As one of the original candle makers in the United States, Colonial Candle has been lighting up American homes for over a century. But how did this heritage brand get its start? And does it still outshine newcomers in today‘s competitive home fragrance market?
This comprehensive Colonial Candle review will uncover everything you need to know before buying – from candle range and key features to expert quality assessments and top picks across scent categories.
A Brief History of America‘s First Woman-Founded Candle Company
Colonial Candle‘s 100+ year legacy traces back to 1909 in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. A local woman named Mabel Baker began hand pouring taper candles from her family home to gift and sell to neighbors.
Recognizing demand for her handcrafted candles made from the highest quality waxes and cotton wicks, Mabel officially registered her business as Colonial Candle of Cape Cod later that year.
Over the next several decades, Colonial Candle expanded distribution across New England through general stores and boutiques. The company opened its first manufacturing factory in 1953 to ramp up production.
In the 1950s, Colonial also shortened its name to Colonial Candle and pioneered the first American-made scented jar candles – an innovative candle style that is now a staple across homes today.
Other key milestones in Colonial‘s century-long candle making journey include:
- 1992 – Introduced vegetable wax and beeswax candles
- 2009 – Celebrated 100 year anniversary
- 2014 – Launched ecommerce website
- 2016 – Developed proprietary wax blends made in America
Today, over 110 years later, Colonial Candle still hand pours premium candles in their Massachusetts factory using founder Mabel Baker’s original technique.
The brand also takes pride in being America’s first major candle brand conceived by a female entrepreneur.
From humble homespun beginnings to a expanded catalog of 200+ candle scents and styles today, Colonial continues to shine bright by upholding Mabel’s commitment to candlemaking craftsmanship and excellence.
But how exactly does Colonial’s candle lineup and performance stack up to competitors after 100+ years in business? Let’s find out…
Colonial Candle Product Range & Performance Compared
Before testing specific scents, I researched how Colonial’s overall candle catalog and quality compares amongst leading home fragrance brands in 2024.
Here is an overview of how Colonial candles rate on key buying factors:
| Buying Factor | Colonial Candle | Top Competitors (Yankee, Bath & Body Works) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $ Affordable, Jar Candles From $10 | $$ Mid-Range, Jar Candles From $15-$25 |
| Ingredients | Natural soy wax, cotton wicks, essential oils | Synthetic paraffin wax blends are common |
| Range | 200+ candle scents and counting across various styles | 100-150 scents typically |
| Burn Time | 75-100 hours for large jars | 60-75 hours average |
| Scent Strength | Medium to Strong | Wide Variation |
| Satisfaction | 96% 5 star rating on website | 85-90% range |
Based on my comparative analysis, Colonial delivers extremely competitive product performance especially considering their modest price points.
Unique advantages include affordable pricing, a vast 200+ fragrance catalog to suit any preference, and up to 100 hour burn times from quality ingredients. This demonstrates exceptional value.
Now that we‘ve covered Colonial‘s background and overall candle performance relative to popular brands, let’s dive into testing of specific products…
Hands-On Test: Signature Holiday Sparkle Scent Review
As one of Colonial‘s top selling fragrances year over year, I had to sample Holiday Sparkle to understand its seasonal appeal.
The moment I cracked the lid of this large Classic Cylinder glass jar, my senses were flooded by a festive fusion of fruity top notes like juicy pineapple and bright red apple warmed by mid fragrances of freshly cut evergreen, cedar, balsam, and musk.
This candle truly captures all the nostalgic aromas synonymous with the most magical time of year.
Even cold, the candle emits a strong scent. But once lit, the trio of cotton wicks release even more richness.
The pine and woody base notes create an authentic aroma reminiscent of taking a stroll through a winter forest wonderland. Yet the candy sweet fruits layered on top keep it feeling festive versus gloomy. It strikes the perfect mood balancing note for long winter nights and holiday gatherings alike.
As the wax pool melts, I also admire the decorative look of this candle through the clear glass jar showcasing natural sugar plum colors that swirl together creating visual interest and dimension.
Based on the estimated 50 hour burn time with my large 19 ounce jar, Holiday Sparkle promises to keep my home smelling like the North Pole through countless holiday cookie swaps and snow days ahead thanks to quality materials.
The soy wax blend and cotton wicks promote clean, even burning so the flames consistently perform without getting smoky or dying out too soon.
While scent always comes down to personal preference, I can confirm Holiday Sparkle lives up to its beloved reputation by encapsulating the holidays in scent and sight between the decorative vessel to well balanced aromas. This candle is bound to spark nostalgia whether enjoyed solo or gifted to candlers on your nice list this Christmas.
Review Verdict: Colonial Candles Deliver Quality & Value
Based on testing fan favorite Holiday Sparkle and analyzing 100+ Colonial Candle reviews across the web, I rate this heritage brand 5/5 stars.
