Introduction: Two Candle Icons, Two Totally Different Experiences

The candle industry has exploded over the last decade, with hundreds of new brands entering the market—yet only a select few rise to the top. Voluspa and Homesick are two of the most recognized names in the premium candle world, but they sit on completely opposite ends of the fragrance experience spectrum.

Voluspa is known for:

• bold, luxurious scents

• intricate packaging

• premium yet accessible price points

• coconut-wax blend formulas

Homesick is known for:

• nostalgic scent storytelling

• gift-ready packaging

• city/state/experience-themed candles

• softer, more atmospheric fragrances

But which brand is actually better?
Which lasts longer?
Which has the stronger scent throw?
Which delivers better overall quality for the price?
And — importantly — how do their strengths compare to the elevated performance of Affinati candles?

This deep dive breaks down Voluspa vs. Homesick across scent, wax quality, burn time, value, design, and customer experience so you can make an informed purchase—or, if you’re a retailer, understand exactly how these brands stack up.

Let’s dive in.

Shop Affinati

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1. Brand Overview: Voluspa vs Homesick

Voluspa: Luxury Meets Accessibility

Voluspa was founded in 1999 by Traci and Troy Arntsen and quickly became one of the most beloved “prestige accessible” candle brands. Their hallmark traits include:

• High-end, ornate glass jars

• Coconut-wax blend, known for clean burns and good scent throw

• Complex luxury fragrance profiles

• A wide catalog of seasonal and signature collections

Voluspa appeals to shoppers looking for:

• Strong fragrance strength

• Gift-worthy designs

• Premium candles without the ultra-luxury price tag of Diptyque

Their most iconic scents include:

• Goji Tarocco Orange

• French Cade & Lavender

• Baltic Amber

• Panjori Lychee

• Santiago Huckleberry

Voluspa aims to deliver a “mini luxury experience,” combining aesthetic, fragrance intensity, and longevity.

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Homesick: Emotional, Story-Driven Fragrance

Homesick launched in 2016 with a completely different mission: capturing memories through scent.

Their candles are built around:

• Cities and states (e.g., New York, Texas, Los Angeles)

• Life moments (e.g., Birthday Party, New Home, Grandma’s Kitchen)

• Seasons and holidays

• Licensed collaborations (Harry Potter, Friends, National Parks, Dunkin Donuts, Disney, etc.)

Homesick focuses on:

• Storytelling-driven candle marketing

• Clean-burning soy wax

• Minimalist packaging

• Light-to-medium scent throw suitable for sensitive noses

Homesick is a gift powerhouse — often purchased to commemorate meaningful moments rather than purely for home fragrance.

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2. Wax Quality Comparison

Wax type drastically affects burn performance, scent strength, and longevity.

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Voluspa Wax Quality: Coconut Wax Blend

Voluspa uses a proprietary coconut wax blend, frequently praised for:

• clean performance

• slower burn

• strong scent throw

• steady melt pool development

Coconut wax typically:

• melts at a low temperature

• holds fragrance oil extremely well

• produces a creamy, even burn

Voluspa is considered one of the earliest adopters of true coconut-base wax in commercial candles.
Verdict: High-end wax quality.

Shop Affinati 3-Wick Candles

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Homesick Wax Quality: Natural Soy Wax

Homesick uses soy wax, which appeals to customers looking for:

• clean, plant-based blends

• softer scents

• slower burns

Pros of their soy wax:

• naturally renewable

• smooth burning

• low soot

Cons:

• soy wax often produces weaker hot throw than coconut blends

• can tunnel if wick size is not optimal

• takes longer to fill the room with scent

Verdict: Clean, simple, but not as powerful as Voluspa’s coconut blend.

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Affinati Comparison Opportunity

Affinati uses premium soy-blend formulations engineered to optimize:

• hot throw

• low soot

• smooth burn

• consistent melt pool

• value across 3-Wick, Signature, and Wooden Wick formats

This places Affinati’s wax performance between Voluspa’s scent intensity and Homesick’s clean simplicity, giving you a compelling SEO edge.

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3. Scent Strength & Fragrance Profile Comparison

This category is where most consumers make their ultimate decision.

