22 Brilliant Candle Shops With Rave Reviews

When it comes to setting a more soothing tone at home, nothing gives a room an instant mood lift quite like a quality candle. From splendid scents to vegan-soy blends to sculptural beeswax beauties, on Etsy there are no shortage of hand-poured, lovingly concocted options that have shoppers waxing poetic in their reviews. To help you find a new favorite, we combed through heaps of 5-star finds to bring you 22 standout candle shops that are lighting up buyers’ lives. Read on to see which ones melt your heart, then start building your very own candle collection to brighten your way this winter. 

Sydney Elyse Candles

Fans of Sydney Elyse Candles are sweet on the shop’s foodie-focused (and vegan-friendly!) soy creations, which include scrumptious scents based on some of our favorite comfort bakes. Whether oatmeal cookies or cinnamon buns make you salivate, there’s a flavor here for every taste. (Apple pie, anyone?)

Seller’s pick: “Vanilla Tobacco”

Kaluna Candle Co.

Established in 2020, Kaluna Candle Co. has made quick work of earning a devoted following with unexpected twists on natural aromas. (Our senses are piqued by their vanilla-sweetened patchouli and pomegranate punched up with lemon peel.) Bonus: These trendy blends are available in jar, tealight, or wax melt form.

Seller’s pick: “Lemon Drop”

Nori + Mali Candle Co.

With homey, comforting aromas made for decompressing at the end of a long day (just imagine drinking in the scent of jasmine tea!), the mom-and-daughter team behind Nori + Mali Candle Co. have cemented a spot in many a buyer’s self-care routine. As one customer raved in their review: “You guys are part of my pandemic therapy!” 

Sellers’ picks: “Honey Butter” and “Tangerine Basil”

Aerangis

Named after the delicate orchid beloved by seller Alicia Tsai’s grandfather, Aerangis is focused on creating sentimental scents that evoke specific places and moments. Tsai will even craft bespoke candles based on a buyer’s memories—and whether you go custom or opt for one of the shop’s existing hits (like this trio of best-sellers), you can count on hours of blissful burning.

Seller’s pick: “No.51: Secret Garden”

 Apogee Candle Co.

From their invigorating fragrances (like the bestselling “Blood Orange + Sea Salt”) to their playful typography, nothing about Apogee Candle Co.’s handcrafted soy lineup is ordinary—and customers are flocking to the California-based candlemaker to add some funky flair to their flames. The best part? With the shop’s affordable, four ounce mini size, you can sample the lot, then go big with larger versions of your faves. 

Seller’s pick: “Saffron + Peppercorn”

CaiCai Handmade

Buyers searching for original gifts have found a winner in CaiCai Handmade—and particularly the shop’s “Bubble Cube” candle, which pops up time and again among customers’ top picks for its high-impact, luxe look. “If you really want to make yourself or someone you love feel special, please buy them one of these,” says one satisfied reviewer.

Seller’s pick: “Wavy”

Farmers Candle Co.

Wisconsin-based seller Jodie Millies of Farmers Candle Co. is committed to a sustainable, no-waste philosophy, which is reflected in her tallow candles. The natural materials are sourced from family farms, and infused with woodsy notes like cedar and mahogany for a pleasantly pastoral pick-me-up.

Seller’s pick: “Violet + Sweetgrass”

TOKYN

For a total sensory treat, try Tokyn Candles‘ highly popular—and decidedly snapshot-worthy—botanical collection. Featuring alluring aromas like jasmine and fir, these stunning soy wax votives also dazzle the eye, appearing to float enchantingly inside decorative pressed-petal jars.

Seller’s pick: “Anjou Fig Tree”

Candlefolk

Brooklyn-based Candlefolk stands out from the pack with their elegant, minimalistic packaging and equally sophisticated, down-to-earth scents (like perennial crowd-pleaser “Palo Santo”). The result? Get ready for a decidedly stylish and spiritually grounding aromatherapy sesh.

Seller’s pick: “Hygge”

Still Water Candles

Buyers have fallen hard for Still Water Candles’ rustic, unscented pillar designs, which come in multiple heights and widths perfect for mixing and matching. They can even be poured to a custom size, so you can pick the just-right fit to complete your glowing mantel or tablescape

Seller’s pick: Rusty orange unscented pillar candle

Wax and Wane Candles

Inspired by her home state of Oregon, Wax and Wane’s Hannah Turner infuses the spirit and scents of lush green forests and woodsy sanctuaries throughout her entire collection. Hints of moss and sycamore and fig take buyers on an olfactory trip through the great outdoors. As one buyer described, it’s “like a vacation” for all us homebound folks.

