16 Best Soy Candles for a Cleaner, Longer-Lasting Scent
Updated: Jan. 27, 2023Made of eco-friendly wax, these soy candles are better for you and the environment. Plus—they smell amazing.
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Scented soy candles for a cozy home
Winter is the perfect time to pull on your flannel pajamas and wool socks, curl up under a pile of throw blankets, and light some scented candles. You may have tried candles made from all kinds of wax—even coconut, palm, and beeswax—but chances are, you’re most familiar with paraffin. It’s the least expensive and therefore most common wax, and it’s probably the one found in most of the candles you own. But if your goal is a healthy home, then you’ve been burning candles wrong. That’s where soy candles come in.
Soy wax is 100 percent natural and is derived from soybeans, a renewable resource. It’s considered healthier—for both you and the environment—than paraffin, which is derived from petroleum and can produce toxic fumes. And because it comes from a plant, soy wax is a smart alternative for vegans. With a lower melting point, soy candles offer a slower, longer, and cleaner burn. They’re soot-free and won’t smoke (unlike paraffin candles), making them a great choice for a clean home.
To top it all off, soy candles smell just as amazing as their paraffin sisters. Many use essential oils for fragrance, keeping them all-natural. The result: a cleaner, more eco-friendly home that’s cozy and bright.
How we chose the best soy candles
To find the best soy wax candles, we tested many ourselves (which is why our homes smell amazing right now) and then turned to reviews to see which ones other users loved. Keep reading for our selection of the best soy candles to turn your home into an oasis.
Candier Gardenia and Tuberose Candle
Best overall soy candle
Candier’s artisanal botanical collection is truly a garden of scents: pineapple vetiver, neroli and jasmine, mandarin geranium, marine camphor—you have seven scent combinations to choose from, and all are a delight. We’re mad about the gardenia and tuberose combo, which brings spring and summer into your home even when it’s frosty outside. Need an excuse to indulge in more than one? Think of these soy candles as gifts that give back. A portion of sales supports Friendship Bridge, a microfancing project aimed at eliminating poverty and empowering women in Guatemala.
Why we love it:
- Reusable glass vessel
- Cruelty-free and devoid of harmful chemicals
- Benefits anti-poverty efforts for women
La Jolie Muse Jasmine and Ylang-Ylang Candle
Best decorative soy candle
Ylang-ylang is used as a stress reliever, and this spa-worthy candle exudes calm along with a subtle floral scent. It comes in an elegant vessel with a rose gold finish that will look beautiful on a table or counter. Light it up, turn on some relaxing music, and wrap yourself in pajamas or a luxurious bathrobe to complete your spa day vibe.
Why we love it:
- 60- to 80-hour burn time
- Reusable vessel (it’d make a great pen or makeup brush holder)
Craft & Kin Fireside Candle
Best wood wick soy candle
Everything about this cozy candle whispers “fireplace.” Not only does it emit a woody scent, but its wooden wick even crackles like the real thing. This Amazon’s Choice candle makes you feel like you’re relaxing in a rustic cabin. Bonus: Its matte black jar makes it a great gift for men who are otherwise impossible to shop for.
Why we love it:
- 45-hour burn time
- Simple, sophisticated black vessel
- Wooden wick burns cleaner
Here for the Burn Boss Lady Candle
Best WFH soy candle
Add homeyness to your work-from-home space with this elegant option from Here for the Burn. The company’s soy candles come in four scrumptious scents (mango guava; bergamot, green grass, and tonka bean; moroccan amber; and spices and evergreen) and add a bit of fun to your home office. No worries if you’re not the woman in charge: This is an A-plus gift for your boss or coworker.
Why we love it:
- Reusable glass vessel
- 60-hour burn time
- Elegant scents
Spongellé Rose Botanica Candle
Best floral soy candle
A rose by any other name—or brand—would not smell as sweet as this heavenly soy candle. Pretty in pink, it’s blooming with a bouquet of sparkling citrus, Turkish rose, and jasmine. It smells like your favorite spa and looks just as inviting. Slip on a weighted eye mask and let the scent lull you into relaxation mode.
Why we love it:
- The wooden wick gives it a fireplace-like crackle
- 50-hour burn time
- Cute giftable floral box
Broken Top White Birch Soy Candle
Best warm and woodsy soy candle
There’s nothing as soothing as walking through the forest and taking in the natural fragrance of the trees. With its blend of cypress, pine, and eucalyptus, this soy candle captures that comforting scent and turns your home into a woodsy wonderland—without any need for warm socks, winter boots, or heated gloves. You can feel good about this purchase too, thanks to Broken Top’s pledge to give back 1 percent of its profits to environmental nonprofits.
