Top 5 Best Backflow Incense Cones That Smell Good

Incense has a rich history dating back to ancient civilizations like the Indus Valley, Mesopotamia, and China (BCE). People in those civilizations used to burn aromatic plants as offerings for deities. It was only later that backflow incense cones started to replace traditional incense at cultural and religious events and Buddhist temples.

The most popular type of incense nowadays differs from traditional cones and has a hollow tunnel in its center. When lit, the smoke is trapped inside, cools down, and flows through the tunnel, creating a captivating waterfall effect. 

Not every backflow cone excels at this, so we tested and ranked the top five contenders with a backflow burner to find the best. Our buying guide will also help you choose the best backflow cone. So, without further ado, let’s begin!

Top 5 Backflow Incense Cones That Smell Good

Here’s a list of the top five good-smelling incense cones, featuring pros, cons, and why you must choose them:

HEM Backflow Incense Cones

Our top choice, Hem incense cones, is ideal for smoke fountains and down-flow incense waterfalls. Made from the purest essential oils and natural herbs, they don’t include carbon or give off a burnt paper smell. Each pack has 2 pouches, each with 20 cones, giving you a total of 40 large, long-lasting, and hand-rolled cones. Besides, you get a wide range of fragrances like rose, sandalwood, white sage, palo santo, lotus, red rose, jasmine, lavender, frankincense, and dragon’s blood incense cones.

Pros:

• Some bundles come with a mat to shield surfaces from oil and ash stains.
• Eco-friendly and made from natural herbs and pure essential oils.
• Wide variety of floral scents.
• Hand-rolled 1.5-inch incense cones.
• Burns slowly, and the fragrance lasts longer (10-15 min).

Cons:

• A bit on the pricier side.
• The protective mat is somewhat flimsy.
• Only some scents are great.

Why Choose Hem Backflow Incense Cones?

Unlike many brands, Hem backflow incense cones don’t give off an acrid or burnt smell, and each piece is hand-crafted with care. Although expensive, they are worth every penny. These incense cones are non-toxic, made from natural ingredients, and don’t smell off-putting or cause any irritation. 

Soul Sticks Backflow Incense Cones

Soul Sticks incense cones usually come in variety packs, offering a diverse range of fragrances. Perfect for backflow, it creates a thick and beautiful waterfall effect. These masala incense cones are crafted with traditional Himalayan herbs, spices, and resins, using the hand-rolling agarbatti method without artificial chemicals for thicker smoke. 

Each cone is immersed in concentrated fragrance oil for over 48 hours, resulting in a delightful aroma. With scents like 7 Chakras, Sweet Grass, Blue Sage, Dragon’s Blood, and more, each order includes 140 scented backflow incense cones.

Pros:

• Produces a very thick cascading effect.
• Hand-rolled and made without artificial chemicals.
• Uses pure essential oils and Himalayan herbs for aroma.
• Prepared with ancient Ayurvedic recipes.
• Lots of incense cones for the money.

Cons:

• The cones may not align perfectly with the burner.
• All of them kind of have a similar smell.
• Gives off a bit of burnt paper smell.

Why Choose Soul Sticks Backflow Incense Cones?

Grab these incense cones for a lush waterfall effect and a diverse variety. They’re masala cones crafted with Himalayan herbs using ancient Ayurvedic recipes without any artificial chemicals. Handmade in India, they come from a brand that has been making incense cones for 30+ years.

Parimal Backflow Incense Cones

Parimal backflow incense cones are crafted using ancient methods, just like the monks of old. They’re made from natural ingredients sourced from rare Indian forests, including resins, aromatic wood, charred coconut, and recycled flowers from temples. Each pack contains 10 backflow incense cones like nag champa yatra, patchouli, buddha, and many more distinct smells.

Pros:

• Made from 100% traditional method.
• It is created from rare natural ingredients and temple flowers.
• Charcoal-free incense cones.
• Long-lasting smell for 6 hours.
• No smoky scent.

Cons:

• Cones take time to produce smoke.
• Burns quickly, especially affected by nearby drafts.
• Some cones struggle to remain upright.

Why Choose Parimal Backflow Incense Cones?

These 6-inch incense cones boast a long-lasting fragrance that lingers for an impressive 6 hours. Crafted using traditional methods employed by monks and rare ingredients, they are charcoal-free and emit clean scents. What adds to their uniqueness is the sourcing of upcycled flowers from temples, making them an ideal choice for eco-conscious people.

WildBerry Backflow Incense Cones

Wild Berry incense cones, crafted in the USA with premium ingredients, are ideal for waterfall burners. You’ll get scents like peace of mind, champa flower, dragon’s blood, ocean wind, fizzy pop, and cherry vanilla incense cones. Each pack consists of 25 cones, with each piece 2 inches long. Unfortunately, they struggle with backflow, as much smoke escapes from the top rather than properly through the bottom hole.

Pros:

• Produces a great fruity aroma.
• Made from premium ingredients.
• Created with traditional methods.
• Large cones that burn for a long time.
• Wide assortment of fragrances.

Cons:

• Burn very quickly and doesn’t backflow properly.
• Made from synthetic fragrance oils.
• There’s charcoal in the cones.

Why Choose WildBerry Backflow Incense Cones?

If you’re after a great scent, these larger cones are perfect—they burn slowly, produce a potent smell, and the aroma lingers. However, for the visual experience, it’s a letdown as they don’t backflow well. They also contain charcoal and synthetic oils and are not eco-friendly at all.

