Extra Strong Wax Melts - Daya's vs 10% Snap Bars

The other day, I was scrolling through social media (as you do) when a comment on one of my ads stopped me in my tracks. It read:

"I bought a wax melt snap bar from another maker for £4. I got 6 tealights from 2 cubes, 120 hours for the whole bar, so your melts ain't really all that for £2.48 for 30 hours."

Oh, the sting.

As a small business owner, comments like this can hit you right in the pride. I thought, let’s clear this up and write a blog to set the record straight. So, grab a cuppa while I explain why Dayas Essence wax melts are worth every single penny of their £2.48 price tag. If you’ve been hunting for highly fragranced wax melts with lasting value, you’re in the right place.

Not All Snap Bars Are Created Equal

Snap bars. On the surface, they seem like the budget-friendly unicorn of the wax melt world: £4 for a whole bar of cubes and hours of burn time. But are they truly the best wax melts UK buyers can choose for fragrance that lasts and fills their homes? There are two main types of snap bars you’ll see:

  1. Snap bars with 10 smaller cubes (around 5g each, 50g total).
  2. Snap bars with 5 larger pieces (around 11g each, 55g total).

Both might look like bargains at first glance, but the burn time, fragrance intensity, and overall experience can vary wildly depending on the fragrance load and how they’re used. So, are snap bars really the best long lasting wax melts for your home? Let’s break it down on 30-hour timings.

Snap Bars with 10 Small Cubes (5g each)

These smaller cubes melt quickly (blink, and they’re gone) and give about 2 to 4 hours of burn time per piece. This leaves many questioning whether they qualify as strong smelling wax melts or if they match the performance of luxury wax melts for everyday use.

  • Price: £4.00
  • Fragrance load: 10%
  • Burn time per cube: 2 to 4 hours
  • Cubes needed for 30 hours based on 4 hour burn: 7.5 cubes = 30 hours, leaving just 2.5 pieces left, so you need to buy more melts.

Cost for 30 Hours:
£4.00 divided by 10 cubes = 40p then (cubes needed): 7.5 × £0.40 £3.00  So, while they might seem like the best wax melts, they’re far from it in terms of how many you need for 30 hours.

    Snap Bars with 5 Larger Pieces (11g each)

    These larger pieces can give up to 8 hours of burn time per piece when used individually. Some people claim they’ve got 24 hours of burn time, but let me let you in on a little secret: That’s usually because they’re doubling up and using two pieces (22g total) to create a bigger melt pool. Even then, the fragrance load is only 10%, so while the scent might last a bit longer, it’s not going to fill your whole house. You might manage one room—two rooms maybe.

     

    • Price: £4.00
    • Fragrance load: 10%
    • Burn time per cube: 8 hours
    • Cubes needed for 30 hours: 3.75 pieces = 30 hours, leaving just 1.25 pieces left so you need to buy more melts, because you nearly ran out, (Costly when you think about it). 

    Cost for 30 Hours:
    £4.00 divided by 5 pieces = 80p then (pieces needed): 3.75 × £0.80 £3.00  Even with larger pieces, they’re still not the extra strong wax melts or high fragrance wax melts you’d expect for value or intensity. There are other snap bar shapes, but these are the common ones for my calculations. 

      Understanding the Fragrance Pyramid: 

      All fragrances unfold in three stages, like a well-rehearsed performance.
      Here’s how:

       

      Top Notes

        Duration: Last around 30 minutes to 1 hour in a 10% snap bar.
        What they do: These are the light, airy scents you notice first—the fruity, citrusy ones that shout, “Hey, I’m here!” before disappearing into thin air.
        Examples: Lemon, bergamot, pineapple, eucalyptus.

        Heart Notes

          Duration: Hang around for 2–4 hours in a 10% snap bar.
          What they do: These are the middle act, richer and fuller than the top notes. 
          Examples: Jasmine, rose, lavender, clove.

