What's Trending in Candles: New Scents & Styles of 2025

The Malin+Goetz Candle Gift Set earned an 8/10 from us for offering four sophisticated votive scents—Dark Rum, Leather, Bergamot, and Otto—each hand-poured in a natural soy blend with about 25 hours of burn time. During our review we appreciated the variety and quality craftsmanship, which makes this set a great way to sample luxury fragrances or give as a refined gift. We found the votives deliver strong scent for their size, but the $66 price and smaller 2.35 oz format may put off those wanting longer single-candle performance.

The Elderberry Nectar candle is an affordable, fruit-forward option at $7 that scored 7/10 for its unusual blend of elderberry, mandarin, and raspberry and clean soy composition. In our testing we found the 100% soy wax with phthalate-free fragrance offers a pleasant, non-toxic burn for about 35 hours, making it a nice pick for mood lighting or small rooms. During our review the tin packaging and slightly shorter burn time were noted drawbacks, but for wallet-friendly, fruity scent this candle delivers solid value.

Cherry Eclipse is a budget-friendly little powerhouse — in our experience its bright, seductive cherry aroma punches above its $7 price and makes it a go-to for mood-setting in small spaces. We found its scent intensity and long-lasting performance give great value, though the fragrance can be too strong for sensitive noses. Details like wax type and burn time aren't specified, so expect some variability, but if you want an affordable, attention-grabbing scent for short sessions or targeted use, this one delivers.

Amélie Pomegranate & Pine pairs a handsome glass container with a pleasant, restrained woody scent that fits well on a shelf or coffee table — during our review the vessel added instant style to a room. We found the 120-hour claim attractive, but the candle earned a 6/10 because some units didn’t burn properly: small flames and wasted wax were reported, so you might face issues getting a full melt pool. If decor matters and you’re careful with burn technique, it can be a pretty, long-lasting option.

A Dopo Tiger is as much a decor object as a candle — the hand-painted ceramic vessel with a tiger motif repurposes beautifully as a planter after the roughly 54-hour soy candle is gone. We found the Black Cedar & Fig scent offers a layered blend of bergamot, fig and cedar that feels complex and grown-up, but in our testing the candle burned faster than expected and the $32 price reflects that trade-off. It scored 6.5/10: great for style-forward buyers, but budget-conscious users should know the burn time may be shorter in practice.

Colonial Candle Pink Cherry Blossom is an affordable floral jar that delivers a strong, pleasing scent and comes in a distinctive oval jar that helps fragrance disperse — helpful for quick refreshes in bathrooms or small rooms. In our testing it lasted up to 21 hours, which is fine for short-term use, but this one scored a 6/10 because we saw batch inconsistencies in scent and wax quality across purchases. If you want a budget floral for seasonal rotation, it’s a decent pick; just expect variability between batches.

Sunset Soy Candle earned a respectable 7.5/10 thanks to a captivating blend of warm pistachio, coconut cream, sandalwood, tonka and exotic musks that reads cozy and gourmand — during our review the scent felt sophisticated and well-balanced. We found the hand-poured Rise Above home-studio approach gives the jar a crafted, boutique feel, but the advertised 30+ hour burn time is noticeably shorter than other picks, which may matter if you want long stretches of fragrance. At $24.99 it’s a charming studio-made choice if shorter sessions suit you.

Salina Candle scored 7/10 largely because it’s a striking, art-forward choice with a complex floral-aqueous fragrance—bergamot, neroli, ylang-ylang, iris, marine accord, ambroxan, moss and patchouli—that reads both bright and deep in our testing. We found the limited-edition design by artist Ben Arpea elevates any mantel or bedside table, and the up-to-50-hour burn gives substantial scent life, but during our review the $92 price and scarcity make it less practical for everyday rotation. Note the brand doesn’t specify wax or wick types, which some buyers will want to know.

If you need dependable, unscented light for tablescapes or emergency kits, these pillar candles are an unbeatable value at $3.97 and come in multiple sizes to fit different decor needs. In our testing we found the paraffin wax and cotton wick deliver a reliably long burn—advertised up to 180 hours—so they’re practical for long events or repeated use. During our review we noted the major downside: their unscented design won’t contribute to the aromatic ambiance central to this guide. They scored a 6/10 as a utility pick rather than a scent-forward choice.

These Pale Purple Twist Taper Candles scored 6.5/10 thanks to their sculptural, eye-catching design that instantly upgrades table settings or mantel displays. We found the twisted silhouette adds artistic flair during dinners or photoshoots, but in our testing the paraffin wax and unscented profile mean they won’t contribute to fragrance-driven ambiance. Practical benefits include an affordable price and striking visual impact, yet our experience shows buyers seeking natural wax or aromatic candles should consider other options.

Verdant Verve is a nature-forward option that blends oak moss, neroli blossom and fresh thyme for an earthy, springlike scent — in our testing the coconut-and-soy wax mix burned cleanly and felt toxin-free. We found the jar and packaging especially pretty, and the glass vessel is easy to repurpose once the roughly 55-hour candle is done. That said, this $20 pick scored 6.5/10 because the scent throw felt weaker than competitors and some units showed uneven burning and tunneling, so you may need to manage the first few melts to get the best performance.

This Chai Milk Candle earned an 8.5/10 for good reason: in our testing the spiced chai blend with cardamom, cinnamon, and brown sugar feels luxe and cozy, and the coconut-soy wax mix burns cleanly for about 60 hours. We found the handmade ceramic vessel especially appealing because it’s food-safe, microwave- and dishwasher-safe, so it becomes a multipurpose mug after the wax is gone. During our review, price and limited in-store availability were the only real caveats, but if you want a high-quality, reusable candle, it’s worth the splurge.

