We stock both beeswax and soy candles, and we get asked to compare them regularly. The honest answer is that they're quite different objects that happen to share a category. Here's what we've observed from years of burning both.

Burn time and behaviour ¶

Beeswax burns more slowly than soy, largely because it has a higher melting point. A 25cm beeswax taper will typically burn for four to five hours. A 220g soy candle in a glass vessel will burn for around 40 to 50 hours depending on wick size and room conditions.

Beeswax drips less than paraffin but more than soy. If you're using beeswax tapers in candlesticks, a drip tray is worth having. Soy candles in vessels don't drip at all, since the wax pool is contained.

Scent ¶

Beeswax has a natural, faint honey scent that some people love and others barely notice. It doesn't carry added fragrance as well as soy, which is why most scented candles use soy or a soy blend. If you want an unscented candle that still has a subtle warmth to it, beeswax is the better choice.

Soy wax holds fragrance oil well and releases it consistently as it burns. This is why most of the strongly scented candles you'll find in small boutiques are soy-based. The Clove & Amber candle we stock is a good example: the scent is present but not overwhelming, and it fills a medium-sized room without being aggressive.

Practical considerations ¶

Beeswax tapers are better for the dinner table or a candlestick arrangement. Soy candles in vessels are better for ambient scent in a living room or bedroom. They're solving slightly different problems.

Both will last longer if you trim the wick before each burn and keep them away from draughts. Neither likes being burned for more than four hours at a stretch.

We keep both in stock because they're genuinely different things. If you're not sure which to start with, the beeswax tapers are a good first buy. They're simple, they last, and they look good on almost any table.