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Backflow incense burners: how they work and which to choose

A backflow incense burner holds a lit cone so smoke flows down like a waterfall, such as a mango wood hamsa burner, a cauldron holder or a raven burner.

By Bez, founder of Holistic Tree · Updated 23 October 2026

Key points

  • For modern décor, the Unity Tube burner is a slim ceramic and plastic choice; for witchy friends, try the Pouring Cauldrons holder.
  • Check the cone size before you buy: the 500 g box holds about 225 cones, each 3 cm tall, in twelve scents.
  • Satya sets come as six packs in a cardboard box, a good pick for altar keepers and backflow burner owners.
  • For gothic taste, the Gold Baphomet LED burner is 22.5 cm tall, with smoke from the skull's lit eyes, for occult collectors.
  • Over £60 we pay the first £6 of delivery on most orders, so one ordinary parcel travels free.

How did we choose these picks?

We hand-picked every burner and cone in this guide from the range we stock. Each one was chosen for the person it suits and what it does, so you can match a burner to your space, whether that is a plain everyday shelf or a gothic altar.

We also kept a mix of kinds and budgets, from everyday home décor to dragon, skull and raven designs, plus cones in several scents. That way there is a good fit for a first burner and for a collector who already loves incense.

Want to see more? Browse everything in our Incense range, or try Feng Shui & Home and Gothic & Fantasy.

Which backflow incense burners suit everyday home decor?

The right fit for everyday home decor is a backflow burner that matches your room's size and style. These five gifts range from a small ceramic piece to a bold resin dragon, and each one turns incense smoke into a slow waterfall.

Unity Tube Backflow Incense Burner (£14.99)

A gift that fits on any shelf, this ceramic and plastic burner measures 13.7 x 6.8 cm. Two pyramids, one at the top and one at the bottom, are joined by a slim tube. It is designed as a symbol of unity and connection, which makes it a thoughtful choice for someone who loves clean, modern lines. Set it on a shelf or small table, light a cone, and watch the smoke flow down the tube.

Best for: Modern décor fans.

Mango Wood Backflow Burner, Hamsa (from £16.99)

Useful all year round, this mango wood burner has a hamsa design and is made to hold backflow incense cones. You can pick Small, Medium or Large Hamsa. The small one is 13 x 15 x 12 cm, and the largest is 13 x 23 x 22 cm, so you can choose a size that suits your shelf. Mango wood gives it a warm, wooden feel. The three sizes make it easy to find the right fit for your room.

Best for: New homeowners and incense lovers.

Pouring Cauldrons Backflow Incense Holder (£20.49)

Nice to unwrap, nicer to use, this resin holder has two cauldrons and a distressed silver-effect pentagram. Cone smoke pours between the cauldrons, and the piece stands 15 cm tall. It has a light powered by 2 AA batteries, with an on/off switch, so you can switch it on when you want it. It comes in a picture box with polystyrene inside. For a witchy friend who loves drama, the light and pentagram make a true statement piece.

Best for: Witchy friends who love drama.

Kraken on Diver's Helmet Backflow Burner (£34.99)

Fun to give and useful every day, this resin and polyresin burner shows a kraken on a vintage-style diver's helmet. When a cone is lit, the smoke flows down the sides of the helmet. It weighs 425 g and is both decorative and functional. It comes in polystyrene and a brown cardboard box. For a fan of old sea stories or monster films, the helmet and flowing smoke make it a true conversation piece.

Best for: Sea story and monster fans.

Purple Dragon Geode Backflow Incense Burner (£20.49)

Something new for their routine, this dragon guards a split purple geode with glistening ombre crystals. It is cast in resin and hand-painted, so the detail shows up close. A small incense cone sits between the dragon's wings, so the piece works as both a display and a burner. For a dragon fan who likes a little magic on the shelf, the painted crystals catch the eye from across the room.

Best for: Dragon fans with a fantasy shelf.

Which backflow incense cones work for everyday use?

Yes, all three of these cones are made for a backflow incense burner, so they suit everyday burning. They differ in how many cones you get and how the smoke falls, so choose by how often you burn and which scent you want.

Biofresh Backflow Incense Cones, Pack of 40 (£4.99)

Editorially selected for incense lovers, this pack of 40 cones is an easy place to start on a backflow burner. Six scents run from Arabian Jasmine to Amber Saffron, so you can try a few before choosing a favourite. The smoke cascades down your backflow burner, and the cones are made without charcoal for a clean burn.

