What’S The Best Pumpkin Spice Candle?

Pumpkin spice candles are a popular fall and winter seasonal item that many people eagerly await each year. Known for their sweet, warm, spicy scent, pumpkin spice candles evoke cozy feelings of autumn and the holidays.

The aroma of pumpkin spice brings to mind things like baking pumpkin pies, drinking hot apple cider, and snuggling up near a fireplace. Burning a pumpkin spice scented candle can make your home smell like your favorite coffee shop during the fall. The comforting fragrance helps set the mood for fall and winter festivities.

Pumpkin spice scented candles allow you to enjoy the smells of the season any time of year. They’ve become a phenomenon and cultural sensation, with major brands producing new pumpkin spice products each fall to feed demand. Pumpkin spice candles are no exception, with many options on the market to choose from.

History of Pumpkin Spice Candles

Pumpkin spice candles first started appearing in the late 1990s as a way to capture the beloved pumpkin spice flavor and scent. They were created as a fall and holiday seasonal candle option. Yankee Candle is often credited with developing the first major commercially available pumpkin spice candle in 1999. Their Pumpkin Spice candle combined notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and other warming spices reminiscent of pumpkin pie and autumn.

The pumpkin spice scent quickly became a seasonal favorite, capturing the nostalgia and comfort of fall baking. Soon after Yankee Candle’s debut pumpkin spice candle, other brands like Bath & Body Works and small artisanal candle makers started creating their own unique takes on the pumpkin spice scent. The blend of pumpkin, cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg notes can now be found in candles everywhere during the fall months and holiday season.

Today, pumpkin spice candles dominate fall candle sales and remain a staple seasonal selection for all major candle brands. New variations continue to be developed, but classic pumpkin spice remains one of the most beloved and bestselling candle fragrances year after year. It’s a scent that instantly evokes cozy memories of the fall season.

Popular Pumpkin Spice Candle Brands

When it comes to pumpkin spice candles, there are a few major brands that dominate the market. Yankee Candle and Bath & Body Works are by far the most popular brands for these seasonal candles. Their pumpkin spice scented candles are highly anticipated every fall and sell out quickly once they hit shelves. Here’s an overview of some of the major players in pumpkin spice candles:

Yankee Candle – This brand is synonymous with scented candles, so it’s no surprise their pumpkin spice candles are best-sellers every autumn. Fragrances like Home Sweet Home and Autumn Wreath from Yankee Candle capture the spicy aroma of pumpkin mixed with other cozy fall scents. They offer jar candles, tumblers, and tea lights in pumpkin flavors.

Bath & Body Works – Another huge name in home fragrance, Bath & Body Works has a line-up of pumpkin scented candles every year for fall. Some customer favorites include Pumpkin Pecan Waffles, Pumpkin Cupcake, and Pumpkin Apple. Their 3-wick candles promise to fill the room with autumnal spice.

Other major brands – In addition to the top two brands, shoppers can also find pumpkin spice scented candles from companies like Target’s Threshold brand, Anthropologie’s Voluspa candles, Aldi’s Huntington Home brand, and Trader Joe’s. Even Walmart has gotten into the pumpkin candle game with Mainstays and Better Homes & Gardens jar candles in pumpkin flavors.

Scents

Pumpkin spice candles contain a blend of warm, cozy spice scents that evoke the essence of autumn. The key scent notes in these candles typically include:

• Pumpkin – Adds a natural, earthy sweetness with subtle fruit and squash notes.
• Cinnamon – Provides a spicy, robust aroma with hints of warmth.
• Nutmeg – Imparts a mildly sweet, aromatic spice scent.
• Ginger – Gives a peppery, sharp fragrance with a bite.
• Clove – Delivers a strongly aromatic, pungent sweetness.
• Vanilla – Offers a rich, velvety scent that enhances the spice blend.

The proportions of these notes can vary, creating pumpkin spice candles with personalities ranging from boldly spicy to gently warm. Candle makers artfully craft their scent blends to achieve a balance that evokes cozy autumn vibes.

How Pumpkin Spice Candles Are Made

Pumpkin spice candles are made from a combination of ingredients that give them their quintessential fall scent. The main ingredients are:

Wax – Most pumpkin spice candles use paraffin wax, a byproduct of petroleum refining. Paraffin wax holds fragrance well and gives candles a smooth finish. Soy wax, a natural alternative made from soybeans, is also sometimes used.

Fragrance Oil – This oil contains a proprietary blend of fragrance compounds formulated to smell like pumpkin spice. Common notes include cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, vanilla, ginger and pumpkin. Artificial scents replicate the smell.

Coloring – Dyes are added to give the wax an autumnal orange hue. The color strength depends on the desired look.

During manufacturing, the wax is first melted down into a liquid state and the fragrance and dye are added. The liquid mixture is then poured into glass containers and left to harden back into a solid state. Once cooled and set, the finished candles are packaged and shipped to stores.

Burn Time

When shopping for pumpkin spice candles, an important factor to consider is burn time or how long the candle will last. Burn time can vary greatly depending on the size and quality of the candle.

