Updated on Apr. 04, 2025
Candle warmer lamps are an emerging home decor trend, but do they work? Spoiler: I'm adding one to every room in my apartment—here's why.
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I’m a candle girlie through and through. You’ll find me burning popular scents in every room of my apartment throughout the year. And I know I’m not alone; according to SE Carter, founder of Chaos Candle Company, “Candles can have a calming effect on the mind and create a sense of relaxation in spaces.”
But because I burn them all day, every day, they don’t last long. When I discovered the candle warmer lamp on social media, it seemed like the answer to my prayers. Not only are they beautiful home decor accents, but they’re also a safer and longer-lasting way to enjoy candles. After seeing viral video after viral video of the candle warmer lamp, I had to put it to the test.
VIA MERCHANT
A heating bulb thoroughly melts wax and distributes the candle's scent.
It’s the cutest candle accessory we’ve ever seen! A candle warmer lamp is just like a regular lamp, except the bulb distributes heat to thoroughly melt the wax.
This offers an alternative to lighting a candle directly, which comes with downsides. “When you light a wick, the flame heat is on the wick, creating a melted pool to diffuse the scent…this often leads to tunneling where the wax melts faster because the wick is shortened,” explains candlemaker SE Carter.
“A candle warmer lamp has low-wattage to melt the wax evenly. The wax becomes liquid, releasing the scent,” she says. “The structure remains intact, and since the wax isn’t burned, it can last longer.”
Candle warmers come in a variety of lampshade styles, but what sets them apart is that they come with a candle stand and the shade hovers precisely over it. The bulb thoroughly melts wax from top to bottom, creating a perfect environment for enjoying your favorite candle scents.
This discovery made me wonder, are scented candles toxic? The short answer is not really. Studies show burning a candle doesn’t produce an unsafe amount of potentially harmful chemicals. Still, I was intrigued by the fact that candle warmer lamps preserve candles.
The tag #CandleWarmer has racked up over 105 million views on TikTok—and we can see why. People love that it’s a safer alternative to burning candles. No flames plus no potentially harmful fumes equals overall better air quality. Combine that with the fact that it actually helps preserve candles, along with its gorgeous design, and it’s clear why candle warmer lamps have won the internet’s heart.
My candle warmer arrived in January 2023. I carefully unboxed it and removed the Styrofoam encasing. Much to my delight, it came with not one, but two light bulbs. The glass lampshade looked just as stunning in person as it did on social media. I cleared a spot on my nightstand, plugged it in and grabbed a fresh candle from my collection.
The candle I initially tested the lamp with was quite tall, so I was immediately worried it wouldn’t fit on the stand. Luckily, it did, leaving just enough room between the lampshade and the rim of the candle. The cherry on top is the lamp’s dimmable light switch. I turned it to the middle brightness setting and let it work its magic.
After an hour, I returned to the bedroom to check if A) the wax had melted or B) the scent was noticeable. Immediately upon walking into the room, it was filled with a caramel-y aroma from the pumpkin spice candle. And the wax turned to liquid. Success! The cozy glow from the candle inside the dark room was gorgeous. I never took the time to buy lamps for my nightstands, so it was the perfect ambient addition to my decor.
Honestly, I was shocked to discover the wax had actually melted. I imagined it would release the candle’s aroma just like a flame would, but I didn’t expect the wax to turn to liquid. Since my initial test, I’ve moved the candle warmer from my nightstand to a cozy nook next to my favorite cookbooks on my kitchen counter. I leave it on while working from home and as I unwind in the evening. Lighting is everything when it comes to creating cozy spaces, and my candle warmer lamp is just the trick.
I’m consistently impressed with this candle warmer lamp’s quality as I’ve never had to change the light bulb, which says a lot considering it practically works a 9-5 every day (there’s hardly a moment in the day when it’s not melting a candle!)
Fun fact: I’ve also discovered the lamp is a pro at softening a stick of butter when need be.
