Lifestyle

27 Best Yankee Candle Scents for a Fresh 2025

by: Katie Lawrence

Published on Jul 4th 2025

Warm your home during the cold Fall and Winter months or brighten things up for Spring or Summer with the best Yankee Candle scents. They're pretty much perfect for every season. Turn your house into an oasis of blissful relaxation with one of the multiple scents from this candle-making giant. But first, we'll need to answer the burning question: "What is the most popular Yankee Candle smell?"

This list features a diverse range of candle types suitable for year-round use. Transform your home into a vibrant springtime garden, a haunted forest or a bakery churning out Christmas cookies for the holiday season. No matter what your favorite fragrance is, rest assured, you can find a Yankee Candle to match it... and then some. Some of the very best Yankee Candle scents are also available as car fresheners, allowing you to take the comforting aromas with you wherever you go.

Feature image via Yankee Candle

Best Yankee Candle Scents For Winter

According to WebMD, mood and scent are inextricably linked, so lighting the best Yankee Candle scents is a great way to unwind after a long day. Let's see (or smell) what's cooking for Winter. But before we start on our list, we'd like to recommend learning how to make candles in Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore or your city to turn your love of candles into a creative pursuit.

Discover the art of candle making in the Bay Area, Boston or Chicago to develop a fun new hobby that will add joy to your life and save you money in the long run. You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to make them yourself, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see (and smell!) the finished product. Especially when you understand how to make scented candles that mimic your best Yankee Candle scents. It's easier than you think.

We also have guides on how to make soy candles and how to make beeswax candles at home.

1. Sage & Citrus

Sage & Citrus Yankee Candle — *Sage & Citrus (via* *Yankee Candle*)

There’s a reason Sage & Citrus is one of the best Yankee Candle scents. The distinct, earthy aroma of sage combines with lively citrus notes to brighten up a dreary Winter day.

2. Balsam & Cedar

Balsam & Cedar Yankee Candle — *Balsam & Cedar (via* *Yankee Candle*)

When it comes to the best Yankee candle scents for winter, Balsam & Cedar is a top contender. Rich, woodsy pine, brisk cedar and festive juniper berries join forces for a candle that will warm you up all season long.

3. Sparkling Cinnamon

Sparkling Cinnamon Yankee Candle — *Sparkling Cinnamon (via* *Yankee Candle*)

The spicy warmth of cinnamon and cloves makes Sparkling Cinnamon one of the best Yankee Candle scents to burn in the wintertime. Light it while you bake cookies and savor the comforting aroma.

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4. Cascading Snowberry

Cascading Snowberry Yankee Candle — *Cascading Snowberry (via* *Yankee Candle*)

If you’re looking for the best Yankee candle scents for Winter that aren’t overly Christmas-forward, Cascading Snowberry is a great choice. It’s heavy on the greenery, smelling like a mixture of ivy and a Christmas wreath with just a hint of brightness from red berries.

Best Yankee Candle Scents For Spring

5. April Showers

April Showers Yankee Candle — *April Showers (via* *Yankee Candle*)

April Showers is one of the best Yankee Candle scents for Spring, and not just because of its name. It perfectly captures the sweet floral smell that lingers in the air after a Spring rain.

6. Fresh Cut Roses

Fresh Cut Roses Yankee Candle — *Fresh Cut Roses (via Yankee Candle)*

If springtime had a scent, it would be Fresh Cut Roses. Lighting this candle is like stepping into a vibrant garden filled with seasonal blooms. Feel refreshed and invigorated as you inhale the lovely aroma that makes all of your worries seem small.

7. Lemon Lavender

Lemon Lavender Yankee Candle — *Lemon Lavender (via Yankee Candle)*

Lemon Lavender is one of the best Yankee Candle scents if you’re looking for something that strikes a balance between relaxing and uplifting. Soothing lavender and lively citrus fill the air with a calming energy sure to help you face life’s challenges with ease.

