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InStyle / David Hattan
The season of snuggling up indoors is well underway, so now is the time to elevate your space as much as possible–which is where the allure of a long-lasting candle comes into play. There are few feelings better than welcoming a new fragrance into your home, but locking down the right candle can turn into a laborious feat.
We turned to experts Taylor Perlis, a fragrance evaluator at Yankee Candle, and Hillary Matt, a New York City-based interior designer, to find the best candles to fill up any room.
“Candles enhance your living space, create a mood, and can olfactively transport you somewhere else,” explains Perlis. “Candles create a relaxing atmosphere, set a mood, or simply add a touch of elegance to any room.”
Whether you fancy a winter-scented burn, a herbaceous vegetable, a floral aroma, or any scent in between, we have you and your homes covered.
Best Overall
Apotheke Sea Salt Grapefruit Candle
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Apotheke
What We Love: This bright and fresh scent is revitalizing and easily fills up any room.
What We Don’t Love: Those who don’t want a summery scent might want to choose a different Apotheke fragrance.
If you’re in the market for a long-lasting candle in a goes-with-anything jar, consider your search over. The Sea Salt Grapefruit scent from Apotheke is a favorite of Matt’s due to its “delicious scent and simple jar,” making it perfect for any room.
Not only do Apotheke’s candles boast up to a 70-hour burn time and aesthetically pleasing packaging, but they also feature complex and comprehensive layers of lavish notes. When you first light the candle, you are greeted with a citrusy yet sweet rush of grapefruit. The black pepper adds a bit of spice and depth, while sea salt and tarragon top off the candle for a refreshing and clean-smelling burn. The brand makes for a great self-care gift, too.
Burn time: 60-70 hours | Size: 11 oz | Wax: Soy wax blend
Best Budget
Lab Candles
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Lab Candles
What We Love: These affordable candles have a strong throw, meaning the scent easily fills any space.
What We Don’t Love: The wax contains paraffin.
No matter what your scent preferences are, you’re sure to find a Lab Candle with a note profile to suit any taste. With lower price points coupled with large sizes, you can stock up on your favorites without breaking the bank. Unlike other candles on this list, Lab Candles come with a metal lid, making extinguishing the flames and storing the candle stress-free.
Burn time: 40 hours | Size: 14.3 oz | Wax: Coconut wax blend
Best Splurge
Loewe Candles
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Bergdorf Goodman
What We Love: These designer candles come in multiple size options.
What We Don’t Love: The burn time for the small candle is on the shorter side.
The Spanish fashion house’s recent rise in popularity can be attributed to its leather goods and top-tier campaigns, and its luxe home scents are another testament to Loewe’s lavish greatness. The candles provide a subtle scent when on display, and an intensified fragrance when lit. Each candle is housed in a matte ceramic casing and is represented by a corresponding colorway. Plus, the candle is encased in a Loewe logo-emblazoned box that can be used as decor in itself. While you can’t go wrong with any of the scents, our personal favorite is the Ivy one, which features leafy and floral layers throughout the burn. While still opulent, a splurge-worthy candle is still a lower investment than a luxury perfume (although, we tested the best of those, too).
Burn time: 30 hours | Size: 5.8 oz | Wax: Not listed
Best for Gifting
Homesick Candles
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Amazon
What We Love: This tall candle boasts an intensity and long burn time.
What We Don’t Love: We wish we could customize the scents with certain labels.
Nothing says housewarming quite like a candle–literally. Homesick candles are specifically designed to be gifted for any occasion including (but not limited to) a new home, birthday, or even as a memento to remember a former residence with an array of city-specific scents. There are also astrology-themed, holiday-specific, and custom candles, so you’re sure to find one that fits the bill for any beauty-obsessed giftee.
Burn time: 60-80 hours | Size: 13.75 oz | Wax: Soy wax blend
Best Oversized
Volupsa French Cade Lavender
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Volupsa
What We Love: The artwork on the lids is vibrant and unique.
What We Don’t Love: The wax tends to tunnel if not burned for a significant amount of time.
Not only will an oversized candle provide hours and hours of aroma, but it also doubles as a decorative centerpiece in any room. Volupsa’s jars feature intricate glass patterns topped with vibrant metal lids, and they come in a variety of sizes including single-wick candles, three-wick candles, and even massive five-wick ones. So if you want to create a statement with a scent, the 5-wick hearth candle boasts about a 250-hour burn time.
