Maybe you’re inviting friends around, lounging in the coolness of your indoor sanctuary, or rekindling your garden love affair. However you throw yourselves into the glory of summer, these candles (out of eleven, nine made the cut) ooze the carefree, sun drenched vibes you’ve been yearning for, all for under £25.
For example, I’ve been lighting my Octo Italian garden candle in the kitchen as the sun’s rays peep through the blinds in the morning. The herbaceous aroma drifts through the house, making it so mediterranean and luxurious, the untidiness seems almost unnoticeable!
Summer candles ought to have an impressive fragrance release, especially if you’re lighting them outside (wind permitting). And you want the blend to be evocative, to truly feel immersed in this season.
Beachy vibes or smoky and sensual, find your perfect summer candles here.
1
Aery Indian Sandalwood
Brand: Aery
Price: £19.60
Size: 140g
Scent: Pink pepper, raspberry, tonka and tobacco and cedar and sandalwood
Burn time: 30 hours
Wax: Soy
Oil type: Essential and fragrance blend
Imagine those warm breezy nights of faint laughter drifting through open windows with a smoky sweet scent lingering in the air like a seductive secret. Light Aery Indian Sandalwood and you’d wish the candle would never end.
Perfect for when the sun is setting with your feet up, finally unwinding and in the moment. Or before bed to create an exotic intimate ambience.
This is one of my favourites and I can’t get enough of the floorless woody, subtly sweet blend.
Being the more affordable, smaller version, I would let it pool for at least 30 mins to truly be immersed in its woody, spicy sensuality.
Charming summer companion for a little mystery and allure.
2
La Jolie Muse tomato and vine 2 wick
Price: £19
Brand: La Jolie Muse
Scent notes: Tomato, fig, grapefruit, cedar, moss, Patchouli
Size: 340g
Wax type: Soy
Oil type: Premium fragrance oils
Burn time: 60 hrs
After only 10 mins of having this lit in my kitchen diner, my space was enveloped in the uncanny fresh greenhouse scent of tomato and vine. Blended beautifully with earthy, mossy notes and the surprise twist of grapefruit (which my mother in law detected straight away!), the intricate layers really transport you to a luscious summer allotment.
With two wicks it covers a vast area. Much longer lasting than a more expensive smaller candle on the market.
As talked about, green, genderless, aromatic scents are very much on trend in 2025 and if you want a tomato candle that’s just as strong and clean burning as any other pricier candle out there – Loewe’s for example is £88, this is it.
Familiar, nostalgic and warm, this candle undeniably gives you summer vibes.
3
Lily-Flame Bluebell
Price: £11.67
Brand: Lily-Flame
Scent notes: Bluebells, jasmine, lilac rose, wood, cut grass, apple
Size: 230g
Wax type: Mineral
Oil type: Perfume
Burn time: 35hrs
I had to mention Lily-Flame once more because of this particular great blend and its powerful fragrance release. Granted, it’s a small tin but due to the strength of the fresh, dewy scent of flowers, you can afford to have it lit only for a short period.
The scent lingers beautifully and really does smell authentic, like a garden or field of bluebells. Yes, they primarily bloom in the springtime, but the addition of equally fragrant flowers such as jasmine and rose, make this ideal for summertime happiness.
4
Ocoee House Summer Holiday
Price: £24.99
Brand: Ocoee House
Scent notes: Coconut, pineapple, grapefruit, peach
Size: 450g
Wax type: Soy
Oil type: Premium fragrance
Burn time: 45hrs
That’s the candle lit in my kitchen on Father’s day – a warm carefree Sunday, air filled with love and excitement for the day ahead. As the kids were rallying around finding their cards and presents, the atmosphere was filled with quintessential holiday vibes evoking a beach bar brimming with freshly cut pineapple and coconuts.
If you like your typically sweet, creamy pina colada-esque aromas to kick start your summer, you won’t be disappointed with this. It also comes with a wooden lid!
5
Octo Italian Garden
Price: £20.69
Brand: Octo
Scent notes: Rosemary, orange and sage
Size: 250ml wax
Wax type: Soy
Oil type: Essential oil
Burn time: 40 hrs
If you love the scent of herbs that evoke lush Italian landscape, Octo transports you to a mediterranean terracotta escape quite nicely, for the price.
I had this lit in my kitchen on a warm day with patio and windows wide open, whilst enjoying some marble art with the kids. With the distinct waft of rosemary and sage blended well with orange, the whole space felt relaxed, homely and summery.
6
Scents of the wild relax and unwind
Price: £19
Brand: Scents of the Wild
Scent notes: Lavender, patchouli, Ylang ylang
Size: 180ml
Wax type: Soy
Oil type: Essential oil
Burn time: 40 hrs
If you’re one for shunning the sun (in the nicest possible way), for a cooler quieter experience indoors, you may want to enhance your ‘you’ time with floral, herbal aromatherapy. I utterly love this blend and the wax melt versions are my go to for treating my self to calmer moments, when I succumb to exactly what I want to do…relax!
Lavender soothes, patchouli grounds, and ylang ylang mesmerises with its floral charm. Altogether, they create a stunning scent. But it’s the burst of sweet orange that brings a luxurious intricacy, wrapping your space in a tranquil, summery atmosphere that’s undeniable – even if you are taking a break from the sun!
7
White Company Capri signature scented candle
Price: £16 (on offer) Usual price £24
Brand: White Company
Scent notes: Watermelon, basil and cucumber
Size: 140g
Wax type: Mineral
Oil type: premium fragrance
Burn time: 30 hrs
This refreshing, deliciously summery blend ought to be made into a chilled drink, surely. In fact, I think I’ll give it a go!
The gourmand scent of basil mingles with distinct juicy cucumber and watermelon, creating ribbons of cool aromatic freshness in the air. It’s no wonder so many just have to light this at summertime.
Ideal in a conservatory or summerhouse due to its more affordable size, it does really get you in the mood for long, light-hearted sunlit days.
8
Wildrace, Sorrento Sun
Price: £17.95
Brand: Wildrace
Scent notes: Sorrento lemons bergamot, lavender
Size: 350g
Wax type: Soy
Oil type: 100% essential oils
Burn time: 40 hrs
Luscious, lemony love in a candle. If you have a BBQ planned, this would be a great candle to have lit to balance out the smokiness and add some freshness to the air. Who cares if the dark clouds gather just as you’re about to sizzle that sausage, when you’ve got zesty summer vibes filling your home?
Sorrento Sun epitomises summer not only with its juicy citrus punch, but insect repelling properties.
I had a similar lemon candle lit on holiday in Tuscany (yes, my dream became a reality!) and I can honestly say, the gnats stayed well away – if only for a while!
9
Blomus Sea salt and sage
Brand: Blomus
Price: £3.95
Number of oils: 1
Size: 290g
Scent: Sea salt, woody and lavender
Wax type: Soy
Oil type: Natural and premium fragrance
Burn time: 55 hrs
If you love your cool, clean scents of ocean spray, this one evokes the salty, marine air of the sea. Being smaller than my three wick version, a medium sized room such as compact double bedroom will still reap its benefits.
The fragrance truly is dreamy. I love to light mine either at dusk or early morning during some introspection when the calm of the world complements the candle’s wistful sentiment.
Subtle but solid over time, if you don’t like overly scented or potent candles, Blomus delivers more naturally, just like a steady stroll along a beautiful coastline.