5 Best Unscented Candles In 2023 (Buying Guide & Review)

If you’re in a hurry and just want to know which unscented candle would be the best to use, then I would recommend,Unscented Hand Poured Ivory Pillar Candles, as your best choice. 

There are days when bright lights simply don’t cut it. Sometimes you want the subtle lighting and gentle warmth that only candles can create, but without any fragrance. 

Using the best unscented candles, you can create a cozy atmosphere in your home without any added fragrances.

In this article, were going to review the following unscented candles:

My Top 5 Picks for the Best Unscented Candles

1. Unscented Hand Poured Ivory Pillar Candles : Best for Traditional Elegance

This is a set of three pillar candles with textured surface for an elegant addition to your decor. These candles are made with lead-free cotton wicks for toxic-free and even burning. High quality wax burns slowly for extended use.

You will experience the same color throughout the use of this candle because it is not dipped in color but color is fully integrated into the wax. (This brand also offers other color options beyond ivory.)

These candles are known to have a beautiful glow when lit, and this set of candles would look wonderful as part of a centerpiece for the holidays or any special event. They can also be used by individuals who want to add a bit of warmth and soft light in the evenings. And with over 70 hours of burn time, you can use these candles over and over again. 

Dimensions: 6 inches (15.24cm) tall by 3 inches (7.62cm) wide

Burn time: 70 hours each

Pros 

• Eight color options
• Dripless
• Smokeless burn
• Same candle comes in different shapes

Cons

• Requires a candle stand

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2. Unscented 9-inch Grecian Collenette Dinner Candles : Sophisticated Dinner Candles

Perfect for an intimate dinner party, these candles have been crafted with a blend of premium waxes, including beeswax, retaining their raw beeswax hue. Additionally, the Root company creates and tests their own lead-free, natural cotton fiber wicks. You can rest assured that these candles will not release toxins into the air while burning. 

The ribbed surface of these candles mimic ancient Grecian columns and help create a more interesting look as the candles are burning. 

Dimensions: 9 inches (22.86cm) tall by 1 ¼  inch (3.18 cm) wide; the base is ⅞ inch (2.22cm) wide and fits most candle holders.

Burn time: 22.5 hours each

Pros

• No use of paraffin or petroleum wax 
• Family-owned and operated business
• Smokeless and soot-free burn
• Even, slow burn for extended use

Cons

• Requires candle holders

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3. White Votive Candles – Set of 12 : Most Convenient Unscented Candles

True to the nature of votive candles, these have been hand poured into glass jars that can burn for at least ten hours. Votive candles are often used for religious purposes, but they can also be used decoratively. I find that it can be more convenient to have individual candles in their own jars to light and place in various locations throughout the home. 

Only soy wax was used for these candles along with cotton wicks, so you will experience a natural, toxin-free burn.

Dimensions: 2.4 inches (6cm) tall by 1.97 inches (5cm) tall wide

Burn time: 10-15 hours each

Pros

• Smoke-free burn
• Natural soy wax
• Lead-free wicks
• Durable glass jar
• Beautiful, bright flame

Cons

• Must trim these wicks regularly to prevent soot buildup on the glass
• They’re a little smaller than some people expect

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4. Round Floating Candles – Set of 12 : Most Decorative Potential

These would make a great addition to a special event. Floating candles are often combined with silk flowers, shiny rocks or pebbles, and then placed in a tall cylinder vase or wide bowl filled with water to create an aesthetically pleasing experience.

Each floating candle is 3 inches in diameter and gives off a warm, gentle light. With twelve in total, they could add a beautiful final touch to a wedding, quiet dinner, or another special event.

Dimensions: 1 inch (2.54cm) tall by 3 inches (7.62 cm) wide 

Burn time: 8-10 hours each

Pros

• Won’t drip
• Holds its shape
• Cotton wick for toxic-free burning
• Extended burn time for such small candles
• Very economical

Cons

• Made with paraffin wax
• Requires additional decor elements

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5. Candle by the Hour with Glass Cylinder : Most Unique Unscented Option

This unique coil candle is made from beeswax and is designed to self-extinguish once the wax burns down to the metal clip, which makes for an attractive safety feature. In addition to the candle’s warm lighting, its copper stand adds a rustic, steampunk feel to your home decor.

Natural beeswax helps neutralize seasonal allergy irritants and is one of the least likely types of wax to drip.

Dimensions: 13.58 inches (34.5cm) tall by 5 inches (12.7cm) wide

Burn time: up to 80 hours total; about one hour at a time

Pros

• Comes as a full mechanism ready to use
• Paraffin-free
• Highly portable
• Refills are available
• A nice feature in any room

Cons

• Some variance in burn times
• Winding the wax up can be a little challenging

== Check Price on Amazon ==

Are Unscented Candles Really All That Common?

In our modern times, candles are mostly used decoratively and are often associated with fragrance. But similar to their original use, there are still a lot of people who use unscented candles as a source of heat and light. Read on to discover more ways unscented candles are used and why.

Preventative Care 

If you are buying candles for a wedding celebration or you are hosting a dinner party, it is hard to find a scent that everyone will enjoy. It is even harder to know whether or not the scent you choose might trigger an allergic reaction in some of your guests. Scents can irritate sinuses, cause itchy eyes, coughing, and sneezing. No one wants to be sidelined by allergies during a celebration. 

To be on the safe side, hosts often choose to light unscented candles instead of ones with fragrances. This way, everyone can enjoy themselves while still experiencing the benefits and joy derived from being surrounded by lighted candles.

Health Concerns

Beyond allergies, some candles are scented with fragrances that are made with harmful chemicals. Some companies add synthetic fragrances and artificial dyes to their candle wax.

