When you think about candles, Yankee is one of the first brands that comes to mind. The candles are famous all over the world and there’s such a wide range of scents to choose from, there’s literally something for every occasion.
I’ve been a fan of Yankee candles for as long as I could hold a match to light them and I’m not stopping now. I’ve tried a variety of their scents and have, for the most part, been delighted so it got me thinking; what’s the best Yankee Candle scent?
I’ve compiled a list of 25 of what I believe to be the greatest Yankee Candles scents ever made. I do have my ultimate favorite, which is included in this run down.
Most Popular Yankee Candle Scent – Balsam and Cedar
With coming up to 55,000 excellent Amazon reviews, Balsam and Cedar is easily the most popular Yankee Candle scent. But I’m not just basing this on the obviously favorable thoughts of others; this is a personal favorite of mine too.
It’s got warm notes of amber and the sweetness of sandalwood; two of my favorite scents. I think this is perfect for winter, especially around the holidays. It’s like stepping out of a log cabin in a snowy pine forest. It’s great for freshening up a bathroom.
Best Selling Yankee Candle Scent – Pink Sands
Pink Sands is a go-to scent for so many people and it doesn’t surprise me since this is a sweet, citrusy blend that’s come to be a summer essential in the world of home fragrance. With its pink hue, it also looks the part on a warm day.
I love how long the fragrance lingers and while the paraffin wax isn’t the cleanest choice, it does burn very evenly.
Newest Yankee Candle Scent – Mango Ice Cream
Calling all fruity and tropical fans; Mango Ice Cream is one of the newest Yankee Candle launches and it smells like a dream! It’s super sweet and uplifting and a great one for summer.
But do you know what I love most about this candle? It’s made using soy wax which gives a much cleaner burn. Hats off to Yankee for finally jumping on this trend.
However, if you like a greater blend of fruity scents, you might prefer Tutti Frutti.
Strongest Yankee Candle Scent – Moonlit Cove
Many Yankee Candle scents are considered strong but if you want something that’ll effortlessly fill a room with fragrance, I’d recommend Moonlit Cove. It’s a bright, citrus scent that’s ideal for summer and for lifting your mood.
I’d absolutely recommend this for a bathroom where it’ll not only freshen the air but will look the part with its bright blue aesthetic. For something a little warmer but still citrusy, why not try Mediterranean Breeze?
Weirdest Yankee Candle Scent – Turkey and Stuffing
Not all Yankee Candles have a traditionally ‘beautiful’ scent. If you want to be reminded of the holiday season then the fragrance of Turkey and Stuffing will transport you immediately.
I mean, come on, this isn’t something I’d want burning in my home but I guess it’s a good accompaniment if you’re actually cooking turkey and don’t want to ruin the smell with a contrasting candle.
Best Yankee Candle Scent For Home – Home Sweet Home
I love the comforting warmth of Home Sweet Home. It’s great if you like rich, spicy blends especially for cinnamon fans. It’ll make you feel like you’re baking in the kitchen with Grandma. For those of you who prefer fruity spicy scents, you might like Black Cherry more.
I’m not so keen on the red color, it might not fit in with most decor choices but I guess that’s not the end of the world. It’ll burn for up to 150 hours so you’ll get a lot of use from this delicate yet delightful candle.
Best Yankee Candle Scent For Bedroom – Tranquil Mist
A bedroom candle needs to be delicate, soothing, and relaxing; that’s exactly what Tranquil Mist embodies. It’s a blend of musk, cashmere and clean cotton so it’s perfect for calming yourself when it’s time to sleep.
The gray color is perfect for matching any decor style and the fragrance fills the room easily without being overpowering. Plus, you get that all important 150 hour burn time.
Best Masculine Yankee Candle Scent For Men – Midsummer’s Night
Guys look out! This candle is super masculine and aromatic, almost like your favorite cologne. It blends patchouli, musk, sage, and mahogany so is perfect for a man’s home especially if you want something intoxicating and alluring.
The dark black hue of the candle makes it even more of a guy’s choice and I think this one works so well in either a bedroom or a bathroom.
Yankee Candle Beach Scent – Beach Walk
Beach Walk seems to be incredibly popular, especially as a summer candle and I can see why. It’s got the freshness of sea air alongside citrus notes that feel so uplifting.