Seller’s pick: “Desert Copal”

Falling Into Place

Can’t decide if a bestselling berry blend or a rugged wilderness mix would be more your style? Head to the astrology-themed section of Falling Into Place, and discover the signature scent for your sign. Whether you’re a prickly Virgo who appreciates the sharpness of sea salt or a sentimental Pisces who prefers soft floral vibes, finding your fragrance is easy when you let the stars be your guide!

Seller’s pick: “Candied Ginger Saffron”

The Beach Cottage Company

If you’ve been dreaming of warmer days and ocean strolls, allow us to recommend a seaside-themed crowd-pleaser from The Beach Cottage Company. With scents evoking sun, sand, and surf (and even the requisite boardwalk stop for strawberry ice cream) it’s no wonder they’ve earned a loyal following among coastal aficionados.

Seller’s pick: “Coconut Beach”

Aphantri Tealights

The trick to setting a next-level tablescape or candlelit bath? Tealights! Simply stock up on some unscented soy stunners from Aphantri Tealights and arrange romantically around the room. This shop gets glowing reviews for the classic variety, but we’re partial to their sculptural citrus candles and floating wax flowers, too.

Seller’s pick: Black tea-scented tealights

Cancelled Plans

With all-too relatable names like “Do Not Disturb” and “Introvert,” the cheeky, colorful collection from Cancelled Plans (which, naturally, includes an indulgent “Cancelled Plans” scent infused with luscious notes of coconut and apricot) has struck a serious chord with Etsy fans (including Jojo Fletcher), who can’t get enough of their clean, even burn, and sharp, eye-catching packaging. 

Seller’s pick: “I Miss High Fives”

Cat Hollow

For shoppers in search of back-to-basics candles that are anything but, Michigan-based candlemaker Cat Hollow breaks the mold with 100% pure beeswax options in on-theme shapes, like the popular beehive and mini beehive styles and rustic wood grain pillars. What’s more: according to one reviewer, the candles “smell good enough to eat.” (“Promise I won’t, though!” she adds). 

Seller’s picks: floating sunflower candle and honeybee-shaped candle

Scripted Fragrance

Scripted Fragrance offers candles that honor what’s most important to us—like our home states or cities, or even our canine companions. In fact, their bestselling pet collection includes more than 35 dog breeds, from fluffy chow chows to friendly wiemaraners. (Can you say gifting gold?)

Seller’s pick: New York State signature soy candle

Curious Candles Studio

If you like surprises, you’ll love what’s waiting inside each jewel-toned jar from Curious Candles Studio. As the wax melts away, each fragrance has a secret message to reveal. Plus, the bold blends (think grassy, spicy, and minty notes) pack just the right amount of olfactory impact. “It’s not overpowering but it filled up my apartment,” says one satisfied buyer. “It made my place super cozy and immediately relaxing.”

Seller’s pick: Beargrass soy wax candle

Winston + Pete Co.

The mother-daughter duo behind Winston + Pete Co. capture the vibe of their bestselling oakmoss and amber candle like so: “Mood: Getting ready for a date with ‘The One.’” Fitting, considering so many customers have found ‘the one’ in this shop’s crowd-pleasing, nature-inspired scents, which have wide appeal across the gender spectrum.

Seller’s pick: “Wanderlust”

Knot and Bow

When it comes to festive candles, buyers love Knot and Bow’s hand-dipped beeswax beauties: the slender tapers come in 3- and 6-inch lengths and an array of colorways perfect for jazzing up those celebratory confections, including cheerful rainbow and trendy ombré. Styling tip: Mix short and tall versions for peak party vibes.

Seller’s picks: short peach ombré and tall peach ombré

Oh Joha Candles

The Korea-inspired scents in Oh Joha Candles’ line transport buyers to another place and time, whether that’s a cozy cafe or a warm summer night (complete with melon popsicles). Says one recent reviewer: “My family is Korean and I couldn’t believe someone was making candles with the scents I grew up with! Tears were shed when these were opened.”

Seller’s pick: “Makgeolli” 

Hazel Candle Co.

Calling all coffee lovers! The “Morning Brew” candle from Hazel Candle Co. is an instant perk-me-up that has dozens of reviewers buzzing. The shop’s nature-centric ethos extends from its other earthy scents (like California Pine) to its additive-free soy wax materials.

Seller’s pick: “Pacific Breeze”

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