The Best Candles You Should Burn This Season: Luxury & High Street Picks
- Beril Yilmaz
- Sep 23
- 6 min read
There’s something deeply comforting about lighting a candle at the end of the day: the soft flicker, the gentle aroma drifting through the air, the way it turns a room into a haven. Whether you’re winding down after work, hosting friends over, or simply creating atmosphere, choosing the right candle can make all the difference.
But not all candles are equal. Some offer long burn times with rich, layered scents; others are style statements, vessels that become part of the décor even when unlit. Scent notes matter, wax quality matters, and size, wick type, and the container’s look are all part of the experience.
In this guide, I’ve gathered eight of the best candles currently available in the UK — a mix of high street gems and treat-yourself luxuries. I’ll break down what makes each one special, and offer tips on where and how to use them best in your home so you get maximum value and ambiance.
Candle | Title | Why It Deserves This Spot |
 | Best for Relaxation | With calming lavender and soothing geranium, this candle creates the ultimate spa-like atmosphere at home. Perfect for unwinding in the evening. |
 | Best Budget Buy | Stylish and affordable, this candle offers a warm vanilla fragrance with surprisingly long burn time, making it the best value option. |
 | Best Luxury Scent | With its dreamy mix of bergamot, amber, vanilla and coconut, this candle is elegant, indulgent, and instantly transportive. |
 | Best Everyday Candle | Clean, herbal notes and a 3-wick design make this a versatile candle you’ll want to burn daily, whether during work, yoga, or evening downtime. |
 | Best Long-Lasting Candle | At up to 80 hours of burn time, this candle keeps its fresh linen fragrance going longer than most, offering incredible staying power. |
 | Best Statement Candle | Bold, spicy amber and saffron fragrance with a stylish jar makes this the one to light when you want to impress guests. |
 | Best Seasonal Candle | A comforting blend of vanilla with a touch of winter magic, this one is perfect for cosy festive evenings and cold-weather moods. |
1. Best Candles: Next White Country Luxe Spa Retreat Lavender & Geranium Candle
This candle opens with fresh grapefruit and lemon, moves into a heart of lavender and geranium, and settles into a deep base of ylang and cedarwood. It’s very much a “come home and breathe out” scent — perfect for bathrooms, bedrooms, or any spot where you want calm. The single wick is ideal for smaller spaces where you don’t want an overpowering scent throw.
What makes it shine: The herbal-floral mix isn’t too sweet, and the packaging has a clean spa-look. Also, strong reviews say its fragrance strength is high without being harsh.
Best for: winding down in the evening, guest bathrooms, midday relaxation.
2. Best Candles: H&M Home Ember Vanilla Candle
Ember Vanilla offers a warm vanilla scent with subtle smokiness — think of toasted sugar, creamy vanilla under soft wood notes, all wrapped in amber tones. The glass vessel has a beautiful marbled pattern which looks decorative even when the candle isn’t lit. Burn time is about 60 hours for the single-wick version.
What makes it shine: It balances sweetness and warmth well, so it’s inviting but never cloying. Also, great value for long burn time.
Best for: living rooms, mantel displays, evenings when you want something comforting and rich.
3. Best Candles: The White Company Seychelles Signature Candle
Seychelles blends bergamot, amber, vanilla, orange, coconut, jasmine — a tropical breeze in candle form. It smells like sunshine and escape. With that citrus-amber hint, it works especially well in larger rooms where the scent can drift without overwhelming.
What makes it shine: Hand finished, high quality, and its scent profile strikes a lovely balance between bright and warming.
Best for: open-plan areas, kitchens or dining spaces when you want something uplifting; also a recommended “treat yourself” pick.
4. Best Candles: M&S Apothecary Restore Candle
This one is a stronger scent blend: geranium, cedar wood, eucalyptus and lavender. It has a fresh herbal quality that feels clean and rejuvenating — ideal for spaces where you want both calm and clarity.
What makes it shine: The three wicks offer broader flame spread and more scent throw, so great for social moments or rooms that need fragrance to fill the space evenly. Also, the opaque pot hides burnt wax so it stays elegant.
Best for: larger lounges, dinner nights, when you want scent that lingers.
