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📑 Contents
Beeswax vs Palm wax: comparison chart
| — | 🐝 Beeswax | 🌴 Palm wax |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Animal (bees) | Plant-based |
| Melt point | 62–65 °C (144–149 °F) | 56–62 °C (133–144 °F) |
| Pour temperature | 68–77 °C (154–171 °F) | 85–95 °C (185–203 °F) |
| Max fragrance load | 6 % | 8 % |
| Hot throw | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Burn time | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ease of use | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Price | €€€ | €€ |
| Vegan | No | Yes |
| Best for | pillar candles, taper candles, votive candles, tealights and container candles | pillar candles, votive candles and container candles |
Typical values: each manufacturer publishes its own on the wax’s spec sheet.
Verdict
- Palm wax has a stronger scent throw than Beeswax.
- Beeswax burns longer than Palm wax.
- Palm wax is more affordable than Beeswax.
- Palm wax is the vegan option.
Beeswax
Beeswax is the original natural candle wax: it burns for hours with a golden flame and smells softly of honey even without added fragrance.
- Very long, bright burn
- Natural honey aroma
- 100% natural with no additives
- Hard and releases easily from molds
Palm wax
Palm wax is the classic hard plant wax: great for pillars and famous for its feathery, frost-like crystal patterns.
- Hard plant wax that works for pillars
- Unique crystal patterns
- Releases easily from molds
- Slow, steady burn
Best beeswax in stock
Sky Organics Organic White Beeswax Pellets 16oz, DIY Beauty, USDA Organic
Meyer's Pure Domestic USA Beeswax, Not Imported, Additive Free Triple Filtered Pellets for All Your Do It…
VIPwax White Beeswax Pellets 1LB, Natural Organic Beeswax for Candle Making
Best palm wax in stock
ORGANIC PALM KERNEL OIL FLAKES (1 lbs / 16 oz) Non-GMO; Premium Cosmetic Grade Palm Kernel Oil Flakes for…
ALEXES Palm Wax for Candle Making - 1 lb Palm Wax Flakes
Other comparisons
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Beeswax or Palm wax?
It depends on the type of candle: Beeswax stands out for taper candles and tealights and Palm wax for pillar candles, votive candles and container candles. Check the chart to compare temperatures, scent throw and burn time.
Can you mix beeswax and palm wax?
Many commercial waxes are already blends. If you blend your own, run small tests, write down the ratios and repeat the burn test: blending changes the wick size and the fragrance load the wax can hold.
Do beeswax and palm wax need the same wick?
Not always. Each wax has a different viscosity, so the wick size usually changes. Use the wick calculator as a starting point.