Candles are a quick way to add ambiance to your space and fill it with a pleasant scent. The only potential problem? Candles can quickly become a fire hazard if they’re not used properly. Not only that, the smoke they emit can discolor walls or nearby curtains.
Candle warmers are a smart alternative to help you avoid these risks. They are reliable, relatively safe and good for spaces that don’t allow you to have open flames such as in college dorms, according to Tim Sendelbach, the fire chief at Loveland Fire Rescue Authority. They also tend to be aesthetically pleasing and add a nice design element to your room. Given these factors, if you pair them with your favorite candle, they can make for a great practical gift, too.
To learn more about how candle warmers work, I spoke with Sendelbach and other experts. I also rounded up highly rated options from Amazon and other retailers for you to shop.
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How I picked top-rated candle warmers
If candles make you nervous about accidentally causing a fire in your space, a candle warmer is a smart alternative, says Teri Johnson, the founder of Harlem Candle Company. “It’s a safer option, providing peace of mind if you occasionally forget to extinguish a lit candle.” To help you find the best candle warmers, I spoke with experts about what to consider when shopping:
- Safety: The experts I spoke with said you should prioritize candle warmers with an auto shut-off or timer feature, so there’s a backup in case you forget to turn it off.
- Halogen light bulbs: Many candle warmers use a halogen light bulb to emit enough heat to gently melt a candle. Most of the warmers on this list come with a bulb included, though some require you to buy them separately.
- Size: I included warmers with different heights and widths to fit varying candle sizes and options.
- Style: Candle warmers are intended to sit out in your space, so you want one that looks good. In addition to functionality, we considered warmers with a range of styles to fit whatever decor vibe you may have in your home.
Top-rated candle warmers
Using the expert guidance above, I rounded up top-rated candle warmers. All of them have at least a 4-star average rating from at least a few hundred reviews.
This candle warmer has a halogen light bulb at the top that warms the wax and a LED light on the base that allows you to switch between seven colors, depending on your mood. You can also set it to move between all the different colors for a rainbow effect — making it a fun gift. The cord has a control attached to it that allows you to turn it on and off, adjust the lamp’s brightness, change the LED color and put it on a timer.
This candle warmer has a wooden base, a built-in timer and comes with a lampshade and halogen warming lightbulb. You can also adjust the bulb’s brightness thanks to a built-in dimmer. One thing to note: The shade is made of glass, so be careful when moving it.
Size: 6 x 13.8 x 5.5 in.
If the lamp portion isn’t important to you, consider this candle warming plate. It has a minimalist design and is the most affordable option on this list. The plate has a light on the bottom to let you know whether or not the warmer is on. It also automatically shuts off after 8 hours.
This candle warmer melts candle wax from the top down thanks to a halogen bulb, according to the brand. It has a dimmable timer with two-, four- and eight-hour timing options that will automatically shut off once finished, according to the brand.
This lantern comes with a halogen bulb and can fit candles that are larger and wider. The lantern has punched out designs all over it, emitting lights in pretty patterns.
With auto-timing features, a dimmable light switch and a lightbulb included with your purchase, this candle warmer would make the perfect holiday gift for yourself or someone you care about. The bottom of the base has an anti-slip pad to keep the lamp in place.
This candle warmer lantern has a rustic design and melts wax from the top down, helping the fragrance to spread evenly around your living space, according to the brand. It has a max height of almost 12 inches and a base of 7.2 inches in width, so it can fit taller candles, as well as those with a larger base. It also comes with a light bulb, so you do not need to buy one separately.
This candle warmer has a dimming light switch so you can adjust the included halogen bulbs to your ideal brightness. It also has a timer so you don’t have to remember to turn it off. It is on the smaller side, so it is best suited for smaller candles.
The Funistree flower candle lamp has a charming vintage feel, thanks to its petal-shaped shade. It comes with two halogen bulbs, has a built-in timer and dial you can use to dim the light.
This warmer heats candle wax using electrical heat, without a light source. You can either place a jarred candle on top of the warmer or can buy individual wax melts that you place in the included dish that sits inside the base. This way, you can control how much wax it burns at a time. The base has raised legs so it avoids coming in direct contact with the surface below for added safety.
This monochromatic lamp works for candles that are short and wide or tall and slender, due to the positioning and height of the light. The cord has a small dial that you can use to dim the light to your preference, and the base has four small holes on it to help heat dissipate, according to the brand.
How to use a candle warmer safely
When using a candle warmer, there are several precautions you should take to avoid causing a fire. Here’s what experts I spoke with suggest:
- Don’t leave it unattended : Whether you burn a candle traditionally or use a candle warmer, you should not leave your candle unattended. “The use of candle warmers does reduce the open flame risk and the controlled temperature settings further reduce the likelihood of an accidental fire,” says Sendelbach. That said, candle warmers themselves can also pose a threat when left unattended and used improperly, such as placing them too close to combustible decor or upholstery, according to Sendelbach.
- Place them in safe areas: You should only put your candle warmer in spots where kids or pets can’t reach them or knock them over, says Susan McKelvey, the communications manager at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). It is also smart to avoid common areas with lots of traffic or on surfaces that are unstable, like the edge of an unstable nightstand, where it may easily fall.
- Never burn your candle simultaneously: Do not burn your candle while the warmer is on. While candle warmers are safer than a lit candle, both can potentially cause a fire if left unattended, according to Sendelbach, pairing them together increases the risk even more.
- Read the labels: Always make sure to read labels and follow manufacturers instructions — they’ll usually have additional safety tips about proper bulb types and more.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Teri Johnson is the founder of Harlem Candle Company.
- Susan McKelvey is the communications manager at the National Fire Protection Association.
- Tim Sendelbach is a fire chief at Loveland Fire Rescue Authority.
Why trust NBC Select?
Cory Fernandez is a commerce editor at NBC Select, where he writes about home and kitchen-related content. Hannah Fuechtman and Carolyn Chun are former NBC Pages who contributed reporting to this story.
