20 Best Fall Candles 2023 – Top Smelling Autumn Candle Scents

The first chill hits the air, your sweaters migrate out of storage, and suddenly you’re hit with
an urge to make your house smell like pumpkin pie, a campfire, and an apple orchard all at once.
Welcome to fall candle season. In 2023, brands doubled down on cozy fragrance blends, from
maple-soaked gourmands to smoky woods and elevated pumpkin spice. If you’re wondering which jars
are actually worth lighting (and re-lighting) all season, this list is your shortcut.

We dug through editor-tested roundups, fragrance-obsessed blogs, and brand best-seller lists to
pick 20 of the best fall candles of 2023. You’ll find classic pumpkin scents, chic designer jars,
budget-friendly Walmart and Target finds, and a few “I feel rich just smelling this” splurges.
Whether you like your autumn candle to smell like a bakery, a bonfire, or a walk through wet
leaves, there’s a pick here with your name on it.

How We Chose the Best Fall Candles of 2023

Instead of randomly grabbing whatever has a pumpkin on the label, we focused on four things that
matter when you’re spending real money on wax:

• Scent profile and balance. We looked for candles with layered notes
  (top, heart, base) that smell cozy and complex, not like a room spray exploded on your couch.
• Scent throw. These picks are known to actually fill a room instead of
  whispering quietly over your kitchen sink.
• Burn quality. Clean-burning wax blends, decent burn times, and wicks that don’t
  tunnel into a sad little pit after two hours.
• Real-world rave reviews. We prioritized candles highlighted by editors, home
  testers, and fragrance fansnot just cute packaging.

Ready to make your space smell like the coziest Pinterest board you’ve ever seen? Here are the
20 best fall candles of 2023 and what makes each one special.

The 20 Best Fall Candles for Cozy Autumn Vibes

1. Nest New York Pumpkin Chai Classic Candle

If fall had an official ambassador, it would probably be Nest’s Pumpkin Chai. This candle combines
pumpkin with cardamom, cinnamon, and spicy chai notes, so it smells like a barista just handed you
a PSL that went to grad school. The throw is strong enough for open-plan spaces, and the sleek jar
looks elevated on a mantle or coffee table. It’s a go-to recommendation in beauty and lifestyle
editor roundups for a reason: it hits that pumpkin-spice nostalgia without tipping into
sickly-sweet territory.

2. Yankee Candle Autumn Wreath

Yankee Candle is basically the Hall of Fame for fall scents, and Autumn Wreath is one of its
most-loved classics. Expect a blend of crisp apple, green leaves, cinnamon, and clove that
genuinely smells like walking into a craft store in Octoberin a good way. Large jar sizes can
burn for up to 100+ hours, so this is a smart “one-and-done” pick if you want a single candle to
cover most of the season.

3. Bath & Body Works Leaves 3-Wick Candle

Leaves is the cult favorite that makes people hoard backups. It layers red apple, clove, and warm
nectar for a “crunching leaves in your boots” vibe. The three-wick format gives you a fast,
room-filling scent, and the rotating seasonal packaging turns it into instant decor. If you’re
overwhelmed by the wall of options at Bath & Body Works, start with Leavesit’s the candle
that wins editor rankings and fan polls year after year.

4. Bath & Body Works Pumpkin Pecan Waffles

Prefer fall to smell like brunch? Pumpkin Pecan Waffles is straight-up dessert in a jar. The
fragrance mixes maple syrup, golden waffles, pumpkin spice, and brown sugar, so it’s rich, nutty,
and sweet without being cloying if you burn it in shorter sessions. This is the candle that makes
guests wander into your kitchen asking what you’re baking. Pro tip: great for weekend mornings and
movie nights, not ideal if you’re trying to convince yourself to eat salad.

5. Bath & Body Works Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin

Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin leans into the “classic pumpkin pie” fantasy: warm cinnamon, clove, vanilla
cream, and pumpkin. It’s spicy, cozy, and a little nostalgicthink holiday baking with a
slightly sweeter twist. Editors and shoppers consistently call it a comfort scent. If you want a
straightforward, pumpkin-forward candle that feels familiar and cozy, this one earns its place in
the fall rotation.

6. Capri Blue Pumpkin Clove (Anthropologie)

Capri Blue’s Pumpkin Clove is the elevated cousin of pumpkin spice. The blend pairs pumpkin with
clove, cinnamon, and subtly creamy vanilla, giving you a warm bakery-adjacent scent that still
smells chic. The jar designsoften ribbed glass or gourd-inspired vesselsdouble as decor long
after you’ve burned through the wax. It’s pricey compared to a grocery-store candle, but the
strong throw and luxe vibe make it a splurge that fans repurchase every fall.

7. DW Home Apple Honey Butter

If your ideal fall candle smells like a dessert table at Thanksgiving, DW Home’s Apple Honey
Butter might become your new favorite. It layers brown sugar glazed apples with cinnamon, clove,
nutmeg, caramel honey, and hints of maple. The result is a cozy, gourmand scent that feels like
apple crisp fresh out of the oven. Reviewers praise the strong throw and warm, bakery feelperfect
for kitchens, dining rooms, and anyone who wants their home to smell “edible.”

