Finding a gift that feels personal isn’t always easy. Many candles smell pleasant, but they often feel interchangeable. That’s where Homesick stands out, focusing on scents tied to places, memories, and moments.
We tested several of their best-selling candles for this Homesick candle review to see how they perform in real use. From scent strength to burn consistency, we wanted to understand whether the experience matches the idea – or if it’s mainly about the concept.
With prices starting around $29.95, the question is simple: do Homesick candles deliver enough value, or are you paying mostly for the story behind them?
What Is Homesick?
Homesick is a candle brand known for its memory-based scents. Instead of selling only basic fragrances, the brand creates candles inspired by places, life moments, and everyday settings. This is one reason why many people search for a Homesick candles review before buying.
The idea behind Homesick is to bring back familiar feelings through scent. For example, a city candle may include notes that remind people of food, nature, or weather from that place. This makes the brand stand out from regular candle companies that focus only on strong fragrance.
Homesick offers a small but focused range of products:
- Scented candles (main product)
- Mini candles for testing scents
- Car fresheners
- Room sprays
When it comes to pricing, this is not a budget brand:
- Standard candles cost $29.95
- Mini candles cost $9.95
- Some special editions go up to $34.95
This pricing often comes up in any Homesick candle review, as many buyers want to know if the concept justifies the cost.
The candles are made using a soy wax blend, cotton wicks, and fragrance oils. The brand also avoids parabens and phthalates, which is a plus for people who prefer cleaner home products.
Overall, Homesick is best for people looking for a personal or gift-friendly candle. If you’re comparing options and wondering whether Homesick candles are worth it, it helps to also look at other brands.
Homesick Candles We Tested
To keep this Homesick candle review practical, we focused on a few of their most popular candles. We looked at scent quality, burn time, and overall value to see if they match the price.
Homesick “New Home” Candle
On the first burn, the New Home candle gives off a clean, linen-forward scent with a slightly powdery edge. It doesn’t hit immediately – instead, it builds slowly over 20-30 minutes.
After a few burns, we noticed the throw stays fairly contained. It fills a small bedroom comfortably, but in larger spaces it becomes more of a background scent rather than a dominant one.
The wax melted evenly across the surface after about an hour, with no tunneling during testing. However, the scent doesn’t evolve much over time – it stays consistent rather than developing in layers.
Scent notes: Fresh linen, jasmine, cedarwood, and soft musk Burn time: Around 60-80 hours Best for: New homeowners or gift giving Price: $29.95
Homesick “Book Club” Candle
The Book Club candle leans into warm spice and soft wood notes, but the sweetness is more noticeable than expected. On the first burn, it feels cozy but slightly subtle.
Over multiple uses, the scent remains close to the candle rather than spreading widely. It works best on a bedside table or desk, where you can actually notice the detail in the fragrance.
One thing we noticed is that the scent profile doesn’t shift much – it’s steady but not particularly complex.
Scent notes: Warm spices, soft woods, and a hint of sweetness Best for: Readers and cozy indoor settings Price: $29.95
Homesick “New York” Candle
The New York candle is more abstract than the others. The coffee note is noticeable early on, but it’s blended with a slightly sharp, almost “concrete-like” scent that won’t appeal to everyone.
During testing, the throw was moderate – stronger than Book Club, but still not enough to fill a large room.
This is one of those scents that feels more conceptual than literal. Some people will enjoy the uniqueness, while others may find it harder to connect with.
Scent notes: Coffee, concrete, and light florals Best for: People who want a city-inspired scent Price: $29.95
Homesick Mini Candles
The mini candles are useful for testing scents, but the burn time is noticeably short. In our testing, they lasted only a few sessions before the wax was gone.
Because of the smaller size, the scent throw is also limited – you need to be fairly close to notice it properly.
They work well as a trial option, but not as a long-term substitute for the full-size candles.
Best for: Testing scents before buying full-size Price: $9.95
Homesick Pros and Cons
Like any brand, Homesick has both strengths and weak points. From our testing, the experience depends heavily on what you expect.
