I Have a Collection of Over 100 Candles—Here Are the Home Fragrance Brands That I Think Are *Actually* Worth It

Yep, you read that headline correctly—I have a collection of over 100 candles, and while I fear that number is now inching near (or over) the 200 mark, I definitely have enough candles to last me a lifetime. How I store them, I’ll never tell (OK, it’s with an equally embarrassing amount of storage bins…). But with this collection and my seven years of experience as a Bath & Body Works employee up my sleeve, I know what to look for in a good home fragrance brand. I have smelled, burned, sprayed, wafted and just about any other fragrance-related verb you can think of. So, without further ado, here are the home fragrance brands I think are worth spending money on. Plus, a few of my favorite picks from each.

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FORVR Mood is a new lifestyle brand committed to bringing their consumer a luxury experience, and they have quickly made a fan out of me. I purchased their Matcha Bes-teas candle some time ago and after lighting it for only a few minutes, I hastily opened the Sephora app to buy more. After burning the candle for less than an hour, the scent then lingered in my space for several days. Whew, talk about lasting power.

DW Home has certainly made a name for itself on social media. From their unnervingly accurate food-scented candles to their cutesy beverage-themed packaging, this is a home fragrance brand for the maximal decor lovers and those not afraid to experiment with unique scents. During routine errand runs to TJ Maxx or Homegoods, I always peruse the candle section to see what DW Home goodies they have to offer, and it never disappoints. They’re affordable, they’re accessible and now take up a decent fraction of my candle collection.

Boasting luxe packaging and fragrances, Voluspa makes scenting your home an affordable luxury experience. They always seem to stop me in my tracks on visits to Sephora, and if we’re talking fall, their Spiced Pumpkin Latte is everything to rave about. Their fragrance offerings are also particularly hefty, so if you’re not into sickly-sweet scents like I am, you can quickly find something else that tickles your fancy.

Have you ever wanted your home to smell like your favorite perfume? I have and that’s how I ended up with a couple of Replica home products in my arsenal. Replica is easily one of my favorite fragrance brands, with several of their eau de toilettes taking up vanity space. But sometimes I want those scents to transmit farther than just on my person; I want to smell them everywhere. So, after purchasing their newest perfume release ‘Afternoon Delight,’ the brand’s take on a sophisticated vanilla and the Parisian cafe experience, I’ve been patiently stalking their site for its home fragrance iterations. It’s *that* good. Or shall I say, très bien.

Yankee Candle is a tried and true home fragrance brand, and they deserve a bit more credit. Like Bath & Body Works, they have a cult-like following, with several customers holding on to large collections of their products. Honestly, I think they make the best gifts during the holidays (with some you can even personalize), and I always grab a gift from them for that one picky family member who’s a bit more old-fashioned and likes the classics.

When you think of NEST New York, their best-selling perfume oils and body mists most likely come to mind. But they’ve got something even better (and slightly more expensive) under their repertoire—home fragrance, which is where their strengths truly lie. If you’re on the hunt for a last-minute gift or just want to treat yourself, I suggest walking into a Sephora and taking a peek at their options. And if you’re a fan of their viral Madagascar Vanilla scent, I’m here to tell you that it’s also available in a candle, which I can assure you is absolutely worth the $48 price point.

If we want to talk about impressive burn times and throws, let’s talk about HomeWorx. I initially gravitated towards the brand for its long-lasting 4-wick candles—with up to 55-hour burn times—but quickly discovered they have some of the best fragrances on the market. Where they really shine is their gourmands, featuring fragrances like Sunday Morning Cereal and Hot Cider Donut, which smell almost too realistic to be candles. Fair warning, never use their products when you’re hungry.

Just how there are cat-safe houseplants and dog-safe ones, there are pet-safe candles! Believe it or not, typical candles are usually not safe for pets. Loren Lewin, founder and CEO of Companion Candles, told us, “Many store-bought candles are made with paraffin wax (a soft, colorless solid derived from petroleum, coal or oil shale) which is not only bad for you, but also your pets.” The Anywhere With You Candle, which smells of grapefruit and vanilla, makes your house feel warm and welcoming with a delightful citrus tang.