What are the benefits of using a wick trimmer?

According to Chikumbu, regularly trimming your wicks is important, though new candles may not need it if the wick is already between a quarter and an eighth of an inch. "When relighting a candle, I generally like to trim the wick ...even just a little bit to remove any burnt residue," he says. "The burnt wick bits can create a smoky burn, which we don't love." Cutting the wick down can also prevent the jar from blackening with soot.

Can a wick trimmer help extend the life of your candle?

"For the most part, yes!" says Chikumbu. "If your flame is too big and too hot, your candle may burn fast, which reduces its lifespan." He explains that trimming the wick helps candles burn more evenly , meaning the wax melts in an even layer rather than just forming a hole down the center.

The 10 Best Wick Trimmers of 2023

Commerce Photo Composite — The Spruce / Sabrina Jiang

Since scissors often don't have the angle you need to reach down into a votive, a wick trimmer is the perfect solution. "What you want is for your candle wicks to be between a quarter to an eighth of an inch in length before every burn," says Kudzi Chikumbu (aka Sir Candle Man), a home fragrance expert and candle influencer. Wick trimmers can help you achieve that.

To help you find the right tool for your candle needs, we researched options of various sizes, materials, and styles.

Check out the best wick trimmers below.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Apotheke Wick Trimmer at Apothekeco.com

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Best Budget:

ChefBee Candle Wick Trimmer at Amazon

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Best Splurge:

Diptyque Wick Trimmer at Amazon

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Best Black:

Boy Smells Wick Trimmer at Amazon

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Best Brass:

CB2 Brass Wick Trimmer at CB2

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Best Stainless Steel:

Wickman Wick Trimmer with Wickcatcher at Amazon

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Best Color Options:

Sunshine Candle Supply Candle Wick Trimmer at Amazon

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Best for Wooden Wicks:

Sakoon Wick Trimmer at Findsakoon.com

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Best Design:

Anthropologie Candle Wick Trimmer at Anthropologie

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Best Set:

Williams Sonoma Snuffer and Trimmer Set at Williams-Sonoma

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4.9

Courtesy of West Elm.

View On Apothekeco.com View On Stitchandtickle.com View On West Elm

What We Like

Uniquely angled blade
Safe, clean trimming
Comfortable handles

What We Don't Like

Only one color

Wick trimmers don't vary much in terms of design and functionality. However, this one from Apotheke stands out from the pack. It's crafted from sturdy metal and features a chic black finish. More to the point, it boasts a uniquely angled blade for safe trimming, ensuring the wick comes off cleanly on the first snip.

The handles are comfortable, and the open-close mechanism is nice and smooth. We also like that it comes in a pretty, green, wrappable box—wick trimmers make excellent gifts, after all.

It would be nice if there were a few more color options. Still, the black hue is ideal for the purpose of trimming wicks, as soot won't discolor it. And when ash builds up on the blade, you can easily wipe it clean with a soft, dry cloth.

Price at time of publish: $18

Dimensions: 7 x 2.5 x .75 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Metal | Care: Wipe clean

Courtesy of Amazon.

View On Amazon

What We Like

Budget-friendly
Wick catcher
Two finishes available

What We Don't Like

Doesn't come in a box

Looking for something more wallet-friendly? The ChefBee Candle Wick Trimmer is a solid choice. It's made of stainless steel, a super durable and heat-resistant material.

The length and blade angle make it easy to reach down low into the deepest pillars and votives. It also has a built-in wick catcher to help you get all the debris out. While it doesn't come in a wrappable box, the price is tough to beat.

Price at time of publish: $6.49

Dimensions: 7.1 x 2.4 x 1.2 inches | Weight: 2.9 oz | Material: Stainless steel | Care: Wipe clean

Courtesy of Diptyque.

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What We Like

Smoke-free burning
Prevents jar from blackening
Gift box available

What We Don't Like

Pricey
Only one finish

When it comes to high-end home fragrances, Diptyque is a household name. The fancy French brand's take on the wick trimmer is this splurge-worthy number that promises to help your candles burn smoke-free while preventing the jar from blackening.

