A Definitive Ranking of The Best Bath & Body Works Candles Money Can Buy

Name: A Thousand Wishes
Brand: Bath & Body Works
Price: 13 USD

All under $30

By Sydney Meister

•

Published Apr 9, 2025

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best bath and body works candles universal

Sydney Meister for PureWow

Let’s be honest: Walking into a Bath & Body Works can feel like stepping into an olfactory tornado. With dozens of new scents launching every season (like the latest Disney collab)—and just as many legacy fan favorites—figuring out which candles are actually worth your money is no small task. That’s why I enlisted the help of my fellow PureWow editors—and scoured thousands of reviews—to sniff out the very best of the best.

Whether you’re into warm and woodsy, fruity and flirty or clean and comforting, this list has something for every nose and every season. Think: nostalgic crowd-pleasers like Champagne Toast and Japanese Cherry Blossom—clean, calming notes in Eucalyptus Spearmint—to rich, romantic blends like Into the Night and Mahogany Teakwood Intense that smell way more expensive than they are.

TL;DR: If you’re only grabbing one or two candles this season, start here.

The Best Bath & Body Works Candles at a Glance

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Bath & Body Works

1. Eucalyptus Spearmint

Bath & Body Works

Why this scent has a 4.7-star rating with more than 4,200 glowing reviews: It’s the candle to light when you need to feel like you’ve booked a spa day—without actually spending $200 on a massage. The combo of mint and eucalyptus is fresh and herbal, but it’s softened by clary sage, so it doesn’t feel like you’re burning toothpaste. “It really does have a calming effect,” says Nakeisha Campbell, associate news and entertainment editor. “The sweet, minty eucalyptus scent really makes me feel like I'm at a spa.” Keep this one on standby for Sunday self-care, post-cleaning or any day when your nervous system needs a nap.

Fast Facts

Scent Notes: Eucalyptus, spearmint, clary sage
Available: Year-round

~~$25~~; $12 AT BATH AND BODY WORKS

Bath & Body Works

2. Mahogany Teakwood Intense

Bath & Body Works

If the cult-favorite Mahogany Teakwood candle is a spritz of cologne before a night out, this one is a full-on douse. With notes of rich mahogany, black teakwood, dark oak and a hint of frosted lavender, it smells like winter air trapped inside a cashmere coat. And now, we have the “intense” version, which is the richer, deeper, much stronger sibling of the OG scent. One reviewer put it best: “The regular one smells intense already… this one? Even more so.” To that end, thousands of shoppers rave that “the scent lingers for hours after it’s been blown out,” and “you don’t have to burn it for more than an hour—it stays in your house like all day.”

Fast Facts

Scent Notes: Rich mahogany, black teakwood, dark oak, frosted lavender
Available: Year-round

~~$27~~; $13 AT BATH AND BODY WORKS

Bath & Body Works

3. Champagne Toast

Bath & Body Works

If a mimosa at brunch could be bottled, it’d smell like this candle. With notes of bubbly champagne, sparkling berries and juicy tangerine, it’s effervescent in a way that makes you feel like you just got a text from your crush at noon on a sunny Sunday. It’s sweet, citrusy and flirty—and one reviewer called it “a new favorite of mine and my go-to summer candle scent. Plus, despite its lightness, don’t underestimate the throw: “Smells so wonderful! And scents the entire room, even after I have blown it out,” adds another reviewer.

Fast Facts

Scent notes: Bubbly champagne, sparkling berries and juicy tangerine
Available: Year-round

~~$27~~; $13 AT BATH AND BODY WORKS

Bath & Body Works

4. Book Loft

Bath & Body Works

Let me paint the scene: You’re curled up in a leather armchair, sipping black tea, flipping through a dog-eared copy of Wuthering Heights. That’s what this candle smells like. “It legit smells like a bookstore,” says Campbell. It’s subtle but transportive—soft wood, paper musk, and a touch of bergamot to keep things crisp. And if you like your candles on the moodier, more minimalist side, this one’s sleek understated vessel absolutely delivers. Bonus: It's 8 ounces but delivers up to 50 hours of burn time, which is impressive for the size.

Fast Facts

Scent Notes: crisp bergamot, wood and a warm blanket
Available: Year-round

~~$27~~; $13 AT BATH AND BODY WORKS

Bath & Body Works

5. Cactus Blossom

Bath & Body Works

This tropical floral blend is a fan-favorite for a reason. Cactus Blossom combines sweet cactus flower petals with sparkling citrus and creamy vanilla coconut, creating a fragrance that smells like “a mixture of candy and petals of assorted flowers in a garden,” according to one reviewer. Another calls it “clean and pretty,” while others burn it year-round to keep their space smelling like a spring-summer day. The hot pink vessel brings bold energy to your console or bedside table, and with a scent throw that’s strong enough to fill a salon (per another reviewer). In fact, people love it so much, they’re begging the brand to expand the line: “PLEASE bring this scent back as a body care item regular.”

