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These Are the Best Fall Candles We Smelled This Year

updatedSep 22, 2021
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Credit: Getty Images/ Helin Loik-Tomson

It’s officially autumn, and as theweather starts to cool down, there’s something so cozy aboutlighting a candle. For those of us without a working fireplace, it’s an easy stand-in for that homey hearth, with the added bonus of making your place smell amazing. When it comes to fall scented candles, there are a lot of options out there, but it’s my personal mission to bring you the best of them.

I reached out to a variety of candle brands across the price spectrum, from big retailers to small-batch producers. Then, because everyone is different, I asked some friends to help me smell them — over 50 candles total! Below, you’ll see the top picks from the bunch, plus a few wild cards worth noting.

1/36
Otherland
$36.00

Scent notes:Sandalwood, toasted walnut, sweet hay
Comments:“Beautiful woodsy notes. Makes me think of a chilly night in front of a fireplace."

2/36
Homesick
$34.00

Scent notes:Pumpkin, nutmeg, ginger, clove, cinnamon, vanilla, tonka bean
Comments:“Autumnal,” "Subtle pumpkin scent."

3/36
Bath & Body Works
$25.50

Scent notes:Citrus zest, sage, Red Delicious apples
Comments:“Fresh laundry,” “Like expensive hand soap.”

4/36
Anecdote Candles
$26.00

Scent notes:Tobacco, cardamom, mandarin, Guaiac wood, amber
Comments:“Wood/spice,” "A subtle warming scent."

5/36
Apotheke
$38.00

Scent notes:Black tea, moro orange, pink pepper
Comments:"Nice but faint," “Smells like the lobby of the St. Germain Hotel."

6/36
Sephora
$36.00

Scent notes:Burnt maple, smoky oud, vetiver
Comments:“No idea what I smelled but I liked it," "Kanye West in a candle."

7/36
Bath & Body Works
$25.50

Scent notes:Pumpkin pie spice, espresso, whipped cream, cinnamon
Comments:“It's PSL szn!" "I'll take mine extra hot, no whip."

8/36
Bath & Body Works
$25.50

Scent notes:Cedarwood, citrus, mint
Comments:“Sexy, expensive cologne,” “Soapy in a good way,” "Old Spice but make it bougie."

9/36
Anecdote Candles
$26.00

Scent notes:Pumpkin, cardamom, valencia orange, cinnamon, ginger root
Comments:"Vanilla and tree bark," “This candle smells exactly the way you want a pumpkin spice candle to smell — not too sweet, and quite layered for something called basic.”

10/36
Otherland
$36.00

Scent notes:Frothy milk, cardamom, praline woods
Comments:“Yes, yes, yes — smells like Turkish coffee," "Non-intrusive," "Smells like milk."

11/36
Bath & Body Works
$25.50

Scent notes:Lavender, eucalyptus, juniper berries
Comments:“Classic, clean," "Fresh after a shower," "Like walking on the beach holding hands with the one you love."

12/36
Anecdote Candles
$26.00

Scent notes:Ginger, meadow grass, clementine, sandalwood, nutmeg, vanilla orchid
Comments:“Freshness,” "Moscow Mule."

13/36
Target
$12.00

Scent notes:Apple, nutmeg
Comments:“Very warm, very fall. The wood wick adds a nice crackly touch.”

14/36
P.F. Candle Co.
$20.00

Scent notes:Vanilla, violet, tonka bean, cedar, cinnamon
Comments:“Light with a little spice at the end."

15/36
Nordstrom
$44.00

Scent notes:Cedarwood, sandalwood, smokey amber, oud
Comments:“Smells like it should be burnt on an altar next to some sticks and moss harvested from your walks in the woods. Also you’re a witch.”

16/36
Outdoor Fellow
$36.00

Scent notes:Cedarwood, patchouli, pine needle, sandalwood, teakwood
Comments:“I like that this one is woodsy without being pine-y — while that’s a scent I love, it does feel more wintery than autumnal. This one has more of the scent of fallen leaves and fresh soil, which is perfect for crisp fall evenings. It’s like taking a morning walk on a quiet trail. I also like that it smells natural and not at all perfume-y. While I love scented candles, some can be overpowering. Not this one! I’ve taken to lighting it during the day while I work, since it’s a relaxing scent that doesn’t ever feel like it’s taking over.”