These ingredients can release volatile organic compounds like limonene, formaldehyde, and other petroleum-based chemicals into the atmosphere. Long-term contact with these chemicals can cause a range of health problems, like headaches, dizziness, respiratory problems, and more.

Individuals with asthma can begin wheezing, coughing, find it hard to catch their breath, or even experience a full-on asthma attack. Prolonged use of synthetically scented candles can even increase risk of cancer. If one day you prefer to use scented candles, ones made with natural essential oils are a safer choice.

In addition to chemicals, there are some fragrances that simply cause a person’s stomach to turn. If a woman is pregnant, sometimes even common fragrances, like vanilla or lavender can cause a nauseous spell. Then there are others who experience migraines when exposed to certain fragrances.

When you plan to have company or host an event and are unfamiliar with everyone in attendance, it is best to avoid uncomfortable situations by using unscented candles.

Unscented Candles for Emergency Use

Unscented candles can be a great help during blackouts. If you lose your heat source, several candles can provide some warmth, and if you need to move around the house at night, candles can light your path.

I would use the votive candles mentioned above in case of emergency because I wouldn’t have to also look for a candle holder; the candle is always set inside the glass jar, ready to light at a moment’s notice. There are also candles created specifically for emergencies. 

This emergency candle didn’t make the top five list, but it is made of soy with a cotton wick and burns cleanly for up to 120 hours. This equates to five days, which in most conditions is usually enough time for power to be restored following most natural disasters. Also, you won’t have to frantically search for a candle holder because it comes in a 16 oz jar.

You can also store these candles for ten years, and they would still work when needed for an emergency.

Promoting Good Health

It has been said that beeswax emits negative ions as it burns, which can help clean the air. Bacteria, mold spores, viruses, and pollen can all clear out when beeswax candles are lit.

Soy wax and other vegetable and mineral-based waxes are not known to release negative ions, but they are still less likely to emit harmful chemicals when lit because they are not made with toxic pollutants. 

These are all great unscented candle options but there is also an unscented option that does not promote good health and that’s most unscented candles made with paraffin wax. Paraffin wax is made using carcinogenic-laden ingredients, like shale oil, petroleum, or coal. When lit, these candles can release toxic substances like acetone, toluene, or benzene – all linked to lung cancer and as mentioned above, complications related to asthma.

Romantic Ambiance 

Whether you’re enjoying a night alone, or if you are setting the stage for an event or quiet time at home with a loved one, unscented candles help create a tranquil environment that supports relaxation and possibly reduce stress.

Strategically placing multiple candles throughout a room transforms the space, instantly making you feel warm, calm, and soothed by the flicker of light. The wrong fragrance can interfere with this feeling, so it can be more beneficial to use unscented candles when the goal is to create a peaceful atmosphere.

Reduce Anxiety

Focusing on a flame can help decrease blood pressure, a study suggests. This is especially true when listening to the sound of crackling flames in conjunction with watching them, as with a campfire. The longer amount of time participants spent doing this, the better the outcome.

Placing multiple candles in a room while sitting still and focusing on the flickering flames while listening to the subtle cracks and pops of the candle wick, might be worth a shot to help reduce anxiety.

How to Choose the Best Unscented Candles for Your Needs

Similar to scented candles, there are a variety of options available for unscented candles as well. Choosing one over the other is a matter of determining how you plan to use the candles and for how long. 

If you are hosting a wedding, birthday bash, or another event, you may want to choose votive candles, pillar candles, or floating candles. It really depends on your setup and which types of wax you prefer.

Function and Wax Type

Votive and pillar candles both lend well to mantles and centerpieces. If you have decorative wreaths, foliage, and other natural elements and then place the candles in the center, this setup works well for dinner parties and weddings alike. Both are available with cleaner-burning soy or beeswax.

In terms of floating candles, I haven’t come across many that aren’t made with paraffin wax. Although paraffin wax is less desirable, the floating candles that I have found indicate that they use high quality paraffin. My assumption is that this wax is less toxic than traditional paraffin wax. 

Weight of the Candle

Weight might also be a factor. Floating candles made with paraffin wax are extremely lightweight which aids in their function as a floating candle. If you don’t mind this, then you may want to choose them for backyard celebrations, weddings, or even more intimate dinner parties. 

Floating candles add a special something to the decor. And when they float, that adds another layer of sensory elements to the event, making it an even better experience for your guests. 

Size and Shape

Size and shape are a couple additional factors to consider. Beyond the tall pillar, short disc, and tapered candles mentioned in this article, there are shorter pillar candles and three-dimensional round unscented candle options, as well as, untraditionally-shaped unscented candles.

I’ve seen some shaped like a woman’s figure, twisted ones, modern abstract shapes, and more.

Color Options

Unscented candles are also offered in an array of colors. Some people like using colored candles decoratively, so they prefer that there not be any scent to them. Colored unscented candles are a great option for this.

One thing to note, though, is that some unscented candles with color are fully dyed, and others are dipped in color. If using them for decorative purposes, whether the candle is dipped or dyed may not matter to you. 

But if you plan to light your colored unscented candles, it might be more important to choose ones that are the same color all the way through. It simply looks better once the wax melts down. 

Closing Thoughts 

Out of all the options here, the set of three unscented hand poured ivory pillar candles are my favorite choice. Each one burns for at least seventy hours. They also burn slowly and evenly without smoking, and they look very appealing with their textured finish. So you can use them as a heat and light source, but you can also add them to a centerpiece when entertaining guests, and they will add an exquisite touch. 

My second choice would be the votive candles. I like that they are already housed in little jars that I can take to any room or even quickly use in an emergency. 

Ultimately, you have to choose what works best for you based on function and personal preference. 

Safety tips:

• Always place candles on a flame- and heat-resistant surface.
• Always monitor candles; never leave them burning unattended.
• Keep out of reach of pets and children.