I’ve Tested Dozens of Summer Candles—These 11 Smell Like Vacation in a Jar

First up: One of Bath & Body Works’ best-sellers. This is what I light when I want my apartment to smell like a five-star beach resort—without veering into piña colada territory. The fresh-cut sugarcane adds a breezy, sunlit sweetness that’s grounded by soft sandalwood and a hint of white nectarine. It’s sweet, but not sticky—think coastal linen shirt, not headache-inducing tropical drink. The throw is strong but not overpowering (it fills my living room in minutes), and the 45-hour burn time lasts me the entire summer. If you're looking for a coastal scent that feels elevated but still easy, this is my go-to.

If Amalfi Coast sunshine came in candle form, this would be it. It smells like a chilled limoncello spritz with a twist of bergamot—zesty, bright, and just mellow enough to avoid veering into bathroom-cleaner territory. The Sicilian lemon hits first, followed by soft jasmine and solar amber that warm things up without dulling the citrusy sparkle. It’s also massive (38 ounces!), so it lasts forever (up to 80 hours in the largest size), and the etched cobalt vessel is basically a summer centerpiece in itself. I light this when I want my entire apartment to feel like a seaside villa in Sorrento—preferably with Call Me By Your Name playing in the background.

I know, this one is a splurge, but trust me when I say it’s worth it. The scent hits like you’ve just brushed past a sun-warmed tomato vine in a garden that’s been freshly watered. There’s a peppery bite, a green snap of radish or pea pod and this unbelievably realistic burst of sweet soil and herbaceous leaf that makes you question if someone secretly planted raised beds in your bedroom. It’s savory in a way that feels elevated and grounding, and the throw is ultra-strong without being cloying. Even when it’s not lit, the scent lingers in the best way. (Not to mention that the XL size offers up to 180 hours of burn time.) I keep at least two on hand at all times—because once you smell it, there’s no going back.

Capri Blue’s Volcano is Anthropologie’s signature fragrance—and for good reason. It’s light and tropical without being cloying: sugared oranges, lemons and limes softened by a hint of exotic mountain greens. It’s sweet and citrusy without veering sharp, and it somehow makes every room smell fresher, cleaner and more inviting. In fact, I’ve gifted this candle more times than I can count, and I always keep one on hand for when I want my space to feel instantly brighter and a little more pulled together. Bonus: The XL version clocks a 250-hour burn time, which basically lasts from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Here, my go-to summer dinner party candle. Sophisticated without trying too hard, Baies smells like a black-tie picnic in the French countryside—fresh blackcurrant, just-picked roses, and the kind of greenery that feels expensive (because, well, it is). I love that it strikes the perfect balance between fruity and floral: the tartness of the berries softens into something lush and vibrant, while the rose adds polish without reading powdery. It’s strong enough to fill the room—lingering hours after it’s blown out—but never overwhelming. Yes, it’s a splurge. But once you light it, you’ll understand why editors, guests and basically everyone who’s ever sniffed it calls it a classic.

The crackle alone is enough to make this candle worth lighting—but it’s the scent that keeps me coming back. Think: golden hour on the deck, skin still warm from the sun, with a soft ocean breeze carrying notes of creamy coconut, salted air and sun-drenched blossoms. It’s beachy without being fruity, subtle without being boring, and somehow smells both nostalgic and clean—like the memory of a vacation you didn’t want to end. The best part, however, is that is has a patented wooden wick that burns with a soothing fire-like crackle, and the flared hourglass shape creates a full wax pool that amps up the throw. (FYI: It comes in three sizes, from the 9.7-ounce Medium Hourglass to the 21-ounce Large Hourglass, which burns for up to 130 hours.) I light this when I want to zone out, feel calm or just pretend I’m somewhere coastal with zero emails in sight.

This is one of the most complimented candles I own—fresh, happy and citrusy without that cloying cleaning spray vibe. It’s crisp and sparkling, thanks to pink pomelo and grapefruit, with just enough watery green notes and lily of the valley to make it feel airy, not acidic. There’s a whisper of coriander blossom that adds polish without going powdery, and the throw is no joke: You’ll smell it even when it’s unlit. Burn time clocks in at up to 60 hours, and it’s vegan, phthalate-free and housed in a sleek striped glass vessel that’s way too pretty to toss when it’s done.

Not all summer scents have to scream citrus. This is what I light on humid August nights when I want to lean into something deeper—think freshly showered skin, linen sheets and the soft hum of an air conditioner at 2 a.m. Santal 26 is smoky, leathery and warm, with notes of sandalwood, amber, vanilla and a subtle cocoa-spice finish that makes the whole thing feel sexy and lived-in. It’s the olfactory equivalent of a summer fling with someone older who reads Didion and makes their own cold brew. At 8.6 ounces with an 80-hour burn time, it also lingers long after the flame’s out—and the minimalist, genderless packaging makes it feel cool without trying too hard.

This one smells like flip-flops on warm pavement, citrus trees in the distance and salt water drying on your skin. It opens with a clean burst of ozone, tangerine and clementine before mellowing into sea moss and orange flower with a soft musk finish—like a boardwalk breeze in a jar. It’s bright but balanced, perfect for the days when you want your space to feel like it’s just been aired out after a coastal getaway. Bonus: The oversized jar clocks more than 110 hours of burn time, which basically means it’ll carry you through summer and straight into September.

This candle is giving lemony sunscreen, fresh air after a dip and a fluffy white pool towel warmed by the sun. With notes of bergamot zest, neroli, wet skin and Sorrento lemon, it somehow balances citrus and aquatic without veering soapy or synthetic. In fact, I originally decided to test this candle after being drawn by reviewers who described it as “lemon and good-smelling sunscreen” or “like a day at a resort”—and that’s the energy it delivered. I light it when I want to mentally check out and pretend I’m lounging at the Four Seasons with nothing on my to-do list. At 9.75 ounces with a 65-hour burn time, it’s a clean-burning splurge that makes your whole space smell like luxury travel (even if you’re just working from your kitchen table).

Finally, I haven’t had the pleasure of sniffing this one yet—but based on the reviews (and a very convincing Slack message from our Assistant Editor of News and Entertainment, Danielle Long), it’s officially on my summer candle wish list. Part of Glade’s limited-edition Americana Collection, Berries & Cream blends juicy dewberries and red berries with vanilla and sweet cream—think: a strawberry shortcake moment meets windows-open-in-July nostalgia. “It strikes that perfect balance between sweet and refreshing—not too sugary and not too sharp,” Long says. “The moment I light it, I’m instantly transported to peak summer: think ripe berries at a farmer’s market and a breeze coming through the window.”