Why Are Hand Poured Scented Candles More Expensive?
If you've ever looked at two candles and wondered why one costs three times more than the other, you're not alone. Many buyers in New Zealand are asking the same thing especially when comparing hand poured candles to mass produced ones. This guide breaks down why hand poured candles really do cost more, what you're getting for that price, and when the investment is worth it.
Why Hand Poured Candles Cost More
Higher quality wax and fragrance oils
Small batch pouring and manual quality checks
Better burn performance, less soot and waste
More time spent on testing and safety
Lower volume production vs factory-made candles
Hand Poured vs Mass Produced Candles
Mass produced candles are built for volume and speed. Hand poured candles are crafted for quality and experience.
Factory candles are machine-filled in huge batches. They often skip testing that would prevent issues like tunnelling, poor scent throw, or uneven melting.
Hand poured candles are made in smaller batches. Makers adjust pour temperature, wick sizing, and fragrance balance with each vessel to ensure the candle performs beautifully once it's lit. That time and attention shows up in your burn experience and in the price.
The Real Cost of Better Wax
Wax is one of the biggest cost drivers. Hand poured candles often use high-quality waxes like coconut wax or advanced blends that burn slowly and cleanly.
These waxes cost more than paraffin or basic soy, but they:
Burn longer
Release scent more evenly
Leave less wax waste on the sides
Produce very little soot
That means you're not just paying for wax you're paying for a better in-home experience.
Fragrance Quality Makes a Bigger Difference Than You Think
Strong scent isn't the same as good scent.
Luxury candles use fragrance oils designed to:
Unfold over time (instead of hitting you all at once)
Stay pleasant from the first burn to the last
Avoid synthetic sharpness or fading halfway through
High quality fragrance oils are much more expensive than generic ones, and hand poured candles tend to use more complex, layered formulas.
Why Testing Adds Cost And Value
Each candle formula (wax, wick, vessel, fragrance) needs to be tested. A lot.
Hand poured candle makers test to ensure:
The wick doesn't tunnel or smoke
The fragrance holds from start to finish
The melt pool reaches edge-to-edge evenly
The vessel remains safe at full burn
At Sachii, we tested dozens of combinations before choosing the formula that worked best in New Zealand homes.
This process takes weeks. But it prevents the common issues people complain about wasted wax, overpowering scent, uneven burns.
Labour and Time Drive Up Quality
Hand pouring means real people:
Weigh, mix, and heat the wax
Pour it slowly into each vessel
Trim and set the wicks
Label, cure, and quality check each batch
This hands-on process takes longer, but it means the candle you light has been carefully crafted, not just stamped out by machines.
The Burn Time Value Most People Miss
Let’s do the math:
A $120 candle that burns 90 hours costs $1.33 per hour
A $30 candle that burns 20 hours costs $1.50 per hour
Even before factoring in scent throw or soot, the hand poured candle often delivers better value over time — and fewer headaches.
Are Hand Poured Candles Always Worth It?
Not always. Price alone doesn't guarantee quality.
A hand poured candle is worth it if it delivers:
Clean, even burns
Fragrance that lasts and feels balanced
Low soot, low waste
Clear, honest info about how it's made
If you're paying more just for branding or packaging, without performance to match, it’s not a great deal.
You're Paying for the Experience
Hand poured candles cost more because they are designed to elevate your space not just scent it.
They’re slower to make, more expensive to test, and use better materials across the board. If you care about burn quality, air clarity, and how a candle makes a space feel, the difference is noticeable.
Ready to Experience the Difference?
Explore our coconut wax collection or get tips on how to burn any candle better.
Shop now: https://www.sachii.co.nz/collections
Candle care guide: https://www.sachii.co.nz/articles
