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21 Best Scented Candles to Make Your Home Smell Amazing
Updated on Sep. 30, 2024
As the chill sets in, it’s time to pack away the summer gear, grab your throw blankets and cozy socks, and invest in quality slippers for women and men. With shorter days and colder nights, burning scented candles is a simple way to add warmth and a touch of luxury to any room, brightening up even the darkest winter evenings. Plus, many of the best scented candles come in beautifully designed containers, doubling as decor. Soy candles, known for being eco-friendly and offering a clean, long-lasting burn, are a great choice. Opt for those made with natural essential oils if you’re sensitive to fragrances or have allergies. These candles also make the perfect hostess or self-care gifts.
Best overall scented candles
City Candles from Homesick
Pros:
- You can add a personal message on the back of the candle.
- Natural ingredients
- 60- to 80-hour burn time
This brilliantly named company understands that smell can immediately transport you to a place or a moment in time, and it’s created a collection of hand-poured candles that acts as an olfactory scrapbook of your life. From the concrete of New York City to the coffee and sea waves of San Francisco, these evocative scents will bring back so many treasured memories. In addition to cities, Homesick also offers candles representing all 50 states, a variety of international destinations, and important occasions, experiences, and people.
Best holiday scented candle
Holiday Scented Classic Candle from Nest New York
Pros:
- The vessel itself is a beautiful holiday decoration
- Nest New York has been certified by PETA
Celebrate the holidays any time of year with this best-selling candle, which has more than 5,600 five-star reviews. “I have had an artificial Christmas tree for years, and my fireplaces have gas logs, so this candle is what gives my home a holiday scent,” says verified buyer Julie Meier Wright. That scent includes pomegranate, mandarin orange, pine, cloves, and cinnamon with a hint of vanilla and amber. It’s a warm, cozy gift for that person in your life who’s always cold.
Best stylish scented candle
Mansour Marrakech Candle from L'or de Seraphine
Pros:
- Reusable ceramic container with lid
- Available in two sizes
- Features essential oils chosen for their aromatherapy benefits
You’ll be happy to know this candle smells as good as it looks—because it’s stunning. The ceramic container is laden with palm fronds, exotic fruits, and the palette of a tropical sunset. Top notes of bergamot, ginger-dusted citrus, green tea, and touches of apple, juniper, and clove mix with hints peppered jasmine and tobacco within. Made of a proprietary sustainably sourced palm wax blend, it’s a paradise for the senses. Carry on with cozying up your life by adding some fleece-lined leggings to your cold-weather wardrobe.
Best budget scented candle
Jasmine, Oud & Sandalwood Candle from Lulu Candles
Pros:
- You get a free travel tin if you leave a review
- Every candle purchased helps rescue abused and abandoned animals
- Affordable
It’s such a treat to be able to get a candle this luxurious for under $20, so it’s no surprise that it’s an Amazon’s Choice best seller. The candle has more than 21,000 five-star reviews raving about its quality and long-lasting scent. Reviewer Thomas M. Johnson writes, “This candle is amazing! I have searched high and low over the years for the most appealing, fragrant candle. This is it.” Handcrafted from eco-friendly soy wax, it’s slow-burning and will become a fast favorite.
Best warm and woodsy scented candle
Sequoia Smoke from Pigmint Arome
Pros:
- Female-founded company
- Gift-worthy packaging
There’s something comforting about a good woodsy scent that’s reminiscent of tugging on your winter boots, nestling into your warmest hat, and walking through a breathtaking forest with centuries-old trees towering over you. Hand-poured from a soy and coconut wax blend, this candle has a stellar pedigree with top notes of outdoor air, apple, and rose petals; middle notes of vanilla orchid, oakmoss, and suede; and base notes of smoked cedar, juniper, campfire, and amber.
Best sustainable scented candle
Tomato Candle from Carrière Frères
Pros:
- Eco-friendly
- The company has been mastering the art of fragrance since 1884
Whether you pronounce it “to-may-to” or “to-mah-to,” you will agree that this unique scent is a delight. Tomatoes actually have air-purifying properties, which make them an excellent candle scent. Plus, Carrière Frères is all about respecting and protecting nature and the precious plants used in their exquisite fragrances.
