Candle Making

Wood Wick vs Cotton Wick

Wick choice changes everything about how your candle burns and feels. The two most popular options — cotton and wood — each have clear strengths. Here's how to choose.

Cotton wicks

Cotton is the standard for good reason: widely available, affordable, easy to size, and reliable across soy and paraffin. Braided and CD-series cotton wicks are stiff and self-trimming, which gives a clean, predictable burn. For beginners, cotton is the safest starting point.

Wood wicks

Wood wicks create a gentle crackling sound — like a tiny fireplace — and a distinctive horizontal flame that looks premium. They're a strong choice for luxury branding. The trade-off: they can be fussier to light and need careful sizing to stay lit.

Burn and scent throw

Cotton wicks tend to produce a taller flame and a deeper melt pool, which can help scent throw. Wood wicks burn at a lower, wider profile. Both can throw well when sized correctly — sizing matters far more than wick type for throw.

Difficulty and cost

Cotton is cheaper and more forgiving. Wood costs more, requires precise sizing, and benefits from a wick that's trimmed short before each burn. If you're just starting, cotton lets you focus on the rest of the craft; add wood once you're confident.

Which to choose

Start with cotton to learn the fundamentals and get reliable results. Move to wood wicks when you want a premium, sensory product and you're ready to do the extra testing. Whatever you pick, test three sizes per jar before settling.