Cold nights have crept back, and many of us want glow, scent and sound without switching on the heating or the TV.
Across Britain, a single homeware buy is turning quiet rooms into snug retreats. It is not just about fragrance. It adds a gentle soundtrack, a flicker you can watch, and a price that tempts you to try it before winter truly bites.
Why this crackling candle has everyone talking
Woodwick’s Fireside Ellipse Candle has surged in popularity because it offers more than aroma. The brand’s patented wooden wick audibly crackles, creating the illusion of a tiny hearth on the coffee table. At the time of writing, it is listed at £24.49 at M&S, down from £34.99 as part of a 30% homeware promotion. That price sits in the mid-range, yet the sensory payoff—sound, movement and scent—feels closer to a luxury experience.
£24.49, 50 hours of burn time, and 382 five-star ratings: a seasonal buy with numbers on its side.
The crackle comes with a lively flame that moves rather than glows flat. In a dim room, that dancing light gives a sense of warmth that goes beyond a standard jar candle. It is an effect you notice even with the sound turned down low or a podcast playing.
The sound: how the wooden wick works
Unlike cotton, a wooden wick vaporises tiny pockets of sap and air as it burns. That micro-ignition creates the soft pops you associate with a log fire. The wider wick also generates a broader melt pool, which supports the flame and helps the sound persist. Keep the wick trimmed to about 3–5 mm before each burn to maintain a steady crackle and prevent sooting.
Trim to 3–5 mm, light once, and let the first melt reach the edges for a reliable crackle every time.
The scent that reads like autumn
Fireside skews warm and woody rather than sweet. It opens with Italian bergamot and crisp apple peel, which keep the first impression bright. The heart adds golden amber and black oak, a rounded pairing that sits comfortably in living spaces. The base dries down to smoked mahogany, vetiver and musk, creating a gentle haze that lingers without clinging to fabrics.
Where it works best at home
The scent strength suits living rooms and bedrooms. In compact spaces, one candle is enough. In larger, open-plan areas, place it near seating to keep the aroma in your orbit. It pairs neatly with a quiet evening, a book, or background radio—the sound and glow encourage slower pacing.
Design and burn performance
The Ellipse vessel measures roughly 19.1 cm long, 12.1 cm wide and 9.2 cm high, with a wide wooden wick set along the centre. That footprint reduces tunnelling because the wick pulls heat across the entire surface. On proper care, you can expect up to 50 hours of use. Plan burns of 3–4 hours at a time; shorter sessions can leave a ridge of unmelted wax that steals future burn time.
- First burn: wait 30–60 minutes for a full, edge-to-edge melt pool.
- Trim before each light: keep the wick at 3–5 mm for a steady flame.
- Placement: choose a level, heat-resistant surface away from draughts.
- Safety: never leave a flame unattended; keep away from children and pets.
A wide, even melt pool prevents tunnelling and protects your 50-hour burn from premature waste.
Value for money: the numbers to weigh up
A candle priced under £25 with a 50-hour claim invites a straightforward calculation. Cost per hour may help you judge whether the crackle and vessel shape justify the spend.
| Product | Price | Claimed burn | Approx. cost/hour | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodwick Fireside Ellipse | £24.49 | 50 hours | £0.49 | Crackling wooden wick, wide melt pool, woody scent |
| Medium cotton‑wick jar | £19.99 | 45 hours | £0.44 | Quieter flame, higher tunnelling risk if under-burned |
| Large triple‑wick jar | £29.99 | 60 hours | £0.50 | Brighter light, faster wax consumption, no crackle |
On pure cost per hour, it sits near a large three‑wick. The difference here is the audio-visual effect: you gain a gentle crackle and a roaming flame, which change the feel of a room. If ambience matters, that extra sensory layer carries weight beyond pence per hour.
Build quality and look
The vessel is weighty glass with a low, display‑friendly profile that suits shelves and coffee tables. The neutral grey wax tone blends with most schemes and avoids the issue of coloured candles clashing with soft furnishings. The wooden lid doubles as a dust cover between burns, helping the fragrance stay true.
What buyers are focusing on
Shoppers highlight three things: the crackle that sounds real, the warm yet restrained fragrance, and the wide, even melt. 382 five‑star marks indicate that users rate consistency as much as novelty. Reports of tunnelling are rare when the first burn is done correctly. Those who prefer bakery‑sweet or floral scents may find Fireside too woody, but people seeking a cosy, fireside character tend to approve.
Potential downsides to keep in mind
- Wooden wicks can be harder to relight if you skip trimming; keep nail clippers handy.
- The flame sits broader and can throw more heat straight up; give it vertical clearance.
- Sound level varies with room noise and airflow; draughts may reduce the soft crackle.
Practical tips to get the best out of it
Set your first session for an hour when you can keep an eye on it. Let the melt meet the glass all around. Before the next use, pinch or snip the charred tip back to a short, flat edge. If the flame seems too tall, trim a fraction shorter. If it struggles, trim a touch longer to expose fresh wood grain. Keep 10 cm between multiple candles to avoid pooling heat and smoking.
Think of the first hour as training: teach the wax to remember the edges, and the candle will burn evenly for weeks.
Is it a smart seasonal buy right now?
With a 30% reduction from £34.99 to £24.49, the timing suits gift lists and self‑treats. The crackle replaces a fireplace for renters and flat‑dwellers. The 50‑hour claim, achieved with proper care, means you can run two or three evenings a week through autumn without hitting the bottom before December.
Extra context for candle fans
Wooden‑wick candles often use a soy–paraffin blend to balance scent throw and clean burn. If you favour lower soot and steadier performance, keep the wick short and avoid moving the candle while molten. A snuffer helps end the burn without smoke. For households with sensitive noses, test the candle in a ventilated room first; the smoky wood accord may read stronger to certain people than to others.
If you like the sound but want less woody notes, consider using Fireside for the audio effect and pairing it with an unscented tealight elsewhere in the room to dilute the overall fragrance impression. You can also stage it near porous decor—bookshelves and textiles amplify the cosy mood because they reflect the crackle and absorb excess scent.
I tried the Fireside Ellipse last winter—yes, the crackle sounds like a tiny hearth and the flame really dances. At £24.49 for ~50 hours, the maths feels fair for the ambience. Trim to 3–5 mm and let the first melt hit the edges; that stopped tunnelling for me.