by Jenn |
Last Updated: April 19, 2019 When you buy something using the links on our posts, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Learn more.
Are you looking for incense sticks that smell great but aren’t overpowering? Then you’re in the right place! Our list has something for everyone, including an unscented option.
I admit, I wasn’t a huge fan of incense until a trip to Amsterdam. We entered an Asian store, and amidst the silk robes, melodic bells, and other interesting knick-knacks, I fell in love with the scent of burning incense. The first whiffs were very pleasant and not at all strong. I think that was when I first realized that incense sticks came in different scents and that some were made better than others.
I’d say that picking the right type of incense is a very personal choice. For example, in my household we mainly buy all-natural products while my sister prefers hers unscented. One friend likes patchouli scents and another likes sandalwood.
Here are my recommendations – see if anything catches your eye.
Our Top 10 Incense Sticks
The Best HEM Incense Sticks
Most Popular HEM Incense Scents Of All Time
HEM is one of the top-selling brands offering incense sticks and fragrance oils. The company is based in Mumbai and Bangalore in India and exports to over 70 countries worldwide with over 20 years of experience in the market.
These sticks are handmade and are, on average, about nine inches long with a burn time of up to 30 minutes each. The incense is a blend of natural ingredients and synthetic perfumes.
Each box contains 20 sticks and there are six options. The fragrances include precious lavender, dragon’s blood, patchouli, frankincense and myrrh, white sage, and first rain.
You’ll also receive a wooden boat holder to keep your sticks in place while they burn.
Pros
- Assorted fragrances.
- Easy to light.
- Free burner included.
- 120 sticks in total.
Cons
- Some scents are stronger than others.
- The six best selling HEM incense scents from the last 20 years
- One 20 stick tube each of Dragon's Blood, Frankincense & Myrrh, Patchouli, Precious Lavender, First Rain, and White Sage.
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The Best Unscented Incense Sticks
Unscented Incense Sticks by Plant Guru, 1000 pack
If you are the type of person who likes to get hands-on, you could always try creating your own incense sticks. To do this, you will need some good quality unscented incense sticks. This pack, from Plant Guru, could be exactly what you are looking for.
The pack contains 1,000 sticks made from uncolored natural bamboo encased in a natural tree wood powder base. Each stick is 11 inches long and coated with 8 inches of powder for burning. They have a burn time of about 45 minutes each.
All you need to do is infuse the powder on the sticks with your favorite essential oils or prepared fragrance.
The great thing about making your own incense sticks is that you know exactly what goes in them. You can also mix and match fragrances for your very own tailor-made aroma.
Pros
- Burn evenly.
- Unscented.
- All natural.
Cons
- Some sticks may be inconsistent in size and width.
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The Best Natural Incense Sticks
Chakras Incense – 7 Chakras Root To Crown Incense Set
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In Hinduism, it’s believed that our body has seven different centers, or chakras, which control spiritual power within us. This set of incense sticks has seven individual fragrances which aim to align with each of these chakras.
These sticks are all natural and free from chemicals, charcoal, or other accelerants. Each of the seven packs contains 20 sticks, measuring 11 inches long. Each stick has about 2.5 grams of incense and the fragrance lasts for an hour or more. The packaging is also fully recyclable.
A wooden incense catcher is included, together with a description and overview of each chakra in the individual boxes.
The fragrances include:
- Patchouli and vetiver in the Muladhara set for the root chakra.
- Ylang-ylang and jasmine in the Svadhisthana pack for the sacral chakra.
- Bergamot and ginger in the Manipura sticks for the solar plexus chakra.
- Sandalwood and rose in the Anahata set for the heart chakra.
- Frankincense and peppermint in the Vishuddha sticks for the throat chakra.
- Cinnamon and sage in the Ajna set for the third eye chakra
- Frankincense, myrrh and lotus flower in Sahasrara pack for the crown chakra
Pros
- All natural sticks and incense fragrance.
- Suitable for yoga, Reiki and meditation.
- Details of the chakras and a mantra included.
- Incense catcher included.
Cons
- Some of the aromas are not so popular.
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The Best Sandalwood Incense Sticks
Nippon Kodo Kayuragi Incense Sticks – Sandalwood, Japanese Quality Incense
This box of sandalwood incense sticks is brought to us by Nippon Kodo. The company has been producing incense-based products since 1575.
These hand-rolled sticks don’t have a bamboo core, and they burn clean, giving you a pure scent of sandalwood. The box contains 40 sticks, each measuring about 6.5 inches, with a burn time of around 25 minutes each.
A small ceramic holder is also included, to hold your incense stick while it’s burning. These sticks can be used for relaxation, reducing stress, meditation, yoga, and massage.
Pros
- Quality packaging makes it an attractive gift.
- No wooden core, for clean burning.
- Great sandalwood fragrance.
Cons
- The scent might be too strong for some.
- Burns for approx. 25 min.
- Contains 40 sticks and an incense holder
- No bamboo core for a clean burning, pure scent
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The Best Frankincense Incense Sticks
FRED SOLL’S Resin ON A Stick Frankincense & Myrrh Ancient Blend
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Fred Soll’s is an incense brand made in the USA. The small company is run by Fred and his wife Joy, with just a handful of employees. Pure plant and tree resins are used to make their incense sticks, as well as herbs, oils, and powders.
The frankincense and myrrh sticks measure about 10 inches long and are made from resin. They are handmade, hand-dipped and then dried. The burn time of these sticks can be anything between one and two hours.
You have the choice of purchasing these sticks individually or in packs of 10 or 20. This is great if you want to buy just one to try first, or if you already love them and want to buy in bulk.
