20 Best Cheap Scented Candles – Affordable Candle Brands

Whether your apartment still reeks of the pepperoni pizza you impulsively ordered last night at 2 a.m., or you’ve just had a draining, deadline-ridden day at work, the thing you need, my friend, is a candle. A candle! Yes, it’s that simple. We may not have the answer to world peace, but the answer to your space smelling truly amazing is a quick online search away.

See, a candle is a wonderfully magical item. The right candle can help you de-stress and unwind, clear away funky odors, and even set the mood if you have, erm, more ~sexy~ things in mind. But as you probably know all too well, candles often cost a small fortune—plus an arm, a leg, and your firstborn child, especially if you’re going for that SoulCycle-esque massive candle display look. Why does it seem like all the good things in life require a friggin’ down payment?!

And while I totally understand the appeal of treating yourself to a high-end, ultra-luxe product every once in a while, you really don’t need to drain your bank account for an expensive candle. In fact, these days, there are plenty of candles that A) smell like paradise and B) won’t make you go bankrupt. So here are 20 extremely chic (and, crucially, extremely cost-effective) candle options that won’t cost you a penny over $40. They smell great and are guaranteed to make your space feel cozy, warm, and oh-so aromatic. Plus: They’ll look quite ~aesthetic~ on your Instagram, just sayin’.