Best Yankee Candle Fall Scents

8. Salted Caramel

Salted Caramel Yankee Candle — *Salted Caramel (via Yankee Candle)*

The best Yankee Candle Fall scents are warm and comforting, and Salted Caramel checks both boxes. A base of smooth vanilla is complemented by subtle notes of toasted sugar and coarse sea salt. This scent will make your whole house smell like you’re baking something delicious (and perhaps inspire you to do just that). If you’re wondering whether you can smell the salt, the answer is yes.

9. Autumn Leaves

Autumn Leaves Yankee Candle — *Autumn Leaves (via Yankee Candle)*

Is there anything more magical than feeling the crunch of Autumn leaves beneath your feet on a crisp Fall day? Actually, yes: burning one of the best Yankee Candle scents for Fall, Autumn Leaves. This scent is complex and multilayered, with notes of birch and maple leaves, autumnal fruits and orange blossoms. When you close your eyes and take a big whiff, you can pretend like you’re on a leisurely Fall walk in the woods.

10. Spiced Pumpkin

Spiced Pumpkin Yankee Candle — *Spiced Pumpkin (via Yankee Candle)*

When it comes to the best Yankee Candle scents to light during Fall, Spiced Pumpkin is perhaps the most iconic, just like the top seasonal Starbucks Fall drinks. It captures the essence of Autumn in a jar, featuring warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves with a hint of brown sugar for a sweet finish. You’ll want to eat a slice of pumpkin pie (or any of your favorite Thanksgiving desserts) when you light this candle — it’s that realistic.

11. Haunted Hayride

Haunted Hayride Yankee Candle — *Haunted Hayride (via Yankee Candle)*

Any reputable list of the best Yankee Candle Fall scents has to include Haunted Hayride. After all, what would Fall be without spooky season? This scent is unique as they come, with warmth from black pepper and nutmeg, smoky charcoal and strong woodsy overtones. It smells like you’re walking through a haunted forest on a dark, stormy night, and it’s just what your Halloween decoration ideas need.

Best Yankee Candle Scents For Summer

12. Pineapple Cilantro

Pineapple Cilantro Yankee Candle — *Pineapple Cilantro (via* *Yankee Candle*)

Pineapple Cilantro might be an unlikely combination for a candle, but that’s what makes this one of the best Yankee Candle scents. Escape to a tropical paradise when you breathe in the aroma of fresh pineapple accented with sweet, mellow coconut and bright cilantro. The combination will remind you of sipping the best cocktails on a beach somewhere far away from worldly troubles.

13. Sun & Sand

Sun & Sand Yankee Candle — *Sun & Sand (via Yankee Candle)*

If it’s possible to top Pineapple Cilantro when it comes to the best Yankee Candle scents for Summer, Sun & Sand is a formidable opponent. It smells like a warm breeze on an island oasis, carrying with it the subtle aromas of fresh flowers, sweet citrus and powdery musk. If you close your eyes and use a bit of imagination, you just might hear the ocean waves gently lapping against the shore.

14. Strawberry Lemon Ice

Strawberry Lemon Ice Yankee Candle — *Strawberry Lemon Ice (via Yankee Candle)*

Summertime is characterized by endless sunshine, pool days and cool treats like ice cream and popsicles. One of the best Yankee Candle scents for Summer is Strawberry Lemon Ice, as it evokes the perfect Summer day with notes of fresh strawberries and vibrant lemon peel, all poured over ice. Think strawberry lemonade, but in candle form.

Best Winter Yankee Candle Scents

15. Kitchen Spice

Kitchen Spice Yankee Candle — *Kitchen Spice (via Yankee Candle)*

Winter is about warmth and coziness, and the best Yankee Candle scents reflect that. Kitchen Spice is a delightful blend of ginger, cardamom, cinnamon and cloves, rounded out with hints of sweet orange peel. This scent evokes feelings of comfort and nostalgia, making it an ideal choice for the Winter season. Light the candle, pop a loaf of gingerbread or some sugar cookies in the oven and embrace the aromas of the season.

