The best candle brands in 2021

Otherland

With their elaborate packaging and delicious scents, these candles live up to their name and will transport you to another world.

Great for gifting loved ones, friends, or as a treat to yourself, Otherland candles have become a top choice among millennials thanks to their beautiful packaging and labels, coupled with unique scents. Choices range from Silk Pajamas (with notes of ginger, bergamot zest, and spiced yuzu) to Canopy (featuring hints of fig, ivy greens, and summer dew). 

If you can’t quite make up your mind, you can build your own three-pack and save 18%. Or, you can take gifting to the next level and build out a gift set that includes a black or white box, a single candle or three-pack, and a matchbox that has cute options for saying thanks, wishing someone happy birthday, and more. 

Good for: Unique scents, gifting

Worth a look:

Bath & Body Works

If you’ve ever set foot in a Bath & Body Works, then you know fun aromas are the name of the game, from holiday scents to fruity fragrances.

Bath & Body Works has been well-known for its scented candles for decades. But if you haven’t looked at its candles for several years, you might be surprised at how much the shop has upped its branding game. Chic glass jars with three-wick candles and elegant labels are not only worthy of sitting out on the coffee table, but they will also last you months and are an excellent value.

Scents come in a wide range of seasonal and fun options, from Merry Mimosa and French Baguette to Fresh Balsam (a personal favorite) and Fiji White Sands. 

Good for: Candles in seasonal scents, good value

Worth a look:

Diptyque

For high-end candles with intoxicating scents worth gifting or putting on display, you can’t go wrong with Diptyque.

French fragrance company Diptyque is practically synonymous with high-end candles. Though pricey, its options are très chic when it comes to both look and scent, exuding effortless elegance. Classic favorites like the popular Baies scent make for excellent gifts (they’ve long been my go-to housewarming gift), while the colorful glass and ceramic candle jars will certainly win you compliments.  

If you’re vigilant enough to check for its annual that usually sells out fast, you can even score decor-worthy candles featuring aromas that will transport you to far-flung destinations like Tokyo and Berlin from the comfort of your living room.  

To celebrate the brand’s 60th anniversary, a new Graphic Collection also just launched. While the limited-edition collection lasts, you can score Diptyque’s four best-selling scents (Baies, Figuier, Roses, and Tubereuse) in decorative vessels with a unique black and white pattern and emblematic oval logo.   

You can also find Diptyque candles at popular retailers like Nordstrom and . 

Good for: High-end candles worth gifting and using as decor

Worth a look:

Homesick

Like the name implies, Homesick features nostalgic candles that will bring you back to a specific place.

Whether it’s for yourself or as a gift for a loved one, Homesick candles are great for transporting you via scent to a specific favorite locale. The brand features fragrances based on every US state, plus many popular cities and countries. It even has aromas to remind you of specific moments and favorite memories, such as Ski Trip, Friday Night Football, and Grandma’s Kitchen.

Each candle is 13.75 oz and comes in a simple glass jar with a black and white label displaying the place or nostalgic moment it invokes. 

Read our full review of Homesick candles.

Good for: Nostalgic scents

Worth a look:

Greentree Home

For simple and classic beeswax candles from tapers to tea lights, Greentree Home has you covered at an affordable price. 

If your main goal is to find a classic candle to fit in those decorative candlestick holders or to pick up multiple tea lights to make a centerpiece the next time you host a holiday meal, you don’t have to get too fancy. Greentree Home has simple but elevated options in an array of colors. 

Based in the foothills of the Catskills Mountains, the company designs and produces handmade beeswax candles that are a clear step above candles from your local Target, but that still come in at an affordable price point. And for those who are looking for something a little more fun, they also have candles in unique shapes like pine cones, monkeys, and bottles. 

Good for: Classic tapers, pillars, tea lights, fun shapes 

Worth a look:

Nest New York

Stylish glass jars and boxes, plus premium wax, set these candles apart.

Nest candles are great for leaving out on the mantle or table thanks to their simple but elegant glass holders that match just about any decor. Plus, they all arrive in dashing boxes, making them a nice option for giftings, too.

Depending on your budget, you can choose from large three-wick options, small minis, or classic single-wick candles. Choose from festive options like Holiday Classic, or go for a complex aroma that works year-round, like Moroccan Amber. 

Good for: Decorative candles, gifts

Worth a look:

Harlem Candle Co.

Long-lasting candles infused with history can be found at Harlem Candle Co.

Yes, Harlem Candle Co.’s signature 12 oz. candles burn for up to 80 hours, but what really sets them apart is that these candles come with backstories based on historical spots and people with ties to Harlem, where the candles are also made. 

For example, the Savoy candle highlights the iconic Savoy Ballroom. Evoke the glitzy and happening nightlife scene via rich notes of blackcurrant, mandarin, green apple, and juicy pear, along with Lily of the Valley and jasmine petals, and sandalwood. Similarly, the Ellington candle pays homage to the jazz legend with scents of bergamot, cinnamon, sage, lavender, crystalline amber, and more. 

You can also shop from collections like the “Nightclub Map of Harlem” or opt for 4-oz. travel-size candles that come in gold tins.   

Good for: Unique scents with enriching backstories, gifts

Worth a look:

Mrs. Meyer’s

The brand you know and love for hand soap and cleaning products also makes fresh-scented candles.