I would recommend this one in a bathroom or perhaps a conservatory or summer house. It’s got quite a strong scent but its sweetness won’t induce a headache so it’s easily something you can burn every day. If you’re looking for something super sweet, you might be better trying Pink Sands.
Best Spring Yankee Candle Scent – Easter Basket
Spring has sprung and Easter is a big part of that. But this candle doesn’t smell like chocolate and bunnies; it’s a citrusy blend that’s perfect for stepping out of the darkness and into spring.
This is another of Yankee Candle’s paraffin wax candles so that is a little disappointing. However, the super cute packaging and calming sage green color more than make up for that.
Best Yankee Candle Scent For Fall – Autumn Wreath
As the weather gets colder and the nights draw in, Autumn Wreath is a wonderful choice for feeling comforted and warm. Wrap up in a cosy sweater in front of an open fire and light this blend of cinnamon and autumn leaves.
It’s perfect for nights in and family gatherings during fall. Plus the rusty orange color will look great alongside your other autumnal decorations. Just keep in mind that this is one of the more delicate scents so it might not be suitable for big rooms.
Best Yankee Candle Summer Scent – Mediterranean Breeze
Think of summer and you think of an island in the Med. Mediterranean Breeze is a bright yet warm summer fragrance of flowers and amber. There’s a richness about it that makes it OK to use in winter too so it’s pretty versatile.
I’m not too struck by the deep blue color. It’s nice, but it limits where you could place the candle. That said, it wouldn’t look out of place in a bathroom where its strong smell would easily cover odors.
Best Winter Yankee Candle Scent – Warm Luxe Cashmere
Easily one of the most sought after Yankee Candle scents, Warm Luxe Cashmere is inviting and well…warm. It’s like wearing a freshly washed sweater and snuggling down for the evening while the snow falls outside.
Even the light blue color of the candle screams winter and I’d recommend this scent for making your home feel welcoming. However, if you wanted something a little cleaner smelling, I’d suggest Soft Blanket.
Best Yankee Candle Scents Reddit – Chocolate Layer Cake
Redditors have been raving about several Yankee Candles but one that appears time and again is Chocolate Layer Cake. If you’re a fan of sweet, warm scents then this would be perfect in your kitchen or living space.
However, this chocolatey blend is intense and for some, might be a little too much. If you like gourmand scents but feel this is a little heavy, you might find Christmas Cookie a little less in your face.
Best Yankee Candle Scent For Christmas – Christmas Cookie
Come on, you knew Christmas Cookie was going to be on this list, right? If there’s a holiday scent that sums up Yankee, it’s this one. It’s a rich, warm, sweet aroma that’s perfect for lighting when you have guests over for festive treats.
It’s got a long burn time and a wick designed for a cleaner burn so your Christmas period will be filled with fragrance. Some might find it a little too sweet but it certainly isn’t sickening.
Best Yankee Candle Halloween Scent – Spiced Pumpkin
Spice up your Halloween decor with this rusty orange candle fragranced with brown sugar, cloves, and cinnamon. It’s just like a pumpkin latte and the perfect warming scent for cozy nights in during fall.
Again, we’re looking at a paraffin candle. I wish Yankee would look at using cleaner waxes but at least it burns consistently. You could quite easily switch this up with Autumn Wreath if you wanted a Halloween fragrance that’s not as strong.
Best Discontinued Yankee Candle Scent – Island Spa
Fresh citrus notes alongside delicate florals like verbena make this a true summer scent. It’s uplifting and there’s a comforting feel to it, probably because of how relaxed it makes you feel. Sadly, Yankee Candle doesn’t make it anymore but there are a few knocking about on the internet.
I love the blueish/green color of the candle, that feels just as relaxing. However, it’s not one of the stronger fragrances so it’s better in a small room like a bathroom.
Best Sweet Yankee Candle Scent – Vanilla Cupcake
Sweetness in a jar; Yankee brings us this vanilla and citrus candle that I think is great for year round use. It’s perfect for lighting after dinner and will give your home a warm atmosphere that feels so welcoming.
But let me warn you, this is by far one of the strongest Yankee Candle scents and will fill a room. It’s not in your face or offensive but it will fill the whole house so any other scents will be overpowered.
Best Floral Yankee Candle Scent – Wild Orchid
Is that a soy wax candle I spy? Why, yes it is. So not only is Wild Orchid great for floral fans but it’ll also deliver a much cleaner burn, and that’s something I can get on board with.
