We Sniffed 45 Fall Candles Under $50, and These Are the Best

Rituals Black Oudh ($45) with notes of the Oriental, woody perfume of black oudh.

• "Halloween! Kinda spooky, I like it."
• "Loving the burnt wood scent, very faint but effective."
• "Smells like a haunted house, but in a good way."

Illume Woodfire ($24) with notes of seductive cedarwood and smoke accords, mixed with heady patchouli leaves and warm vanilla.

• "One of my all-time favorites. I buy this scent in bulk every Winter."
• "Aw, it smells like a fireplace! Perfect for Fall and Winter."
• "MMMMM! It's the perfect smoky scent."

Bath & Body Works Flannel ($23) with notes of autumn air, bergamot, mahogany, and soft musk.

• "Cozy, makes me excited to cuddle."
• "Really does smell like a flannel . . . a clean one, that is."
• "Sweet twist on Fall, I kinda like it."

Malin + Goetz Neroli ($16) with notes of bitter orange and lemon, neroli, orange blossom, petitgrain, iris and musk.

• "Love the orange scent, but more for Summer."
• "So light and fresh, I would burn this year-round!"
• "Woah! So pretty, sweet, and sophisticated."

Paddywax Tobacco and Moss ($20) with notes of rich tobacco and wild moss.

• "Love! Reminds me of being outdoors."
• "Makes me want to go camping in Lake Tahoe ASAP."
• "I feel like I would like this more if it were just tobacco or just moss."

Yankee Crisp Fall Night ($20) with notes of brisk earthiness, lavender, and woodland.

• "Smells like a man, fresh out of the shower."
• "Dated way too many guys who smelled like this."
• "Smells like a sexy boy that I'd have a major crush on."

P.F. Candle Co Orange Cardamom ($18) with notes of citrus and black tea spiced with ginger, peppercorn, clove, and cardamom.

• "Smells like spending the holidays with a cute boy."
• "Reminds me of those decorating oranges [pomanders] during the holidays."
• "Clove scent is too strong for everyday, but it's great for holiday parties."

Falling Into Place Sweet Wilderness ($24) with notes of plum, spruce, grapefruit, mandarin, cinnamon, and clove.

• "Smells like Christmas morning."
• "LOVE — this is so sweet and unique!"
• "If citrus and Christmas had a baby, it would be this candle. Not super autumnal, but delightful anyway."

Bath & Body Works Mahogany Teakwood ($23) with notes of mahogany, oak, and frosted lavender.

• "Fresh and a bit masculine. I love it!"
• "Smells like a man's cologne. Yum, super sexy."
• "I'm detecting a touch of hot lumberjack."

Paddywax Bergamot and Mahogany ($37 in large copper jar) with notes of bergamot and rich wood.

• "Reminds me of holidays with family."
• "Very light, almost like baby powder."
• "Love the lightness of this scent, could be pretty to use lots of these as a centerpiece."

Linnea's Lights Hearth ($34) with notes of smoky cedar, sweet amber, and leather.

• "The more I sniff it, the more I like it."
• "Smells like a dusty old house — I kinda love it."
• "So cabin-y! I would light this on rainy Fall days."

Yankee Vanilla Cardamom ($28) with notes of warm vanilla and cardamom, with a swirl of sugar and cream.

• "Smells like snickerdoodles are baking."
• "Too sweet for me, but I like the wood wick."
• "Yum. I'm really into sweet candles and this is yummy with the cardamom."

Soap & Paper Co. Farmacie Red Rose & Saffron candle ($25) with notes of roses, saffron, and tonka bean.

• "I like this because it's nontraditional for Fall. I really feel like you could burn it all year."
• "The balance of spice and floral is really interesting."
• "BRB, buying this for my mom's birthday! She'd love it."

Jonathan Adler Bourbon Pop ($42) with notes of davana, cognac, plum, leather accord, birch tree, and cedarwood.

• "This candle is GORGEOUS and smells like my dream bar cart."
• "Love this! 12/10 would burn, and save the votive forever."
• "Delicious — I really like it. Manly but not too much for my apartment."

Bath & Body Works Cinnamon Sugared Doughnut ($23) with notes of crushed cinnamon, sugar crystals, and homemade doughnuts.

• "I want to eat this, but the scent might be too much for my small apartment."
• "It smells a bit like boxed cake mix; I'm getting tons of sweetness and spice."
• "Reminds me of a cinnamon sugar cookie more than a donut."

