The Best Scented Candles, According to Our Editors

"I love a woody scent, and the Solis Rex Classic Scented Candle ($125) from Trudon was inspired by the parquet floors of Versailles — i.e. literal wood — with notes of eucalyptus cedar, and fir. I had the opportunity to visit the palace soon after buying the candle, and I crouched down to take a whiff (not even kidding), and the smell was unbelievably accurate. So now when I burn the candle, it takes me back to that trip to France, transporting me from my little house to the Hall of Mirrors." — Dawn Davis, executive director, Beauty

"My favorite candle is the June's Boy Smells Candle ($36). I think it goes overlooked. I love it because it smells chic and sophisticated and kind of unusual, which I think is because of the anise. I also like that it isn't sweet at all. To me, it evokes a vibe — it reminds me of spring and summer, of eating outside on a patio in a city restaurant, and maybe there's some greenery somewhere nearby. I try to burn it sparingly because it's kind of expensive, but it's easily my most repurchased candle. Worth noting: I do think it's a sleeper! When I first bought it and took a whiff, I thought I'd hate it. I fell in love with it after lighting it and letting it burn for a bit." — Mirel Zaman, content director, Wellness

"My go-to candle is the Sunday Morning Candle ($28) by Brooklyn Candle Studio. Before I even smelled it, I gravitated toward the scent simply because of the name. (Who doesn't want to feel easy like Sunday morning?) Grounded in a heady base of amber woods, the calming smell of fresh-cut flowers, jasmine, and gardenia, lays delicately over the initial impression of pear and bergamot orange. Usually, I stay away from citrus due to its strong association with cleaning supplies and I'm similarly wary of floral scents out of fear the sharp sweetness will give me a headache. Instead, lighting this candle in my kitchen takes me away to an Italian farmers market even if I'm elbow-deep in dishes." — Melanie Whyte, contributing writer, Wellness

"I love pretty much every Boy Smells candle, but the Boy Smells x Ganni Park Life Scented Candle ($46) is next-level gorgeous. It's my go-to candle when people come over and makes my entire apartment smell so chic. A little bit of sandalwood, a touch of basil and notes of fig make the Park Life candle one of a kind." — Aviel Kanter, director, Branded Content

"I could burn the Diptyque Baies Candle ($38-$70) every day and never get tired of it. It has a fresh aroma with a slightly fruity twist. It's faint but impactful and quickly fills the room with the scent. I'm also obsessed with the minimal glass jar that it comes in. It matches the decor in every room of my house and doubles as an accent piece." — Jessica Harrington, editor, Beauty

"My apartment is filled with a random assortment of candles that I've accumulated over the years, both as gifts and during moments of weakness in the home decor aisle. While I love LaromaCandleShop on Etsy for their seasonal scents — the smell of the Banana Nut Bread soy candle is delicious — one of my favorite year-round candles is the Los Angeles Soy Candle by PF Candle Co. ($24). As a California native, the scent reminds me of hikes through the redwood forests growing up — and I love that the brand is vegan, cruelty-free, and local. Plus, the packaging is simple yet chic. Would highly recommend this candle as an easy gift for a friend/loved one or as a new addition to your bookshelf." — Chanel Vargus, assistant editor, Trending and Viral Features

"A friend gifted me this Santal 26 Classic Candle by Le Labo ($80) when I got engaged a few years back, and it quickly became a favorite that I've splurged on a few times now. I love a smoky, spiced-scented candle and this is just that — it's also neutral enough that it can work in a variety of rooms: bathroom, kitchen, living room . . . etc. The Santal 26 is a crowd-pleaser!" — Lindsay Kimble, content director, Entertainment

"With notes of ripe fig and burnt white wood, the 11:11 Luxury Candle with Fig and White Woods ($48) boasts the most subtle and decadent scent that's perfect for my home in any season. I personally love supporting companies that champion social causes, so I also appreciate the fact that Sunday Forever's candles are packaged with the help of a mission-based company that helps to support female artisans and refugees." — Kyley Warren, assistant editor, Commerce

"The contemporary black glass jar (that the brand has come to be known for) is as striking as this new scent. The Boy Smells Hinoki Fantome Scented Candle ($36) comes without a lid, so I always steal a gentle whiff whenever I pass by it. It has a uniquely clean aroma that feels fresh but not overly floral, earthy, musky, or creamy. (Although it's all those things at once). The mysterious fragrance can best be described as "genderful" and when it's time to snuff, I'm tempted to buy the cologne to sneak spritzes on whatever cozy fabrics I want." — Jon Randhawa, creative strategist, Audio and Video

"During the summer, I think there is no better smelling place than under the canopy of a fig tree. I find it to be intoxicating. The only candle I have found to replicate that smell is the Diptyque Figuier/Fig Tree Candle ($38-$70). This brand burns for hours, so it is worth the spendy price tag." — Lauren Hendrickson, VP, Commerce

"I first discovered the Sydney Hale Candle, Bergamont, and Black Tea ($38) at my favorite restaurant in San Francisco. It was burning in the bathroom and I kept finding excuses to head there, first to find out where the intoxicating scent was coming from, and then to make note of the candle brand. It's since become my absolute favorite candle, ever, and the only one I've repurchased multiple times. The scent is well-balanced — it's citrusy, floral, and earthy all at once, but without leaning too heavily into any one of those notes." — Stephanie Nguyen, senior editor, Branded Content

"I love everything Boy Smells touches — from its beauty campaigns to its inclusive brand messaging — so excuse my bias when I say its candles are some of the best. You can't go wrong, but my personal favorite right now is the Thé Fantôme Scented Candle by Boy Smells ($44), which mixes the darker, muskier scents I tend to love (like palo santo and cedarwood) with lighter notes of gardenia and eucalyptus. It's a little earthy, a little flowery, and a lotta sexy." — Kelsey Castañon, content director, Beauty

"I love the Jenni Kayne Topanga Glass Candle ($65), it smells like a fresh and earthy day every time I light it. The best part is that I can walk into my living room and without the candle being lit, I can still smell the freshness of the moss, green leaves, and citrusy grapefruit. This is another spendy candle but it burns evenly, thoroughly, and for many hours." — Lauren Hendrickson, VP, Commerce

"I normally light candles after I finish cleaning or if I'm stressed. I love the scent of lemons and vanilla, and it really doesn't get any better than the Home Candle by LIT Brooklyn ($14). As soon as I light it, it puts me in a good mood. It honestly feels like a big hug." — Shari Straker, associate social content producer

"I'm usually not a fan of overly rosy smelling fragrances — I'm more of a woodsy gal. However, there's something totally intoxicating about the Nette Gallica Rose Scented Candle ($82). I keep it in my bathroom, and even when it's not lit, it gives the whole room such a wonderful ambient scent. Yes, it is quite floral and rose-filled, but it also has undertones of musk and greenery to balance it out." — Aviel Kanter, director of branded content

"Obviously I have spent years wishing to be transported into the world of 'Mamma Mia!' and The Dynamos Set ($98) is the next best thing! These are the perfect light, summery fragrances for the hottest months of the year." — Victoria Edel, staff writer, Movies and TV.

"I'm a big fan of Chip and Joanna Gaines, and in testing products from their (many) brands, I came across this Linen Candle ($14). It's not too feminine or masculine, and its smell is as familiar as a clean batch of laundry: warm, comforting, with a mix of lemon, jasmine, and cotton inside. It's something I light before guests come over that usually leads to at least one 'wow, it smells so good in here' praise. I've repurchased this candle many times, and I plan to for many more times to come." — Haley Lyndes, assistant editor, Commerce