Are Quince’s $24 Candles Worth It? We Put 20 to the Test

Notes: Amber, cardamom, iris, neroli, smoke, leather, sandalwood, cedar, sueded vanilla

When our team first sampled Quince’s candles back in 2025, this scent was a unanimous favorite, with one editor saying it smelled like she was in the lobby of the Four Seasons. After lighting it, Jones said it “smells expensive without being overpowering; it has crowd-pleasing notes of sandalwood and vanilla that give it an elevated flair.” Although she said the smoky leather notes are minimal, she “immediately noticed the top notes of iris and amber drifting through the room. It’s the perfect scent to light on a Sunday evening in for relaxing, I-have-my-life-together vibes.”

Notes: Orange, mandarin, grapefruit, raspberry, peach, tropical fruits, strawberry, sandalwood, musk

“The candle that inspired Capri Citron is my favorite of all-time, which meant I was going to be strict about this one,” Shopping Editor Madison McGee says. “Luckily, it lived up to my lofty expectations. The sugared citrus notes are strongest, but it’s layered with a refreshing sandalwood. The original has a super strong throw (Hint: It’s been known to fill Anthropologie stores), but this filled my entire bedroom with fragrance instantly. Color me impressed—I’m not sure I could tell the difference between this and the original!”

Notes: Pomegranate, mandarin zest, black plum, red berry, patchouli, cedarwood

Let us introduce you to your new favorite date night candle. "Quince’s Dark Pomegranate is moody, smokey, and delivers the ambiance of a jazz club,” Shopping Editor Anvita Reddy says. “It’s earthy and warm, a lot more dynamic and layered than I expected. There’s a slight sweetness and spice notes that just gives it depth and allure. It’s one of those fragrances smells expensive and will elevate your space."

Notes: Dew drops, bergamot, nectarine, wild rose petals, geranium, cedarwood, patchouli

Rose fans, this one’s for you. "This is a very classic rose scent—fresh, powdery, and slightly soapy,” Shopping Editor Lauren Gruber says. “I can see a fabulous woman of a certain age burning this in her Upper West Side brownstone. It smells expensive, and old-fashioned in the best way.” This would be a lovely candle to burn in your powder room during a dinner party.

Notes: Peony, mint, thyme flower, rosemary, linden, tuberose, honeysuckle, oak wood, blue iris

Performance marketing associate Maya Darby said this candle “was surprisingly fresh and bright for a floral-leaning scent,” adding that “it smells more like freshly cut grass with a hint of floral.” Although she was a fan of the scent, she said she wished that it was stronger. “I feel like I have to be right next to it to smell it, not just in the room.” With that in mind, this would be a nice pick for smaller spaces like a powder room.

Notes: Tomato leaf, fir balsam, black currant, oakmoss

As a self-proclaimed “tomato girl,” McGee has tried her fair share of tomato-scented candles, which can range from earthy, vine-ripened fragrances to subtle, almost-floral scents. “Quince’s tomato candle leans leafier, which appeals directly to my preferences,” she said. “It’s fresh and feels apt for both late-summer burning and as a year-round kitchen candle, as it skews cleaner than some of the other tomato candles I’ve tried. There isn’t that dirt-like ‘funk’ that I’ve experienced with some other tomato scents.

Notes: Black currant, geranium, tea rose, jasmine, oakmoss, patchouli

“This one sets out to emulate one of the most popular designer candles on the market (just drop the "Les" and you might figure it out),” Deputy Commerce Editor Heath Owens says. “The throw is certainly impressive; I could smell it in my bedroom from my living room, and it has the familiar punch of blackcurrant that I was looking for. This version also has geranium mixed in, which adds a levity and complexity to its fruity heart. Overall, it comes pretty close to the original and really filled the room in a way I don't expect from a $24 candle.”

Notes: Bergamot, rosemary, lush fig leaf, jasmine, hyacinth, ripe fig, amber, oakmoss

Although Quince labeled this an “intense” scent, shopping editor Angel Madison says that it’s actually one of the more subtle candles she’s tried. “You have to get up close to really smell anything other than the hint of burning from the flame. It’s a nice fresh candle for people who don’t love the overpowering fragrance that some candles give off.” Madison also said that the rosemary note was strongest, so it’s a solid option if you’re partial to green scents.

