These are the 14 best scented candles of 2023 for holiday gifting — as low as $24

Key Notes: Rich earth, petitgrain, sandalwood, rosemary

Scent Type: Earthy

For those who light candles to aid relaxation and clear your mind, this is the candle for you. There's a lot that I love about P.F. Candle Co., but the brand's candle prices and scent projections are my top two admirations.

In addition to being extremely affordable, this candle has a strong scent throw that fills the room just minutes after you light the wick. With notes of petitgrain, sandalwood and rosemary, this is the perfect earthy, grounded and mysterious scent for the fall and winter seasons.

Key Notes: Juicy ruby pomegranate, raspberry, Casablanca lily, guaiac wood and amber

Scent Type: Sweet and smoky

When one thinks of luxury scented candles, Jo Malone London is one of the first brands that they think of — and for good reason. If you know anything about the brand, you likely already know that Pomegranate Noir is one of its No. 1 best-selling scents and, if you're looking to go full out, its luxury 88-ounce candle is the perfect size for a continuous burn.

This candle smells sweet, seductive and warm. It's also one of the richest, full-bodied fragrances in Jo Malone London's lineup. What I love most about this candle, though, is that it burns very slowly and evenly but still projects well enough to fill the room. This means you'll have this candle for a long time. This luxury candle has a whopping 230-hour burn-time, and based on how smoothly and slowly it burns, you're sure to have this for years and years and years to come.

Key Notes: Red apple, peony, suede

Scent Type: Floral and soft

The word I could best use to describe this floral and gentle candle is "charming." This rich scent is perfect for those who are looking for a luxury candle that's approachable and not too bold. Also, since it's the smallest offering in Jo Malone London's lineup, it's affordable without sacrificing the quality.

This scent captures the essence of fragile peonies when they're at their peak bloom state. It also has just the right amount of sweetness with notes of red apple, jasmine and a touch of rose. It doesn't get softer than this.

Key Notes: Lemon balm, crushed thyme, orange rind

Scent Type: Aromatic and woody

This is my newest favorite home fragrance and I've honestly never smelled anything like it before. P.F. Candle Co. describes it as "barefoot walks through wild herb gardens, cool mountain steam baths, crisp morning air," and I'd have to say that they couldn't have described its essence better.

It strikes the perfect balance of herby and fruity with its notes of crushed thyme, lemon balm and orange rind, and it's become my go-to holiday fragrance that's not directly tied to the traditional holiday notes we all know. This is one I would recommend you snatch up now before it sells out.

Key Notes: Basic, eucalyptus, freesia, rose, oak

Scent Types, Fresh and warm, floral and sweet, woody and earthy

While Brooklinen is known for its high-quality sheets and bedding, its new Votive candle set is my newest favorite release from the brand. This set features four mini hand-poured, perfume-grade candles developed with top perfumers. It comes in two set options (The Up & Up Set and The Downtime Set), and while I love them both, The Downtime Set is my favorite for this time of year.

The four scents included are Good Intentions, Happy Hour, Restore and Love Note and they all just feel like a warm hug, making this the perfect set to gift for the holiday season (or keep for yourself).

Key Notes: Fir balsam, fresh-cut pine, fine suede

Scent Types: Edgy holiday vibes

This candle duo set captures the essence of the holidays in New York City. With the traditional holiday note of fresh-cut pine and more elevated notes like fir balsam and fine suede that add an edgy twist, this is the ideal candle set to gift to a native New Yorker or someone who's moved and needs a little reminder of home.

Sweetening the deal, this beautifully packaged set also comes with a wick trimmer, a scent story cart and a candle care card. Each candle also comes nestled in a reusable jar.

Key Notes: Fresh bergamot, green pine needles, silver fir

Scent Type: Woody Aromatic

While Phlur rose to fame in 2023 with its addictive floral and musky fragrance Missing Person, the brand also extended its scented candle line to include a few holiday picks that are worth checking out.

Particularly if you love woody holiday candles, Phlur's Wild Balsam scent is my favorite pick. The brand describes it as "a modern take on the quintessential winter fragrance," and this is such a true assessment. It smells green, warm, bright and spicy all at once — a feat that most fragrance houses fail to execute.

