5 Best Candle Jars Of 2021
Candle making has seen a tremendous surge in popularity, with more people embracing this creative hobby during 2021. Whether you’re a professional candle maker or just starting your journey, selecting the right jar is crucial for creating beautiful, functional candles that showcase your craft. The perfect vessel not only complements your wax and fragrance but also enhances the overall aesthetic appeal of your creation.
In this article, we’ll explore the top 5 candle jars that dominated the market in 2021, helping you make informed decisions for your candle-making projects. From classic designs to innovative containers, these selections offer versatility, quality, and style to elevate your candle game.
Comparison Table: 5 Best Candle Jars Of 2021
| Candle Jar | Capacity | Material | Best For | Price Range | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Libbey 2917 Straight-Sided Jar | 12.5 oz | Clear Glass | Professional candle makers | $2-3 per jar (bulk pricing) | 4.8/5 |
| Amber Apothecary Jars | 8 oz | Amber Glass | Vintage/rustic aesthetic | $3-4 per jar | 4.7/5 |
| Rose Gold Metallic Tumblers | 10 oz | Glass with metallic finish | Luxury/gift candles | $4-6 per jar | 4.5/5 |
| Mason Jar Containers | 16 oz | Glass with lid | Rustic/farmhouse style | $1-2 per jar | 4.6/5 |
| Matte Black Ceramic Vessels | 9 oz | Ceramic | Modern/minimalist decor | $5-7 per jar | 4.4/5 |
1. Libbey 2917 Straight-Sided Jar – The Professional’s Choice
The Libbey 2917 12.5 oz straight-sided jar easily secured its place as the top choice for professional candle makers in 2021. This versatile container offers the perfect blend of functionality and aesthetic appeal that makes it suitable for virtually any candle-making project.
Features:
The jar features a clean, straight-sided design with a 3.5-inch height and 3-inch diameter, providing an ideal surface for labels and branding. Made from high-quality clear glass, it showcases your candle’s color beautifully while the thick walls ensure excellent heat distribution during burning.
Available in bulk packs of 36, these jars are perfect for small businesses looking to maintain consistent quality across their product lines. The wide mouth allows for easy pouring, and the jar accommodates various wick sizes for different wax types.
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent heat resistance | Requires separate lids (sold additionally) |
| Perfect size for most candle applications | Basic design may need embellishment |
| Bulk pricing makes it cost-effective | Clear glass only (no color options) |
| Straight sides ideal for labeling | May be too plain for luxury market |
The Jar Store featured this container as one of their “MVPs of 2021,” noting that it consistently ranked as their best-selling jar throughout the year due to its versatility and professional quality.
2. Amber Apothecary Jars – Vintage Charm
Amber glass jars emerged as a strong trend in 2021, bringing a touch of vintage apothecary style to candle designs. These warm-toned containers became particularly popular among artisanal candle makers looking to create products with an authentic, handcrafted feel.
Features:
Typically available in 8 oz capacity, these amber glass jars offer UV protection that helps preserve fragrance oils and extend shelf life. Their distinctive color creates a warm glow when candles are lit, enhancing the ambiance they create.
The apothecary style usually features slightly tapered sides with a narrower base that widens toward the top, creating an elegant silhouette. Many come with black metal lids that complement the vintage aesthetic perfectly.
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| UV protection extends fragrance life | Limited size options |
| Distinctive vintage aesthetic | Higher price point than clear glass |
| Warm amber glow when lit | Color limits visibility of candle inside |
| Coordinates well with minimalist labels | May not suit all brand aesthetics |
These jars became particularly popular for candles with earthy, herbal, or spice-based scents, where the amber color complemented the natural, organic branding many candle makers embraced in 2021.
3. Rose Gold Metallic Tumblers – Luxury Appeal
According to The Jar Store’s 2021 review, rose gold continued its strong presence in home decor throughout the year, making rose gold metallic candle tumblers a standout choice for premium candle lines.
Features:
These elegant 10 oz containers feature a glass base with a sophisticated rose gold metallic finish that adds instant luxury to any candle. The reflective surface creates beautiful light play when the candle is burning, casting a warm, flattering glow in any space.
Most rose gold tumblers have a slight curve that narrows toward the base, creating an elegant silhouette. The metallic finish is typically applied through a specialized coating process that ensures durability and resistance to chipping.
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High-end, luxury appearance | Higher price point than standard jars |
| Creates beautiful ambient lighting | Requires careful handling to avoid fingerprints |
| Perfect for gift-focused candle lines | Special care needed for pouring to avoid damaging finish |
| Reusable as drinking glasses after candle use | May show heat marks if candle burns unevenly |
The Jar Store noted that while rose gold has been trending for 5-6 years, 2021 saw it evolve into a more sophisticated, subdued finish that paired beautifully with minimalist labels and natural ingredients, making these containers perfect for premium candle brands.
4. Mason Jar Containers – Rustic Versatility
Mason jars maintained their strong position in the candle market throughout 2021, particularly appealing to makers focused on rustic, farmhouse, or cottage-core aesthetics. Their affordability, availability, and versatility made them a staple for both professional and DIY candle makers.