Mrs. Meyer’s is most well known for soaps and cleaning supplies. But the brand also makes simple candles that will help leave your house feeling fresh and extra clean. While the candles may not come in fancy containers, they’re under $10 and smell great. And, if you do want something that looks a little nicer, you can also opt for the small tins that have cute illustrations on them. 

The candles also use soy wax and vegetable wax, and the glass jars can be repurposed once you’re done burning. Choose from crisp scents like Honeysuckle, Lemon Verbena, Basil Soy, and more.    

Good for: Basic and classic candles, clean scents, affordable candles  

Worth a look: 

Lafco

Hand-blown glass vessels and premium ingredients have made these a standout favorite.

When I asked my colleagues about their favorite candle brands, several lept at the chance to tell me about Lafco. These candles use premium, chemical-free ingredients like 100% cotton wicks, and vegan, soy wax.

But really makes them a favorite around our office is the gorgeous hand-blown glass jars they come in. From shiny, candy apple reds to deep and nuanced cerulean blues, these candles are eye-catching and sure to steal the show whether they’re part of your special holiday decor or sit on your desk to take your home office game up a tier.   

Good for: Chemical-free candles, beautiful reusable jars

Worth a look:

Ani + Co

Channel peace and positivity with these coconut wax blend candles that are hand-poured in small batches.

The idea behind Ani + Co. was to create handmade candles that burn fresh and clean and inspire inner peace by creating options that are vegan, eco-friendly, cruelty-free, and phthalate-free.

The classic scents available include Homme, Myrrh, Passion Grapefruit, Campfire, Siena, and more. You can also buy candles as part of “Mood Sets,” trio bundles, or sample packs of mini candles.

Good for: Candles made with all-natural ingredients, candles to light your at-home yoga studio or meditation room

Worth a look:

Le Labo

There’s a reason Le Labo products and scents are found in many five-star hotels around the world. 

Step into a five-star hotel bathroom and there’s a good chance you may find Le Labo bath products waiting for you. Bring that luxurious scent and feel into your own home with their candle collection. 

The Santal Collection is one of its best-known scents, and you can opt for the fresh scent in a classic glass jar, an elevated concrete holder, as three minis, or even get a vintage look with an expertly crumpled tin can option. You can even personalize the label the date and your name or a recipient’s name for an extra-special touch.

Good for: Luxurious candles you’d find at fancy hotels

Worth a look:

Anecdote Candles

Great for a funny gift, anecdote candles will surely put a smile on any recipient’s face. 

Need a last-minute, but fun birthday gift or still wracking your brain for what to bring to your friend’s virtual White Elephant party? Anecdote candles are just the ticket.

There are humorous scents for all occasions and the descriptions of what each candle smells like are even funnier than the names. Options include Quarter-Life Crisis (smells like all panic and no disco), Bottomless Mimosas (smells like good vibes and fresh gossip), and Novella (smells like rich mahogany and thoughtful prose). 

Each candle comes in a simple glass jar or tin. There are also some fun holiday options that come in gold jars, like Mistletoe (smells like a silent wingman).

Good for: Fun candles, humorous gifts

Worth a look:

Capri Blue

Capri Blue has fun options for all budgets, from simple mini tins to fancy faceted jars. 

Whether you want a simple candle with a clean scent for under $10 or a fancy and colorful jar to keep out or gift, Capri Blue has options for you.

Options include 48-oz. jumbo jars that burn up to 100 hours, decorative mini tins, 19-oz. signature tins in colors from soothing blue to bubblegum pink, chic glass jars, and more. Scents equally run the gambit, from tropical and fruity Aloha Orchid Blue to Dark Vanilla and Sandalwood. 

Fun fact: if the candle sounds familiar, that’s because it’s Anthropologie’s signature scent and what the stores burn all day, every day.

Good for: A range of budgets, classic jars and tins

Worth a look:

Boy Smells

A buzzy new-ish brand that’s quickly amassed a loyal following, Boy Smells candles are known for great branding, inclusivity, and delicious aromas.

With a marketing mission to make their candles “genderful,” as opposed to specifically targeting men, women, or being vaguely but pointedly gender-neutral, Matthew Herman and David Kien launched Boy Smells in 2016. Though it’s a newcomer on the candle block, the buzzy brand has quickly amassed a devoted following thanks to its instantly iconic black candles with pink labels that stand out. Plus, they smell great.

The company has even recently partnered with Kacey Musgraves on a Slow Burn collection. But its signature candles include scents you won’t find anywhere else — like the well-known Kush, which predictably smells of pot, mixed with suede, white musk, tulip, and amber. If you can’t choose just one, pick up a bundle instead.  

Good for: Votive candles, the in-the-know millennial in your life

Worth a look:

Jo Malone

It should come as no surprise that the brand known for luxury perfumes also makes heavenly candles.

This luxury British fragrance brand likely makes the perfume worn by your effortlessly cool friend who jets off to Paris or Milan on a regular basis when traveling was still an option. But the same delicious and layered scents can also be found in their candle collections.

Candles are found in simple glass jars that tend to be more timeless than wow-worthy. But that can be a plus if you’re seeking a decor-neutral option that’s still sophisticated. As you might expect, these candles don’t come cheap. For a more affordable option, you can opt for a travel-size candle — trust me, even in a smaller size the scent will still pack a sweet punch.  

You can also find Jo Malone candles at retailers like .

Good for: Decor-neutral candles, luxury candles

Worth a look:

Check out our other related buying guides

• The best throw blankets
• The best places to buy affordable fine jewelry
• The best wine clubs
• The best online flower delivery services