I’m a Room Decor Editor who’s fussy about home fragrance – but these are the 12 scented candle brands that have impressed me the most over the years
I’ve spent hours sniff testing and burning countless scented candles at home, and these are the best of the best
Molly Cleary
When designing and decorating your home, it’s important to think about engaging all senses. A space should not only look good, it should also feel great – and the first sense that gets instantly engaged as soon as you walk into a room is the sense of smell. And this is where the best scented candles come in.
The thing about scent is that it’s incredibly subjective – so one candle that I absolutely love might not necessarily be your cup of tea. So rather than putting together a list of the best specific candles according to me, I’ve rounded up the best scented candle brands that offer the best ranges of the best home fragrances of the highest quality to choose from, the best design of candle jars with the longest lasting fragrance that best fills a room. And this guide includes everything from affordable buys to luxury picks – so there’s something for everybody, no matter your budget.
I combine my current expertise on all things home decor and my previous experience in perfume and home fragrance retail when smelling and testing various scented candles. I value beautiful, fresh or cosy scents, their longevity and reach, sustainable credentials including the materials they're made from, as well as the design of the jar they come in, all of which helps me to determine which are worth the investment.
1. Cire Trudon
Why I recommend the brand: Being the oldest candlemaker in the world still active today, Cire Trudon must be doing something right. Based in France, the brand’s so prestigious that it once supplied the French Royal Court and Versailles, namely king Louis XIV. and Napoleon, with its candles – not many other brands can say that. But aside from its very impressive history, I love Cire Trudon’s deep, rich fragrances which tend to be on the more intense side – if you prefer very light and fresh scents, this might not be the brand for you. And the design of the jar in dark green or blue glass always finished with the signature Trudon emblem also looks very aesthetically pleasing.
Which candles I like the most: It would be easier to list the candles that I’m not that big a fan of than all the Cire Trudon candles I like and would recommend. I think the best ones can be found in Trudon’s core ‘Icons’ range (instantly recognisable by the green-hue glass jars) – Ernesto, available at Selfridges, is the brand’s bestseller and it’s easy to understand why given its sophisticated leather and tobacco scent. But I also really love Abd El Kader, inspired by Moroccan mint tea and blending the freshness of mint with spicy clove and ginger and sweet vanilla and jasmine.
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2. Diptyque
Why I recommend the brand: Diptyque is one of those few candle brands that you’ll find in pretty much every stylish home. The whole Ideal Home team is obsessed with Diptyque, myself included, and our super cool Editor in Chief, Heather Young is a self-proclaimed ‘Diptyque girl’. The brand has some of the most recognisable candle scents, as well as candle jar design which has recently got a little updated redesign at the same time as Diptyque launched five new candles (all of which the team and I have tested) – and from this September, most of the core-range candles will become refillable. All of this has made me like the brand even more than I already had before.
Which candles I like the most: There are a handful of Diptyque candle icons that you truly can’t go wrong with – my favourite of the bunch is Figuier (fig tree), but Baies (berries) and Ambre are both also lovely. But I’ve found a new favourite in the just-released Shiso candle which I got to test ahead of its launch and boasts a fresh and green scent with a bit of sweetness to it.
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3. Earl of East
Why I recommend the brand: Based in London, Earl of East is known as the cool candle brand, also widely appreciated for its sustainable ethos. The brand’s scented candles are made with soy wax (rather than the traditional paraffin) which is considered more sustainable, better for health as it’s non-toxic and produces less soot. Purchases made through Earl of East’s website also contribute to forest tree planting and the materials chosen for the candle packaging, from the cardboard to the amber-glass jars, are chosen for their eco-friendly nature.
Which candles I like the most: Earl of East is most known for its core range of candles housed in amber-glass jars, the most popular of which is the soothing Shinrin-Yoku candle, available at Selfridges, blending cedarwood with black pepper. But I’m more into the brand’s unconventional candles such as the Cafe range, all of which come in a ceramic mug which can be reused for drinking hot drinks like tea and coffee. The Primavera collection featuring the very unusual Pasta candle (which smells like freshly boiled pasta) is another go-to.
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4. Homework
Why I recommend the brand: Homework is another London-based brand which I fell in love with for its look before I ever smelt them. Inspired by traditional Chinese medicine, each candle is housed in a delicate green-tinted glass jar with a matching lid and minimal branding. Each candle is named after one of the five elements, from water to fire, and made with wax derived from rapeseed and coconut. And once I smelt the candles, I started liking them as much for their scent as for their stylish look.
