits. After considering dozens of designs from various brands, she narrowed it down to visually pleasing lamps with standout features and reasonable price tags. Theresa has been contributing to The Spruce since 2019. You can find more of her stories on People, Byrdie, and Travel + Leisure.
