Best Harry Potter Candles: Lumos Maxima

As Dumbledore said, “Happiness can be found, even in the darkest times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” Candles can light a space, bring joy, and offer cozy comfort.

The Great Hall of Hogwarts itself is illuminated with countless floating candles that provide illumination and comfort to first years as they pluck up the courage to approach the sorting hat and learn their house.

Alongside their incandescent glow, candles provide scents that evoke emotions and transform a space. This holds true about Harry Potter candles that have the potential to bring joy to Potterheads and help us experience our favorite tale with a new sense of immersion.

With the right candle, a Gryffindor can evoke the feeling of chatting with friends in the common room. Or perhaps smell the effects of Molly Weasley’s cooking on an early morning breakfast at the Burrow. Nothing ensnares the senses quite like a good candle.

Bottom Line Up Front

Many Harry Potter candles are on the market, but here I have gathered a curated list of my favorites. The candle options range from those that are outright Harry Potter themed to scents that I think embody some of my favorite places in the Wizarding World. If you are looking for the number 1 pick, what I feel would win the House Cup, then it’s this set from Short Story,

Short Story Harry Potter Candle Collection. This candle set caters to members of all houses, and its gem and mineral details add a flair of magic!

Selection Criteria

When searching for the perfect Harry Potter candle, it is a great idea to ensure you are purchasing quality goods. In order to do so, I check for these qualities:

• Dye-Free
• Soy wax or soy-coconut blend
• Quality packaging
• Paraffin free
• Cotton wicks

Product Recommendations

For Those Who Call Hogwarts Home

The Common Room Candle

This candle gives off strong Gryffindor common room vibes. With its cozy notes of vanilla and cedarwood, I can just imagine it burning in the common room while Hermione knits hats for S.P.E.W. Constructed with a soy-coconut blend, it is the perfect addition to any Potterhead’s candle collection.

Scent Profile: Vanilla, Cedarwood, and Sunshine

Pros

• Soy-coconut base blend
• Hand poured in the USA
• Comes with a lid for smoke-free extinguishing

Cons

• Only offered in an 11oz size
• Shipping is not included
• With only one wick, the candle is only ideal for single rooms

Charmed Aroma Time Turner Candle with Necklace

Highlighting the time turner, this candle is perfect for those whose favorite film is The Prisoner of Azkaban. It features a beautiful blue and gold design with a hidden Time-Turner necklace inside. If only we could use that Time-Turner to speed up the burning time and reach the hidden treasures inside a little faster!

Scent Profile: Plum and Red Currant

Pros

• It comes with a hidden time turner necklace inside the candle wax which is revealed as it burns
• Includes a lid for smokeless extinguishing
• The deep blue container with gold accents makes it a great option for any Ravenclaw.

Cons

• Only offered in a 10.5oz size
• Higher price point than most other comparable candles
• Not available in other colors that would better suit a Slytherin, Gryffindor, or Hufflepuff

The Forbidden Forest

I love the amber glass of this candle. It is perfect for those who prefer a herbology classroom look in their Harry Potter merch. With notes of earth, moss, and sage, I imagine this is what Neville Longbottom would smell like after a day spent in the Herbology greenhouse working with Professor Sprout on replanting the Mandrakes.

Scent Profile: Earth, Moss, and Sage

Pros

• The perfect aesthetic for those who love Herbology class
• Paraffin-free, 100% soy candle
• Dye-free
• 50-hour total estimated burn time 

Cons

• Must trim wick 1/4in. after each burn per candle instructions
• Recommends only a 4-hour burn time per session
• I wish this scent were presented as an Herbology candle, as I feel the scent profile fits that well. In contrast, I would like to have seen darker/spookier packaging and scents paired together for a Forbidden Forest candle.

Color Changing Hogwarts Candle

The cork lid of this Hogwarts-themed candle sets it apart from many others. It features neutral color tones until lit. Once it burns, it will reveal one of the Hogwarts house colors. This candle is perfect to gift to a new Harry Potter fan. Use it to help them be “sorted” into their Hogwarts house as it burns to reveal one of the four house colors!

Scent Profile: Unscented

Pros

• Unscented for sensitive noses
• Exciting house color reveal as it burns
• Coco wax

Cons

• Only available in a small size
• You cannot select the house color you want to appear as it burns
• I wish this was also available in a three-wick design, as I feel the color reveal would be more exciting that way!