          Base Notes

            Duration: Stick around for about 4–6 hours in a 10% snap bar.
            What they do: These are the anchors of the fragrance—the warm, cosy notes that make you feel at home. 
            Examples: Amber, vanilla, musk, sandalwood.
            A single white wax melt bar with green and yellow glitter, divided into five sections.Now, if you’re shopping for aromatherapy wax melts or the best smelling wax melts UK, these snap bars might disappoint when it comes to fragrance complexity and performance.

            Why Punchier Oils Can Stretch These Timings

            Now, some fragrances—especially punchy ones with robust synthetic bases—can stretch these timings. That’s how some people manage to claim 24 hours of burn time using two snap bar cubes (22g). For these oils:

            • Top Notes: Last 1–1.5 hours.
            • Heart Notes: Hang around for 4–6 hours.
            • Base Notes: Can linger for 10–12 hours.

              This brings the total burn time to 16–24 hours, depending on the oil’s composition.

              Fragrance Intensity: The Daya's Difference

              At 30% fragrance load, Dayas melts bring every stage of the pyramid to life and keep it going for longer:

              Top Notes: Bold and noticeable for 2 hours, making an instant impression.
              Heart Notes: Rich and evolving over 6–10+ hours, creating a layered fragrance experience.
              Base Notes: Stick around for a whopping 15+ hours, keeping your home smelling amazing long after the burner is off.

                With a single 20g melt, you’ll enjoy up to 30+ hours of high-quality fragrance. It doesn’t just sit in one corner—it fills your entire house, even across three storeys. That’s why Dayas Essence melts are among the strongest smelling wax melts UK has to offer.

                WHY THIS MATTERS:

                With a 10% fragrance load, snap bars might seem like a bargain at first glance, but as we’ve seen, the maths tells a different story. Even punchier oils might stretch to 16–24 hours using 22g of wax, but the performance is inconsistent, the throw limited, and you’ll burn through the bar faster than you think.

                Now, let’s revisit that comment:

                "I bought a wax melt snap bar from another maker for £4. I got 6 tealights from 2 cubes, 120 hours for the whole bar, so your melts ain't really all that for £2.48 for 30 hours."

                 

                Here’s the thing: Those 120 hours might sound impressive, but they’re not giving you the full intensity and strength.

                Let’s Do the Maths and Fact-Check His Claim:

                The Claim:

                • He says he got 6 tealights (4-hour burn each) from 2 cubes (22g).
                • Total burn time: 6×4=24 hours
                • Wax used: 22g from 2 cubes.

                How This Holds Up:

                Tealight Burn Time:
                A single tealight burns for approximately 4 hours, so his claim of getting 24 hours (6 tealights × 4 hours) aligns with the maths for tealight burn durations. 
                Wax-to-Burn Ratio: Snap bars with a 10% fragrance load might release scent for 16–24 hours with 22g of wax (as already established). If he doubled up on cubes (22g total) and the oil was a punchy scent, but the fragrance intensity would not match Dayas melts.
                The scent would likely weaken towards the end (heart note), as 10% fragrance loads tend to fizzle out faster, reducing the fragrance throw.
                Image Description

                Disclaimer:

                This comparison is based on average burn times and usage patterns. Individual experiences may vary depending on wax warmer type, room size, and personal preferences.

                The Bottom Line: Value, Intensity, & Consistency

                It’s not just about how long it burns—it’s about how well it burns. Dayas melts don’t just last; they transform your home with a bold, unforgettable fragrance experience that 10% can’t match.

                At £2.48, Dayas melts are still cheaper per 30 hours than the snap bar’s £4.00 cost. Better fragrance, lower price—what’s not to love?

                I strictly test every single fragrance oil to ensure it performs flawlessly at our higher concentration, so you never have to worry about hit-or-miss scents. Every melt on my website guarantees a minimum of 30 hours of fragrance, and some have even been known to last 35-40+ hours.

                So, if you’re looking for luxurious wax melts or the best wax melts UK shoppers rave about, why not try Dayas Essence wax melts for yourself and join the community of customers who love our luxury, long-lasting scents!

                Grab 10% off your first order with the code:  FIRSTORDER
                Back to blog