8. Homesick Pumpkin Picking

Homesick does nostalgia in candle form, and Pumpkin Picking nails the brief. The notes read like a
fall mood board: pumpkin and nutmeg on top, ginger, cinnamon, and clove in the middle, with
vanilla, tonka bean, and sugar in the base. It’s basically hot apple cider, pumpkin patches, and
hayrides in a jar. The soy-wax blend and cotton wick make for a clean, even burn, and the minimalist
label fits into almost any decor style.

9. Maison Margiela Replica By the Fireplace

For people who want their home fragrance to feel like high-end perfume, By the Fireplace is a
no-brainer. This luxuriously smoky candle combines chestnut, guaiac wood, vanilla, and clove to
recreate the smell of a crackling fire with toasted marshmallows. It’s warm, woody, slightly
sweet, and very “curl up with a blanket and existential thoughts.” The price tag is steep, but the
fragrance profile is unique enough to justify it if you’re into niche scents.

10. Byredo Bibliothèque

Not into pumpkin, but still want a moody fall candle? Bibliothèque is your intellectual,
turtleneck-wearing option. Think of an old library filled with leather-bound books and a bowl of
stone fruits on the table: plum and peach float over a base of leather, patchouli, and vanilla.
Beauty editors love this candle because it feels sophisticated and cozy without screaming “spice
latte.” It’s ideal for offices, bedrooms, and any room where you’d like to pretend you’ve finished
your reading list.

11. Diptyque Feu de Bois

Feu de Bois (literally “wood fire”) is the gold standard for smoky, woodsy candles. It smells like
a genuine log firedry woods, embers, and a hint of charwithout the harshness of actual smoke in
your living room. This is the perfect pick for people who love cabin vibes, minimalist decor, and
quality over quantity. Light it on chilly evenings and instantly transform your space into a
mountain retreat, even if you’re actually in a studio apartment.

12. Diptyque Ambre

Ambre leans warmer and spicier than Feu de Bois. With notes of amber, spices, woods, and a hint of
incense, it wraps the room in a soft, enveloping glow. It’s often recommended as a fall and winter
staple because it plays well with both cozy nights and dressier occasions. If you like your candles
to feel like an oversized cashmere sweater and a glass of red wine, Ambre is your match.

13. Voluspa Baltic Amber

Voluspa’s Baltic Amber is a budget-friendlier way to get that warm, resinous fall feeling. The
fragrance mixes amber, sandalwood, and vanilla orchid for a creamy, slightly sweet scent that still
reads sophisticated. The decorative embossed glass jars look gorgeous on shelves and side tables,
and the coconut wax blend offers a smooth, long-lasting burn. It’s an easy gift candle that feels
more expensive than it actually is.

14. Anecdote Candles Bonfire Blaze

Anecdote is known for playful labels, but the scents are serious business. Bonfire Blaze brings
together chestnut, smoke, and woods for a campfire-adjacent experience that’s cozy rather than
ashy. Editor testers often praise it for being “bonfire, but make it wearable” in a home setting:
there’s enough smoke to feel autumnal, but it’s rounded out with warm, nutty notes so it doesn’t
overwhelm small spaces.

15. P.F. Candle Co. Teakwood & Tobacco

Teakwood & Tobacco is the candle that made a lot of people fall in love with P.F. Candle Co.
It’s a warm, unisex blend of leather, black tea, pepper, tobacco leaf, sandalwood, teak, and a
touch of orange and amber. Many reviewers describe it as “all the best smells of fall” without any
pumpkin or foodie notes. The amber glass jar and soy wax keep things simple and modern, and the
moderate throw works well in living rooms and bedrooms.

16. Better Homes & Gardens Farm Apple Pumpkin (Walmart)

This wallet-friendly favorite shows up again and again in fall candle recommendations. Farm Apple
Pumpkin blends juicy apple with pumpkin, cinnamon, and warm spices for a classic harvest scent.
The price is usually around the single digits, making it a great option if you like to burn candles
daily and don’t want to cry when you hit the bottom of the jar. It’s proof that you don’t need a
luxury logo to make your house smell incredible.

17. Yankee Candle Spiced Pumpkin

Spiced Pumpkin is a straightforward fall icon: pumpkin, cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg in a
long-burning jar. Editors and fragrance fans often call it a “true pumpkin” scent, with less
bakery sweetness and more spice and earthiness. If you find some pumpkin candles too sugary, this
one leans slightly drier and more aromatic. Large jars make it ideal for big rooms or open
floorplans.

18. Nest New York Autumn Plum

Autumn Plum was made for people who want a fall candle that isn’t just pumpkin or apple. It pairs
purple plum with cinnamon, patchouli, and woods, creating a fruity-meets-earthy scent that feels
sophisticated and a bit unexpected. You can burn it well into winter without it feeling out of
season, which is a bonus if you’re the type who refuses to take down string lights until February.

