Lighting candles around your home is one of the easiest and fastest ways to create a relaxing ambiance. Candles can quickly become a fire safety hazard when not used properly, however.
That’s where a candle warmer can help. They’re a reliable, relatively safe alternative you can use to avoid those risks, especially if you’re in spaces where you’re not allowed to have open flames such as in college dorms, according to Tim Sendelbach, the fire chief at
Loveland Fire Rescue Authority
. To learn more about how to use a candle warmer safely, we spoke with Sendelbach and other experts, plus rounded up highly rated options from Amazon and other retailers.
Selected.
-
Best overallMarycele Candle Warmer Lamp
$28.89$33.99Amazon
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-
Best budget pickCandle Warmers Etc. Warmer Plate
$undefined$14.99Amazon
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-
Editor’s pickMauyue Candle Warmer Lamp Dimmable Timer
$21.83$49.99Amazon
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-
Best splurgeFunistree Flower Candle Warmer Lamp
$25.11$29.98Amazon
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How we picked top-rated candle warmers
A candle warmer is a great option for anyone nervous about accidentally causing a fire in their space, says Teri Johnson, the founder of
Harlem Candle Company
. “It’s also a safer option, providing peace of mind if you occasionally forget to turn off a lit candle.” To help you find the best ones, we spoke with experts about what to consider when shopping and kept the following in mind when building this list:
-
Safety:
Most of the candle warmers on our list have 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 require a halogen light bulb, which provides light and enough heat to gently melt a candle. Most of the candle warmers on this list either come with a halogen bulb included, though some require you to buy them separately. -
Size:
Candles come in many sizes, so we included warmers with different heights and widths to fit varying candle options. -
Auto shut-off:
The majority of the candle warmers below have an auto shut-off feature and/or a built-in timer. -
Style and ambiance:
In addition to functionality, we considered warmers with a range of styles.
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Top-rated candle warmers
All of the candle warmers below have at least a 4-star average rating from around 100 reviews or more on Amazon and Walmart.
Marycele Candle Warmer Lamp
Marycele Candle Warmer Lamp
- Adjustable brightness
- Built-in timer
- Halogen bulb included
- Glass shade
This candle warmer from Marycele, which has a wooden base and built-in timer, comes with a lampshade and halogen warming lightbulb. It also has an electric dimmer that you can use to adjust the bulb’s brightness. Since the shade is glass, we recommend using caution when around it to avoid it breaking or shattering.
Size:
6 x 13.8 x 5.5 in.
Candle Warmers Etc. Warmer Plate
Candle Warmers Etc. Warmer Plate
- Affordable
- Auto shut-off
- No halogen bulb required
- No light source
This candle warming plate has a minimalist design (note: it doesn’t have a lamp portion) and is the most affordable option on this list. It has a light on the bottom letting you know whether or not the warmer is on, and it automatically shuts off after 8 hours, keeping both you and your home safe.
Size:
5 x 5 x 1.57 in.
Mauyue Candle Warmer Lamp Dimmable Timer
Mauyue Candle Warmer Lamp Dimmable Timer
- Handle on top
- Unique style
- Adjustable temperature
- Nothing to note at this time
This Mauyue candle warmer melts candle wax from the top down, according to the brand. It has halogen bulbs and a dimmable timer with two-, four- and eight-hour timing options that will automatically shut off once finished, according to Mauyue. It also comes in
white
.
Size:
4 x 4 x 9 in.
Softanzi Candle Warmer Lamp
Softanzi Candle Warmer Lamp
- Dimmable
- Anti-slip pad
- Frosted metal
- Nothing to note at this time
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 don’t know well
. Aside from frosted black metal, it also comes in pastel colors like
blue
and
pink
. The bottom of the base has an anti-slip pad to prevent the lamp from getting knocked over.
Size:
5.9 in. W x 11.2 in.
Candle Warmer Lantern
Candle Warmer Lantern
- Rustic style
- Handle on top
- Not dimmable
This candle warmer lantern has a rustic design, and like other options on this list, melts wax from the top down, assuring that any fragrance is 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 the necessary light bulb for use.
Size: 7.2 x 7.2 x 11.5 in.
Coffee and Candle Warmer Dual Plate
Coffee and Candle Warmer Dual Plate
- Warms beverages
- Simple design
- No light source
For those looking for a multipurpose appliance, you can also use this to keep beverages warm. Featuring a one button design for control and temperature adjustment, the plate will heat up to between 122 and 144 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the brand. It’s also waterproof and has an automatic shut off after being in use for eight hours.
Size: 4.72 x 4.72 x 0.51 in.
Aikut Candle Warmer Lamp
Aikut Candle Warmer Lamp
- Modern design
- Halogen bulbs included
- Dimmable
- Nothing to note at this time
This option doubles as a tea and coffee warmer. It’s equipped with a dimming light switch so you can adjust the included halogen bulbs to your ideal brightness and also has a timer so you don’t have to remember to turn it off.
Size: 5 x 6.3 x 7.9 in.
Funistree Flower Candle Warmer Lamp
Funistree Flower Candle Warmer Lamp
- Vintage style
- Non-slip base
- Has a timer
- Nothing to note at this time
The Funistree flower candle lamp has a charming vintage feel, thanks to its petal-shaped shade. It comes with two halogen bulbs, and has a timer and dial you can use to dim the light.
Size: 6.6 x 5.4 x 10.7 in.
Candle Warmers Etc. 2-in-1 Candle and Fragrance Warmer
Candle Warmers Etc. 2-in-1 Candle and Fragrance Warmer
- Raised legs
- Works with wax melts
- No light source
This warmer heats candle wax using electrical heat, without a light source. It’s compatible with a jarred candle or 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.
Size: 4.8 x 4.8 x 3.9 in.
Cozyberry Querencia Candle Warmer Lamp
Cozyberry Querencia Candle Warmer Lamp
- Modern look
- Ventilated base
- Halogen bulb not included
This monochromatic lamp is ideal for candles that are either 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 from the bottom, according to the brand.
Size: 5.2 x 5.2 x 12 in.
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Safety tips for using a candle warmer
There are several safety precautions you should take when using a candle warmer to avoid causing a fire. Here’s what our experts recommend keeping in mind:
Don’t leave it unattended
Regardless of whether you burn a candle traditionally or with a candle warmer, making sure you do so safely should always be a priority. “The use of candle warmers reduces 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
Susan McKelvey, the communications manager at the
National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA) recommends only putting a candle warmer in locations where children or pets can’t reach or knock them over. Avoid common areas or areas, like the edge of an unstable nightstand, where it may easily fall.
Both the warmer and the candle become hot when in use so you shouldn’t try to handle or move the warmer, or especially the light source, while it’s hot. Instead, allow it to cool for a couple hours.
Never burn your candle simultaneously
You should never burn your candle while the warmer is on. While candle warmers are safer than a lit candle, both could potentially cause a fire if left unattended, according to Sendelbach, so pairing them together could increase this 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 ofHarlem Candle Company
.
-
Susan McKelvey
is the communications manager at theNational Fire Protection Association
.
-
Tim Sendelbach
is a fire chief atLoveland 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.
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