There is a big debate between Yankee Candle vs Bath and Body Works fans about which company makes the best candles.
Some people swear by the Yankee Candle brand, while others prefer the Bath and Body Works candles. Both companies have their pros and cons, so, which brand is the best?
I purchased some candles from both brands to differentiate them. I compared the brands when it comes to smell, packaging, price, size and longevity.
| Aspect | Yankee Candle | Bath and Body Works |
|---|---|---|
| Product Range | Offers a wide range of scented candles, wax melts, and home fragrance products | Provides a diverse range of scented body care, home fragrance, and personal care products |
| Fragrance Options | Features a variety of unique, highly fragrant scents with long-lasting throw | Offers a diverse range of seasonal and signature scents across its product lines, with frequent new releases |
| Target Audience | Targets individuals seeking high-quality, strongly scented candles and home fragrance products | Caters to consumers interested in fragrant body care, home fragrance, and seasonal scents |
| Packaging | Utilizes simple, practical packaging with clear labeling | Features colorful, vibrant packaging with a focus on seasonal themes and collections |
| Marketing Approach | Emphasizes high-quality, strong-scented candles and wax melts with a focus on fragrance experience | Focuses on seasonal scents and promotions, with a focus on fragrance experiences |
| Pricing | Positioned as a mid-range, accessible brand | Positioned as a mid-range, accessible brand |
| Popular Products | Yankee Candle Large Jar Candles, Yankee Candle Wax Melts | Bath and Body Works 3-Wick Candles, Bath and Body Works Fine Fragrance Mists |
| Availability | Available through the brand's website and select retailers | Widely available through standalone stores, malls, and online platforms |
Continue reading to know which one is better.
Who Are Yankee Candle Co and Bath & Body Works?
Here's a brief introduction to Yankee Candle and Bath & Body Works for those who have recently come across them.
Yankee Candle Company
Michael Kittredge was sixteen years old when he created a Christmas gift for his mother using crayons. A small candle company was born from that moment, which has since grown to be an international business.
The current headquarters of the company is located in South Deerfield in Massachusetts. They currently have 309 stores across the United States and Canada.
Yankee also sells its candles in authorized retailers like Bed, Bath & Beyond, Kohl's, Walmart, Meijer, Macy's, and Meijer. This dramatically expands their reach to customers. This is a significant difference between Yankee Candle and BBW.
Yankee Candle has five scent categories: fruity, floral, citrus, fresh, clean, sweet, spicy, and woody. The following are their ten most-loved fragrances:
- Fresh Cut Roses
- Midsummer's Night
- Balsam & Cedar
- Pink Sands
- Lilac Blossoms
- Buttercream
- Midnight Jasmine
- Sparkling Cinnamon
- White Gardenia
- Salted Caramel
Yankee's sister brand, WoodWick, has a similar look to BBW. However, WoodWick is sleeker and more sophisticated. WoodWick, however, has its own line of fragrances.
Bath & Body Works
In 1990, Les Wexner started Bath & Body Works in New Albany, Ohio as a specialty retailer. It is now an international brand with more than 1,900 locations worldwide.
Bath & Body Works has products in the six most popular fragrance families: fresh, fruity (also known as gourmand), sweet, citrus, floral, sweet, and woodsy. The following are their top ten fragrances:
- A Thousand Wishes
- Champagne Toast
- Eucalyptus Spearmint
- Gingham
- In the Stars
- Into the Night
- Japanese Cherry Blossom
- Lavender Vanilla
- Mahogany Teakwood
- Waikiki Beach Coconut
Bath & Body Works Collections focus more on seasonal fragrances, fashionable colors, and unique smells.
All of their more sophisticated fragrances come in subdued colors and minimally decorated jars under the White Barn Candle Collection, their sister brand.
Are Yankee Candle and Bath and Body Works owned by the same company?
Yankee Candle Company, renowned for its expansive collection of scented candles, is being acquired by Jarden Corporation in an all-cash deal worth $1.75 billion.
This acquisition would greatly interest two companies based in Columbus - specialty retailer L Brands Inc. and Lancaster Colony Corporation, a diversified manufacturer.
Candles and home fragrances are key products for both L Brands' Bath & Body Works and White Barn Candle Company divisions.
Lancaster Colony produces the Candle-lite brand. With Yankee Candle under Jarden Corporation, both L Brands and Lancaster Colony may see significant changes soon.
Bath & Body Works and White Barn's candles and home fragrance sales make up a small percentage of Lancaster Colony's total revenue.
