"Fall" for these cozy scents perfect for autumn
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What scent comes to mind when you think of fall? Whether it's the nostalgic spark of a fireplace, a cup of warm apple cider, or the spiced aroma of a pumpkin pie, there's a candle out there to replicate this scent and transform your space for the new season.
While the options can be overwhelming, we recommend determining the ambiance you want to set in your space, which could end up being different for every room. Choose from musky scents you could burn all year round, a sweet pumpkin that smells like fresh-baked goods, or a clean scent reminiscent of crisp autumn air that's perfect for a kitchen or bathroom.
To help find your signature fall scent, we researched the best fall candles on the market, considering the scent, style, and price of each.
WoodWick Autumn Harvest Trilogy Hourglass Candle
VIEW ON AMAZON $25
VIEW ON WALMART $17
VIEW ON TARGET $31
Why choose one scent when you can have three? This single candle from WoodWick has three different layered scents that you discover as it burns. On the bottom, you'll find apple, pear, and peach notes with hints of lilac and jasmine. The middle layer smells like fresh blackberries inside a flaky vanilla pastry, while the top layer features notes of pumpkin, butter, and warm spices. What's more, WoodWick candles actually crackle to mimic the nostalgic sound of a fireplace.
Price at time of publish: $31
Craft & Kin Premium Whiskey Caramel Scented Candle
For a warm, masculine scent, Craft & Kin has you covered. Made with essential oils and a cotton wick, the Whiskey Caramel scent combines the harsh whiskey scent with sweet and rich caramel for a beautiful balance that would look and smell amazing on the mantle of a fireplace. Plus, the brand is very budget-friendly, and each candle comes in an attractive amber glass jar.
Price at time of publish: $19
VIEW ON AMAZON $24
Get into the Thanksgiving spirit early, with this delicious option from Village Candle that smells exactly like a warm apple pie fresh from the oven. With additional notes of vanilla and cinnamon, the vessel features a mouth-watering picture of a pie and the paraffin wax even resembles the color of a golden brown pie crust baked to perfection.
Price at time of publish: $22
Some candles, like this one from Capri Blue, smell just as beautiful as they look. With something as gorgeous as this glittery orange vessel, you can't help but add it to a shelf, bookshelf, or dining table as a new staple of your autumnal decor. As for the scent, you'll smell a mix of white pumpkin, sweet gingersnap, and whipped vanilla for a sweet fragrance that immediately screams pie season.
Price at time of publish: $38
Literie Apple Picking in the Hudson Valley Candle
VIEW ON AMAZON $45
VIEW ON LITERIECANDLE.COM
If you've been to the Hudson Valley, or if you've been apple picking, this scent from Literie Candles perfectly captures that experience and scent. You don't have to be from the region to enjoy the notes of sweet apple cider donuts. Each candle from this brand features an adorable illustration that adds interest to the vessel when sitting on a coffee table or bookshelf.
Price at time of publish: $45
Better Homes & Gardens 12oz Farm Apple Pumpkin Scented Ombre 2-Wick Jar Candle
VIEW ON WALMART $11
If you can't decide between two classic fall scents—apple and pumpkin—get the best of both worlds with this farm apple pumpkin candle from Better Homes & Gardens (Better Homes & Gardens is owned by The Spruce's Brand’s parent company, Dotdash Meredith). With notes of apple and pumpkin comes orange, cinnamon, and brown sugar for a sweet and bright scent perfect for any room in your home. The ombre glass makes for an interesting centerpiece while the wooden lid adds a touch of rustic charm.
Price at time of publish: $11
Glasshouse Fragrances In Season
VIEW ON GLASSHOUSEFRAGRANCES.COM
Whether you're a baker or not, your home can smell like something delicious is rising in the oven with this candle from Glasshouse Fragrances. The pumpkin spiced cake scent combines notes of coconut, orange, pumpkin, caramelized sugar, cinnamon, and more. The brand ranks all of their fragrance strength and this one comes in as one of the strongest scents, ideal for filling a large room during parties and celebrations.
Price at time of publish: $55
Anthropologie Cheena Harvest Gourmand Pumpkin Spice & Black Walnut Glass Pumpkin Candle
VIEW ON ANTHROPOLOGIE $44
For candles that double as decor, Anthropologie has you covered. This stunning glass candle has notes of pumpkin, orange zest, honey, walnut, and other spices for a traditional and nostalgic fall scent for any room in your home. The best part is that you can repurpose the pumpkin vessel to hold candies or other trinkets year after year in your fall decorating.
Price at time of publish: $44
Brooke & Lou Warm Amber Candle
VIEW ON BROOKEANDLOU.COM
Interior designer and Brooke & Lou founder and CEO Bria Hammel personally picks all of the scents featured in her shop, including this warm amber candle that's excellent for autumn. The simple white vessel has a decorative wax seal that's not overtly fall-themed, so we argue you can use this candle year-round and reuse the vessel once it finishes burning.
