Do you need to grease candle molds?

Not necessarily. If you’re using a silicone mold, it’s totally okay to skip greasing your mold. Silicone is naturally a nonstick surface. If you’re using a metal or other type of mold, however, it is a good idea to grease your mold. You can find candle mold release products made specifically for this purpose. Vegetable oil or coconut oil can also work in a pinch.

Can you use silicone molds for candles?

Yes! Silicone molds are fantastic for candles, as they are resistant to heat, are flexible and pliable, and can be reused numerous times without much maintenance. Moreover, you can find silicone molds in a variety of fun 3D geometric shapes.

How long do I have to wait until I can take my candle out of the mold?

The answer to this question can vary depending on the size of your candle, the type of mold, and the type of wax you’re using. A general rule of thumb, however, is to wait at least 24 hours, or until it’s fully solidified, before removing your wax creation from its mold.

The Best Candle Molds of 2023

Getty Images / Candle Molds — Wera Rodsawang / Getty Images

Unlike traditional candle vessels, candle molds allow for a variety of standalone, vessel-free candle shapes. We tested and researched a slew of candle molds, evaluating them on ease of use, durability, style, and value.

Our top pick, the Candle Shop Cylinder Set of 4 Candle Molds, contains four different cylinder sizes, each of which is made from durable, easy-to-remove plastic. Whether you’re a beginner or a candle-making pro, these traditional cylinder-shaped candle molds will serve you for years to come and for an array of products.

Here are the best candle molds.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Candle Shop Candle Molds, Cylinder at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Pillar:

MILIVIXAY Classic Taper Mold at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Bubble:

MOTZU Bubble Candle Mold at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Geometric:

ESEENS Geometric Shape Candle Mold at Amazon

Jump to Review

Most Versatile:

Candle Shop 4 Different Plastic Molds Set at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Phrasal:

SHEIN Slogan Design Candle Silicone Mold at Shein.com

Jump to Review

Best Bust:

SHEIN 2pcs Sculpture Design DIY Silicone Mold at Shein.com

Jump to Review

Best Mold-Making Kit:

LET'S RESIN Silicone Mold Making Kit at Amazon

Jump to Review

In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look for
FAQ
Why Trust The Spruce

4.9

Candle Shop Candle Molds Cylinder Set of 4

Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Variety of sizes
Simple design
Excellent value

What We Don't Like

Mold should be greased prior to using

This is an excellent set of sleek, simple cylinders for beginner candle makers and advanced makers alike. The set comes with four timeless cylinder styles, each of which can withstand wax at up to 167 degrees Fahrenheit. The plastic is durable, crack-resistant, and bound to last a long time with proper usage. Tip: Grease the mold before pouring your wax with these, as the rigidity of the plastic leaves little room for manipulation.

_{Dimensions: 3.5 x 3.5 x 7.9 inches | Material: Plastic}

Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Many uses
Durable plastic
Easy release

What We Don't Like

Requires extra-long wick thread

This tall, lithe candlestick poses a bevy of possibilities. Perhaps you’ll use it as a solitary candlestick rooted in a stylish candle holder, or maybe you’d like to make a few and place them in a fun arrangement for the holidays. Regardless of how you plan to use this pillar candle mold, it’s a shape that’s ultra-versatile and a must for every candle maker’s mold kit. This one also comes with the bonus of extra-long wicks, which are necessary for threading through this type of tall taper candle. It also comes with a mold sealer for preventing the dreaded wax leakage! The base of this product is detachable, making the whole removal process a bit easier.

_{Dimensions: 0.50 x 0.87 x 9.84 inches | Material: PC plastic}

Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Six molds
Food-grade silicone
Foldable for easy storage

What We Don't Like

Pricier than other options

The bubble cube candle style is among the most popular candles of the past few years. It’s stylish, solid in stature, and customizable in terms of layering different colors. In light of its popularity, there are tons of molds to choose from, and it can be tricky to tell which among them is best. Our vote goes toward this mold, which contains not one, but six cube-shaped cavities to fill with wax. The mold is made from food-grade silicone (technically, you could use it for baking). It’s also extremely flexible and resistant to splitting in the way that thinner silicone candle molds tend to. It’s foldable, too, meaning you can reduce it to half its size when you’re not using it.

_{Dimensions: 11.7 x 6.9 x 2.3 inches | Material: Food-grade silicone}

Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Great value
Easy release
Trendy design

What We Don't Like

Curves can break easily due to their delicate nature

These wavy, line-etched candle molds deliver trendy, stylish candles that are surprisingly easy to create. The silicone is flexible and durable, plus it allows for easy release without the need for oiling. One warning with this particular bendy style: The curves are delicate and prone to breaking.

