33 Valentine's Day Candies Ranked From Worst To Best

There's mixed feelings all around about Valentine's Day. For many, it's an occasion steeped in romance, offering the perfect chance to show your significant other just how much you care. For others, it's as cheesy as can be. But whether you feel like it's all about the gimmicks or truly a special occasion, there is one good thing that comes out of Valentine's Day: plenty of candy.

According to CandyStore.com, in 2020, Valentine's Day candy sales were projected to hit $2.4 billion. That's certainly not a number to scoff at. It's clear that at least some romantics love their Valentine's Day candy, whether reaching for chocolates or a confection with more of a fruity flavor.

But is all Valentine's Day candy created equally? Sure, most options are decked out with a cute little heart-shaped theme or the color palettes feature a bright red, pink, and white that unmistakably mark them as Valentine's Day treats. But they sure don't all taste the same. The last thing you want to be caught doing is gifting your sweetheart Valentine's Day candy that's not-so-sweet. Luckily, we've got the answers for you. To avoid any special day mishaps, we've put together a list of Valentine's Day candy for you, ranked worst to best.

Just like pumpkins at Halloween and autumn leaves at Thanksgiving, Brach's assaults your holiday sensibilities for things that taste good by foisting Mellowcreme Roses on the candy market. If you've ever eaten anything more achingly sweet than this infernal confection formula, it was probably a handful of sugar. Yes—they're that painfully sweet. This is why we see so many bags lining the close-out section after those holidays pass. So why bother adding another option to the mellowcreme mess? Maybe because the shape is so darn pretty! These artful drops would make fantastic decorations for cupcakes, as well as looking fetching in a crystal goblet on your Galentine's Day party spread ... but the prospect of eating them should be off the table.

Target shoppers know what's up with these sugary floral confections. Fewer than 20 reviews have been left, with a 2.6-star average. Our hearts are with these brave souls who stepped up to try and stop the madness. If candy is destined to be shaped like rose blossoms, it should also be palatable, maybe in gummy or molded chocolate form. But mellowcreme? Sorry. There's no love lost leaving these sugar pellets out of your Valentine's Day shopping selections.

Peeps wing their way onto the Valentine's Day candy scene with a sprightly and tongue-tingly selection, Sour Strawberry Peeps. There's no confession of love or stirrings of passion suggested by the traditional bird shape or the packaging, which makes these marshmallow mates a great gift for friendships, situationships, flirtships — whatever ship you're sailing on for the big day. With Peeps being such a divisive candy, you might want to make sure whoever you intend to give these to is a fan. Handing a hater a box of treats they despise can send a successful connection south, with no hope of recovery.

This specialty Peep is only available at Kroger and its affiliated chains, so you may have difficulty finding them to try out. If Styrofoam-texture marshmallow chickens covered in tangy strawberry powder is your kink and you happen to have a Kroger nearby, get in on this candy and share it with your valentine. If none of this applies to you, you're much better off not peeping this Peep. Stick with something safer to show your bae how much you care.

Whoever thought a cinnamon-flavored candy was necessary in this world was just plain wrong. And disguising that so-called-candy in a cute little heart shape certainly doesn't help its cause. 

Brach's Cinnamon Imperial Hearts aren't seen on store shelves very often anymore, and that's for good reason. But, back in the '90s, it seemed like that was the only Valentine's Day candy on the market (except for those ultra-traditional conversation hearts, of course).

These candies are sold in bigger bags, but we're not sure who's chowing down on the pounds of cinnamon candy out there. They're terribly bold and spicy. The overpowering cinnamon flavor is deeply unappealing, while the texture is unsatisfying. With not much going for them, we're not sure why anyone would want a huge bag of these candies. Sure, they're cute to use for Valentine's Day crafts or as a garnish on top of a batch of festive cupcakes, but otherwise, these spicy candies are better left untouched.