Price at time of publish: $46
Homesick Candles Autumn Hayride Candle
VIEW ON AMAZON $38
VIEW ON HOMESICK.COM
VIEW ON NORDSTROM $38
Homesick Candles aim to capture a memory in a scent—in this case—an autumn hayride. As you imagine sitting on bales of hay bouncing up and down on a bumpy road, you may remember smelling the cool air with notes of wood and musk, which is what this candle encapsulates. The soy-blend candle burns for 60 to 80 hours and comes in an adorable fall-themed box, which is perfect for gifting.
Price at time of publish: $38
Yankee Candle Crisp Fall Night Candle
VIEW ON AMAZON $70
Any fall lover would agree that the time of year, when the leaves begin to fall, has a specific scent. Yankee Candle bottled this scent into a dusky candle aptly called 'Crisp Fall Night.' Earthy notes are balanced with lavender for a scent that mimics an evening stroll without ever stepping outside.
Price at time of publish: $31
VIEW ON WALMART
VIEW ON ANTHROPOLOGIE $48
VIEW ON BERGDORFGOODMAN.COM
Pumpkin may be the first scent that comes to mind when thinking about fall, but Nest takes the fragrance a step further. Add spicy masala chai, cardamom, ginger, and cinnamon, and you're left with a cozy and comforting blend of spices that smells good enough to drink. Plus, the orange vessel mimics the color of a pumpkin perfectly, making it a stress-free centerpiece on your Thanksgiving table.
Price at time of publish: $48
Ditpyque Noistier (Hazel Tree) Classic Candle
VIEW ON BLOOMINGDALES
VIEW ON DIPTYQUEPARIS.COM
VIEW ON NEIMAN MARCUS $74
If you want something different than traditional pumpkins, look to this candle from Diptyque. Named Noisetier or Hazel Tree, the candle features notes of fresh leaves, woody tree trunks, and sweet hazelnuts. We argue that the woodsy scent mimics early fall walks through tree-lined streets, while the hazelnut adds a touch of sweetness that's different from traditional apple or pecan, but rather more reminiscent of a roasting chestnut. Therefore, this candle seamlessly transitions into December, doubling as a Christmas candle.
Price at time of publish: $74
Voluspa Spiced Pumpkin Latte Japonica Glass Jar Candle
VIEW ON AMAZON $22
VIEW ON ANTHROPOLOGIE $36
VIEW ON BLOOMINGDALES $35
If you look forward to pumpkin-spiced lattes every September, you need this candle from Voluspa. The Spiced Pumpkin Latte scent features notes of fresh pumpkin, sweet vanilla marshmallow, coconut milk, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves to deliver a deliciously spicy and milky that will have you sprinting to your local coffee shop for another fix.
Price at time of publish: $36
Aerangis No. 212 Concrete Jungle
VIEW ON AERANGIS.COM
Capture a rainy fall day in New York City with Aerangis' Concrete Jungle candle. The scent's notes of bergamot, fig, berry, and lemon juxtapose Cedarwood, sandalwood, and musk to represent the contradiction between building and nature in the Big Apple. No matter how far you are from NYC, you can light this scent on a rainy day and take a journey through your senses.
Price at time of publish: $78
LAFCO Birchwood Molasses Candle
VIEW ON AMAZON $75
VIEW ON LAFCO.COM
Sweet molasses comes together with mandarin, bergamot & lemon for a balanced autumn candle from LAFCO. Where this pick literally shines is the vessel. The hand-blown glass vessel comes in a gorgeous neutral hue to match other subdued fall decor and when lit, the light shines through for a gorgeous glow on your table or mantle.
Price at time of publish: $75
Illume Fall Crackle Glass Candle
VIEW ON ANTHROPOLOGIE $68
For those who value the look of a candle even more than the scent, we highly recommend this crackle glass candle from Illume. Available in bronze or gold, the cracked design comes to life with shimmer when the candle is lit. Each color has a different equally enchanting fall-themed scent. The bronze candle combines sandalwood with cardamom pomander and tangelo, while the gold vessel smells like a smoky fireplace with hints of suede and amber.
Price at time of publish: $68
VIEW ON AMAZON $45
VIEW ON MACY'S $45
VIEW ON NORDSTROM $45
Prepare for sweater season with a candle that smells like your favorite cashmere sweater. Skylar candles are hand-poured in Los Angeles with soy coconut wax free from paraffins or phthalates. The undeniably cozy scent intermingles cinnamon bark, roasted almond, and spiced ginger with classic vanilla. The same scent also comes in a perfume, so you and your home can share a cohesive fall scent.
Price at time of publish: $45
Anecdote Candles Grandpa’s Cardigan
VIEW ON ANECDOTECANDLES.COM
Anecdote Candles masters capturing an object or feeling in a scent and the brand's fall range is no exception. We love the Grandpa's Cardigan scent for a nostalgic fragrance with a modern twist. With notes of birch, black pepper, and cardamom, the candle smells like days of playing board games and telling stories beside the fire, celebrating the time of year when family comes together.
