Every Bath & Body Works Pumpkin Candle, Ranked

Is there such a thing as too many pumpkin-scented candles? Here at Chatelaine, we certainly don’t think so. In fact, we took it upon ourselves put our expertise in all things pumpkin spice to the test to find the very best gourd-inspired candle to burn this fall.

There’s a long list of brands and retailers that dabble into seasonal candles, but Bath & Body Works is the place to shop if you’re a pumpkin enthusiast. Its fall collection is legendary, and for good reason: There’s truly a scent for everyone. Case in point: We were able to source 13 (!!!) pumpkin-scented candles for this piece. (Most are sold out online, but you can still find them in stores.) We also loved that the brand’s three-wick candles are huge, relatively affordable (about $28 each, but they often go on sale) and can easily fill a room—and even a whole house!—with fragrance.

We smelled and ranked every single pumpkin candle we could get our hands on, and the results are in.

Bath & Body Works Fall Pumpkin Candle Ranking 2024

13. Pumpkin Pecan Waffles 

As a whole, our team tends to prefer spicy fall scents over ones inspired by baked goods. Our reviewers unanimously ranked this candle last. The scent was described as overly sweet, with an overpowering chemical pecan note. One staffer called it “bitter,” while another said it burned their nose.

12. Pumpkin Cinnamon Bun 

Though testers were able to pick out notes of cinnamon and vanilla frosting, they also noted a slight plastic-y scent upon first sniff, which faded away after a while. One tester said it reminded them of the smell of a Canadian Tire store. 

11. Pumpkin S’mores

This twist on the iconic campfire treat failed to wow our testers, most of whom found the scent too vanilla-forward for their taste. The pumpkin was virtually undetectable, which was a let down for our fall-obsessed team. 

10. Pumpkin Apple

Every single one of our testers loved this apple-scented candle with a hint of clove, but pointed out it would be more appropriate for the holiday season. We wished it was a little spicier, with a robust pumpkin note to balance out the festive vibes.

9. Pumpkin Snickerdoodle 

With a spicier base than Pumpkin Cinnamon Bun, this candle was not as sweet. Reviewers were able to identify the creamy cookie note, which sets this candle apart from the brand’s other baked goods-themed candles. “It smells like a Cinnabon store,” one reviewer wrote.

8. White Pumpkin

This one was perhaps one of the most divisive scents of the bunch, which landed it in the middle of the pack. Half of our reviewers found the scent perfectly balanced, while the other found it too floral and perfume-y. What does White Pumpkin smell like? According to one tester, it’s a dupe for Elizabeth Taylor’s White Diamonds fragrance. 

7. Caramel Pumpkin Swirl 

With notes of caramel, brown sugar and spiced pumpkin, this candle lived up to its name. Some found it a little too sweet, but there’s no denying it hit the mark on the seasonal vibes.

6. Farmhouse Pumpkin & Spice

Two Chatelaine staffers described this candle as a more muted version of our winning scent. One reviewer called the notes of heirloom pumpkin, patchouli and fall spices “cozy and homey.” We found the smell pleasant and perfect for fall. 

5. Maple Pumpkin 

The entire team was shocked by how much this smelled like maple. The scent was sweet, but not overpoweringly so, which we all liked.

4. Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin 

This classic scent was a hit with our reviewers, with one calling the mix of spiced pumpkin, cinnamon and clove “the perfect pairing.” It was warm and spicy, but subtle enough to burn anytime. 

3. Pumpkin Spice Latte 

Calling all coffee lovers! This creamy espresso and pumpkin spice combo is a PSL in a jar. We loved the strong java note, which kept the scent from veering into too-sweet territory. 

2. Pumpkin Clove 

Our team raved about this layered combo of clove, cinnamon, nutmeg and pumpkin. “I love how spicy this is!” wrote one tester, while another loved the fact that it didn’t smell like baked goods.

1. Pumpkin Bonfire 

With its sophisticated mix of pumpkin, clove and glowing ember notes, this candle ranked first for nearly all of our testers. One called it “pumpkin spice after dark” and “a bit witchy.” The smoky edge makes it perfect for people who don’t gravitate toward typical fall scents. As one reviewer put it in our notes: “Bravo, Pumpkin Bonfire!”