The Best Fall Candles to Light This Season

Twig Taper Candles

$28 at Etsy

Adding texture to your space is a great way to bring fall into your home decor, whether it’s with the addition of a knit blanket or fuzzy throw pillows. But if you want to go the extra mile with texture, these 12-inch twig taper candles will do the trick. Not only are they a pretty fall kitchen accessory, they come in multiple, autumn-appropriate colors. Mix and match your favorites and look forward to the ultimate cozy tablescape.

Spiced Pumpkin Soy Wax Candle

Shop on Grove

The best fall candles don’t just smell like your favorite autumn joys (read: pumpkin spice, apple cider, smoky woods and cinnamon), they fill a whole room, too. This soy wax candle from Grove Collaborative checks all those boxes and more. Upon its first burn, I was amazed at how well the spiced pumpkin scent carried through my dining room. The stone container with a seasonal print lights up any room, too. Pair it with Grove Collaborative’s new fall scents collection for the ultimate autumn escape.

Cozy Cashmere Candle

Shop on Target

No matter the season, Target always has a wide variety of seasonal candles—but when fall comes around, we get especially excited. This year, look to Threshold’s amber and vanilla cozy cashmere scent as one of the best fall candles. When you light a candle called “cozy cashmere,” you practically have to snuggle up on the sofa and grab a good book. And with 95 hours of burn time, you’ll have plenty of chances to do so. Psst! Decorate your door with these DIY fall wreaths. 

Soft Wool and Amber Candle

$46.98 at Amazon

This soft wool and amber candle from Yankee Candle will make you want to wrap yourself in a blanket and throw on your favorite feel-good show (we recommend Gilmore Girls.) One of my favorite fall candles this season, I love the soft, white amber aroma that fills any room, even when it’s not lit. Notes of heliotrope, lily of the valley and cashmere make it ideal for burning all day long—it’s that good!

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Beeswax Taper Candles

7.8025% OFF$5.84 at Etsy

Something about beeswax just reminds us of fall—and if you agree, you’ll love these pretty beeswax taper candles. The rope design adds texture while the colors add vibrance to fall home decor. It’s too hard to choose just one color, so get to mixing and matching!

Acorn Spice Candle

Shop on Target

The maker of one of our favorite fall hand soaps also creates one of the best fall candles, too. This acorn candle by Mrs. Meyer’s packs a punch with its nutty scent and 25-hour burn time. It’s a great gift for bread bakers who spend long hours in the kitchen! 

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Hello Fall Candle

22.9913% OFF$19.99 at Amazon

What better way to welcome fall than with the smells of apple cider, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg? Say hello to fall by burning Sweet Water Decor’s soy jar candle for up to 40 hours. Here’s how to stop your candle wick from mushrooming. Grab one for yourself and as a fall gift while you’re at it.

Moroccan Amber Candle

Shop on La Jolie Muse

How pretty is this La Jolie Muse moroccan amber candle? Warm amber meets woody eucalyptus and spicy cinnamon in this sensual fall candle that burns for up to 75 hours. It’s perfect for lovers of all things fall spices, and anyone looking for more than just pumpkin and apple scents this season. For ultimate enjoyment, the brand recommends keeping each burn session at a four hour maximum.

Simmered Cider Candle

Shop on Thymes

Simmered cider? Yes, please! This red poured candle with a gold sleeve brings more than just notes of apples, crushed cardamom and clove to a room. It dresses it for fall, too. Hints of apple cinnamon, bourbon and malted rum await.

Pumpkin Spiced Cake Candle

Shop on Glasshouse Fragrances

It’s not fall unless you have an assortment of pumpkin spiced everything: Candles, snacks (ahem, pumpkin spice bagels from Trader Joe’s) and of course, coffee and tea drinks. Which is why I love this pumpkin spiced cake candle from Glasshouse Fragrances. It somehow manages to fit all the yummy smells of everything nice and pumpkin spiced into one luxurious jar. Pairs well with a fresh slice of pumpkin pie.

Autumn Leaves Pillar Candle

$35.99 at Wayfair

Why pick a candle that’s just one color when it could be three? Olive green and two shades of orange in this pillar candle just scream “fall.” And it pairs perfectly with other fall decor elements like acorns and fall leaves. Plus, it’s McIntosh apple-scented!

Harvest Spice Candle

Shop on Pottery Barn

Botanical inserts like wheat, oranges and cinnamon sticks make these harvest spice candles from Pottery Barn stand out as one of the most beautiful choices when it comes to fall candles. But not only are they beautiful—they’ll release their scents of cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin and vanilla for up to 90 hours! If you can’t get enough of this scent, order potpourri or a diffuser to waft it throughout your entire home.

VIA MERCHANT

Handpainted Glass Pumpkin & Sweet Vanilla Candle

Shop on Anthropologie

Add the sweet aroma of vanilla, nutmeg, brown butter, cinnamon and pumpkin with this hand-painted candle from Anthropologie. With a plant-based wax formula that lasts for over 19 hours, this candle serves as a scented candle and a reusable piece of fall decor. Add it to a dining table, living room or bedroom to spark the festivities of the fall season.