This sleek tool is made of steel and features the Diptyque logo around the handle and blade. And you can get a complimentary gift box if you order directly from the brand.

Price at time of publish: $40

Dimensions: 2.4 x 1.3 x 6.9 inches | Weight: 0.5 pounds | Material: Steel | Care: Wipe clean

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Courtesy of Boy Smells.

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What We Like

Won't discolor from soot
Wick catcher
Wrappable box

What We Don't Like

Finish may chip over time

Boy Smells launched more recently as an accessible home fragrance company offering a range of ambiance-elevating products. The startup's modern matte black wick trimmer not only looks chic but also won't discolor when covered in soot.

This functional tool offers neat snipping before each burn to reduce the smoke in your air. What's more, it has a built-in wick catcher that captures the tip in one fell swoop. Planning to gift this product? It comes in a conveniently wrappable box.

Price at time of publish: $22

Dimensions: 7.25 inches (length) | Weight: Not listed | Material: Metal | Care: Hand wash

Courtesy of CB2.

View On CB2

What We Like

Electroplated coating
Resists chipping and tarnishing
Wick catcher

What We Don't Like

Will show soot

We also like this brass option from CB2. It's made of stainless steel and electroplated with a brass finish, a process that ensures the coating resists chipping and tarnishing over time.

Unlike black wick trimmers, it'll show soot and ash, so you'll want to wipe it clean after each use. This tool is nice and compact, with sharp blades and a built-in wick catcher so you won't have to shake out your candle after snipping it.

Price at time of publish: $13

Dimensions: 6.5 x 2.5 x 1 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Stainless steel, brass | Care: Wipe clean

Stainless Steel Polished Wick Trimmer with Wickcatcher

Courtesy of Amazon.

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What We Like

Ergonomic handle
Wick catcher
Prevents jar from blackening

What We Don't Like

Only one finish

Stainless steel is always a good choice for this type of product, as it's resistant to high heat and rust. The extra-durable Wickman Wick Catcher flaunts an ergonomic design and a long handle that effortlessly reaches down into tall pillar candles—the decorative etchings are a nice touch, too.

Its sharp blades offer a clean cut on the first snip, and the handy wick catcher ensures that all debris is lifted out. According to the brand, trimming your wicks down to a quarter of an inch before each use will minimize smoke and prevent your candle jar from blackening.

Price at time of publish: $12

Dimensions: 7 inches (length) | Weight: 0.2 pounds | Material: Stainless steel | Care: Wipe clean

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Courtesy of Etsy.

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What We Like

Six finishes available
Neat trimming
Reduces soot and smoke

What We Don't Like

Storage bag not included
Short return window

Not sold on black or silver? This steel wick trimmer from Sunshine Candle Supply comes in six finishes. Beyond the basics, you can choose from gold, rose gold, bronze, or copper.

This thoughtfully designed tool offers a neat trim before each burn, reducing soot and smoke caused by excess charring. Just note that it doesn't come in a box, the velvet drawstring storage bag costs extra, and the return window is just seven days long.

Price at time of publish: $18-$28

Dimensions: 7.25 inches (length) | Weight: Not listed | Material: Steel | Care: Wipe clean

Courtesy of Sakoon.

View On Findsakoon.com

What We Like

Sharp, wide blade
Sturdy grip
Prevents jar from blackening

What We Don't Like

Only one color

Some believe that candles with wooden wicks offer a cleaner burn than their cotton-wicked counterparts. However, they can be harder to trim. You'll need a tool with a sharp, wide blade and a sturdy grip, like the Sakoon Wick Trimmer.

The brand suggests keeping your wicks under an eighth of an inch (slightly shorter than the standard recommendation) to help minimize smoke while preventing your votives from blackening with soot.

