19 Best Candles in 2026, According to AD's Editors

The Best Candles for Premium Ambience and AromatherapyA potpourri assortment of our editors’ most beloved scents of all timePhotograhy by Ryan Jenq / Styled by Maggie DiMarcoCandles don’t just smell delightful, they can also encourage someone to slow down, set an intention, or create a more relaxing ambience. Aromatherapy factor aside, the most well-curated among them can also serve as compelling home decor. It’s a big reason why they’ve become a safety gift: The one thing you can pick up on the sly when you forgot to buy a present for a holiday or housewarming party.When it comes to scent formulas, “woody,” “milky,” “citrus-rich,” and “floral,” are just a few of the more ubiquitous terms you’ll come across as you’re shopping. Whether you pick one cute candle to gift your votive-loving best friend or buy a whole set to infuse your home with fragrance from multiple corners, there are options. Some of our favorite candles even come in their own little gift boxes or glass jars so cute you simply have to repurpose them. Below, a range of the best candles (according to our editors) to set the mood, whatever the occasion.Our Top PicksMost Balanced Act: Byredo Bibliothèque CandleFor Setting the Mood Diptyque Red Tubereuse CandleBest Herbaceous Pick: Flamingo Estate Sappho FigA Designer-Beloved Option: Maison Louis Marie No.04 Bois de Balincourt CandleAn Amy Astley-Favorite Candle: Loewe Honeysuckle CandleBest Bonfire Scent: Keap x JPD CandleMost Balanced ActByredo Bibliothèque CandlePlum, cinnamon, leather accord, violetByredo’s most popular scent, Bibliothèque, showcases strong notes of warm vanilla and leather, cut by undertones of peach and plum to give a dynamic scent profile—not too heavy, not too floral. “I keep a miniature version of this candle in my bathroom and have gotten many compliments,” says shopping editor Audrey Lee. “I think it appeals to a lot of different palettes so it’s a really versatile option.”For Setting the MoodDiptyque Red Tubereuse CandleHeady, sensual, floral—Diptyque does its best work with this sexy and subtle candle that finds its fragrant roots in the opulent, white-blooming Mexican flower. Young Victorian women were apparently forbidden from inhaling the scent of tuberose lest they have a spontaneous orgasm (!), so gift this ultra-sultry candle very wisely. Medium to extra large sizes come in a deep burgundy worthy of any end table, and it’s worth mentioning this candle has Carina Chaz’ (founder of DedCool) stamp of approval.Best Herbaceous PickFlamingo Estate Sappho Fig CandleFig leaf, ginger, sandalwoodFlamingo Estate’s Sky Ting collaboration and special editions like the Japanese-inspired Omoiyari candle are precious commodities in my household, but the brand’s mainline scents are not to be overlooked,” says Lee. Sappho Fig—a fig scent that takes the ingredient in a savory direction—has found a permanent place in the editor’s rotation thanks to warm cardamom and sandalwood undertones that give the aroma lots of sophistication. “The small is just delicious,” says Lee. “It’s also a lovely way to surprise the gourmand in your life, especially if your own standard for home cooking is a Trader Joe’s frozen meal.A Designer-Beloved OptionMaison Louis Marie No.04 Bois de Balincourt CandleSandalwood, cedarwood, vetiver, nutmeg, cinnamon, amber woodMaison Louis Marie’s No.04 Bois de Balincourt is a favorite of tastemakers like Shea McGee and contributor Rachel Fletcher. Fletcher called this scent the most reliable in her candle arsenal. “I'm a sucker for anything amber, and Bois de Balincourt lets it sing. It's a perfect candle for a rainy evening, thanks to the warming notes of sandalwood, cinnamon, and nutmeg (and don't worry, it decidedly doesn't smell like a baked good),” she says.An Amy Astley-Favorite CandleLoewe Honeysuckle CandleLike Loewe’s entire line of candles, simplicity shines in this cheerful honeysuckle scent that’s a favorite of AD’s own Amy Astley. This candle is summertime distilled—the scent is warm and clean—fresh air and climbing vines,” says shopping market editor Kate McGregor. No other notes are listed on the website except for honeysuckle essence, but just know that the aroma is strong enough that the candle disperses plenty of fragrance even when it’s unlit.Best Bonfire ScentKeap x Jono Pandolfi CandleJuniper, cedar, nutmeg, guaiac wood (think palo santo), pineWhile few candles actually evoke the log cabin ambience like their descriptions claim, shopping director Lori Keong says this one from Keap and Jono Pandolfi understands the assignment. “With a discreet blend of cedar, palo santo, and fireside embers, the result is earthy, familiar, and rustic without being overpowering,” says Keong. “It's so good that I keep it at my desk (unlit!) just to sniff it throughout the day, plus the earthenware vessel is like catnip for any Hasami-heads.”Le Labo Cyprès 21 Classic CandleCypress, juniper, clove, incense, patchouliJuniper, clove, and star anise make this citrus scent from Le Labo smell bright and rich at the same time. “I love lighting Cypres 21 after I’ve cooked a particularly fragrant meal,” says Lee. Catering to the woody, spicy scent-loving crowd, the punchy citrus base layered in with spice notes creates an aroma that’s light but also layered according to Lee. “It’s totally the kind of votive you’d light to welcome your own dinner party guests or bring along as a gift for your favorite host/hostess,” she says.Ranger Station Nashville CandleMagnolia, dogwood, amber, muskA self-described sentimentalist at heart, McGregor insists that Ranger Station’s Nashville candle captures the essence of her college town in the spring. “Magnolia, dogwood, amber, musk—the aromas are a balance of fresh and cozy scents, making the candle ideal for