The Best Scented Candles

Buying Guide for Scented Candles

Why buy scented candles?

With a large variety of scents, colors, and sizes available, scented candles can easily add to your home’s ambiance. You can burn some of your favorite seasonal scents, such as pine to match the snowy days or a tropical fruit scent for sunny days. Or, you could find a signature spirit-lifting scent to add to your aromatherapy arsenal. The different colors and designs of candles make them great for adding a touch of style or a pop of color to your room, even when they’re not burning. Overall, scented candles enhance your sensory experience in a way that makes the room and the moment memorable.

What should you look for in scented candles?

• Scent: Scented candles are available in a variety of fragrances. Whether you like floral, citrus, woodsy, earthy, spicy, sweet, or fresh aromas, you’ll have a wealth of options from which to choose. Some candles will have a milder or more ambiguous scent, while others invoke a specific type of flower or an unmistakable spice. There are also scented candles that blend fragrances, such as lavender and musk or vanilla and rose. Remember that a candle’s base material may affect its scent, too; a beeswax candle will smell a bit differently than a soy-based candle, for instance.
• Burning Time: Not all candles will burn for the same length. The size, wick, weight, and diameter of your scented candle will determine roughly how many hours it’ll burn. On average, a candle will burn several hours for each ounce it weighs. An average 8-ounce candle, for instance, will likely have a burning time of around 40 hours, give or take. Consider how much burn time you want to get out of your candles. Your options range from little candles lasting five to seven hours to larger ones burning for 100 hours or more.
• Container: Most scented candles you buy come in a jar, tin, or container. Some are painted or colored; others are classic clear glass. Your candle container can be a small but effective way to enhance your decor and provide some ornamentation to your home.
• Care: Most candles require little maintenance, but some handy tools can make your candles last longer and burn safer, including wick trimmers, snuffers, and candle warmers. Consider looking into these items if you want to enhance your candle burning.

How can you determine the strength of the scent?

The throw, also known as the distance the smell of a candle will reach, depends on several factors. Paraffin wax tends to blend better with scent oils, giving them a better chance of reaching your nose. The wick also needs to be adequately sized to the diameter of the candle. Wider candles need more than one wick or a thicker wick to melt to the edges. If the wick is not sized appropriately, the flame will only create a small pool of melted wax, which results in a less-intense scent experience. However, those sensitive to scents might enjoy a more subtle throw.

Our Picks for the Best Scented Candles

Pros: Soy wax candles have become more popular in recent years since they burn longer, are biodegradable and earth-friendly, are easy to clean after, and produce less soot than their paraffin counterparts. With a cotton wick and premium natural scents, this soy-based candle from HHI Candles will offer you a consistent, enduring fragrance from start to finish. The warm, outdoorsy aroma created by natural cedarwood and eucalyptus can bring a cozy atmosphere to your home.

Cons: This candle’s throw (aroma distance) may not spread far in large spaces. You may consider using this one in a smaller room of your home.

Bottom Line: If you’re looking to add a fresh new aroma to your space that’s all-natural and long-lasting, this soy wax candle from HHI is an excellent option. In addition to the 12-ounce candle with three wicks, this item is available in an 8-ounce size and a total of eight scents.

 

Pros: Wrapped in elegant black, these highly-scented candles offer a unique, luxurious fragrance experience. Made of 100% natural soy wax and potent natural essential oils, they will transform your space. These decorative candles have a clean burn lasting at least 45 hours in total. They’re free from paraffin and harmful residues, so they burn clean and are better for the environment than paraffin candles. And every scented candle you order results in a donation to Zoe International, a charity that helps fight human trafficking.

Cons: These candles do not come in a larger size.

Bottom Line: Warm up your space with one of these great scented candles. You can choose from many earthy, beautiful scents. These candles also come in sleek black packaging to match the candle, and they make great gifts for any occasion.

 

Pros: Anyone looking to eliminate foul odors may want to give these candles a try. They use a proprietary blend of ingredients to attack intrusive odors. Each candle offers up to 80 hours of burn time, keeping your space smelling fresh and delightful. Every scent has a high fragrance load, and there are over 25 refreshing scent options to choose from. These candles are made with lead-free cotton wicks and a blend of FDA food-grade soy waxes. And none of these products are tested on animals.

Cons: These candles don’t come in the most attractive packaging.

Bottom Line: Whether you enjoy masculine, feminine, earthy, fruity, or light fragrances, this candle company offers them all. And the proprietary blends help to eliminate everyday household odors from pets, cooking, and more.

 

Pros: Candles that burn for the longest possible length of time are ideal for saving money in the long run since they won’t need replacing as often. This cookie-scented candle from Yankee Candle has an impressively long burn time of around 110 to 150 hours. So, depending on how often you light it, you can enjoy the warm, cozy aroma for several weeks or even months. The quality paraffin-grade wax and natural fiber candlewick offer a clear and consistent burn. In addition, the entire candle and container are made of 100% recyclable materials. If the 22-ounce size is too big for your liking, there are also small (7-ounce) and medium (14.5-ounce) options. Each size offers 34 sweet, festive, earthy, or botanical aromas to choose from to give your living space a down-to-earth, homey feel.

Cons: This candle’s scent is more subtle, which is excellent for those with sensitivities but not ideal if you’re looking to fill your home with the smell.

Bottom Line: This classic brand gives you plenty of options for scents and has an impressive burn time. It might not fill your home with the smell, but it throws enough to allow almost everyone to enjoy the warm aroma of fresh-baked gingerbread or other cozy fragrances.

 

Pros: This charming candle is crafted from high-quality eco-friendly soy wax poured into a decorative jar with textured flower designs and a glass cover. The wood wick creates a crackling sound that can give you the pleasant ambiance of sitting next to a fireplace. This sandalwood-scented candle’s elegant look can complement various home decor styles and makes a perfect gift for any occasion.

Cons: The wood wick may cause the wax to burn in a tunnel-like form down the middle, leaving the wax on the sides unused.

Bottom Line: This candle boasts an impressive 90- to 100-hour burn time and makes a lovely gift for someone special. In addition to the sandalwood scent, it’s also available in six other fragrances.

 

Pros: For people who love to give little gifts, this set of candles may be exactly what you need for all sorts of occasions. Each set contains 12 high-grade scented candles in lemon, fig, lavender, springtime fresh, rose, jasmine, vanilla, bergamot, strawberry, peppermint, rosemary, and gardenia. And this gift pack comes in a convenient and giftable travel tin. Each miniature candle in this set burns for 18-20 hours. Plus, they are made from natural soy wax, natural essential oils, and a pure cotton wick for a smoke-free burn that smells amazing.

Cons: Some buyers find the scents hit and miss.

Bottom Line: These adorable scented candles can be great party favors or “just because” gifts. Though the scents aren’t as meticulously curated as some other brands, they’re cute, giftable, and burn for a long time for their size.

Final Thoughts

While not a home essential for all, scented candles can help to elevate your environment through lovely smells and beautiful designs. Whether you’re looking for a special scent, a unique decor piece, or want a long-lasting burn to set the mood, our picks offer a variety of options to fit your preference.