A good scent can really set the tone for your space, and overall mood, but it's also highly personal. There is no one-size-fits-all to the best candle scents. While we've covered the best candle brands to have on your radar, we're taking it a step further to identify the best-smelling candles according to particular scent preferences.
Fragrance is typically split among four scent profiles: floral, amber (spicy), woody, and fresh, and further subdivided into various categories, as identified by world-renowned fragrance expert Michael Edwards and his Fragrances of the World database. Whether you're looking for your signature scent, looking to set a certain tone in your home, or already know the types of fragrances you're looking for, the following candles have all been tried and tested by the very discerning members of the Business Insider team.
There are lots of opinions to sift through, but LAFCO's Feu de Bois, constantly came up in discussion as an editor favorite. The warm, evergreen woody scent has notes of sandalwood, leather accord, and frankincense and is housed in the most beautiful keepsake vessels. On the other end of the spectrum, for something fruity and light, we forever love the endorphin-boosting Capri Blue Volcano, with sugary citrus and tropical fruits. It's available in a range of sizes for all needs and budgets.
If you like clean and fresh scents
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Relax and unwindOur favorite bedding brand makes candles, too. Stay refreshed with a grounding combination of Mandarin, lavender, and oak. -
Like fresh laundry, but betterAn intoxicating and creamy blend of pink pepper, linen, sandalwood, iris, and vetiver make up this gorgeous, room-filling fragrance that’s fresh with a hint of spice.
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New brandWith a mission to highlight science and wellness, Caftari’s energetic combination of bergamot, Mandarin, and tea purportedly promotes the release of endorphins, a neurotransmitter in the brain known as a feel-good chemical.
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Summer in a candleAn unexpected and bright blend of fresh dill, cucumber, peaches, and patchouli inspired by hot Southern California summers.
If you like floral scents
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Bold, yet refinedCherry, rose petals, and leather make a romantic trifecta for the senses with just the right amount of sweetness.
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Bring the hotel stay homeInspired by the EDITION Hotel in New York City, Black Velvet is a sultry floral option with notes of smoky black tea, bergamot, and spicy bay leaves.
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A quintessential floralPeonies are in full bloom with this soft, classic scent with notes of red apple and suede. It smells like springtime in a garden, and is the epitome of luxury.
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Inhale, exhaleThere are few things more as grounding and calming as a combination of lavender and thyme, a relaxing and timeless scent.
If you like fruity scents
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A candle iconThe iconic scent is an exotic getaway of tropical fruits, sugared oranges, lemons, and limes that leaves you energized and refreshed.
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So giftableIt’s a party in a candle, with a sweet combination of orange, mandarin, peach, grapefruit, red currant, and vanilla that is seriously good enough to eat.
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A scent to cheers toThis celebratory mix of champagne, berries, and tangerine will uplift spirits and simply make you feel fancy.
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Fruity and freshToying the line between fruity and fresh, Strawberry has notes of pink pepper, jasmine, and red fruits and is described as a garden strawberry that is “deconstructed and unexpected.”
If you like smoky and spicy scents
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Like a bonfireIrresistibly smoky and complex, like a warm crackling fire. This candle has notes of resin, hinoki, cardamom, black pepper, and more.
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Rich and familiarThe crowd-pleasing favorite from P.F. Candle Co is also lovingly referred to as the “boyfriend scent,” with leather, teak, and orange as the dominant notes.
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Female-foundedTransport yourself to a summer night in Cuba with the smoky, sweet base notes of tobacco, leather, smoke, incense, and musk, lightened with bergamot.
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Scent with a cult-followingTeetering the line between spicy and woodsy, the beloved Santal 26 is a full-bodied sandalwood fragrance paired with notes of amber, cocoa, vanilla, cedar, spices, and musk.
If you like woodsy scents
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Wintery magicForest Veil is like walking through an enchanted forest that just had its first snowfall. It’s a perfect magical wintry mix of cedar, sandalwood, and vetiver.
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Exotic escapeMoroccan Amber offers the perfect dose of spice with amber, sweet patchouli, heliotrope, and bergamot with a hint of eucalyptus. It’s a little bit exotic and a little bit familiar.
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Great priceClear your senses with this limited-edition mix of fir and pine; it’s like filling your space with Christmas trees.
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Editor-favoriteThis warm, inviting evergreen scent uses sandalwood, leather accord, and frankincense. Plus, the candle vessels are repurposeable works of art.
If you like sweet and gourmand scents
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Wooden wickDessert is served with decadent layers of vanilla bean, biscotti, and caramel that melt together for a unique “flavor” (however tempting, we don’t recommend eating it). The wooden wick crackles as it burns for a full-on sensory experience.
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Pumpkin spice and everything niceIf pumpkin spice lives in your mind all year long, Capri Blue’s Pumpkin Dolce is like filling your space with freshly baked pie, with sweet notes of white pumpkin, sweet gingersnap, and whipped vanilla.
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Cozy and sweetCreamy with a hint of spice and nuttiness, the not-so-secret ingredient to Cardamom Milk is praline wood.
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Best smelling vanillaCinnamon Spiced Vanilla is the ultimate cozy scent. It’s warm and indulgent, without being too overpowering.
