Candle Making Kits for Beginners - What's Actually in the Box (2026)
How we put this together: we compared what each kit's own listing says is included, checked in October 2026. We have not used these kits ourselves. Prices change often. Some links are affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
A good beginner kit should include enough wax for at least a few candles, wicks matched to that wax, a thermometer, and something to pour from. Here's what the widely sold kits actually include.
CandleScience Starter+ Kit - about $75
- Wax: 3 lb CandleScience Coconut Apricot blend
- Wicks: 6 pre-tabbed LX 18, with stickers and centering bars
- Fragrance: 3 x 1 oz, chosen from 200+ scents
- Vessels: 6 clear tumblers with black metal lids
- Also: digital thermometer, warning and product labels, instructions
- Missing: a pouring pitcher
The most complete "make real, sellable-looking candles" kit we found, from a major supplier, with wick and wax already matched. You'll need a pitcher and a double-boiler pot. Kit page
CandleScience Astra Kit - about $46
- Wax: 1 lb Coconut Apricot
- Wicks: 2 x CD 18
- Fragrance: 1 x 1 oz
- Vessels: 2 tumblers
- Also: labels, instructions
A small "try it once" kit. Good as a gift; too little wax to learn wicking properly. Kit page
Hearth & Harbor Soy Kit with Electric Pot - about $147
Comes with soy wax (check the listing for the exact weight), 16 dye blocks, 4 x 10 ml fragrance oils, 2 tins, 4 cotton wicks, an electric melting pot with a touchscreen, a thermometer, stir sticks, clips and labels. It's the only kit here with a heat source included, but it was showing sold out on the brand site when we checked, and only 2 tins and 4 wicks come in the box. Kit page
Greentek Beginner Kit (Michaels) - about $67
Listed with soy wax, a pouring pot, wicks and holders. The listing doesn't publish the wax weight, fragrance count or number of vessels, so compare the box contents before buying. Listing
Discontinued - don't go looking for these
CandleScience's Soy Starter Kit (discontinued Aug 2025) and Pro Kit (discontinued Nov 2025) were built around Golden Brands 464 soy wax, which the supplier now lists as out of stock long-term. Older reviews still recommend them.
Kit or build your own?
For about the same money as a mid-range kit you can buy 5-10 lb of wax, a wick sampler, a few 1 oz fragrance oils and a pitcher - see our candle making supplies checklist. Kits win on convenience and matched wicks; building your own wins once you know you'll make more than a dozen candles.
Browse candle making kits on eBay · Browse soy wax on eBay · Plan your batch with the free candle calculator.