Best for: Incense lovers starting out.

Backflow Incense Cones, 500 g Box (£14.49)

Great value for regular burners, this 500 g box holds about 225 long burn cones. Each cone is 3 cm tall and 1 cm across, weighing 2 g, so one box goes a long way. Twelve scents range from Vanilla and Patchouli to Nagchampa and Midnight Rose. Made only for backflow incense burners, it's a steady, practical choice for the burner you already own.

Best for: Regular backflow burner owners.

Aromatherapy Backflow Incense Cones (£2.49)

Fun to give and useful every day, this box holds 12 backflow incense cones in the style you pick. There are six styles: Energising, Meditation, Refreshing, Relaxing, Sensuality and Unwind. Each cone is made for a backflow burner, so the box slots straight into your ritual. Watching the smoke fall in swirls and twists makes each box feel like a small ritual.

Best for: Ritual fans who like variety.

Which Satya backflow incense cone sets make a good gift?

All four Satya backflow incense cone sets make good gifts. Each one is 6 packs of cones made for backflow burners. What ties them together is the set itself, so choose by scent, theme or the box you like best.

Blue Sage Backflow Incense Cones Set of 6 (£21.49)

Ideal for a cosy night in, this set gives you 6 packs of Blue Sage backflow incense cones in one display box. Each cone is made for a backflow burner, so the smoke can flow down like a waterfall. The box measures 11 x 10 x 4 cm and weighs 79 g, so it is easy to pop on a shelf. A lovely pick for a burner owner who loves simple, classic fragrance.

Best for: A cosy night in.

Palo Santo Backflow Incense Cones Set of 6 (£22.49)

A gift that says you listened, this set has 6 packs of Palo Santo backflow incense cones in a colour cardboard box. The cones are made for use with a backflow incense burner, so the smoke flows down in a gentle waterfall line. The set weighs 90 g, so it is easy to pop in a bag. It suits a burner owner who has a favourite scent and wants more of it.

Best for: Burner owners with a favourite scent.

Buddha's Blessing Backflow Incense Cones x6 (£21.49)

For anyone who collects incense, this set is a good choice for altar keepers who want a full set to use over time. It holds 6 packs of Buddha's Blessing backflow incense cones in a colour cardboard box, and the set weighs 560 g. The cones are made for backflow incense burners, so the smoke flows down like a waterfall.

Best for: Altar keepers wanting a full set.

Dragons Fire Backflow Incense Cones Set of 6 (£21.49)

Made to be noticed, this set brings 6 packs of Dragons Fire backflow incense cones in a colour cardboard box. The name alone suits fantasy fans, and the cones are made for backflow burners. The product size is 11 x 10 x 4 cm and the set weighs 650 g. It is a playful gift, and the name does most of the talking.

Best for: Fantasy fans who love drama.

Which gothic backflow burners suit Day of the Dead fans?

Calavera's Offering and Flor de Muerte suit Day of the Dead fans best, with a smiling skeleton and a lady in Day of the Dead makeup. All four are backflow incense burners, so the smoke flows down like a waterfall, and each gives gothic style a different look.

Calavera's Offering Backflow Incense Burner (£16.99)

For anyone who collects skulls, this burner is a striking choice. It shows a smiling skeleton with long black hair, with skulls wrapped in bones at the base. The smoke path is the clever part: it flows through the skull's head, down the neck and ribs, and pools at the base. It is made to hold backflow incense cones, so it suits incense lovers who want a Day of the Dead look on the altar or shelf.

Best for: Day of the Dead fans.

Flor de Muerte Backflow Incense Burner (£16.99)

A great gift idea for them is this hand-painted resin burner, shaped as a lady in Day of the Dead makeup. It is a backflow incense burner, so the smoke flows gently from the sculpture. It suits Day of the Dead art fans and witchy friends, and comes in a box. Her flowing grey hair and grey flower accents make her a piece to look at as well as use.

Best for: Day of the Dead art fans.

Raven Roost Backflow Incense Burner (£16.99)

A playful pick for them is this raven, perched on a branch-like base. The purple and black figurine is hand-painted resin, and it comes in a full colour box with protective foam inside. It holds a backflow incense chamber, so the smoke flows down as it burns. It suits raven collectors and witchy friends who want a moody touch on a shelf or desk.

Best for: Raven fans and witchy friends.

