If you want strong scented candles, it helps to know which brands deliver and how to get the most from them. Here are the candle lines we trust to fill a room, followed by tips for people who still say they cannot smell a thing.
We hear this question all the time: “What are the strongest scented candles?” or “I’m looking for strong scented candles. What do you recommend?” This is, in fact, the most common request we get year round.
Many brands have some fragrances that are very strong while others can be more subtle providing a nice background fragrance. Aquiesse is a great example of this. Sandalwood Vanille surrounds me with the most intoxicating and comforting scent while Timber (now discontinued) left me wanting more of it’s rich cedar scent.
While it’s nice to have variety in fragrance intensity, it’s also nice to know when you can really rely on a brand to come through with a strong throw time after time regardless of the scent.
If you’re looking for highly scented candles that you can count on to come through every time, we recommend these brands:
Nest Candles
Regardless of the scent, you’ll know when you’re burning a Nest candle. Even the clean scents are clearly detectable and the votive candles pack a powerful punch. Nest also offers great value at just $34 each for these luxury scented candles.
As an added bonus, the creamy wax and neutral vessel works well with any decor. Nest offers a nice variety of fragrances which is why we tend to suggest Nest first to customers looking for the most fragrant candles. If you need to take up up a notch, they even offer a jumbo, 3-wick candle that works well in larger spaces.
Lafco Candles
Lafco definitely offers some of the most fragrant candles on the market. The scents are luxurious and yet not overly complicated. Lafco candles are a little pricier, at $60 each, but they offer twice the burn time as most candles (100 hours compared to 50-60) and they are poured in hand-blown glass vessels that become a keepsake for years to come.
Capri Blue Candles
The Volcano and Aloha Orchid fragrances absolutely knock me out of a room. Even the small tin in an extremely large, 2-story room was overwhelming for me, so if you like strong scents, these can be your new best friend. If you’ve ever walked into an Anthropologie store, typically the first thing you smell is the Capri Blue Volcano candle. It fills even that oversized store!
Seda France
I’ve never tried a Seda candle that didn’t overwhelm me in my small family room. The fragrances are intense but still very beautiful. The packaging is lovely making these a great gift for any fragrance lover.
When paying higher prices for the best scented candles on the market, it’s completely understandable to want to smell it without having to ask the person next to you, “Can you smell anything?”. Rest assured, Nest, Lafco, Seda and Capri Blue will not let you down.
If you can’t smell them, you either have a terrible sense of smell (very common) or you’re getting a cold.
Why some strong scented candles seem weak
Before you blame your strong scented candles, look at the room. A large, open space or a room with a draft will swallow scent quickly. A smaller room with the door closed holds fragrance far better.
The burn matters just as much. If the wax never melts all the way across the surface, less fragrance is released. Give a new candle a long first burn, and trim the wick to about a quarter of an inch so the flame is steady and not smoky.
Your nose plays a part too. After a few minutes in the same room, most of us stop noticing a smell, so step out for a bit and walk back in. That small trick tells you far more about how strong a candle is than sitting beside it.
Getting more from strong scented candles
Size changes the equation for strong scented candles. The 3-wick candles mentioned above are made for bigger rooms, because more flames warm more wax and release more fragrance. A small tin may be perfect for a bathroom but too modest for an open living area.
Place strong scented candles where air moves gently, such as an entryway or the middle of a room, not in a corner. A candle by an open window loses its scent, while one near a doorway greets everyone who walks in.
If you are comparing brands of strong scented candles, our overview of Nest Fragrances explains why it is often the first name we mention. For another bold option, read the Capri Blue holiday review.
When strong scented candles are too strong
Strong scented candles are not always the right choice. Scent that is lovely for an hour can feel heavy after three, especially in a small bedroom. If you get headaches or find a fragrance cloying, burn it for shorter spells and keep the room ventilated.
It is also worth choosing fragrance families with care. Sweet, spicy and floral scents tend to feel stronger than fresh or green ones at the same throw, so a clean scent in a big candle may actually be more comfortable than a gourmand in a small one.
Pets and small children deserve a thought as well. Keep flames out of reach, and ask a guest before lighting something very intense in a shared space. For the basics of how these products are made and sold, see the Wikipedia article on scented candles.
In the end, the best of the strong scented candles is the one you can enjoy without thinking about it. Start with one of the brands above and adjust the size to your room.