Best destination-inspired scented candles
A Tango in Barcelona from Glasshouse Fragrances
Pros:
- Sourced responsibly
- Female-founded company
Glasshouse Fragrances is based in Australia but will transport you around the world—from the Hamptons to Kyoto to Milan and more—with their ambiance-setting candles. A Tango in Barcelona, with its notes of apricot, tuberose, and musk, is as distinct and sensual as the dance itself. It doesn’t miss a beat. Traveling this year? Pack a weighted eye mask to help you sleep soundly.
Best winter scented candle
Winter Pines Candle: New England Edition from Fernweh Editions
Pros:
- Also available in a travel tin
- Self-trimming wick for increased burn time and less soot
- 110-hour burn time
This beautiful candle heralds the first snow of the season through a warm blend of pine with top notes of mint, citrus, nutmeg, cinnamon, and clove, mid notes of lavender and eucalyptus, and base notes of pine and vanilla. Hand-poured in small batches, it’s made of a soy wax blend that will burn for 110 hours to get you through the long winter. Also getting you through the winter? The best wool socks money can buy.
Best spring scented candle
Peridot Candle from Joanna Buchanan
Pros:
- The bedazzled bug lid
- Peridot represents the color of nature and is associated with good health and harmony
With notes of bergamot, vetiver, and white musk, this hand-poured, soy-based candle is like a breath of fresh air. It will awaken your senses to the greenery that slowly returns each spring and give you a feeling of renewal.
Best storytelling scented candle
Vinyl Records from Anecdote Candles
Pros:
- These are real conversation pieces
- Available in travel tins
- Natural ingredients
According to Anecdote Candles, Vinyl Records/Black Oud “smells like crackling nostalgia and extravagant simplicity.” Amazingly, the company is right! This creative company hand-pours a coconut-soy wax blend to create truly original scents that define our lives. Then it describes them in a thought-provoking way that will make these scented candles your go-to gift. Anecdote Candles Ocean Escape “smells like salty air and shady beaches,” Self-Care/Mint & Eucalyptus “smells like face masks and do not disturb,” and Comfort Zone/Coffee & Cedarwood “smells like the joy of missing out.” You will relate to so many of these and have fun coming up with your own.
Best scented candle set
The Threesome from Otherland
Pros:
- Female founded
- The glass tumblers are reusable
- 55-hour burn time
OK, we cheated a little here because it’s virtually impossible to pick just one of Otherland’s unique fragrances, and The Threesome lets you choose a trio. You can’t go wrong with any of them, but you’ll want to try one of the five candles in the core collection (Canopy, with notes of California fig, ivy greens, and summer dew is a favorite) and a couple of the vivid new Homestead candles, like Tomato Terrazzo and Sriracha Rose, all made from a blend of coconut and soy wax. Still can’t decide? Don’t worry, Otherland also offers a six-pack.
Best fresh-scented candle
Sunday Morning from Brooklyn Candle Studio
Pros:
- Female founded
- Brushed gold lid makes it travel-friendly
- Rewards program offers exclusive discounts and free shipping
Full of weekend vibes, this refreshing candle is a bounty of fruits and flowers, including pear, bergamot, jasmine, and gardenia. Made of 100 percent soy wax, it’s vegan, cruelty free, phthalate free, and petroleum free and will leave you feeling rejuvenated and worry free. Think of it like a comforting weighted blanket for your entire home.
Best sweet-scented candle
Blueberry Pie Scented Candle from Stillwater Bath and Body
Pros:
- All-natural
- Small, family-owned business
Nothing makes a home more welcoming than the scent of something baking in the oven. This blueberry pie scented candle smells so yummy that it’s garnered more than 1,750 five-star reviews. “Don’t light while hungry,” warns verified purchaser Dan Purcell, who adds, “It’s not edible, but you’ll wish it was. The room is filled immediately with the scent of a fresh-baked blueberry pie, and that’s before you even light it.” Bonnie Lemaster agrees, saying, “These are the best candles I’ve ever lit, and I am a big fan of candles. Treat yourself! Whichever dessert you like best (gingerbread, apple pie, blueberry, etc.), know that the associated candle smells exactly like it’s baking in the oven!”
