Whether it's gadgets, decor, or furniture, in Hunker Recommends, our editors only put their stamp of approval on the very best.
The start of fall is always a great time to dust off your seasonal candles in an effort to set the mood and cozy up. This year, however, it's more important than ever to carve out some self-care time and be sure to find moments of zen at home. For many, that means lighting a favorite candle. It offers just the right amount of relaxing light and, usually, a reminiscing scent of comforting aromas. To help you get inspired, we asked the editorial team at Hunker to share their favorite scented candles that feel extra seasonal for colder temps. Here are their top picks.
Video of the Day
Video of the Day
"This, quite literally, is my favorite candle brand of all time. I included the price for a set of two because I want everyone to buy at least two scents so they can experience the magic themselves. The Apple Rose is a perfect blend of sweet and seasonal for fall, but I'm also a huge fan of the Lemon Lavendar Sugar as a year-round kitchen or bathroom scent. They're subtle enough not to overwhelm the senses, but potent enough to make you feel transported to a cozy and sweet-smelling wonderland. Plus, I love that all of the candles are all-natural and the company is a female-founded small business based out of Brooklyn." — Katie Maguire, Commerce Editor
"There is something about this scent that I just love — although I'm not sure if I would have thought so just by looking at the mix of scents: Rose, Tobacco Leaf, Fir Needle, and Cedarwood. (I'm typically not a huge fan of rose or tobacco.) A friend gave it to me as a gift last year, and after I burned through it, I immediately bought another one. And then another one. And ... well, you get it. I have two in my home right now that are getting dangerously low, so I literally just bought another one the other day. My 2020 promise to myself was to light my candles more often instead of waiting for a special occasion. So, now I light them up several times a week, if not more." — Laurie Grossman, Director, Editorial Operations
"Lately, I've been loving the "Dappled Wood" candle in Otherland's Manor House Weekend fall collection. It has notes of sandalwood, toasted walnut, and sweet hay that instantly transport me back to my childhood autumns in Wisconsin — fall color hikes, hayrides through cornfields, and baking cookies with my mom." — Gina Goff, Director of Audience Development
"It just instantly makes me feel relaxed. It's not too strong of a scent, but just enough to fill a small room with a lovely aroma. The product description includes hints of vanilla pod, but I wouldn't say the vanilla is that strong (I'm not into candles that smell like baking ingredients). I love the color of the packaging, too! " — Eva Recinos, Associate Editor
"To be honest, I was initially drawn to this candle for its good looks — sorry, not sorry. Unlike your typical jar or tin, this candle sits in a gorgeous ceramic vessel flaunting a speckled charcoal gray and beige finish. But, in a happy turn of events, I actually really love the scent, too. The tea-inspired aroma features a pleasant "blend of coconut, cardamom, buttered rum, caramel, chai tea, vanilla bean, and cinnamon" — the perfect, calming mix of subtly sweet and spicy notes. Plus, once you've reached the end of the 26-hour burn time you can repurpose the latte bowl and make it part of your collection." — Ariane Moore, Design Editor
"This scent can actually work for multiple seasons. And it smells nothing like that artificial, chemical-y lavender stuff that people spray in gyms and spas either. It's a little warm, a lot soft, and maybe just a pinch smoky. Every time I light this up, I feel like I'm hiking in a calming forest somewhere." — Lowe Saddler, SEO Editor
"I've been noticing these French-y candles all over town lately and I'm a total convert. I've been burning the No. 4 scent religiously in my bedroom — it's earthy and woody with notes of sandalwood, cedarwood, vetiver, and nutmeg. I'd definitely classify it as a "fall" scent but not one that's too heavy or overbearing. The most appropriate word I can think to describe it is "expensive" even though it's actually reasonably priced for a designer candle." — Leonora Epstein, Senior Director