28 Vanilla Candles That Will Make Your Home Smell Heavenly
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@ch.phr8phConsidering that scent has such a major influence on my mood, I've admittedly developed a bit of a candle obsession over the last few years. As someone who now works entirely from home and spends the majority of the day confined to the walls of their apartment, I rely on a good home fragrance to make my space feel cozy, comfortable, and more joyous. Of all the popular candle scents out there, vanilla is by far one of my favorites.
There are plenty of reasons to love vanilla. For starters, it smells like freshly baked cake. More importantly, it's been proven to make us feel happier, boost relaxation, and have an anti-anxiety effect. And while it's traditionally sweet, blending it with the right notes transforms it from dessert-like to something totally different, whether it's fresher, brighter, or more sensual.
I scoured the internet and rounded up the 28 best vanilla candles from some of my favorite brands out there. From sweet, gourmand scents that smell good enough to eat to more complex blends that pair vanilla with floral, earthy, and even spicy notes, there's something for every mood and preference. Keep scrolling for my picks, and be sure to snag one (or two or three) for yourself.
Warm and comforting, this luxe candle blends creamy tonka bean, vanilla, and cocoa with a base of sweet, dry fruit and wood sap.
"I love this scent and in a candle it is fabulous. Not my first and won’t be my last." — Customer review
A blend of pure vanilla, cappuccino, and caramelized cedar make up this sweet, warm, and gourmand scent.
"Smells AMAZING! I instantly bought another one and plan to gift it to a friend, but I might keep it for myself!" — Customer review
You can't go wrong with Le Labo, and Santal 26 will fill your home with warm and spicy notes of amber, cocoa, vanilla, cedar, spices, musk, and sandalwood.
"Wonderful candle. large size, lovely gender neutral scent of light wood, Not too perfume-y, with a subtle hint of spice. I keep one in my bedroom and when its lit it wafts through half of the second floor. I find one candle lit every other day or so for a few hours at a time lasts me about 2-3 months." — Customer review
Floral lovers will appreciate this gorgeous candle, which combines orchid with notes of warm vanilla and almond.
Want your house to smell like dessert and after-dinner drinks? Look no further than this candle, which combines smoky vanilla pods with a blend of sweet notes Diptyque is known for.
Equal parts home décor and fragrance, this sculptural candle is scented with the brand's Black Stone fragrance, a blend of nutmeg, labdanum, and vanilla meant to evoke spices used by alchemists.
Warm and spicy, this candle will fill the room with crisp satsuma mandarin, sweet clementine, orange peel, and vanilla bourbon.
"This candle is pretty and emits a warm vanilla scent. Not too sweet. The throw is far reaching. I have 20 ft ceilings and you can clearly smell the candle in my living area. I don't smell too much of the bourbon but the vanilla scent is warm and not too feminine. Good quality candle." — Customer review
This warm, spicy scent features notes of French bourbon vanilla beans and comes housed in the chicest octagonal tin.
Encased in the prettiest etched-glass vessel, this candle blends pistachio, vanilla and light florals for a deliciously sweet fragrance.
Designed to calm and relax, this candle sweetens vanilla bean and vanilla white orchid with slight notes of coconut.
"Nest always has the most beautiful and sophisticated scents! I think vanilla is one of the most universal scents for candles - it’s very delicate and makes my place smell absolutely delicious. The candle itself is long lasting, and the scent lingers in the air for a while as well. Makes a perfect gift, too!" — Customer review
Named after the hallucinogenic cactus native to Mexico, this beautifully spicy fragrance features top notes of clove and juniper berry, a heart of fir, hyacinth, and tonka bean, rounding out with a base of patchouli, vanilla bean, and black amber.
"This is by far the most interesting and mysterious scent that I have ever encountered! It is a subtle blend of freshness, warmth, and untouchable luxury! It is a true poem for perfume aficionados and those who understand the importance of refined combination of ingredients." — Customer review
Another beautifully complex scent from Boy Smells, this earthy, smoky candle blends notes of Mexican copal with cedarwood, patchouli, leather, and whole vanilla bean.
