22 Best Candles of 2022—for Last-minute Holiday Gifts That Won’t Feel It
Whether giving one as a gift or treating yourself, the right candle can make a big difference!
With their ability to completely control a fifth of our senses, candles hold a surprising amount of power. The sheer amount of options on the market has given consumers some power as well. Our standards for what makes a great candle are higher than ever, and how good it smells is just the beginning.
"Wick testing is where many brands fail," shares Lynette Reed, a product development consultant and the Director of Business Development at Modern Candle who founded Illume Candles nearly 30 years ago. "You can't throw in a wick and expect it to burn correctly. You can have eight candles in a collection, using the same glass and wax but different fragrances, and you may need eight different wicks."
Finding the right wick is akin to playing Goldilocks...the flame can't get too high, the wax pool can't get too deep, the glass can't get too hot and the wick itself can't be too short. It has to be just right. Reed also emphasizes the importance of testing the fragrance's "throw" (how far the scent travels from the candle itself). "There's cold throw, which is what you smell when it's not lit, and warm throw, which is when it's burning," she explains. This means just because a candle smells strong in the store, doesn't mean it will translate to your home.
You may also be surprised to learn that producing candles is really expensive, especially in a post-pandemic world. Between ingredients, manufacturing and shipping, costs have quadrupled in some cases. That said, Reed still believes that price isn't necessarily an indicator of how well something has been made, which we now know is critical. Once you bring the candle home though, it's up to you to make it last. "Learning how to burn them properly will make a huge difference," Reed says. "It's super important that on the first burn you burn the candle all the way out to the edge. You should also always trim the wick before you burn it, and not let any of the debris end up in the wax," she finishes.
Between Reed's guidance, thorough research and a whole lot of testing, we've compiled the 22 best candles of 2022 to light up your home. Hopefully, this list has the right scented, long-lasting, great smelling candle for your home.
22 Best Candles of 2022
1. Hotel Lobby Candle Miami Candle, $56 at Hotel Lobby Candle
Before you even open the box, you're hit with the strong fragrance that effortlessly envelopes a space upon burning. The brand claims their Miami scent "smells like pure luxury" and they're not wrong. Florals, citrus and musk are complex and sophisticated, rich and light. Hotel Lobby Candle Miami Candle, $56 at Hotel Lobby Candle
2. Parfums de Marly Delina Candle, $89 at Nordstrom
Parfums de Marly's Delina scent is iconic, but it's pricey in perfume form. Get the scent for less with this candle that's at once feminine and warm. It's undeniably floral, with a powdery and woody side courtesy of the vanilla, musk, and cedarwood notes. Parfums de Marly Delina Candle, $89 at Nordstrom
3. L'or de Seraphine Mansour Marrakech Candle, $32-44 on Amazon
With just one sniff, you'll understand why this scent is a best seller. It's fruity, spicy and refreshing all at the same time, making it a versatile option for any space. Once you've burned through the candle (because you definitely will), you can reuse the vibrant porcelain vessel for makeup brushes, trinkets and so much more. L'or de Seraphine Mansour Marrakech Candle, $32-44 on Amazon
4. The Little Market Champagne Candle, $44 at The Little Market
Cheers! Sweet, slightly powdery and 100% celebratory, this candle smells just like your favorite glass of bubbly with a hint of berries. As a nonprofit fair trade shop (cofounded by Lauren Conrad!), their candles are small batches by women who have resettled as refugees in the United States. The Little Market Champagne Candle, $44 at The Little Market
5. Anecdote Candles Adulting Candle, $14-34 at Anecdote Candles
What's that smell? It must be the kind of satisfaction that can only come from having your sh*t together, aka adulting. Fig and sandalwood are full of warmth, while the lemon and grapefruit are bright and clean. With three sizes to choose from, a travel tin, standard jar, and large tumbler, there's a price point for every budget. Anecdote Candles Adulting Candle, $14-34 at Anecdote Candles
6. Studio Oh! The Ingénue Signature Collection Candle, $20 on Amazon
When it comes to affordability and accessibility, Reed recommends Studio Oh! The Ingénue (which is French for innocent girl) smells like you're walking through a botanical garden in the early morning, with a combination of dewy greens, florals, vanilla and white musk. Studio Oh! The Ingénue Signature Collection Candle, $20 on Amazon
Related: 9 Best Non-Toxic Candles for a Cozy Night In
7. Le Labo Santal 26 Classic Candle, $82 at Nordstrom
Le Labo is known for their dynamic fragrances, and this one is composed of 26 different notes including sandalwood (hence the name Santal 26). Others you'll find include cocoa, vanilla, cedar, spices and musk, creating a deliciously sophisticated and comforting scent that makes a statement in your space. Le Labo Santal 26 Classic Candle, $82 at Nordstrom
8. Literie Candle 28th Street Flower Market Candle, $35 at Macy's
Literie's original and best selling scents are all inspired by iconic New York experiences, including the 28th street flower market. Simple notes of peony and rose result in a refreshing fragrance that, if you're not a New Yorker, is reminiscent of the ideal spring day. Literie Candle 28th Street Flower Market Candle, $35 at Macy's