Folkulture Backflow Incense Cones

Folkulture incense cones are packed with aromatherapy goodness. You’ll receive an abundance of ocean salt, green tea, rose and geranium, orange blossom, coconut and mango, and oriental aqua essential oils in these cones. Meticulously handcrafted and beautifully packaged, they make a great gift. 

With scents like boho escape, tree of life, pixie island, enchanted forest, and mystical sea, they set a mystical ambiance perfect for meditation or writing. You can get them in a bundle of 6 packs, each containing 10 one-inch cones for a total of 60 cones.

Pros:

• Handcrafted and made from essential oils.
• Burn longer (15-20 minutes).
• Gives off a potent and fragrant smell.
• Burn perfectly in a waterfall incense burner.
• Hand-rolled and free from carbon, cruelty, and toxins.

Cons:

• Some users griped about its pre-lit scent, residue, and staining issues.
• May produce a burnt paper smell.
• Heavy from the top, causing them to lose balance.

Why Choose Folulture Backflow Incense Cones?

These incense cones are super strong, perfect if potent smells don’t give you headaches. They’re 100% natural, carbon-free, and burn for a long time. Besides, they come in classy packaging, making them a fantastic gift for birthdays, anniversaries, and more.

How to Select Reliable Backflow Incense Cones with Good Smell?

Picking the perfect backflow incense cones is key to enjoying a great aroma. To create a pleasant vibe, think about factors such as scent strength, natural ingredients, and burn duration. But these are not the only variables you must look for. For a detailed outlook on choosing reliable backflow incense cones with captivating scents, check out the buying guide below:

Scent Strength

Pick backflow incense cones that match your scent preference, whether you lean towards something mild or more robust. However, if you’re looking for intense smells, backflow incense cones generally produce less surrounding fragrance compared to regular incense. The reason is simple: backflow cones prioritize the visual aspect. Their smoke flows downward through channels, limiting the amount of scent released into the surroundings.

Natural Ingredients

Choose incense cones made from natural ingredients for a genuine and authentic scent. Avoid those with artificial additives because they can mess with the purity and quality of the fragrance. 

Burn Duration

Examine the burn time of the cones, as it can differ based on factors like cone size and thickness. Usually, the seller or maker mentions burn time on the package. While not exact, these numbers generally give a good idea of how long the cone will burn. Longer burns (15-20 minutes) mean a more extended period of enjoying the fragrance. 

Backflow Performance

Pick incense cones made specifically for backflow burners to ensure you get the waterfall effect, creating a visually stunning cascade of smoke.

Residue and Stains

Check user reviews to see if the incense cones leave any residue or cause staining. This is crucial for keeping your space clean and free of unwanted marks or discoloration.

Attractive Packaging

Think about how the cones are packaged. A classy presentation adds a nice touch and makes them ideal for giving as gifts. The way they’re presented can elevate the whole experience, making it not just about the scent but also about the aesthetic appeal. 

Environmentally Friendly

Go for cones that don’t have carbon and are made from sustainable or recycled materials. This way, you’re making a choice that’s kinder to the environment during both the production and use of the incense cones. 

Assorted Scents

Explore variety packs with different scents to experiment and find your favorites. This makes it easier to pick the perfect scent for any moment, ensuring you have a well-rounded selection that suits your preferences.

Feedback from Users

Go through user reviews to gauge overall satisfaction, especially regarding scent quality, burn time, and how well the cones do with backflow. Hearing from other users gives you practical insights to make an informed decision based on real experiences.

Reputable Brands

Opt for backflow incense cones from trusted brands known for quality and natural ingredients. Choosing a well-established brand increases the likelihood of a positive experience, as they prioritize product effectiveness and using high-quality, natural materials.

FAQS

What are incense cones made of?

Incense cones consist of a mix of combustible elements, binders, and fragrances like essential oils. The delightful scents, derived from roots, flowers, bark, or resin, provide the characteristic aroma. Meanwhile, the combustible elements include charcoal powder, sawdust, or wood powder.

How to use backflow incense cones?

Put the backflow incense cone on the backflow burner’s top and use a matchstick or lighter to ignite the cone’s conical end. Wait a bit until the tip turns red. Next, blow out the flame and let the smoke cascade downward through the cone’s bottom hole. Relish the captivating sight of the smoke cascading down the burner in a waterfall.

Can you use regular incense cones in a backflow burner?

No, you can’t use a regular incense cone on a backflow burner unless you drill a hole in the cone. Backflow incense cones are distinct – they have a small hole at the bottom for the smoke to flow downward, creating that waterfall effect. Regular cones lack this hole and are meant to burn upward. Trying a traditional cone in a backflow burner won’t give you the downward smoke effect and might damage the burner.

Final Takeaways

We’ve listed the best five backflow incense cones that smell good if you’re looking for your home, office, wellness center, or yoga studio. Hem backflow incense cones come at the top of our list of recommendations for longer burn time and a long-lasting scent that is strong yet not irritating. 

They are made from the purest essential oils and natural ingredients, are non-toxic, and don’t include carbon or smell like burnt paper like many brands. Backflow incense cones, once rooted in specific Asian cultures, have become a trend worldwide. Its calming waterfall effect and pleasant aroma will appeal to you if you pursue relaxation, mindfulness, peace, and spiritual connection.