Notes: Ambrette seeds, sea salt, sage, driftwood

Developed as an “ode to the coast,” this might be one of Quince’s simplest candles, with only four aquatic notes. Upon initial smell, our editors thought it “smelled like a witchy shop that sells Himalayan sea salt lamps” and were surprised by the fruitiness given its coastal intentions. Despite that, performance marketing manager Keara O’Driscoll said she was impressed by how fragrant it was upon lighting and said the scent was subtle and filled her living room nicely.

Notes: Yuzu, neroli blossom, mandarin

"The smell of this candle immediately makes me smile,” Gruber says. “It's got this bright, creamy citrus scent that mentally transports me to eating lemon gelato somewhere along the coast of Italy. That said, I don't get a ton of neroli, and the citrus notes lean more lemon than yuzu,” so heed caution if you’d prefer those scents to dominate.

Notes: Plum, peach, cinnamon, leather, violet, birch woods, patchouli, vanilla

Designed to evoke the scent of a cozy library, this candle oozes fall vibes thanks to an array of both fruity and woodsy notes. Performance marketing manager Catherine Sprouls said it felt surprisingly fresh given the moodier scent profile. “It didn’t feel too overwhelming in the room,” she says.

Notes: Orchid, blood orange zest, palo santo, vanilla, musk, oakwood, amber

Per Maberry, “This is a classic Palo Santo scent—warm, inviting, and easy on the nose,” with supplementary notes of blood orange, orchid, and vanilla. “It’s a scent you burn in your bedroom while you read a book, or one you light while you snuggle on the sofa for a cozy movie night.”

Notes: William pear, white freesia, patchouli

“You’d think Quince’s Pear Freesia candle would lean more fruity, but it smells exactly like a fresh load of laundry in the best way possible,” Reddy says. “The scent is very light and linen-y with a brightness that will make your space feel awake yet calm. It’s perfect for a post-deep clean, just made the bed with new sheets day."

Notes: Citrus, honey, red apple, blushed peony, soft suede, musk, amber

When we initially smelled this candle out of the box, our team of editors instantly noticed the peony scent coming through, noting that it had an elegant vibe that reminded us of a fancy hotel or a floral perfume. Once Senior Designer Ella Chodos-Irvine took it home to burn, she said it felt rather “one-note,” adding that the “peony was really the only scent coming through,” so we’d recommend this to those who prefer floral-forward fragrances.

Notes: Petitgrain, orange peel, bergamot, orange blossom, neroli, jasmine, honey, musk, soft woods

“I chose this candle because I've been obsessed with orange blossom ever since my trip to Provence, France last summer,” Owens says. “The flowers were filling the air with an unmistakably honey-like floral fragrance. This candle did its job—it made my kitchen smell like the alleys I walked down. Jasmine rounds out the fragrance and complements the orange blossom beautifully. The throw on this one was tighter than some of the others I tried, though. It didn't really leak beyond the room I was burning it in, but it's a pretty intense fragrance, so steer clear if you don't like florals.”

Notes: Lemon, thyme, fig, cedarwood, soft woods, musk, pine

With a name like Soleil de Provence, we were expecting this candle to evoke Euro summer vibes—and Chodos-Irvine said it absolutely lives up to its name, even dubbing it an ideal “end-of-summer backyard” candle. “It’s subtly citrus-y and woody,” thanks to the hints of lemon and pine to balance out the fig heart notes, making it a nice choice for anyone who wants to hold onto summer all year long.

Notes: Bergamot, blackcurrant, drenched leaves, sage, rosemary, eucalyptus, vetiver, musk, sandalwood

Looking for a candle that lends your space a calm, tranquil feel? Madison said this candle “had such a fresh, clean smell that instantly gave me spa vibes.” Plus, she was impressed by how evenly the candle burned, even after having it lit for hours. “It doesn’t fill a larger room, but it is perfect for a bedroom or bathroom.”

Notes: Green tuberose stems, creamy tuberose, jasmine, orange blossom, vanilla, soft woods

Performance marketing manager Mia Staples said this white floral scent made her space feel “light and clean,” adding that she was impressed by how fresh the scent was without feeling too perfume-y. Per Quince, this candle boasts a stronger intensity than others in their line, so it’s a nice option if you’re looking for a room-filling floral scent.