Burn time: 100–250 hours | Size: 18, 123 oz | Wax: Coconut wax blend
Best Romantic Scent
Maison Louis Marie No.04 Bois de Balincourt Candle
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Sephora
What We Love: We found the burn time to be even longer than listed.
What We Don’t Love: Does not come with a lid.
If you’re looking for a reasonably priced candle with an aroma that rivals those of luxury ones, look no further than Maison Louis Marie. The No. 04 Bois De BalinCourt is the brand’s most iconic scent–and for good reason. Sandalwood and amber wood create a romantic and earthy note profile, while hints of nutmeg and cinnamon evoke the perfect amount of spiciness to fill up any room.
Burn time: 60 hours | Size: 8.5 oz | Wax: Soy wax blend
Best Florals
Diptyque Roses Scented Candle
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Diptyque
What We Love: These candles are super elegant and double as beautiful home decor.
What We Don’t Love: The jars don’t come with a lid, so some scents distribute a significant throw when they aren’t lit.
Any candle lover will be able to identify this jar in a heartbeat, and the brand is also a favorite of our expert, Matt. French fragrance house Diptyque is beloved for its luxe formulas, extensive scent selection, and unique jar labeling. While you can’t go wrong with any of the scent profiles, we especially love this flowery candle for anyone looking to fill a room with a scent reminiscent of a blossoming rose. Floral fanatics will also love our best floral perfumes.
Burn time: 50 hours | Size: 2.5, 6.7 oz | Wax: Not listed
Best Fruity
Jo Malone London Nectarine Blossom & Honey Home Candle
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Sephora
What We Love: Jo Malone’s luxe candles smell identical to its perfume counterparts.
What We Don’t Love: The burn time is a little short considering the high price tag.
When it comes to candles, a sweet scent is an unfailing choice. Jo Malone can do no wrong– luckily the brand has turned its beloved perfumes into home scents — and they're known for their classic fragrances. The fruity and juicy scents of nectarine and peach are followed by plum and blackcurrant and topped off with honey for a touch of sweetness.
Burn time: 45 hours | Size: 7 oz | Wax: Soy and coconut wax blend
Best Woody
Byredo Tree House Candle
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Nordstrom
What We Love: The packaging is recyclable.
What We Don’t Love: For the best experience, it’s advised to trim the wick before each use.
If you're a woody perfumes fan, then a candle with similar notes is right up your alley. Byredo has made a name for itself with top-of-the-line fragrances and the brand’s candles are no exception. The Tree House candle is filled with notes of bamboo, cedarwood, and sandalwood, with a side of spice, for all of the woody feels you’re looking to fill your home with. The full-size candle has a 60-hour burn time, plus the black and white packaging is sleek for any type of decor.
Burn time: 24–60 hours | Size: 2.5, 8.5 oz | Wax: Soy wax blend
Best Spicy
Aerangis No 26 Lost in the Souk
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Aerangis
What We Love: After just moments of burning, the fresh note profile will begin to fill any sized room.
What We Don’t Love: The rim of the jar chars pretty easily, so make sure to trim the wick before each use.
Lost in the Souk is a must-have for spicy fragrance lovers, and this fresh scent is the perfect way to awaken the senses. Defined by citrus notes like lemon and orange, warm spices, and the delicate sweetness of jasmine, the revitalizing note profile is inspired by the culture of Morocco. Not only is burning this candle a delight for your senses but the white ceramic is a stylish addition to any space.
Burn time: 50 hours | Size: 8 oz | Wax: Not listed
Best Massage Candle
Dedcool Taunt Candle
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Dedcool
What We Love: This multi-use candle is paraffin-free.
What We Don’t Love: The jar might not be the best for those who desire sleek minimalism.
There’s nothing quite like lighting a sedative candle, and a massage candle is the perfect way to extend any type of relaxation. Once cooled down following a burn, the Dedcool Taunt Massage Candle’s soy wax doubles as a sensual body oil that can be used all over. Crafted from a blend of apricot oil, coconut oil, aloe vera oil, shea butter, and more nourishing ingredients, the wax is designed to be used on the skin to enhance an intimate experience. The fragrance is a blend of bergamot, vanilla, and amber, and has a burn time of up to 40 hours.
Burn time: 60 hours | Size: 9 oz | Wax: Soybean wax
Best Cozy
Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club Scented Candle
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Sephora
What We Love: We love the creative concept of the candle’s label.
What We Don’t Love: The burn time on this candle is a lot shorter than others.