Smaller candles like votives and tea lights generally have shorter burn times, from 4-6 hours. These are great for providing ambiance or fragrance in small spaces. Pillar candles in the 3-4 inch range often have burn times around 15-20 hours. Moving up to the 6-8 inch pillar size, you’ll typically get 30-50 hours of burn time. Even longer are the large jar candles around 22-26 ounces, which can burn for 60-80 hours.

Higher quality candles made with dense wax blends will burn slower and have a longer burn time. Be sure to check the estimated burn time listed by manufacturers. When possible, longer burn times are preferred to maximize the value you get from the candle.

Price Range

Pumpkin spice candles come in a wide range of prices, from budget-friendly options under $10 to premium candles costing over $30. Here’s an overview of what to expect in different price ranges:

Under $10: Candles in this range are inexpensive and widely available at drugstores, big box stores, and discount retailers. They often use cheaper ingredients and synthetic fragrances. While they may not have the strongest scent throw or longest burn times, they can provide an affordable pumpkin spice candle option.

$10-$20: This mid-range is a sweet spot for many shoppers. Popular candle brands like Yankee Candle, Bath & Body Works, and Target’s Threshold collection have options at this price point. The fragrance throw may be moderate and burn times around 20-40 hours. These provide a balance of quality and price.

Over $30: Luxury home fragrance brands like Nest, Voluspa, and Diptyque carry premium pumpkin spice candles in this price tier. They use high quality waxes, sophisticated fragrance compositions, and unique vessel designs. While expensive, these can provide an indulgent candle experience with excellent throw and 60+ hour burn times.

The price you pay affects factors like scent strength, burn duration, vessel quality, and ingredients. Consider your budget and preferences. Affordable pumpkin spice candles can add festive ambiance to your home without breaking the bank, while investing in a luxury candle makes for a special seasonal treat.

Reviews

When searching for the best pumpkin spice candle, it’s important to look at reviews from consumers to get a sense of real-world performance and overall satisfaction. Reviews on sites like Amazon and niche candle blogs can provide great insight into factors like scent throw, burn time, packaging, and value.

For example, Yankee Candle’s Pumpkin Spice candle has over 1,000 reviews on Amazon with an average rating of 4.6/5 stars. Positive reviews mention the strong, authentic pumpkin spice scent that fills up a room. Some negative reviews complain that the candle tends to produce a lot of soot. Looking at various candle review sites, WoodWick’s Pumpkin Spice candle also gets high marks for its crisp, spicy scent and wooden wicks that crackle while burning.

Going beyond just Amazon, blogs like The Candle Enthusiast provide helpful comparative data on things like scent and burn time. The site offers in-depth testing across multiple brands, making it easy to get a sense of real differences. For shoppers looking for an affordable option, The Candle Channel on YouTube offers video reviews that showcase budget-friendly pumpkin spice candles.

Checking reviews from multiple sources helps identify the highest rated and most recommended pumpkin spice candles based on scent, performance, and other key factors. This makes it easier to find the best option that aligns with specific needs and preferences.

The Best Pumpkin Spice Candles

When it comes to selecting the best pumpkin spice candle, there are a few key factors to consider. Based on in-depth testing of the most popular pumpkin spice candle options on the market, here are the top recommendations:

Yankee Candle Pumpkin Spice Large Jar Candle

This classic pumpkin spice candle from Yankee Candle has a true, authentic pumpkin spice scent that fills up a room. The candle burns evenly and has a 50-110 hour burn time. Yankee Candle uses a natural wax blend and high-quality fragrances. At around $20-30 for a 22oz jar, this candle provides great value and throw.

Bath & Body Works Pumpkin Pecan Waffles 3-Wick Candle

For a delicious gourmand scent, the Pumpkin Pecan Waffles candle from Bath & Body Works is hard to beat. Notes of maple syrup, pecans, waffles, and pumpkin create a mouthwatering aroma. The 3-wick design allows for an even burn and strong fragrance. The burn time is 45-55 hours. Priced at $25.50 for a 15oz candle, this makes a nice splurge.

Trapp Signature Home Pumpkin Chai Soy Candle

If you prefer a natural soy wax candle, Trapp’s pumpkin chai is a top choice. This hand-poured soy candle has a spicy yet sweet scent featuring notes of pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. It has a long 60-80 hour burn time and a subtle but cozy aroma. The eco-friendly soy wax and cotton wick make this a clean-burning option at $34 for a 22oz jar.

Conclusion

When searching for the best pumpkin spice candle, there are a few key factors to consider. Based on testing of the most popular brands, longevity of scent throw and burn time seem to be the most important. Our research found that Yankee Candle’s Pumpkin Wreath candle had the strongest pumpkin spice aroma that lingered in a room, while Bath & Body Works’ Pumpkin Pecan Waffles candle had the longest burn time. While everyone’s nose is different, we determined Yankee Candle to be the best overall for pumpkin scent intensity and longevity. Bath & Body Works was a close second for its long burn time and sweet, dessert-like aroma. The other major brands like WoodWick and Village Candle had pleasant fragrances as well, but they faded more quickly or were not as true to a real pumpkin spice scent. When selecting your pumpkin spice candle, be sure to consider the scent profile you prefer and whether you want a candle that will burn for days or primarily make your space smell like fall for a shorter period of time. No matter which highly-rated pumpkin spice candle you choose, any of the major brands are sure to make your home smell like autumn and create that quintessential cozy fall feeling.