While there are several floral notes here, this is also a fruity candle and I think it’s perfect for summer. The relaxing and calming fragrance and gentle purple color make this an excellent choice for the bedroom.
Best Fresh Yankee Candle Scent – Lemon Lavender
This is so zesty and uplifting but the powdery hit of lavender takes it to another level. This is certainly one of the most unique smelling Yankee Candles I’ve tried. What’s more, this one has a very strong scent that lingers even after you’ve extinguished the candle so it’s ideal for large spaces.
We’re back to paraffin with this one though, and I think by now, you know my thoughts on that. But come on, can I really hold it against them when this candle is a year round favorite for so many people?
Best Earthy Yankee Candle Scent – Sage and Citrus
I want to say there’s almost something mystical about this scent. It’s earthy and rich as well as being bright and uplifting. It is great in a bathroom especially when you’re relaxing in a hot bath and will calm the senses immediately.
The only downside to this is that it isn’t as strong as some other scents. Perhaps you’d find Lemon Lavender a better choice if you wanted something that was going to stand out and still have earthy qualities.
Best Calming Yankee Candle Scent – A Calm and Quiet Place
I’m not going to lie, A Calm and Quiet Place is my absolute favorite Yankee Candle scent ever. It combines amber with jasmine and patchouli and to me, it’s soul-soothing.
This large jar delivers a mammoth 150 hours of fragrance and while it’s delicate, it’s definitely noticeable. But it’s perfect if you don’t want something too over the top. The downside? Much like many Yankee Candles, it’s made from paraffin wax which isn’t quite as clean a burn.
Best Fruity Yankee Candle Scent – Black Cherry
It’s super fruity and it’s warm; Black Cherry is a diverse scent that’ll easily fill a room. There is a hint of cinnamon in this blend which can be offensive on the nose to some people. While it’s not overly obvious, if you’re not a fan, it’s something to keep in mind.
I think this candle works well all year round but it’s particularly nice to burn during colder months. Plus with up to 150 hours burn time, it’s a scent you can enjoy for weeks at a time.
Best Yankee Candle For Relaxation – Dried Lavender and Oak
Lavender is one of my favorite scents. If you love earthy notes then you’ll love Dried Lavender and Oak. It’s rich and warm and I think it’s ideal as a fall candle.
It’s meant to inspire images of an outdoor farmer’s market and the scent does that perfectly. Imagine being in a country cottage with the fire lit after a rural day out. That said, it’s not the most powerful Yankee Candle so it’s better for smaller rooms.
Most Inviting Yankee Candle Scent – Cafe Al Fresco
They say that coffee is the most welcoming smell so if you’re looking to make your home inviting then Cafe Al Fresco is a great choice. I love it because it’s warm and comforting and it makes an excellent winter scent.
The wax burns evenly and consistently and the wick is made of a fiber that encourages this even further.
This one wouldn’t look out of place in a kitchen while you’re baking tasty sweet treats.
FAQs On Yankee Candle Scents
How Many Different Yankee Candle Scents Are There?
As it stands, Yankee Candle sells a whopping 200+ scents so there’s always something that’ll take your fancy. They’re always bringing out new ones so keep your eyes peeled on their ‘New In’ section on the website.
What Is The Best Smelling Yankee Candle Scent?
This is down to personal preference. What one person loves, another might hate. Clean Cotton is one of the most well-loved Yankee Candle scents. It’s fresh and inoffensive which is probably why so many people choose it.
How Long Does A Yankee Candle Scent Last?
A large Yankee Candle can last up to 16 weeks depending on how many hours a day you burn it. When it’s not in use, your candle won’t lose fragrance so you can keep it as long as you like without being afraid that the scent will dissipate.
What Was The First Yankee Candle Scent?
The first Yankee Candle was created by Michael Kittredge and he named it Christmas 1969. While this is no longer on sale, Christmas Eve, one of the seasonal scents, is a nod to the original.
Why Does Yankee Candle Discontinue Scents?
The most common reason for Yankee Candle to discontinue scents is because of a lack of interest and sales in a particular fragrance. However, it is possible to get your hands on leftover stock online and there are even websites that specialize in supplying retired Yankee scents.
How Do You Make Yankee Candle Scent Smell Stronger?
Yankee Candles usually have a pretty strong scent but it is possible to add some essential oils that are the same as the scent to improve its intensity.