_{Dimensions: 4.13 x 1.22 x 3.54 inches | Material: Silicone}

Candle Shop Plastic Molds Set for Candle Making

Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Range of basic shapes
Good value
Includes bonus wicks

What We Don't Like

Plastic is opaque (can’t see candle color until released)

Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, a toolset of basics—like this one—is always good to have on hand. This set gives you the option to create a smattering of basic shapes, including pyramids, cylinders, pillars, and spheres. What’s more, this set also comes with basic wicking materials.

_{Dimensions: Varies | Material: Plastic}

SHEIN

View On Shein.com

What We Like

Giftable design
Easy to remove
Trendy design

What We Don't Like

Adding individual colors to the letters requires a bit of advanced technique

We’ve seen a few similarly word-centric candle molds, but this “Melt Me” sentiment is among our favorites, thanks to its decorative appeal and cheeky verbiage. You can also find a version of this mold that says “Be Kind,” which is equally as adorable. Whichever sentiment you choose, it’ll be stamped in block caps upon a funky base (psst, wavy lines are so on-trend right now). Lastly, given the flat nature and flexibility of this silicone candle mold, it’s super easy to release.

_{Dimensions: 5.1 x 1.7 x 1.5 inches | Material: Silicone}

SHEIN

View On Shein.com

What We Like

Unique design
Excellent value
Two-piece mold for easy release

What We Don't Like

Small in stature relative to a real bust

If you’ve been looking for candle molds for more than a few minutes, you’ve undoubtedly seen a bevy of bust-inspired candle molds. This one is on the smaller side, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in style. We love the delicate curves of the design and the intricate details. Unlike many silicone bust-style molds, this one features two separate halves for super-easy wax removal. No need to worry about any of those smaller details breaking off!

_{Dimensions: 3 x 1.7 x 1.4 inches | Material: Silicone}

Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Creates customizable shapes
Nontoxic
Firm and flexible

What We Don't Like

Mold takes approximately 12 hours to solidify before it’s useable

Should you prefer to make a cast of a quirky object you already own, a DIY silicone casting kit is your best bet. This one from Let’s Resin is nontoxic, odor-free, and easy to use, even if it’s your first time casting a mold. Simply create an impression of the object you want to use as your candle shape and pour candle wax in accordingly. Once set, this silicone-rubber combo is super flexible and durable, making it easy to de-mold your wax once it’s hardened.

_{Dimensions: Not listed | Material: Rubber and silicone}

Final Verdict

The best overall is the Candle Shop Cylinder Set of 4 Candle Molds, a set of four cylindrical candle molds in an array of diameters and heights. The molds are made from ultra-durable, heat-resistant plastic that’ll last countless uses. This is an ideal basic set for any candle maker’s mold collection. If you’re looking for a trendier, sculptural candle mold, consider the ESEENS Geometric Shape Candle Mold.

Material

Candle molds come in a variety of materials, including metal, silicone, plastic, rubber, and glass. Take note that silicone is great for candles with intricate designs, as its flexibility lessens the chance of wax breaking or chipping.

Style

Candle molds run the gamut in terms of style, ranging from traditional to trendy. If you’re just starting your candle-making craft, you may want to invest in some of the more basic molds, including squares, spheres, pillars, and taper candles. These shapes are versatile and often easier to work with. That said, it’s fun to explore the array of trendy, cutesy, and quirky candle molds on the market these days. Moreover, these novelty shapes make an excellent tool for creating gift-worthy candles for friends.

Durability

Silicone candle molds are among the best options for creating intricately shaped candles. While most silicone molds are adequately flexible and often thick enough, some are flimsier than others. Make sure the silicone candle you’re purchasing is relatively thick. Otherwise, it has a higher likelihood of ripping—and thus becoming unusable—as you’re removing your creation.

FAQ

Do you need to grease candle molds?

Not necessarily. If you’re using a silicone mold, it’s totally okay to skip greasing your mold. Silicone is naturally a nonstick surface. If you’re using a metal or other type of mold, however, it is a good idea to grease your mold. You can find candle mold release products made specifically for this purpose. Vegetable oil or coconut oil can also work in a pinch.
Can you use silicone molds for candles?

Yes! Silicone molds are fantastic for candles, as they are resistant to heat, are flexible and pliable, and can be reused numerous times without much maintenance. Moreover, you can find silicone molds in a variety of fun 3D geometric shapes.
How long do I have to wait until I can take my candle out of the mold?

The answer to this question can vary depending on the size of your candle, the type of mold, and the type of wax you’re using. A general rule of thumb, however, is to wait at least 24 hours, or until it’s fully solidified, before removing your wax creation from its mold.

Sophie Wirt is a writer and editor based in New York City. For this roundup, she considered a range of candle mold styles, ranging from trendy bubble-style candles to traditional pillar candles. She evaluated each candle mold for its ease of use, versatility, and durability. We considered the thickness of the materials, the temperature constraints (if applicable), and the overall value compared to similar options available. All of our picks can be used with any type of candle wax (soy, beeswax, paraffin).