If you’re searching for the best summer candle, you’re in the right place. Long-time readers will know just how candle-obsessed we are, and over the years we’ve tried and tested more candles than you can poke a stick at. Each year, we bring you the best candles for the season, and this summer we’ve found plenty of new brands to try. Whether summer vibes mean salty beach air, eucalypt trees, caramelised fig or zesty notes of lemon, you’re sure to find a fragrance to love in our round up of the best summer scent candles.
Finding the perfect candle can be hit and miss. Some smell sickly, others don’t carry scent once lit, and don’t even get us started on those that use a wick that’s too small for the candle size which creates that frustrating tunnel down the centre. That’s why we’ve only featured candles we genuinely love. Ones that smell like summer, burn beautifully and look just as good as they smell.
Shop with confidence from our curated edit of the best candles for summer, featuring standout Australian and international brands.
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1. Eumundi candle by Etikette from $37
Fresh, bright and quietly complex, the Eumundi candle is summer in a vessel. Zesty top notes of lemon oil, pomegranate and bergamot are softened by cucumber and a subtle salty edge, before settling into a more grounding base of black pepper and cedarwood.
It’s the kind of fragrance that feels clean and uplifting without tipping into overwhelming. Ideal for open-plan living spaces or anywhere you want a fresh and sophisticated atmosphere.
Buy it online here
2. Blue Mountains Mist Forever candle by Lunaire from $38.95
New to the candle scene, we’ve become obsessed with the Forever candles by Lunaire. The reusable vessel is designed to be kept long-term with interchangeable refills you can switch out seasonally (great for the environment and your budget!).
With so many dreamy fragrances to choose from, it was hard to pick a fave but we’re currently burning Blue Mountains Mist and love its fresh and calming scent. The wood wick has a soft crackling that adds to the ambience and sense of luxe.
Buy it online here
3. Surf candle by The Commonfolk from $39.95
Pairing two of our favourite summer scents, coconut and lime, this candle is coastal memories in a vessel. We also love the iconic design with signature dictionary-style label. Made from renewable soy and coconut wax blend and enriched with essential oils, you’ll get up to 40 hours of divine burn time.
Buy it online here
4. Clary Sage candle with optional crystal lid by Black Blaze from $60
For those who prefer to steer clear of overly sweet summer scents, this clary sage candle is grounding, uplifting and beautifully balanced. The herbal notes feel calming rather than heavy, making it ideal for evenings or slower moments at home.
The glass and crystal lid adds a luxe, sculptural touch, making this candle as much a styling piece as it is a scent experience.
Buy it online here
5. Tuscan Fig candle by Lumira $85
If you love a warm, transportive summer scent, Tuscan Fig is a standout. It captures the earthy sweetness of ripe figs on sun-warmed hillsides, blending milky fig pulp and fresh green leaves with hints of blackcurrant, patchouli and musk.
Creamy, elegant and beautifully balanced, this is a candle that instantly elevates a space and feels indulgent without being heavy.
Buy it online here
6. Sea Salt candle by Palm Beach $89.95
Palm Beach Collection is a family owned and run Australian business and we adore their luxurious yet affordable range of hand poured scented candles. So many would be perfect for summer but ‘Sea Salt’ closely followed by ‘Coconut & Lime’ take the cake for us.
Buy it online here
7. Kyoto in Bloom candle by Glasshouse from $54.95
Glasshouse has been a staple in our candle round-ups year after year, and Kyoto in Bloom is a standout for summer. Floral without being overpowering, it’s layered, long-lasting and instantly recognisable.
If you’re after a candle that delivers on fragrance throw and feels like a reliable favourite, this is one you’ll come back to again and again.
Buy it online here
How to care for your candle (and make it last longer)
Once you find the perfect summer scent candle, use these simple tricks to get the most out of it:
- on the first burn, let the candle burn for long enough for the wax to melt all the way to the edge of the vessel. This helps prevent that annoying tunnelling issue we mentioned earlier
- trim your wick before lighting. Overly-long wicks can cause a smoky flame and fill your candle with soot
- between burns, consider covering your candle with a glass cloche. This prevents dust from settling on the wax and doubles as a beautiful styling detail. We’ve got more tips on that below.
Tips to style candles in your home
You can’t really go wrong with where you place a candle but if you’re looking to elevate the way you style candles in your home, we’ve got you covered.
Stylist-approved tips on decorating with candles:
- use a candle in a small styled arraignment (often called a vignette), such as placing it on top of a stack of books, next to a lamp or vase, and pair it with one or two decorative items. We share all our tips on how to create a vignette in this article
- style a candle on a tray in the bathroom or kitchen. Position it on your vanity or beside the kitchen sink alongside a hand wash (and possibly a hand lotion) for a hotel-like aesthetic
- elevate your coffee table with a candle, coasters and stack of books. We’ve got plenty of ideas on how to style your coffee table with ease.
Do you have a favourite candle for summer? Share it in the comments below so we can add it to this list of the best summer scent candles. We’re always on the hunt for new candles!
Check out more of our favourite buys here
Disclaimer: this article was first published in November 2019 and continues to be updated with new candles. This article contains some affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only ever link to products we genuinely love and would happily recommend to a friend.
