The 10 Best Incenses
This wiki has been updated 20 times since it was first published in January of 2020. Few items create a stress-free environment better than incense. The scents pair perfectly with activities like yoga and meditation, but our list presents options that do more than just smell good. You'll find choices that also last long and offer an enticing value for their price. Take caution when lighting incense, and always ensure there's proper ventilation while the smoke is present. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Shoyeido Kin-kaku Golden Pavilion
2. Nippon Kodo Kayuragi Incense
3. Esteban Cedre Bamboo Sticks
Editor's Notes
February 28, 2020:
WARNING: Burning incense can create a fire hazard. Using incense can also pose a smoke inhalation risk. Do not let incense burn unattended or in areas without ventilation. Avoid burning incense if you have asthma or a respiratory concern. Women who are pregnant should consult a doctor before using incense.
To assemble a list of the best incense available is to delve into a space where spirituality and commerce intertwine. Landing upon a dynamite fragrance is one thing. Discovering a promising scent at an equally alluring price-point is another. The importance of striking this balance is what earned features Shoyeido Kin-kaku Golden Pavilion Incense and the Chandra Devi Tibetan Natural Bundle their spots on the current wiki. The Esteban Cedre Bamboo Sticks do demand a higher price per stick. But the purity of their manufacturing and stunning burn-time justify the cost.
Persistence of a scent and ease of lighting also ranked highly as a factor in making selections. Incienso de Santa Fe Piñon requires some elbow grease to get going; in lieu of this, many users suggest a torch lighter for them. Breaking them into pieces is also suggested, as their aroma can remain in the air for hours on end with noticeable intensity. Paine's Fir Balsam Incense claims its position almost solely on the roundly acclaimed wintertime campfire-by-the-log-cabin sensation they create. (That they're made sustainably also swayed me to include them.) This offsets a burn-time that's too fast to fully enjoy.
Lastly, I looked to include certain picks for the spiritual lifestyle activities they support. Palo Santo is related to other holy plants like frankincense and myrrh and, when sourced from its native Peru, features qualities that make meditation and prayer feel more comfortable. Hence the necessity of Chakindra Peruvian Palo Santo Sticks. Devoted yogis can also look to Govinda Satya Nag Champa for authenticity. They're from Bangalore, one of the most popular locales in all of India for deep yoga practice.
Special Honors
MyGift Home Zen Buddha Statue and Lotus Lights Candle Many of our featured incense options come with stick holders. But the ash may not always land properly, and you might crave a more immersive experience as the scent wafts. Enter this attractive and highly practical option. Its classic spiritual decor can intensify your meditations; a deep incense burning jar catches all the ash and can deepen your peace of mind. The mini zen sand garden further confirms this as a compelling relaxation station. mygift.com
4. Chakindra Peruvian Palo Santo Sticks
5. Raajsee Japanese Rose Incense Sticks
6. Chandra Devi Tibetan Natural Bundle
7. Incienso de Santa Fe Piñon
8. Govinda Satya Nag Champa
9. Paine's Fir Balsam Incense
10. Sai Baba Super Hit Incense
Building PCs, remodeling, and cooking since he was young, quasi-renowned trumpeter Christopher Thomas traveled the USA performing at and organizing shows from an early age. His work experiences led him to open a catering company, eventually becoming a sous chef in several fine LA restaurants. He enjoys all sorts of barely necessary gadgets, specialty computing, cutting-edge video games, and modern social policy. He has given talks on debunking pseudoscience, the Dunning-Kruger effect, culinary technique, and traveling. After two decades of product and market research, Chris has a keen sense of what people want to know and how to explain it clearly. He delights in parsing complex subjects for anyone who will listen -- because teaching is the best way to ensure that you understand things yourself.