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Voluspa Scent Strength

Voluspa leans heavily into luxury perfumery:

• deeper notes

• layered accords

• complex profiles with florals, woods, fruits, and resins

Typical scent throw:

• Medium-strong to strong in most homes

• Consistent across burn time

• Performs especially well in medium and large rooms

Voluspa is known for candles that:

• fill a room

• last through the entire burn

• provide a “luxury hotel” level aroma

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Homesick Scent Strength

Homesick’s scents are:

• soft

• cozy

• subtle

• emotional rather than bold

Typical scent throw:

• Light-to-medium

• Best for bedrooms, offices, or smaller spaces

• Designed for people who prefer atmospheric, gentle fragrance

Many reviewers enjoy Homesick because the scents feel personal, not overpowering.
But those who love strong candles often feel the brand is too soft.

Shop Honey Lavender 3-Wick Candle

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Affinati Comparison Opportunity

Affinati candles are engineered to deliver:

• robust hot throw

• ultra-clean burning

• balanced complexity

Signature scents like:

• Mahogany Teakwood

• Vanilla Orchid

• Coconut Dream

• Driftwood & Sea Salt

• Pumpkin Cheesecake

— give you a natural way to include internal links.

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4. Burn Time & Performance

Voluspa Burn Time

A standard 18–20 oz jar burns:

• 80–100 hours

Voluspa’s coconut blend burns slowly, giving excellent value for its price.

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Homesick Burn Time

Homesick’s 13.75 oz jar burns:

• 60–80 hours

Good for soy wax, but overall burn length is shorter than Voluspa’s.

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5. Packaging & Design Comparison

Voluspa Packaging

Voluspa is praised for:

• intricate glass

• bold metallic prints

• collectible designs

Aesthetically, they feel:

• luxurious

• elegant

• perfect for display

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Homesick Packaging

Homesick takes the opposite approach:

• minimalist label

• amber-style jar

• a simple “bookish” aesthetic

It’s modern and neutral but lacks the decorative impact of Voluspa.

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6. Price Comparison

Homesick's pricing is tied to gifting and licensing.
Voluspa gives more ounces per dollar, making it more value-rich.

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7. Giftability & Seasonal Purchasing

Voluspa Gifts

• Best for luxury gifting

• People buy them for the fragrance quality and the jar design

• Often chosen for anniversaries, home décor lovers, or self-care gifting

Homesick Gifts

• Purchased primarily because of meaningful themes, not fragrance

• Perfect for:

  • new home gifts

  • graduation

  • birthdays

  • state or city nostalgia

  • holidays

  • big life moments

Homesick dominates the sentimental gifting market, not the fragrance performance market.

Shop Affinati French Vanilla 3-Wick Candle

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8. Customer Reviews & Reputation

Voluspa Reviews

• Strong scent throw

• Beautiful packaging

• Impressive longevity

• Occasional critiques: scent can feel strong for small rooms

Homesick Reviews

• Emotional and meaningful

• Great as gifts

• Softer scents appreciated by sensitive users

• Critiques:

  • weaker scent throw

  • higher price per ounce

  • some scents feel similar

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9. Which Brand Is Better for…

Best for Strong Scent:

Voluspa

Best for Clean Ingredients:

Homesick

Best for Gift Personalization:

Homesick

Best for Value / Price-per-ounce:

Voluspa

Best for Room-Filling Fragrance:

Voluspa

Shop Affinati Wooden Wick Candles

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10. How Each Brand Compares to Affinati

This section is engineered to convert readers into Affinati buyers.

Where Affinati Beats Both Brands

Affinati stands out by offering:

• stronger hot throw than Homesick

• cleaner burn and higher wax quality than both

• more generous sizing options (3-Wick 17 oz, Signature 10 oz, Wooden Wick 21 oz)

• luxurious seasonal scents rivaling Voluspa

• price points designed for value-conscious premium shoppers

Affinati vs Voluspa

Affinati vs Homesick

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11. Final Verdict: Voluspa vs Homesick

If you want strong, luxurious, room-filling scents → choose Voluspa.

If you want sentimental, meaningful gifting experiences → choose Homesick.

But if you want:

• stronger scent

• cleaner ingredients

• better burn profile

• more room-filling fragrance

• larger sizes for better value

— then Affinati delivers the best overall candle experience.

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