9. Carrière Frères Tomato - Lycopersicon Esculentum Candle, $65 at Dermstore
There's nothing like picking a perfectly ripe tomato off the vine, and that's exactly what this candle invokes. It's sweet, fresh, herbal, and delightfully addicting. Carrière Frères Tomato - Lycopersicon Esculentum Candle, $65 at Dermstore
10. P.F. Candle Co. Teakwood & Tobacco Soy Candle, $24 on Amazon
According to Reed, everything about P.F. Candle Co. is great, including the fragrances, the burn, the company and the prices. Teakwood & Tobacco is their original scent, leathery, woodsy and rich with just a hint of sweetness. Worth noting: These candles are purposefully designed without a large throw, instead intended to be more like the background music at a party. P.F. Candle Co. Teakwood & Tobacco Soy Candle, $24 on Amazon
11. Bath & Body Works Eucalyptus Spearmint 3-Wick Candle, $33 on Amazon
Breathe in the clean, calming aroma.... Breathe out all the stress and anxiety! Long lasting with a strong scent of spearmint, clary sage and eucalyptus, this candle has earned a cult following for its spa-like properties. Bath & Body Works Eucalyptus Spearmint 3-Wick Candle, $33 on Amazon
12. LAFCO Chamomile Lavender Candle, $76 on Amazon
Perfect to wind down with, this candle is practically made for your pre-bed ritual and is the fragrance equivalent of melting into a fresh pile of fluffy white bedding. Lavender and chamomile are the most prominent notes, with bergamot, eucalyptus and patchouli rounding out the scent. LAFCO Chamomile Lavender Candle, $76 on Amazon
13. Capri Blue Volcano Candle, $34 on Amazon
Is any best candles list complete without this one? Volcano is a legendary scent with unique notes of sugared citrus and tropical fruit that are delicately sensual and invigoratingly fresh. Do yourself a favor and just buy it. Capri Blue Volcano Candle, $34 on Amazon
14. Diptyque Baies/Berries Candle, $40-400 at Nordstrom
Diptyque is famous for their splurge-worthy fragrances, made to truly envelope a room. Sophisticated and just a little sweet, their Baies scent is beloved for the notes of rose and berry that create a warm and tangy scent that's downright addictive. Diptyque Baies/Berries Candle, $40-400 at Nordstrom
15. Otherland Cardamom Milk Vegan Candle, $36 at Sephora
Whatever you think this candle smells like, it's better, and it's nothing like similar candles you've smelled. Creamy with a little bit of sweetness and spice, its warmth is cozy and comforting. The fragrance fills the room, but at the same time has a subtleness that makes it all the more sophisticated. Otherland Cardamom Milk Vegan Candle, $36 at Sephora
16. Boy Smells Ash Scented Candle, $36-86 at Nordstrom
Boy Smells' fragrances are what the founders call genderful — an embrace of both the feminine and masculine — and just so happen to be some of Reed's favorites: "They have some of the best around. They're very particular about getting it right." This one is like the elevated version of a bonfire, with notes of firewood, smoke, charcoal, palo santo, hay and a subtle sweetness. Boy Smells Ash Scented Candle, $36-86 at Nordstrom
17. Harlem Candle Co. Speakeasy Luxury Candle, $48 on Amazon
The Harlem Candle Co. is a love letter to the rich history of Harlem, with this scent specifically taking inspiration from the Prohibition era. Palo santo and tobacco pay homage to cocktails and cigars, while licorice and plum blossom channel women's perfumes. Other notes like vanilla, dark chocolate, cardamom and pimento berry are layered on to help tell the story of nights spent at hidden clubs. Harlem Candle Co. Speakeasy Luxury Candle, $48 on Amazon
18. Mrs. Meyer's Honeysuckle Candle, $11 on Amazon
At just $11, this is a candle you can burn with abandon, which you'll want to. It has a magical ability to mask any unpleasant odors with a floral and fruity scent that lingers beautifully, especially for the price. Mrs. Meyer's Honeysuckle Candle, $11 on Amazon
19. NEST Fragrances Grapefruit Classic Candle, $46 on Amazon
Consider this candle your perfect pick-me-up. Sweet and strong but nowhere close to overpowering, the scent permeates your space in the best way, and it even lingers after being blown out. NEST Fragrances Grapefruit Classic Candle, $46 on Amazon
20. Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt Scented Home Candle, $75 at Nordstrom
Close your eyes.... Imagine it's a slightly overcast day and you're walking on the rocks along the ocean. Salt water sprays as the waves break, and you inhale deeply. Imagine the smell? That's exactly what you'll get from this candle, which is same scent as one of Jo Malone's best selling perfumes. Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt Scented Home Candle, $75 at Nordstrom
21. Jonathan Adler Pop Grapefruit Scented Candle, $38 on Amazon
This is it: the very same candle they use at SoulCycle studios across the nation. It's incredibly energizing and has a fantastic throw, lit or not. Plus, the sleek yellow vessel is just the pop of color your space has been looking for. Jonathan Adler Pop Grapefruit Scented Candle, $38 on Amazon
22. Voluspa French Cade Lavender Candle, $37 on Amazon
So much more than the typical lavender candle, this one also has the warmth of French cade wood and the freshness of verbena to round it out. It's clean and rustic yet exotic in a unique way...a truly beautiful aroma. Voluspa French Cade Lavender Candle, $37 on Amazon
Next Up: Shop this List of 21 Best Soy Candles for a Cozy Night In
