13 of the Best Soy Candles Under $30

Candles are an easy way to elevate any living space: They come in a wide array of varieties to suit your budget, style, and scent preferences. During the winter months, they can also help create a more relaxing, soothing vibe around your home. But before adding to your collection, you may want to consider purchasing a candle made with soy wax.

Unlike traditional paraffin wax, soy wax—which, as its name suggests, is derived from soybean oil—is eco-friendly and biodegradable. They also last longer as they have a slower burning time. Keep scrolling for the best soy candles, all under $30.

1. Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Scented Soy Aromatherapy Candle; From $7

Featuring a blend of soy and vegetable waxes—plus a combination of other plant-derived ingredients and essential oils—this 4.9-ounce candle from Mrs. Meyer’s offers a 25- to 35-hour burn time, making it well worth the under $10 price tag. It also comes packaged in a minimalist (and reusable) glass jar. Choose from several refreshing scents, including honeysuckle, basil, and other soothing natural fragrances.

Buy it: Amazon

2. Fruity Cereal Candle; $25

This nostalgia-inducing soy candle smells just like your favorite childhood cereal. Plus, its stunning rainbow-layered appearance adds a cheerful touch to any kitchen or living space. The handcrafted candle—which is also infused with cherry, lime, lemon, orange, and vanilla oils—offers an 80-plus-hour burn time.

Buy it: Uncommon Goods

3. P.F. Candle Co. Teakwood & Tobacco; $24

In search of a woodsy candle that can add a subtle yet still distinctive aroma to your home office? Consider this soy candle from P.F. Candle Co., which features notes of leather, teak, and orange. This 7.2-ounce blend comes in an apothecary-inspired amber jar, which you can reuse after the candle has burned down to the tip.

Buy it: P.F. Candle Co.

4. Parks Project Glacier Cedarwood Forest Candle; $25

You don’t have to venture into the great outdoors to get a whiff of it right in your own home. This scented candle is made from a blend of soy and coconut wax, and gives off notes of mountain ash and fir. The cedarwood forest fragrance is meant to conjure up the natural smell of Glacier National Park in Montana, and offers a burn time of up to 80 hours, making it a perfect gift for outdoor enthusiasts, too.

Buy it: Parks Project

5. Capri Blue Capiz Mini Jar Candle; $16

Ever walk into an Anthropologie store and wonder where that tropical aroma that wafts throughout it is actually coming from? Here’s your answer: It’s the iconic Volcano scent from Capri Blue candles, and you can enjoy it right from the comfort of your own couch. This soy blend offers about 25 hours worth of burn time, and gives off notes of sugared oranges, lemons and limes, so if you close your eyes and just breathe in, it might feel like you’re on vacation (or about to embark on some retail therapy). You can get it in larger sizes (for more money), but if you’re looking to stay within an under $30 budget, this 5-ounce pick should do the trick.

Buy it: Anthropologie

6. Homesick Los Angeles Candle; $14

Maybe you just moved, or you’re wishing you were on vacation during these cold winter months. Either way, you can indulge those wanderlust vibes a bit with one of these popular soy wax candles from Homesick. Available in 7.5-ounce jars, they offer plenty of bang for your buck, as you can get up to 35 hours' worth of burn time. This one in particular is inspired by Los Angeles and gives off top notes of orange, bergamot, and rose, with jasmine and musk at the base. If L.A. isn’t quite your style, check out other destination blends, like Chicago, New York City, or even Hawaii.

Buy it: Homesick Candles

7. Bijou Candles Elvira Candle; $23

Calling all pop-culture lovers: The fun, celeb-inspired blends you can get from Bijou Candles are absolutely a game-changer. Made from soy wax, these 6.5-ounce candles deliver roughly 50 hours of burn time, but that’s really only part of their appeal. The real treat is finding one that conjures up the scents you’d expect your favorite stars and fictional characters to emanate. This one in particular is based off Elvira, and it offers top notes of red apple, black currant, and violet, with a leather, hemp, and cypress base. If this poison apple-reminiscent offering isn’t quite your vibe, you can spend a little more and get witchy candles inspired by Willow (from TV’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and Phoebe (from the show Charmed), or real-life musical icons like Stevie Nicks and Kate Bush.

Buy it: Bijou Candles

8. Anecdote Candles Adulting Candle; From $14

This trendy candle company is best known for its playful packaging and whimsical flair. For example, the “Adulting” candle has notes of fig, sandalwood, grapefruit, and lemon. It lasts up to 70 hours depending on the size you choose, and each hand-poured candle features a mix of coconut and soy waxes plus a blend of fragrance oils. You can also choose from options: a 3.4-ounce travel tin ($14); a 7.8-ounce jar ($26); or a 9-ounce boxed tumbler ($34).

Buy it: Anecdote Candles

9. Zodiac Artist Print Tin Candle; $12

There are some amazing astrology-themed candles out right now, like these popular birthday-centric blends from Birthdate Candles, or these star-sign selections from Nova. The only catch? They’re on the pricey side and if you’re trying to stick to a budget, you probably want to skip them. These 4-ounce soy candles from Urban Outfitters, however, are affordable at just $12 a piece (or two for $16) and come in 11 funky varieties (though, sadly, Aries is all sold out). Featuring a combination of botanicals, aromas, and original illustrations from the retailer’s in-house artists, these candles can help you have fun with the zodiac, and offer up to 16 hours of burn time.

Buy it: Urban Outfitters

10. Nika’s Home Vanilla Bean Mason Soy Candle; $19

Few things are more comforting than the warm, inviting scent of vanilla bean—and this soy candle from Nika’s Home encapsulates just that. With a 4.4-star rating after more than 4000 Amazon reviews, this candle has become a fan favorite thanks to its affordable price point, pleasant aroma, cute Mason jar packaging, and 50- to 60-hour burn time.

Buy it: Amazon

11. Sweet Water Decor Fresh Coffee Candle; $25

Obsessed with coffee? This candle was crafted with you in mind. This beloved coffee-scented candle from Sweet Water Decor offers notes of caramel creme, mocha latte, sugar cane, and rum, making an enticing pick for java lovers. It comes with an 11-ounce white or amber jar with a wood lid, and the soy-based wax blend provides around 60 hours of burn time.

Buy it: Amazon

12. Mercury Retrograde Protection Candle; $30

Even if you don’t quite buy into the whole hullabaloo around Mercury retrograde (which technically just ended on January 18), that doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun with it. This candle plays into the fears surrounding this common celestial phenomenon, but offers a solution in the form of soy candle “protection.” Made from a soy blend of lavender, labradorite, mint, chamomile, and other earthy scents, this handmade pick provides up to 80 hours of burn time—more than enough time to chase those so-called bad vibes away.

Buy it: Uncommon Goods

13. Lulu Candles Fresh Linen Scented Candle; $20

If you prefer a mild, clean scent, opt for this 9-ounce soy candle from Lulu Candles, which has amassed more than 4600 Amazon ratings and a 4.4-star rating on the site. Its light linen scent, chic packaging, and wallet-friendly price make it an ideal addition to any space. You can also choose from 30-plus other hand-poured soy varieties, including Bamboo Rose, Sugared Pecans, and Ocean Breeze, to name a few.

Buy it: Amazon

A version of this article originally ran in 2021 and has been updated for 2023.