SwitchBot Candle Warmer Lamp Review – Matter Controlled Candles!

Recently, SwitchBot launched several new Matter-enabled lighting products, including an RGBICWW floor lamp, strip light, and neon wire rope light, which are all fairly standard products in the world of smart lighting.

The one product that stood out was the Candle Warmer Lamp. Yes, that’s a lamp that warms candles instead of lighting them, which then connects to WiFi and integrates with your smart home.

I have always liked the fact that SwitchBot does some offbeat products. They made their name with the SwitchBot Bot button presser, so it makes sense that they are willing to release products that are a bit more unique than the generic launches from most brands.  

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Features

Advanced Smart Control

This device features a built-in timer, reducing reliance on physical remotes. Users can utilise the SwitchBot app or voice commands to adjust brightness levels from 1% to 100%, regulate scent intensity, and establish precise on/off schedules to automate home fragrance.

Seamless Matter Integration

The warmer connects directly to Apple Home via Matter over Wi-Fi without requiring additional applications. It also maintains full compatibility with major smart home platforms, including Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Homey, Home Assistant, and SmartThings.

Universal Candle Compatibility

Designed to accommodate most standard candles, it fits sizes up to 9.5 cm in diameter and 14 cm in height. The lamp uses top-down heating to melt various wax types, such as soy-based or beeswax, ensuring even fragrance distribution without generating smoke.

Design and Durability

The flameless operation provides a warm ambience suitable for various interior styles. Constructed from durable metal rather than glass, it offers increased resistance to heat and accidental breakage. Its minimalist aesthetic makes it a practical option for gifting on occasions such as birthdays or housewarmings.

SwitchBot Ecosystem Synchronisation

The device can sync with other products in the SwitchBot range, such as Strip Lights, Hub 3, Curtain 3, and the Presence Sensor. This integration allows users to create automated scenarios, such as adjusting lighting, curtains, and scents simultaneously upon entering or leaving a room.

Specification

Unboxing / Design

My initial impression of the lamp was that it was quite bland and utilitarian. The all-metal off-white colour design doesn’t exactly scream premium product. Opening the box, you’ll find the candle warmer lamp itself, which consists of a metal frame holding the lamp shade approximately 20 cm above where your candle sits. The entire unit stands 30 cm tall, making it compact enough for most side tables or shelves.

SwitchBot includes two 50W GU10 halogen bulbs in the package, which is a thoughtful touch. These aren’t your typical LED bulbs that prioritise efficiency over heat output – these are specifically chosen halogen bulbs that generate the heat necessary to melt your candles. Having a spare bulb included means you won’t be caught out when the first one eventually burns out, though in my experience, these bulbs typically last 2000-3000 hours.

The build quality feels reassuring. The metal construction means there’s no concern about heat damage that you might get with plastic alternatives, and the frame feels stable enough that you won’t worry about it tipping over with normal use. The shade itself does an excellent job of directing both light and heat downward onto the candle surface.

My one criticism of the design is that there is no base for the candle to sit on. I doubt a 50W halogen bulb is powerful enough to be a fire risk or to cause damage, but I placed the lamp on a wooden side table and would feel more comfortable with the candle sat on something heat-resistant.

Set Up

Setting up through the SwitchBot app is straightforward if you’ve used any of their products before. After powering on the device, open the SwitchBot app and tap the plus icon in the top-right corner. Select “Add Device” and your candle warmer should appear in the list of available devices. Press and hold the power button on the physical controller for two seconds until the light flashes to enter pairing mode, then tap “Connect Device” in the app.

The app will prompt you to select your 2.4 GHz WiFi network – note that like many smart home devices, this doesn’t support 5 GHz networks. Enter your WiFi password, name your device, and assign it to a room. The whole process takes about two minutes if everything goes smoothly.

Home Assistant / Matter

Everything SwitchBot launches has Matter, nowadays, and this is no exception.

I had some issues pairing this into Home Assistant, but I think that is more an issue with my Home Assistant install. I instead paired it with Aqara, and from there, exposed the lamp to Home Assistant.

This replicates the basic features in the SwitchBot app, you can switch the lamp on/off and set the brightness.

In Use

As previously mentioned, the lamp by itself does not look very exciting, but once I added a candle and turned it on, I found that it looked much more impressive. The soft glow of the light really improves things, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere that’s perfect for evening relaxation.