In 2012, candles and glassware generated $152 million in sales for Lancaster Colony, while the company's food manufacturing businesses brought in $1 billion.
Yankee vs Bath and Body Works Candles and More
Bath & Body Works is well-known for more than just its candles. You can find body care products such as body lotions and hand creams, moisturizers for the lips, body sprays, and body lotions.
You can also find a variety of hand soaps and sanitizers as well as room or car fresheners. The candles have a single or three-wick design.
Yankee Candle Company sells products that clean and refresh vehicles and spaces. They do this in many ways. They offer over 600 scent options, and you have seven sizes to choose from!
Yankee offers a variety of fragrance products, including scent plugs and reed diffusers.
They also provide room sprays, fragrance lights, room sprays, wax warmers in three varieties, as well as fragrance gel tins. They also sell candle accessories such as candle holders and trays.
Also read: Goose Creek Candles Vs Bath And Body Works: Which Is Better?
Yankee Candle or Bath and Body Works?: Candle Comparison
Although there are similarities in how candles are made, I will be examining the key elements of each candle manufactured by each company. Yankee Candle Company offers a variety of sizes for candles. This is the main difference.
Yankee Candle
Yankee candles are made in central Massachusetts by master candlemakers, who also work in the factory. They also opened a Czech Republic production plant in 2018 to make it easier for product distribution throughout Europe.
Yankee Candles are made from premium-grade soy wax or paraffin and premium scent ingredients.
Yankee candles are fragranced with three notes: a top, middle, and bottom. When I open the candle's lid, the top fragrance is what I smelled.
The top note is carried further by the middle notes, which are the main body of a fragrance. Base notes provide the final grounding experience.
Although the type of wick used will vary depending on the fragrance and the color combination, all wicks are 100% natural fibers.
Each candle is different, so some wicks are 100% cotton while others have a paper core and wax.
If your candle comes with a lid, keep it close to your face and use it after the candle has cooled. It helps preserve the fragrance and protects it from the sun and other debris.
Yankee makes many types of candles. Some have multiple sizes.
Are Yankee candles really better?
The Yankee Candles are incomparable to other candles on the market. They are built to last much longer than your average candle and always have a high-functioning wick.
The Yankee Candle burns evenly and slowly, making it an excellent choice for many people.
Even upon removing the glass stopper from the top of the candle's jar, I was immediately met with a strong blast of scent.
The wick is made with only natural fibers; it lights quickly and flickers intensely before settling into a steady burn. The flame is tall and burns pretty hot throughout the entire duration that it is lit.
Yankee Candle's collection features more than 600 different fragrances, so you're sure to find one you love. The candles come in various sizes, from tiny votives to large jars that burn for 150 hours or more.
The only potential downside is that the Yankee Candle's fragrance lingers after you blow it out, but even this is only a minor inconvenience.
Bath & Body Works Candles
Only 1% of Bath & Body Works products are manufactured overseas. Although they source raw materials from around the world, most of their products, including candles, are made in the United States.
BBW candles have a soy-based wax mix for melting quickly. They can burn for up to 45 hours with their 3-wick candles (14.5 oz / 411.1 g). Single-wick candles (7 oz/198 g) burn between 25 to 40 hours. All candle wicks have no lead.
The candles are highly concentrated with natural essential oils. There are fifty scents available.
Each size of these candles is known for its great spread, but single-wick candles work best in small spaces such as powder rooms to ensure the best fragrance distribution.
Are Bath and Body Works candles high quality?
Bath & Body Works candles have always been on top when it comes to quality and addicting scents.
There's a reason why Bath & Body Works has been the go-to for all things fragrance - because the brand delivers quality fragrances that are not overpowering.
I was very happy with the overall quality of the burn and throw of the candles. I had no wick issues, no tunneling, and no soot.
Some of the candles had stronger scents than others, but they were all high-quality in scent strength and throw.
Are Bath and Body Works candles worth it?
Bath & Body Works candles are some of the best on the market regarding quality and scent. The brand is known for its quality fragrances that last long without being too overpowering.
You can usually find Bath & Body Works candles on sale for 50% off, plus there are always coupons available for additional discounts.
So, if you're looking for a good quality candle at a great price, Bath & Body Works is the place to go!
I recommend buying Bath & Body Works candles but not for full price. So, it's best if you wait until they are on sale.
Is Bath & Body Works better than Yankee?
Many people find themselves debating between Yankee Candle and Bath & Body Works when it comes to candles.
