We have all been there. You are walking down the aisle of a large supermarket or a homeware chain, and you spot a large jar candle for £5. It smells... okay. It looks decent.
Then you look at a small business selling a similar-sized candle for £25. It’s easy to wonder: am I just paying for the fancy label?
The answer is a resounding "no." When it comes to commercial vs. handcrafted candles, the difference in price is almost always a reflection of what is going on inside the jar.
While mass-produced candles serve a purpose (usually as a quick, budget decor fix), handcrafted candles are designed for an experience.
We want to pull back the curtain on the industry and explain exactly why the two are worlds apart.
The "Percentage Oil Rule": scent load matters
One of the biggest differences between a factory-made candle and one poured in a studio is the amount of fragrance oil used. In the industry, we call this the "scent load."
Commercial mass production
Big commercial brands are businesses focused on margins. Fragrance oil is the most expensive ingredient in a candle.
To keep the price low (and profits high), commercial manufacturers often use the minimum amount of scent required to make the candle smell good in the shop.
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The trick: They often use only 3% to 5% fragrance oil.
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The result: It smells strong when you sniff the unlit wax (cold throw), but when you burn it, the scent barely fills the room.
Suggestion: Read our post on Hot throw vs. cold throw explained.
Handcrafted artisan quality
As small-batch makers, we aren't trying to squeeze every penny out of production costs, we are trying to blow you away with quality.
We typically push our wax to its limit.
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The reality: Handcrafted candles often contain 8% to 12% fragrance oil.
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The result: A rich, complex aroma that fills your home and lasts until the very end of the jar.
The power of purchasing ingredients
You might ask, "If big companies have more money, surely they can buy better ingredients?" It’s actually the opposite.
Big companies have higher power purchase, meaning they buy in colossal bulk to drive costs down.
To facilitate mass production, they need materials that are consistent, cheap, and easy to machine.
The wax dilemma
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Commercial: Most cheap candles use paraffin wax. It’s a byproduct of the petrol industry. It’s cheap, holds colour well, and is easy for machines to pour. However, it can release black soot and chemicals (like toluene) into your home.
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Handcrafted: Artisans generally prefer natural waxes like soy, coconut, or beeswax. These are harder to work with (requiring skill and patience), but they burn longer and are renewable.
Suggestion: Read our post on Paraffin vs. Natural wax.
The wick check
Commercial candles often use wicks with metal cores (sometimes zinc) to keep them upright during the factory pouring process.
Handcrafted makers usually take the time to use cotton or linen wicks, centred by hand, ensuring a better burn.
The attention to detail
The most human difference in commercial vs. handcrafted candles is the level of care involved.
Mass production lines
In a factory, thousands of candles are poured per hour.
There is no time to check every single jar. If a wick is off-centre? It ships.
If the glass has a hairline crack? It might slip through.
If the scent isn't mixed properly? You get a dud candle.
The artisan touch
When we make candles, we touch every single jar.
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We centre the wicks by hand.
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We weigh the oil and wax precisely for every small batch.
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We inspect the cooling wax for imperfections.
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We buff and label the jars ourselves.
This isn't just romantic marketing, it’s quality control.
If a candle doesn't meet our standards, it doesn't leave the studio.
When you buy handcrafted, you are paying for the maker's time and expertise to ensure you get a good product.
Supporting the local economy
Finally, there is the impact of your purchase.
When you buy a mass-produced candle, your money goes to a large corporation, often overseas.
When you choose a handcrafted candle, you are supporting a small business, a local artist, and a dream.
That money goes back into the local economy, buying dance lessons for kids, putting food on tables, and funding further creativity.
The battle of commercial vs. handcrafted candles ultimately comes down to what you value.
If you want a quick, cheap flicker of light, the supermarket aisle is fine.
But if you want a hand poured, room-filling fragrance experience created with passion and care, the handcrafted option is the clear winner.
We believe that once you switch to artisan quality, you won't want to go back.
The difference is in the burn, the scent, and the soul of the product.
Do you check the label before you buy? Next time you are shopping, take a look at the wax type, you might be surprised!
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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