Platform 9 ¾ Candle

This candle is perfect for those who treasure the journey more than the destination! With classic Harry Potter imaging and no scent, it makes a great gift to remind Potterheads of the Hogwarts Express and the joy that can be found in returning to Hogwarts for another year of adventure, weather that is through the pages of a book or on the silver screen.

Scent Profile: Unscented

Pros

• Coco-soy wax blend
• Classic Harry Potter 9 ¾ symbol
• Scent free

Cons

• Only available in small votive size
• Imaging is only on one side of the candle, making it great for a bookshelf but not ideal for a coffee table or more prominent space
• Not soy based wax

Short Story Harry Potter Candle Collection

This is the best set of Harry Potter candles by far! It features gorgeous packaging, incredible gem and mineral details, and a separate candle choice for each Hogwarts house!

Of all the candles I have surveyed, these by far outshine the rest in terms of design, uniqueness, and overall magical feel. When lit, their glow only enhances the Hogwarts House color to which they correlate. In addition, the scents chosen to represent each house feel perfect for how I always imagined each common room to smell.

Scent Profile:

• Gryffindor- Cinnamon and Smoked wood
• Slytherin- Leather and Black Lake Pine
• Hufflepuff- Pecan Pie and Toasted Butterscotch
• Ravenclaw- Amber and Patchouli

Pros

• Different scents that genuinely capture the essence of each Hogwarts house for each candle
• Very high-quality packaging which makes them excellent for gifting
• Incredible attention to detail with the design, making them stand out among other simple candle styles
• Shipping time of only 3-5 days, both within the USA and internationally

Cons

• High price for shipping at $25
• No option is available for the Darks Arts or Death Eater motif
• Only single wick options available

For Those Who Dream of Spending a Summer at the Burrow

Weasley is Our King Candle

Loartco. Offers gorgeous hand-poured candles with an eye for minimalism in merch. This Weasley is Our King candle is perfect for any who loves Ron Weasley’s moment in the spotlight. With notes of Teakwood and Tonka, it smells just how I imagined our favorite Keeper would!

Scent Profile: Honey, Teakwood, Tonka, and Oud

Pros

• Minimalist design
• Soy candle
• Includes a lid for smokeless extinguishing
• Homemade by hand, which adds a touch of care

Cons

• Order fulfillment time of 3-4 weeks
• May be sold out frequently as the creator makes them available in batches.
• Only a Ron-themed candle is available from this maker, I would love to see this candle included in a set with our other favorites from the trio- Harry and Hermione.

The Burrow Candle

This candle is perfect for those who appreciate the Burrow for what it is- as Ron says- “it’s not much, but it’s home.” With notes of burnt sugar and bourbon, I can easily associate it with a warm hug from Arthur Weasley after returning home from a semester at Hogwarts.

Scent Profile: Burnt sugar and honey bourbon

Pros

• Features a rendition of the Burrow on the label
• Soy wax composition
• It comes with a lid

Cons

• Slow production time
• Only available in a single wick design which limits the dispersal of scent throughout a large space

Breakfast at the Burrow Candle

Breakfast at the Burrow features a neutral design that perfectly fits the cozy aesthetic of the Weasley home.

The scents of amber, fig, and brown sugar bring to mind Molly Weasley cooking in the kitchen with pots and pans flying around the room washing themselves as she rolls out dough for a puff pastry to make pumpkin pasties for a sweet breakfast treat. Nothing beats the smell of home cooking first thing in the morning.

Scent Profile: Fig, Brown Sugar, Amber

Pros

• It comes in multiple sizes, 4oz, 8oz, or 16oz
• Paraffin-free
• Dye-free
• The triple wick option is great for large spaces
• Essential Oils used for scents

Cons

• Slow shipping times
• Difficult website to navigate to make purchases
• Must trim wicks 1/4in. Between burns to ensure an even burn

Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes Candle

A colorful tin candle is a perfect design to embody the bright inventions found within Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes shop. As such, this candle makes a fine addition to any Weasley display alongside some Skiving Snackboxes!

Scent Profile: Mint

Pros

• Colorful design
• The cheerful and bright mint scent fits the energetic Weasley twins
• Design can be used as decoration long after the candle is completely burned

Cons

• Small size, which is really only suitable for burning in a small space
• Can be difficult to find in stock, so the best bet is to purchase on Amazon or Insight Luminaries
• Tin container, which isn’t as preferable as a glass.

