There's quite like embracing the scents of a new season. The best autumn candles should be comforting, relaxing and reminiscent of the change in seasons, where fruitier, lighter scents make way for more rich and heady fragrances.
Once summer begins to dwindle it's important to ready ourselves for the cosy evenings ahead and what better way to do that than choosing the best scented candles for the new season?
And it's not all about pumpkin-spiced scents to capture the essence of everything the plentiful autumn season has to offer. We've tested a variety of different fragrances which feature notes such as patchouli, cedarwood, sandalwood and even crisp pear, sweet orange and lavender, so there's something for everyone in our curated list for 2024.
Here's our edit of scented candles for autumn to buy right now to scent-scape your home like never before.
The best candles for autumn 2024: tried & tested by us
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RRP: £30 | Weight: 280g | Burn time: 50 hours | Wax: Plant-based wax | Notes: Bergamot, pink pepper, orange, cinnamon, nutmeg, cedarwood and patchouli
This scent from Aery Living combines classic autumn notes of bergamot, cinnamon, nutmeg and cedarwood with fresher notes like pink pepper and orange; there’s also patchouli, for that extra comforting, warming element.
Despite so many scent profiles going on, there’s still a subtle fragrance to this candle, which matches its sparse, Hygge-inspired white clay pot.
We found that the pot sits comfortably on top of its lid when turned upside down, and the fact you can pop the lid back on after burning (once the wax and wick have cooled down), means it can be stored away easily. Plus, being made from plant-based wax, the candle is vegan and cruelty-free, and for every order placed, Aery will plant a tree.
RRP: £22 | Weight: 140g | Burn time: 30 hours | Wax: Mineral wax | Notes: Smoked Woods, Birch and Amber
This is definitely the smokiest candle we tested and it might not be everyone's cup of tea. However, if you love a strong, spicey smokey scent this candle from The White Company couldn't be more ideal - plus it's one of the best-selling home scents from The White Company.
The scent is impressively strong and was scenting the room before it was even lit which makes it all that more worth the money. It would make a great candle for the transition of autumn into winter too as the smoked woods note has us dreaming of campfires and cosy fireplaces.
The burn time isn't the longest when considering the price but the fragrance more than makes up for it. This candle would certainly suit those who prefer more masculine scents too.
RRP: £26.90 | Weight: 290g | Burn time: 50 hours | Wax: Soy wax | Notes: Sweet orange and cedarwood
While most autumn candles focus on a blend of heavy, woody notes in the name of comfort, this Rituals option includes sweet orange to balance out the smokiness of cedarwood.
After burning the candle for two hours (as the brand recommends), we definitely noticed a sweet, fresh and zesty orange scent. This perfectly balanced out the warmer notes.
As per the M.O. of Rituals as a brand, this is a ‘self-care’ scented candle which we can see ourselves lighting when in the bath.
RRP: £29.99 | Weight: 567g | Burn time: 60-90 hours | Wax: Soy wax | Notes: Bergamot, Orange, Pear, Jasmine, Amber
As one of the most well-known brands for candles, we weren't surprised when this scent was impressively strong. Almost immediately after lighting the room smelt of the subtle citrusy warmth that Yankee's new autumn scent provides.
For such a large candle and lengthy burn time, this candle is perfect for those looking to keep to a budget whilst still getting that luxury scent strength. We will say that it's not hugely autumnal, but if you're not one for smokey or spicey this is a wonderful seasonal alternative.
It's always worth keeping an eye out for the latest Yankee Candle deals to save on their best-selling scents through the seasons.
RRP: £55 | Weight: 280g | Burn time: 37.5 hours | Wax: Plant-based wax | Notes: Lime, patchouli, amber, cedarwood, suede and bergamot
Housed in a stylish leopard print vessel, this Jo Loves scent is just as rich and satisfying as you’d expect from the iconic perfume brand. With notes of patchouli, lime, amber, suede and bergamot, this cosy and woodsy scent includes typical autumnal scents.
Initially, we found it hard to detect the lime fragrance, but after a while, there’s a subtle zestiness that cuts through the more heady scents. When we tested this candle, we found that the smell filled the room and didn’t disappear for hours after we had blown out the flame.
This isn’t the most autumnal scent, but it is comforting, made even better by its presentation which produces a warming glow when lit.
RRP: £55 | Weight: 190g | Burn time: 50 hours | Wax: Mineral wax | Notes: Wood, Vetiver and Patchouli
If you own one of the best Diptyque candles you'll know their quality is hard to beat. The iconic brand has a few autumnal offerings but this woody scent is the perfect balance for an autumn home scent.
It's an ideal size for seeing you through the season until the Christmas candles are released but if you want a true autumnal scent this might not be the one for you. This candle is definitely for those who prefer a more stripped-back refined scent than one typically belonging to this time of year.