Lindt certainly has had a good thing going for quite some time with its Lindor truffles. Those delicious, thick chocolate shells with their luscious filling debuted in 1949, according to Lindt, and has been going strong ever since. Over the years, there definitely has been plenty of new, delicious flavors developed by the company, including caramel and hazelnut. But strawberries and cream? That may be a bit too far of a stretch from the original recipe for many palates.

Straight out of the package, these little chocolate balls are truly darling. They certainly dressed up for the holiday with a pink wrapper and a creamy white shell dotted with pink strawberry specks. But what they make up for in appearance, they lack in flavor. If you're not a white chocolate fan, don't even try to take a bite into one of these truffles. The white chocolate is overpowering and intensely sweet, with very little strawberry flavor to actually make these worth enjoying any further than just one bite. If you're given these for Valentine's Day, kindly thank your suitor and then pretend to lose them. 

These childhood favorites can be found in wrapped strands that provide a string of sugary love tokens that cover a lot of ground when the hand-out happens. Some brands even offer conversation heart-style messages to convey your affection in case the candy itself doesn't do the trick. Grade-school classrooms all around the land of valentines see heart-shaped pops in cardboard mailboxes and treat bags as a quick and inexpensive goodie to share with friends and sweethearts.

For all their nostalgia and availability when the holiday arrives, these treats rank low when it comes to enjoyment. The false flavor of cherry-sweetness-something unidentifiable is a hallmark of the cheaper versions. For the youngsters in your circle with a limited palate for candy, heart-shaped suckers can make a fun bulk treat. But the point score is much lower for anyone you're hoping to impress with flavor and pizzazz — and that includes you. If you're swooping in to grab treats to enjoy, love yourself a little more than this.

Candy corn is definitely a love it or hate it kind of candy. But no matter your feelings on candy corn, most people would agree it can only pull off its appeal once a year, beginning in late September at the earliest and then fading from view immediately after Halloween.

Cupid corn is like a Halloween favorite dressed up rather unconvincingly for Valentine's Day. Honestly, this treat really is cute with its colors changed for the occasion. The traditional orange, yellow, and white are transformed into a charming red, pink, and white for Valentine's. However, honesty demands the realization that those colors certainly aren't tricking anybody with that get-up. This is still the same sickeningly sweet, waxy candy we all struggle with during the fall. Why should it be any different in February? 

If cupid corn must be incorporated into something like, say, a Valentine's Day candy bark recipe or be put into jars as a festive decoration, so be it. But otherwise, for everyone's sanity and the safety of our tastebuds, it's best if it only enjoys that one time in the spotlight each year.

Generally speaking, cordial cherries make their debut during two holidays. They have their time to shine throughout the Christmas season, then they make another lap for Valentine's Day a couple of months later. But gosh, we sure wish they would stay home instead.

Multiple companies make cordial cherries, but Queen Anne is one of the most prominent in the United States. The company has been making them since 1948, soon after which Queen Anne reports that their cordial cherry became a hit.

It's not clear why, however. The cordial cherry is a maraschino cherry encompassed by a smooth outer chocolate shell. While that all sounds delicious, the reality is far from tasty. Sure, the milk chocolate on the exterior is delectable enough, but we wish the candies would just leave it at that. Biting into one of these treats is sickeningly sweet, and there's no regard for the balance of flavors. And that creamy center surrounding the cherry they talk about with such enthusiasm? It's basically corn syrup disguised with vanilla flavoring. Overall, this is definitely a box to leave on the store shelves.

These may just be one of the oldest, most quintessential Valentine's Day candies of all time. To be frank, we can't possibly understand how they're still holding on so strong after all these years. It just goes to show that there's real power in nostalgia. 

Sweethearts Conversation Hearts debuted in 1902 after Daniel Chase, founder of NECCO, figured out a way to stamp friendly sayings on pieces of candy. They've been a longstanding tradition for classroom parties, quirky Valentine's Day exchanges, and so much more ever since. But does anyone really actually like Conversation Hearts?