Best floral-scented candle
No. 7 Seven Miles from Aerangis
Pros:
- There’s a story behind each scent
- Female-founded company
- Eco-conscious
In Taiwan, the orange jasmine at the heart of this candle is often called “seven miles” because its fragrance can be detected from that far away. Founder Alicia Tsai created this candle to remind her of her homeland, and its creamy scent, with notes of white gardenia, silky musk, and citrus blossoms, will surround you with a garden of fragrant delights. For more creature comforts, check out the best leggings on Amazon.
Best inclusive scented candle
LES from Boy Smells
Pros:
- It comes in a glossy black glass tumbler
- Available in two sizes
- Appealing to all genders
Some candles smell too traditionally feminine and some smell too traditionally masculine, but this one smells just right for everyone. In French, “les” is the plural article used for both genders, and in this candle, it also stands for the Lower East Side, one of New York’s most diverse and exciting neighborhoods. Reflecting the rich variety of scents on the streets, it offers an olfactory tour, featuring everything from jasmine rice and tonka beans to cardamom and peach blossoms. This best seller is made from coconut and beeswax to shine brighter and burn longer.
Best staycation scented candle
Hotel Lobby Island Candle from Hotel Lobby Candle
Pros:
- The instructions are written on a hotel key card
- 65-hour burn time
- Female-founded company
Pull up a lounge chair and take a tropical vacation in your own home with one of the best-smelling candles. Made of 100 percent soy wax, it invokes an island paradise through notes of coconut, almond, and vanilla. Pass the piña coladas. Make like a traveler and use these sleep products that help you drift into a deep slumber.
Best inspirational scented candle
Grounded from Lifetherapy
Pros:
- 75-hour burn time
- Female-founded company
- Reusable glass container
Whether you want to feel energized, transformed, inspired, loved, or grounded, Lifetherapy has a candle to help. Start with Grounded, which will calm, balance, and uplift you with stabilizing amber and vanilla, earthy rose, and soothing heliotrope. Hand-poured in small batches, all Lifetherapy candles are made of soy wax and clean ingredients, so you can feel good about feeling good.
Best clean-scented candle
Jake's House from Henry Rose
Pros:
- Smells seriously amazing
- A portion of proceeds benefits Breast Cancer Prevention Partners
Henry Rose is all about using the cleanest, safest ingredients, and this candle features the best-selling fragrance from the brand (which was founded by actress Michelle Pfeiffer). Made from a blend of coconut, soy, and vegetable waxes, the hand-poured candle emits notes of fresh marine, honeyed neroli, and soft musk for a unique and comforting scent.
Best aromatherapy scented candle
Ecuadorian Rose from La Parea Wellness
Pros:
- The authentic petals add a lovely touch
- The candle burns long and clean
Not only does this candle smell good, but it’s also good for you. La Parea Wellness handcrafts small batches of plant-based aromatherapy products (like this natural, pure soy wax candle) to lift your mood and foster self-care. Infused with essential oils, dried rose buds, and hibiscus flowers, it’s as intoxicating as a bouquet of roses itself.
Best romantic scented candle
Velvet Peony from Urban Apothecary
Pros:
- 60-hour burn time
- Premium cotton wick
Flirty and filled with lush flora and fruits, this sensuous fragrance is abloom with delightful surprises like peach, raspberry, and violet. Crafted by a team of artisans in Leicestershire, England, all of Urban Apothecary’s soy wax candles are lovingly produced and hand-poured in-house. The signature black glass container is simple and sleek, so the candle itself shines.
