Luxury oud-based home fragrances have redefined how we experience our living spaces. The rich, woody aroma of agarwood, known as oud, offers warmth, elegance, and depth that few other scents can match. Once limited to Middle Eastern traditions, these fragrances have now become centrepieces in homes across the UK.
Both Candles & Oud and Nuhr Home specialise in luxurious oud products, but their philosophies, product ranges, and customer experiences differ. Candles & Oud focuses on authenticity and tradition, while Nuhr Home brings a more refined, contemporary touch that blends cultural heritage with modern design. If you’re exploring ways to introduce oud into your home through candles, oud reed diffusers, oud incense cones, or even electric diffusers, this guide will help you decide which brand best suits your lifestyle.
The Rise of Luxury Oud in the UK
Oud’s rise in popularity reflects the growing appetite for meaningful, sensory home experiences. No longer just a fragrance, oud has become a symbol of calm, opulence, and cultural appreciation. Brands like Nuhr Home and Candles & Oud have successfully brought the complexity of oud into the Western home fragrance market.
While both use premium ingredients, Nuhr Home distinguishes itself through sophisticated craftsmanship, modern packaging, and balanced fragrance profiles that suit contemporary spaces. Candles & Oud, by contrast, retains a more traditional style with rich, intense scents that replicate the experience of a Middle Eastern majlis.
About Candles & Oud
Candles & Oud embodies the traditional roots of oud craftsmanship. Their products are deeply inspired by Middle Eastern perfumery, using age-old techniques and aromatic materials that highlight the raw, resinous essence of oud. The brand appeals to fragrance purists who enjoy bold, classic interpretations of this timeless scent.
Product Range and Features
The Candles & Oud collection includes single-wick candles, three-wick centrepieces, incense burners and oud incense cones. Their oud blends often emphasise deep, musky undertones complemented by notes of amber and patchouli. Each 200g candle delivers around 50 hours of burn time, made from natural wax and cotton wicks for a clean, even burn.
Their gift sets combine candles and incense for multi-sensory experiences, while larger formats such as the Haramain and Miraj three-wick candles provide impressive scent projection in large rooms. The brand’s packaging features ornate gold patterns, reflecting traditional Arabic design and giving their products strong visual appeal for gifting.
Scent Profiles
Candles & Oud fragrances often lean toward intensity and tradition. Their signature Oud Arabia scent is rich and resinous, with smoky wood and balsamic notes. Oud Woods provides an earthy base ideal for evening relaxation, while Oud & Amber brings a warmer, sweeter edge. These blends create a powerful sensory impact but may feel overwhelming for smaller or minimalist spaces.
About Nuhr Home
Nuhr Home represents the next evolution of oud in the UK market, where tradition meets refinement. Founded by a family passionate about cultural heritage, Nuhr Home offers premium home fragrances that reinterpret classic Middle Eastern aromas for modern British interiors.
The brand’s mission is simple: to create elegant, long-lasting fragrances that evoke tranquillity and luxury without overpowering the senses.
Product Lines and Signature Scents
Nuhr Home offers a diverse range of products that integrate oud into everyday living. Their selection includes luxury candles, oud reed diffusers, electric diffusers, oud incense cones and bakhoor. Each product is made with refined wax blends and 100% cotton wicks for clean, even burns that last around 50 hours per candle.
Their signature fragrances include:
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Oud & Amber: a deep, velvety scent blending amber, sandalwood, patchouli, and vanilla for a mysterious yet inviting aroma
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Rose & Oud: a romantic floral fusion softened by oud’s woody warmth
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Oud Arabia: a bold oriental fragrance with notes of spice and resin
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Oud Majestic: elegant and confident, featuring saffron and musk
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Oud Woods: earthy, meditative, and grounding
The Nuhr range also includes air fresheners and portable electric diffusers, allowing you to carry the signature oud scent into offices, cars, or travel settings.