As this is a viral product, it is unsurprising that this candle warmer lamp has over 1,200 reviews on Amazon with a 4.5-star average rating. With most customers raving about its aesthetic appeal, reliability and longevity, we had to share some of their feedback.
Zandy M., one verified Amazon reviewer, shared her insight into the burning time and peace of mind this warmer provides: “Because it dims, this gives a different way of heating candles. The lower the light, the less it heats the candle. The brighter it is, the quicker it melts the candle. I think this is a perfect solution to not having to use flames. I feel comfortable and safe leaving this one while I leave the house to run errands.”
Another verified reviewer, Bailey said that “these candle lamps are my new favorite things and I’ve already purchased more to give as gifts. They are beautiful and I love how they work! Seems safer than having a candle burning as I have kittens in the house who get very curious. The scent it gives off is amazing and the candles seem to last longer, too.”
Once you decide you’re ready to take the plunge for a candle warmer lamp, the only decision left to make is regarding aesthetics. We love this Luzdiosa candle warmer because it has a classic, vintage design with its wooden base and clear glass lampshade. It also has a lot of functionality benefits, like a user-friendly controller with buttons for a dimmer and timer.
But if that doesn’t suit your home or office aesthetic, you can choose to go for this Funistree Modern Candle Warmer Lamp, which has a sleek, modern design and dark wood base, with similar control panel functionality.
Alternatives to the general lamp design include candle warming plates, like this 2-in-1 Candle and Fragrance Warmer, which also melts wax slowly but won’t interfere with the existing lighting in your room.
Since January 2023, I’ve used my candle warmer lamp daily and can confirm it has held up beautifully. Despite the glass shade breaking in a cross-country move last summer (to be fair, it was due to my poor packing skills, not the candle warmer lamp’s construction), I immediately ordered another one because I couldn’t live without it.
Not only are my candles just as fragrant with the lamp as they are when I set fire to the wick, but they last significantly longer—if not forever. I’ve been warming the same candle for almost six months and the wax is still at the rim. It makes me want to invest in expensive soy candles since I’ll be able to enjoy them forever, thanks to my candle warmer lamp.
As silly as it sounds, I’ve also made it my mission to convert my friends and family to enjoying candles with this warming lamp instead of lighting them. It’s my go-to gift for occasions big and small. When guests walk into my home, the first thing they comment is, ‘what smells so good?,’ referring to the aroma coming from the candle currently being warmed under the lamp.
VIA MERCHANT
A heating bulb thoroughly melts wax and distributes the candle's scent.
Ready for all the cozy vibes? The candle warmer lamp is available on Amazon where it goes for around $30.
It’s a home decor accent and candle melter in one—and the glass lampshade is too gorgeous to pass up. Considering it makes candles last longer, it pays for itself in the long run. Grab your favorite luxe candle and get ready for a cozy ambient glow all. day. long.
While lighting a candle’s wick burns through wax quickly, a candle warmer lamp uses a heating bulb to melt the wax slowly from the top down. As the candle warms, its scent is released throughout your space. Since there’s no active flame, it’s a safer option. So long, soot and smoke!
Yes! Using a candle warmer lamp is a bit slower than burning a candle with a flame, but after extensive testing, we can assure you that it works wonderfully.
We do not recommend leaving a candle warmer running overnight or unattended. Since the lamp gets quite hot, it may pose a potential burn hazard, similar to other electric heating devices.
Madi Koetting is a pioneer of Taste Recipes‘s social media and editorial team with hands-on experience testing and reviewing top products for more brands including Reader’s Digest, The Everygirl, Stylecaster, Family Handyman and more. During her time with these publications, she has reviewed thousands of products in the home and lifestyle sphere. Given her extensive experience, she is an excellent candidate to review the famous candle warmer lamp.
We also consulted SE Carter, a candlemaker and founder of Chaos Candle Company, a deaf-owned fragrance brand founded in 2020.
Finally, Monica Petrucci is a Content Updates Editor who updated and contributed research to this piece. Monica is a writer and editor who has been covering food, home and commerce content for publications like USA Today, Food & Wine, Yahoo and more.
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