Fast Facts

Scent Notes: Desert cactus flower petals, fresh sparkling citrus and warm vanilla coconut
Available: Year-round

~~$27~~; $13 AT BATH AND BODY WORKS

Bath & Body Works

6. White Gardenia

Bath & Body Works

This one smells like you just flung open the French doors to a lush garden estate—white dress billowing, glass of sauv blanc in hand. With classic white gardenia, crisp apple and creamy tuberose, it’s romantic but grounded, feminine but not fussy. One reviewer swears it’s become their home’s signature scent, and another said it filled the entire room within 15 minutes of lighting. (A third said it still lingered hours after they blew it out.) TL;DR: If you love gardenia, this one is strong enough to pack a punch without overpowering.

Fast Facts

Scent notes: Classic white gardenia, fresh-picked greenery, sweet apple and white tuberose
Available: Year-round

~~$27~~; $13 AT BATH AND BODY WORKS

Bath & Body Works

7. Black Cherry Merlot

Bath & Body Works

With a 10/10 throw, this black cherry merlot scent will fill your entire home within minutes—whether you're masking dinner smells in the kitchen or creating a sultry, wine-drenched vibe in the living room. It's bold, it's juicy, it's unapologetically rich. The fragrance blend of wild black cherries, velvety red wine, and fruity raspberries is more grape/plum than alcohol-heavy, making it a favorite for wine lovers in particular. As one shopper backs: “If you love powering scents like rich wine and cherries, you will love this… [the throw wafts] throughout the home.”

Fast Facts

Scent notes: wild black cherries, velvety red wine, juicy red raspberries and bright plum
Available: Year-round

~~$27~~; $13 AT BATH AND BODY WORKS

Bath & Body Works

8. Coffee & Whiskey

Bath & Body Works

Despite the name, this candle doesn’t scream Irish pub at breakfast—in fact, multiple reviewers say it smells nothing like coffee or whiskey, but rather a cozy, unexpectedly refined blend that reminds one fan of a toned-down version of Calvin Klein’s Obsession. With notes of bold Irish whiskey, sweet vanilla, and just a hint of roasted coffee, it’s not fruity or floral, but warm and comforting. Plus, the warm, soft throw makes it ideal for smaller spaces—and the subtle hint of vanilla rounds out the scent with just enough sweetness to make it smell expensive in the most low-maintenance way.

Fast Facts

Scent Notes: bold Irish whiskey, splash of vanilla and a hint of coffee
Available: Year-round

$17 AT BATH AND BODY WORKS

Bath & Body Works

9. Sugared Lemon Zest

Bath & Body Works

Here, an olfactory equivalent of biting into a sugar-dusted lemon drop: tangy, sweet and just zesty enough. “It smells like biting into an actual lemon covered in sugar—I’m not kidding,” one reviewer swears. The combo of tangy Sorrento lemons, bright lemon zest and fresh sugarcane is so craveable, it might have you digging through your pantry for lemon bars. Bonus points for the sunny yellow vessel, which looks like a glass of fresh-squeezed lemonade on your countertop.

Fast Facts

Scent notes: tangy Sorrento lemons, bright lemon zest and fresh sugarcane
Available: Year-round

$17 AT BATH AND BODY WORKS

Bath & Body Works

10. Lakeside Morning

Bath & Body Works

There’s something about this candle that instantly pulls you into a Northern California morning—cool, quiet and grounded in nature. The scent opens with crisp autumn air and a breath of white driftwood, balanced by the sweetness of green apple to keep things fresh, not musky. One shopper described it as “evocative, atmospheric perfection,” calling it the “perfect unisex scent” with a woodsy-meets-clean-cologne vibe. Think: fog clinging to pine trees, birdsong, and a steaming mug of something cozy on the dock. The throw is also a solid 9/10—strong enough to wrap your space in calm without overwhelming it.

Fast Facts

Scent notes: crisp autumn air, white driftwood and a hint of green apple
Available: Year-round

~~$27~~; $13 AT BATH AND BODY WORKS

Bath & Body Works

11. Mahogany Vanilla

Bath & Body Works

Yes, the brand’s best-selling Mahogany Teakwood candle is bold, masculine and fills a room faster than your ex’s cologne. But sometimes it’s… a lot. That’s where Mahogany Vanilla (aka Mahogany Teakwood’s softer cousin) comes in. It still has those signature sandalwood notes—but they’re mellowed out with warm vanilla and just a hint of fresh bergamot for something that smells “much more inviting,” per Mason. Think: everything you love about an oakwood scent, minus the aggression. In fact, Mason adds, “It has all of the great characteristics of a mahogany candle with a sweet undertone you’ll want to smell every day.”

