The Best Candle Subscription Boxes [Tested and Reviewed]

Best Overall

Vellabox

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A candle subscription that’s affordable, flexible and giftable may seem like a white whale, but we found an option that truly does have it all. Our pick for the best overall candle subscription is Vellabox. Vellabox offers very flexible subscription options, parsed out by candle size. Choices include:

• The Vibe Box (One 16-ounce candle)
• The Glow Box (One 8-ounce candle)
• The Glow Duo Box (Two 8-ounce candles)
• The Glow Trio Box (Three 8-ounce candles)
• The Luxe Box (Two 16-ounce candles)

Our favorite aspect of Vellabox is that each included candle comes from a different candlemaker each month, meaning that there’s no limit to the number of scents and brands you get to try. Plus, regardless of size, each box comes with a curated gift to accompany the candle.

Deputy Shopping Editor Katie Bandurski has been a Vellabox fan ever since trying them for her Vellabox review. In that time, she has received a number of candle companions, from gourmet lip balms to an eco-friendly mini scrub brush. “I’ve received many Vellabox boxes over the years, and they’re all high quality. I’ve found so many amazing scents (hello, pear and brandy), and I love to give them as gifts,” she says.

Subscriptions cost between $22 and $61, depending on your chosen candle size. For the price, we find Vellabox to be an incredible value for gifting, enjoying and exploring new scents. They’re also very well packaged to prevent breakage, and each comes in a pretty fabric pouch that elicits “oohs” and “ahhs” from potential giftees.

Best Scents

Brooklyn Candle

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Some folks are okay with burning a pumpkin spice candle year-round (guilty), yet others prefer sticking to seasonally appropriate scents. Brooklyn Candle heard that plea. Their subscription box delivers a new seasonal candle to recipients each month in its own attractive, sizable container. Simply choose between their subscription options (classic or deluxe) and enjoy scents like Japanese citrus in the summer or woodland pines in the winter.

“The quality seems very nice, and the fragrance is potent but not too overwhelming where it gives me a headache,” says product tester Sydney Manning, who tested the subscription. Sydney’s candle, a springy lavender in a pretty purple container, brings just the right touch of floral to her living room. In addition, each box contains a branded box of matches.

We found the price point affordable and were impressed by the cardboard fortress the candle comes nestled inside for protection. It’s an excellent way to find your new favorite scented candles for summer or a thoughtful “thank you” gift for your bestie.

“For the quality and fragrance of the candle, the price is a steal,” says Sydney. Subscribers can also splurge on the slightly costlier “deluxe” box with a travel candle tin in a complimentary scent.

Best DIY

Siblings

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While I love the idea of a candle subscription, I already have so many mostly burned candles that bringing more into the fold feels excessive. Enter: the Siblings candle subscription. Unlike other candle of the month clubs on this list, Siblings doesn’t offer mystery candles in branded vessels. Instead, this DIY candle kit focuses on reusing old candle holders rather than creating more waste.

Recipients begin by choosing a forever vessel. From there, Siblings sends out a package every three or six months containing three bags of wax with different scents, wicks, wick holders and a matchbox. Recipients then heat up the wax (either via the convenient microwavable bag or on a stovetop) and use the wick and wick holder to pour their own candles into vessels they already own.

I’m a total candle snob—ask anyone in my life. It’s rare to enter my home and not find at least one candle burning at any point in time (apart from when I’m sleeping, of course!). This subscription is perfect for folks like me who appreciate eco-friendly alternatives and already have a ton of mostly used candles that no longer have a purpose. I love that it allows me to reuse old candle vessels rather than adding more glass to landfills!

Additionally, these scents are potent and unique. In my box, I received a eucalyptus, balsam fir and wildberry blend and a bergamot, white rose and oakmoss scent. Both are very fragrant and made my apartment smell amazing as I poured them into a couple of used candle containers. Siblings includes a booklet with their shipments that provides pouring instructions, scent information and helpful information for choosing a vessel. While I typically use my own electric candle lighter, the matchbook is a fun touch that elevates this to a gift-worthy option.

Best for Gifting

Candier Candle Subscription

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While some folks prefer a predictable candle subscription that always looks the same, others prefer more of a “surprise” aspect. Candier isn’t your average spa candle company. The scents are true-to-life and have fun names like Gimmie Gummies  (featuring wax gummy bears) or I Can’t Adult Today (fruity cereal milk). The designs are equally loud, exciting and look absolutely adorable on display.

Candier’s candle subscription pulls a new scent each month, corresponding to a seasonal theme. The packaging is girly, eye-catching and pretty, and each candle comes in a stylish container complete with a scent bio. While the artful wax presentation varies, each month’s shipment is guaranteed to be display-worthy. Some of the options we received (like a gorgeous wax rose) were almost too pretty to burn! Going forward, this is going to be my go-to gift for candle lovers.

It’s also surprisingly affordable. While Candier candles typically cost $35 each month, a subscription to the Candier Candle Club costs only $25 per shipment—that’s 25% off! It’s a fantastic deal for folks who want to try a new scent each month (or every three or six months, depending on the frequency chosen). Plus, each monthly shipment comes with two match boxes—a smaller, portable matchbook and a bigger, sturdier one.

My favorite month was May, when I received the stunning Cowboys & Cocktails candle. Talk about a glittery showstopper! Champagne, fresh raspberry, lime and praline channel a late night Nashville bachelorette party. The glitter on top looks so pretty under my candle warmer lamp and the scent is so unique that this might just be my favorite candle ever.