What We Loved
- Unique concept based on memories and places
- Wide range of scent options (cities, moments, lifestyle)
- Clean ingredients with no parabens or phthalates
- Simple, minimal design that fits most home decor
- Great choice for gifting
What Could Be Better
- Some scents (like Book Club) have noticeably weaker throw than expected for a $30 candle
- The concept is strong, but scent accuracy can feel abstract (e.g., "New York" doesn't clearly match expectations for everyone)
- Price per burn hour is higher than brands like Yankee Candle, with stronger performance
Overall, Homesick stands out for its idea and gift value. But if your main goal is strong scent performance, there may be better options depending on your needs.
What Customers Are Saying
On platforms like Reddit and Trustpilot, buyers often praise Homesick for its unique gift concept and packaging. However, a common complaint is that some scents feel too light for the price, especially in larger rooms.
A Reddit thread discussing Homesick candles highlights that many users enjoy the idea but feel the scent strength doesn’t always match expectations.
Who Are Homesick Candles Best For?
Homesick candles are not for everyone, and that’s important to understand in this Homesick candle review. The brand focuses more on meaning and gift value than on strong scent performance.
Best for:
- People looking for thoughtful, personal gifts
- Anyone who feels attached to a place or memory
- Those who prefer light to medium scent strength
- Home decor lovers who like clean, simple designs
Not ideal for:
- Budget shoppers looking for cheaper candles
- People who want a very strong scent throw
- Buyers expecting luxury-level fragrance quality
If your goal is to give a meaningful gift or enjoy a soft, memory-based scent, Homesick is a good choice. If you want a candle mainly for its strong fragrance, you may want to compare it with other options.
Homesick vs Other Candle Brands
To understand the value, we tested several Homesick candles to see how they actually perform. It helps to compare it with other popular candle brands. Homesick focuses more on meaning and gifting, while many other brands focus on scent strength and variety.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Homesick | Yankee Candle | Bath & Body Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Focus | Memory-based scents | Classic fragrances | Trendy scents |
| Price | $$$ | $$ | $$ |
| Scent Strength | Medium-light | Strong | Strong |
| Best Use | Gifting | Everyday use | Seasonal use |
Homesick stands out because of its idea. Instead of just offering a strong scent, it attempts to evoke a feeling associated with a place or moment. This makes it a better option for gifting.
On the other hand, brands like Yankee Candle and Bath & Body Works are often stronger in scent throw. They are usually better if your main goal is to fill a large room with fragrance.
Final Verdict – Are Homesick Candles Worth It?
So, are they worth it? Whether they’re worth it really depends on what you’re looking for.
Homesick candles are not the strongest in terms of scent throw, and their price is higher than that of many standard options. If your main goal is a powerful fragrance that fills a large room, you may find better value elsewhere.
However, where Homesick stands out is in its meaning. These candles feel more personal than most. The themes, packaging, and scent ideas make them a strong choice for gifts, especially for special moments like moving into a new home or remembering a place.
If you care about the story behind a product and want something thoughtful, Homesick candles are worth trying. If you only care about performance and price, you may want to compare other brands first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Homesick candles worth the price?
Homesick candles are worth it if you value the concept and gifting appeal. In this Homesick candle review, we found that they offer a more personal feel than regular candles, but the price may feel high for some buyers.
How long do Homesick candles last?
Most standard Homesick candles have a burn time of around 60 to 80 hours. Mini candles last much less, which is why they are better for testing scents rather than long-term use.
Do Homesick candles smell strong?
Homesick candles usually have a light to medium scent strength. They work well in small to medium rooms but may not fill large spaces with fragrance.
Are Homesick candles good for gifts?
Yes, they are one of the best options for gifting. The memory-based themes make them feel more personal than typical candles, which adds extra value.
What are the most popular Homesick candle scents?
Some popular options include New Home, New York, and Book Club. These are often chosen because they match common life moments and interests.