16. Icy Blue Spruce

Icy Blue Spruce Yankee Candle — *Icy Blue Spruce (via Yankee Candle)*

The best Yankee Candle scents for the Winter are ones you can light all season long, not just at Christmastime. Icy Blue Spruce is one of them, with notes of juniper berries, blue spruce and spearmint leaves. It’s like a breath of fresh air to enjoy long after the tree comes down.

17. Cherries on Snow

Cherries On Snow Yankee Candle — *Cherries On Snow (via Yankee Candle)*

Bright red berries covered in snow is one of the most magical Winter sights. Cherries on Snow is one of the Best Yankee candle scents for Winter because it bottles the essence of this enchanting scene. Juicy cherries and sweet almonds are enveloped in an icy glaze for the perfect Winter candle. This fruity scent will remind you of festive pastries dusted with powdered sugar.

18. Berry and Cedar

Berry and Cedar Yankee Candle — *Berry and Cedar (via Yankee Candle)*

Greenery and red berries are two of the most iconic Winter scents, so combining them is a recipe for the ultimate seasonal fragrance. Berry and Cedar is one of the best Yankee Candle scents for creating a cozy atmosphere, with the warmth of cedar perfectly balanced by the tart brightness of red currants.

Best Yankee Candle Scents For Christmas

19. Christmas Cookie

Christmas Cookie Yankee Candle — *Christmas Cookie (via Yankee Candle)*

Christmas Cookie is one of the best Yankee Candle scents for Christmas because it captures all the top qualities of the holiday season: coziness, warmth and sweetness. It’s like a more nuanced vanilla, with a buttery undertone and subtle notes of creamy frosting. Burn this candle while putting together your holiday cookie boxes to create core memories you’ll cherish forever.

20. Home for the Holidays

Home for the Holidays Yankee Candle — *Home for the Holidays (via Yankee Candle)*

Out of all the best Yankee Candle scents for Christmas, Home for the Holidays is arguably the most popular — and for good reason. It combines two of the most iconic Christmastime scents: warm spices like cinnamon and cloves, and earthy cedarwood and balsam. If Christmas had a smell, this would be it. Combine this with your favorite Starbucks Winter drinks for an all-round olfactory seasonal experience.

21. Singing Carols

Singing Carols Yankee Candle — *Singing Carols (via* *Yankee Candle*)

A woody aroma with notes of fruit and spice, Singing Carols is one of the best Yankee Candle scents for adding festive cheer to any room. It’s the perfect candle to burn while delighting in the sweet sound of classic holiday tunes. Burn this candle at your family Christmas party while decking the halls for the holiday season, and make it a new tradition you’ll look forward to year after year.

22. Candy Cane Lane

Candy Cane Lane Yankee Candle — *Candy Cane Lane (via Yankee Candle)*

Few scents are as festive as peppermint, which is why Candy Cane Lane is one of the Best Yankee Candle scents for Christmas. Notes of creamy vanilla icing add sweetness to the minty base for a candle that screams Christmastime. Light it while hanging your DIY Christmas decorations to fill your home with holiday magic.

23. Holiday Winterfest

Holiday Winterfest Yankee Candle — *Holiday Winterfest (via* *Yankee Candle*)

Fresh pine, sweet citrus and smoky bourbon create a joyful aroma that brings the crispness of Winter into your home. Holiday Winterfest makes you feel like you’re about to hit the slopes at a ski lodge, which is why it’s one of the best Yankee Candle scents for this time of year. It’s cozy, comforting and the perfect alternative to sitting by the fireplace if you don’t have one. Curl up next to the flame with your favorite Christmas drinks like a steaming mug of coffee or cocoa for the ultimate Winter moment.

24. North Pole Hideaway

North Pole Hideaway Yankee Candle — *North Pole Hideaway (via Yankee Candle)*

All you have to do to visit the North Pole is light one of the best Yankee Candle scents, North Pole Hideaway. With notes of cool mint, crisp air and white musk, it really smells like you’re in Santa’s domain. Let visions of the elves tinkering away in the workshop as you breathe in this invigorating scent. Include this candle as part of your fun Elf on the Shelf ideas.