While the scent definitely stuck around even after blowing out the flame, this is still something of an investment for a scented candle – but a worthwhile one to emulate effortless Parisian-style decor.
RRP: £10 | Weight: N/A | Burn time: 40 hours | Wax: Natural wax | Notes: Lavender, cedarwood, spiced clove, patchouli and amber
This M&S candle is the least expensive on our list, and considering the reasonable price and burn time of the candle, we think it’s great value for money.
The glass jar has a smoky effect which, combined with the rich purple shade of the wax, makes this an attractive candle to have burning during cold, dark evenings. We found the scent to be pretty subtle, with a pleasing mix of lavender, amber and cloves being the most dominant notes. There was still a sweetness there, too, without being sickly.
RRP: £19.95 | Weight: 180ml | Burn time: 30-35 hours | Wax: Natural wax | Notes: Honey flower, crushed tobacco leaves, tonka bean
We loved this deliciously rich scent that smells like a sweet comforting tonic on a cold evening. The smell is a perfect blend of smokiness and sweetness and adds a luxe ambience to any space to signal autumn without feeling too heavy.
In addition to the pleasing scent, we were big fans of the story behind this autumn candle. Sustainability is at the heart of this female-founded brand, prioritising the planet at every step
While the aroma is strong it didn't fill the larger rooms we tested it in, so we'd recommend zoning your smaller rooms with this alluring scent.
RRP: £55 | Weight: 420g | Burn time: 50-60 hours | Wax: Natural wax | Notes: Vanilla, Patchouli, Cedarwood, sweet orange, Sandalwood Amyris
We absolutely love Neom's range of candles and the way they double up as spa treatments for your senses and in some cases your skin. This scent is no exception to that.
The vanilla immediately swarms the room, however it's the patchouli and sandalwood notes that truly give that cosy feeling. Whilst this isn't marketed as an autumn candle, the scent profile and its relaxing essential oils couldn't be more perfect for this time of year.
Should you want to try out the scent, smaller options are available but we're all in for this 3-wick option.
How we tested the best autumn candles
A selection of some of the candles we tested.
- Strength of the scent: While nobody wants a scent that makes them feel queasy or is too overwhelming, we thought about how much the candle we were burning actually reflected the notes and general fragrance that was on the box. We also noted how much the scent lingered after burning the candle.
- Burn time: One of the most important factors in purchasing a candle is how long it will actually last you. With the burn times of these candles being up to 50 hours, there weren't enough hours in the day to put each of these claims to the test, but we did light the candles for several hours at a time to get a feel of how the scent matured and how much of the wax had burned.
- RRP: Scented candles shouldn't be too much of an investment, but certain brands will certainly cost you a little extra. We tested a range of candles at different price points, so whether you're looking for a luxurious gift or just want something cheap and cheerful, there are different options on our list.
FAQs
What is the perfect autumn smell?
While scents are certainly subjective, there are particular notes you can usually expect to see in an autumn candle. These often represent darker nights, woodfires, warming fragrances and scents that have a relaxing feel.
Nicola Elliot, founder of fragrance brand Neom Organics, agrees, telling us that "autumn is fragrances like vanilla, patchouli, cedarwood and sandalwood." While autumn candles often contain a mix of these stronger notes alongside more fresh or fruity ones, Elliot says that "woody, golden, warming and comforting fragrances that make you feel cosy inside out" are what autumn scents are all about.
Amanda Morgan, UK Managing Director at Diptyque, echoes this sentiment, telling us that "for autumn and the cooler months, scents with woody, resinous notes are a perfect way to create a cosy atmosphere."
How to choose an autumn candle for your home
If you're struggling with what the best scent for your home is there are a few things you should keep in mind when shopping for autumnal candles.
Laura Honey, Woman&Home's eCommerce Editor and qualified Master Perfumer says, "Scent is deeply personal, so the most evocative scents will be the ones that you remember best."
She adds, "Personally, I love the greener, woodier autumn candles that take you outside for earthy, organic notes, with a touch of sweetness. This can be cultivated in several ways, but there’s one thing that sets the best autumn candles apart from summer candles: they’re heavier and richer than the light, breezy florals of summer - and I love them all."
This season's candles will most likely offer scents with sage, fig, ginger and bergamot but Laura points out that many perfumers will mix these with a variety of scents so it's all about knowing your nose and its preferences.
Laura has recently joined the woman&home team fresh from being the eCommerce editor at one of Future's other magazines, Homes & Gardens where she specialised in covering all their coffee and product content, looking for pieces that are tailored for timelessness.
Laura was trained as a master perfumer by John Stephen who makes perfumes for the royal family. Whilst learning the craft, she worked for the luxury perfume brand Penhaligon's for five years.
Once your home smells beautiful and autumnal why not indulge your home with the latest autumn decor ideas to enhance the cosy ambience?
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