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It’s a truth universally acknowledged that fall is the best time of year. It’s not just opinion—the objective fact of it all is that autumn packs the activities and seasonal traditions we spend all year looking forward to embracing. Plowing through our reading lists, cozying up with our fall beverage of choice (I’m team chaider), and making all the pumpkin treats. Of course, it’s also the time when we swap out our summer scents for something a little moodier, a little dark academia-coded, and yes—a bit spicy and sweet. The best fall candles of 2024? Boxes, checked.
The Best Fall Candles to Scent the Season
There’s something undeniably enchanting about fall. As the leaves turn and the air takes on that unmistakable crispness, it’s a reminder to embrace cozy nights in. Autumn is an invitation to slip on our sweaters and gather around the table with loved ones, enjoying the warmth of a hearty meal. But beyond the food, festivities, and fall rituals, candles set the scene for this magical time of year.
The best fall candles fill our homes with the comforting scents of the season. Everything from spiced apples to rich woods to warm vanilla fills our homes with these reminders of sensory delights. What’s more, candles go beyond just a flicker of light. They’re the finishing touch that turns your home into a haven. Whether you’re welcoming guests or savoring a moment of solitude, the right candle can instantly transform the atmosphere. Read on to discover the best fall candles to elevate your space.
Best Overall: Hearth & Hand™ with Magnolia Tinted Glass Harvest Chestnut Scalloped Jar Candle
You’ve found it: pure autumnal vibes wrapped up in a jar. With its rich, nutty fragrance and warm, amber glow, this candle feels like a cozy night in by the fire—minus the smoke. The vessel itself is so chic, with a timeless scalloped edge that makes it as much a statement piece as it is a seasonal essential. I’m planning to burn this anytime I want to indulge in a quiet evening. (That is, when I’m re-watching Emily in Paris Season 4 for the umpteenth time. I can’t be stopped.)
Best Pumpkin: Voluspa Spiced Pumpkin Latte
You know her, you love her, you buy her every September without fail. And if you don’t? Let me introduce you to the best pumpkin candle around. While I love picking up the Trader Joe’s pumpkin tin candle during my weekly stock-up, this is the more elevated version. (And yes, while still accessible, the price difference matches the bump-up in quality.) With notes of creamy pumpkin, whipped coconut, and cinnamon spice, it’s like savoring a sip of your first PSL of the season. Encased in Voluspa’s signature embossed glass jar, this candle doesn’t just smell like autumn—it looks the part, too.
Best Reusable Vessel: OWIU Goods Forest Candle
Everything OWIU Goods produces is a gift to behold. We interviewed founder Amanda Gunawan last year in her LA home, and it’s obvious that her intentional lifestyle extends to everything—ceramics, matcha, and candles—she creates. This candle brings the tranquility of the woods straight to your home. With earthy notes of cedar, sandalwood, and a hint of moss, it’s basically the next best thing to a forest bath. (Actually, better.) Minimalist in design but rich in scent, this candle is housed in a sleek ceramic vessel that adds a modern touch of character to any space.
Best Vanilla: Haven Well Within Gather Candle
Designed to evoke warmth and togetherness, this candle emanates cozy notes of vanilla, sandalwood, and clove. Perfect for minimalist candle lovers, this timeless neutral jar will be right at home in any space—transforming a room into an inviting sanctuary. I love burning it during intimate dinners and afternoon writing sessions when I want to feel focused and centered. Light it up, and let the rich, layered scent bring a sense of calm and connection to your favorite fall moments.
Best for Minimalists: Jenni Kayne Cedar Glass Candle
Come for the sweaters, stay for the candles. Like all of the brand’s apparel and home goods, this candle is the epitome of understated elegance. Infused with the grounding scent of cedar and soft notes of pine, it brings the crisp, woodsy air of autumn right into your home. And while I’ve been known to spin around other candles to keep the label concealed, I love the contemporary design it displays. (Also yes, I want you to know I’m an insider and thought to pick up the best fall candles from Jenni Kayne.) For an effortlessly cool, seasonal warmth, look no further.
Best Unexpected Scent: Salt & Stone Saffron & Cedar Candle
Cedar is expected—saffron is not. This candle is the perfect blend of exactly what you think fall should smell like but with a hard-to-put-your-finger-on twist. This luxurious blend of spice and wood exudes an exotic scent grounded by an earthy cedar. It’s sophisticated and sleek, adding a modern touch to your decor while filling the room with a rich, lingering aroma. Get ready to transform your home into an autumnal retreat.
Best Calming: Blueme Spiritual Palo Santo & Vetiver
This candle feels like a ritual in itself—instantly calming and uplifting. Cleansing, woody notes of palo santo are balanced by vetiver’s earthy warmth. Designed to clear the air and soothe the soul, it’s exactly what you want to burn during any cozy fall pursuit. Whether you’re meditating, journaling, or simply relaxing, this candle brings a sense of clarity and peace to any moment, making it a must for your seasonal self-care routine.
Best for Book Lovers: Aerangis No. 40 Livraria Antiga
As I alluded to above, reading (binge-reading, in particular) is one of my favorite things to do in the fall. For that reason, I surround myself with anything bibliophilic. Because this candle smells like stepping into the coziest library, you can bet I’m stocking up. It’s reminiscent of the best bookstores, where the air is filled with the scent of leather-bound books, polished wood, and maybe a touch of mystery. With deep, smoky notes of aged paper, cedarwood, and a hint of spice, this candle transports you to a time and place where stories linger in the air.
Best Affordable: Fablerune Pumpkin Soy Candle
It’s no secret—candles aren’t exactly cheap. That’s why, when you can find one that strikes the perfect balance between affordable and elevated, you should buy 10. This candle—a delightful ode to our favorite fall flavor—is an excellent alternative to the Voluspa pumpkin. Its creamy pumpkin scent is complemented by hints of vanilla and nutmeg, nodding to the sensory experience of a homemade pumpkin pie emerging from the oven. If you like your pumpkin candles a little earthier as opposed to sweet, this is your pick.
Best Masculine Scent: Cereria Molla Velvet Wood Candle
For those of us who love a scent that leans a little more masculine, this rich, opulent aroma exudes understated sophistication. With its deep notes of velvety sandalwood, warm amber, and a hint of sweet vanilla, this candle is the perfect blend of refined comfort. Light it up and lean into the ultimate in sensory luxury. I love burning it on a crisp fall evening whenever the occasion calls for a touch of elegance.