This is the perfect holiday home fragrance for those who want something that screams, "It's time for Christmas," without being too obvious and uninspired.

Key Notes: Mandarin, rhubarb, red currant

Scent Type: Fruity

On the other end of the spectrum is this fruity and sweet holiday-scented candle from Phlur. If woody scents aren't your vibe, you're going to love this one.

It smells rich, decadent and a little tart as its name "Currant Crush" suggests. Also, rose lovers can't stop raving about this new scent since it perfectly executes the delicate scent without overpowering the other notes that make it so complex and holiday-ready.

Also, both Phlur candles come in a gorgeous white stone vessel that adds that slight touch of elegance to any coffee table.

Key Notes: Pink grapefruit, raspberry, fresh cassis, violet leaves

Scent Type: Fruity and floral

For many candle shoppers, the candle's vessel is just as important as its scent and projection and this one from Jonathan Adler checks all of the boxes. It smells super lush and sweet with notes of grapefruit, raspberry, rose petals, grape leaves and more, but what sets it off is its bold metallic vessel that aligns perfectly with the Jonathan Adler home decor philosophy.

It also comes packaged in a metallic box, so you don't have to wrap it if you don't want to. It's already gorgeous and giftable as is.

Key Notes: Vanilla, guaiacwood, cumin

Scent Type: Comforting and warm

Fragrance connoisseur Sir Candle Man was everyone's TikTok home scent expert for the past two years, so it was only fair that he joined forces with LAFCO New York, one of the most respected scented candle brands in the world, to create his own scent — and it didn't disappoint.

According to the brand, this warm and comforting scent "evokes gratitude, joy and hope" and is packed with familiar notes like vanilla and is spruced up with exotic resins and spices and cumin. It also comes in a beautifully designed hand-blown glass vessel that's a unique work of art. This is one that's sure to be a conversation piece the next time you entertain.

Key Note: Lavender

Scent Type: Soothing and herbaceous

Some folks prefer a more straightforward and simple fragrance that doesn't have a complex note combination or blend, and this scented candle from La Chatelaine embodies this vibe perfectly.

It's a true lavender-scented candle that's soothing, sweet and herbaceous and somehow isn't overpowering or offputting. The brand says it captures the feeling of "a warm summer day in the south of France," and that rings true from the first burn.

Key Notes: King William pear, freesia, patchouli

Scent Type: Fruity Florals

This is my top recommendation for the candle lover who wants a very subtle floral scent that's not too overpowering but still has that botanical and garden-centric theme. In fact, since it so perfectly balances these elements, it's quickly become so many scented candle lovers' go-to luxury scent.

Jo Malone London's English Pear & Freesia Deluxe Candle perfectly captures the essence and feel of fall with notes of just-ripened pears wrapped in a fresh bouquet of white freesias. To prevent a sweet and floral overload, it's mellowed out by notes of amber, patchouli and woods that give it that full-bodied scent that so many people love.

Key Notes: Melted butter, dark chocolate, vanilla, exotic woods, patchouli and musk

Scent Type: Sweet, nutty and woody

Having a top note of melted butter and middle notes of dark chocolate, cacao and vanilla sounds like a dream and this unique candle from Apollo Candles New York proves that it's just as decadent as it sounds.

This candle is definitely a treat in the best sense of the word. It smells like a luxurious high-end chocolate shop with the perfect woody, fall-themed notes to balance the whimsy with a bit of practicality. I've honestly never smelled any candle like this one and it's one that I'll surely keep in my rotation for a while.

Key Notes: Mandarin, grapefruit, champagne grapes

Scent Type: Light, fresh and slightly fruity

Lastly, this one took me by surprise. I'm usually not the biggest fan of Homesick candles, but I immediately fell in love with this scent that from the first burn. It has one of the best projections I've encountered in any scented candle (both budget and expensive) and it smells extremely luxe and complex.

With notes of mandarin, grapefruit, apple, pineapple and champagne grapes, it's sweet but manages to remain light and fresh without smelling too tropical. If you're looking for the perfect celebratory scent, this is 100% the candle to buy. You'll want to save it forever — trust me.