Price at time of publish: $12

Dimensions: Not listed | Weight: Not listed | Material: Metal | Care: Wipe clean

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Courtesy of Anthropologie.

View On Anthropologie

What We Like

Unique floral decal
Wick catcher
Good for gifting

What We Don't Like

Not the most versatile

Want something more decorative? Look no further than Anthropologie. This wick trimmer is made of steel with a white finish and a lovely floral decal. It's compact yet sturdy, with a sharp blade and a built-in debris catcher.

While the design isn't as versatile as others, this stylish tool is ideal for gifting. And the pretty colorway pairs perfectly with Anthropologie's signature Capri Blue Volcano Candle.

Price at time of publish: $18

Dimensions: 6 x 2 x 1 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Steel | Care: Wipe clean

Williams Sonoma

View On Williams-Sonoma

What We Like

Sophisticated design
Sturdy materials
Glossy gold plating

What We Don't Like

Only one finish

If you're shopping for someone else, the sophisticated Snuffer and Trimmer Set from Williams Sonoma is a stellar choice. As the name suggests, it comes with not only a wick trimmer but also a candle snuffer for safely and efficiently distinguishing candle flames.

Each piece is crafted from sturdy stainless steel and iron with glossy gold tone plating. Soot and ash will show on the blade and snuffer cone, but these tools are easy to wipe clean with a soft cloth.

Price at time of publish: $30

Dimensions: 7 x 2.5 x 1.25 inches (trimmer); 6.3 x 1.5 x 1 (snuffer) | Weight: Not listed | Material: Stainless steel, iron | Care: Wipe clean

Final Verdict

Our top choice is the Apotheke Black Wick Trimmer, a functional tool with comfortable handles and a uniquely angled blade that promises a clean cut with each snip—and it comes in a conveniently wrappable box. But if you're looking for something more affordable, the stainless steel ChefBee Candle Wick Trimmer is a great choice, too.

Material

Most wick trimmers are made of metal, whether stainless steel, standard steel, iron, or an alloy. Generally speaking, stainless steel is the most durable with exceptional resistance to high heat and rust. A tool with an electroplated coating will also have some added strength and resistance to tarnishing.

Size

Wick trimmers are usually between 6 and 8 inches long. Smaller designs are more portable and easier to stash in a drawer, but longer trimmers are better for reaching deep down into taller pillars and votives. Note the size of the handle loops, too. Like scissors, it can affect the grip and overall comfort.

Design

Design matters in terms of both functionality and aesthetics. "I have had many a wick trimmer in my time, and many of them have gone blunt," says Chikumbu, explaining that a sharp blade is crucial. An ergonomic handle is good to have as well.

"I also love wick trimmers that have a design element—color, engraving, or anything else," says Chikumbu. "[This] brings an element of decor to your space in a chic and unexpected way."

FAQ

What are the benefits of using a wick trimmer?

According to Chikumbu, regularly trimming your wicks is important, though new candles may not need it if the wick is already between a quarter and an eighth of an inch. "When relighting a candle, I generally like to trim the wick...even just a little bit to remove any burnt residue," he says. "The burnt wick bits can create a smoky burn, which we don't love." Cutting the wick down can also prevent the jar from blackening with soot.
Can a wick trimmer help extend the life of your candle?

"For the most part, yes!" says Chikumbu. "If your flame is too big and too hot, your candle may burn fast, which reduces its lifespan." He explains that trimming the wick helps candles burn more evenly, meaning the wax melts in an even layer rather than just forming a hole down the center.

Theresa Holland is a freelance writer and product reviewer specializing in home goods and lifestyle. For this story, she interviewed Kudzi Chikumbu (aka Sir Candle Man), a home fragrance expert and candle influencer. He has been featured in WWD, NY Mag, The Hollywood Reporter, and House Beautiful, as well as on The Rachael Ray Show. With Chikumbu's expert insight in mind, Theresa researched high-quality wick trimmers with sharp blades, comfortable handles, and aesthetic appeal.

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