The best candle warmers for all the home fragrance without the flame

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To avoid a fire hazard, it’s best to never burn a candle and use a candle warmer at the same time, according to experts. Lighting candles around your home is one of the easiest and fastest ways to create a relaxing ambiance. But candles can quickly become a fire safety hazard when not used properly. That’s where candle warmers can help. They’re a reliable, relatively safe alternative you can use to avoid those risks, especially if you often forget to put out candles before going to bed or leaving your home.

Plus, candle warmers often come in the form of lamps, adding another source of light and decor to your space. To learn more about how to use a candle warmer lamp or plate safely, I spoke with a fire safety expert and a candle company owner, and rounded up highly-rated options from Amazon and other retailers.

Best overallGodonlif Candle Warmer Lamp$undefined$19.99AmazonLearn moreBest budgetCandle Warmers Etc. Warmer Plate $undefined$21.98AmazonLearn moreBest designFunistree Flower Candle Warmer Lamp$23.99$26.99AmazonLearn moreBest wax melt warmerCandle Warmers Etc. 2-in-1 Candle and Fragrance Warmer$undefined$21.89AmazonLearn moreSee 1 MoreRelatedselectedselectedThe best portable power stations to get you through power outages, camping trips and moreWant more from NBC Selected? Sign up for our weekly newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter.

Nearly all of the candle warmers below have at least a 4.5-star average rating from 1,000 or more shoppers.

10,970 Amazon Reviews$19.99AmazonWhat to knowDimensions: 5.5 x 5.5 x 12 in.What we likeAdjustable heightBuilt-in timerIncludes spare light bulbSomething to noteGlass shadeThis popular candle warmer lamp has a glass shade with ridges and comes in several colors, including clear, pink, beige and green. You can set it on a timer for two, four, eight or 10 hours and adjust the brightness four levels with the dial built into the power cable. It also includes a light bulb along with a spare. Shoppers love this candle warmer and say that they love that they can adjust the height on the lamp (which helps fit candles of different sizes).

3,798 Amazon Reviews$23.99$26.99AmazonNow 11% offWhat to knowDimensions : 6.6 x 5.4 x 10.7 in.What we likeVintage styleNon-slip baseHas a timerSomething to noteGlass gets very hotThe Funistree flower candle lamp has a charming vintage feel, thanks to its petal-shaped shade. It comes with two halogen bulbs (though it only uses one at a time), and has a timer and dial you can use to dim the light. NBC Selected senior editor Shalwah Evans has tested this candle warmer and she loves that it melts candles slowly and evenly, offers good throw in a large space, and has a long cord so you can rest it on tall dressers.

4,529 Amazon Reviews$19.88$39.99AmazonNow 50% offWhat to knowDimensions: 6 x 13.8 x 5.5 in.What we likeAdjustable brightnessBuilt-in timerHalogen bulb includedSomething to noteGlass shadeThis candle warmer from Marycele, which has a wooden base, glass lampshade and halogen warming lightbulb, has a bit of a vintage look for anyone looking for that sort of decor. It also has a built-in timer and an electric dimmer that you can use to adjust the bulb’s brightness. Since the shade is glass, exercise caution when around it to avoid it breaking or shattering.

10,575 Amazon Reviews$21.98AmazonWhat to knowDimensions: 5 x 5 x 1.57 in.What we likeAffordableAuto shut-offNo bulb requiredSomething to noteNo light sourceThis candle warming plate has a minimalist design and is the most affordable option on this list. It has a small red light on the bottom to let you know whether or not the warmer is on, and it automatically shuts off after eight hours, keeping you and your home safe. It isn’t a lamp, so it doesn’t provide additional light in your space and it offers the least amount of unique decor.

$21.83$49.99AmazonNow 56% offWhat to knowWhat we likeAffordableAdjustable temperatureSomething to noteNothing to note at this timeThis Maoyue candle warmer melts candle wax from the top down. It has a halogen bulb (comes with two) and a dimmable timer with two-, four- and eight-hour automatic shut off options to avoid overheating, according to the brand. It comes in a few colors and styles, including a lantern and a lamp.