Elysian’s candle blends coconut and soy wax with a modern concrete vessel for a clean burn and distinctive look, but it earned a middling 6/10 because the $119 price and limited availability narrow its appeal. Our experience shows the 9 oz candle still offers up to 60 hours of scent dispersal—think cucumber, aloe, pear and fresh-cut grass—which performs well in contemporary spaces, yet natural variations in the concrete finish and the high cost mean it’s best for someone seeking a statement piece rather than everyday value.

Byredo’s Bibliothèque brings a chic, woody aroma and sleek black-wax aesthetic that reads like a luxury library in your living room — our testing showed it burns evenly with minimal tunneling and lasts around 60 hours. We found its minimalist design elevates decor, though as a 7.5/10 pick it’s less effective at scenting large rooms and feels like a splurge at $50. If you want a stylish, cozy candle for bedrooms or studies, this is a refined choice, but don’t expect it to dominate expansive spaces.

Ultimate Opulence Oatmeal Stout is an intriguing soy candle with an artisanal scent profile that leans eco-friendly thanks to its high-quality soy wax; in our experience that gives it a clean burn and natural appeal. The candle promises up to 54 hours, which is practical for longer sessions, but it scored only 5.5/10 largely because there aren’t enough customer reviews to judge consistency or scent throw. If you prioritize clean-burning soy wax and want to try an unusual oatmeal-stout aroma, it’s worth a cautious pick.

Cashmere Kush feels luxurious with powdery musks, cashmere woods and earthy vetiver, and the coconut-and-beeswax blend gives a softer, cleaner burn that many users find calming — our experience shows the packaging and long-lasting feel are major draws. Priced at $49, it earned a 7/10 because some customers reported little fragrance while burning and occasional tunneling that required maintenance. If you prize a luxe presentation and subtle musky notes, it’s an elegant choice, but don’t be surprised if scent intensity varies.

This Candle by the Hour Refill is a conversation-starting beeswax spiral that scored 7/10 for its eco-friendly appeal and clever self-extinguishing safety feature. Our experience shows the 100% natural beeswax and cotton wick give a clean honey-scented burn lasting around 60 hours, but in our testing some units burned faster than expected and advancing the wax coil could be fiddly. The aesthetic and safety perks make it a stylish refill option, though a wobbly stand and variable performance mean it’s best for buyers who prioritize design and sustainability over precision.

The Lime + Sunshine Candle Refill is a sustainability-minded option that scored 5.5/10 mainly because it’s only compatible with Good Chemistry’s reusable glass candle. During our review we appreciated the 100% sustainably sourced, biodegradable plant-based wax and citrus-fruity scent that delivers up to 40 hours of bright, clean fragrance. We found the limited compatibility reduces its practicality for those who don’t already own the brand’s vessel, but if you have the reusable glass it’s an affordable, eco-forward refill choice.

Deep Eden’s Wood Wick Candle stood out in our testing for its Velvet Rose & Patchouli scent and the tactile charm of a wood wick that crackles as it burns — hand-poured in a coconut-soy-beeswax blend and studded with Strawberry and Clear Quartz for a unique look. It earned an 8/10 for fragrance and craftsmanship, though the $28.49 price and extra maintenance for the wood wick tempered the score. If you want a stylish, crystal-embedded candle with a luxe scent, this one feels special; just be ready to tend the wood wick.

The Crushed Mint Plant Candle (score: 8/10) is a bright, herbal pick that pairs a lively spearmint-and-peppermint blend with a softer peach flower heart — in our testing the mint profile fills small rooms quickly and feels invigorating. We found the 60-hour soy candle burns cleanly on a cotton wick, and the standout is the plantable, biodegradable, seed‑infused jar packaging that lets you grow mint afterward, which adds real sustainability points. Be aware, though, some users may find the mint aroma too strong and the $27.63 price sits above similar options.

Savant’s Architect’s Daughter Candle is one of our higher scorers at 8.5/10, blending cedarwood shavings, juicy grapefruit and crisp paper for a creative, soft-citrus profile that stands out in a study or studio — during our review the scent felt layered and surprisingly fresh. We found the up-to-50-hour soy burn with a cotton wick performs reliably, and the stainless-steel container (made from 25% post-consumer waste) adds a modern, sustainable edge. At $42 it’s pricier than many, but its unique fragrance and eco-focused packaging justify the splurge for design-minded buyers.

Nest’s Wild Mint & Eucalyptus candle is our top-rated pick here with a 9/10 for its fresh-aromatic throw and elegant jar design that elevates any room. In our testing we found the mint and eucalyptus blend fills space quickly and lingers after extinguishing, and the paraffin wax with a cotton wick burns consistently for roughly 50–60 hours. During our review the main downside was cost—some customers call it pricey for the size—and occasional reports of defects, but the scent performance and lasting throw justify the splurge for many.

Harlem Brands’ After Dark candle scored 7.5/10 for marrying long-lasting performance—up to 80 hours—with a sleek black glass jar that makes a bold style statement. In our testing the woody-earthy scent fills rooms without overwhelming them, though we found it leans sweeter than strictly dry woods and some users reported uneven burning that required attention to get a proper melt pool. Overall, this candle is a strong choice for those who want elegant design and extended burn time; just expect to nudge the wick occasionally for even results.

Sweet Grace is a luxe, oriental-and-spice jar candle that impressed us with long-lasting fragrance and elegant packaging — perfect for gifting or anchoring a cozy corner in your home. During our review the soy-blend wax delivered a cleaner burn over its advertised 50 hours, and we found the scent fills smaller rooms reliably, though its strength can be overpowering if you're fragrance-sensitive. At $40 it earned an 8/10 for scent longevity and presentation, but be mindful that price and intensity may not suit every budget or nose.