transitioning seasons. It smells like that first warm night spent outdoors, sans cigarette smoke,” she says.Apothoeke Bitter Cherry CandleTop Notes: Black Cherry, Cardamom, Chili PepperMiddle Notes: Sandalwood, Black Violet, Tonka BeanBottom Notes: Warm Oud, Patchouli, VanillaThe second the morning air starts to feel crisp, McGregor reaches for this “well-rounded” candle that balances brighter notes like cherry and peony with grounding aromas. “I’m not typically a fruity candle girl, but this one is contrasted with plenty of woodsy, warmer notes that don’t give it a sickly sweet smell,” she describes. “I also find that it burns really cleanly, and the smell travels without angering my air purifier.”Homecourt Cece CandleRose, basil, neroli, cedarwood, cardamom, and leatherKeong is a huge Homecourt fan. “My siblings have told me that this mini candle smells like the ubiquitous pink soap you find in gas stations, but I think it smells like the perfect expression of rose. I leave it out next to me at my home office desk so I can get whiffs of it without needing to light it up, and you know the sweet Hasami-esque ceramic it comes in is not getting tossed to the curb when I eventually burn it all the way down to the bottom.”Diptyque Baies CandleBerries, black currant, roseWe’d be remiss not to include this ever-popular pick from French-fragrance brand Diptyque. Baies is a blissful mix of black currant leaves and fresh roses. This celebrity favorite comes in five sizes to suit your burn time needs, including an extra large (with five wicks).Les Fumées Tyne CandlePalo santo, sandalwood, and clovePalo santo, sandalwood, and clove make this a deeply rich and outdoorsy candle, that smells, as Harrison puts it, “like a chilly California evening.” There’s the tiniest bit of saltiness to the smell, that evokes bonfire by ocean, making it perfect for any room in the house that needs a little dose of the outdoors, whatever the season.Jenni Kayne Ember Glass CandleBlack raspberry, papyrus, birchwood, muskSmoky in scent only, the ember candle from Jenni Kayne embodies the best parts of late night fires without being too heavy. Notes of black raspberry and birchwood add depth to the fire iron. “I love that my apartment starts smelling like the scent within minutes of lighting the wick,” says McGregor. “It burns evenly, and there’s no unsightly yellowing thanks to the black glass vessel.”Harlem Candle Company "Lady Day" CandleNeroli blossom, bergamot, gardenia, jasmine petals, ylang-ylang, coffee flower, coconut milk, sandalwood, and vetiverThis scent from Harlem Candle Company pays homage to the legendary Billie Holiday, with warm notes like gardenia meant to mirror the flower she wore to perform. “The garden-inspired scent is my go-to for bringing the outdoors into my home,” says senior shopping editor Nashia Baker. It's got a double wick for twice the fragrance power and the golden vessel emits a warm glow when lit.San Soli Carmine CandleTop: Pink Peppercorn, Cardamom, PepperMiddle: Patchouli, Vetiver, CedarBase: Moss, MuskAccording to shopping writer Julia Harrison, this candle smells like “the hottest person you’ve ever met.” Musk grounds the scent in something sultry, while pink peppercorns give it a somewhat forward nuance. “It’s peppery and full of personality and it immediately replaced all my other candles. It even usurps my number one Flamingo Estate (Adriatic Sage), though I feel traitorous saying so,” says Harrison.Le Labo Santal 26Australian sandalwood, cedarwood, vanilla, amber, cocoa, and muskIt’s viral because it smells amazing. Le Labo’s Santal has had us all in a chokehold for more than five years now—the scent is expensive, floral, ubiquitous. Harrison defends the notoriety—“it’s a damn good scent”—and continues to gift this Le Labo Santal 26 candle to each and every home because “no matter how much you want to graduate from it, few things smell better than a little Santal.”Diptyque Feu de Bois (Fire Wood) Scented CandleBirch, cedarwood, and juniperA personal favorite of Lee’s, who finds occasion for Diptyque everywhere, always: “I personally always have one in rotation when temperatures drop below 60 degrees because there's something about it that just screams winter.” Diptyque achieves a warm and smoky scent that feels truly authentic—like they’ve distilled the actual moment of a crackling fire instead of bottled something close to it.Flamingo Estate Adriatic Muscatel Sage CandleClary sage, sage brush, and thymeIf you loved the tomato candle from this viral candle brand, you will be floored by this one. Adriatic sage brings the outdoors in—this candle smells like an open window in the height of Italian summer, sunlight on tile floors, and triple servings of pasta to come in the late dusk. Or, you know, just a good candle.Malin + Goetz Strawberry CandleSparkling bergamot, mara strawberry, pink pepperLooking to capture summer year-round? This candle brings peak produce to the darkest hours, with notes of fresh bergamot and pink pepper with warm musks, jasmine petals, and soft orris root. “I also own the fragrance version of this candle—I can’t get enough of the scent. It’s light, not overly sweet, and super refreshing,” says Lee.Julia Harrison is a shopping writer at AD. Previously, she was a writer and editor for Coveteur, and The Sewanee Review. She writes Interior Monologue, and feels passionately about coastal inns and mission tile. She runs a creative resource called saloon, and writes a personal newsletter called orzo bimbo. Her ... Read MoreAudrey is the shopping editor at Architectural Digest based in New York City. She enjoys recommending products, writing about interiors, and catching up on last year’s Oscar-nominated films. Before joining AD she previously held roles at Business Insider and The Strategist. ... Read More