19. Lifetherapy Energized Soy Candle

Lifetherapy’s Energized candle isn’t a literal pumpkin scent, but it was highlighted in fall
roundups thanks to its mood-lifting notes and impressive burn time. Think citrus and soft woods
with a bright, refreshing twist that keeps your space from feeling heavy. It’s perfect if you love
fall but don’t want your home to smell like a bakery 24/7, or if you live in a warmer climate where
“cozy” still includes air conditioning.

20. 1502 Candle Co. Signature Fall Scent

When a small-batch brand ends up on major “best fall candles of 2023” lists, it usually means one
thing: the scent is genuinely special. 1502 Candle Co. creates hand-poured, eco-conscious candles
with carefully layered notes that lean earthy, woody, and groundedperfect for people who prefer
subtle, atmospheric fragrance over sugar bombs. Their fall-forward blends tend to feature woods,
resins, and spice, making them ideal for evenings, slow weekends, and reading marathons on the
couch.

How to Choose the Right Fall Candle for You

With this many amazing fall candles, the hardest part is picking which ones to actually buy. A few
quick tips:

• Love baking shows? Go gourmand: Pumpkin Pecan Waffles, Apple Honey Butter, or
  Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin will be your sweet spot.
• More of a cabin-in-the-woods person? Try Feu de Bois, By the Fireplace, Bonfire
  Blaze, or Teakwood & Tobacco for smoky, woodsy vibes.
• Want something elevated and perfume-like? Bibliothèque, Ambre, or Baltic Amber
  bring a more refined, “hotel lobby in October” feel.
• Shopping on a budget? Farm Apple Pumpkin, DW Home, and many Bath & Body Works
  classics offer plenty of scent without luxury pricing.

Whenever possible, think about where you’ll burn the candle (small room vs. open layout), how
strong you like your scents, and whether you want a jar you’ll happily keep on display. The right
fall candle should make your home feel welcoming to everyoneincluding future you, walking in after
a long day.

Fall Candle Experiences: Real-Life Tips, Rituals, and Cozy Moments

The best part of fall candles isn’t just how they smellit’s how they slip into your daily rhythm
and quietly upgrade ordinary moments. Once you start paying attention, you’ll notice that most
people who really love candles don’t just “light one sometimes.” They build little rituals around
them.

One popular ritual is the “5 p.m. reset burn.” Right after work, before you scroll
your phone into oblivion, you clear the coffee table, dim the lights, and light a favorite fall
candlemaybe Leaves in the living room or Pumpkin Chai in the kitchen. While the wax pools and the
scent starts to bloom, you do a quick 10-minute tidy: fold the throw blanket, rinse dishes, wipe the
counters. By the time the room looks calmer, it also smells like apple, spice, or amber, and your
brain gets the memo that work mode is officially over.

Another is the weekend morning candle. There’s something oddly luxurious about
lighting a fall candle before 9 a.m. Instead of saving your Pumpkin Pecan Waffles jar for evenings,
you strike a match while the coffee brews and let the sweet, bakery scent mingle with the smell of
real breakfast. Even if you’re just eating toast over your laptop, your home feels like a cozy
bed-and-breakfast. Many people find that pairing candles with small routinesmaking coffee, opening
the blinds, starting a playlisthelps anchor their day.

Fall candles also shine when you’re hosting without stressing. You don’t need a
full tablescape to make friends feel welcome. Pick one candle with a crowd-pleasing scentsomething
like Farm Apple Pumpkin, Baltic Amber, or a mellow apple or vanilla blendand light it 30 minutes
before guests arrive. The goal isn’t to fumigate the house; you just want a gentle perfume drifting
through the entryway and living room so people step into warmth instead of yesterday’s leftovers.
Pair it with soft lighting and a snack board, and you’ve done 80% of the mood-setting without
learning a single new recipe.

Of course, fall candles can be surprisingly personal, too. A scent like Homesick Pumpkin Picking or
Autumn Wreath might remind you of childhood trips to the pumpkin patch or grocery runs with a
parent. Lighting those scents on tough days can act like a tiny emotional reset: you’re still
dealing with emails and errands, but the air around you smells like a simpler time. That’s one
reason so many people are loyal to the same few fall scents for yearsthey become part of your
memory bank.

Finally, don’t underestimate the simple act of slowing down that comes with
candles. You trim the wick, straighten the jar, light the match, and wait for the flame to catch.
You’re forced to pay attention, even for a few seconds. In a season that often explodes into busy
schedules and holiday prep, that tiny pause can be weirdly grounding. Whether you’re burning a
fancy designer candle or a $5 grocery-store gem, the ritual is the same: one small flame, a room
full of cozy scent, and a reminder that you’re allowed to enjoy the season instead of just racing
through it.

In other words, the best fall candle isn’t just the one that smells the strongest or looks the most
expensive. It’s the one you actually lightthe one that fits into your life, your routines, and
your favorite little moments. Pick one (or three) from this list, build a tiny ritual around it,
and let your home do what it does best in autumn: feel like a safe, warm place to land.