If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, we may receive an affiliate commission. Learn more about our policies and reviews.
As soon as the temperature starts to drop and the calendar flips to September, it’s (almost) officially fall — time to take out your cozy blankets, make some cocoa, light a few candles, and put on your favorite fall movies. Sounds like the perfect autumn evening, right? Only one thing can be overkill in such a cozy atmosphere — the pumpkin-y aroma of the fall season. Pumpkin spiced latte is the autumnal it girl of fall candles, and you’ll find this aroma everywhere you go, from bookstores to coffee shops.
Although pumpkin seems to be THE scent of fall, it isn’t the only one out there. The candle industry is constantly growing, meaning there are plenty of fragrances other than the infamous PSL. We’ve reviewed some of the top fall candles of 2024 below, with classic autumnal notes like apple, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, to help you stay up to speed with this year's fall festivities.
Comparing the Finest Fall Candles of 2024
Yankee Candle Fall Candle — Best Overall
The Yankee Candle Fall Candle is a classic option that every candle lover surely knows about. It comes in a large signature tumbler and offers a long burn time thanks to its generous candle quantity.
Combining two of fall’s classic scents — apples and pumpkins —, this fall candle is spiced with cloves and ginger to deliver the perfect aroma. It’s made with paraffin wax so that its single wick provides a clear and consistent burn, and its bright orange color is ideal for blending in with your fall decor. This fall candle’s generous quantity and subtle autumn scents earn it the top spot on our list.
Pros
- Natural fiber wick delivers a consistent burn
- Offers 110-150 hours of burn time
- Completely recyclable design
Cons
- Its scent is subtle
WoodWick Fall Candle — Incredible Scent
Think of watching the sunset while eating an apple crisp topped with pumpkin butter. That’s the experience the WoodWick Fall Candle delivers, and it’s a three-layered candle that comes in a flared glass container.
A great thing about this fall candle is that its wood wick crackles when it burns, giving you the ultimate cozy vibes. Its wooden wick also helps deliver a more consistent burn compared to standard wicks, and its stylish wooden lid can make this fall candle blend seamlessly into your home’s decor. This fall candle gives you a burn time of around 48 hours, and it can be a great choice for aromatherapy.
Pros
- Premium blend of paraffin and soy wax
- Offers a burn time of 48 hours
- Features three complementary autumn scents
Cons
- Packaging isn’t very secure
Sweet Water Decor Fall Candle — Budget-friendly
The Sweet Water Decor Fall Candle is the definition of autumn in a jar. This candle is ideal for an autumn evening, as it contains complementary notes of apple cider, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg to warm up your evening as you cozy up by the fire.
Despite being pretty small in size, this fall candle offers a good burn time of over 40 hours. It uses premium fragrance oils that are free from lead, zinc, gluten, phthalates, and toxins, and this soy wax-based candle is also cruelty-free, vegan, non-GMO, and kosher. If you’re looking for a candle that can be a friend to both the environment and your wallet, make sure you check this fall candle out.
Pros
- Made with hand-poured soy wax
- Offers 40+ hours of burn time
- Cotton wick produces a tall flame
Cons
- Its container is small
Village Candle Fall Candle — Long-lasting
The Village Candle Fall Candle is another classic option on our list. This candle brand was born in 1993 and has continued to deliver quality candles all these years, and that’s certainly the case when it comes to this lovely fall candle.
This fall candle’s subtle scents of baked apples, cinnamon, and vanilla are pleasant and not too overpowering, and it comes in a large apothecary jar and offers an extensive burn time. Because it’s situated in a large jar, this fall candle features two wicks to prevent wax tunneling, and this double-wick technology also ensures consistent scent release and lower amounts of soot.
Pros
- Made with premium food-grade paraffin wax
- Offers around 60 hours of burn time
- Features hand-trimmed wicks for slow, even burn
Cons
- Fragrance may be too subtle for some
Homesick Fall Candle — Minimalistic Design
If you couldn’t get around to picking pumpkins this fall season — or if you just want to bring the fun home with you — the Homesick Fall Candle can be a great option. Its classic scents of pumpkin, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, and ginger combine to deliver the perfect nostalgic experience of picking pumpkins on a cool, crisp fall day.
Sold in a generous quantity, this fall candle is sure to last you a long time. Since its jar has a minimalist design it can blend well with different home decor styles, from modern to rustic, making this fall candle a great choice in more ways than one.
Pros
- Made with a hand-poured soy wax blend
- Offers 60-80 hours of burn time
- Complementary scents for a full sensory experience
Cons
- Not the most potent fragrance
Finding Your Next Fall Candle: A Buyer’s Guide
Autumn decor is incomplete without a few fall candles carefully displayed around your home. Candles are crucial in creating the perfect autumnal ambiance, and their fragrance plays a vital role in doing so. To pick the ideal fall candle for your home in 2024, you’ll need to be mindful of a few factors before making your purchase.
Things to Consider When Buying Fall Candles
Wax ingredients
Candles are often made with paraffin, soy, or animal/beeswax. Make sure you check the ingredients to ensure that the wax isn’t blended with ingredients like petroleum or additives, as petroleum-based candles emit toxic fumes that can damage your lungs and nervous system.
Candlewick
Most candle wicks are made with cotton, wood, metal, or a blend of two different materials. Although the US candle manufacturing industry voluntarily agreed to stop using lead in candle wicks in 1974, you can still find lead-core wicks being sold today. These types of wicks can contaminate the indoor air, so make sure you check what a fall candle’s wick is made of before buying.
Fragrance
Many feel that fall candles are incomplete without their scent, but you can also find unscented options available that are suited for those with fragrance allergies. If you don’t have such allergies, you can find plenty of fall scents on the market, and if you plan on burning your fall candles for extended periods, opt for a subtle scent that won’t be too overpowering.
What Type of Wax Is Used in Making Fall Candles?
Paraffin wax
Paraffin wax is the most popular wax used for making fall candles. Although paraffin wax is petroleum-based, it’s created after refining the crude oil into non-toxic lubricating oil. Paraffin is a colorless material with non-reactive properties.
Soy wax
Soy wax is a more eco-friendly alternative to paraffin. It’s a natural and sustainable resource, which means that it’s better for the environment. This wax produces 90% less soot and also doesn’t release toxins into the air.