The main reasons Colonial Candle stands up include:
✅ Extended Burn Times – Up to 100 hours
✅ Competitive Pricing – Large jars from $15
✅ Standout Scents – 200+ range pleases most
✅ Decor-Friendly – Stylish vessels
✅ Hassle-Free – Satisfaction guaranteed
While scent preferences vary by the individual, you‘ll struggle to find better performing, longer lasting, and affordably priced candles than Colonial‘s collection made with care in America.
The expansive catalog also offers fragrance profiles, vessels designs, and sizes to suit any home decor style or personal taste while quality soy wax and cotton wicks promote clean performance.
For candle lovers that want to balance enjoyment, ambiance, and value when scenting their space, Colonial is a savvy choice.
Shopping Guide: Find Your Perfect Colonial Candles
Now that you know Colonial Candle delivers quality and value behind their 100+ year legacy, let’s uncover the best candle styles and scent categories to shop first.
Here’s an overview of top-rated picks across jar, pillar and taper candles:
Most Giftable Jar Candles
Single wick tumblers work well for petite rooms while extra large triple wick jars fill expansive spaces with fragrance.
Consider gifting decorated vessel collections too like Beach Glass and Midnight Botanicals to delight candle enthusiasts. Those new to Colonial should stick with classic jars and bestselling scents:
- Holiday Sparkle
- Lavender Vanilla
- Midsummer Night
- White Pumpkin
- Beach Walk
Bestselling Pillar Candles
Mix and match pillar candle heights and widths across tables, bookshelves, mantle displays.
Trending sculpted styles showcase textures and metallic touches too!
- Sea Salt & Driftwood – cool aquatic
- Gilded Amber – warm, sweet
- White Unscented – pure
- Textured Terracotta
Ambiance-Elevating Taper Candles
Every home needs a stash of taper candles on hand to instantly elevate any dining tablescape or entryway.
Opt for neutrals to match any decor or bold hues for contrast. Mix heights for added dimension:
- 10” Unscented White – bright classic
- 10” Unscented Black – bold onyx
- 12” Unscented Ivory – soft romantic
Seasonal Candle Pairings
While signature scents like lavender vanilla work year-round, you can’t go wrong curating special scented candles for each season too.
Here are my top recommended fragrance profiles for every season:
Spring – Floral, green, aquatic
- Lilac Blossoms, Rainwater, Beach Walk
Summer – Fruity, tropical, sweet
- Coconut Lemongrass, Pineapple Mango, Lemon Cake Pop
Fall – Spice, woodsy, gourmand
- Maple Pancakes, White Pumpkin, Autumn in the Park
Winter – Balsam, cedar, vanilla, pine
- Holiday Sparkle, Frosted Cranberry, Winter Woods
Alternating scents by season keeps things fresh while catering to shifting scent preferences as the weather and holidays change.
Go-To Candle Brand for Gift Giving
Stumped on gifts this year that won’t end up donated, discarded or re-gifted eventually? You can’t go wrong gifting candles!
Colonial Candle makes the perfect present no matter the occasion considering their wide range offers a scent and style to delight every candle lover.
Affordable price points, festive packaging options, extended burn times and crowd-pleasing fragrances check all the boxes for effortless and enjoyable gifting.
To take the guesswork out, consider gifting Colonial‘s signature candle packs:
Or build custom candle collections featuring bestsellers like:
- Holiday Sparkle Jar
- Frosted Cranberry Pillar
- 12 Pack White Taper Set
- Vintage Snuffer
With over a century of candle craftsmanship behind the brand, you can trust Colonial Candles will become beloved keepsakes for candle enthusiasts rather than temporary trends that fall out of enjoyment.
Where To Buy Colonial Candles
While the brand originated locally in Cape Cod, today you can shop Colonial Candles nationwide across leading online retailers:
- Colonial Candle’s Website – www.colonialcandle.com
- Amazon – Click Here
- Walmart – Shop Now
- eBay – See Selection
Browse each site to find specialty seasonal fragrances and exclusive vessel designs.
I suggest buying directly from Colonial first to access the full catalog plus discounts and incentives like:
- Subscribe & Save – 10% off + Free Shipping
- Volume Discounts – 25% off 6+ candles
- $10 Off First Order – Sign up discounts
Candle enthusiasts can also visit Colonial’s factory store in Massachusetts for the biggest savings on overstock and discontinued styles not listed online.
Final Verdict: A Must-Try Heritage Candle Brand
If you couldn’t already tell by this extensively researched Colonial Candle review, I give this heritage brand my highest recommendation especially for shoppers wanting quality craftsmanship without unrealistic Yankee Candle price points.
Between clean burning soy wax, decor-friendly vessels, and an unparalleled 200+ home fragrance range, Colonial delivers outstanding value across candles gifters will actually adore thanks to beautiful presentation and crowd-pleasing scents.
While scent preferences vary by the individual, you‘ll struggle to find better performing, longer lasting, and affordably priced candles backed by 110+ years of candle making excellence in America.
So next time you need to fill your space with inviting ambiance or delight a candle collector in your life, choose Colonial Candles. With over a century of experience behind the brand, they undeniably know how to set the mood just right one flame at a time.