What to Look for When Buying Fall Candles

Scent Profiles

Candles can bring the fall season to life, filling your home with cozy, festive aromas. Popular scents for fall candles include sweet or spicy notes like pumpkin spice, cinnamon, apple, chai, cider and deep, woodsy fragrances—whatever best captures your seasonal spirit.

When choosing a candle for your space, remember that an eight-ounce candle typically emits fragrance within a 10-foot radius. The longer it burns, the stronger the scent becomes.

Candle Type

Experienced candle users know that different waxes melt and function in distinct ways, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. Here’s a breakdown of the most common types:

• Soy wax is made from 100% soybeans, burns cleanly and leaves a smaller ecological footprint. It’s unlikely to trigger allergies, but due to farming and production costs, it tends to be pricier. Soy candles can burn for over 45 hours, making them long-lasting.
• Coconut wax comes from odorless, colorless coconut oil. It offers a strong scent throw and is eco-friendly without contributing to deforestation. It often blends with other waxes and burns for about 56 to 58 hours.
• Palm wax is hard and durable, with a burn time of 60 to 80 hours. However, if it is not sustainably sourced, it can contribute to deforestation.
• Paraffin wax, derived from coal and petroleum, has an an excellent scent throw and burns about 30 minutes per inch in diameter. However, it may affect air quality and allergies.
• Beeswax burns cleanly and slowly with a burn time of 30 to 35 hours. However, its limited supply makes it expensive and harder to source.

Burn Time

The burn time of candles depends on the type of wax and the size of the candle. Candles made from soy, coconut and beeswax generally have a longer burn time, lasting around 50 to 60 hours. On the other hand, candles made from paraffin tend to burn faster, with an average burn rate of 30 minutes per inch.

Other things to consider regarding burn time are wick and candle size. Larger candles and thicker wicks promote longevity but burn with a lot of smoke, while small candle sizes and thin cotton wicks burn quickly but with less smoke. As a result, wooden-wicked candles are ideal for a long dinner with candles on the table, while a spa-like bath may require a cotton-wick candle.

Sustainability

Some candles can contribute to deforestation or contain harmful chemicals that trigger allergies or harm the body. That’s why choosing sustainably sourced options in eco-friendly or recyclable packaging is essential. Candles that use essential oils for fragrance instead of synthetic chemicals are generally healthier and more environmentally responsible.

Vegan candles made from soy, beeswax or coconut wax are among the best options for sustainability. These materials are eco-friendly and clean-burning, making them a better choice for your health and the environment.

Safety Features

When preventing fires, consider candle placement, smoke emissions and proper care and extinguishing methods. Keep candles away from flammable materials such as paper and linens. Excess smoke or a strong scent can also worsen air quality and irritate allergies. To safely extinguish candles, use a snuffer or wick dipper. Avoid using water or your fingers, which can cause fires or damage. Always trim wicks to ensure a clean and even burn.

Seasonal Aesthetic

Burning a scented candle promotes relaxation and brings a cozy, homey feel to any space. Many manufacturers now focus on creating aesthetically pleasing, fall-themed containers, colors and designs. These designs not only complement seasonal decor but also add a touch of autumn charm and aroma, elevating any room with a cozy, festive atmosphere.

Why You Should Trust Us

Madi Koetting is a skilled writer specializing in product research and commerce editing at Taste of Home, Reader’s Digest, Family Handyman and Stylecaster. She has extensive experience in lifestyle, home and shopping content, with a focus on seasonal and holiday topics. Her expertise makes her a trusted authority when selecting the top fall candles.

Lauren Pahmeier, a publisher and writer at Taste of Home, specializes in lifestyle and home content. With expertise in holidays, entertaining and seasonal occasions, she is well-equipped to advise on the best fall candles for the home.

Alexandra Mantella, Content Updates Editor at Reader’s Digest, updated and contributed research to this piece. She has over five years of experience in product testing, research and commerce writing. Previously, she served as a commerce content update editor at Bob Vila.

How We Found the Best Fall Candles

We reviewed hundreds of popular fall-scented candles from top brands, considering customer reviews, brand reputation and expert recommendations. After evaluating the options, we selected 14 candles with various fall fragrances, wax compositions and price points to test for scent strength, eco-friendliness, burn time and packaging quality. Key factors, such as the use of natural wax blends, environmentally friendly ingredients and safety features (such as wick type and allergy concerns), were essential in our search for the best fall candles.

FAQ

What are the best fall candle scents?

How long should a typical fall candle burn?

A typical fall candle’s burn time depends on factors such as wax type, size and wick material. A high-quality candle, usually between seven and 14 ounces, should burn for seven to 10 hours per inch of diameter. For example, a 12-ounce candle typically has a minimum burn time of 60 hours. Paraffin candles burn faster, often depleting their wax or wick within just a few hours.

What makes a candle eco-friendly?

Eco-friendly candles are made from natural materials like soy, coconut and beeswax, which are sustainably sourced and burn cleanly. Additionally, eco-conscious brands offer candles in recyclable or reusable containers. Repurposing candle jars into home decor or kitchen items further reduces environmental impact.