Tested: Can these scented candles knock the bestseller off its throne?
26.10.2018
Translation: machine translated
Yankee Candle scented candles are our undisputed bestsellers. Why is that? I don't like the design, the sticker on the outside looks cheap to me and the glass is not special. There are plenty of alternatives. That's why I'm putting them up against Yankee.
From time to time, I enjoy lighting a scented candle. It drowns out the smells of food and gives me a cosy feeling. It's perfect for a well-rounded interior styling on my shelf next to a vase of flowers, several picture frames and books. Because I haven't found a favourite yet and the Yankee models don't look right for me, I'm testing five comparable models that are currently available in our range for you and me.
The setting
According to the base note description, all the test models I choose smell of vanilla. They also have other top and heart notes such as sugar or orchid. I choose each model in the smallest size. As these differ per manufacturer, it is not possible to make a direct comparison in this respect. What remains the same for all of them, however, is that the weight says a lot about the candle. The less content and the longer the burning time, the more this speaks in favour of the quality of the candle.
If I wanted to carry out the test completely, I would have to burn all the candles one after the other until the last candle was left. But that would take me a total of 185 hours. I don't want to keep you and myself waiting that long. What's more, there's a very good chance that I'll lose the vanilla scent in no time. That's why I leave it burning every five hours, including breaks, and watch what happens.
Yankee Candle Vanilla
Details
Burning time: 25-40 h
Capacity: 104 g
Ingredients: paraffin, wax
Rating
Fragrance fidelity
As I have already admitted, I don't find the Yankee Candle particularly attractive. However, I have to admit that it does deliver what it promises in terms of fragrance. This candle fulfils what I associate with vanilla. Even the other heart note "orchid" cannot prevent this. It spreads its aroma throughout the living room and neighbouring rooms.
Design and packaging
The glass lid protects against dust when not in use and is somewhat lost when in use. It is practical, but I don't like the look of it because of the engraved branding. In contrast, the sticker can be removed.
Wax quality
The wax starts out uneven and pitted and remains so even after blowing it out. I shorten the wick after two hours of burning to prevent further unevenness and crumbs from forming.
Price-performance ratio
The difference between the manufacturer's specification of 25-40 hours is large. My experience is that it burns faster than the Culti and Woodwick candles, for example. Wax residue is easy to remove thanks to the "glass house", but the holes in the wax are not.
Woodwick Vanilla Bean
Details
Burning time: 20 h
Capacity: 85 g
Ingredients: paraffin, soya wax
Rating
Faithful to the scent
This soya wax candle, compared to the others in my entire home, exudes its fragrance and gives the impression of having just baked a cake. Its heart notes of biscuit and sugar cookie support the sweet vanilla scent.
Design and packaging
In the small size, this variant comes in an hourglass shape, while the large version has a teardrop shape. Both look elegant to me, especially because the lid is made of real wood. It also serves as a coaster for the scented candle and is therefore not only useful as protection against dust.
Wax quality
The soya wax and cross-wood wick burn cleanly and make a sound reminiscent of a fireplace. After an hour, I find the crackling a little annoying.
Price-performance ratio
The "Mini Jar" only burns for 20 hours, costs a little more than the Yankee model, but burns more properly and crackles and has a well-shaped glass - even in the large "Ellipse" version, which can later be used in a variety of ways.
Culti Mendula
Details
Burning time: 40 h
Capacity: 235 g
Ingredients: vegan wax, but the wick is dipped in some paraffin so that it burns better
Rating
Faithful to the scent
In addition to vanilla, the other ingredients such as bergamot, almond and cedarwood play a decisive role in this model. The fragrance is therefore no less pleasant, just less vanilla-heavy.
Design and packaging
Unlike the Yankee and Woodwick models, it comes in a matching and protective cardboard box with a mini catalogue, making it suitable as a gift. The sticker with warnings can be removed and the screen-printed logo disappears on the dark brown painted glass. There is no lid to protect it from lint if it is left standing around for a long time.
Wax quality
The surface is even after each firing and appears almost untouched. It is worth cutting a few millimetres off the wick after three hours so that it does not crumble after a while. Some wax residue sticks to the edge, but can also be removed.
Price-performance ratio
"Mendula" is said to burn just as long as "Vanilla" from Yankee, but is twice as heavy and costs three times as much. However, it burns noticeably slower and cleaner. Its surface remains even after drying and looks as if it had never been lit. Even without the lid, dust can be removed by simply blowing on the smooth top layer.
LaNature scented candle
Details
Burning time: 50 h
Capacity: 260 g
Ingredients: vegan wax, natural flavours, wick is lead-free
Rating
Faithful fragrance
Of all the test models, this vanilla fragrance is the most restrained, but no less true. It spreads purposefully only in the room in which it is placed and only slightly hints at the heart notes such as caramel, praline and white musk.
Design and packaging
The LaNature candle comes in a cardboard box, which makes it suitable as a gift, as well as a simple glass jar with a sticker that can be removed. There is no protection against dust.
Wax quality
After the first five hours, the dried wax is smooth and looks pristine.
Price-performance ratio
The hand-poured candles from LaNature are said to burn longer, weigh more, are cheaper than those from Culti and are in the same price segment as the large version (411 g) from Yankee.
Papstar scented candle in a jar
Details
Burning time: 35 h
Capacity: 261 g
Ingredients: paraffin, palm oil
Rating
Faithful fragrance
Vanilla through and through with no recognisable other notes
Design and packaging
The sticker reminds me of a retro advertising poster from the 90s and can also be removed. The glass is matt and milky, the lid is made of matt brushed metal to match. However, it doesn't look as high-quality and elegant to me as the other models.
Wax quality
Although no holes form here after drying as with Yankee, there is also an unsightly "crater", which is the deepest compared to the others. Greasy wax residue also leaves a haze on the matt glass.
Price-performance ratio
The milky glass does not look as high-quality as those from Yankee, Culti or LaNature. It also gets warm over time and, compared to Woodwick, does not have a helpful lid as a base. This makes this candle one of the cheapest, but for me one of the worst in terms of appearance and quality, and the fact that they contain palm oil doesn't make it any better.
Conclusion
If I had to choose a favourite from the five candles, it still wouldn't be Yankee. Firstly because of the conventional design and secondly because of the wax crater landscape that forms after burning. For me, "Mendula" from Culti is right at the top of the POD because it looks like new even after use, is true to the scent, burns slowly and comes in an elegant, coloured jar. This is followed by "Vanilla Bean" from Woodwick in second place, because its wooden lid and crackling sound are reminiscent of a log fire. The model from LaNature is in third place for me because the look, price and performance are well balanced. In my opinion, this clearly knocks Yankee off the throne, but it doesn't take last place: Papstar's candle comes off a little worse for me, not because it is the cheapest option, but because it contains paraffin with palm oil.
Did you like this article? Then press the little black "Follow author" button on my profile so that you can subscribe to the next test. I look forward to your plan. Hier geht's zu alle weiteren Vanille-Düften.
Pia Seidel
Senior Editor
Pia.Seidel@digitecgalaxus.chLike a cheerleader, I love celebrating good design and bringing you closer to everything furniture- and interior design- related. I regularly curate simple yet sophisticated interior ideas, report on trends and interview creative minds about their work.
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