For Those Making Polyjuice in the Girl’s Bathroom

Potions Classroom Candle

The minimal design of this candle label makes it the perfect pick for someone who enjoys subtle Harry Potter merch in their home. I love the cheeky on the label: “a unique blend of cold dungeon air, pickled animals in glass jars, and mixing magical ingredients.” Sounds delightful, but I much prefer its actual notes of citrus and sage!

Scent Profile: Lemon-lime citrus and Herbal sage

Pros

• Available in two sizes; 8oz and 16oz
• Vegan
• Handcrafted in Pennsylvania

Cons

• Only available in one color
• Only has an average of 35 hour burn time
• Available in single-wick options only, which isn’t ideal for large spaces

Hogwarts Cauldron Candle

A cauldron that could be seen on any Hogwarts student’s school supply list, this candle would make a great addition to any potion-masters bookshelf. I love that it features a green wax that reminds me of Harry, Ron, and Hermione brewing and ingesting Polyjuice potion in their second year at Hogwarts.

Scent Profile: Eucalyptus, Clove, Cypress, and Cinnamon

Pros

• 50-hour burn time
• Soy wax
• Great scent profile that is both clean and spicy- perfect for any potion
• Reusable container

Cons

• Does include dye
• Small size cauldron, I wish it was available in a larger size to make more of a design statement
• Subpar packaging makes it less ideal to gift

For Those in Their Marauders Era

Marauder’s Map Candle

This candle features Marauder’s map design. When lit, the map’s hallways are revealed- Couldn’t hurt to throw in “I Solemnly swear I am up to no good” as you light it, too- just in case! And naturally, don’t forget to say ‘Mischief Managed” as you blow it out!

Scent Profile:  Unscented

Pros

• Features revealed when the candle is lit
• Classic Marauder’s design easily recognizable by Harry Potter fans
• Gryffindor’s red and gold color theme is perfect for Mooney, Padfoot, and Prongs.

Cons

• Only one small votive size is available
• No lid included
• Not paraffin-free

House of Sillage Hogwarts Candle

This is one of the most expensive candles on the list. It offers a high-quality Harry Potter candle choice that would be perfect for gifting to a Potterhead. House of Sillage is known for fine quality fragrances, and this candle is no exception. It boasts beautiful packaging along a side complicated and sophisticated scent profile.

Scent Profile: Clearwood, Ambergris, Ginger Blossom, Birchwood, Sweet Hay, Mandarin Sfuma, Blue Lavender, Black Pepper, and Blackcurrant Bud

Pros

• Limited Edition
• High quality
• Made in USA
  60-hour burn time

Cons

• The high price point for one 8oz candle
• Does not include lid
• Must trim wick 1/8 – ¼ in. between burns

For a Trip to Hogsmeade

Butterbeer Candle

For many Harry Potter fans, Butterbeer is the perfect way to bring some of the Wizarding world into our own. With this candle, experience the smells of sitting in the Three Broomsticks as you sip on a sickeningly sweet Butterbeer.

Scent Profile: Butter, Caramel, Rum

Pros

• Available in a three-wick size of 18 oz
• 100% Soy wax
• Dye-free
• Comes with a lid for each size

Cons

• No small candle option is available
• Recommended that you only burn this candle for 4 hours at a time
• Difficult website to navigate for purchase

Honeydukes Candle Set

This Honeydukes candle set comes with three different single-wick candles. This set is perfect for splitting up between friends so you can all remember your trip to Hogsmeade. With candles representing Exploding Bon Bons, Chocolate Frogs, and Sugar Quills, you are each bound to find your favorite!

Scent Profile: Dessert

Pros

• 25-hour burn time per candle
• 100% Soy wax
• Candles stack onto each other for cute display

Cons

• Only available as a set
• Metal tin containers
• When split, only one candle has a lid, while two do not.
• All three have the same generic sweet scent. I wish they would have correlated the scent to the Honeydukes dessert they feature on the design of the tin.

For Those Who Reside in Malfoy Manor

Dark Mark Candle

The Dark Mark is prominent on this black and gold candle. Its simplistic design and quality packaging make it an excellent gift for any Death Eater. I love that the design highlights the dark mood of the dark arts while emphasizing Tom Riddles’s Dark Mark in gold. The scent profile for this candle is complex and moody, making it exude Malfoy attitude in spades.

Scent Profile: Dark fruit, Lemon, Crushed Pepper, Apple, Jasmine, Patchouli, Birch, Black Amber, Oakmoss, and Musk.

