When you picture Valentine’s Day gifts, an image immediately comes to mind: Racing the aisles of CVS, grabbing some roses (that have doubled in price overnight), a box of chocolates and a pun-tastic card. But you can do better than that. A candle lasts longer than all of those things, and it turns out, Valentine’s Day candles are a thing. There are plenty of scents and styles to choose from—including playful riffs on conversation hearts and refillable options you can enjoy for years to come.

After making, testing, buying and burning dozens over the past four years, here are the top candle brands I’d recommend—and the most V-Day-worthy scents to pick up before Feb. 14th. (And no, they’re not all affiliate; these are things I’m genuinely into, whether there’s an incentive for me or not.)

1. Anthropologie Gourmand Sweet Tonka & Vanilla Glass Jar Candle

It’s hard to say which is better: Anthro’s eye-catching candle jars or the scents themselves. This XS size is ideal for bathrooms and smaller spaces, but don’t let its diminutive nature fool you; it’ll fill the space nicely (with a sweet-yet-not-cloying scent).

2. Paddywax “Love Ya” Candle

This matte candle jar says it all—without skewing cheesy. Paddywax made one of my favorite candle making kits, and I’ve long burned their candles because the fragrances are strong but not overpowering, and the ceramic jars feel thick and sturdy. This scent is warm and cozy, with cinnamon and nutmeg giving way to patchouli, smoky tobacco and vanilla.

3. Target Threshold Heart-Shaped Pink Candle

Admit it: You’re in it for the jar. And who can blame you? Target’s candles are a solid value buy. The scent can be a bit weak, but the candles burn evenly and the vessels are well designed. And if you’re like, Uh, what does verbena smell like? It’s a lemon-y scent that offsets the sweetness of the wildberries in this blend.

4. Boy Smells “Slow Burn” Candle

This collab with Kacey Musgraves has been a hit for years for good reason: Boy Smells candles produce a great hot throw, and this spicy-sultry mix of incense, pepper, raspberry, tonka and cedarwood is unlike anything else we’ve found on the market. “The ‘scentiment’ of SLOW BURN is about pausing along the way to relax and enjoy exactly where you are right now,” Musgraves has said.

5. Candier “You’ve My Favorite” Candle

You’ll score 60 hours of feeling transported to a springtime farmers market—thanks to a blend of grapefruit, apple, peach and cherry blossom—but the real joy here is the tiny wax heart confetti that stud this candle. If you’re going to give a Valentine’s Day candle, you might as well go all out, right?!

6. Siblings Candles Sweet Treats Pack

Another one of our fave candle kits, Siblings’s reusable candles ensure you’ll enjoy fresh scents long after Feb. 14th has passed. This bundle comes with everything you need—minus the jar—to make three 12-ounce candles. You can reuse a heat-safe jar you own (make sure you follow SIblings’s guidelines for choosing one if you do), or buy one of their Forever Vessels to really round out the gift.

7. Homesick “Love Letters” Candle

Homesick has been pouring candles in glass cans long before they were TikTok trendy, and this is another brand we can vouch for in terms of scent throw (one candle can fill our kitchen). The one caveat is sometimes these tall candles tunnel (as in, they leave a rim of wax around the inside as they burn, instead of burning evenly). But the hot throw is fantastic, and this blend is a floral mix of rose, peony and jasmine. Lemon and red plum keep it from smelling potpourri-like.

8. Anthropologie Handpainted Heart Taper Candles

Just me, or does this remind you of those twee heart-print tights from childhood? Just me? OK. Well, either way, the handpainted design is a charming way to set a fun-yet-somewhat-sophisticated tone with your Valentine’s Day dinner table.

9. Snif “Big Flirt” Candle

You call it like you see it. And then you gift it to someone. “Big Flirt” sends a clear message, but it’s more than a cheeky name; Snif’s another brand with scents that stick. You can smell ’em across the room, and with a combination of strawberry, chocolate and champagne, you’ll be glad you can.

10. Otherland “Moonstruck” Candle

Granted, this isn’t the most on-the-nose Valentine’s Day candle, and Otherland does sell more romance-oriented designs, but the scent is what makes this our top pick from the brand. Smoky, musky scents are trending big time these days, and this mix of mahogany, myrrh and smoked birch is a standout.

11. Baroque Candle Co. “Melt My Candy Heart” Candle

Full disclosure: This is the one brand on this list I haven’t tried, but as someone who has dabbled in creating wax melt-topped candles—including heart designs—I had to feature one of the best makers around, Baroque Candle Co. These types of candles can easily look cheesy, but she makes them chic. You can choose from one of five scents (from sugar cookie to coconut santal), and as the soy wax burns, it shimmers. How sweet is that?

12. Blueme Romance Oakmoss & Sandalwood Medium Ceramic Candle

If you’re looking for a candle that feels totally luxurious—one that will be displayed year-round—opt for Blueme. The ceramic base is like a piece of art on a shelf or coffee table, and you can buy refills that are easily fit into the base, making this an eco-friendly option. We’re suckers for the citrusy Nostalgia scent, but for V-Day, this blend of pink pepper, neroli, tobacco, oakmoss and sandalwood is straight-up seductive.