Snuffers were first invented to cut off and retain the burned wicks of candles when the wax around them had melted; they were not necessarily used to extinguish the candle's flame. When the candle wick didn't burn down at the same time as the candle it could droop over onto the side of the candle and risked putting the candle out, or much worse, causing fires. They are first recorded in the 15th century and numerous patents for snuffers are known from the middle of the 18th century, regularly reappearing with improvements until the self-trimming plaited wick was invented in 1825 by Joseph Cambacères. It curls over into the hottest part of the flame and burns away making it unnecessary to trim the wick.

Candle snuffers usually have blades to cut the wick and a small box on the side of the blades to catch the hot wick. Snuffers were often made to match candlesticks and could be finely decorated with heraldry or engraved decoration. They were often supplied with a stand or a tray to put the snuffers in when not in use and which could collect flakes of wax and burnt wicks.