What’s the Difference Between Paraffin, Soy, and Coconut Apricot Candles?

Not all candles are made with the same type of wax, and once you start shopping for candles, you’ll quickly notice terms like paraffin, soy, beeswax, and coconut apricot appearing everywhere.

For most people, though, it’s hard to know what those labels actually mean or whether they really make a difference once the candle is burning.

The truth is that every wax has strengths and tradeoffs. Some candles are designed to fill a room with fragrance as quickly as possible, while others focus more on a slower burn, softer atmosphere, or a more elevated overall feel.

When developing 701 Candles, we spent a lot of time researching different waxes and learning how each one affects the overall candle experience. Here’s what we learned along the way.

Paraffin Wax

Paraffin is one of the most widely used candle waxes and has been used in candles for decades.

One of the biggest advantages of paraffin is fragrance performance. Paraffin candles often produce a very strong scent throw, which is why many large commercial candle brands still use it today. They also tend to be more affordable because paraffin is inexpensive and easy to work with at scale.

The downside is that paraffin has developed a reputation among some consumers as being less “clean” compared to plant-based waxes. Some people also find paraffin candles burn hotter or faster depending on the formulation.

That doesn’t automatically make paraffin candles bad. A well-made paraffin candle can still perform extremely well. It simply creates a different type of candle experience than many modern boutique brands are aiming for today.

Soy Wax

Soy wax became popular as consumers started looking for alternatives to traditional paraffin candles.

Soy typically burns slower and often has a softer, more subtle fragrance experience. Many people enjoy soy candles because they feel a little more relaxed and natural compared to heavily fragranced candles.

At the same time, soy wax has some tradeoffs. Certain fragrances can smell lighter in soy, especially in larger rooms. Soy can also develop frosting or uneven surface textures over time, which is normal for natural waxes but sometimes surprises people who expect a perfectly smooth candle appearance.

For some brands, soy is the perfect fit. For others, the softer scent throw may not match the type of candle they want to create.

Coconut Apricot Wax

Coconut apricot wax is often used in more premium or luxury-style candles because of its smooth appearance and balanced burn characteristics.

This was the wax we kept coming back to while developing 701 Candles.

Compared to soy, we found coconut apricot wax gave us a smoother finish and carried fragrance a little more evenly without becoming overpowering. Compared to paraffin, it felt softer and more balanced overall while still producing a strong enough scent experience for everyday spaces.

It paired especially well with the earthy woods, seasonal blends, warm spices, and atmospheric fragrances we tend to gravitate toward.

The main downside is cost. Coconut apricot wax is significantly more expensive than paraffin and usually more expensive than soy as well. It’s also less common, which is why you tend to see it used more often in boutique or luxury candle brands rather than mass-market candles.

So Which Wax Is Best?

Honestly, there isn’t one perfect answer.

A good candle comes down to the balance between the wax, fragrance, wick, vessel, testing, and overall craftsmanship. Different waxes simply create different experiences.

For us, coconut apricot wax fit the kind of candle experience we wanted 701 Candles to create — balanced fragrance, a smooth burn, and an atmosphere that feels comfortable in everyday spaces without becoming overpowering.