We love the adorable pastel hues and the sweet and charming little notes each piece of candy displays. They certainly add a fun and festive touch. But the flavor? Awful. And the texture? Hard and chalky. This may just be one of those nostalgic little candies we can never let die. For our memory's sake, we'll give them their time in the spotlight each year. But it's certainly not something we're reaching for in the candy bowl very often. 

Nope, you're not seeing double. These definitely are not the same as those classic, will-never-die conversation heart candies. Traditional SweeTARTS usually come to you like round, colorful candies, but, when Valentine's Day rolls around, they go through a dramatic change. They become, a little obviously, a classic Valentine's Day heart. After all, it's worth it to dress up a little bit for the holiday, right?

These well-balanced fruit candies are both, well, sweet and tart. They're a hard, powdery candy, but they pack such a flavorful punch that you can forgive any textural issues. Like classic conversation hearts, they also have cute little sayings punched into them, such as "kiss me," "love ya," and "be mine." Despite the similarities, these little candies are way better than the standard chalky message candies. The flavors are deliciously fruity, with options in the bag such as blue punch, cherry, grape, lemon, and green apple. They're a great little treat, but just be sure that you know what you're getting into. These definitely aren't for everyone if you're not interested in being smacked in the face with a tart punch of flavor.

Aren't chocolate samplers really the most overdone of Valentine's Day candy options? It's nearly impossible to stroll through the seasonal aisle in the grocery store without being bombarded by the wild number of options available for heart-shaped boxes filled with a variety of chocolates. How to impress your sweetie? Do you grab the tiny box with a cute cartoon character? Do you go all out with a giant box that's bigger than your head?

Most of the time, the answer should be none of the above. These chocolate samplers rarely have anything anyone actually wants to eat. It's typically cheap, flavorless chocolate with strangely flavored fillings. You can't deny the fact that you've at least once taken a bite out of a piece of chocolate from one of these samplers and then put it straight back in the box. Or, if you're a bit more humane, you do the right thing and fling it into the trash.

On the other hand, sometimes you can end up with something delicious, like a little chocolate graced with a yummy caramel filling. But is the gamble worth it? Depending on the brand, we'll say it's worth the wager. Just remember that this may not be the occasion to pinch pennies, as you often get what you pay for. 

If chocolates and roses are quintessential Valentine's Day gifts, then roses made of chocolate must be a supercharged treat. Depending on the quality of the chocolate, these floral-shaped confections can provide two gifts in one delicious package. Those with generous hearts can offer their sweet someone a full bouquet of chocolate roses, minus the thorns. And really, why wouldn't you combine these two classics into a single gift that comes through on both fronts? There's nothing to water, no need for a vase, and your enamored ones can eat their way through the bunch at their own pace. A bargain at twice the price, whatever the price happens to be this season. 

Valentine's Day shoppers should be cautioned: Chocolate roses are not to be confused with Cadbury Roses, an entirely different breed of chocolate goodies. These wrapped chocolates are shaped like regular candy, a disappointment for the unsuspecting. But Cadbury flavor options like Hazelnut Swirl and White Raspberry are intriguing enough to prompt a purchase if these roses happen to grow in a garden near you.

Of all the Tootsie Pop flavors that might express the true meaning of Valentine's Day, Tootsie Roll Cherry Valentine Pops are by far the most holiday-appropriate — and not just because the word "Valentine" is featured in the name. Each wrapper is printed with mash notes and messages of adoration, eliminating the need for an overpriced card to share your feelings. These pops are perfectly colored for tying into a makeshift bouquet to bestow upon your beloved. And because the flavor isn't anything wild or experimental, whoever you gift them to is bound to be familiar with the bright cherry essence hiding a heart of pure Tootsie sweetness. With a sweet 16 candies in every bag, there's no guilt if you keep a few for yourself, too.

