Before you get started on your collection, here’s everything you need to know about the various types of candles, including pillar, taper, votives, and more.

Published on August 12, 2025

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Brie Goldman / Candles: Better Homes & Gardens Collection at Walmart

Keep these candle types in mind the next time you use one to decorate or wrap one up as a gift. While some types of candles are best suited for setting a mood, others are ideal for use as centerpieces or in fireplace mantel displays. Before you get started on your collection, here’s everything you need to know about the various types of candles and how to choose the best ones.

Pillar Candle

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Brie Goldman / Candles: Better Homes & Gardens Collection at Walmart

Pillar candles come in varying sizes but are characterized by their sturdy, wide design that usually allows them to stand on their own. They're often used in hurricanes, in table centerpieces, as fireplace decorations, or simply scattered about to create a relaxing mood. The wax typically doesn't drip as it burns, though pillar candles should still be placed on a heat-safe, flame-resistant surface. Pillar candles look beautiful when displayed in various sizes and benefit from long burn times thanks to their dense wax and size.

Votive

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A votive is a small candle with a longer burn time than tea lights. They are traditionally used for prayer offerings but can also be used for decoration. They are short and thick in stature and are usually placed in glass jars to show off their flame while ensuring wax doesn’t spill over.  

Taper Candle

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Brie Goldman / Candles: Better Homes & Gardens Collection at Walmart

These elongated candlesticks are made for candelabras or taper candlestick holders. They cast a romantic, old-world glow over dinner tables or throughout a room in heat- and flame-resistant wall sconces. Taper candles come in a vast array of colors, sizes, shapes, and wax varieties.

Tea Light

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Tea lights or tea light candles come in small plastic or metal containers that allow the candle to melt completely while it burns. They’re an inexpensive way to add an abundance of flickering flames to a table or space but are safest when displayed within a larger, flame-safe vessel like a luminary or tea light holder.

Flameless Candle

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Brie Goldman / Candles: Better Homes & Gardens Collection at Walmart

Flameless candles deliver the same ambience of a traditional candle but without the flame, making them ideal for homes where the safety of children and pets is a concern. They are also ideal for outdoor use as their artificial flames won’t burn out with a gust of wind. Flameless candles come in battery-powered and rechargeable varieties, and some also include a remote. Look for flameless candles that feature a flickering LED light and real wax for the most realistic appearance.

Container Candle

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Brie Goldman / Candles: Better Homes & Gardens Collection at Walmart

These types of candles come in a container that’s safe for burning. Whether you opt for scented, unscented, multi-wick, wood-wick, or even aromatherapy varieties, a container candle is an easy way to add ambiance to your space without requiring an additional candle holder. Even though the material will be flame-safe, it’s best always to monitor your candles and blow them out once you leave the room.

Floating Candle

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Aflo Images/Getty Images

Floating candles are small, orb-shaped candles that are used in water in a dish or bowl. They make beautiful, minimalistic centerpieces for dinner tables and consoles. The only limit for these whimsical candles is your creativity. Just be sure to pay attention to safety by selecting a vessel that is water-tight and flame-safe.

Multi-Wick Candle

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Brie Goldman / Candles: Better Homes & Gardens Collection at Walmart

If you’re looking for a soft glow, look no further than a multi-wick candle. They typically come as container candles, though large pillars sometimes come with multi-wick varieties as well. Low-lying multi-wick candles can serve as a centerpiece on a coffee table or even as a topper on a stack of books, evoking a sense of nostalgia and all the warm, cozy feelings.  

Wood-Wick Candle

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Brie Goldman / Candles: Better Homes & Gardens Collection at Walmart

A wood-wick candle can provide a flickering, crackling atmosphere. Incorporate them into quiet rooms where you can kick back and relax. Container or pillar candles are typically best for wood wicks, but also look out for multi-wick varieties for even more auditory appeal.  

Citronella Candle

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Citronella candles are geared toward outdoor use where bugs are a concern. They work to repel mosquitos and other creepy crawlies that might be flying around once the sun sets. You can find citronella candles in a variety of sizes and shapes to suit your style and outdoor space.  

Paraffin Wax Candle

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Greg Scheidemann 

Paraffin wax is used by both DIY candle makers and store-bought candle manufacturers. It’s one of the most popular candle types, offering the benefit of retaining and imparting more fragrance than other wax varieties while also retaining its color. One drawback often associated with paraffin is its use of synthetic fragrances and dyes to produce a cost-effective material. While paraffin wax candles may not be ideal for all homes, they can be an affordable way to create a soothing atmosphere in a study, bath, or bedroom, particularly when used in moderation or during entertaining.

Beeswax Candle

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Victoria Pearson

You can find beeswax candles in a variety of shapes and sizes. From pillars to tea lights, votives to tapers, beeswax candles can be a smart alternative to other wax types as beeswax is known to burn longer and is a safe alternative for allergy sufferers.

How to Choose a Candle Scent

Considering whether you want a scented, unscented, or aromatherapy candle should also be part of your decision. If you’re using your candles in a place where food will be served, it’s best to opt for unscented candles. They are also ideal for environments where allergies and other irritations are a concern.

Scented candles come in a wide variety of scents to suit your preferences. Aromatherapy candles, which often incorporate essential oils to create the fragrance, can be used to soothe the senses, whether you want to create a calming atmosphere, add an invigorating touch to a space, or promote relaxation.

While selecting the size and type of candle you’re using is essential, so too is the scent. Having a mix of scented, unscented, and aromatherapy candles on hand will help ensure you’re prepared for any situation in which a candle is needed.