Features:
These iconic 16 oz glass jars feature the classic threaded top and embossed design that has made them a staple in American homes for generations. Their generous capacity allows for longer-burning candles, while the included lids make them perfect for travel candles or gift-giving.
The wide mouth and straight sides make them exceptionally easy to work with for pouring and placing wicks. Many candle makers appreciate the built-in nostalgia factor that resonates with customers looking for handcrafted, authentic products.
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extremely cost-effective | Very common/less unique than specialty jars |
| Includes reusable lids | Heavier than specialized candle jars |
| Versatile for multiple candle styles | May require additional decoration to stand out |
| Instantly recognizable rustic appeal | Embossed design can interfere with some labels |
In 2021, many candle makers embraced the sustainability angle of mason jars, highlighting their reusability and connection to home preserving traditions. This aligned perfectly with the growing consumer interest in eco-friendly and multi-purpose products.
5. Matte Black Ceramic Vessels – Modern Minimalism
The rise of minimalist home decor made matte black ceramic vessels one of the standout candle container trends of 2021. These sophisticated containers brought a touch of modern elegance to the candle market, particularly appealing to design-conscious consumers.
Features:
Typically holding 9 oz of wax, these ceramic vessels feature a sleek matte black finish that coordinates beautifully with any interior design style. Unlike glass containers, ceramics offer excellent insulation properties that help candles burn more evenly and efficiently.
The opaque material creates a striking contrast when paired with simple white or metallic labels. Many ceramic vessels are designed to be reusable as small planters or storage containers after the candle is finished, adding value for sustainability-minded consumers.
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Sophisticated, high-end appearance | Higher price point than glass options |
| Excellent heat retention properties | Heavier than glass alternatives |
| Highly reusable after candle is finished | Can be more fragile if dropped |
| Creates dramatic contrast with flame | Cannot see candle level while burning |
The minimalist aesthetic of these containers aligned perfectly with the “less is more” approach many brands adopted in 2021. According to candle industry reports, these vessels were particularly popular for masculine-oriented scents and luxury home fragrance lines.
Candle Label Trends That Complemented 2021’s Best Jars
The perfect jar is only part of the equation—the right label design completes the look. In 2021, several label trends emerged that paired beautifully with the top jar choices:
Minimalist Typography
Clean, simple fonts with ample white space dominated label designs, particularly on clear glass and matte black containers. This allowed the quality of the container and candle to speak for itself without visual clutter.
Botanical Illustrations
Delicate line drawings of plants, herbs, and flowers became increasingly popular, especially on amber apothecary jars and mason containers. These illustrations often reflected the candle’s scent notes while adding an artisanal touch.
Metallic Accents
Gold, silver, and copper foil details on labels added luxury touches that complemented rose gold containers particularly well. Even simple labels could be elevated with a metallic border or logo.
Textured Papers
Labels printed on kraft paper, handmade paper, or textured stock added tactile interest and reinforced the handcrafted nature of artisanal candles, working especially well with mason jars and ceramic vessels.
QR Codes
As noted in 2021 trend reports, many candle makers began incorporating discreet QR codes that linked to candle care instructions, company stories, or scent descriptions—adding interactive elements without cluttering the design.
Innovative Approaches: The Rise of Refillable Systems
One of the most interesting developments in the 2021 candle market was highlighted in The Strategist’s review of Siblings candles—the concept of reusable vessels and refillable wax systems. This approach allowed consumers to turn their favorite jars and containers into candles using specially formulated wax beads.
This trend reflected growing consumer interest in sustainability and reducing waste. Many candle enthusiasts already saved their favorite empty containers, and refillable systems provided a way to repurpose these vessels while still enjoying professional-quality candles.
The trend toward beeswax candles, noted in the “Burn the Best: Beeswax Candles” article, also influenced container choices in 2021. The natural golden color of beeswax paired particularly well with amber glass and ceramic containers, while its longer burn time (reportedly five times longer than other wax types) made larger containers like mason jars especially practical choices.
Final Thoughts: Choosing The Right Jar For Your Candles
When selecting from 2021’s best candle jars for your projects, consider these factors:
For Professional Candle Makers: The Libbey straight-sided jars offer the best balance of quality, consistency, and cost-effectiveness for building a product line.
For Luxury Candle Lines: Rose gold tumblers or matte black ceramic vessels provide the high-end look that commands premium pricing.
For Rustic or Handcrafted Aesthetics: Amber apothecary jars or mason containers perfectly complement natural ingredients and artisanal production methods.
For Beginners: Mason jars offer the most forgiving option with their wide mouths, straight sides, and affordable price point.
For Eco-Conscious Brands: Ceramic vessels or mason jars provide the best post-candle reusability, supporting sustainability messaging.
The best candle jar ultimately depends on your brand aesthetic, target market, and production scale. The standout containers of 2021 offered something for every candle maker, from hobbyists to established brands, while reflecting the year’s broader trends toward sustainability, minimalism, and versatile design.