Fast Facts

Scent notes: Warm vanilla, fresh bergamot and sweet sandalwood
Available: Year-round

$17 AT BATH AND BODY WORKS

Bath & Body Works

12. Into the Night

Bath & Body Works

If there were ever a candle that deserved a dress code, this is it. The fragrance is rich, sultry and impossibly strong—all wrapped with notes of raspberry noir, velvet rose petals and mocha musk. Reviewers say it smells exactly like the body spray, with a throw so powerful it fills an entire house—even on a warmer. Just be warned: this isn’t for the faint of nose. Some reviewers say it’s the strongest scent BB&W has ever made: “This is literally the strongest scent I have EVER smelled out of any candle I have ever purchased and used in my home.” Meaning, if you’re sensitive to fragrance, proceed with caution. But if you love bold, musky blends à la Black Opium, you’ve found your signature.

Fast Facts

Scent notes: Raspberry noir, velvet rose petals and mocha musk
Available: Year-round

~~$27~~; $13 AT BATH AND BODY WORKS

Bath & Body Works

13. Japanese Cherry Blossom

Bath & Body Works

With more than 1,000 five-star reviews, it makes sense why people are stockpiling on this scent (and not just the candle version). With soft floral notes of cherry blossom and a velvety base of sandalwood, it’s elegant, timeless and—as the brand describes—“the fragrance equivalent of your little black dress.” One person writes, “The smell is sensational...I use the room spray, the lotion, the wash, the candle—I’m obsessed.” And another chimed in that it “sets the mood every time,” and “you can expect compliments whenever it’s burning.”

Fast Facts

Scent notes: Japanese cherry blossom, Asian pear and blushing sandalwood
Available: Year-round

~~$27~~; $13 AT BATH AND BODY WORKS

Bath & Body Works

14. Gingham

Bath & Body Works

Here’s a candle that captures the scent of sunshine—and ties it up with a blue gingham bow. The fragrance is fresh and effervescent, including notes of blue freesia, white peach and fresh clementine for a bright, clean finish. Picture: spring picnics and white linen sundresses. One reviewer gushed, “I freaking LOVE this candle!!” while another noted, “It reminds me of Laura Ashley and White Linen combined.” (Which, if you know, you know.) Plus, the classic blue-and-white checkered vessel is a statement all on its own—perfectly pretty sitting on your windowsill or bathroom vanity.

Fast Facts

Scent notes: Blue freesia, white peach and fresh clementine
Available: Year-round

~~$27~~; $13 AT BATH AND BODY WORKS

Amazon

15. Marshmallow Fireside

Amazon

Imagine curling up in your favorite knit blanket, the scent of toasted marshmallows wafting through the air as a gentle woodsmoke lingers from a distant fire. That's the cozy embrace of Marshmallow Fireside. Assistant editor Delia Curtis describes it as, "Full of marshmallow notes and an unmatched burnt sweetness, it's like sitting next to a campfire in the dead of winter." Plus, it includes hints of vanilla and crystallized amber for just enough creamy sweetness to balance out the smoky edge.

Fast Facts

Scent Notes: Toasted marshmallow, smoldering woods, fire-roasted vanilla, crystallized amber
Available: Seasonal (winter months only)

~~$27~~; $13 AT bath & Body works

best-bath-and-body-works-candles-whote-candle

Bath & Body Works

16. Vanilla Bean

Bath & Body Works

If you want your space to feel like a warm hug—or a freshly baked cupcake—this is the candle for you. With rich Madagascar vanilla bean, gooey marshmallow and a whisper of cinnamon and nutmeg, it’s basically dessert in wax form. One reviewer dubbed it “cupcake heaven” and claimed their house smells like “freshly baked vanilla cupcakes” year-round. Another fan swears by mixing and matching the 3-wick and single-wick versions depending on how spicy they’re feeling.

Fast Facts

Scent Notes: Madagascar vanilla bean, homemade marshmallow, warm cinnamon and nutmeg
Available: Year-round

$40 AT BATH AND BODY WORKS

Bath & Body Works

17. A Thousand Wishes

Bath & Body Works

Described as “a sweet, heart-warming celebration,” this fan-favorite candle smells exactly like the fragrance mist it’s named after—equal parts bubbly and cozy. The scent notes blend pink prosecco (think fizzy and fruity) with soft crystal peonies and a creamy almond crème base, giving it a floral-gourmand balance that’s light but noticeable. One reviewer says, “It has a light sweet smell like a beautiful fresh new bouquet,” while another notes that the throw is so powerful, “the scent carried all the way to the 2nd floor.” Perfect for anyone who’s into feminine, feel-good scents that fill a room without overwhelming it.

Fast Facts

Scent Notes: pink prosecco, crystal peonies and almond crème
Available: Year-round

~~$27~~; $13 AT BATH AND BODY WORKS

Sydney Meister

Associate Lifestyle Editor

Writes across all lifestyle verticals, including relationships and sex, home, finance, fashion and beauty
More than five years of experience in editorial, including podcast production and on-camera coverage
Holds a dual degree in communications and media law and policy from Indiana University, Bloomington

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