Emma Stoddart
A Jo Malone candle is one of the simplest ways to bring effortless luxury into your home. Crafted in Britain, curated by expert perfumers, and infused with the brand’s unmistakable signature scents, these candles have long been my worst-kept secret for elevating any space with a soft, sophisticated glow.
My love for Jo Malone began early. It was the first proper gift I ever bought. I was fifteen, had saved all summer, and remember the thrill of choosing something truly special for my mum. More than a decade later, Jo Malone is behind not only some of the best candles on the shelves, but also the best Jo Malone perfumes, fragrances that have become icons in their own right. Whether you’re drawn to fresh florals, sparkling citrus, or deeper smoky and woody notes, the brand’s signature balance makes everything feel indulgent and impeccably considered. And, as the festive season approaches you'll start thinking about the best Christmas candles and curating your home with thoughtful scentscaping tips. That's where Jo Malone’s blends continue to stand out for their quality and character.
Since discovering the joy of that very first candle, I’ve bought dozens more for loved ones (and more than a few for myself). I’ve since qualified as a Master Perfumer and worked with well-established British fragrance houses, including brands that craft perfumes for the royal family, so if you’re looking for expert guidance on the best Jo Malone candles and you need help choosing a candle that feels truly special, you’re in safe hands. From classic everyday favourites to limited-edition festive finds, these are the Jo Malone candles I believe you simply can’t go wrong with.
The best Jo Malone Candles - approved by a Master Perfumer
A selection of our favourite Jo Malone London candles in various sizes
RRP: £59 for 200g | Fragrance family: Citrus, woody | Key notes: Bitter orange, sandalwood, amber
This limited-edition candle is part of Jo Malone's festive collection. It's supposed to be for Christmas, but, every year it sells out before December can even start.
With light top notes of sweet orange and mandarin, it's fresh and bright. However, as it burns you'll discern layers of bitter orange, sandalwood and amber,. It's a sophisticated blend that lends a cosy note to this cult-favourite candle. I get comments on it every time someone walks into the food.
RRP: £56 for 200g | Fragrance family: Rich, woody | Key notes: Pomegranate, Casablanca lily, guaiacwood
The first-ever candle made by Jo Malone was Pomegranate Noir. To this date it is still their #1 best-seller - and for good reason. "Fruity scents tend to be sweet and gourmand," says Emma South, the brand's Fragrance & Lifestyle Expert, "but Pomegranate Noir is woody, sensual, and dark, which is why people are so devoted to it."
My top tip is to light it a couple of hours before your guests are due to arrive so that the scent can really fill your room. Perfect for dark, cosy nights – this is as comforting as they come.
RRP: £56 for 200g | | Fragrance family: Fresh, zesty | Key notes: Mandarin, basil, amberwood
Citrus fragrances have a place in every home, all year round. Fresh and zingy, this is a modern classic that has been emulated by many rival brands since - though none have managed to steal the show from Jo Malone.
The peppery basil and aromatic thyme brings an unexpected twist to the zesty lime notes. It's perfect for giving soft scent in your main living spaces and will instantly make you feel uplifted. It'll lift any haze off your day.
RRP: £56 for 200g | Fragrance family: Floral, fruity | Key notes: Red apple, peony, suede
Instantly recognizable, Peony and Blush Suede is the ultimate soft floral scent that’s oh so sophisticated. Topped off with fruity red apples, it wears down to a slightly sweet, warm suede scent that’s ever so moreish.
“Peony and Blush Suede is the most popular wedding scent for brides,” points out South. “It bottles peony petals in every shade of pink that's accompanied by a bite of juicy red apple,” she continues. If you’re hosting a soiree or dinner party, we recommend lighting this in your living room for after-party cocktails.
RRP: £70 for 200g | Fragrance family: Rich, woody | Key notes: Clove, Damask rose, oud
This candle is not for the faint-hearted. It demands to be noticed and will have visitors asking, “what is that scent?” Rich and velvety, envelope your senses with this intoxicating concoction that combines a real Damask rose aroma with smoky wood and oud.
I like to light this one in the evenings, alone or when hosting, with a glass of merlot in hand. It’s smooth, warming and the perfect antidote to a cold, winter’s night. It's the best Jo Malone candle for longevity.