As the name suggests, this candle from Maison Margiela captures the warm and sensual atmosphere of, well, a jazz club. The scent opens with a slightly spicy blend of pink pepper and rum, followed by notes of tobacco leaf and rich vanilla bean. It's the perfect scent to create a cozy ambiance, reminiscent of a date night or perching yourself in front of a burning fireplace for ultimate comfort (it's also one of our favorite fall perfumes).
Burn time: 40 hours | Size: 5.8 oz | Wax: Paraffin and mineral waxes
Best Vanilla
Nest New York Madagascar Vanilla Classic Candle
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Nest New York
What We Love: Nest’s candle scents also correspond with diffusers and perfumes.
What We Don’t Love: While we love the striped and frosted design, the jar does not come with a lid.
If you want your space to smell akin to fresh vanilla pastries (without hours of baking), then a vanilla-scented candle is the easiest way to do so. Nest’s Madagascar Vanilla Classic Candle boasts a warm and inviting fragrance, apropos of its blend of vanilla bean, vanilla orchid, and coconut. The rich and cozy candle has a burn time of up to 60 hours, and Nest has several other scents that incorporate vanilla if you desire a more extensive note profile. Our curation of the best vanilla perfumes is another great place to look for inspiration.
Burn time: 60 hours | Size: 8.1 oz | Wax: Paraffin and mineral waxes
Best Seasonal
Yankee Candle Pumpkin Banana Scone
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Yankee Candle
What We Love: This candle is oversized and has up to an 80-hour burn time, getting you a true bang for your buck.
What We Don’t Love: The jar is quite bulky.
Calling all pumpkin spice lovers! Let your home be enveloped in the warm aroma of the Yankee Candle Pumpkin Banana Scone, a cornucopia of seasonal sensations that will transport you to a bakery in the heart of winter, and it’s Perlis’ favorite scent for the fall and winter. While a candle is a year-round staple in our homes, burning a holiday-scented candle is a cozy way to embrace the colder months.
Burn time: 60-80 hours | Size: 20 oz | Wax: Soy wax blend
What to Keep in Mind
Scent Profiles
The scent you choose for your candles comes down to personal preference, however understanding fragrance families may be the key to finding your signature scent. Some perfumes or candles may incorporate several families, such as floral and gourmand, to create depth of scent.
- Woody: Earthy, masculine
- Floral: Feminine, powdery
- Gourmand: Edible, sweet
- Spicy: Warm, bold
- Fresh: Citrusy, airy
Burn Time
A candle’s burn time is closely correlated with the size of the candle — so typically, the bigger the candle, the longer you’ll be able to burn and enjoy it. Many of the candles on this list boast four and five-wick options, providing more than 200 hours of burn time. But that doesn’t mean smaller candles won’t provide a robust burn as well. Standard single-wick are smaller in size but no less mighty, boasting burn times from 60-80 hours.
Your Questions, Answered
How do I properly burn a candle?
When you start a new candle, “burn until the wax melts across the entire surface, the melted wax should touch the walls of the vessel,” explains Perlis. “This will prevent tunneling and create an even burn, and we recommend burning a candle for 3-4 hours.” And to get the most out of a burn, she recommends “trimming the wicks between burning sessions, to reduce soot and mushrooming,” and for safety measures “make sure to burn your candle in a well-ventilated room keep it away from drafts.”
How can you incorporate a candle into your home decor?
There’s really no wrong way to utilize a candle as decor. “Placing a candle on a stack of books or as an accessory on a bookshelf is a great way to incorporate them into any room,” explains Matt. You can also use an oversized candle as the centerpiece of any table or add them to a nightstand alongside your personal items, just make sure you keep them far enough from any ledges. “When decorating with candles, always remember to be safe and avoid placing candles near windows or areas in the home that experience drafts,” warns Perlis.
How do you layer different candles?
There is also no wrong way to layer scented candles, it is all up to your personal taste. Perlis recommends “starting with fragrances from the same olfactive camp,” like pairing a fresh and clean scent, or a sweet and floral scent. “Be creative and have fun burning your favorite scents together,” Perlis says. “you will be surprised with how contrasting notes can also create a harmonious blend.”
Why Shop With Us
Jasmine Hyman is a former Commerce Writer and Producer for Dotdash Meredith’s beauty and travel publications. Her work has also appeared in Byrdie, People, Brides, and more. To find the best candles, she spent hours researching and consulting with experts Taylor Perlis, a fragrance evaluator at Yankee Candle, and Hillary Matt, a New York City-based interior designer.
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