Scented candles - are they really that good??

[Wavingwhiledrowning]

When I think I'd scented candles I think of my teenage years and cheap, headache inducing things that I mainly just had on display to gather dust. I keep reading posts on MN about how people love their 'xyz' candle/how they're such a treat/wouldn't be without it. So... Are they an actual 'thing' now? Have I missed out on something here? Obviously I've seen them in shops but never given them any thought - I guess in my mind they were just for decorative purposes.
If they really are so lovely and a luxury, I want a piece of the action! Any recommendations? With 3 DCs under 5 (including a newborn) I don't have time to sniff every candle everywhere so pointers would be great. I love fresh, airy scents (but not the classic 'fresh linen' that all air fresheners seem to smell of).

Wow! Didn't expect so many replies! Thanks to all for your recommendations. We're having a rare treat trip to town tomorrow (will probably instantly regret that!) so I'm going to pop into a few shops that have been mentioned. Always wanted an actual reason to go into the White Company.
I've had a wax burner before but got really ticked off with having to stick with a whole block until it had finished. DH complains about smells after a while so I could never leave it burning long enough to make any dent in the volume! Googled the Neom ones - they look lovely!

Err, lesquigh most people are quite capable of enjoying a scented candle without burning their house down. In the same way they enjoy a bath without flooding their house.

Anyway, back on topic, Mojo candles are the best I've found. Bit random - I found them in my local garden centre and I think they're much better than White Company ones.

M&S had a nice red Christmas one that smelled delicious and lasted ages. And DS2 gave me a True Grace one for Christmas that I'm looking forward to.

Also good are the St Eval ones which come in metal tins - you can buy them on ebay.

In terms of 'are they a thing now', they have been 'a thing' for years. But I still like them as they create a cosy atmosphere, as well as smelling nice. And I haven't burnt my house down yet!

Sorry St Eval are on Amazon, not ebay. Well they might be there too, but I've bought mine on Amazon.

I do love some scented candles but I have treated myself to a couple of Lampe Berger.

I have a cotton scent for upstairs and the Elegant Parisienne for the lounge.

They are not cheap but the lamps are beautiful ornaments in themselves.

I find them a bit headachy if i'm honest. we tend to do an essential oils in a diffuser if we want a smell - little tealight under it type of diffuser.

Second St Eval they are lovely. Also try Essence of Harris made in the Western Isles. The other ones I love are Gorse and Still.

White company (verveine), all neom, jo Malone are all vg. If you want smell, the white company little pots of oil are £8 & the winter one is gorgeous. I have 5 back up bottles & use it on pine cones in a vase. Lovely!

Bounty candles are lovely (particularly lime & mango) & they're soy. You can also choose to receive a piece of jewellery with them or just the candle on its own

Max Benjamin :
Enchanted Paths
or
Mimosa and Sweet Amber
or
Maldives

Parks Candles Original
or
Parks Candles Hyacinth

Brook and Shoals: Sweet Pea and Tea Rose

I've tried lots of expensive ones and cheap ones. My favourite one is 'clean cotton' from H&M. Very reasonable and smells beautifully clean.

Max Benjamin are amazing but expensive.

Interesting to see the good reviews of the Aldi Jo Malone dupes, I found them pretty crap as they gave off hardly any scent.

Just a little tip OP, when you burn the candle the first time, make sure you leave it burning long enough to melt all the way to the edge of the jar, otherwise the candle won't ment evenly and it won't last as long. Happy shopping!

Have Aldi reduced the amount of JM dupe fragrances they stock? I love the Wood Sage and Sea Salt, but I haven't seen it for yonks :-(

DH bought me a Diptyque Feu de Bois for Christmas - I’m trying to create country house aura of woodsmoke, beeswax and lavender .

The Diptyque candles are ridiculously expensive (was my only gift from DH, as requested), but but but - I can smell it even when it’s not lit, and it will last until my birthday in June, when I’m hoping he might buy me a Tuberose candle.

Had heard Muji woodsmoke candles were a reasonable substitute and they’re not bad, but don’t have the staying power,

TK Max sometimes have Neom candles.

I've just remembered that & Other Stories also do excellent, affordable candles too.

St Eval Rosemary and Bay and Marks and Spencer’s Mandarin, cinnamon and clove (Christmas range, but currently on sale). These are my favourites and I have tried alot of candles. I don’t rate Yankee either, smell very synthetic to me.

Gatcombe Candle Company produce some fantastic candles and use soy.

I’m a big Diptyque fan as I find they really throw the scent out into the room, and I can often even smell mine when it’s unlit. My favourites are Baies and Figuier. Very expensive indeed but I love them

Sil buys Yankee? From the states. oMG they smell Devine!!

Huge candle fan here. Both fragranced and unfragranced.

My favorote brands are Byredo, White Company and Diptque. The fragrances are so different and lovely.

I love a scented candle. I often get given Yankee candles for gifts but don’t buy them myself.

I like bath and body works that I buy whenever I’m on holiday near a store.

At home I buy from TK Maxx or buy the ones in Waitrose that come in tins. I’ve forgotten the brand name annoyingly.

I don’t find the Aldi jo malone dupes have any fragrance in burning at all. I brought all of the scents to try and they don’t scent my lounge at all on burning. Wheeeas the jo malone ones scent it even without burning.

Make your own using wax and aromatherapy oil!

Yes I tried the blackberry and bay Aldi one and it smelled ok but not strong and very little scent on lighting

I'm a Diptyque fan also. Mega bucks but they last for ages and if I burn it in the evening I can still smell it the next day.
We tend to stick with the Baies scent as they don't have a huge range in the five wick candles and I like to burn diff size ones at the same time around the house (never unattended tho, PP panic not!)
I also love the violette one oooooh.