Bath & Body Works Autumn ($23) with notes of red gala apple, juicy fig, eucalyptus leaf, and fir balsam

• "Smells like an apple orchard!"
• "Did not expect this from B&BW . . . so cute and perfect for Fall."
• "Fresh, like it just rained."

Yankee Candied Pecans ($28) with notes of warm pecans glazed with caramel, sugar, and vanilla.

• "Just the right amount of sweet."
• "This really does smell like pecans! I'm kind of into it."
• "Vaguely coffee shop-smelling, not bad at all."

Linnea's Lights French Pear ($34) with notes of Anjou pear, green apple, and honey.

• "Smells just like pear, but with some spice."
• "My favorite of the bunch! It's tart and relaxing and Fall-y, but not too sweet."
• "Very Fall, smells like a visit to the farm."

Sabon The Spell ($26) with notes of dry, earthy-woodiness and sweet tones.

• "Can I burn this while watching Hocus Pocus please?!"
• "Fresh and lovely, but strong."
• "The scent of an antique store."

Falling Into Place Black Currant Tea ($24) with notes of currant, white tea, and enchanting floral overtones.

• "Smells like a Hogwarts common room."
• "Love it! Mild and sweet. "
• "Mild scent, doesn't remind me of tea — a little like vanilla."

Rituals Holy Smoke ($45) with notes of smoky rosewood.

• "Holy smokes! (Sorry, I had to say it.)"
• "Obsessed with this! It's like a very chic campfire; this is perfect for someone who isn't lucky enough to have a real fireplace."
• "It's like the scent of fancy clothes after glamping."

Sabon Sweet Vanilla ($30) with notes of romantic French vanilla and decorated with a hint of cinnamon.

• "Surprisingly subtle for a vanilla candle! Enjoyed this."
• "It's gonna be a no from me; too subtle."
• "In the nicest way possible, this makes me want to visit my grandma."

Bath & Body Works Sweater Weather ($23) with notes of sage, juniper berry, eucalyptus, and fresh woods.

• "Not very Fall, but into it. Good for when the weather is too cold and you need a pick-me-up."
• "Why is it blue?"
• "Fresh, but not really Fall-smelling."

Illume Santal Fig ($24) with notes of sweet fig, Persian Galbanum, milky-white flowers, and creamy coconut with a lightheartedness of sandalwood and earthy amber.

• "Love this. Kind of smells like men's cologne."
• "I like this! Reminds me of holiday shopping."
• "This one smells the most 'Fall' to me so far."

The 125 Collection Well Groomed ($32) with notes of earthy woods and men's cologne.

• "Clean, great to light during bathtime."
• "I was instantly drawn to the packaging of this one, and the scent is just as good; clean and fresh."
• "Smells like Axe deodorant, but I like it!"

Clean White Woods ($30) with notes of crisp bergamot leaves, sparkling mandarin, creamy-vanilla orchid, sandalwood, praline musks, and a dash of black pepper.

• "I can barely smell it, but it kinda smells soapy?"
• "Smells like someone went running in the woods."
• "Soft scent, very clean and mild."

Illume Blackberry Absinthe ($20 from High Fashion Home) with notes of blackberries, sweet orange, and green leaves with crimson rose, Egyptian jasmine petals, peppery anise, black sandalwood, liquid amber, and earthy patchouli.

• "Unique scent; very 'chic city girl' to me."
• "I like this because it's very subtle."
• "Packaging is fierce, and the scent is very light and unique."

Bath & Body Works Honeycrisp Apple ($23) with notes of golden honeycrisp, apple blossoms, and fresh sugarcane.

• "Smells like red apples and earth."
• "Too strong!"
• "Very apple-y; perfect if you want a single scent from a candle."

Molton Brown Coco and Sandalwood ($49) with notes of Filipino coconut, jasmine, and sandalwood.

• "Smells like a hot towel in first class on an airplane."
• "Good candle to burn while taking a bath!"
• "Not too strong, smells super fresh."

P.F. Candle Co Frankincense & Oud ($18) with notes of frankincense and resinous oud, complimented by notes of fir, patchouli, and juniper.

• "Very nice! Smells like a forest."
• "Spicy, great for Thanksgiving time."
• "Love that this one is subtle and not too feminine! AKA my boyfriend would approve."