More than 50 Target shoppers seem to love this Tootsie Pop collection enough to give it a collection of 4.4-star-average reviews. Having a familiar candy dressed in its Valentine's Day best means you can shop without concern and give those you fancy something special that doesn't rock the boat. This isn't the day for such risky shenanigans.

The supremely cool mint centers of York Peppermint Patty Hearts are identical to the less-romantic disc-shaped patties York is known for. The difference in the Valentine's Day version is in the shape; heart forms not only convey your big feelings, they also carry big flavor in the form of a slightly larger candy surface than the usual circular patties provide. Such details may be lost on your significant other, but giving this York variant lets you feel like you're giving them that much more of your own heart. How generous you are!

On the downside, these are specialty treats that really only appeal to candy lovers who dig super-strong mint centers robed in dark chocolate. Obviously there's a market for that, or Hershey wouldn't keep pumping out Peppermint Patties for every occasion imaginable. But paired with the knowledge that there's nothing unique about the candy in the wrapper means you could just as easily give a bag of regular York candy, which makes opting for this frosty treat a toss-up. Do you hope for a warm reception at the risk of getting the cold shoulder? Maybe try a safer treat instead.

So maybe you can't afford to take your boo to a tropical island for Valentine's Day. But there's no reason you can't dazzle them with tropical treats in the form of Fun Dip Maui Punch to recreate the experience. The powdered candy with the edible stick is always a fun choice, even when it isn't a love-centered holiday, but having a special edition flavor set to go with the romantic island-themed graphics makes this particular pack a one-of-a-kind deal. It's an affordable stand-in for a romantic getaway that won't take an 18-hour flight to reach or max out your credit card before your toes even hit the sand. Nobody can fault you for your sensible shopping habits here.

The box contains 22 pouches, each serving as a Valentine's Day card you can address to a single recipient or a whole crew. There's no limit on love, or on candy; why not spread the affection among your friends and family, too? Sneak one for yourself while you're at it. You deserve a Valentine treat as much as anyone!

The crispy wafers and creamy chocolate coating of Kit Kat get an extra layer of love with the addition of raspberry creme for a Valentine's Day special edition. The addition of a tangy fruit-flavored coating does double-duty as a bright complement to the standard Kit Kat cookie bar and as pretty pastel décor. In a holiday where red and white are the mainstay, seeing a little purple-pink on the candy shelves is a nice reminder that being different is a good thing, even if you're just a single bar in a sea of candy searching for someone who cares about you. 

As for the flavor, the soft raspberry shell doesn't scream "real fruit," a drawback that the discerning candy connoisseur may find off-putting. There's enough novelty in a blushing pink Kit Kat for the holiday to lend an "Awww!" factor that will send candy generalists into a sugary tailspin. And they come in a bag of bite-sized bits, making them easy for sharing the love with everyone on your DM list. It may not win candy of the decade, but for anyone who needs to share the affection with their crew, Kit Kat Raspberry Creme will do just fine.

First, let's get this out of the way. You either love Andes Chocolate Mints or you can't stand them. For many, chocolate and mint is the perfect combination of flavors. They go together so well! But these thin little rectangles of creme de menthe and chocolate may be a bit too ubiquitous. They're tossed into so many takeout bags at restaurants that it's possible they've lost much of their general appeal.

But if you are an Andes Chocolate Mints lover, this is definitely the box of Valentine's candy for you. This box pairs the traditional creme de menthe thins with a mint cookie crunch version to create the ideal combo that's truly 'mint to be.' The packaging is nothing short of adorable and there are 56 pieces in the box. That will provide plenty of sweetness to last you well past Valentine's Day. You couldn't possibly eat all 56 minty pieces in one sitting ... or can you?

