There’s nothing quite like a scented candle to transform your home. Whether you want something warm and cosy or light and fresh, the right scent can make a world of difference.
Scented candles have the power to soothe us after a long day, or give us a bit of zest to begin the day. They even have the power to evoke memories that are associated with the fragrance.
With so many options available, it’s hard to tell where to start. Regardless of your favourite (or least favourite) scents, here are six candle options to start you on your olfactory journey.
2025’s best-scented candles:
- Vanilla Bean and Passionfruit Madison Candle, $49.95, Ecoya (here’s why)
- Yuzu and Sea Moss Standard Candle, $49.95, The Iconic (here’s why)
- Wild Bluebell Scented Candle, $116, Jo Malone (here’s why)
The best scented candles 2025
01
Vanilla Bean and Passionfruit Madison Candle
from $49.95 at Ecoya
Best for: Summer scent
The Sorbet Summer collection from Ecoya is perfect for those who want sun-kissed, laid-back summer vibes. It’s sweet and fruity, while still being vibrant and refreshing.
With top notes of passionfruit and pineapple, and base notes of vanilla and caramel, this delicious, ready-to-eat candle has a burn time of 80 hours.
Size: 400g.
Scents: Vanilla Bean and Passionfruit, Rosewater and Raspberry.
Key features:
- 80-hour burn time
- Glass vessel
- Made from natural soy wax
02
Yuzu and Sea Moss Standard Candle
from $49.95 at The Iconic
Best for: Simple elegance
The Palm Beach candles offer a variety of scents, and will effortlessly fit in with any home decor style. The white glass vessels show just a hint of colour and are great for all areas of the home.
Yuzu and Sea Moss is a fantastic option for those who enjoy a fresh, citrus scent and want to embrace the sense of the ocean’s tranquillity.
Size: 90g, 420g, 850g.
Scents: Clove and Sandalwood, Posy, Rebellious Rose, Pomelo and Dewberry, Vintage Gardenia, Watermelon, and many more available online.
Key features:
- Dual cotton wicks
- Australian made
- 80-hour burn time
03
Wild Bluebell Scented Candle
from $116 at David Jones
Best for: A touch of luxury
Jo Malone candles are synonymous with luxury. The brand is known for mixing and layering its signature fragrances — something you can do with your candles as well.
These candles are hand-crafted, and the wax composition is tailored to each fine fragrance oil used to scent the candles. Wild Bluebell is a light and fresh floral scent and fills the room with a fragrance reminiscent of the English countryside.
Sizes: 65g, 200g, 600g, 2100g.
Scents: Peony and Blush Suede, English Pear and Freesia, Wood Sage and Sea Salt, Red Roses, Blackberry and Bay, and many more available online.
Key features:
- Glass vessel
- 45-hour burn time
- A unique blend of qualitative waxes
04
A Tahaa Affair Triple-Scented Soy Candle
from $54.95 at Glasshouse Fragrances
Best for: Everyday ambience
Glasshouse Fragrances has a multitude of scented candles to choose from. Their scents are inspired by iconic locations all over the world. From Manhattan to Kyoto, you can rest assured your favourite location is sure to be available.
A Tahaa Affair is an indulgent vanilla and caramel scent, and not for the faint-hearted. It makes an impact, so much so that you’ll feel like you’re relaxing on Tahaa Island (which also happens to be known as Vanilla Island).
Sizes: 60g, 380g, 760g.
Scents: Secrets of the Sistine, Forever Florence, A Place in Paris, Montego Bay Rhythm, Sunsets in Capri, and many more are available online.
Key features:
- Cotton wicks
- Triple scented
- 65-hour burn time
05
Eucalyptus + Pine + Sandalwood Candle
from $49 at Fazeek
Best for: Unique inspirations
The Fazeek candles not only look amazing (thanks to the handmade rippled glass), but they smell amazing too. Inspired by Australian landscapes in all seasons of the year, their candles are sure to evoke great memories.
Eucalyptus + Pine + Sandalwood is inspired by Aussie camping spots, so has a sentimental feel to it.
Sizes: 300g
Scents: Cedarwood + Saffron, Eucalyptus + Pine + Sandalwood, Teak + Neroli, Kakadu Plum + Bush Cucumber, Fresh Cut Grass + Hay Wave
Key features:
- Hand poured in Melbourne
- Natural soy wax
- 70+ hour burn time
06
Gabriel
from $159 at Myer
Best for: Historical fragrance
The Trudon candles come with a side of history. As the oldest active candlemaker in the world, the brand lit King Louis XIV’s chambers in its early years as a company.
The Gabriel scented candle is best for cold, wintery afternoons due to notes of leather and cashmere. However, enjoy it year-round if you want a little added warmth to your day.
Sizes: 70g, 270g, 800g, 2800g.
Scents: Ernesto, Abd El Kader, Madurai, Cyrnos, Trianon, and many more are available online.
Key features:
- Handcrafted vessel
- 55-60 hour burn time
- Cotton wick
What size candle should I buy?
The size of the candle you purchase is ultimately up to personal preference, but you can take some guidance from the size of your room.
Typically, small candles under 100g are good for bathrooms, studies, home offices, or smaller bedrooms. Larger candles are great for open spaces like living rooms or kitchens, or any area of the home that is more spacious.
For extra large, multi-wick candles, it is best to use them in open-plan areas or even outdoors. You can also try using multiple small candles of different scents in a larger area to create a unique fragrance in your home.
Wherever you decide to place them, ensure that the candles are not left unattended when lit.
How do I care for my scented candle?
In order to maximise the life of your new candle, be sure to follow a few tips and tricks.
First, trim the wicks before every burn. Aim for around 5-7mm, which will help to control the size of the flame when lit. When first burning the candle, aim to let it burn until the wax has melted across the top layer. Doing so will prevent candlewax from melting in one direction or tunnelling in the vessel.
As tempting as it is, try not to blow out your candles. It is best to use a candle snuffer or try dipping the wick into the melted wax. This prevents smoking or splattered wax.
It is also best to keep your candles in a cool, dark place when not in use. If you have a glass cloche, this will keep your scented candles looking chic but also dust-free.