Design and Presentation
Nuhr’s visual aesthetic balances minimalism with sophistication. Each candle comes in a sleek, dark-toned vessel with subtle metallic accents and refined typography. The brand’s gift sets arrive beautifully packaged, requiring no additional wrapping and are perfect as gifts for Muhurram or another occasion. Compared to Candles & Oud’s ornate traditional style, Nuhr Home’s minimalist design suits modern décor and understated elegance.
Candles & Oud vs Nuhr Home: Key Areas of Difference
Scent Experience
Candles & Oud focuses on authenticity and power. Their fragrances are formulated to fill entire rooms quickly, evoking the rich, ceremonial ambience of Middle Eastern fragrance rituals. This intensity appeals to those who love strong, long-lasting scents that announce their presence the moment they’re lit. However, for some users, these aromas can feel heavy, especially in small or enclosed spaces.
Nuhr Home takes a more nuanced approach. Their fragrances are layered, evolving gently over time with top, heart, and base notes that transition seamlessly. The brand’s Oud & Amber candle, for instance, opens with fruity nuances before revealing warm amber and sandalwood. Each composition feels curated to create ambience rather than dominance.
This balance makes Nuhr’s fragrances versatile, ideal for bedrooms, living spaces, or offices where a subtle, continuous scent enhances relaxation and focus.
Product Performance and Burn Quality
Both brands use natural luxury waxes and cotton wicks to achieve even burns and impressive longevity. Standard 200g candles from Candles & Oud and Nuhr Home both offer around 50 hours of burn time, though Nuhr’s formulations often deliver a steadier scent throw due to their refined wax composition and precision blending.
Candles & Oud products excel in scent projection, particularly their three-wick varieties that fill large spaces in minutes. Nuhr’s diffusion is more controlled and elegant, dispersing fragrance gradually to create a calm, consistent atmosphere without overpowering the room.
Nuhr’s oud reed diffusers and electric diffusers extend this same performance to continuous scenting, offering low-maintenance options for long-lasting fragrance throughout the day, whether you’re enjoying a calm moment in your cozy reading nook or going about your day at home. Discover this guide to oud reed diffusers for helpful tips.
Packaging, Aesthetics, and Home Integration
Candles & Oud’s packaging draws heavily from Arabic artistry, featuring embossed gold detailing and patterned vessels. These visually striking designs appeal to those who enjoy decorative, statement pieces. However, the aesthetic can feel less adaptable to modern minimalist interiors.
Nuhr Home’s packaging philosophy mirrors its fragrance design, refined, modern, and cohesive across its entire product line. Each vessel and box uses high-quality materials with elegant finishes that integrate effortlessly into any home.
Their gift sets, such as the Rose & Oud and Oud Arabia collections, demonstrate Nuhr’s attention to detail, combining multiple scenting methods including candles, oud incense cones and reed diffusers for a complete sensory experience. The result is a more versatile presentation that suits both traditional gifting and modern home styling.
Value for Money
Candles & Oud offers entry-level pricing for authentic oud products, typically ranging between £12 and £25 for single-wick candles. Their value lies in traditional craftsmanship and strong fragrance projection. However, while their products provide an authentic oud experience, some users report uneven burning or soot residue due to their heavier wax formulations.
Nuhr positions itself in the premium yet accessible category. Standard 200g candles retail for around £24.99, while larger three-wick versions like Haramain and Miraj are priced up to £50. With extended burn times, clean performance, and sophisticated scent evolution, Nuhr’s pricing reflects excellent value for its quality and presentation.
Their gift sets, typically priced between £25 and £30, combine candles, diffusers, and accessories for cohesive home fragrance experiences that are ideal for those seeking luxury gifting without designer-brand premiums.
Customer Experience and Service
Candles & Oud customers appreciate the brand’s strong scent strength and authenticity. Feedback often praises its distinctive fragrance intensity and decorative packaging. However, delivery experiences and product variety can vary, with limited retail presence and occasional stock shortages affecting accessibility.
Nuhr Home excels in customer care and engagement. Their responsive team ensures quick resolutions and fast shipping, and the brand has built a loyal following through community events and exhibitions like the Muslim Shopping Festival at Excel London. Customers consistently highlight Nuhr’s attention to detail, efficient communication, and commitment to satisfaction.