Gold Baphomet LED Backflow Incense Burner (£39.49)

Perfect for an altar that needs a bold centrepiece, this gold burner shows Baphomet seated on a horned skull. Smoke emerges from the skull's lit eyes. It stands 22.5 cm tall, 15 cm wide and 12 cm deep, and has a bottom on/off switch. The LED lights need 2 AA batteries, which are not included. It suits altar keepers and gothic décor fans who want a striking piece to stand on show.

Best for: Altar keepers and occult collectors.

Our backflow incense burners: how they work and which to choose compared

Every pick at a glance: who it suits best and how it is sent.

Pick Best for Delivery
Unity Tube Backflow Incense Burner (£14.99) Modern décor fans Standard dispatch
Mango Wood Backflow Burner, Hamsa (from £16.99) New homeowners and incense lovers Standard dispatch
Pouring Cauldrons Backflow Incense Holder (£20.49) Witchy friends who love drama Same-day dispatch
Kraken on Diver's Helmet Backflow Burner (£34.99) Sea story and monster fans Same-day dispatch
Purple Dragon Geode Backflow Incense Burner (£20.49) Dragon fans with a fantasy shelf Dispatch in 1–2 working days
Biofresh Backflow Incense Cones, Pack of 40 (£4.99) Incense lovers starting out Standard dispatch
Backflow Incense Cones, 500 g Box (£14.49) Regular backflow burner owners Standard dispatch
Aromatherapy Backflow Incense Cones (£2.49) Ritual fans who like variety Standard dispatch
Blue Sage Backflow Incense Cones Set of 6 (£21.49) A cosy night in Same-day dispatch
Palo Santo Backflow Incense Cones Set of 6 (£22.49) Burner owners with a favourite scent Same-day dispatch
Buddha's Blessing Backflow Incense Cones x6 (£21.49) Altar keepers wanting a full set Same-day dispatch
Dragons Fire Backflow Incense Cones Set of 6 (£21.49) Fantasy fans who love drama Same-day dispatch
Calavera's Offering Backflow Incense Burner (£16.99) Day of the Dead fans Dispatch in 1–2 working days
Flor de Muerte Backflow Incense Burner (£16.99) Day of the Dead art fans Dispatch in 1–2 working days
Raven Roost Backflow Incense Burner (£16.99) Raven fans and witchy friends Dispatch in 1–2 working days
Gold Baphomet LED Backflow Incense Burner (£39.49) Altar keepers and occult collectors Same-day dispatch

How does delivery work?

Every order travels by tracked UK delivery, to your door or straight to theirs if it's a gift. Delivery is the sum of your parcels, from £3.95 each (some items travel free), and free over £60 on most orders: we pay the first £6. Each product page shows the expected delivery dates before you pay. See delivery for the details.

Ready to choose?

Choose a backflow incense burner by the look you want, from everyday hamsa and cauldron designs to dragon and gothic skull pieces, a good fit for incense lovers and witchy friends. Pick your favourite above and add it to your basket: every product page shows its size, price and delivery dates. More ideas: Incense for beginners: sticks, cones, resin and holders · Frankincense Meaning · Gothic gifts.

How does a backflow incense burner work?

Smoke from a lit backflow cone flows downward and falls over the sides of the burner, like a waterfall. The cone sits in the burner, which is made to hold backflow incense cones, as the Mango Wood Backflow Burner, Hamsa does. Unity Tube shows this shape clearly with a slim tube.

What is a good backflow incense burner for a beginner?

The Unity Tube Backflow Incense Burner is a clean, simple place to start. It is ceramic and plastic, 13.7 x 6.8 cm, with a pyramid at the top and bottom joined by a slim tube. It suits incense lovers and modern décor fans.

Which backflow incense cones should I buy?

Choose cones made for backflow burners, such as the Biofresh Backflow Incense Cones, Pack of 40. They come 40 to a pack, are charcoal-free and come in six scents. For a bigger stock, the Backflow Incense Cones, 500 g Box holds about 225 long burn cones in twelve scents.

How do you choose a backflow incense burner?

Start with the look you love, then check the size and material. The Mango Wood Backflow Burner, Hamsa comes in three sizes from 13 x 15 x 12 cm and is made from mango wood.

What is a good backflow incense burner for dragon fans?

The Purple Dragon Geode Backflow Incense Burner is made for dragon fans. It is a hand-painted resin dragon figurine guarding a split purple geode. There is a place between its wings for a small incense cone.