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Best spa-like candle
Chesapeake Bay Scented Candle
Pros:
- Long-lasting 50-hour burn time
- 100% recycled packaging
Spas offer unparalleled relaxation and wellbeing—until now. The Chesapeake Bay scented candle brings that same serene atmosphere to your home with its calming blend of pear, rose, violet, waterlily and cyclamen aromas, all derived from natural essential oils. Made with soy wax, this candle boasts a long-lasting 50-hour burn time and comes in eco-friendly, recycled packaging from TerraCycle. Ready to elevate your self-care routine? Light this candle and run a bubble bath for the ultimate aromatherapy experience.
What to look for when buying scented candles
Fragrance type
Fragrances in scented candles typically come from essential oils or synthetic sources. Essential oil candles are natural, safe for frequent use and provide a lighter, more aromatic scent. However, they burn faster than synthetic oils, offering a shorter lifespan.
Synthetic oils, while offering a stronger scent throw, contain chemicals and VOCs that can impact air quality and long-term health. Their aroma often feels less authentic, and they are more likely to trigger allergic reactions, which detracts from the calming experience scented candles aim to provide.
Wax type
Any seasoned candle user knows not all waxes melt or work the same. Common waxes include soy, beeswax, coconut, palm and paraffin, each with pros and cons.
- Soy: Made from 100% soybeans, soy wax burns cleanly, has a smaller ecological footprint and is unlikely to trigger allergies. With a burn time of over 45 hours, soy candles are versatile but often pricier due to farming and production costs.
Coconut: Coconut wax, made from odorless, colorless coconut oil, offers an intense scent throw and eco-friendliness without deforestation concerns. It has a low melting point, so it’s blended with other waxes and burns for about 56 to 58 hours.
Palm: Palm wax, sourced from palm trees, is hard and long-lasting (60 to 80 hours) but is linked to deforestation if not sustainably sourced.
Paraffin: A synthetic wax made from coal and petroleum, paraffin offers an excellent scent throw and burns 30 minutes per inch in diameter but can lower air quality and affect allergies.
Beeswax: Beeswax is natural, clean-burning and slow-melting, but due to supply constraints, it is expensive and difficult to source.
Wick material
Wick material greatly impacts burn time, effect, and smoke emissions.
- Wooden wicks crackle, burn slowly with a dim flame and help scents linger but can be tricky to light, emit more smoke and are pricier.
- Cotton wicks burn brightly and cleanly with less smoke but have a shorter burn time than wood.
Burn time
Container for packaging
Allergens and safety
Why you should trust us
Lois Alter Mark is an award-winning lifestyle writer with years of experience covering everything from luxury cruises to home essentials. As a contributor to Forbes, Reader’s Digest and USA Today 10Best, she’s developed a keen eye for discovering unique products that enhance daily life—including her passion for scented candles. With a deep knowledge of the shopping and lifestyle industry, she expertly shares her insights into fragrances and home décor.
Alexandra Mantella, Content Updates Editor at Reader’s Digest, updated and contributed research to this piece. She has over five years of experience in product testing, research and commerce writing. Previously, she served as a commerce content update editor at Bob Vila.
How we chose the best scented candles
We analyzed over 50 popular scented candles from top brands, considering customer reviews, industry reputation and expert recommendations. After narrowing it down, we tested 20 candles across various scents, wax types and price ranges to evaluate their fragrance intensity, burn time and packaging quality. Essential factors like natural ingredients, eco-friendly wax blends and overall safety standards (like wick material and allergen impact) were also key to our assessment.
FAQ
How long should a scented candle burn?
Several factors determine burn time, including wax type, size and wick type. Any quality candle between seven and 14 ounces should burn for seven to 10 hours per inch of diameter. For instance, a 12-ounce candle should last at least 60 hours. Paraffin candles burn quickly and may run out of wax or wick after a few hours.
Are soy candles better than paraffin candles?
Soy candles outperform paraffin in terms of environmental impact and effectiveness. Soy is all-natural, burns cleanly and slowly and throws scent more effectively. Paraffin candles, made with a chemical base, burn faster and may cause health issues or trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
What makes a candle’s scent last longer?
Burning a candle for longer periods helps the scent linger. Letting more wax liquify releases the fragrance. However, avoid burning for more than four hours to preserve the scented materials for future use.
