Perfect scents

If you are looking for home fragrance on a budget, head to the high street, says Elizabeth Archer

HOME fragrance can be costly – earlier this year, Selfridges launched a scented candle that cost a staggering £600. So it’s no surprise the high street has been quick to step in with more affordable alternatives.

But are they as good as their pricier counterparts?

H&M Salted Sea reed diffuser, £12.50, hm.com

Lasts: 12 weeks

(£1 per week)

Verdict ★★★

H&M’s homeware always punches above its weight in terms of style, while still being affordable. So we were hoping its home fragrance would offer the same great value.

The stylish utilitarian bottle with a smart white label had a trendy Scandi look but the thick reed seemed to affect how much fragrance diffused into the room, as it didn’t travel far.

Homestore Fresh Cotton reed diffuser, £4, matalan.com

Lasts: Eight weeks (50p per week)

Verdict ★★★

This was the cheapest diffuser we tested. The bottle comes in a simple cardboard sleeve without any plastic, and it uses natural reeds rather than synthetic ones, making it an eco-friendly option. The main note was eucalyptus, giving it an invigorating feel. However, the overall effect was slightly clinical as it wasn’t balanced out by any warmer notes. The scent didn’t fill the room and was only noticeable when standing about a metre away from the diffuser, so it would be best placed in a smaller space like a bathroom.

M&S Signature Wild Mint and Thyme scented candle, £7.50, marksand spencer. com

Lasts: 35 hours (21p an hour)

Verdict ★★★★

This candle comes in a plain glass holder, with its name in a thin black font on the front. It’s neutral and would look good in any home but could be more decorative.

The result was as promised – a refreshing herby scent with a slightly sweet base, which was pleasant and uplifting. This would make a lovely everyday scent, and felt like decent value too.

Wilko Black Rose and Saffron scented candle, £4, wilko.com

Lasts: 35 hours (11p per hour)

Verdict: ★★★★★

The pretty box for this candle makes it look much more expensive than the £4 price tag, and it contains 198g of wax – good value for money.

Cheaper candles can be sickly sweet, while rose scents can sometimes come across as old-fashioned and powdery. However, the smoky notes in the candle balance out the sweetness, making it feel grown-up and modern.

This is perfect for a cosy evening in and offers lots of fragrance for the price.

Dunelm Dorma Purity Meadow Scent reed diffuser, £24, dunelm.com

Lasts: 20 weeks (£1.20 per week)

Verdict ★★★★

This fragrance was the most expensive one tested. The scent comes with a sophisticated white ceramic pot and pale grey diffuser reeds, which is very stylish.

The meadow fragrance had notes of rose, violet and orange blossom, while patchouli and cedarwood gave the scent depth.

It was sweet without being cloying and seemed to carry further than any of the other diffusers tested, filling the entire room and beyond.

It was the most long-lasting fragrance we tried.

George Home Pomegranate double wick candle, £8 for two, george.com

Lasts: 40 hours (10p per hour)

Verdict ★★★★★

On first impression, this huge 380g candle offers amazing value for just £4. The silver-lidded glass jar with its monochrome label was clearly inspired by more premium brands.

The fragrance was fruity with a vanilla base, which was sweeter and less woody than its luxury counterpart.

The double wicks burned well and the fragrance spread through the room. Overall, it looked and smelled lovely and was a bargain for the price.