Cotton vs. Wood vs. Bamboo — Which One Belongs in Your Candle?
When it comes to candle making, one small choice can change everything — your wick. It’s the engine behind the flame, the secret to a beautiful burn, and often the key to customer satisfaction. So how do you know which wick is right for your candles?
Let’s break down the three most popular types: cotton, wood, and the newest player in the game — bamboo — so you can make the best choice for your brand, your vibe, and your burn goals.
Cotton Wicks: A Classic, Reinvented
These aren’t your average cotton wicks. Makesy’s performance cotton wicks are engineered for next-level burn quality. Each one features a proprietary, patented knitted core made from biodegradable plant-based fibers, giving you consistent structure and performance.
Designed to curl slightly as they burn, these wicks self-trim and help prevent carbon buildup (no mushrooms here!). They’re coated in 100% paraffin wax, which gives them extra stability and makes them ideal for waxes and fragrance blends that are harder to burn.
Why makers love them:
- Self-trimming and clean burning
- Biodegradable and plant-based
- Stable, upright structure that pours like a dream
- Great for high-fragrance or more challenging wax blends
- Manufactured in the USA + ISO certified
- Sizes available: 6" and 10", in packs of 12 or 100
Best for: Makers who want reliability, clean performance, and a no-fuss flame
Wooden Wicks: Crackle, Aesthetic, and Ambiance
If you’re going for mood and magic, wooden wicks are your candle’s best friend. These thin strips of sustainable, FSC-certified wood create a wider flame and a gentle crackling sound — perfect for luxury brands or candles meant to set a scene.
Wooden wicks are also visually stunning. Their wide flame creates a soft glow and enhances the melt pool, especially in shallow or wider vessels. They're available in different styles (ultimate, single-ply, booster) depending on your wax and fragrance blend.
why makers love them:
- Crackles as it burns (mini fireplace vibes)
- Creates a modern, elevated look
- Great scent throw and wide melt pool
- Feels high-end and sensory-rich
- Sustainable
Best for: Makers who want a luxe, cozy feel with a multi-sensory, sustainable experience.
Bamboo Wicks: The Sustainable Game-Changer
Meet the newest wick on the scene — and a total innovation for the eco-conscious maker. These are the world’s first candle wicks made from 100% natural bamboo fiber, and they’re here to redefine what sustainable candle-making looks like.
Bamboo grows incredibly fast, uses less water and fewer chemicals than cotton, and regenerates through its own underground stem system. That makes it one of the most renewable raw materials on Earth. These wicks are crafted from bamboo-based rayon, round braided for strength, and pre-tabbed for ease of use.
why makers love them:
- Made from 100% natural bamboo pulp
- Round braided for structure and clean flame control
- Oeko-Tex® certified and RAL-compliant
- Clean-burning across many wax types
- Pre-tabbed and easy to use in jars and containers
Best for: Makers who prioritize sustainability, want to try something fresh, and love natural aesthetics
Final Thoughts: Choosing Your Wick
Each wick brings something special to the table. Cotton wicks are your go-to for performance and dependability, especially in high-fragrance or complex wax blends. Wood wicks offer ambiance, sound, and a more luxurious experience. Bamboo wicks are all about innovation, sustainability, and clean-burning beauty.
Your choice depends on what matters most to you — whether it’s the environment, performance, or the vibe you want to create.
Whichever wick you choose, don’t forget: testing is everything. Burn test every combo of wax, fragrance, and vessel before scaling production. A perfectly wicked candle is all about the details — and getting that flame just right.
Ready to find your signature wick? Explore them all and get makin’!
Tag us in #makesymade and keep making it happen! Happy Making!
