THE BEST SCENTED CANDLES TO LIGHT UP YOUR HOME
With our round-up of the best scented candles of the year, you’re a swift strike of a match away from transforming the atmosphere in your home. Scented candles have the power to delicately but deftly create the perfect mood. You can’t see the change but you’ll feel it.
Try sage and lavender fragrances to soothe you after a hectic day, or bright, citrus notes to energise your mornings. Craft a fertile environment to ignite creativity with fruity bergamot, or choose frankincense to uplift a diminishing mood.
Take a look at our scented candles buyers’ guide after the list to see exactly what you should pay attention to before purchasing a premium home fragrance. Our editors also share 5 tips to make your home smell amazing all year long.
With your home thoughtfully furnished to the highest standard; your 5* hotel-style bedsheets nothing short of splendid; why ignore your olfactory glands, when every other sense is satiated?
Aesop Ptolemy: Best overall scented candle
Imagine strolling through an ancient forest. Towering trees sway in a gentle breeze. Shafts of light twinkle through the canopy. Smell the soft scent of Cedar and Cypress and the earthy and smoky notes of Vetiver. It’s instant tranquillity and calm.
With its woody aroma, almost resinous in scent, Aesop’s Ptolemy Aromatique Candle has been formulated to transport you away to the heart of a dense old-growth Japanese forest, full of ancient trees whose outstretched arms speak of centuries of watching over humankind.
This candle is part of Aesop’s luxurious home fragrance collection. Read our review of Aesop’s entire candles set to discover the other scents.
Diptyque Santal: Best premium scented candle
Ah, Sandalwood. The heady concoction of fresh sawdust and wood laced with subtle spices evoke the irresistible vision of an Oriental sunset. Possibly the ultimate scent for creating a warm atmosphere in one’s home, Sandalwood just oozes comfort and soothing vibes.
Best for those wishing to bathe their home in a warm glow, Diptyque’s Santal scented candle could be what’s been missing from your life.
With its complex, toasty aroma and the stylish minimalism of the colourless wax Diptyque’s Santal is a truly luxurious scented candle.
Lulu Candles: Best value scented candle
Vegan, paraben-free and eco–friendly, Lulu’s soy wax candles are made and hand-poured in the USA.
Refreshing, revitalising and invigorating, Wild Lemongrass is the candle equivalent of sipping an ice-cold lemonade on a scorching day. Fresh but striking in aroma, the soy wax is packed with essential oils to ensure this candle makes itself known.
For the best value scented candle with a crisp aroma and a long burn time that doesn’t break the bank, Wild Lemongrass could be The One.
Tom Dixon: Freshest scented candle
Made in the UK, but reminiscent of all things Indian, this gorgeously potent Tom Dixon’s ‘Orientalist’ candle almost forces you to dream of a rose petal–covered garden of a subcontinental wedding celebration.
Almost masala chai in candle form, the violet leaves, cloves, patchouli and amber effortlessly envelope every corner of the room in which it’s housed. The sweet spice and intoxicating florals of the expertly blended essential oils will go ways in freshening up anywhere it’s lit.
The suffusing aroma and tangy edge, plus the totally opulent gold presentation box easily won us over.
Malin + Goetz: Most romantic scented candle
The Dark Rum scented candle by Malin + Goetz truly puts the ‘candle’ in ‘candlelit dinner’. One of their bestselling candles, the slowly melting wax undulates feminine hints of bergamot and plum.
But that’s not all, those soft graceful notes are followed by the decidedly masculine scents of deep, smoky rum and leather. This candle has more layers than a tiramisu, and it’s just as delectable! And, the grand finale is amber–patchouli with vanilla. Mmm.
Due to its artfully lustful yin-yang of aromas, we’ve named the Dark Rum candle by Malin + Goetz as the most romantic scented candle.
Benevolence: Best minimalist scented candle
Sleekly encased in a matte black candle jar, the Bergamot and Jasmine candle by LA brand Benevolence is minimalist at its, um, most minimal. Understated packaging allows the permeating aromas to speak for themselves. And speak, they do.
Promising to fill your room with an array of floral scents to rival any botanical garden, the soy wax is infused with lily of the valley, geranium, ylang-ylang and violet, with afternotes of sandalwood, cedar and vanilla. Jardin Majorelle, eat your heart out.
Minimalist in style but exuding addictive honey-sweet vibes, the intricate subtleties of this candle make it one of the best minimalist scented candles on the market.
Diptyque Feu de Bois: Best rustic chic scented candle
A true beauty from luxurious brand Diptyque; the Feu de Bois candle translates to ‘woodfire’. Once you burn it, you’ll understand the name. Diptyque has made it its mission to replicate the aroma of scorching, crackling firewood. Close your eyes and you’ll feel the intense heat of a wild campfire on your face while the flames lick the dusky air, and the smoky smell of charred wood engulfs your nostrils.
Jo Malone: Best scented candle for your living room
The Black Oud and Bergamot candle embodies the essential sophistication the luxury perfume brand is known for. Rare black oud is uplifted by the fresh citrus of bergamot and the lightness of cedar, creating a balanced, natural hum.
The fine balance quintessential of Jo Malone’s expert blends means this candle could be the perfect scented candle for elevating the mood of your home.
Chesapeake Bay: Best scented candle for bathroom
‘Refresh and Rejuvenate’. Those are the vibes we desire from our bathrooms. And Chesapeake Bay gets it spot on.
Mandarin, pink grapefruit and bergamot set on a backdrop of misted turquoise glass echo the coastal vibes, engulfing the senses in all things oceanic. White lily, cardamom, sea moss and cedar suggest the sensuousness of waves lapping on your feet as you inhale the sea air.
The pure, symbiotic scents enveloped in striking turquoise reminiscent of the sea mist from which it’s inspired means we’ve rated Refresh and Rejuvenate by Chesapeake Bay as the best scented candle for your bathroom.
Another Chesapeake Bay pièce de resistance is the Balance and Harmony: again, what more could you want to complement a steamy, relaxing bath?
Cire Trudon: Best scented candle for bedroom
A nod to the company’s 17th Century beginnings which included heavy use of beeswax, this lusciously scented candle by Cire Trudon seeps aromas of bergamot and, you guessed it: beeswax.
Another fantastically multifaceted candle, you’re then treated to sweet cinnamon and smoky sandalwood before musky vanilla and Tonka Bean. Eclectic combination, for sure, but it smells great.
Moody enough for a cosy atmosphere but absolutely not overpowering, we’ve named Cire Trudon as the best scented candle for your bedroom.
For a good value alternative, try Rituals’ Happy Buddha scented candle. Happy Buddha creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere with its sweet orange and cedar tones.
With 50 hours of burn time, this beautiful candle will look and smell wonderfully serene in your bedroom. Sweet oranges for sweet dreams.
Diptyque Ambre: Best scented candle as a gift for women
White, pure and elegantly feminine, the Ambre candle by Diptyque could be the gift that gets you on the front page of her good books. Warm and woodsy with vetiver and patchouli, this understated chic candle is housed in a sleek, minimalist glass. Elegantly labelled with a striking black and white emblem which wouldn’t look out of place in any upmarket apothecary, this could be the perfect gift for your lady.
It’s sleek, it’s chic and it smells celestial. So, for the angel in your life, Ambre by Diptyque is the best scented candle gift for women.
This Boss Lady candle isn’t for the wallflowers out there, or the prim and propers. Boss Lady is strength, wit and energy. She is infused with ‘hustle and caffeine’ (read: espresso, buttered caramel and vanilla). For that woman you know who causes literal sparks to fly anywhere she goes, Boss Lady might be perfect.