I Tested 5 Wood Waxes: Here are the Best (2024)

Are you looking for a furniture or wood wax to keep your projects looking sparkly clean?

That’s why I put together this list of the best furniture wax you can buy! I compared multiple wood waxes head to head to find the best waxes you can buy. Let’s get started!

In a hurry? Minwax Paste Finishing Wax is the best furniture wax because it can beautify and strengthen wood in no time at all, and it’s also easier to use and more affordable when compared to other furniture waxes.

Top Wood Waxes for Furniture

• #1 Best Overall – Minwax Paste Finishing Wax
• Best Quality – Walrus Oil – Furniture Butter
• Best Value – PIPIHUA Beeswax Furniture Polish
• Best Protection – Howard Citrus Shield Paste Wax
• Best for Antique Furniture – Howard Wax-It-All

1. Minwax Paste Finishing Wax – #1 Best Overall

Minwax Paste Finishing Wax is my go-to furniture wax, mainly because it outperforms virtually all the other furniture waxes I’ve used, yet it’s affordable, easy to use, and easy to get your hands on—what more could I ask for?

Designed for interior use, this furniture wax doesn’t take long to dry; just 15 minutes and it’ll be ready for another coat.

Minwax recommends applying two coats, but I’ve found that one coat does fine for antiques and other furniture that—for the most part—stays out of harm’s way.

It’s best to apply this wax with a clean, cotton cloth, and once it’s dry it’ll display a beautiful, hand-rubbed finish that’s the perfect balance between subtle and eye-catching.

It works best on surfaces that don’t require ultra-hard finishes, e.g. polyurethane. That said, it can be applied over polyurethane to reinforce a wooden surface.

And since there’s no oil in this product, it contains very few volatile organic compounds. Still, it’s not food-safe, so it shouldn’t be applied to wood surfaces that food is eaten off routinely.

Finally, it comes with a satisfaction guarantee, and this is rather generous. Essentially, if you don’t like the results you get, you can get a refund, so long as you stored and applied the wax properly.

What I Liked

• Though it’s not as strong as other finishes, it still provides reliable protection for indoor furniture.
• There’s no oil, so it’s safer and more eco-friendly.
• Since it’s a quick-drying finish that’s wiped on, application is quick and easy.
• It’s cheap and a full container can cover at least 100 sq ft, so it’s cost-effective.

What I Didn’t Like

• Though it has less VOC, it’s still not food-safe, so it can’t be used on cutting boards, etc.
• The can it comes in isn’t ideal if you’re planning on using a little and storing the rest.

2. Walrus Oil – Furniture Butter – Best Quality

Now, if you want an absolutely breathtaking finish that’s both strong and 100% food-safe, you can’t go wrong with Walrus Oil – Furniture Butter.

Another furniture wax that’s solely for indoor use, it’s made with tung oil, safflower oil, hemp seed oil, carnauba wax, candelilla wax, and pine rosin, so it’s 100% natural and therefore ideal for surfaces that food gets eaten off regularly.

It’s incredibly easy to wipe on, and I love that tracking your progress isn’t difficult at all, even though this wood wax has a muted sheen.

It works on hardwoods, softwoods, and most wood-based materials, and usually two coats are all you need to get an attractive finish that highlights wood grain and other features.

Allow at least 24 hours of drying time before you resume regular use of the wood surface; I like to wait 48 hours just to be safe.

Finally, this product is made in the USA and backed by a handful of green organizations, and it also comes with a 10-day satisfaction guarantee.

What I Liked:

• Since there are no VOC, it can be applied to more surfaces and the application process is safer.
• It has a muted but accentuating sheen, so light won’t overshadow the colors or wood grain.
• It’s made with some of the best oils for wood, so it beautifies and strengthens this material.
• It’s not as thick as other furniture waxes, so achieving a smooth, balanced surface is easier.

What I Didn’t Like:

• It takes longer to dry.
• The wood surface needs to be prepped well for this wax to work at all.

3. PIPIHUA Beeswax Furniture Polish – Best Value

Who doesn’t love getting bang for their buck? Well, that’s exactly what you get with PIPIHUA Beeswax Furniture Polish, as it’s affordable, efficient, and unique in several ways that I’m quite fond of.

The main ingredients are beeswax, carnauba wax, eucalyptus oil, and orange oil, and it’s silicone-free, GMO-free, paraffin-free, and non-toxic. Obviously, this is one of the most eco-friendly furniture waxes, and this is one of the main reasons why I love it!

Plus, it has a delightful, lemony smell right after you apply it, and I can’t say the same for other wood waxes I’ve used.

And since it’s a deep-penetrating wood wax, it works well on all kinds of wooden furniture—especially antiques.

But this isn’t a traditional wood wax. Rather, you apply it over dried wood wax, and it’ll accentuate the fibers while enhancing the texture.

It’ll waterproof the wood it’s applied to, and you won’t have to worry about it being slippery, as it’s not even slightly greasy once dry.

Finally, it comes in a 100 ml container, and a sponge applicator is included. I, however, prefer using a clean, cotton cloth to apply this furniture wax.

What I Liked:

• It can beautify even dense hardwoods because it’s deep-penetrating.
• It leaves a unique aroma after application, and this makes the wood more appealing overall.
• It’ll waterproof wood, so it can be used in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, etc.
• It highlights wood fibers without raising them, and it blends well with the most-common wood colors.

What I Didn’t Like:

• Minimal coverage since it comes in a small container.
• Hard to get a smooth, balanced finish because of its consistency.