Best Natural

Keap Candle Subscription

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Folks who prefer to stick to eco-friendly wax blends can rest easy with a subscription to Keap’s candle club. These luxury candles comprise a coconut, soy and beeswax blend that burns clean and won’t leave a dreaded wax tunnel around the wick. Natural essential oils are used for fragrance, rather than cloyingly sweet artificial options. This elevated approach makes each candle from Keap feel bespoke, but be warned—it might ruin grocery store candles for you!

In addition to the natural vibe, I love the simplicity of the vessel designs. Each option I received came in a transparent glass vessel printed with the brand name, scent profile and a small, charming illustration. These look super clean on display and don’t detract too much attention from the rest of my decor. Tumblers are also food-safe and can be reused as drinking glasses once cleaned!

Each of my shipments came with a mini tea light candle in a complementary scent, which is a thoughtful addition that made each month feel special. Also included is a decorative dust cover to keep the candle protected when it isn’t burning.  You also receive a huge box of matches in a beautifully printed matchbook. In fact, the matches ultimately became my husband’s favorite part of each shipment! Not only do they look cute as a button sitting next to the candle, but the matches themselves are amazing quality and work well for lighting our fire pit in style.

While this is one of the pricier subscriptions at $47.50 per month (or every two months, depending on your preferred frequency), I’d definitely say it’s well worth it. Keap uses low-waste, sustainable practices, which makes these candles kinder to the earth and your body.

Other Candle Clubs We Tested

• Wickbox: We had high hopes for this popular pick. However, our tester was disappointed in the lack of documentation or information explaining the candle, and they noted that it didn’t burn as cleanly as they expected for a 100% soy wax candle. Plus, despite the claim that you can fill out a scent profile, they were never given the option and ended up with a scent they did not like. Bummer!
• Nest: Unfortunately, Nest discontinued its candle club. We loved the luxe look, gift-ready packaging and overall quality of their candles. Maybe someday we’ll see the club return, but for now, we left it off our list.
• Paddywax: We enjoyed this candle subscription from Paddywax’s Candle Bar, which comes with a mystery recycled vessel each month. However, there’s no consistency between vessel sizes from month-to-month. That means some months feel well worth the pice, while others fall a little flat.
• Slow North: We enjoyed this clean candle brand, especially as a gift. However, we ultimately found the scents to be a little strong for us.

What to Look for When Shopping for Candle Subscription Boxes

When shopping for a scented candle subscription, first consider what you’re looking for in a subscription. If you’re a candle newbie, focus on subscriptions that introduce a variety of scents at a lower price point. This will help you get a feel for what scents you like without wasting money each month on options you’re not too crazy about.

If you’re a tried-and-true candle lover, look at subscriptions that offer bespoke, luxury scents for a break from the usual department store options. Focus on candles that include real essential oils and soy wax rather than paraffin for better scent spread and a cleaner burn. Many companies also offer monthly DIY kits that let you choose your own vessel, which is a great way to recycle used candles.

Those shopping for a candle subscription as a gift should look at options that come in gift-ready boxes and pretty vessels for a more luxe feel.

How We Found the Best Candle Subscription Boxes

We first researched as many candle subscriptions as we could find online. We then narrowed our picks to eight highly rated subscriptions that spanned a range of price points and styles. From there, four candle-crazy editors brought the subscriptions into their homes to test.

We evaluated each option based on the following criteria categories:

• Packaging and shipping
• Variety
• Quality and inclusions
• Value

Overall, we collected about 136 data points within those categories, which earned each candle subscription a score from one to 20. We reevaluated these scores every time we tested a new option to ensure the scores stay up-to-date. This list includes only boxes we feel are a good value for the price. In addition, we followed all practices for making a candle last longer to assess burn time and scent longevity accurately.

FAQ

Is there such a thing as a candle of the month club?

Yes! A candle of the month club (also called a candle subscription box) is a great way for candle lovers to explore scents. They also make the best gifts for candle lovers and those who enjoy decorating their space. Candle clubs typically offer a single mystery scent each month, shipped directly to the recipient’s door. The candles can be ready-made or DIY options that the recipient creates with their own vessel.

Are Vellabox candles safe?

Like most scented candles, Vellabox candles are not toxic. Vellabox uses 100% soy wax rather than paraffin in its candles, giving them a cleaner burn with less soot and emissions.

How do you make a scented candle last longer?

A little-known fact is that candles require more maintenance than simply lighting them. There are lots of best practices for making a scented candle last longer, but the biggest tip we have may seem obvious: letting your candle burn.

Waiting until the surface of your candle is fully liquified prevents “candle tunneling,” or the buildup of wax along the candle walls that won’t burn down. Another way to achieve this is by investing in an electric candle warmer lamp, which melts the entire surface of the candle and helps it last much longer.

Another common issue is candle wick mushrooming, which can make relighting a candle difficult (or even unsafe). This happens when wicks are too large for the candle and don’t burn off all the way or if the wick points directly upwards rather than at a soft angle. While it’s impossible to prevent mushrooming, the solution is simple. Just trim the mushroomed cap from your wick before relighting your candle. Easy peasy!

Why You Should Trust Us

I’m a home decor enthusiast. I also work full-time as a Taste of Home Shopping Editor, in charge of gift guides and testing new and delicious finds like snack subscriptions and cheese clubs. Our shopping team has decades of combined experience recommending the best products to readers. For this piece, we tapped our team’s candle enthusiasts and tested 10 candle subscriptions in our homes.