Price at time of publish: $26
Brooklyn Candle Studio Woodsmoke Minimalist Candle
VIEW ON BROOKLYNCANDLESTUDIO.COM
Brooklyn Candle Studio describes this candle as the feeling of being wrapped in a warm blanket in a cozy cabin, even calling it a "mini-fireplace." While not limited to the fall, fireplace scents help capture the cuddly nature of cold weather, even if it's still warm outside. The minimalistic vessel looks gorgeous on your bedside table, while the bottom notes of leather and incense envelop you in the feeling of snuggle season, despite the weather.
Price at time of publish: $28
Bath & Body Works White Barn Flannel Single Wick Scented Candle
VIEW ON AMAZON $25
VIEW ON BATHANDBODYWORKS.COM
Bath & Body Works has no shortage of scents for every holiday, but the brand's best-selling flannel scent is a perennial favorite for fall and winter. Not specific to a certain holiday, flannel marries bergamot, mahogany, and soft musk for a universally appealing scent ideal for chilly nights spent on the couch. The single-wick candles burn for up to 45 hours.
Price at time of publish: $24
McGee & Co Amber & Clove Candle
VIEW ON MCGEEANDCO.COM
For a minimalistic candle you can light and display all year round, we love this amber and clove candle from McGee & Co. Hand-poured in the US from soy wax, the candle features notes of clove and black vanilla to set a cozy vibe for fall as the weather begins to cool while a hint of sugared cedar prepares you for the holiday season ahead.
Price at time of publish: $36
Apotheke Blackberry Honey Ceramic Scented Candle
VIEW ON APOTHEKECO.COM
While fruity scents may feel too springy for autumn, we argue that Apotheke's blackberry honey candle is the perfect way to introduce sweet scents into your fall home fragrance. The blackberries and honey are complemented by notes of caramel, vanilla, and maple for a sweet fall scent for those who don't love something overly spicy.
Price at time of publish: $46
What to Look For in Fall Candles
Scent
For most, the scent of a candle is the most crucial factor when shopping. Some common autumn scents included pumpkin, apple, and warm spices such as cinnamon and cardamom. However, we believe you shouldn't limit yourself when determining what qualifies as a seasonal scent. If you want to stick to tradition, opt for the Spiced Pumpkin Latte by Voluspa. For something you can burn all year long, look instead at the Cashmere Candle from Skylar. Remember, there's never a wrong time to burn your favorite candle, no matter the scent.
Style
If you're adding a fall candle to your mantle decor or holiday centerpiece, you want the vessel to be equally as beautiful as the scent. Luckily, many candles on this list shine brightly, both literally and figuratively. We argue that the Capri Blue Pumpkin Dulce Glitz candle comes in the most gorgeous vessel complete with glitter and a pumpkin orange hue. For something a bit less glitzy but still impressive for the season, we love the effect of the Illume Fall Crackle Glass Candle, which is simple enough to leave out all year round.
Budget
Candles run the gamut in terms of prices with small tea candles available for under $5 and large statement options priced well over $100. Determine how important candles are to your seasonal decor when determining your budget. If you plan to make your candle the centerpiece of a holiday dinner or the focal point of your coffee table, you may be comfortable spending a bit more. However, there are equally stunning scented candles available for under $20, including the Craft & Kin Whiskey Caramel Scented Candle.
FAQ
What are the best fall scents?
This will be subjective and differ from person to person. Some candle lovers will prefer a sweet pumpkin pie scent in the fall while others prefer clean scents like fresh linen or fallen leaves. Other popular autumnal scents include apple pie, woodsy trees, smoky fireplaces, and sweet coffee. There's no one right way to capture the feeling of fall in a scent. Find a scent that feels reminiscent of the season to you and go from there.
How can I make candles last longer?
To ensure your candles last as long as possible, follow the manufacturer's care instructions closely. Always trim your wicks with a wick trim before lighting. Then, you want to let your candle burn evenly so that the wax makes an even pool around the entire circumference of your candle. This will prevent your candle from tunneling or appearing uneven. If you want to get fancy, use a snuffer to put your candles out at the end of the day. In general, each individual brand knows best, so don't stray from the recommended uses for the best candle life possible.
What candle scents last the longest?
Always check the burn time of your candle on the manufacturer's website or packaging to get a rough estimate on how long your candle will last. If you follow the care instructions perfectly, the candle often reaches its maximum burn time for an increased life span. In our experience, sweet scents permeate in the air the longest, even after the candle goes out.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Julia Fields, an associate editor for The Spruce covering all things surrounding toys, gifts, and the holidays since October 2021. Before that, she covered similar topics including toy reviews, product roundups, expert-focused articles, and more. For this article, the self-proclaimed candle enthusiast researched dozens of candles that embody the spirit of fall. She's also personally used almost every brand on this list and loved fall candles that smell subtly of pumpkin with another element such as vanilla or coffee.
Originally Published: https://www.thespruce.com/best-fall-candles-7565840
Posted on 10/01/2023 at 10:00 AM
