The Best Scented Candles

A scented candle can instantaneously make a room feel cozier and more welcoming. Between the soft glow of the wick and the deep aroma of essential oils, a scented candle can create a rich ambiance to match the setting or elevate the mood. With that in mind, we've put together this list of the best scented candles on the block to help you find the perfect choice for your mood.

What To Look For

Before purchasing a scented candle, they are a few key considerations you should take into account. Firstly, determine your intended use for this candle as well as where you plan to use it. This will inform the size, wax blend, and wick preferences that are best for your needs. At the end of the day, you’re looking for a scented candle that exceeds your expectations in terms of aroma, burn time and wick durability. With all of that said, we feel Yankee Candle’s Vanilla Cupcake candle is the best of the best for most folks. With its thick, durable construction and 110 to 150 hours of burn time, it seems that getting your money’s worth with this option is a near certainty. On the flip side, if you’re looking for something a bit more compact, it would be hard to go wrong with Yankee Candle’s Warm Luxe Cashmere tumbler. This highly portable candle is excellent for small get-togethers and injecting small spaces with a mood boost. Read on to see what works about the rest of these scented candles.

Yankee Candle Vanilla Cupcake Scented Candle

Light the way

With a long-lasting burn time and a singularly enticing aroma, this large candle jar can stand the test of time.
Best Overall

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With a brand as reliable as Yankee Candle, purchasing the largest size jar is never a gamble. This Vanilla Cupcake candle has a long-lasting burn time of between 110 and 150 hours. Thanks to its natural fiber candle wick, it delivers a clean and even burn every time. We also appreciate the subtle notes of lemon and butter on top of the powerful vanilla cupcake fragrance.

Pros:

  • Exceptionally aromatic when burned
  • Deep, complex vanilla scent
  • Comes in a large, durable jar

Cons:

  • Only a single-wick candle

Yankee Candle Warm Luxe Cashmere Tumbler Candle

Compact and convenient

The compact design of this tumbler makes it an ideal choice for dinner parties and small get-togethers.
Runner Up

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Every room could benefit from having a small collection of compact candle tumblers like these from Yankee Candle. Their highly portable size lets you find new and applicable spaces where they can set the mood. We also love the ultra-clean Warm Luxe Cashmere scent on offer here. It exudes an unmistakable freshness wherever it burns.

Pros:

  • Compact size
  • Pleasantly clean scent
  • Burn time of 35 to 55 hours

Cons:

  • It’s still a bit pricy despite being the smallest candle Yankee Candle offers

Nest Fragrances Moroccan Amber Candle

It just makes scents

With a complex blend of aromas and a sophisticated design, these one-of-a-kind candles are some of the best we found.
Premium Pick

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If you want your scented candle to produce a luxuriously complex fragrance, the Moroccan Amber candle from Nest Fragrances might be right up your alley. This densely layered candle features sparing hints of patchouli, heliotrope, and eucalyptus. Not only does the candle smell exceptionally well, but Nest Fragrances clearly put some thought and care into the presentation of these candles. In particular, we think the striped pattern on the candle cup adds a definite charm to the piece.

Pros:

  • Available in a wide variety of fragrances
  • Compact size
  • Multiple wick options

Cons:

  • They’re a bit pricier than many comparable candles

Yankee Candle Lemon Lavender 5-Wick Candle

Set the mood

With various wicks and an ultra-wide opening, this scented candle can be used to illuminate nighttime conversations in the backyard.
Best Soothing

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For those dusk conversations in the backyard when things are just getting dark, this five-wick candle from Yankee Candle is the perfect way to make sure your next nighttime chat stays illuminating. Thanks to its ultra-wide design, this makes a great picnic table candle for patio areas. What’s more, Yankee Candle’s Lemon Lavender scent brings it all to the table in creating a well-rounded, citrusy-floral fragrance.

Pros:

  • Ideal for outdoor conversations
  • Made from long-lasting soy wax
  • Fresh, tangy, and clean fragrance

Cons:

  • This is a large, oddly shaped jar that might be difficult to store

Yankee Candle Bahama Breeze 2-Wick Candle

Smell the shore

Transport yourself to a secluded beach with this tropical-scented dual-wick candle.
Best Tropical

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If you’ve been missing the scent of the morning ocean breeze, this Bahama Breeze candle from Yankee Candle might be just what the doctor ordered. This tall jar features two wicks, allowing you to achieve twice the light output when burned at once. For its size, the average burn time of 75 to 110 hours is genuinely impressive. We especially love it when the fragrance-blending tones of pineapple, mango, and grapefruit waft their way over.

Pros:

  • Premium-grade wax
  • Well-balanced aroma
  • Even and consistent burn

Cons:

  • We don’t feel like the light blue wax color really complements the scent

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to leave candles burning all night?

No, you should never leave your candles burning throughout the night. No matter how safe you think the jar or candle cup is, you can never truly rule out the possibility of a fire if a candle burns unattended throughout the night. We highly recommend putting out every candle you have burning before you go to bed.

What is the difference between soy wax and traditional candle wax?

In recent years, many manufacturers have switched over from traditional paraffin wax to a soy wax blend. Primarily, this is because soy wax usually creates a longer burn time than paraffin wax. Still, others claim that soy wax doesn’t burn as evenly as paraffin wax. Ultimately, you should try both and see which one you like more.

About the Author

There's no better feeling than walking out the door in well-made clothes that make you look and feel great. Nick’s goal is to help readers feel that way every day. A true New Yorker, Nick is always up to date on the latest trends fresh off the runway. When he’s not writing about fashion, you can find him writing and producing music.

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