Is This $4 Trader Joe’s Candle an Exact Copycat of This Cult-Favorite Volcano Candle?

There’s a pretty big rumor going around that a $4 candle from Trader Joe’s is a copycat for the way-more-expensive Capri Blue Volcano Candle, widely beloved by shoppers. Both candles give off powerful-but-pleasant essences of tropical fruit, and apparently the scent comparison is nearly identical.

Here are just a few examples of people singing the TJ’s candle’s praises and uncanny likeness to its pricier Anthro counterpart.

Says one Apartment Therapy reader: “I discovered that a limited-edition Trader Joe’s candle (Mango Tangerine) smells almost identical, and I’m still kicking myself for not buying out their stock while they had them. I’ve been buying other mango-scented candles since, and they get close, but not quite ‘it’. The TJ’s version was pretty much a dupe.” 

Says one Reddit user: “I smelled the new mango tangerine candle in store last night and thought it smelled so similar to the Capri Blue Volcano candle, which is a cult fave and much more expensive. May or may not have purchased a few … “

From another Reddit user and an Antho employee: “As someone who works at Anthropologie where they sell (and constantly burn) Blue Volcano, I can confirm!”

Of course, I don’t take these rumors lightly. I bought one of each candle and did a blind side-by-side sniff test. After the first whiff, I determined that Candle A (TJ’s) smelled like candy — in a good way. I don’t always have the urge to eat candles, but this candle is different.

Candle B (Capri Blue from Anthropologie) smelled so similar that I questioned whether or not it was the same exact candle. It makes sense. The Capri Blue candle smells of “tropical fruits and sugared citrus,” while TJ’s smells like a sweet blend of mango (a tropical fruit) and tangerine (citrus).

Whether this match is intentional or not, I have to hand it to TJ’s for creating a pretty successful imitation.

Have you smelled them? Can you tell the difference?