I’ve never been one for seasonal decor — living in a studio apartment, I just don’t have the space to store decorations I’m not using year-round — but I love getting into the spirit, especially when it comes to autumn, my favorite season. One of the easiest ways to do that? A fall-scented candle, of course.
Candles are such a simple but effective swap to make your home feel more festive. They’re endlessly customizable, with so many scents, sizes and colors to choose from. As a frugal shopper, they’re one of my rare indulgences. And they can be practical, too: Not only do candles make for basically foolproof gifts, but many come in recyclable jars — or ones that are gorgeous and practical enough to put to use for storage later. Win-win for the lazy decorator.
So if you’re in the mood for autumn but don’t want to buy a bunch of trinkets you’ll rarely use, check out some of the most enticing fall-scented candles below. These range from affordable to splurgeworthy, and I have a feeling every candle shopper can find something they love in this list.
An apple maple bourbon candle in sleek, unisex packaging
Hand-poured in the United States, Lulu Candles' apple maple bourbon candle comes in a sleek jar and has additional notes of cinnamon, vanilla, butterscotch, clove and peppercorn. The candle has one cotton wick and is made with vegan soy wax. You can grab this one in a 9-ounce size right now.
A candle that smells like your "favorite sweater"
Many of the popular fall scents center on pumpkin, spices and a woody fireplace aroma, but there are a few options that take a different approach to the season, like this "favorite sweater" candle that has notes of pear, vanilla, cashmere, sandalwood and more. The 9-ounce soy wax candle has a 40-hour burn time and cotton wick, and is also hand-poured in the U.S. If you want a scent that's not pumpkin-forward while still feeling cozy and autumnal, this may be the one for you.
Yankee Candle's beloved autumn-themed scented candles
Surely Yankee Candle needs no introduction, considering how many HuffPost readers flock to their candles when there's a sale. They offer so many fall-themed scents, but we're partial to Autumn Wreath, which combines spices, apple and wood for perhaps the ultimate fall scent. The 22-ounce jar is larger than many of the candles on these list and boasts a 150-hour burn time, so if you're serious about having a candle burning every day of the season, you may enjoy this one.
Promising review: "This is one of my favorite fall/winter scents. I usually don’t light it, but use a candle warmer to emit the scent. Everyone compliments my home smell when they come in. I love Yankee Candles, but this scent in particular has a good, strong scent that radiates through an entire house. Try it. You won’t be disappointed." — TMM
A "warm wool"-scented candle for a different take on the season
Heading back into the "sweater" realm, WoodWick's warm wool hourglass candle has notes of merino wool, patchouli, sandalwood and florals for a unique take on a fall scent that could also work year-round. Reviewers describe the scent as clean, "like being wrapped up in your favorite fall sweater right after mopping the floors." The 21.5-ounce jar has a distinct hourglass shape, along with a crackling wooden wick, as the brand name suggests. Made with a soy and paraffin wax blend, the candle has a burn time of approximately 130 hours.
A "sweet and spicy" multipurpose candle
New York University’s student newspaper recently described DedCool’s Taunt fragrance as “a warm, inviting scent made for crisp fall days.” Lucky for all of us homebodies, the autumnal aroma is also available in candle form – and even better, it’s made with a vegetable wax blend that’s infused with a blend of moisturizing oils (coconut and jojoba included) that you can actually rub into your skin for some soothing relief.
Promising review: “I didn’t expect to use the massage oil function of this because I wanted to enjoy the scent as long as possible, but someone who deals with chronic pain… it’s been amazing to just grab a lil scoop while the candle is burning to help my neck and shoulders. I love it, really helps to loosen my muscle tension. The scent is so warm and cozy, just the perfect amount of sweet and spicy. Really clean and even burn too. So glad this scent is in a candle , I love the perfume.” – Nay
A pumpkin-scented candle in an adorable ceramic jar
If you're focused more on the decor aspect and want something truly adorable that you'll keep after the wax burns away, how about this Threshold ceramic jar candle? The pumpkin spice cupcake-scented candle (yum) is 11 ounces and made with a blend of palm and paraffin wax for a 50-hour burn time. This one comes with an orange jar you can use to store jewelry, keys or other trinkets once it's empty, but you can also find it in other colors if you prefer the pumpkin bourbon, warm cider and cinnamon or vanilla pumpkin options available on the product page.
A "fireside flannel" candle that smells downright cozy
Complete with two wicks for even burning, this is another Threshold candle, but this time with a lid and a soy wax blend. The candle has an impressive 4.5-star average rating across almost 300 reviews, and the Fireside Flannel scent offers a cozy, woody aroma that's less apple- or pumpkin-heavy, if that's not your vibe.
"Not your average pumpkin candle" from Quince
Quince offers more affordable alternatives to higher-end luxury items, and candles are no exception: This pumpkin cardamom candle looks more expensive than it is and comes in a sleek orange glass jar that can add an elegant touch to your home for the season. The soy wax blend comes with a cotton wick, boasts a 60-hour burn time and is hand-poured in the U.S. Enjoy notes of pumpkin, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and amber.