4. Howard Citrus Shield Paste Wax – Best Protection

If durability is even more important to you than the wood surface’s visual appeal, I suggest you get your hands on some Howard Citrus Shield Paste Wax, as this stuff is designed to last many years, whether it’s used indoors or outdoors.

Made with Brazilian carnauba wax, beeswax, orange oil, and special surfactants, it’s water- and UV-resistant, so it works well on exterior furniture, plant boxes, and even larger wooden surfaces like decks and stairs.

As far as toxicity goes, it contains no silicone, linseed oil, or toluene, but it’s still not food-safe.

And this is another one of those waxes that gets applied over existing wax, so it won’t just protect the finish but clean it as well.

Like versatility? Well, that’s certainly what you get with this product. It works on finished and unfinished wood, painted furniture—it even works on concrete, marble, and metal surfaces!

But it is shinier than other furniture waxes, so stay clear if you’re looking for an overall matte finish.

Finally, it’s made in the USA and backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

What I Liked:

• Cleans existing wax in addition to protecting it, so the overall application process is shorter.
• It’s made with ultra-strong Brazilian carnauba wax, so you can count on it holding up outdoors.
• It works on all kinds of common surface materials, so it’s extremely versatile.
• Its neutral color makes it an ideal wood wax for both hardwoods and softwoods.

What I Didn’t Like:

• It’s shinier than other wood waxes, so it can overshadow the wood grain if you apply too much.
• It’s harder to spread since it has a thicker consistency.

5. Howard Wax-It-All – Best for Antique Furniture

Most waxes will enhance wood’s visual appeal, but Howard Wax-It-All is the only wax I’ve come across that makes wood feel as good as it looks.

Designed for use both indoors and outdoors, this wax comes in a 9 oz can, and it works on wood, stone, metal, cement, and plastic.

And since it delays tarnishing and oxidation when used on bronze, copper, brass, and wrought iron, I like to use it on furniture that has wooden and metal components.

It’s made with mineral oil, beeswax, and carnauba wax, and it’s food-safe because silicone, linseed oil, solvents, and VOC are all absent.

And when it’s applied to wood furniture, it leaves a soft sheen, so you don’t have to worry about artificial or natural light making the grain hard to see.

Lastly, like other waxes, it’s manufactured in the USA, so it’s preferred by those who want an effective, reliable, and sustainable product.

What I Liked:

• This natural wax makes any wood surface glow, so it’s versatile and cost-effective.
• It’s ideal for chopping blocks, dining room tables, and countertops because it’s food-safe.
• It can prevent metal from breaking down, so it’s great for wood doors and their hinges.
• It’s easy to rub on, so achieving a uniform coat isn’t difficult.

What I Didn’t Like:

• It’ll need to be maintained at least once a year.
• It needs to be stored in ideal conditions, otherwise it won’t work as well when used.

What to Consider When Buying Wood Waxes

Appearance

Appearance is probably the most important factor to consider when browsing furniture waxes.

Of course you want something that’s going to leave a durable finish, but if it can’t beautify the wood—what’s the point?

Look for a wood wax that can highlight wood grain well. In my experience, wood waxes that have a matte sheen and neutral color are best at this.

Of course, how wax is applied has a lot to do with how it looks later, so get a wood wax that’s easy to use and suitable for a wide variety of wood projects.

Durability

Once you have a wood wax that looks good on different wood species, you need to ensure it’ll leave a durable finish when applied properly.

So, look for wood waxes that can be used indoors and outdoors, as these usually provide better protection from water, UV rays, mold, mildew, pests, and the other elements that can erode wood over time.

And when it comes to wood wax, durability doesn’t automatically mean more toxicity, and that’s because a lot of wood waxes are strong without VOC.

Ease of Use

Ease of use is always an important factor for me, and I won’t use a furniture wax unless I know the application process is going to be quick and simple.

When applying wax, it’s best to use a clean, soft cloth. This applicator spreads wax well, and it’s ideal when your goal is a completely even wax finish.

And it should come as no surprise that, if a wax is too thick, it’ll be hard to spread. Moreover, it’s more likely you’ll end up with excess wax.

Finally, application shouldn’t be the only easy part; the wax must be easy to maintain and clean as well.

Toxicity

Toxicity is certainly an important point to consider, especially if you’re looking to apply wood wax to surfaces that get food eaten off them regularly.

Most of the furniture waxes on my list are food-safe, but that doesn’t mean the majority are.

Therefore, you need to double-check before you purchase a wax. Basically, if you see “volatile organic compounds” or unrecognizable chemicals on the label, don’t risk it.

Versatility

Versatility is an often-overlooked quality, but I’ve come to realize that the versatile products are usually the most cost-effective.

In terms of furniture wax, versatility is a product that can be used on wood, cement, metal, and other common surface materials.

And if it can be used indoors and outdoors, obviously it’s more versatile than most of the other waxes out there.

Here’s a great video explaining the different kinds of wood finishes, including wax.

Price

As far as furniture wax prices go, most quality products are $20-$30, while the high-quality stuff will run you $35-$50.

The lower-quality stuff is usually less than $15. But, as PIPIHUA Beeswax Furniture Polish proves, low price doesn’t always mean low quality.

Final Thoughts

To recap, Minwax Paste Finishing Wax is the best furniture wax overall because it doesn’t take much know-how to achieve top-notch results, and it’s more affordable than other first-rate furniture waxes.

Then there’s Walrus Oil – Furniture Butter, a wood wax that’s not only great for antique furniture but the environment as well.

Finally, there’s PIPIHUA Beeswax Furniture Polish, the best budget buy on my list because it’s capable, reliable, and cost-effective.