Bath & Body Works Warm Apple Pie ($23) with notes of baked Granny Smith apple, melted brown sugar, and flaky, homemade crust.

• "Smells exactly like apple pie, it's uncanny."
• "Yes to the smell, but not to the name — it reminds me of American Pie."
• "I get more vanilla sugar cookie than apple pie."

Illume Pumpkin Peppercorn ($22) with notes of decadent pumpkin, sweet peppercorn, roasted cinnamon bark, a twist of tangy citrus peel, earthen oak, molten amber, and black vanilla bean garnished with a touch of smoked chestnut.

• "Smells delicious! I want to eat it."
• "Reminds me of Halloween and Fall, very pumpkin-y."
• "Like a pumpkin pie treat, but for my nose."

Jonathan Adler Absinthe Pop ($42) with notes of anise, eucalyptus, fennel, and patchouli..

• "Like a spa, yes please."
• "Yesss. Totally captures the smell of absinthe. Smells like a delicious cocktail on a Friday night!"
• "Kind of a cool black licorice thing, but not sure I want to burn it."

Malin + Goetz Cannabis ($16) with notes of fresh lemon, orange, fig, pepper, oakmoss, sandalwood, and amber-patchouli.

• "Smells manly, like men's aftershave."
• "Clean and not too powerful, perfect for a kitchen."
• "I was pleasantly surprised by this one . . . it's kind of sexy?"

Jonathan Adler Earl Grey Pop ($38) with notes of black tea leaves, citrus, yuzu, jasmine, earl grey, and sandalwood.

• "Surprisingly pleasant and light, but a little sweet."
• "Very subtle but I'm into it! I want to take a bubble bath and drink a pumpkin beer with this burning."
• "I like the scent but I wish it was stronger. My nose was searching for more!"

Paddywax Vanilla Bean and Cinnamon ($18) with notes of sweet vanilla and spicy cinnamon.

• "Definitely reminds me of Christmas, not Fall."
• "I've smelled the scents in this candle so many times that I feel like it should be in the dictionary under 'Fall Candle.'"
• "Time to bake cookies!"

Yankee Autumn Air ($28) with notes of apple, cinnamon, and a little toasted marshmallow.

• "Smells smooth and creamy."
• "Smells a bit like lotion."
• "Very basic, but pleasant and would make a good gift if you don't know somebody's taste in scents."

Olivina Men Bourbon Cedar ($35) with notes of rich red cedar with smoky vanilla.

• "B on the scent, A+ on the jar."
• "Smells like my lemony Lush soap."
• "Smells like alcohol, but spicy."

Linnea's Lights Vetiver ($34) with notes of earthy grass, sandalwood, and petitgrain.

• "Smells like my dad's cologne."
• "LOVE THIS! Smells masculine in the best way."
• "This would be nice if you're missing a dude."

Rituals Incense ($45) with notes of the smoky incense is used in religious ceremonies, traditional purification, aromatherapy, and meditation.

• "Makes me think of church. Guess I'm going to heaven!"
• "Wow! SO striking and luxe."
• "I feel like I'd rather just burn incense?"

Falling Into Place Vanilla Amber ($24) with notes of vanilla, musk, sandalwood, jasmine, lavender, and orange.

• "I would only burn this one on occasion, but I like it."
• "Sweet, mild, and great for year-round."
• "Very sweet, almost like root beer."

Rituals Woody Vanilla ($45) with notes of divine wood with a hint of sweet vanilla.

• "Great smell: like wood chips and campfire."
• "I wish the vanilla came through a bit stronger."
• "Campfire! Woods! Cabin! Blankets! I love it."

P.F. Candle Co Spruce ($18) with notes of forest, blue spruce, and cedar.

• "I love the soft pine smell, it's not overwhelming."
• "Very faint and pleasant."
• "This is the candle I'd burn during the holidays to make up for the fact that I have a fake tree."

Sabon Fireplace ($26) with notes of the woods and exotic sweet spices.

• "Smells like incense from a church. I like it!"
• "Like the wood in an old house."
• "So strong, but it definitely smells like a fire! I love the packaging, too."

Paddywax Wild Fig and Cedar ($20 in an enamel camp cup) with notes of figs and alpine cedar.

• "Yes! It almost smells like gardenia. I picture this scent in a Pinterest home."
• "Smells like a sophisticated woman who married a rich businessman that is never home."
• "Almost smells floral, not super autumnal but very nice."