The 6 best scented candles for fall 2025, sniffed and reviewed

• READ MORE: The 5 best long-lasting men's colognes, tested and reviewed 
• These candles from Yankee Candle, LAFCO, P.F. Candle Co. and more will give your home an instant fall refresh

Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more

Whether you're looking for the perfect practical holiday gift for a loved one or just need the right product to instantly refresh your space for fall, a high quality scented candle will do the trick. There's one caveat, though — blind-buying one can be a bit of trap, especially if you don't know what notes or scent types you like.

That's where I come in. I've been collecting scented candles for over six years now. It's one of my favorite hobbies. I switch out and adjust my rotation every fall and winter and have recently added a few new picks to my roster.

From an affordable sparkling cider candle (in a stunning glass vessel) that fills the room with a warm, comforting scent to a massive sweet and smoky investment candle that makes for an instant conversation piece, I've got you covered with the best scented candles for fall.

The best scented candles for fall 2025, at a glance

• Best room-filling affordable candle: La Jolie Muse Sparkling Cider Mule Candle
• Sweetest scent: Yankee Candle Sugared Cinnamon Apple Candle
• Best spice-forward scent: P.F. Candle Co. Cathedral Clove Candle
• Best elevated Christmas candle: LAFCO Woodland Spruce Signature Candle
• Best investment candle: Jo Malone London Pomegranate Noir Scented Candle
• Coziest winter scent: LAFCO White Maple Bourbon Signature Candle

How we test

When testing scented candles, we burn them for the recommended burn time (four hours max). We focus on scent strength, projection, price, vessel quality and more.

From testing how long it takes a candle to project to if it burns smoothly without soot sticking to the jar, we've put it all to the test.

Why trust us

Our expert team has been testing products and writing reviews for many years, covering a wide range of lifestyle picks.

Moriba has been thoroughly testing and reviewing men's fashion and grooming, home and tech products for over six years as an experienced writer and editor.

His reviews are honest, impartial and based on real-world testing to ensure you have all the information you need to make an informed buying decision.

The best scented candles for fall 2025, sniffed and tested

1. Best room-filling affordable candle: La Jolie Muse Sparkling Cider Mule Candle

2. Sweetest scent: Yankee Candle Sugared Cinnamon Apple Candle

3. Best spice-forward scent: P.F. Candle Co. Cathedral Clove Candle

4. Best elevated Christmas candle: LAFCO Woodland Spruce Signature Candle

5. Best investment candle: Jo Malone London Pomegranate Noir Scented Candle

6. Coziest winter scent: LAFCO White Maple Bourbon Signature Candle

Our verdict

There's a scented candle on this list for every preference, but if you're looking for that quintessential Christmas candle, the LAFCO Woodland Spruce Signature Candle is my top pick since it has that expensive Christmas tree scent that many of us love without being too literal.

If a simple sweet scent is more your speed, the tried-and-true Yankee Candle Sugared Cinnamon Apple Candle is always a safe bet. On a strict budget but still want a luxurious room-filling scent? La Jolie Muse's Sparkling Cider Mule Candle is a new fave of mine that won't break the bank. And for those spice lovers, the P.F. Candle Co. Cathedral Clove Candle is well-balanced and projects incredibly well.

FAQs

How long should you burn a scented candle?

Never burn your candle all evening. The general rule of thumb is to never burn a candle for longer than three or four hours. Burning a candle for longer than this recommended duration can cause the wick to "mushroom," which can lead to worse problems like soot, uneven burning and a large, unruly flame.

What is a non-negotiable scented candle rule?

There is one rule that every scented candle user should follow: always trim the candle wick before burning. To do this easily, just invest in a candle wick trimmer. You can grab one on Amazon for just $6!

What is a gourmand scent?

Gourmands are fragrances that smell edible or have edible notes. Think vanilla, milk, ice-cream, chocolate, honey or caramel. These types of scents are usually sweet but can sometimes even be a bit more savory.