As these sticks are made from pure resin, they might burn easier if they are air dried first. You can do this by taking them out of the packet and standing them in a jar or pot.
Pros
- Hand made and hand dipped.
- Made from pure resin.
- Generous burn time.
Cons
- Can take longer to light or may go out if not dried first.
No products found.
The Best Incense Sticks for Meditation
Juniper Ridge White Sage Incense Smudge Wand
A smudge stick is a selection of dried herbs, most commonly sage, which are tied in a bundle and then burned. The cloud of smoke produced is thought to be cleansing and able to provide positive energy. Smudge sticks are used in many rituals and are great for burning when meditating.
Sage has been used by the ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks for medicinal purposes. Native Americans burn dried sage during many rituals in the belief of safeguarding themselves and improving wisdom as well as to promote healing and longevity.
Juniper Ridge is a company that harvests its sage sustainably. This white sage smudge stick is made from leaves obtained from privately-owned land in California and contains no synthetic fragrances. The braided stick measures about nine inches long.
When burned, these aromas might help purify the air. Others say it helps improve their focus.
Pros
- Sustainably harvested sage.
- Helps purify and cleanse the air.
- Contains no synthetic fragrances.
- Good for meditation.
Cons
- You might need to loosen the braid to get a decent burn.
- NATURAL MEDITATION: Our herbal cultivated white sage (Salvia Apiana) incense bundles will transport you to a blissful night under the stars...
- BE ONE WITH NATURE: Picture yourself spending a night sleeping under the stars in the Mojave Desert. Or perhaps you are enjoying the lovely...
- CULTIVATED WHITE SAGE: The aroma of sage is very pleasant and calming, making it a great at-home or office fragrance. 100% plant based —...
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The Best Incense Sticks for Relaxation
Chakra Aromatherapy Natural Fragrance Scented Sticks
MDPH is a company that supplies incense products globally. Its Chakra range is great for aromatherapy.
This selection contains six boxes of different fragrances with 20 sticks in each box. The burn time of each one should be around 45 to 50 minutes.
The aromatic fragrances include:
- Bergamot for everyday use.
- Eucalyptus for activeness and energy.
- Geranium for a calming effect and relieving stress.
- Rosemary for revitalizing and positivity.
- Lemongrass for relaxation.
- Ylang-ylang to create an exuberant atmosphere.
The long-lasting scents are created by blends of essential oils. These are high quality and give a sense of well-being, harmony, and health for both mind and body.
Pros
- Contains blends of essential oils.
- Long lasting scent.
- Six different fragrances.
- Good burn time.
Cons
- Some of the scents don’t appeal to everyone.
- Aromatherapy, also known as Essential Oil therapy has been around since centuries and is surrounded by myriad of benefits with its aromatic...
- Quantity: 20 Sticks Per Box. Total 120 Sticks in an Outer Box; Burning time: 45-50 Minutes; Quality: Premium quality incense sticks.
- Extracted from: The nature’s basket of India.
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The Best Japanese Incense Sticks
Morning Star Incense – 12 Fragrance Assortment by Nippon Kodo
Morning Star incense sticks were first created in Japan back in the 1960s. Brought to us by Nippon Kodo, they are a great incense stick for everyday use.
This pack contains 12 boxes of different scents. There are 50 sticks of each fragrance giving a total of 600 sticks. Each stick measures about 4.75 inches and has a burn time of approximately 30 minutes.
Made from high-quality scents, these sticks don’t contain a bamboo core. This means you smell the fragrance and not burning wood. They are suitable for meditation, yoga, prayer, or just creating a relaxing environment.
The fragrances on offer are pine, musk, sandalwood, patchouli, rose, jasmine, amber, cedarwood, green tea, vanilla, cinnamon, and lavender.
Each box also contains a mini ceramic holder.
Pros
- Large selection of fragrances in one package.
- Allows you to try lots of different scents.
- High-quality ingredients.
- No bamboo core.
Cons
- The fragrance may not be strong enough for some.
- Nippon Kodo Morning Star Incense - 12 Pack
- 50 sticks each fragrance (Total of 600 Sticks)
- Length: 4.75" long
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The Best Incense Sticks In the World
HEM Incense Sticks Best Sellers
HEM is considered by many to be one of the best producers of incense products on the planet. Started by three brothers back in 1983, the company now exports its merchandise from India to many countries across the globe .
This package includes six different fragrances in individual boxes. Each one contains 20 sticks which are about nine inches long and have a burn time in the region of 30 minutes.
The fragrances include sandalwood, eucalyptus, Egyptian jasmine, opium, lemongrass, and lavender. It’s a lot of fun to try each scent and find your favorites.
Pros
- Choice of six fragrances.
- Hand-rolled incense sticks.
Cons
- Quality might be inconsistent, with some sticks thinner than others.
- Fragrance: Lemongrass, Lavender, Egyptian Jasmine, Amber sandal, Eucalyptus.
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Let’s Get Burning
Incense sticks are available in a wide variety of fragrances, aimed at enhancing our general well-being. The preference for different aromas varies widely from one person to the next. What you may love the scent of, your friend might detest.
If you’re trying out incense sticks for the first time, getting a pack with different scents is a good idea because you’ll be able to test an array of scents. Later, you can order your favorite scents in a bigger box.
You can enjoy your incense sticks in a variety of ways. It sets the mood for prayer, meditation, or simply creates a relaxing atmosphere. I use my incense sticks in a room where I have my Himalayan salt lamp, potted plants, and a small bamboo fountain with running water. It is beyond relaxing.
Author: Jenn Miller
Don’t be fooled by her innocent baby face. Jenn’s a demanding shopper who WILL push each and every beauty product to its limit.