The 10 Best Fall Candles, Tested by Editors

For this round of Deep Reviews, we wanted to keep things simple and straight to the point. Therefore, when we called in 74 candles from 26 brands, our strategy was to choose our favorites based purely on scent regardless of brand, price, and/or familiarity. Yes, we called in some of the most expensive candles on the market from labels such as Byredo and Frédéric Malle, but we also called in the budget-friendly classics you know (and may or may not love) from names such as Bath & Body Works. The goal: Every fall candle we sniffed would be judged on an equal playing field.

Once all of the candles arrived, they were set out on a table in the lobby of WWW’s L.A. headquarters. Throughout the day, staffers from all departments were tasked with smelling each and every candle—yes, lots of palate-cleansing coffee beans were involved—and submitting their top five, aka the select few candles they would gladly throw their money at to enjoy at home.

Then, from the hundreds of favorites that were submitted (we had at least 20 employees participate, therefore 100 potential contenders), I tallied the candles that appeared most often to come up with our final 10. 

We have a top three that consists of:

The Overall Favorite: The candle that appeared in almost every top-five list.

The Best Budget Buy: The candle that appeared the most often albeit with a wallet-friendly price tag. 

The Best New Launch: The most beloved newcomer that’s most likely not on your or anyone you know’s radar (yet).

The following top seven fall candles will be introduced based on their scent profile and what they immediately call to mind. For instance, if you love to sip a warm, creamy beverage or sit in front of the fireplace wrapped in a plaid fleece blanket, we have curated candle recommendations for you.