Best Yankee Candle Car Scent

25. Coconut Beach

Coconut Beach Yankee Candle — *Coconut Beach (via Yankee Candle)*

Picture this: you step off the plane onto a pristine, white sandy beach and feel the cool breeze on your skin. Even if a tropical getaway isn’t in the cards this year, the best Yankee Candle scents can take you there, and Coconut Beach is one of them. It’s the perfect blend of pineapple, Tahitian vanilla and lei blossom, with a hint of salty air as the cherry on top of this piña colada of sorts. When you can’t sip rum cocktails on the beach in an island paradise, this is the next best thing. Coconut Beach is especially great as a car freshener because it brings the relaxing vibes of the beach into stressful situations on the road.

26. MidSummer’s Night

MidSummer’s Night Yankee Candle — *MidSummer’s Night (via Yankee Candle)*

Some people say MidSummer’s Night smells a bit like cologne, but that’s what makes it one of the best Yankee Candle scents for cars. It’s a masculine blend of musk, patchouli, sage and mahogany, and it has a hint of that new car smell everyone loves. Despite the name of this candle, it isn’t just for Summer. Hang it up anytime your car needs a boost of freshness to make the daily commute more enjoyable or give it as one of the top gifts for men who love to keep their car fresh.

27. Macintosh

Macintosh Yankee Candle — *Macintosh (via Yankee Candle)*

Make your car smell just like an apple orchard with one of the best Yankee Candle scents: Macintosh. This candle is so realistic, it’s almost uncanny. If you take a deep breath, you can almost convince yourself that you’re biting into a ripe, juicy Macintosh apple. The crispness and sweet-tart flavor is perfectly conveyed in the scent, and it’s sure to become your new favorite.

Best Yankee Candle Scents FAQs

What Is The Most Popular Yankee Candle Smell?

Pink Sands Yankee Candle — *Pink Sands (via Yankee Candle)*

Pink Sands is widely regarded as the best Yankee Candle scent. It’s a summertime classic, with floral notes complemented by citrus undertones. A tropical, beachy essence rounds out this delightfully sweet candle. Whether you use it as a car freshener or to liven up a room, you can’t help but daydream about carefree days spent with your toes in the sand, the sun on your skin and a cold drink in your hand.

If it’s summertime, perhaps Pink Sands will inspire you to book the beach vacation you’ve been dreaming about. On the other hand, you can light it during the dead of Winter to lift your spirits until the days get longer and brighter.

Which Yankee Candles Last The Longest?

Any of the Original Large Jar candles are the best Yankee Candle scents if you want to maximize the burn time of your favorite fragrances. They usually burn for a total of roughly 150 hours. The Signature Large Jar and Signature Large Tumbler Candles are also good options, with burn times of 90 and 100 hours, respectively. You’ll have more scents to choose from if you can stand to be flexible about the burn time, so it’s nice that Yankee offers several comparable options.

Why Is Yankee Candle The Best?

Yankee Candle is one of the most popular candle companies for several reasons. One, the burn time is significantly longer than that of many other brands, so you get the most bang for your buck. You can use the best candle warmers to make the burn time last even longer. The best Yankee Candle scents permeate a room, even when the fragrance notes are subtle. Even in a blind smell test, it’s easy to identify the particular scent you’re smelling because Yankee knows the art of fragrance distribution.

Perhaps the strongest argument for why Yankee Candle is the best is the vast array of scents available to choose from. There are over 600 scents, including seasonal and limited edition varieties, as well as car fresheners. Yankee also prides itself on using natural ingredients, such as soy-wax blends and premium grade paraffin wax, which helps the scents smell authentic rather than artificial. Another option to look for is the best Bath and Body Works Candles.

The best Yankee Candle scents aren’t just fragrances; they’re experiences you can revisit time and time again when you want to evoke a particular feeling. Whether you’re looking for a springtime refresh, the Best Yankee Candle scents for the holidays or anything in between, these candles bring comfort, joy and warmth all year round.

For even more fun candle experiences, check out what's happening on Classpop!