2,613 Amazon Reviews$15.99$21.99AmazonNow 27% offWhat to knowDimensions: 5.9 x 5.9 x 12.5 in.What we likeHas timerFits taller candlesEasy to replace the bulbSomething to noteNot height adjustableThis candle warmer comes with a touch-button control that allows you to put it on a timer of either two, four or eight hours. It also has four levels of brightness so that you can control how quickly your candle burns, and it comes with two 50-watt halogen bulbs. It’s tall, so it’s compatible with candles of varying heights.

7,428 Amazon Reviews$21.89AmazonWhat to knowDimensions: 4.8 x 4.8 x 3.9 in. What we likeRaised legsWorks with wax meltsSomething to noteNo light sourceThis warmer heats candle wax using electrical heat and no light source. It’s compatible with jarred candles and individual wax melts that you place in the dish that sits inside the base. This way, you can control how much wax it burns at a time. The base has raised legs so it avoids coming in direct contact with (and heating) the surface below it for added safety.

994 Amazon Reviews$29.99AmazonWhat to knowDimensions: 5.2 x 5.2 x 12 in.What we likeModern lookVentilated baseSomething to noteHeight isn't adjustableThis monochromatic lamp is ideal for nearly all candle sizes due to the positioning and height of the light. The cord has a small dial that you can use to dim or brighten the light, allowing you to melt wax fast or slowly, and the base has four small holes on it to help heat ventilate from the bottom, according to the brand.

A candle warmer is a great option for anyone nervous about accidentally causing a fire in their space, says Teri Johnson, the founder of Harlem Candle Company. “It’s also a safer option, providing peace of mind if you occasionally forget to [blow out] a lit candle.” To help you find the best ones, I spoke with Johnson and other experts about what to consider when shopping and kept the following in mind when building this list:

There are several safety precautions you should take when using a candle warmer to avoid causing a fire. Here’s what our experts recommend keeping in mind:

Don’t leave it unattended. Regardless of whether you burn a candle traditionally or with a candle warmer, making sure you do so safely should always be a priority. An open flame is always a potential hazard because it can be knocked down by a pet or by someone moving in their sleep. That said, candle warmers themselves can also pose a threat when left unattended and used improperly, such as placing them too close to combustible decor or upholstery. When in doubt, review the brand’s safety tips before using.

Place it in a safe area. Avoid common areas like the edge of an unstable nightstand or where there is flammable material, according to Oehm, where it may easily or accidentally fall or be knocked over by children or pets. Both the warmer and the candle become hot when in use so you shouldn’t try to handle or move the warmer, or especially the light source, while it’s hot. Instead, allow it to cool for a couple of hours.

Don’t burn your candle simultaneously. You should never burn your candle while the warmer is on as it can lead to overheating, according to several of the brands mentioned above. Plus, it simply isn’t necessary since the light bulb is already melting the wax.

Read the label. Always make sure to read labels and follow manufacturers instructions — they’ll usually have additional safety tips about proper bulb types and more.

Yes, you can put a candle directly on a candle warmer lamp or plate if it is a candle that comes in a glass or ceramic jar or holder. You shouldn’t put candles and wax melts without a container under a candle warmer lamp.

Some of the disadvantages of candle heaters might be that, depending on the size of the candle and how close (or far) the bulb is from the top, it might not always provide a strong enough or consistent fragrance as compared to a lit candle. With that said, a cable warmer lamp can be a safer option compared to an open flame, according to all of our experts.

Since candle warmers don’t use an open flame they don’t create soot or smoke — which is unpleasant to inhale — and they don’t pose the threat of a fire. Those are benefits, but whether or not it’s “healthy” compared to a lit candle can depend on multiple factors, including the type of wax used, for example.

At NBC Selected, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

I’m a commerce editor at NBC Selected, where I write about home and kitchen-related content. I’ve written about nontoxic cleaners for toys, the best editor-approved planners and the best power stations to use during camping trips and hurricanes.

Hannah Fuechtman and Carolyn Chun are former NBC Pages who contributed to this story.

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Cory FernandezCory Fernandez is a commerce editor for NBC Selected, and an authority on all things food, cooking, kitchen, home, and general lifestyle.