"I've been looking for this candle everywhere, and I was so grateful to find it here. It's the BEST! Subtle yet strong, smoky yet sweet... this candle is an enigma. Get it!!' — Customer review
Evoking the magic of a cozy night spent in with a good book and a fire, this candle features notes of firewood, tobacco, and a hint of vanilla.
This cozy fall-inspired scent blends notes of vanilla and traditional pumpkin spices, but what I'm really loving is the gorgeous handblown glass vessel, which I'd proudly keep on display all season long.
"This is my favorite fall candle this year. The smell is so so good not too heavy and not to light. The pumpkin jar it comes in is so pretty and can be reused once the candle has burned away. " — Customer review
For something a little more complex, the brand also has this intoxicating gourmand, woody, and warm candle, which blends vanilla with oud and sandalwood.
Equal parts sweet, spicy, and decadent, this candle blends rum with dark vanilla and crystallized sugar.
"These candles smell amazing, but they don’t have that overpowering, headache-inducing intensity that other candles do. The flame on these isn’t as huge as others, meaning that it burns slow, therefore, lasting you a long time. For the price, these candles are a very good deal. I want one of each." — Customer review
For something a little more complex, the beloved Jo Malone perfume house has this intoxicating gourmand, woody, and warm candle, which blends vanilla with almond, honey, and lavender.
Don't sleep on & Other Stories' gorgeous scents. Punk Bouquet combines frothy vanilla soda with roses, exotic tiger orchid, and lotus flower for a sweet and floral—yet rebellious—home fragrance.
Made for both setting the mood and for play, this warm and sensual massage candle features notes of linden blossom with vanilla and coconut cream.
This boho-inspired candle blends vanilla with an exotic orchid petals, fig wood, and black mission figs.
"I’ve purchased a few of these over the last few years. They are nice on their own but also blend well with my other candles. Subtle but not too subtle. Great for fall." — Customer review
This fiery, woody scent with vanilla accord and chestnut notes is perfect to light up and unwind with a book.
"Smells exactly how a fireplace smells with a hint of background vanilla! I love it, perfect for fall and winter." — Customer review
I'm also eyeing this pretty three-wick candle, which blends vanilla with spicy and sweet cinnamon and sugar crystals.
"I’m very picky and cannot stand anything even slightly floral. This is wam creamy cinnamon vanilla plan and simple. The throw is strong." — Customer review
By far one of Byredo's most adored scents, Bibliothèque's sweet vanilla base note pairs exceptionally well with the candle's peach, plum, and patchouli notes.
"This is my favorite candle scent of all time. The scent is strong, but not over-powering, and quickly fills the room when lit. The candle itself burns down cleanly, and the glass jar itself makes great make-up and brush storage once the candle is gone." — Customer review
Made for winding down after a long day, this soy candle combines amber and vanilla with undertones of musk and sandalwood.
This subtly woody and smoky scent blends Piñon logs with cedar and vanilla to evoke Southwestern winters, lingering bonfires, and wool jackets.
"I love the pinon candles so much. I miss the availability of this scent in the larger size candles, but two of these will make a room so inviting and create a relaxing vibe." — Customer review
Delightfully gourmand, this scented candle counts on sweet notes of vanilla, almond, amber, and chocolate for a true, in-your-face vanilla birthday cake experience. All that's missing are the sprinkles.
"Such a lovely birthday present for my mum. Smells like a very grown-up and high-end birthday cake and looks beautiful." — Customer review
If you're looking for a candle with a bit of an unexpected twist, look no further than Heretic's signature Dirty Gingerbread scent. Blending with the main vanilla note, expect fragrant whiffs of cloves, nutmeg, and other holiday spices.
"Love this clean, slightly spicy vanilla. It strikes a perfect balance between girly and masculine. Dirty Vanilla has a nice projection but isn't overpowering. Looking forward to experimenting with layering it with other Heretic scents." — Customer review
Floral yet sweet, Vanilla Bloom amplifies rock rose with hints of juicy plum, golden vanilla, and crisp amber.
"This is a very nice candle to be lit when you are looking to make your space inviting and relaxing. This smells like a sophisticated yet comforting vanilla with a light floral hint." — Customer review