Why we love it:
- 50-hour burn time
- It’s a 1 Percent for the Planet company
- Natural woodsy scent
Lulu Candles Fresh Linen Jar Candle
Best budget soy candle
There’s something about the smell of fresh linen that makes everything seem clean and new. And there’s something about getting a Fresh Linen candle for under $20 that makes the experience seem like an unexpected win. That’s why this one has more than 1,900 five-star reviews and a legion of fans. Just as luxurious? These gorgeous loungewear sets that’ll make you happy to stay in all day.
Why we love it:
- Affordable price
- Handcrafted
Benevolence LA Eucalyptus Orange Candle
Best fresh-scented soy candle
Designed to literally shine a light on charitable causes, this lovely candle gives back with each purchase and is designed to spark awareness and kindness. The smell of eucalyptus and orange will freshen the air and create a soothing atmosphere, and the rose gold glass jar makes a quiet statement. And at such a low price, you’ll have cash left over for other comforting goodies, like cozy slippers for women and men.
Why we love it:
- 45-hour burn time
- The wooden wick gives it a fireplace-like crackle
- A portion of proceeds benefits Zoe International to help victims of human trafficking
Good & Well Joshua Tree Candle
Best destination-inspired soy candle
Close your eyes and you’ll swear you’re in Joshua Tree, thanks to this candle’s white sage, cedarwood, and eucalyptus notes. Handcrafted in small batches in Seattle, Good & Well’s National Parks soy candles come in the cutest mini paint cans, which you can reuse when the candle has burned out. If your home is the sort of country rustic that features plaid flannel sheets and warm wood finishes, this is the candle for you.
Why we love it:
- 80+ hours of burn time
- Cruelty-free and free of harmful chemicals
- A portion of proceeds benefits the National Park Foundation and Washington National Park Fund
Bodewell Maison Candle
Best wintry soy candle
The smell of vanilla and nutmeg is a sure sign of the season, and this soy candle adds a touch of spicy clementine for a little zing. Bodewell, the brainchild of designer Effie Tanji that was inspired by her firefighter husband, Shawn, is all about ecological responsibility and philanthropy. The candle will warm your heart, even during the coldest months of the year. It’s not a miracle worker, though; to warm everything else, you’ll need a chunky sweater and some fleece-lined leggings.
Why we love it:
- 45-hour burn time
- Cruelty-free and devoid of harmful chemicals
Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Honeysuckle Candle
Best springtime soy candle
Yes, the same Mrs. Meyer’s that makes your favorite spring cleaning products also makes your favorite spring candle. An Amazon’s Choice item with more than 7,000 five-star reviews, this candle—like all Mrs. Meyer’s products—is inspired by the garden, and the honeysuckle scent fills the air with the sweet smell of newly blossoming flowers and fruits.
Why we love it:
- Reusable glass jelly jar
- Not tested on animals
Vita Mia Mango and Papaya Candle
Best summery soy candle
This juicy candle is bursting with the scents of fresh mango and papaya, transporting you to the tropics and inviting you to chill out with a book and a fruity drink. You won’t actually be there, but the smells of a sunny day at the beach will bring you just as much joy. Need some pampering? Here’s the self-care gift you shouldn’t pass up.
Why we love it:
- Handmade
- 57-hour burn time
Brooklyn Candle Studio Apple Cider Candle
Best autumnal soy candle
Infused with natural cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, orange, and cedarwood essential oils, this eco-friendly candle is the epitome of fall. It’s got a crisp scent and an inherent warmth. If only you could pour yourself a cup of it!
Why we love it:
- Female-founded company
- Cruelty-free and devoid of harmful chemicals
- Twist-tight lid makes it travel friendly
Love Cork Screw White Citrus Candle
Best citrus-scented soy candle
Everyone loves a good food-scented candle, and this is like a fruit basket of tangy oranges and grapefruit, with some cinnamon tossed in to spice things up. It not only smells great, it also does double duty by magically eliminating unwanted odors. You may want to keep one in the kitchen and one in the bathroom—and one to give as a hostess gift the next time your friend invites you over.
Why we love it:
- Handcrafted and made to order
- Eliminates odors rather than covering them up
- Up to 172 hours of burn time
Partaje Sauna Soy Candle
Best splurge soy candle
This luxurious candle is definitely a splurge, but you may end up considering it a bargain for the sense of calm it gives you. Inspired by the beauty of nature, the candle features a heady blend of red cedar, dried green herbs, and firewood. It also has a double wick for an even richer scent. The design is understated, making it perfect for pretty much any home.
Why we love it:
- 65-hour burn time
- Handmade
- Free of harmful chemicals
Floral Street Vanilla Bloom Scented Candle
Best soy blend candle
Made with a vegan blend of soy and rapeseed wax, this eco-friendly candle is a feast for the eyes and the nose. The cheery, sunshine-yellow glass houses a vibrantly scented candle, whose notes of rock rose, plum, golden vanilla, and crisp amber will take you to your happy place. Like the hug of a weighted blanket, this candle comforts in all the right ways.
Why we love it:
- Sustainable and ethically sourced
- Gorgeous recyclable packaging
- Cruelty-free and devoid of harmful chemicals
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