Promising review: "Not your average pumpkin candle. This candle has an amazing scent! The ginger and cardamom give it just a little something extra. I bought two and gifted one to my neighbor, she loves it. Great gift for yourself as well as friends and family" — Kathleene E.
An inviting candle that reviewers call “warm” and “comforting”
If you’re someone who knows that fall synonymous with entertaining, you’ll want to check out Flamingo Estate’s limited-edition Coriandoli candle. (The name comes from the Italian word for “confetti,” according to the brand.) It‘s infused with santal and musk and designed to conjure a familiar, festive atmosphere.
Promising reviews: “This is an all seasons candle but I can’t wait to use it over the holidays! It really does have the vibe of a fun, fancy house party. Warm but not sweet, with a little woody edge in the background. I’ll be stocking up for the holiday season.” – Ashley H.
“This scent brings such nostalgia for me…chilly days cozy by a fire…it’s comforting. I’ll be burning through it pretty quickly!” – Krista F.
“I had this candle burning in the living room and the bathroom for a party I recently hosted. Five people have since sent me pictures of this candle burning in their home. The scent is warm and just screams "home." If you decide to try it add the peppermint soap to the box - you can thank me later.” – Rebecca
A gorgeous jar candle that smells like warm bakery treats
How stunning is this 7-ounce Mise En Place ceramic jar candle? Caramel Café offers warm, gourmand notes of caramel, coffee and vanilla bean for a bakery-inspired aroma that'll have you in the mood for warm sweet treats. The coconut wax blend has a 30-hour burn time and cotton wick, and we imagine you'll want to hold on to this gorgeous striped jar afterward for decor and storage.
Promising review: "I wanted to get this candle online but I’m so happy I could get it in a shop — it literarly transported me to autumn season, I love it!" — Oana
La Jolie Muse's beautiful pumpkin chai candle, for the perfect gift
I once gifted a friend a La Jolie Muse candle and they marveled about the gorgeous jar that's embossed with floral designs, as well as the overall scent and appearance (it arrives wrapped up in gift packaging for an extra "wow" factor). Their pumpkin chai scent is a perfect fit for the season and has a cherry wood wick and 90-hour burn time.
Promising review: "Rec'd this gorgeous candle yesterday & gave it its 1st 4-hour burn this afternoon - our home smells so wonderful! The glass jar with lid that the candle is poured in is so lovely! I have honestly never seen such a beautiful candle & I think this brand will be my new go to for a hostess or bday gift! The pumpkin chai scent is so evocative of the Fall season! I am in love with this candle!! Highly recommend and worth every penny!!" — katie st. claire
Or Voluspa's similarly stunning spiced pumpkin latte option
Of similar beauty and aroma to the La Jolie Muse pumpkin chai candle is this Volsupa option with a spiced pumpkin latte scent. The 18-ounce jar has a similarly beautiful appearance that can really up your decor, and make great decor even after you've burned down all of the coconut wax blend. This has a burn time of 50 hours and notes of pumpkin, coconut milk and winter spices.
Promising review: "I love the light warm glass packaging, it looks so pretty in my living room! This is the best fall fragrance that I have come across in a long time. It smells better than the drink itself!" — mrbeautiful
A spiced cider Capri Blue candle with their signature glass jar
Simple but stunning, Capri Blue's classic glass jar candles come in a spiced cider scent that's on the fruitier side, with notes of berries, grapes, apple, cinnamon, vanilla and Canadian fir. You can get 85 hours of burn time out of this 19-ounce candle. Hand-poured in the U.S., it's made with a soy wax blend and has a cotton wick.
Promising review: "Such a great scent! Made my whole house smell like fall!" — Awoosh
Glade's ultra-affordable 3-wick option
The cheapest option on this list, Glade's 6.8-ounce glass jar candle has three wicks to help it burn evenly and smells like apple, cinnamon sugar and vanilla bean. According to reviewers, this one "lasts a long time" and "burns evenly" thanks to the multiple wicks, making this a convenient and easy option to add some festive cheer to your home. You can also try their pumpkin and ginger version of this candle, if you prefer that scent.
A whole array of autumnal scents made by a small business
Available in 4- and 8-ounce sizes, these hand-poured candles are made by VivaWorkshop on Etsy with soy wax and come in stunning amber jars. You can choose from an array of autumnal scents, like classic Pumpkin Spice, earthy Fallen Leaves, comforting cardamon and cream, and more — if you're so inclined, you can even get all 12 scents as a set.
Promising review: "I originally got my sister this candle and she loved it so much that I had to get my own. Seriously the best smelling candle I've ever had." — Kelsey Thurman
Maison Margiela's Replica candle that's great for homes without fireplaces
Prefer a smokier, woody scent for fall? Look no further than By the Fireplace, which can add some rustic charm if your home doesn't have a fireplace of its own. With notes of clove oil, chestnut and vanilla, the 5.8-ounce candle has a 17-hour burn time and reviewers say the scent throw is impressive.
Promising review: "At first I thought I had wasted my money cause my whole house was not smelling like this candle, but I gave it time and left it burning throughout the night and OH MY GOD it's been over 10 hours since I put it off and my room and my hair STILL smells like it. Worth it. The smell is very calming, literally like fresh wood being set on fire and it's just hot. I love it." — wadaflop