Bath and Body Works candles are known for their long burn-time and affordable price.
But Yankee Candle fans argue that its flames give off a less offensive scent. Plus, many say Yankee Candle is a higher quality product overall.
However, it really depends on the candle.
When it comes to size, Bath & Body Works candles are often bigger, but Yankee Candle has a greater variety of sizes available.
And when it comes to different types of candles, Yankee Candle definitely has the upper hand, with different brands such as Chesapeake bay and woodwick.
So, it really depends on what you're looking for as to which brand is better.
Bath and Body Works Candles vs Yankee Candles: Top Scent Comparison
Although the candle sizes of each company are not identical, I was able to compare two measures that were just one ounce and a quarter different in each company's most popular candle scent.
Yankee Candle: Fresh Cut Roses Candle
The signature scent has three layers. The top note is fruity and citrusy. The top note smells of fresh apples and citrus fruits. I can also smell fresh roses, accompanied by other flowers like geraniums, in the middle. This candle scent has a soft, musky undertone. It's almost like walking into an English garden.
Pros
- It has 2-wicks, which ensures that it burns evenly
- A pleasant fragrance that isn't overwhelming
- Perfume for everyday burning
- Rose scent
Cons
- Scents aren't as strong as they once were
- It is a little too expensive for what it is.
Bath & Body Works: A Thousand Wishes Candle
The natural scent layers of their natural scent are a mixture of fresh-cut peonies and freshly popped bubbling Champagne.
Pros
- Strong scent
- Fills the room quickly
- It melts evenly with three wicks
- A floral fragrance that is bright and sweet.
Cons
- Some fragrances are too delicate for others
- Scent can be too intense for other people
- The scent doesn't last long
The Yankee candle is smaller than the BBW, but it has a longer approximate burn time.
What are Bath and Body Works strongest smelling candles?
If you're looking for a candle with enough throw to fill your home with an amazing scent, look no further than Bath and Body Works. They make some of the strongest-smelling candles around, and I've compiled my three favorites to help you set the perfect vibe for any occasion.
Mahogany Teakwood Intense
This candle, the strongest of all of them, has a very "cowboy" smell. It's like a cologne made of teakwood and mahogany. It's a powerful scent that easily masks any other scent in your house.
Paris Café
This candle smells like roasted coffee, vanilla, and sweet pastries. Light it when you need a pick-me-up or when you want to relax. It's perfect for coffee lovers!
Black Cherry Merlot
This scented candle will bring a touch of elegance to your personal space. If you're hosting a dinner party, intimate gathering, or anything that could use a classy vibe, this is the candle to go with. It's also great for helping you relax after a busy day.
Do Yankee candles smell strong?
Yankee Candles are the perfect choice for a candle with a strong scent that will last a long time. Their candles are made from high-quality paraffin, which results in a burn time of 110-150 hours.
So if you find your perfect scent, you can enjoy it for a long time! Yankee is known for its wide range of potent fragrances that will appeal to any candle lover.
One of the strongest-smelling Yankee candles you can buy is the Macintosh. This is a very fruity candle, mixing the scent of juicy Macintosh apples with fruit peels and greens for an aromatic and punchy scent.
Fruity smells are uplifting, so stronger fragrances like this one give the room more energy.
The Macintosh is a great option if you're looking for a Yankee candle that will fill the room with a strong, pleasant smell.
Which One to Choose? Yankee Candle vs Bath & Body Works
It can be challenging to choose between Yankee Candle vs BBW. However, I believe there are enough differences between them to make the decision easier.
Use Yankee Candle if:
- A wide range of scents is essential to you.
- You want a slow burn
- There are many options for candle sizes
Use Bath & Body Works if:
- Strong scents are what you want
- Great throws are what you want
- You don't mind changing out candles frequently
BBW candles are strong in scent but burn quickly. This is a good thing for some customers who love the strong smell. However, it can also mean that you might need to purchase more candles.
Yankee Candle Company offers hundreds of fragrances. They also have candles that burn slowly, which makes them last longer. One problem is that their scents may not be as strong as those of BBW.
My Honest Reviews: Yankee Candles vs Bath and Body Works
Choosing which is best is actually up to you! I added everything I noticed when I used these two candles and I honestly loved both products. But, if you don't have similar taste and preference as mine, then you'll probably have a different choice of which one is better.
This site has a lot of information to help you decide which company is the best for you. Try both if you haven't used one of them before! This is the best way to find out which one you prefer.