Even if your feelings are sweet, you can zap your valentine's taste buds with the shockingly tangy taste of Sour Patch Kids Message Hearts. The weird, wide-eyed gingerbread man shape of the original candies gives way to classic hearts, all stamped with contemporary love notes like "text me" and "swipe left," as well as some adorable icons. The pastel colors keep in line with the occasion, and the chewy texture of the Kids you know and love is replaced with a harder SweetTart-like hardness that starts off sour before becoming sweet — kind of like love sometimes. While they're not the densely chewy, sugar-encrusted treat you may be used to, they're a fun twist on the usual conversation heart that helps you get your point across.

If you really like the sweetheart you'll be giving these candies to, you can opt for a generous 13-ounce bag that adequately expresses your affection. If you have a number of sweethearts to share the happiness with, you can pick up a four-pack of four-ounce boxes that will help your adoration go further. And if you need a few for yourself? Hey — no judgment. Self-valentining is self-care.

Junior Mints offer a crisp kiss of winter cool in their heart-shaped Valentine's Day form. There's a shocking red hue that replaces the usual white sugary goo beneath the chocolate shell, which isn't exactly appetizing. But the blend of familiar peppermint and dark chocolate that makes Junior Mints a perennial favorite is right where it belongs, in a box decorated with a bold heart jazzing up the white and green motif.

As valentine candy goes, there are flavors that represent the season of love better than mint and chocolate, even if the goods are given the red-food-dye treatment. But if you have a peppermint patty fan who needs a hit of sugar and romance, these confectionery gems will get you on the sweet list. With their breath-freshening minty essence, they're also a great lead-in for the Valentine's Day kiss that may be your reward for keeping your beloved's tastes front of mind and top of heart.

Dove chocolate hearts are certainly nothing new on grocery store shelves. After all, they're just a heart-shaped version of the traditional chocolate squares produced by the company. But given just how delicious Dove Chocolate is, these little hearts certainly deserve a spot high on this Valentine's candy list.

Outside of Valentine's Day, Dove Chocolates feature inspirational little phrases inside the wrappers of their many flavors. So, it only makes logical sense to use that same concept for Valentine's Day notes. Really, it's the perfect set-up for Valentine's lovebirds. 

The milk chocolate hearts are creamy and flavorful, just like their square counterparts. They literally melt in your mouth while you read that charming little saying on the inside of the foil. And with how good they are, it's easy to just sit and eat and read until you accidentally eat the entire bag. They're not the most thrilling or innovative of Valentine's Day candy, to be sure, but they're certainly a good standby for those just looking for a sweet chocolate bite.

This truly is the Skittles mix that dreams are made of. The only bad part about it is that this mixture is only available around Valentine's Day.

Skittles' Love Mix originally debuted in 2018, as per Delish, and it continues to live on in the Valentine's Day candy aisle to this day. It's essentially a big bag of regular Skittles, only with candy shells decked out in pink, red, and white to embody the holiday's traditional colors. With flavors of red and white-adjacent fruits like watermelon, white grape, yumberry, strawberry, and cherry, you really couldn't ask for much more. The white grape is absolutely delicious, while the watermelon is perfectly fruity. It's like Skittles decided to put truly all of the best flavors into one package.

We do think these little candies could be made a bit more exciting for the big day by adding little messages or heart drawings printed on the shells or even making them in darling heart shapes, but they're otherwise a solid choice for the fruity candy lover on this annual day of love.

Sure, you've picked up adorable little Dum-Dums on your way out of restaurants, and maybe even in doctors' offices after a successful visit with no tears shed. But you've probably never seen full-sized Dum-Dums Heart Pops that give other lovestruck lollipops a run for their Valentine's Day money. Every pop in the bag is a self-assured cherry flavor, which both eliminates the risk of getting a weird one like cream soda and eliminates the joy of getting a fantastic one like piña colada. But heart-shaped cherry lollipops are a sure shot from Cupid's arrow when it comes to themed treats, something everyone expects and few candy fans would say no to.

