Comparison
Candle warmer lamp vs wax melter: which should you buy?
A candle warmer lamp warms a whole jar candle from above. A wax melter heats loose wax from below. Here is how to choose between them.
The short difference
A candle warmer lamp is an electric, flameless lamp that heats a jar candle from above with a halogen bulb. The wax softens at the top and the candle lasts for many sessions.
A wax melter (also called a wax warmer or wax melt burner) heats loose wax melts in a small dish from below, using a tealight or an electric element. The wax is used up as it melts and gets replaced.
Side by side
| Candle warmer lamp | Wax melter | |
|---|---|---|
| Heats from | Above, with a bulb | Below, from a dish |
| Uses | A jar candle you keep | Loose wax melts you replace |
| Wick | Left unlit | No wick |
| Flame | None | None with electric; a tealight has one |
| Doubles as a lamp | Yes | Not usually |
| Scent changes | Swap the jar | Swap the melts |
| Mess | Very little | Wax needs cleaning out |
Choose a candle warmer lamp if
- You already own, or want to buy, jar candles.
- You want a lamp that doubles as décor.
- You want to avoid cleaning wax.
- You want each candle to last longer.
Choose a wax melter if
- You like to mix and change scents often with small melts.
- You want a very small, simple warmer.
Our view
If you love candles, a warmer lamp is the better fit. You keep the candle, you get a lamp, and nothing burns. See how it compares with a lit candle, then browse our candle warmer lamps.
Candle warmer lamps to compare
Questions people ask
What is the difference between a candle warmer lamp and a wax melter?
A candle warmer lamp heats a jar candle from above with a bulb, so you keep the candle. A wax melter heats loose wax melts in a dish from below, so you use the wax up.
Can I use wax melts in a candle warmer lamp?
Only if you put them in a heat-safe dish that fits under the bulb. Lamps are designed for jar candles, and wax melters are designed for melts.
Which is cheaper to run?
Both use pence of electricity an evening. The bigger difference is the wax: a jar candle under a lamp lasts much longer than loose melts in a melter.