17/36
P.F. Candle Co.
$20.00

Scent notes:Snow powder, blue spruce, cedarwood, citrus
Comments:“Zesty!” “Fresh,” “Smells almost soapy but I’m into it”

18/36
Jonathan Adler
$68.00

Scent notes:Black currant, green apple, wormwood, patchouli, moss
Comments:“More adult than other apple candles,” “I wanna be this guy someday.”

19/36
Bath & Body Works
$25.50

Scent notes:Pomegranate, orange blossom, vanilla bean, warm amber
Comments:“Soothing,” “Put me in a bathtub.”

20/36
Just Bee
$24.98

Scent notes:Hinoki cypress, cedar, gin botanicals
Comments:“Smells like you're sitting near a brook," "Very Christmas-y."

21/36
Outdoor Fellow
$36.00

Scent notes:Cedarwood, clove, patchouli, woodsmoke
Comments:“I’m such a sucker for anything that reminds me of curling up next to a fireplace or a fire pit on a chilly fall night! This one nails the smoky scent but also has a little hint of sweetness from the clove, which is a nice addition that also has kind of a festive feel (so this candle is a great pick for winter, too). It has as rich scent and honestly? I wish this was a drink because it would probably taste incredible. (Note: It is not. Do not drink the candle wax.)”

22/36
Jonathan Adler
$46.00

Scent notes:Davana, cognac, plum, leather accord, birch tree, cedar wood
Comments:“Surprisingly spicy,” “Very leathery,” “It smells like mezcal.”

23/36
Homesick
$34.00

Scent notes:Red apple, mandarin leaf, cinnamon sticks, pear, pomegranate, sugar cane
Comments:“Definitely that feeling of driving a few hours upstate to pick a half-bushel. Plus, you can add personalization right on the jar for an added fee.”

24/36
Yankee Candle
$31.00

Scent notes:Toasted pecans, marshmallow, agave, brown sugar, tonka, vanilla bean, musk
Comments:“Like nut brittle," "Good vanilla, but don't smell the nuts."

25/36
Sicilian Fig
Mixture
$24.99

Scent notes:Fig
Comments:"Gentle and clean," “Androgynous," "If '80s throwback has a smell, this is it."

26/36
Homesick
$34.00

Scent notes:Fresh hay, warm amber, clove, maple bark, nutmeg, birch, tonka, oakmoss
Comments:“A faint maple syrup smell," "Like that Mary Jane candy."

27/36
Bath & Body Works
$25.50

Scent notes:Palo Santo, warm amber, soft musk
Comments:“Woodsy and fabulous,” “Like a sexy Santa."

28/36
Anthropologie
$58.00

Scent notes:Pumpkin, allspice, clove, nutmeg, gingered cinnamon
Comments:“So much cinnamon but in a good way,” "I think this could scent my whole house."

29/36
Yankee Candle
$31.00

Scent notes:Mandarin, jasmine, white rose, Douglass Fir, white vetiver, sage, vanilla bean
Comments:“Lovely," "Granny's sweater."

30/36
Anthropologie
$32.00

Scent notes:Pumpkin, vanilla, pie
Comments:“Nice twist on regular pumpkin," "Vanilla cupcakes."

31/36
Just Bee
$24.98

Scent notes:Eucalyptus, mint, pine, smoke
Comments:“Very green, love it," "So many pines," "Very woodsy."

32/36
Tobacco + Cedar
Mixture
$17.99

Scent notes:Tobacco, cedar
Comments:“Like a cowboy in the Old West just took his monthly Sunday bath and is headed out on the ol' town to visit the nicest saloon."

33/36
Glasshouse Fragrances
$55.00

Scent notes:Coconut, pumpkin, cinnamon, clove, cumin, maple, musk, vanilla
Comments:“Subtle pumpkin," "Vanilla more than pumpkin."

34/36
Arôme
$28.00

Scent notes:Juniper, gin, red currant, balsam, oak, cypress, cedar
Comments:“A juicier wood scent — definitely some forest berries in there, like you're strolling through Sweden in the winter."

35/36
Mala
$35.00

Scent notes:Black amber, lavender, musk
Comments:“Peppery," "Cake frosting."

36/36
Aerangis
$78.00

Scent notes:Gardenia, ylang ylang, orange blossom, vetiver, cedarwood, musk
Comments:“Smells like fresh denim,” "Lovely floral and very granny in a good way."