The biggest issue you may find with this thoroughly average option for a Valentine's Day treat is presenting someone you care about with a candy called Dum-Dums. Will your enamored think you're sending a not-so-hidden message with the name rather than picking up on your true feelings, shown by giving them a sweet gift in the form of irresistible candy? Depending on their sense of humor, you might want to stick with a different option. But if snark is your shared love language, these pops present the possibility for a laugh.

Not content to offer the usual rock-hard candy texture for such a soft-hearted occasion, Jolly Rancher hauls out its chewy jelly hearts to celebrate. Oriental Trading offers a bag of multi-hued hearts in red and pink that contain the cherry-, watermelon-, and strawberry-flavored Jolly Rancher hard candies and gummies. The crisp shell and gel interior assert these gleaming sugar jewels as larger-than-average heart-shaped jelly beans, hiding the superpowered Jolly Rancher flavor magic in every enticing bite. 

With some of Jolly Rancher's most popular juicy flavors sharing space with flowers and fancy dinners on the Valentine's Day shopping list, you'll have no trouble fulfilling the love wish of your best boo. If generic jelly beans were part of the plan, skip those in favor of these more thoughtful sweets that bring more flavor in a familiar form. You'll have a great time reliving your Jolly Rancher memories while making new ones with a candy you can't get any other time of year.

We know, M&M's certainly aren't anything new and exciting to phone home about, but hear us out. Perhaps the longevity of this little chocolate candy is what makes them one of the most perfect standbys for Valentine's Day.

The M&M's Cupid Mix features the same classic candy we all know and love with its dreamy chocolate filling and crunchy candy coating. But this package comes dressed up for the holiday. The red, white, and pink-hued M&M's are ideal for everything from decorating Valentine's Day sweets like cupcakes or candy to just eating them by the handful. Like so many other Valentine's candies, they also come with sweet little messages printed on them in classic M&M's style. Plus, with the adorable packaging, with Mr. Red M&M in a black bow tie holding out a red rose for the occasion, you really can't go wrong. We all know the red M&M is the most romantic of them all, right?

Classic Hershey's chocolate somehow tastes even better when eaten in bite-sized heart-shaped pieces. Maybe it's the size, larger than a Hershey's Kiss but still bite-sized if you're daring enough. The pretty purple-pink-silver of the foil wrappers is a sweet touch, too, just different enough from a Kiss to tell you that you're getting something special here. And the dependable Hershey's love is contained within that wrapper in a candy with the silky-smooth milky flavor you know and adore. There's nothing about this heart that you can't love.

By the same token, there's nothing about this heart you haven't seen before. Chocolate in foil you can eat by the handful is a common experience at Valentine's Day. Not that it's a bad thing. But a special day may call for a special treat, and while Hershey's Hearts are cute and tasty, they're a chocolate ride everyone has taken before. These chocolates get high marks for familiarity and flavor, low marks for originality and panache, putting them right in the middle of the Valentine Candy Love-O-Meter.

What better way to break the ice with someone special on Valentine's Day than with Jelly Belly Conversation Beans? These tiny bites aren't too small to include sweet sentiments that just might get the message across in a most delicious manner. Don't expect full-blown love letters; they're still Jelly Belly, after all, some of the smallest jelly beans on the market, which means initials, text lingo, and single words are all that fit. But they're enough to get the message across. And the flavors in the bag are supreme selections from the exceptional Jelly Belly flavor menu, including apple, cherry, lemon, orange, and grape, to keep familiarity and enjoyment to a maximum.

If your favorite someone is a Jelly Belly fan, this bag is a sure bet as a Valentine's Day token of your affection. More than 30 Target reviewers have weighed in with a 4.3-star average, a sturdy endorsement of the quality you'll be getting. But really, Jelly Belly has a decades-long reputation for providing top-shelf candy, no matter the occasion. Anyone on the fence about proposing a purchase of these sure sweets should jump in wholeheartedly and say "yes!" without hesitation.