RRP: £56 for 200g | Fragrance family: Floral, fruity | Key notes: King William pear, freesia, patchouli
When you smell this candle, you'll be transported to an orchard, where juicy fruit mingles with blooming flowers. An elegant candle that blends sweet, fresh, and floral notes together, it's impossible not to love. And the statistics back this up. It's the fourth best-selling Jo Malone London candle and is a perfect pick for fruity and floral fragrance lovers.
If you need beauty gift ideas, this is the candle that I gift everyone, because the delicate freesia is a crowd-pleaser and light, fresh pear is a mood-booster.
RRP: £56 for 200g | Fragrance family: Fresh, woody | Key notes: Ambrette seeds, sea salt, sage
Did you know that Jo Malone’s Wood Sage and Sea Salt scent is one of Meghan Markle’s favourite fragrances? Well, now you do. And if it’s good enough for Markle, it’s good enough for us – not to mention its the brand's fifth best-selling candle overall.
Refreshingly light and ever so slightly woody, this scent conjures up a beachy, windswept day by the coast. On the skin it has a sun-baked salty aroma, whereas in the home it fills your space with a fresh, clean scent. Whenever we’re feeling stuck or have had a tough week, we reach for this candle.
As well as being one of the best Jo Malone candle picks, the cologne version of this scent is also one of the brand's favorites for fragrance layering, thanks to the crisp, fresh notes that help to lift floral, heady, or rose perfumes.
RRP: £70 | Fragrance family: Rich, sweet | Key notes: Black cardamom, black orchid, Kyara wood incense
I call this the candle equivalent of a cashmere blanket, it’s warm, luxurious and comforting. Smoky black cardamon and fresh ginger first make an appearance before a sensual bouquet of blooms steals the show. Once the initial smokiness subsides, the warm amber and incense base lingers.
For the winter months this candle provides a welcome comforting aroma that will make you want to hunker down at home. My serving suggestion for this Jo Malone candle: by the light of a fire (or put the Netflix fire on your television), with a few of your best flameless candles, and a plush electric blanket.
RRP: £100 for 300g | Fragrance family: Fresh, green | Key notes: Green tomato, vine, earthy notes
If you’re not yet the proud owner of a tomato-scented candle, rectify that immediately. The freshest fragrance around, tomato-scented candles give off a luscious green aroma that’s perfect for bright, crisp days. Rather than a sweet tomato-y scent, this candle captures the fresh aroma of the stalk and vine when warmed by the afternoon sun. It’s balmy, earthy and seriously addictive. One sniff and I guarantee you’ll be hooked...
While it’s more expensive than the classic candles, in my opinion, it’s worth every penny. Not only do you get more candle (300g instead of 200g), but you get a chic ceramic vessel that has major #shelfie appeal.
Our top tip? Once you’ve reached the end, keep the jar and refill it with flower stems, stationery, or your best foundation brushes and tools. Looks aside, the fragrance is the real star of the show here.
How we tested the best Jo Malone candles
This buying guide started with our beauty team. All big Jo Malone London fans, they know the product portfolio like the backs of their hands and routinely roll out the Jo Malone scented candles, diffusers, room sprays, and bath and body bits when they're off duty.
Combine their passion with our in-house master Perfumer's penchant for Jo Malone and we realised we have a rich Jo Malone London database that we really should share outside the walls of the office, especially when gifting season is right around the corner.
To get this guide together, we wanted to make sure we didn't miss a singls smell. So, we drew on our experience of burning these candles in our own homes, we yapped into the brands list of best-sellers, and took a tour of Jo Malone's shops.
We narrowed the list of the best Jo Malone candles down from out personal experience with each as well as looking for a variety of different fragrances for every type of nose and home.
Then, we thought about how the candles work. We looked at longevity, how they burn, which seasons they suit, and whether we think they're worth the splurge (or whether they are similar to other, cheaper candles that you'd be better off buying, saving Jo Malone money for something more special).
With hundreds of hours (and pounds) behind us, we've come to this list of the Jo Malone Candles that we all swear by. These are the ones that we actually burn in our homes and the ones that we love too.
As with the best Diptyque candles and signature Byredo jars, Jo Malone London candles add a touch of class to any room thanks to their elegant vessels and chic branding. Case in point: even the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, reportedly burned the Orange Blossom candles in Westminster Abbey on her wedding day in 2011. A worthy investment, we have shared a thorough guide to the best Jo Malone candles above, drawing on both our favourites and the overall bestsellers. Trust me, this lot is gifting gold.