Which candles I like the most: I currently have the Homework Wood candle (available at Yards Store) at home which I burn regularly and thoroughly enjoy. Designed to encourage creativity and restoration, it blends woody notes of cedar, pine and cypress with vetiver, moss and clary sage. On the first burn, it took a little while to really get the fragrance going and fill my space with it. But now, whenever I light it, my home becomes enveloped by the candle’s earthy scent almost instantly.
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5. Jo Malone London
Why I recommend the brand: Jo Malone is a high-end brand that has the nation in a chokehold with its beautiful scented candles. Known for its uncomplicated, ingredient-focused scents such as Lime Basil & Mandarin or English Pear & Freesia, Jo Malone’s candles are instantly recognisable despite their minimalist design of a clear glass jar filled with creamy white wax topped with a branded label and a silver-toned lid. The candles are made with paraffin wax but many high-end brands are sticking with paraffin as it’s known for creating a stronger fragrance, while being more cost-effective given it’s a petroleum byproduct.
Which candles I like the most: While I enjoy Jo Malone London’s bestselling Pomegranate Noir, blending the namesake fruit with patchouli, pink pepper and lily, I prefer both the scent and the look of the brand’s more luxurious Townhouse candle range, packaged in white ceramic vessels with a matching lid. My favourite is the refreshing and slightly sweet Green Tomato Vine candle.
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6. Loewe
Why I recommend the brand: There’s a reason why most stylish people with stylish homes on IG have at least one (if not more) Loewe candle in their space. The unique shape of the candle jar which comes in several different bold colours, corresponding with its scent, just looks chic. Since their launch, Loewe candles have also become something of a status symbol, much like Diptyque candles are. But aside from all of that, the range features vegetable wax (rather than the traditional paraffin) and offers some unusual but beautiful fragrances, from Marihuana to Oregano and the very popular Tomato Leaves, all available at John Lewis with prices starting at £92. Yes, that status and style is going to cost you a bit.
Which candles I like the most: I’m a big fan of anything with tomato vine or leaves scent, especially during spring and summer – I think it perfectly encapsulates the warmer seasons. But when smelling the entire range, I was also intrigued by the earthy Beetroot candle, the clean and green scent of Cucumber and the soft and slightly sweet floral fragrance of Honeysuckle.
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7. Malin + Goetz
Why I recommend the brand: If you’re looking for a more affordable alternative to some of the Loewe candles, Malin + Goetz would be my top recommendation. The brand’s candles retail for £59 each and the range feature both a Tomato scented candle and a Cannabis candle, both available at John Lewis. The vegan and cruelty-free formulas are made with a natural wax blend and come in a clear glass jar with prominent branding, including the entire story behind each of the scents.
Which candles I like the most: Apart from the aforementioned Tomato candle, I also really like the Leather candle which I love to burn during autumn and winter since it’s such a cosy yet sophisticated scent, blending leather with amber and woody notes.
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8. Marks & Spencer
Why I recommend the brand: If you’re after really budget-friendly scented candles, M&S should be your first stop. The retailer’s home fragrance offering is vast, but the range that I’d recommend the most is the M&S Apothecary collection which recently also got a little update making the fragrances up to twice as strong as before. The scents are both spa worthy and wellbeing focused. And they’re some of the best refillable candles out there, certainly the most affordable.
Which candles I like the most: The Warmth scented candle would be my top pick as it’s a well-known budget alternative for Le Labo’s famous Santal 33 fragrance (which also comes as a scented candle, available at John Lewis).
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9. Neom Wellbeing
Why I recommend the brand: Speaking of spa-worthy scents, Neom Wellbeing knows a thing or two about that – so much so that the brand put ‘wellbeing’ in its name. The all-natural candles (using both naturally derived wax and essential oils) focus on creating an environment in which you’ll feel less stressed, more energised, where you’ll sleep better and your energy and mood are boosted.
Which candles I like the most: The Real Luxury candle is the brand’s bestseller and it’s also one of my favourites. Based around the rich aroma of jasmine flowers, the scent also features notes of lavender and sandalwood. But since I love the smell of lavender, I also really like the Perfect Night’s Sleep candle which champions the soothing scent of the flower.
