The Best Incense Sticks & Cones

You don't have to be into aromatherapy to know that incense sticks and cones can keep your home smelling nice. Incense sticks have been around since ancient times, where they were often utilized for meditation, prayers, and ceremonies. Today, while we still use them for some of the same ceremonial purposes, we also use them in more practical ways, like as an insect repellant or an alternative to scented candles to keep our homes smelling nice. Unlike candles, you can literally light these up and forget about them for hours. They gently start releasing their scent without becoming too overpowering as some candles do. Whether you prefer floral, fruity, herbal, or citrus incense, these are the best incense sticks and cones you'll find out there.

Nag Champa Gift Set

The Gift of Giving

If you're looking for a meaningful gift idea for someone you love that enjoys aromatherapy, then this classic set is your best option.
Best Overall

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This incense set from Nag Champa has everything you’ll ever need to start practicing aromatherapy. You could say that this is the ultimate gift for someone you know who enjoys a lovely incense. Or maybe you’re tempted to go ahead buy it for yourself. No matter who ends up getting this gift set, you won’t regret getting it. The set comes with twelve different scents, so you can try different ones before finding your favorite one. They’re all the perfect size to give you the long-lasting fragrance that you’re looking for.

Pros:

  • Made from non-toxic, all-natural ingredients
  • Individually wrapped to protect the incense

Cons:

  • This set does not include a stick holder

Satya Sai Baba Nag Champa Agarbatti Incense Sticks

Your Must-Have for Relaxation

Whether you use incense for meditation or just to help you relax, you'll want to always have a pack of these on hand.
Best Classic

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If you’ve been using incense sticks for a while, then this pack from Satya Sai is one of the most classic ones you’ll find. They’re absolutely perfect to have for in-house yoga or meditation sessions. Satya Sai is one of the most famous incense lines out there, so you can be sure you’ll receive a high-quality product. Their classic scent has a clean and soapy tinge to it, making it great to burn near the living room, bathroom, or office. The box contains around 100 sticks, so this should last for quite some time. Plus, for the price, you’d be hard-pressed to find anything better.

Pros:

  • Each box comes with 100 incense sticks
  • Designed to be long-lasting and slow-burning

Cons:

  • The package does not include a stick holder

Alternative Imagination Premium Smudge Sticks

A Sage Decision

Some might say that you can't use sage to counter everything negative happening in your life. With this smudge stick in hand, we say to those people, "Watch me."
Best Smudge Sticks

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While these do not fit the traditional definition of an incense stick, they deserve a mention on our list. These smudge sticks from the Alternative Imagination Store are a must-have, especially when your life feels chaotic or ungrounded. These are perfect for practicing any home-cleansing rituals to get rid of negative energies affecting your judgment. They’re also great to have for meditation, to complement your yoga routine, or to create a relaxing atmosphere at an office or your home. Made from California-grown sage, these smudge sticks are a must-have in your incense collection. Plus, this set comes with three different-sized sticks, so you can pick and choose which one to use depending on the room’s size.

Pros:

  • Sustainably grown without pesticides
  • Carefully wrapped to make each stick slow-burning and long-lasting
  • Made from real white sage – no other additives

Cons:

  • Does not include a bowl holder
  • Sage sticks can break apart after burning

HEM Celestial Incense Variety Pack

Fit the Mood

For those who love pairing their incense scents to their moods, activities, and more, this set has everything you'll ever need.
Best Variety

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You don’t have to be into astrology to become obsessed with the celestial incense pack from the HEM store. This set includes every scent you can think of: a healing blend, a fruit mix, a passion blend for romantic nights – the list goes on. HEM is also one of the most popular brands when it comes to incense sticks. Based in India, they have over 20 years in business, sharing their craftmanship for incense sticks and other products with the world. These sticks are all handmade, and they offer a burn time of about thirty minutes each. In this particular set, you’ll find 100 sticks.

Pros:

  • Handmade and hand-rolled in India
  • Designed to be long-lasting and slow-burning
  • Made from all-natural ingredients and essential oils

Cons:

  • Does not include a burner

HEM Assorted Boxes of Incense Cones

The Traditional Choice

If you prefer a more traditional incense experience, these incense cones might be what you've been looking for.
Best Cones

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Another fabulous product from HEM, these incense cones are an amazing alternative to incense sticks. These uniquely shaped incense cones have a distinct charm and appeal to those who use them. Unlike sticks, incense cones are perfect for a wide range of rooms and environments because they’re more intense. This set includes twelve different fragrances, ranging from spice and citrus to florals and herbs, plus some therapeutic scents like patchouli and white sage. Small but mighty, these cones will burn for about 25 minutes, but their scent will linger for hours after.

Pros:

  • Handmade and hand-rolled in India
  • Made from select resins and refined essential oils
  • Uses high-quality ingredients that produce long-lasting scents

Cons:

  • Does not include a holder

Frequently Asked Questions

Which ones are better: incense cones or sticks?

Overall, incense sticks are more popular than cones because they’re more affordable. Incense cones have distinct scents that are very different from their stick counterparts. Besides, incense cones only last about half an hour, while incense sticks are more long-lasting, with some staying lit for over an hour.

What can I burn incense on?

While you can find incense holders virtually anywhere, you can always use any heat-proof container you have at home. Remember that both incense cones and sticks provide a decent amount of heat, so whatever you choose needs to be heat-proof. Ideally, you would select a ceramic bowl, plate, or ashtray to burn your incense on. Regardless of what container you use, make sure to keep them again from any flammable things, such as curtains and fabrics. Otherwise, you run the risk of starting a fire.

What should I look for when choosing an incense stick?

If you’re new to aromatherapy, you might have questions about the right scents or the best incense sticks and cones. Initially, you can start with sticks designed for aromatherapy. These typically use essential oils that have traditional scents you’re probably costumed to, like rose, lemon, and herbs. As you start learning more about incense sticks, you’ll want to make sure you get incense sticks made with pure herbs only. Plus, you’ll want to stay away from those with a bamboo core since these emit a smoky smell you might want to avoid. To recognize a pure herbal incense stick, you’ll notice that their smoke is usually white or an “elegant cloud,” as the ancients used to call it.