There's no denying the power of fragrance—we're all familiar with the way that a certain perfume can transport us to a certain time or place, lift our spirits, or get us in the mood for a night out, but what's often overlooked is the fact that the same effect can be achieved in the way we scent our space with a candle. Whether you want to create an atmosphere of relaxation or refresh the energy of a room, you truly can't go wrong with a scented candle. Ideal for bringing ambience to your bedroom, masking lingering odours in your dining room, or creating spa-like vibes in your bathroom, the best candles serve not only to make your home smell amazing, but also to boost your mood—and, of course, multitask as decorative features.
For me, arriving home after a long day, washing my face, changing into comfy clothes, and lighting a candle is one of life's simplest but most enjoyable small pleasures. The right candle at the right time can do anything from helping me to focus when working from home to getting me in the mood for a deep clean or creating an atmosphere of calm to relax my mind before sleep.
When it comes to choosing the best candles, there are tonnes of options to choose from—spanning the luxury candle offerings from fragrance houses to more affordable high street candles—altogether, making it a tough category to sift through. And then there's the seasons—do you prefer a winter candle or a summer candle? Fortunately for you, between my career as a beauty editor and the genetic predisposition towards buying candles that I seem to have inherited from my mum, I've tried my fair share of candles over the past few years.
To help you narrow down your options, I've rounded up a list of the best candles I've tried. From cult classics (think: Byredo and Diptyque) to not-so-well-known candles from some of my favourite indie fragrance brands, I can guarantee that every single one of these candles will make your home smell incredible.
The Best Candles
- Best Overall: Diptyque Baies
- Best Autumn Candle: Byredo Bibliothèque
- Best Luxury Candle: Loewe Tomato Leaf
- Best Fresh Candle: Jo Malone London Lime Basil & Mandarin
- Best Affordable Candle: Zara Home Absolute Linen
1. Diptyque Baies
I couldn't not include a Diptyque candle—the struggle was in choosing just one. In the end, I've settled on the brand's bestseller, Baies. It's an aromatic blend of blackberry, blackberry leaf and rose, and it's a real crowd-pleasing scent, which makes it an ideal gift (even if it's for yourself). It's one of Diptyque's most iconic scents, as it works year-round and always brings a calming mood to any space. Plus, the vessel itself is so beautiful that you'll want to reuse it long after the wax has gone. You really cannot go wrong with any of Diptyque's candles.
2. Byredo Bibliothèque
Calling all bibliophiles! If you're obsessed with the smell of new books or your idea of heaven is whiling away hours in an old library or secondhand bookstore, look no further than this Byredo candle. Warm, smoky and papery, this candle will be the perfect accompaniment to your next cosy read. It's perfect for lighting on an autumn day as rain pitter-patters on your window.
3. Jo Malone London Lime, Basil & Mandarin
When it comes to gifting, Jo Malone London candles are always a crowd-pleaser. Lime Basil & Mandarin is one of the brand's most iconic scents that features sweet mandarin and zesty lime offset by green notes of basil. It comes in fragrance form as well as in a candle, and it's the perfect home fragrance for creating a calm mood in your space. It's a particularly lovely scent to have in the kitchen, and feels like you're bringing the refreshing scent of a herb garden into your home.
4. Loewe Tomato Leaf
It's true, Loewe candles make any beauty editor swoon. Tomato leaf might sound like an unusual choice for a candle, but if you're into vibrant, green scents that remind you of summer, you'll be a huge fan. With the scent of ripe tomatoes and green vines, this candle smells just like stepping into a sun-soaked greenhouse in summer. These burn beautifully, filling your home with scent whilst looking impossibly chic wherever you place it in your home.
5. Beauty Pie Clean House
Price shown is member price.
When I need to be in the mood to clean or tidy my house, this candle is my go-to. Reminiscent of the smell of clean, sun-dried laundry, it's clean, fresh and impossible not to fall in love with. Honestly, Beauty Pie candles are some of the best I've tried, and burning this candle makes you feel like you've stepped into a luxury hotel suite and slipped into high thread-count white sheets.
6. The White Company Seychelles
The White Company's candles are iconic for a reason—they never disappoint. With notes of zesty bergamot, bright orange, and creamy coconut, this scent will transport you to far-flung islands and sun-soaked beaches. Our editors have tried almost every candle from The White Company, but this is our pick if you want an elegant summer candle to burn on warm evenings.
7. Marks and Spencer Warmth
You know the viral M&S Warmth perfume? This is the candle version, which is a calming woody scent of creamy sandalwood, cardamon and cinnamon. Marks and Spencer's candles are amongst some of the best on the high street if you don't want to burn a hole in your bank account, and the frosted amber vessel looks chic in any interior. The woody scent is really smooth and comforting, making it a lovely choice to create a calming glow as you wind down in the evening.
8. Zara Home Absolute Linen
When it comes to home fragrance specifically, clean scents are my weakness. I think they're perfect as a spring or summer burn, or for scenting living spaces like the kitchen or dining room. This Zara one smells exactly like freshly laundered linen that's been hung to dry in the sun, and makes any space instantly feel calming and fresh.
9. Neom Perfect Night's Sleep
On stressful days that call for deep relaxation, this is the candle to burn. Formulated with relaxing scents to calm the mind, this heavenly smell will set the scene for a restful night's sleep. Expect soothing lavender, green basil and creamy jasmine to help lull both your mind and body into a state of calm.
10. Space NK Tuscan Vines
Blending notes of tomato leaf, figs, cedarwood and pine, this candle is instantly uplifting and a beautiful choice to welcome in spring. I already own the diffuser, and I loved the vibrant scent so much that I went and bought the candle too. It's a great one to light for an at-home spa day in your bathroom or to freshen up your kitchen, and it instantly makes you feel like you're wandering through the rolling hills of Tuscany.
11. Trudon Figuerie
Fruity candles can be tricky to get right, but Trudon's is a masterpiece. Every candle scent from the brand is as stunning as the next, but one of its newer scents, Figuerie, has earned a permanent spot on my mantle. With the delicate scent of smooth, creamy fig, it's both fruity and green, thanks to fig leaf and cedarwood that give it an expensive-smelling, grounding scent.
How We Tested
As beauty editors, we collectively have decades of experience burning the very best candles. From luxury candles to affordable ones, we've tried them all to find out which ones give the best scents, the smoothest burns and the ones that fill your home with noticeable fragrance.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.