Having a variety of flavors on hand when the Valentine's Day rush arrives means moving beyond the usual chocolate-and-cherry combination that has become the standard. That is why Cinnamon Jelly Hearts are such a sweet change of pace. These festive twists on cinnamon-spiced gumdrops bring the heat when Valentine's Day comes around. Not to be confused with their cherry-flavored heart-shaped counterparts, these chewy firebrands show the other treats how to ramp up the flavor excitement while keeping the texture super-smooth. If you're searching for a spicy, flirtatious candy that stands out in a sea of sugary wallflowers, swipe right; Cinnamon Jelly Hearts are an undeniable match. 

Brach's Cinnamon Jelly Hearts are the best of the bunch. Cinnamon lovers can count on the fiery blast that lies just past the sugary outer shell. And with a chewiness that isn't boingy like a gummy, these hearts are more tender on the tongue, making it easier for a cinnamon craver to work through a handful of candy when the urge strikes.

Not to burst your bubble, but if you don't have Charms Blow Pop Minis on your Valentine's Day shopping list, you're missing out on something special. Charms ditch the sticks from the company's ever-loving Blow Pops and it keeps just the gooey, gum-centered candy in this reinvention of a candy classic. The result is a whimsical bonbon with a crunchy shell that breaks away to reveal bubble gum — without the nasty paper shreds so common in the usual Charms Blow Pop scenario. Who wouldn't love someone considerate enough to give these goodies as a show of esteem?

As for the flavors, how does a combination of cherry, strawberry lemonade, and tropical punch sound? Each mini gets its own special essence, making the enjoyment a grab-bag adventure from start to finish. By the time you and your sweetheart finish a three-ounce pack, you'll be chewing on a veritable fruit salad-flavored bubble gum, ideal for a bubble-blowing contest to complete your sugar-coated love scene. We're so excited about this one, we hope it's a sign of things to come for Charms. Imagine not having to wait for next Valentine's Day to enjoy an ingot of candy-coated bubble gum whenever your heart says "go"!

Hershey's Kisses are a total classic that almost everyone loves. These cute little chocolates have been around since 1907, according to Time, and for good reason. There's just something so much better about the texture and flavor of Hershey's Kisses in comparison to a regular Hershey's chocolate bar, and that certainly comes forward with this Valentine's candy. 

This cute Valentine's Day version comes wrapped in colorful, festive foil with charming little messages. Sayings such as "be mine," "wanna kiss," and "gimme a kiss," decorate the bottoms to convey a message to a loved one. And the best part? You can buy them in a little heart-shaped box or a bag depending on how many Conversation Kisses you need.

Just like M&M's, you know that you're able to rely on this classic as something that's not only cute for the holiday but also a taste that so many people know and love.

There's a reason that Reese's makes a cute shaped candy for pretty well every season or holiday. From Christmas trees to pumpkins, we love them all. And if you're a peanut butter and chocolate lover, truly these little sweets are unmatched.

The combination of peanut butter and chocolate is one that so many people love. We can't get enough of the surprisingly sweet and salty combination, and for some, it may even make for the perfect metaphor for your own relationship.

There are quite a few versions of Reese's Hearts. Some come in a larger size, individually wrapped and simply jam-packed with dreamy peanut butter filling. The smaller version, typically sold in a larger bag, offers the same peanut butter packed candies in a slightly smaller form that's perfect for the office candy bowl or schoolroom Valentine card exchanges. No matter the size, you can't go wrong, because, really, what's better than saying 'I love you' than with a whole bunch of Reese's?

If you go with a generic brand, a bag of red and pink jelly beans can make a pretty basic Valentine's Day treat. But when those beans come courtesy of the Jelly Belly Jewel Valentine Mix, they're a top-level expression of love that your intended target won't be able to refuse. Jelly Belly is the gold standard of confections, a designer candy with a list of 50 original flavors and enough specialized partnership concoctions to fill a candy shop of its own. So when this confectionary giant comes up with a combination for the Day of Love, it's a cupid's arrow in candy that hits the mark.

