Wax warmers melt scented wax (or warm jar candles) to release fragrance without an open flame. Safer around kids and pets, allowed in more apartments and dorms, and zero soot. After testing dozens of warmers across every style, these are the ones worth owning.

Wax warmer on shelf in cozy home

By Warmer Type

Wax warmer

Best Overall

Top picks across all styles.

Candle warmer lamp

Best Candle Warmer Lamps

Bulb-powered warmers for jar candles.

Electric warmer

Best Electric

Plug-in and tabletop electric melts.

Tealight warmer

Best Tealight

Classic flame-powered warmers.

By Location & Use

Plug-in warmer

Best Plug-In Warmers

Outlet-powered mini warmers for any room.

Smart warmer

Best Smart Warmers

App-controlled and timer-enabled picks.

Travel warmer

Best Travel Warmers

Compact USB and battery warmers.

In-Depth Reviews

Candle warmer lamp

Candle Warmers Etc. Hurricane Lamp Review

18 months of nightly use — the verdict.

Scentsy mini warmer

Scentsy Mini Warmer Review

3 years using the iconic plug-in.

Not Sure Whether to Burn or Melt?

See our candle vs warmer comparison — covers the real pros and cons of each, plus which is better for pets, apartments, and kids. Or start with our best overall picks if you've already decided.