Their growing base of returning buyers reflects the quality and consistency of their products. Many reviews note that Nuhr’s candles outlast other brands while maintaining scent intensity throughout their lifespan.
Ideal Audience and Lifestyle Fit
Candles & Oud appeals to fragrance purists who value heritage, authenticity, and boldness. Their products fit well in homes that embrace ornate design and cultural décor. These scents are ideal for evenings, gatherings, and ceremonial use where strong fragrance presence enhances the atmosphere.
Nuhr Home suits contemporary homeowners who appreciate refined luxury and balanced scent experiences. Its sleek aesthetic and consistent quality appeal to those seeking a more versatile, year-round fragrance companion.
With options like bakhoor, air fresheners and electric diffusers, Nuhr makes it easy to integrate oud into everyday life. Their incense burners and oud incense cones also offer a touch of tradition for those who enjoy ritualistic scenting but prefer cleaner, modern formulations. Try following this step by step guide to burning oud incense cones.
Pros and Cons at a Glance
Candles & Oud
Pros:
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Authentic oud intensity and strong fragrance projection
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Ornate packaging ideal for traditional décor and gifting
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Affordable entry-level prices
Cons:
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Can feel overpowering in small spaces
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Occasional uneven burns and soot residue
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Less variety in product formats and packaging styles
Nuhr Home
Pros:
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Superior burn quality and refined wax formulation
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Balanced, complex scent profiles suitable for all interiors
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Elegant minimalist design with ready-to-gift packaging
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Strong range of complementary products including reed diffusers, electric diffusers and bakhoor
Cons:
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Slightly higher price point than budget brands
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Milder projection may not suit those preferring very strong scents
Final Verdict
Both Nuhr Home and Candles & Oud deliver distinctive takes on luxury oud fragrances. Candles & Oud preserves the intensity and authenticity of traditional oud, appealing to those who want powerful, ceremonial aromas steeped in cultural heritage.
Nuhr Home, however, refines this experience into something more modern, elegant, and versatile. Its carefully balanced compositions, clean burn performance, and cohesive product range from oud incense cones to electric diffusers offer a seamless blend of authenticity and sophistication.
For homeowners seeking a rich, enduring oud scent that harmonises with modern living, Nuhr Home stands out as the stronger choice. It captures the essence of oud’s timeless beauty while delivering the balance, quality, and presentation today’s fragrance lovers expect.
Remember, no matter the price point, a home fragrance should feel luxurious and not like a compromise. Whether you’re comparing Nuhr vs Candles & Oud, Nuhr vs Jo Malone, Nuhr vs Rituals, or another fragrance brand, we’re confident you will find that Nuhr Home offers the best experience all around.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes luxury oud candles different from regular scented candles?
Luxury oud candles use agarwood (oud) for rich, complex scent profiles that feel deeper and more sophisticated than regular candles. They’re crafted with high-quality natural waxes and oils for cleaner burns and longer-lasting, more luxurious aromas.
How long do luxury oud candles typically last?
Most luxury oud candles burn for around 50 hours when properly maintained. Regular wick trimming and limiting burn sessions help preserve fragrance strength and ensure even melting throughout their lifespan.
What does oud fragrance smell like?
Oud has a deep, woody aroma with smoky, spicy, and slightly sweet undertones. Depending on the blend, it can include hints of amber, patchouli, or floral notes that create a warm, sophisticated atmosphere.
Are luxury oud candles worth the higher price point?
Yes, they offer exceptional value through premium ingredients, refined craftsmanship, and lasting fragrance performance. The superior burn quality and rich scent layers make them more effective and elegant than standard candles.
How do reed diffusers compare to oud candles for home fragrance?
Reed diffusers provide constant, low-maintenance scenting ideal for everyday use. Oud candles, meanwhile, offer stronger aroma bursts and warm ambience, making them perfect for relaxation or special occasions.