Best: Overall

Rating: 10/10

Within the box, you get a 220g soy candle in a glass jar as well as a matching candle refill, plus instructions on how to remove the used wax before adding its replacement. A brilliant concept, we rate the reasonable price point for two products, especially given their luxe quality. The chic glass holder is a frosted finish with an etched pattern featuring a bird, moon, and plants landscape. An all-natural aromatherapy blend, without any synthetics, the scent of palmarosa, lavender and ylang ylang is soothing and comforting. Billed as a sleep well candle, our tester has been lighting throughout the day for a calming fragrance too.

Best: For mind clearing scent

Rating: 9/10

This 350g soy wax candle is presented in a brown glass holder with a rounded base. Also included is quite a heavy to hold, flat black metal lid for storage and a candle stand.  Featuring double wicks that are slimline but substantial enough to light, we picked up on the mind-clearing and cheering eucalyptus, nutmeg, red ginger and cedarwood notes. Generously sized too, the luxurious fragrance oils are highly concentrated, and we saw that pure blend contributes to gentle, calm flames. After burning, the wax pools in an even, levelled off finish ready for the next lighting.

Best: Unique holder

Rating: 9/10

Hand-poured into a clay pot designed by ceramist Nina Paloma, this 360g candle comprises 100 per cent soya wax and two eco-cotton wicks. Our tester noticed the double wicks bring extra scent intensity to this citrus blend. We saw the flames light up its holder’s bronze shaded inside edge too, adding an extra ambience. Its burn is notably flat and even, not dipping at all. We picked up on earthy vetiver and patchouli as well as relaxing lavender and softly floral red mandarin. Although this is an investment, the clay pot is exquisitely detailed and will be an interior addition for years to come.

Best: Supersized candle

Rating: 9/10

A hand-poured soy wax candle with botanical essential oils, this offering from ESPA is presented in a branded white glass holder. An accompanying silver metal lid acts as a handy cover to stop the candle from becoming dusty between uses. We tried the supersize 410g version, but you can also shop for a smaller one. The scent itself comes from ESPA’s positivity range, and we detected sweet, citrus, and floral notes across ingredients including jasmine, rose geranium, bergamot, and orange. Our tester noted the burn to be impressively even, with no dips in its 100 per cent natural wax afterwards, just a smooth flat surface. Fragrance quickly filled our room, bringing a brightening, vibrant aroma, and we found the lid handy to stand this candle on while lit too.

Best: Hand-poured effect

Rating: 8/10

Offering a total burn time of 40 hours, this 30cl natural soya wax candle is hand-poured in two stages with Hebridean seaweed sprinkled into each layer. Set in a white glass holder, there’s also a silver metal lid with sealant edges to secure in place between uses. While burning we noticed the hot wax melts in circular layers, showing those tiny hand-harvested seaweed particles. The fresh scent is gently warming and added a definite spa vibe to our living room, with the lavender, rose, geranium, juniper berry and lemongrass oil blend. Its clean flame doesn’t create any smokiness either.

Best: Delicate fragrance

Rating: 9/10

Made of a 100 per cent natural soy wax blend, this hand-poured 200g candle from Aromatherapy Associates, comes in a curved white ceramic pot with a raised logo on it. Smooth to touch, because of its external composition, the holder doesn’t become hot either. Our tester picked up on the rose scent alongside refreshing geranium and noticed a lightweight fragrance with delicate, sweet botanical notes. A firm favourite thanks to its holder alone, we love the sleek minimalist aesthetic it offers. One for subtle scent fans, it creates a still calm flame with no smoky residue and is designed to last for 40 hours.

Best: For cosiness

Rating: 8/10

This soy wax candle has a cotton and paper wick, is housed in a black glass container and has an estimated burn time of 50 hours. The logo is etched onto its side, so we saw a cosy glow when lit. The orange and geranium essential oil blend makes for a tangy, happy scent that is mood-lifting. Dispersing throughout our lounge, we noticed how much of a widespread aroma the candle brings. Plus, its molten wax pool reaches close to the holder’s side, resulting in an even burn with quite a small but completely clean flame. The joyful scent lingered in our room afterwards too.

Best: Travel size candle

Rating: 8/10

This 120ml brown glass jar boasts a handy twist-off lid and features both soy wax and non-toxic cotton wicks. Offering 25 hours of burn time, the essential oils mix includes neroli and camomile, making for a soothing scent. Our tester also noticed its crisp, pure fragrance. We picked up on a warming woodiness, reminding us of a hazy summer evening. As a smaller candle, the compact size would be ideal for travel too, especially given its tightly secured lid.

Best: For tranquillity

Rating: 8/10

This pretty, hand-poured soy candle has an estimated burn time of at least 45 hours and is presented in a matte white glass holder with a colourful label. Its paraben-free fragrance oils include top notes of heather which our tester noted to bring a soft floral fragrance immediately after lighting. This creamy scent became stronger the longer it was lit, and we smelt a honey sweetness. The candle offers a medium-sized flame that creates a stillness while burning, and no smokiness at all, adding to its enveloping, tranquil vibe.

Best: Deep aroma

Rating: 9/10

Made with vegan ingredients, this natural soy wax candle is a sturdy 300g size and packaged in a sleek Swedish-designed grey glass container. The soy wax itself is a creamy yellow shade which works well against its holder. Alongside truffle, we picked up on its sweet vanilla and jasmine notes, as well as the more concentrated ylang ylang and lighter blackcurrant. The resulting scent is complex with many layers, and spread throughout the room without being too overpowering. The consistently even burn meant we saw no deep dips in the molten wax, and zero signs of black smokiness on the holder’s inside rim either.