We Tested the Viral Candle Warmer Lamp to See If It’s Worth It: Here’s Our Review
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Everyone loves a fresh-smelling home, and there are plenty of ways to make that happen. There are upholstery and fabric powders, simmer pots, room sprays, and of course, good old-fashioned fresh air. But the most popular method for adding ambience, scent, and even a touch of decorative style is a candle. As a certified clean freak, I have an entire cabinet of candles. They’re an essential for me to keep my home smelling nice and fresh, as I live in a small apartment with another person and a dog. However, they’re not exactly budget-friendly, with most standard-size options starting around $15 to $20 (and in reality, oftentimes be closer to $40). So you can see why I wanted to test out the viral candle warmer lamp and discover if it was everything the internet claimed it to be: the solution to extend candle burn time and keep the home feeling cozy for longer.
In case you haven’t come across this genius product yet, a candle warmer lamp uses a bulb to warm the wax of your favorite candles. That way, the scent can fill your room without burning the candle at all, making it a flameless solution that claims to extend the life of your candles. As a bonus, there are tons of stylish candle warmer lamps out there, so you can even find one that fits seamlessly into your decor. And, as the name says, it’s a lamp, so you get that element of ambience, too.
I decided it was time for the Drew & Jonathan team to give this a try. I opted for the Marycele Candle Warmer lamp and have been testing it for a month—here’s my honest review.
What I Bought
Below you’ll find my exact candle warmer lamp and a few of my favorite candles to get you started. I’m personally into fresh scents like eucalyptus, balsam, and lavender; or musky scents, like palo santo and santal. I’ve also recently started making my own candles using this kit and my current top candle refill is this specific scent from the brand Element Brooklyn. (Mine burnt quickly, but it smells exactly like a Diptyque candle, so I’m definitely going to repurchase and use it now that I have the lamp!).
Pros:
- Thousands of 5-star ratings
- Affordable
- Offered in multiple styles and finishes
- Has a timer
- Comes with two bulbs
- Dimmable
- Fits most candle sizes
Cons:
- Bulb burnt out fast for me (more on that later)
- Takes up more space than a solo candle
Overall Review
As I mentioned, we burn through a lot of candles in this house (pun intended). And while I’ve started reusing my vessels and filling them with wax or candle refills when I can, it was becoming a bit costly. I also live in a railroad-style apartment, so it’s difficult for any candle to fill the entire space, meaning I need multiple for the whole layout. The idea of a candle warmer gave me hope that I could still get everything I love about candles without needing to replace them as often. I was hopeful a candle warmer lamp would be the home hack I needed.
I set the candle warmer lamp up in my main living room, as it’s connected to the kitchen and is generally where we spend the most time. Our style is mid-century inspired, so I chose the Marycele option with the flower shade and a chrome arm. Immediately it fit right in, and looks stylish on my vintage media console. But the real magic happened when we flipped the switch.
After about 15 to 20 minutes, the room smelled amazing. I couldn’t believe it! It was subtle in the best way—you could absolutely notice it, but it wasn’t overpowering. We’ve used it almost every day since and the candle remains full. (Note, though, that the warmer will of course burn the candle down over a certain number of hours, but it will take an extremely long time to do so.) Now, of course, I want one for every room!
The one hiccup I ran into is that after about three weeks, the bulb burnt out. However, I gifted this to my mother over a year ago and hers has never burnt out. I do live in an old building, so that could easily be chocked up to the outlet I’m using, though other reviewers have reported this issue on occasion as well. But the box came with two bulbs, and a pack of six replacement bulbs cost about $9 to $12, so this is still significantly cheaper than your average candle at the end of the day.
A Few Tips and Frequently Asked Questions
How do you use a candle warmer lamp?
It really is as simple as twisting in the bulb, plugging it in, and turning it on. This candle warmer lamp has a remote-like switch so you can utilize features like adjusting the brightness and setting the timer seamlessly. (Though the setup for that will vary by item.) The only other consideration is that you should check that your candle is the proper size for the lamp base. The Marycele option should fit most—they call out the large Yankee candle as an example—but it’s always good to check if you have an oddly-shaped or oversized item.
What lightbulb is best for a candle warmer lamp?
This will largely depend on the lamp you purchase, but my model uses a 50-watt GUI10 bulb. I found a pack of them on Amazon for under $12. A note, though, that you should always check your specific manufacturer’s instructions to decide which replacement bulb is right for your candle warmer lamp.
What do other reviewers say?
Here are a few takeaways from other shoppers:
“I absolutely love this candle warmer lamp! It looks so elegant and high quality, and it makes my room feel warm and cozy. The timer and dimmer features are super convenient, and I really like being able to control the brightness and how strong the scent is. It melts the candle evenly without smoke or flame, which feels much safer than burning candles. Overall, I’m very happy with this purchase and would definitely recommend it!” (Read the full review here.)
“Really happy with this candle lamp. The quality is great and the lamp itself is very stable, solid and well-made.” (Read the full review here.)
“I love that the brightness is adjustable with different levels, so it’s easy to set the perfect mood. The timer function is also very convenient, especially for nighttime use. The box come with an extra light bulb, which is a big plus for future replacement. And it looks cute on my nightstand!” (Read the full review here.)
“This candle warmer lamp is fantastic when it comes to functionality. It heats my jar candles evenly and releases a nice, consistent fragrance without any flames or smoke. The brightness control works really well for adjusting how quickly the candle melts, and it’s super easy to operate. What impresses me most is how well-made and durable it is. I’ve been using it daily for quite a while, and it still performs just like the day I got it. It’s sturdy, reliable, and doesn’t overheat at all. If you want a candle warmer that’s practical, functional, and built to last, this one is absolutely worth buying. Highly recommend!” (Read the full review here.)
So, Is a Candle Warmer Worth It?
In my opinion, this candle warmer is a total game-changer. I paused on investing in more expensive candles—even though I absolutely think certain brands are worth it—because we simply couldn’t make them last. Now I’m excited to restock my favorites knowing that I can really get the best bang for my buck. I’m happy with this candle warmer lamp from Marycele on Amazon, but I’ve listed a few other highly rated options below for you to consider, too.
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Megan Stein
Megan is the Senior Director of Editorial and Content Marketing for DrewandJonathan.com. She has over a decade of experience in the home and lifestyle industry, with previous roles at The Pioneer Woman, Country Living, and People magazine. She loves to inspire readers with beautiful, approachable design ideas, as well tips on how to bring their visions to life. She’s also shopping obsessed, and is dedicated to discovering the best products to make life easier, whether it’s testing a top-rated vacuum or the finding the perfect rug to complete your room.
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