For basic use, you have the button controls on the lead, which include a timer option. Alternatively, you can access the SwitchBot app and manually turn it on. The app provides much finer control than the physical buttons, particularly for brightness adjustment. In the app, you can set any brightness level from 1-100%, while the physical controller limits you to 10 preset levels.

The timer functionality deserves particular mention. Through the physical controller, you’re limited to 2, 4, or 6-hour presets. However, the app expands this significantly, allowing you to set custom timers up to 23 hours and 50 minutes in 10-minute increments. You can also configure a fade-out time between 5 seconds and 60 minutes, which gradually dims the light before turning off completely – a nice touch that prevents jarring transitions.

You also have the option to set schedules. Even though I am heavily invested in smart home tech, I tend to be quite basic with automations and use schedules much more than complicated automations. I’ve set mine to turn on at 6 PM each evening at 40% brightness, increasing to 70% at 7 PM when we typically settle in for the evening, then fading out over 30 minutes starting at 10:30 PM.

In terms of actual performance, the warmth generated is sufficient to create a consistent melt pool across most candles within 15-20 minutes. The fragrance throw (how well the scent disperses through the room) is comparable to, if not slightly better than, burning the candle traditionally. I suspect this is because the consistent temperature maintains optimal wax liquidity without the cooler spots you get around a traditional flame.

One unexpected benefit I’ve noticed: because there’s no flame, there’s no smoke or soot production. This means no black marks on walls or ceilings over time, and no smoky smell when extinguishing candles. For those with allergies or sensitivities, this could be a significant advantage.

The 50W halogen bulb does use more electricity than an LED alternative would, but we’re still talking about relatively minimal running costs. At current UK electricity rates (around 29p per kWh), running this for 4 hours daily would cost approximately 5-6p, or roughly £1.50-£1.80 per month.

Price and Alternative Options

The Switchbot Candle Warmer Lamp has an RRP of £40, and at the time of writing, it also had 20% off available.

Apparently, candle warmers are not a new invention, but only SwitchBot has a smart lamp. The Funistree Store on Amazon offers a wooden one for £37, or a metal one similar to the SwitchBot for £20.

1918 London has a minimalist metal design option for £35.

And, of course, with the above, you could make them smart with a smart plug.

Overall

A Matter-enabled smart candle warmer lamp may sound ridiculously unnecessary, but I actually really like this SwitchBot lamp.

I think the pricing is crucial here; you are not paying a significant premium over competing dumb options, and you have greater control over the lamp in comparison to using a regular lamp with a smart plug. Though the other options may be more appealing if you prefer their aesthetics – the SwitchBot’s utilitarian design won’t win any style awards.

The Matter support future-proofs the device and ensures it’ll work with whatever smart home platform you choose. The integration is smooth (Home Assistant quirks aside), and the local control means reliable, fast response times. Being able to adjust brightness/heat output through the app or voice control adds genuine utility beyond simple on/off switching.

However, there are some drawbacks to consider. The lack of a protective base for the candle is an oversight that should be addressed in future versions. The design, while functional, lacks the aesthetic appeal of some traditional candle warmers. And the reliance on halogen bulbs means higher energy consumption than LED alternatives, though this is necessary for the heat generation.

For existing SwitchBot users, this is an easy recommendation – it integrates perfectly with their ecosystem and maintains the same build quality and reliability I’ve come to expect from the brand. For those new to smart home devices, it’s still worth considering, especially if you regularly use scented candles and want the convenience of automation and remote control.

Overall, this is a simple but effective smart device. If you already use SwitchBot, then it integrates nicely with the rest of their products. It works well, and I prefer it to lighting the candle wick. The safety benefits alone make it worthwhile for households with children or pets, while the extended candle life helps offset the initial purchase cost.

Considering the time of year, this would make a great Christmas gift for anyone who loves candles (and smart home tech). It strikes the right balance between functionality and simplicity – technical enough to appeal to smart home enthusiasts, but straightforward enough that anyone can use it via the physical controls. At £40 RRP (often available for less), it’s priced appropriately for what it offers: a safer, smarter way to enjoy scented candles.

James Smythe( Editor-in-chief )

I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.

As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.

In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.

I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.