Pros

• Complex scent notes
• 100% Soy wax
• Quality packaging
• 50 hour burn time
• Comes in nice packaging also features the dark mark

Cons

• Only available a 4in. x 3in. size
• Machine-made, not hand poured

Mahogany Apple

This three-wick candle from Bath and Body Works is known throughout the Harry Potter fandom as the candle that smells like Draco Malfoy.

This concept originated from the character’s penchant for eating green apples. For those who aren’t sure about the scent, this candle is found at almost all Bath and Body Works stores which makes it easy to smell it in person before purchasing. I will say I love how this candle smells; however, it is very potent.

I can usually burn mine for about an hour before I blow it out because the scent is overwhelming. In a way, that is a good thing because it will last for a long time and certainly scents a large room easily.

Additionally, because this candle isn’t outwardly Harry Potter themed, it is a great way to add a little subtle Wizarding World magic to your home without it being blatantly Harry Potter merch.

Scent Profile: Red mahogany woods, delicious golden apple, pink peppercorn, and fresh lavender.

Pros

• Easily found in stores to smell before purchasing
• 25-45 hour burn time
• Lead-free three wicks which work well to fill a large room with scent quickly

Cons

• The strong scent could be overwhelming for those with sensitive noses. I am not that sensitive to smells, but still only burn it for about an hour.
• Machine-made, not hand poured

Dark Arts Votive Set

This Dark Arts votive set includes candles with a Dark Mark, Death Eater mask, the Deathly Hallows, and a snake. The set is perfect for adding a touch of Death Eater aesthetic to your home. I can easily picture this set dispersed among certain Slytherin dorm rooms, making this set a great choice for those who like to cast the Morsmordre and terrify their companions.

Scent Profile:

• Deathly Hallows- Cypress, Herbs, and Sea Salt
• Death Eater Mask- Blood Orange, Crushed Spices
• Dark Mark- Dark Fruits
• Snake- Smoked Honey and Black Rose

Pros

• 20-hour burn time per candle
• Different scents between different candles in the set
• Varying designs highlight the most prominent Dark Arts symbols

Cons

• Not sold separately, only as a 4-piece set
• Non-consistent scents make them best to burn separately, not together
• Ideal for smaller spaces as they are only available as single-wicks

For Those Who Would Spend Every Afternoon on the Quidditch Pitch

Charmed Aroma Golden Snitch Candle

The officially licensed golden snitch shines in this Quidditch-inspired Harry Potter candle. Not only does it feature an incredible Snitch design, but it also includes surprise jewelry held within its wax! As the candle burns, it will reveal either a broom, snitch, or Harry Potter glasses-themed necklace.

Scent Profile: Champagne Shimmer

Pros

• Candle casing can be used as decoration after the candle is burned
• Includes surprise jewelry
• 40-hour burn time
• Officially Licensed
• 100% cotton wick

Cons

• Contains Paraffin
• Packaging is lacking in design
• Wings of snitch are made of plastic

The Quidditch Pitch Candle

For those who would spend their free time honing their seeker skills on the pitch, this candle is the perfect scent to transport them to Hogwarts. With notes of caramel and popcorn, I imagine it embodies the experience of cheering “Fight Fight Gryffindor” for your favorite house team from the high height of the Quidditch pitch stands while snacking on caramel corn.

Scent Profile: Coconut, Caramel, Popcorn

Pros

• Unique scent profile
• Snitch golden color
• 100% soy wax
• Paraffin and dye free

Cons

• No lid included
• Only available in one size
• Single wick suitable for small spaces which might struggle to fill a large room

Hogwarts House Candles by Homesick

Slytherin

For Those Who Prize Cunning Above All Else- This minimalistic Slytherin candle from Homesick is a great way to show your house pride in a subtle manner. With notes that capture smell of the Slytherin common room with hints of the Black Lake, rich undertones of clove and vetiver, and layers of suede and oakmoss.

Scent Profile: Lake Water, Clove, Vetiver, Dark Plum, Oakmoss, Suede

Pros

• 60-80 hour burn time
• No parabens
• Scents that capture the feeling of being inside the Slytherin common room with its view of the Black Lake.

Cons

• Only available in 13.75oz size
• Only available in a single wick which may not be able to scent a large space
• I would have liked to see this available with a green or black wax, instead of only white.

