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The most complimented candles I own - handpicked by a Master Perfumer

Discover the best scented candles recommended by a Master Perfumer, from luxury brands to independent sellers

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A selection of the best scented candles being tested in Laura's home: you can see Jo Malone, Diptyque, La Bougie, Penhaligon's and many other brands
(Image credit: Future)
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Lots of people love Diptyque, Jo Malone, and White Company candles, but who makes the best ones? As a Master Perfumer, I'm here to help you find the blend that will be your signature home scent, or the perfect gift for a friend.

Many of the “best candles” rely on generic blends, so I've worked hard to find candles that smell expensive, offering complexity and character and, of course, style. From gourmand treats to green, herbal blends and even the cult-favourite tomato leaf candle that everyone’s talking about, this is a list of the candles that will get you compliments.

And whilst all these candles smell incredible, I have higher standards than that. They're all made from clean-burning, non-toxic, natural waxes; with fragrances that last long after you blow them out; and blends designed for expert scentscaping. Whether you’re after the Mediterranean warmth, earthy and fresh notes, or a hit of coastal sea air, this list is about more than ticking off the best Jo Malone candle. It’s about finding a candle that feels like it was made for you.

The best scented candles for making your home smell expensive

How we tested the best scented candles

A selection of the best scented candles being tested in Laura's home: you can see Jo Malone, Diptyque, La Bougie, Penhaligon's and many other brands

(Image credit: Future)

As you might have guessed, the woman&home team is fragrance obsessed. We have Master Perfumers, fragrance afficianados, and general candle geeks in our mix, so finding the perfect candle for every kind of home is like our dream task.

For this guide, we managed to test, burn, clean, and maintain each candle that you see in the guide. I’ve shopped in Paris, Milan, Grasse, and London, explored the shelves of my favourite brands, and tested more than seventy different candles at home. There are plenty that didn't make the cut, but if you want to know how we chose which are the best scented candles, here's an insight into the process:

  • Strength of scent: Was it detectable without even burning? How long does the scent last after burning for 2-4 hours, this is what many experts recommend to truly test the scent.
  • Burn time: An all-important factor when buying any scented candle is how long the approximate burn time is. We tested if we felt the times stated by the retailer are a true reflection of how long we burnt each for.
  • Value for money: Because scented candles can prove costly we assessed if each was worth its price tag, this depended on the burn time to weigh up the cost per use and whether the scent was powerful enough.
  • Scent: it's easy to make a simple candle, but you don't get complexity, refinement, and nuance by chance. Laura, our resident Master Perfumer, made sure to sniff out the candles that have some expertise behind them.

FAQs

What are the best scented candle brands?

What is the best-scented candle brand according to our editors? 

While the best scented candles come from a variety of brands, our editors each have their favourite brands for certain scents that they go to time and again.

  • Best budget candle brand: Aldi is reputed for high-quality scented candles under £5, proving that luxury doesn't have to cost a fortune.
  • Best luxury candle brand: Creed Aventus, known as a leader in men's fragrances, Creed Aventus also curates unisex candles infused with rich scents.
  • Best long-lasting candle brand: Yankee Candle boasts an enduring 110-150 burn time for each option. The brand also uses premium-grade paraffin wax and wicks made of 100% natural fibers.
  • Best candle brand for sweet and spicy scents: Diptyque reconciles sweet, soft, and floral notes with spicy, more intense aromas. In other words, shoppers truly get the best of both worlds at their fingertips.
  • Best candle brand for fresh and clean scents: The White Company is hailed for crafting great-smelling candles with fresh scents and earthy tones. The brand also makes top-rated seasonal-scented candles.
  • Best candle brand for woody and musky scents: Maison Francis Kurdijan creates candles with warm, winter-inspired scents. Think balsam fir fragrance, along with notes of anise, nutmeg, and tobacco.
  • Best candle brand for citrus scents: Acqua Di Parma is a brand renowned for strong citrus scents. Its Blu Mediterraneo candle line embodies sparkling citruses, rich fruity scents, and tropical coastlines.

What is the correct way to burn a candle?

We asked candle expert Jo Malone, founder of the Jo Malone brand and owner of Jo Loves, to share her tips for getting the most out of your best-scented candles by burning them correctly every time.

Jo says, “For the best possible burn and to prolong the life of a candle, it's best to burn the candle for long enough so that the whole surface becomes molten, this usually takes around two hours. Candles have memory, so if you blow out a half-melted candle it’s less likely to burn down evenly the next time."

"Avoid burning any candle for more than three to four hours at a time and once you have put it out, leave the candle to completely cool before relighting it. To get the best longevity out of your candle, it is important to trim the wick each time before relighting it. Trim the wick to between 4mm and 5mm as this allows the candle to burn evenly and also prevents smoking. Avoid burning the candle in a draft too, as this may cause it to smoke."

How do I choose a candle fragrance?

Offering some help with the buying journey of determining what scent is best for you Daniel Dutton, trade marketing manager at Diptyque suggests: "Ask yourself how you like to feel in your home or the room you are choosing a scent for?"

"You may also find it useful to consider when you like to light a candle so it is most appropriate for when you will be experiencing the fragrance. For example, if you are looking for a scent to relax on an evening think of which fragrances recall other times you have felt relaxed as fragrance and memory are so intrinsically lined."

"Taking this route light florals, you associate with being at one with nature or perhaps a fragrance associated with childhood may reveal itself to you that will create the mood you are looking for when you light your candle each evening."

Daniel adds: "Other factors worth considering are your choice of candle size and this will depend on the size of the room to be perfumed. It is, of course, also possible to increase the number of candles for a more intense olfactory effect as well as add drama from the increased luminosity of multiple flickering flames."

You don't get a home that smells incredible by chance. There are lots of ways to make your home smell good, from choosing fragrant indoor plants to carefully curating a collection of natural essential oils. By far the easiest way to get an enviable home fragrance is by choosing the right candle. That's why I, a Master Perfumer, have done all the hard work for you. There's something for everyone in this guide, but don't hesitate to share your recommendations too. I love hearing all about candles.

Laura Honey
Laura Honey
Homes Ecommerce Editor

Laura is woman&home's eCommerce editor, in charge of testing, reviewing and recommending products for your home. You'll see her testing anything from damp-banishing dehumidifiers and KitchenAid's most covetable stand mixers through to the latest in Le Creuset's cast iron collection.

Previously, she was eCommerce Editor at Homes & Gardens, and has also written for Living Etc, The White Company and local publications when she was a student at Oxford University. She is also a Master Perfumer (a qualified candle snob), SCA-Certified Barista (qualified coffee snob) and part of a family who runs a pizza business (long-time pizza snob) - all of which come in handy when you're looking for the best pieces of kit to have kitchen.

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