Best Incense Sticks

Our editors independently research the best products online to produce this list. We may receive commission on purchases made from the links below but this will never affect our product choices.

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Incense sticks have been around for centuries. Commonly associated with spiritual practitioners, yoga and meditation, burning fragrant incense is also a great way to relax and remove odours in your home.

How We Compared Incense Sticks

To find the right incense sticks, we considered multiple factors, including:

• Variety
• Burn Time
• Manufacturing
• Ingredients
• Intensity

Our team planned comparison points and specifically looked for products that would cater to all kinds of needs. We spent countless hours researching, consulting customer reviews and comparing features to come up with this list.

Incense Stick Reviews

Shoyeido Moss Garden (Editor’s Choice)

Our top pick and Editor’s Choice is this set of floral-scented sticks. Coming in a generously-sized pack of 250, they are arranged in a beautiful box which makes them great for gifting or home display. 

The Moss Garden incense sticks are made from sandalwood and burn with a lovely, light scent. At 5.25” in length, once lit, they last for around 30 minutes, infusing the room with a relaxing aroma. The box also doubles as a handy dispenser, so you can keep them stored and fresh until your next use. 

Each stick is made with natural materials – no artificial fragrances, synthetic oils or bitter ingredients. The incense is also solid throughout the length, so there’s no “support core” taking up precious scent space. This set is manufactured in Kyoto and follows a centuries-old exclusive recipe for ultimate quality. 

Simply Vedic (Luxury Choice)

If you love to practice yoga and Chakra balancing, then our Luxury Choice is well worth a look. This pick comes with a range of incense sticks that each target a particular human body area for relaxation and wellness. 

The Simply Vedic set includes seven packs of 20 differently scented sticks of premium quality. Each box is colour coded to correlate with the Chakra you wish to focus on, containing a specific blend of essential oils that captivate the senses. 

All the ingredients are naturally-sourced and free from charcoal and synthetic chemicals. Made in India, the sticks are hand-rolled in the traditional way for an authentic feel and packed with a scent that lasts for about an hour after lighting. It also comes with a complimentary burner, so you can begin enjoying them as soon as they arrive.  

Satya (Best Value)

This set contains 12 boxes, so even with daily use, they should last a long time. This makes them a brilliant choice for any incense lover who likes to rotate fragrances for maximum effect.  

Crafted in India, this varied pick from Satya includes many popular scents, such as Dragon’s Blood, Nag Champa, Lavender and Frankincense. It also contains less well-known blends, like Money Matrix and Karma. 

Each stick weighs 15 grams, so they have a good amount of fragrance material per item. At 8.5 inches, they have a decent burn time and will infuse your home with Asian-inspired scents that are excellent for relaxing. 

Jiri and Friends (Best for Quality)

If you are conscious of the ingredients used in your incense, then this option could be just what you’re looking for. This set comes as a pack of five and uses only the purest materials for a lovely scent. 

The Jiri and Friends set has 15 sticks per pack and emits a wonderful fragrance suitable for any setting. Made with 100% pure white sage, they are often used for their cleansing powers by spiritual practitioners. Each stick can also be lit more than once, so you can reduce wastage and enjoy them fully. 

For peace of mind, this brand promises that no charcoal, synthetics or chemicals are utilised in manufacturing. All their raw materials come from sustainable sources worldwide, and the suppliers are regularly visited to ensure quality. 

HEM (Best for Variety)

Not sure which incense fragrance to go for? Then this pack is the perfect solution. The winner of our best variety award, it comes with a huge selection of 24 different scents, so you’ll be spoilt for choice. 

Each box in the HEM set includes 20 sticks for a total of 480. Even if you burn one incense daily, you still have some left a year after purchase. They have a good burn time of 30 minutes on average and are perfect for meditation, yoga, massage, or simply winding down after a long day. 

They are manufactured from quality natural ingredients like resin, herbs, wood flour and essential oils, and the fragrances are intense and complex. Each stick is handcrafted in India for authenticity, ethically sourced and doesn’t include any chemicals.

Raajsee (Best for Thickness)

Our best long-lasting pick is perfect if you want to get the most from your incense. This set is hand-rolled in India using the traditional method and 100% organic ingredients. The extra care put into the manufacturing process means you can be sure of excellent results. 

Raajsee incense comes with a selection of six boxes of different scents in each pack. They do not employ charcoal as a burning agent. Organic, ethically sourced wood powder is used instead. All the fragrances are crafted from natural herbal materials and do not emit black smoke during use. 

At 8 inches in length and thicker than other brands, these sticks have a fantastic burning time of up to 45 minutes in an indoor environment. With 70-75 pieces per pack, this set will infuse your home with a beautiful fragrance for a very long time.  

LASENTEUR (Best Gift Set)

Our pick for the best gift set is this beautiful choice with an assorted mix of scents. With six different boxes and 20 sticks in each, this option offers a total of 120 stunningly-scented pieces for relaxation, yoga and meditation. 

The LASENTEUR selection pack includes popular fragrances and more niche ones, such as sandalwood, patchouli, jasmine and African violet. Each one is wrapped individually in gift packaging and comes with a complimentary incense holder as a complete set. 

With a burning time of 45 to 50 minutes, you can be sure that this product is exceptional. They are handcrafted from natural resins, essential oils and wood flour for an intense scent that will help eliminate odours and create a wonderful atmosphere in the home. 

How to Choose Incense Sticks

With so many options on the market, finding the best incense sticks for you can be tricky. Read our buying guide below to discover what key features to look out for when choosing your next pack.

Variety

When selecting incense sticks, the variety of scents included could be a key factor in your decision. Some packs will come with a selection of popular fragrances, so you can mix it up and try different alternatives. Others may simply offer multiple boxes of the same product. The ideal choice will depend on your familiarity with incense and your requirements.

Burn Time

Burn time is an important consideration when shopping for incense. Some lower-quality products may only last 10 minutes after lighting. This means you get to enjoy them for only a short time, which isn’t very economical. The best options will offer a burn time of at least half an hour, with some high-quality choices lasting up to 45 minutes.

Manufacturing

Traditionally, incense is produced via a hand-rolled method. This technique is still used in India and is considered to create the most authentic and top-of-the-line products. Some brands may roll their incense with a machine to deliver more items in less time. The best choice for you comes down to ethics and personal preference.

Ingredients

The top incense sticks are made using natural ingredients without chemicals, charcoal, artificial fragrances or synthetics. Some brands may go even further, including only organic materials in their products. We suggest looking for those that use traditional ingredients such as resins, wood powder, essential oils and ayurvedic herbs for the ultimate relaxation experience. 

Intensity

Some people may find strong scents overpowering, so take the time to check how intense the fragrance from a particular option is likely to be. Lower-quality ones may have a very light to slightly perceptible scent, which may be too weak for your intended use. Others that use high concentrations of essential oils and resins will often be more powerful, so keep this in mind if the intensity is important to you.

Summary

Our overall favourite and Editor’s Choice is the Moss Garden incense sticks. This set of 250 pieces is perfect for any relaxing activity or simply keeping your home smelling great. They come in a beautifully designed box that can be used for storage and dispensing, so you won’t have to find somewhere to keep them fresh. Each stick is made from natural ingredients for an authentic fragrance, lasting up to 30 minutes once lit.