Beeswax candles versus paraffin: what the difference actually is

Beeswax candles cost more than paraffin candles. That's the first thing most people notice. The second thing, usually after they've burned one, is that they behave differently. Whether the difference is worth the price depends on what you're using the candle for and how much you care about a few specific things.

How beeswax burns ¶

Beeswax has a higher melting point than paraffin, which means it burns more slowly and at a higher temperature. A well-made beeswax pillar candle will burn for significantly longer than a paraffin candle of the same size. The beeswax pillars in the shop are rated at around 40 hours, which is a long time for a candle that size.

The flame on a beeswax candle tends to be brighter and steadier than paraffin. This is because beeswax burns more completely, producing less soot. If you've ever noticed a black ring forming on the ceiling above a candle holder, that's paraffin soot. Beeswax produces very little of it.

The scent question ¶

Beeswax has a natural, faint honey scent that comes from the wax itself, not from added fragrance. It's subtle. If you're expecting something that fills a room, beeswax is not that. If you want something that smells faintly pleasant when you walk past it, it's exactly that.

Paraffin candles are often heavily fragranced to compensate for the fact that the wax itself has no natural scent. The fragrance load in some paraffin candles is high enough to be noticeable to people with sensitivities. Beeswax is a reasonable option for people who want a candle in a room where strong scent would be a problem.

When paraffin is the right answer ¶

Paraffin candles are cheaper, more widely available, and come in a much wider range of shapes, colours, and scents. If you need a lot of candles for an event, or you want a very specific colour or fragrance, paraffin is probably the practical choice. The environmental argument for beeswax is real but not overwhelming; both have impacts.

The beeswax candles in the shop are made by a candlemaker in rural Derbyshire from local hive wax. They're sold individually at £18. That's the honest price for what they are.

The amber beeswax pillars are in the shop now. They're one of those things that's easier to understand once you've held one.