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10. Osmology by Aery
Why I recommend the brand: Formerly known as Aery, Osmology has recently gone through a rebrand which included a name change, inspired by ‘the science of scent’ as the brand describes it since osmology is indeed the scientific study of smells. Apart from creating feel-good fragrances rooted in science, Osmology is also a sustainable brand manufactured locally in Bristol, using vegan and cruelty-free ingredients like plant-based naturally derived wax and fragrance oils.
Which candles I like the most: The Hinoki candle, available at Anthropologie, is a more recent discovery for me but one that’s become one of my favourites from the brand. Blending fresh forest-inspired notes with grounding earthy ingredients, Hinoki pairs cloves and geranium with cedarwood, patchouli and hinoki, which is a Japanese cypress. But I’m also a fan of the brand’s Fig Leaf and Tomato Leaf candles, both available at John Lewis.
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11. Pott
Why I recommend the brand: Pott is a candle brand built around sustainability. Each of the candles comes in a beautiful hand-thrown ceramic pot (hence the name) created by local artisans which can either be reused as a coffee cup or you can purchase one of the brand’s candle refills and continue using it as a candle. Each candle is hand-poured, using natural wax and essential oils, as well as sustainable fragrance oils. And the brand’s fragrance offering changes with the seasons.
Which candles I like the most: I recently visited the Selfridges home fragrance department where I smelt the current Pott candle range. And the two scents that really stood out were the Tonka candle and the Orangery, the latter of which was a surprise to me since I’m not usually a fan of orange blossom scents. But the Orangery candle blends the orange blossom with rosemary, basil and cedar which makes it less floral and more herbal.
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12. The White Company
Why I recommend the brand: The White Company is one of the most popular home fragrance brands in this country. The brand’s scented candles are especially loved as they feel like something of an attainable luxury, starting at just £25. The brand’s candle offering responds to the seasons – so if you want your home to smell like spring, summer, autumn or winter, The White Company is your best bet. But aside from these season-celebrating scents, the brand also has a range of new Spa candles which focus on wellbeing, similarly to those from Neom Wellbeing or the M&S Apothecary range.
Which candles I like the most: The Seychelles candle has long been The White Company’s bestseller and with its soft and smooth scent of bergamot, orange, coconut, amber and vanilla, it’s easy to see why. But apart from this classic, I also really like the Portofino candle which is one of the brand’s newer additions blending orange leaf, jasmine, leather and oakwood.
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How I test
There were a few different ways and factors that have helped me to determine what brands to include when putting together this shortlist of the best scented candles. Firstly, I’m very fortunate that I get to test a lot of candles from various brands by simply burning them in my own home.
But there are only so many candles that I can burn. So I’ve also sniff-tested a lot of candles in department stores, including Harrods and Fortnum & Mason where I once worked, and brands’ physical stores over the years.
On top of that, I’ve researched the brands, what type of wax they use, their brand ethos and customer reviews and feedback. And I’ve also looked to the rest of the Ideal Home team for insight and have taken their experience with various brands and candles into consideration.
FAQs
Why choose a candle over a reed diffuser?
Candles, as well as smelling lovely, also have the ability to create a calm atmosphere. They also look great on display. Choosing a candle over a reed diffuser or room spray is all down to personal preference. A candle will take longer than a reed diffuser to release scent, and it needs to be lit and blown out by you in order to work. Whilst a reed diffuser sits there and does the work itself, with only the need to occasionally flip the reeds. You can't control how much scent is released with a candle, but you can with reed diffusers and room sprays.
How can I look after my candle?
Unfortunately, it's not as easy as just lighting your candle, blowing it out, lighting it again and so on. In fact, to ensure that your candle burns to perfection, there are some things you will need to watch out for – and a few items that you will need to buy. Get yourself a candle care kit if you're burning candles that are high-quality.
You'll want to use a wick trimmer to trim your wick when it gets too long – the average wick length should be a quarter of an inch.
Using a candle snubber to extinguish your candle will ensure you don't blow any wax out of the jar, or inside and around the jar, to ensure a clean burn from start to finish.
Lighting your candle until the melted wax reaches the corner of your jar should ensure your candle doesn't tunnel. Never light a candle for 10 minutes and blow it out.
Use some tweezers – or a candle dipper – to delicately move your wick if it starts leaning to one side. If you don't do this, your wick could end up underneath the wax making it more or less impossible to light your candle ever again.