As the gourmet go-to for jelly beans, Jelly Belly doesn't disappoint when it comes to wooing your loved one. Five flavors share the Valentine bag: Bubble Gum, Coconut, Cotton Candy, Strawberry Cheesecake, and Very Cherry in a range of pink, red, and white hues that sparkle. On their own, these flavors would be a stellar blend. But blending beans the Jelly Belly way — with a combination of Strawberry Cheesecake and Coconut or Bubble Gum and Cotton Candy — can set off romantic fireworks for days.

Ah, Ghirardelli ... the San Francisco treat that Rice-A-Roni can only aspire to become! On Valentine's Day, this beloved confectioner provides heart-shaped ingots of chocolatey goodness for sweethearts to pass back and forth. Packaged in a heart-shaped box, these chocolates are a distinguished offering that brings artful confection design to the silky goodness of Ghirardelli. Anyone used to enjoying this decadent delight in simple wrapped squares will fall in love with this romantic upgrade.

The flavors in the box are nothing short of gourmet. Milk and dark chocolates filled with almond cream, cacao nibs, hazelnuts, toffee bits, and caramel cream appear as artfully decorated heart-shaped bonbons, perfect for expressing your ultimate adoration. And if that adoration happens to be aimed at yourself, then picking up a package and savoring this indulgent dozen can be considered a form of self-appreciation. No need to short yourself when it comes to handing out the Valentine's Day candy magic. Go on ... treat yourself.

Chocolate and strawberry are one of the most iconic Valentine's Day flavor combinations ever. But actual chocolate-dipped strawberries are either too expensive to buy or too time-consuming to make by hand, even to express your deepest feelings to the one you love. Enter Hershey's Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Kisses to help you keep your appointment with romance! By throwing a smooth center into a milk chocolate Kiss shell, Hershey gives the traditional filled chocolates a run for their money. And the berry-red foil wrappers are adorned with mini-strawberry icons, making these charming confections the perfect choice for filling a desktop candy dish or sprinkling around a themed gift basket.

Hershey's is known to give Kisses a sweet twist to attract shoppers for the holidays, and Valentine's Day is no exception. Amazon customers seem to adore these filled chocolates, showering them with love in the form of more than 240 ratings and a 4.4-star review average. We agree, and we think the combination is novel enough in the candy world to rank highly on our list.

Dear chocolate-covered cherries: It's over. We've got something sweet going with Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Kisses now.

Ferrero Rocher is such an elegant confection that a box of these flavor bombs on its own makes Valentine's Day an extra-special occasion. This candy creation has been setting hearts aflame since it was introduced in 1982, per the storied history on the company's website. So presenting these candies in a heart-shaped box can elevate the romance to a level known to only a very few retail brand candies. And a candy studded with hazelnuts wrapped in silky milk chocolate is a very romantic choice, indeed.

If bougie sweets are your target treats, then this gleaming trove of sugared trinkets is well worth your money. You'll be hard-pressed to come up with a fancier box of chocolates, given the gold foil and stylish packaging. In fact, aside from trolling them with Ring Pops, dipping into a gift package of Ferrero Rocher is the closest you can get to giving your true love edible jewelry. For anyone who intends to enjoy a luxury candy experience rather than a quick drugstore sugar fix, then Ferrero Rocher is your premium pick.

For our ranking, we sought out the most representative candies for Valentine's Day, which meant mixing classics with modern novelties to achieve a well-rounded array. Then, we used a mix of customer response from web reactions and ratings along with our own personal experience with these treats. Some of our opinions aligned with the general consensus, while others went in an entirely different direction. Once we had a sense of the overall favorability of each candy, we created a ranking that best expressed the combined views.