Although pillar and cone candles came long before jar or container candles, it is container candles that have been the most popular type of candle for the past decade. Whether or not jar candles are better than pillars is obviously a matter of opinion. Next, I’ll make the argument that jar candles are better in five different ways.

Five ways jar candles are better

Safety. Perhaps the best argument that can be made in favor of the jars on the pillars is that of safety. A jar or container candle, as its name suggests, is wax and wick contained within a container. Unless you place a flammable material directly on top of the container, it will not catch fire. Pillar candles are more likely to fall off and in turn accidentally set something on fire.

Duration of burn. In general, since pillar wax is harder because it has to hold its shape, pillar candles tend to burn slightly more than jar candles. However, if you’ve ever read the bottom of a pillar, you know that it is only supposed to burn pillars for up to 4 hours. With jar candles, this is not the case as there is no risk of dripping or spilling.

Reusable packaging. The best thing about container candles is the container itself. If you are creative, the jars can be used for a wide variety of purposes. You could use one for a change jar or a vase. It could even be used to grow plants. The possibilities are limitless.

Easy production. Although it actually costs a bit more to make jar candles than pillar candles, it is much less labor-intensive and therefore generally significantly cheaper. For the skilled person or hobbyist, jar candles are also very simple to make. It’s as simple as securing a wick and pouring wax into a jar. Of course, it takes a bit of practice to create one that’s high-quality.

Higher fragrance load. In today’s world, most people like super scented candles. This is where jars have a distinct advantage over pillars. In fact, jar candles, depending on the type of wax used, can sometimes contain up to 3 times more fragrance than column candles. Most abutment wax mixes contain 4-5%. There are some candle waxes that can contain 12% fragrance by weight. This means that you can fill a large room with scent with just one container candle instead of multi-pillar candles. You only need a few to fill your whole house with fragrance.

At the end of the day, there is a case for both jar candles and pillar candles as to which is better. But really, it depends on how and where you want to use your pillar candles. If you are concerned about the five things mentioned above, candles in jars or containers would be a good option. However, many people still love the aesthetic beauty of a freestanding candle.