Essential oils have a proven positive impact on health. For example, aromatherapy can relieve stress, improve brain function, and speed up healing. And the most effective way to disperse this aromatic magic in the air is with an essential oil diffuser.
The issue is that there are a lot of different products on the market and not all of them are very good. That’s why we created this buying guide, to simplify the process and help you make the right choice. