Eve Smallman
Lighting the best candle you have can evoke all the feels, and they're a simple but luxurious home experience to enjoy.
Since joining the team in 2018, I have tested over 100+, and only the products I would repurchase have been shortlisted in this guide.
These are the best home fragrance if you're in the market for a scented wax. They've all been approved for having a good throw (how well the scent travels through the air), providing a lovely scent, and burning beautifully during testing.
Best Candles: Quick Menu
Shop by scent
1. Spicy, warming and woody scents
2. Fresh and herbaceous scents
3. Fruity and sweet scents
4. Floral scents
5. What to consider
6. How we test
7. FAQs
The very best candles to buy this year
By the way, these selections make for great Mother's Day gift ideas, but don't be surprised if you end up snagging one for yourself, too.
Spicy, warming, and woody candles
Burn time: 40 hrs
Size: 9.5 oz
Scent: Smoky
Wax: Soy
Price: $60
The scent of the smoky woods paired with the vanilla and amber creates a warming scent that fills the room, making it scented like the coziest cabin in the woods. Our staff writer Eve Smallman says it smells like a warming hug feels like. This is a premium candle, so if you are looking to invest in a luxe scent or want something really special to gift someone, this could be the one.
Burn time: 45 hrs
Size: 13 oz
Scent: Spicy
Wax: Plant-based soy and coconut wax blend
Price: $27.49
With base notes of praline, vanilla, cedarwood, and caramel this candle's smell is noticeable the moment you step into the room— even when it’s not lit. The amber glass vessel is elegant and comes with a lid that’s ideal for preserving the scent. The wooden wick creates a soft, subtle sound as the candle burns.
Burn time: 30 hours
Size: 6oz
Scent: Smoky
Wax: Soy blend
Price: $35
A treat for literary lovers and fragrance connoisseurs, Paddywax's John Steinbeck aroma is essentially winter in scent form — a blend of smoked birch and amber. Content editor Danielle Valente says the candle is strong, but not overpowering, so you can enjoy it for an extended period without overdoing those fireplace vibes.
Burn time: 60–80 hrs
Size: 6.7 oz, 21.16 oz
Scent: Spicy
Wax: Food-grade paraffin
Price: From $50
A fan-favorite product for the colder months, this sultry scent is spicy yet serious, and it fills the air in minutes. It's nice and warm with notes of ginger and cilantro. Our reviewer recommends lighting it in a larger room and noted it's fairly strong, even before you light it. As for the amber glass jar? It's super chic, especially when the flame glows through the glass.
Burn time: 50–110 hrs
Size: 8.5 oz, 27 oz
Scent: Herbal, warm and woody
Wax: Coconut & beeswax
Price: From $27
If you're yearning for a candle that's musky and masculine, this one from Boy Smells is the one. Its cashmere, wood, and rhubarb notes make it ideal for fall, while it's perfectly balanced with herbal notes and warm notes from white amber and earthy vetiver. Its throw isn't too strong, which is nice for smaller homes — and for those with a sensitive nose.
Burn time: 28–100 hrs
Size: 2 oz, 8.1 oz, 21.2 oz
Scent: Smoky
Wax: Food-grade paraffin
Price: From $48
PSA minimalists: this unique woody scent is the perfect pick for your living room coffee table. With notes of smoky labdanum, patchouli, and cedarwood combined with charred birchwood and a hint of black truffle, it's definitely a more masculine scent, and suits anyone who is into burning incense.
Burn time: 55 hrs
Size: 9.9 oz
Scent: Spicy
Wax: Mineral wax
Price: From $45
Christina Chrysostomou's husband instantly raved about how the house smelt like "an expensive spa". So clearly the trio of amber, ginger, and cedar clearly did the job of infusing the air with a warming and aromatic scent. If you tend to find fall candles too sweet — this is the grown-up wax that will make you want to get snuggly in a toweling robe, oil your hair, and pop on a face mask.
Burn time: 40 hours
Size: 5.8 oz
Notes: Woody
Wax: Paraffin
Price: $58.50
Maison Margiela carefully crafts its fragrances to replicate memories, and this cozy scent in particular takes us to the prestigious Oxford University's library in 1997. Upon opening the vintage-inspired box, you’re greeted with an enchanting woodsy scent sweetened with notes of vanilla, which smells exactly the way we imagine Belle’s library would in Beauty and the Beast.
Burn time: 45–90 hrs
Size: 7 oz, 21oz
Scent: Smoky/floral
Wax: Soy
Price: From $105
I have this candle sitting in my entryway right now, and it emits a gorgeous smell of rose and smoky oud, making it elegant and unique amongst other floral fragrances. It comes with a lid to maintain its fragrance and to act as a protective plate when the candle is burning. Crafted with natural cotton wicks, I have the limited edition version which has black wax. It gets major points for its luxury vibe.
Fresh scents
Burn time: 25-45 hours
Size: 14.5 oz
Scent: Fresh
Wax: Proprietary fragrance wax blend with essential oils
Price: $26.95
Do you ever just snuggle up in a fresh-out-of-the-dryer duvet and bury your nose in it to take in the warm and fresh linen scent? If so, you’ll adore this candle, which features notes of apple alongside a traditional linen fragrance for a comforting yet refreshing scent. It’s the perfect accompaniment to a Sunday reset routine, and our social editor loves to light it in her living area year-round after cleaning her apartment or before guests call.
Burn time: 20 – 60 hrs
Size: 2.4 – 6.5 oz
Scent: Fresh
Wax: Soy and rapeseed
Price: $42 – $74
Christina says the scent of this candle is akin to cutting open the first fig of the season in her Greek grandad's garden. Unlike the jammy fruit, this smells greener and woodier (similar to the leaves). It has a more milky-sweet subtlety with a tinge of bitterness. And, you can choose from a classically branded container or go for the green terracotta vessel.
Burn time: 60 hrs
Size: 6.7 oz
Scent: Herbal
Wax: Paraffin
Price: $75
Designed to banish odors in your kitchen while cooking, this candle is scented with basil, mint, and tomato leaves. I light it 30 minutes before cooking and extinguish it 30 minutes after I've finished. It offers an impressively clean burn, its amber glass vessel looks lovely and it's great for when you're hosting friends.
Burn time: 24 hours
Size: 4.5oz
Scent: Fresh
Wax: 100% soy
Price: From $19
This natural, balsam fir candle is a soothing choice. Eve found it filled her small space and left her feeling relaxed every time she lit it. This brown glass matches with pine decorations seamlessly for a cottagecore scheme, and adds a rustic touch to any interior.
Burn time: 60-90 hours
Size: 20oz
Scent: Fresh/herbal
Wax: Soy
Price: $34
Eve tried this candle in her small living room and found the notes of sage, pine needles, and cedarwood transformed her space into a cozy cabin in the evening, removed odors, and refreshed the space for the morning.
Burn time: 60–80 hrs
Size: 6.7 oz, 21.16 oz
Scent: Fresh
Wax: Food-grade paraffin
Price: From $50
The fragrance of this super fresh candle is slightly ozonic and reminds me of the ocean mixed with a spring morning. It sits in a cute amber glass vessel to fit in with your decor, burns clean and would make the perfect housewarming gift. It arrives in recyclable packaging and is vegan and cruelty-free.
Floral scents
Burn time: 20–50 hrs
Size: 2.6oz–14.8 oz
Scent: Floral
Wax: Vegetable
Price: From $19.50
I light this candle in my bedroom a couple of hours before I sleep, and it aids in relaxation. Fragranced with 11 essential oils to soothe, this fruity yet sweet smell is designed to fill a bedroom. Though it's clean and soot-free, you'll want to keep your wicks trimmed at all times as they tend to curl. My room is pretty spacious, so you might want to avoid lighting it in smaller bedrooms if strong scents aren't your thing. It's made with vegetable wax, and it'll burn for 50 hours.
Burn time: 40 hours
Size: 7 oz
Scent: Floral
Wax: Natural wax
Price: $37
I love this luxurious, hand-blended candle — that’s both cruelty-free and vegan — for making my bedroom feel relaxing and tranquil. It’s a perfect but subtle blend of lavender and camomile essential oils, ideal for helping to create a sense of peace and calm at bedtime. Use a candle-melting lamp to soak up the scent.
Burn time: 50 hours
Size: 14.8oz
Scent: Floral
Wax: Naturally derived and hand-poured
Price: $55
This is the candle Real Homes editor Punteha van Terheyden isn’t willing to share with anyone. Living up to its promise to destress, the lavender, jasmine, and Brazilian sandalwood notes are a soft, comforting, caress on the senses, gently working their sensory magic in her small home office, to soothe and restore when she's feeling wired.
Burn time: 10-60 hours
Size: 3, 8, or 12 oz
Scent: Floral
Wax: Non-GMM 100% pure soy wax
Price: From $12
This floral candle blend features lily as the top note rather than rose, alongside more grounded fern and marigold scents to create a versatile, fragrance that feels nostalgic and romantic. It brings a light and refreshing feel to the room that's perfect for a clean floral feel year-round.
Burn time: 20–50 hrs
Size: 2.3oz, 7 oz
Notes: Floral
Wax: Sweedish rapeseed oil
Price: From $25
My go-to floral fragrance is eco-friendly and has a delightful rosy aroma. Perfectly subtle yet still nicely scented, it sits inside a pink recycled glass vessel that's decorative, with a wooden lid to prevent dust. It's vegan, cruelty-free, and organic, plus it burns clean.
Burn time: 28–100 hrs
Size: 2 oz, 8.1 oz, 21.2 oz
Notes: Floral
Wax: Food-grade paraffin
Price: From $48
This has to be my favorite luxury candle for year-round use. I have the three-wick version and it floods my entire bedroom with its delicate blossom scent. It comes in a luxury pink-tinted glass vessel that's frosted with stripes.
Burn time: 20–50 hrs
Size: 2.3oz, 7 oz
Scent: Floral
Wax: Swedish rapeseed wax
Price: From $25
This is a scent I will forever repurchase for myself and, as a gift. It's the perfect floral candle, containing notes of peony, rose, strawberry, and moss. Poured into a white glass Scandi-style vessel that's made from 30% recyclable materials, this candle burns evenly every time and even has an FSC-certified wooden lid for keeping dust out.
Burn time: 55 hrs
Size: 9.8 oz
Scent: Floral/fresh
Wax: Mineral
Price: $42
This is my favorite scent from The White Company and the best candle I can recommend if you want something luxurious. It has a subtle but crisp floral smell that fills an entire room. Just expect some soot around the corner of the elegant vessel.
Burn time: 40 hrs
Size: 10 oz
Notes: Floral
Wax: Soy and coconut wax blend
Price: $48
Oprah and Khloe Kardashian, and a whole host of celebrities love the Kai brand, and I can smell exactly why. This candle will fill your room with a light and intoxicating scent of gardenia wrapped in white exotics. It's jasmine-y with just the right amount of carnation and tuberose thrown in for good measure. The result essentially smells like a high-end springtime wedding bouquet. Christina is a big fan of the room spray which is featured in our best air freshener guide.
Fruity and sweet scents
Burn time: 25-45 hours
Size: 14.5 oz
Scent: Fruity
Wax: Proprietary fragrance wax blend with essential oils
Price: $26.95
Citrus fragrances are ideal for instantly refreshing busy areas in the home which have lots of odors, such as the kitchen. Our social editor loves that this zesty candle, featuring notes of sugarcane and energizing lemon scents.
Burn time: 38 hrs
Size: 8 oz
Scent: Fresh/fruity
Wax: Soy blend
Price: $22
This Amalfi-inspired, sherbet-y candle will help any wanderluster feel like they're vacationing in Europe with notes of citrus, strawberry, and jasmine. The tin is striking, and fun fact: Taylor Swift uses it in her home.
Burn time: 10–60 hours (depending on size)
Size: 3 oz mini tumbler, 8 oz tin, and, 12 oz glass tumbler
Notes: Fruity
Wax: 100% soy wax
Price: $12–$28
If you've associated zesty scents with chemical-smelling cleaning supplies — this citrus-forward, essential oil candle will change your mind. To me, it smells like the best bits of a tropical fruit salad. Think grapefruit, mango, mangosteen, peach — just like those exotic platters you see in hotels on vacation.
Burn time: 35 hrs
Size: 8.1 oz
Scent: Sweet
Wax: Not listed
Price: $26.71
This candle breakfasty blend of honey and oats might seem subtle, but it has an impressive throw performance (how far the smell reaches in the room). I've had guests comment on its fragrance, and I adore its simple white glass vessel. Save this for a chilly day when you need some comfort indoors.
Burn time: Not specified
Size: 14
Scent: Fruity
Wax: 100% pure soy wax
Price: $35
This self-love intention candle is wellness personified and comes in a pillar shape specifically designed for meditation, affirmations, and mindfulness. Our social editor adores the sweet yet citrusy scent, which is one of Enlighten Candles’ most popular. Burning to the bottom of the pillar reveals a quartz crystal charged under the full moon, perfect for keeping on your desk or nightstand.
Burn time: 60 hrs
Size: 10.5 oz
Notes: Fruity
Wax: Soy
Price: Was $65.28 Now $39.17 (save $26.11 at Mybag)
With notes of vanilla bean, juicy pear, orange peel, and bergamot, this fresh-but-fruity fragrance deliciously sweeps across any space. It's best for living rooms, entryways, and bedrooms because it's way too nice to hide away in your bathroom. Its two lead-free cotton wicks and the coconut-soy black wax burns super clean for 60 hours.
What to consider when choosing a candle
When shopping for a candle, here are five things to consider:
- Burn time — compare this with the size of your candle and the price to make sure you're getting your money's worth.
- Size — choose this based on how large your room is, and go for more than one wick if you can.
- Notes — what does it mostly smell like? does this fit the current season we're in? Avoid any heavy notes (fruity, woody, spicy) in smaller spaces or windowless rooms.
- Wax— soy is better for your health, but it is more expensive and it's harder to clean from a jar afterward. Paraffin is an affordable choice and still burns well.
- Shape — Generally speaking, there are five types of candles to choose from. Tea lights are small enough to dot around the house and are often housed in thin metal containers. These can either be lit or melted using a candle warmer. Votives are a little taller and are great for small spaces. Filled candles are the most popular with wax poured into glass or terracotta vessels. Pillar candles can be used to create height. Some come in containers, and others are OK to light without one. And, tapered candles and thin and long. Typically, these fit in candle holders and are placed on a dining table or a mantelpiece for added light or to create intimacy.
How we test candles
Here's what we look for when testing candles:
- By scent — how fitting is it for the current time of year?
- By throw performance — does its fragrance spread itself around a room?
- By design — what does its vessel look like on display?
- By burn — does it burn clean and is it soot-free?
- By price — is it affordable? Can you realistically afford to replace it once it's empty?
We're mindful of the environmental impact candles can have, which is why we have guides on what to do with leftover candle wax and how to reuse a candle jar.
And, while the team aren't fire safety experts, it pays to be responsible when lighting a candle. When igniting the wick, the best way to do this is with a long matches (these Diamond wooden matches on Amazon are highly rated), or an electric candle lighter (like this one from Iuire on Amazon).
To extinguish a candle — don't just purse your lips and blow it out. Doing this can be hazardous and messy, causing hot wax to drip over and potentially damage surfaces. The safest way to put out a candle is by investing in a snuffer. This is a small hollow metal cone on the end of a handle, used to put out the waxlight by smothering the flame. This accessory by Kirecoo on Amazon is under $7 and will save you from flying soot.
FAQs
What candles give off the most scent?
There's no one straight answer as this will depend on the size of your room and how insulated it is. If your space is large, go for a bigger candle (try one with three wicks) to adequately scent your space. Always place your candle in the center of your room for maximum performance.
And, if you have a window open, you'll smell your candle a lot less. The same goes if your room is cold. Warmth will move the scent around a room and stretch it from corner to corner.
If you're also obsessed with that TikTok-famous candle warmer, you'll be thrilled to know we found six budget-friendly options.