Ravenclaw

For Those with a Ready Mind Full of Wit and Learning- this minimalistic Ravenclaw candle from Homesick is the perfect gift for a new Potterhead to share in their house pride!  

You can even personalize a note to be printed on the back of the candle. With notes of Parchment and musk it evokes a sense of opening an old tome for study in the stacks of the Hogwarts library. Once burned, a surprise design is visible!

Scent Profile: Sage, Parchment, Velvet, Mint, Musk, Vanilla

Pros

• No dyes
• No Phthalates
• Blue Ravenclaw label
• 60-80 hour burn time
• Cotton wicks

Cons

• High price point
• Frequently sold out due to high demand

Hufflepuff

For the Loyal and Patient Unafraid of Toil- with its delicious aromas, this candle captures the scents of the Hufflepuff common room, located right next to the Hogwarts kitchens. As delicious notes of apple, honey, burnt sugar, and hazelnut waft to your nose, you will crave a trip to the kitchens to ask the house elves for a midnight snack!

Scent Profile: Green Apple, Chamomile, Honey, Patchouli, Burnt Sugar, Hazelnut

Pros

• Natural Soy Wax Blend
• Cotton Wicks
• Long average burn time

Cons

• Often sold out due to high demand
• Only available in white wax, no yellow for house pride
• Shipping costs for one candle

Gryffindor

For the Brave of Heart with Daring and Nerve to Set Them Apart – In classic Gryffindor packaging, this candle embodies the spirit of the brave with a minimal design.

Once the wax is burned, it will reveal a hidden design, making this container reusable for décor purposes. The scent notes of nutmeg, fireplace, and cinnamon stir recollection of Christmas time at Hogwarts and Harry’s first Christmas with a family alongside his new friend Ron.

Scent Profile: Lemon, Nutmeg, Fireplace, Cedarwood, Cinnamon, Sandalwood, Amber, Vanilla

Pros

• Gryffindor styled packaging
• Hidden design revealed after burning
• Soy wax
• Cotton wick

Cons

• No lid is included
• Single wick style may struggle to fill a larger room with scent
• Only available in white wax; no burgundy or gold available

For Those Who Can’t Cast an Incendio

Hogwarts House Set Flameless Candles

These well-designed Hogwarts House pillar candles feature flameless operation perfect to leave “burning” throughout your entire Harry Potter movie marathon.

The sculpted design of the Hogwarts house mascots makes them appear as if they come straight from the castle itself- and with a remote, you can feel a little bit like a wizard yourself- switching them on just as the Harry Potter theme music begins.

Pros

• Quality design that mimics Hogwarts House mascots
• Great price for the set
• It comes with a remote
• Free returns offered for 365 days

Cons

• Only available to purchase as a complete set
• High shipping costs of $10.99
• The base metal colors for both Hufflepuff and the Hogwarts crest are the same. I would have rather seen a change to silver for Hufflepuff to keep the set more aesthetically pleasing when lined up together.

Flameless Floating Candles with Wand

No list of Harry Potter candles could ever be complete without the floating candles we all adore from the Great Hall. These flameless candles are the best option for those wishing to turn their home into the Great Hall of Hogwarts. With a remote wand to turn them on or off, you can finally feel like you accepted that letter from Hogwarts. I love that they flicker to mimic real candles.

Pros

• It comes in a pack of 20
• Includes a remote wand
• Flicker setting available to mimic the appearance of real candles
• Includes string and glue dots to adhere to the ceiling

Cons

• Does require batteries for operation, which are not included
• Priced at $1.90 per candle
• Some users report intermittent functioning of the wand remote

FAQs

Nox

Nothing is quite as satisfying as curling up with a good book next to a lit candle while you listen to the rain outside. When I do my annual re-read of Harry Potter, I enjoy surrounding myself with the scents of the magical wizarding world.

From candles that pull me into the aromas of reading in the Hogwarts library to the cozy nutmeg-based tones of what I imagine the Burrow to smell like, you can’t go wrong with a Harry Potter candle.

For your next Harry Potter movie marathon, try burning a Butterbeer candle while you snack on your homemade treacle tart. It is sure to bring a little extra magic to your home

Are You Looking for More Harry Potter Merch? Check Out These Links Below!

• Ultimate Harry Potter Pajamas

• An Expert’s Buying Guide on the Best Harry Potter Merch

• Best Harry Potter Blankets Guide To Survive Hogwarts’ Chilly Nights!