5. Best Candles: Zara Home Absolute Linen Scented Candle
This candle leans fresh and clean rather than full-bodied. Key notes are blackcurrant and a subtle tangerine, plus touches of fig leaf, iris and musk. The scent is airy, linen-like, with a hint of fruit and woods in the background.
What makes it shine: Vegetable wax, good burn duration (up to 80 hours for the larger jar), and packaging that suits both minimalist and “fresh laundry” interiors.
Best for: bedrooms, hallways, or “clean fragrance” zones where you want subtle scent rather than full aroma.
6. Best Candles: Leoben Amber Saffron Scented Candle
Warm, spicy, golden — amber and saffron create a rich, slightly exotic scent that feels luxurious without being over the top. The size (481 g) makes this a strong option for someone who burns candles often or wants the scent to fill a room.
What makes it shine: Great value for weight, strong scent throw, and the amber tones in the candle glow beautifully when lit.
Best for: dining areas, evening relaxation, autumn-winter mood lighting.
7. Best Candles: Yankee Candle Vanilla Flurries Signature Candle
This candle is perfect for when you want something festive, sweet, and comforting: vanilla, peach, coconut, sugar crystals paired with amber, vetiver and oakmoss. It evokes cozy evenings, maybe even snowy windows.
What makes it shine: Strong throw, beautiful large jar, classic scent blend that's comforting and well-loved.
Best for: winter months, evenings by the fire, special occasions (Christmas, gatherings).
8. Best Candles: (Bonus) Candle Care & Pairing Tips
While not a candle pick, Beril Yilmaz interior designer often emphasises that even the most exquisite candle won’t perform if used poorly. Key tips: always burn long enough for the first melt pool to reach the edges (around 2-3 hours) so the candle burns evenly; trim the wick to 5mm to avoid soot or uneven flame; keep candles away from drafts to avoid flicker or rapid wax wastage.
How to Choose Best Candles for Your Home
Here are several things to consider when seeking “best candles”:
Fragrance strength & throw: How far the scent travels, especially in larger rooms.
Wax type: Vegetable wax, soy blends, or paraffin-based; some burn cleaner or slower.
Number of wicks & jar size: More wicks = more flame, quicker burn, more scent.
Design & container: Will the container fit your décor? Also, if reusable or refillable, even better for sustainability.
Safety and burn time: Always follow guidance, never leave unattended, use on heat-safe surfaces.
Pairing Candles with Rooms & Moods
Room | Mood Goal | Candle Styles to Use |
Living room / Lounge | Cozy, inviting | Warm scents (vanilla, amber, spice), multiple wicks or large jars like Amber Saffron or Vanilla Flurries |
Bedroom | Relaxed, restful | Gentle floral/herbal-wood blends, cleaner “linen” style like Absolute Linen or Lavender & Geranium |
Kitchen | Fresh, clean | Citrus notes, herbal freshness — Ember Vanilla (which has warm vanilla but balanced with wood), possibly smaller jars |
Bathroom | Spa & unwind | Lavender, eucalyptus, scents you associate with calm (Restore, Spa Retreat blends) |
FAQs
Q: How long should I burn a candle each time?A: Aim for at least 2-3 hours to allow the melt pool to reach the edges. This prevents tunnelling (when the candle burns down the middle, leaving unused wax at the sides).
Q: Is vegetable wax better than paraffin?A: Vegetable or soy-based wax often burns cleaner (less soot) and can be more sustainable. But paraffin can offer strong fragrance throw. It depends on your priorities: scent power vs clean burning and eco-credentials.
Q: How do I avoid repeated residue or smoke marks on walls?A: Keep wicks trimmed to about 5mm, avoid burning in very drafty places, and ensure the container has enough ventilation. Clean black soot sometimes appears when the flame is too large.
Q: What makes a candle good value?A: Good value tends to come from a combination of burn hours per £, packaging reusability or refillability, decent scent throw, and fragrance profile you actually enjoy (so you don’t waste it).
Final Verdict
Lighting one of these best candles isn’t just about scent — it’s about atmosphere, intention, and style. Whether you want a spa-like calm, a festive glow, or just a warm ambience after a long day, these picks deliver.
If you’re transforming a room and need help choosing not just candles, but lighting, colour, and décor that work together, our team at BY Design And Viz would love to assist. Get in touch with us for an interior design consultation — we’ll help you select fragrance, furnishings, and finishes that reflect who you are and how you want to feel at home.
