Best Scented Candles | 2023
The Best Scented Candles, According to Our Editors
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You don't need to be an interior designer to appreciate the warmth, texture, and joy that the right candle will bring into your home. Often used as a final touch, candles elevate a space to the next sensory level, leaving a mark on those who walk into our homes. No matter what season we're in, we just can't get enough of scented candles. But with thousands of offerings on the market, it's hard to know which ones are the best of the best. Luckily, that's where we editors at POPSUGAR come in. If you love scented candles, we're spilling the tea on our favourite aromas that are filling our homes with fragrances of jasmine, poppy, and all things delicious. There even seems to be a PS favourite candle brand . . . Boy Smells, we're looking at you.
From cult favourite fragrance brands like Le Labo and Diptyque to candles you've probably seen on Instagram like Sunday Morning, our editors didn't hold back on revealing which candles they love most. To help you narrow in on a scent worth splurging on, go ahead and check out our editor's top selections to find a candle that's right for you. I can assure you, you won't be disappointed.
— Additional reporting by Shelcy Joseph
Solis Rex Classic Scented Candle
Solis Rex Classic Scented Candle (£90)
"I love a woody scent, and this Trudon candle was inspired by the parquet floors of Versailles — i.e. literal wood — with notes of eucalyptus cedar, and fir. I had the opportunity to visit the palace soon after buying the candle, and I crouched down to take a whiff (not even kidding), and the smell was unbelievably accurate. So now when I burn the candle, it takes me back to that trip to France, transporting me from my little house to the Hall of Mirrors." — Dawn Davis, executive director, Beauty
June’s Boy Smells Candle
June's Boy Smells Candle (£44)
"My favourite candle is the June's Boy Smells Candle. I think it goes overlooked. I love it because it smells chic and sophisticated and kind of unusual, which I think is because of the anise. I also like that it isn't sweet at all. To me, it evokes a vibe — it reminds me of spring and summer, of eating outside on a patio in a city restaurant, and maybe there's some greenery somewhere nearby. I try to burn it sparingly because it's kind of expensive, but it's easily my most repurchased candle. Worth noting: I do think it's a sleeper! When I first bought it and took a whiff, I thought I'd hate it. I fell in love with it after lighting it and letting it burn for a bit." — Mirel Zaman, content director, Wellness
Sunday Morning Minimalist Candle
Sunday Morning Candle by Brooklyn Candle Studio (£32)
"My go-to candle is the Sunday Morning Candle by Brooklyn Candle Studio. Before I even smelled it, I gravitated toward the scent simply because of the name. (Who doesn't want to feel easy like Sunday morning?) Grounded in a heady base of amber woods, the calming smell of fresh-cut flowers, jasmine, and gardenia, lays delicately over the initial impression of pear and bergamot orange. Usually, I stay away from citrus due to its strong association with cleaning supplies and I'm similarly wary of floral scents out of fear the sharp sweetness will give me a headache. Instead, lighting this candle in my kitchen takes me away to an Italian farmers market even if I'm elbow-deep in dishes." — Melanie Whyte, contributing writer, Wellness
Boy Smells x Ganni Park Life Scented Candle
Boy Smells x Ganni Park Life Scented Candle (£35)
"I love pretty much every Boy Smells candle, but this Boy Smells and Ganni collaboration is next-level gorgeous. It's my go-to candle when people come over and makes my entire apartment smell so chic. A little bit of sandalwood, a touch of basil and notes of fig make the Park Life candle one of a kind." — Aviel Kanter, director, Branded Content
Diptyque Baies Candle
Diptyque Baies Candle (£56)
"I could burn this Diptyque candle every day and never get tired of it. It has a fresh aroma with a slightly fruity twist. It's faint but impactful and quickly fills the room with the scent. I'm also obsessed with the minimal glass jar that it comes in. It matches the decor in every room of my house and doubles as an accent piece." — Jessica Harrington, editor, Beauty
Los Angeles Soy Candle by PF Candle Co.
Los Angeles Soy Candle by PF Candle Co. (£24)
"My apartment is filled with a random assortment of candles that I've accumulated over the years, both as gifts and during moments of weakness in the home decor aisle. While I love LaromaCandleShop on Etsy for their seasonal scents — the smell of the Banana Nut Bread soy candle is delicious — one of my favourite year-round candles is the Los Angeles Soy Candle by PF Candle Co. As a California native, the scent reminds me of hikes through the redwood forests growing up — and I love that the brand is vegan, cruelty-free, and local. Plus, the packaging is simple yet chic. Would highly recommend this candle as an easy gift for a friend/loved one or as a new addition to your bookshelf." — Chanel Vargus, assistant editor, Trending and Viral Features
Santal 26 Classic Candle by Le Labo
Santal 26 Classic Candle by Le Labo (£60)
"A friend gifted me this Le Labo candle when I got engaged a few years back, and it quickly became a favourite that I've splurged on a few times now. I love a smoky, spiced-scented candle and this is just that — it's also neutral enough that it can work in a variety of rooms: bathroom, kitchen, living room . . . etc. The Santal 26 is a crowd-pleaser!" — Lindsay Kimble, content director, Entertainment
Boy Smells Hinoki Fantome Scented Candle
Boy Smells Hinoki Fantome Scented Candle (£44)
"The contemporary black glass jar (that the brand has come to be known for) is as striking as this new scent. This candle comes without a lid, so I always steal a gentle whiff whenever I pass by it. It has a uniquely clean aroma that feels fresh but not overly floral, earthy, musky, or creamy. (Although it's all those things at once). The mysterious fragrance can best be described as "genderful" and when it's time to snuff, I'm tempted to buy the cologne to sneak spritzes on whatever cozy fabrics I want." — Jon Randhawa, creative strategist, Audio and Video
Diptyque Figuier/Fig Tree Candle
Diptyque Figuier/Fig Tree Candle (£56)
"During the summer, I think there is no better smelling place than under the canopy of a fig tree. I find it to be intoxicating. The only candle I have found to replicate that smell is the Diptyque Figuier/Fig Tree Candle. This brand burns for hours, so it is worth the spendy price tag." — Lauren Hendrickson, VP, Commerce
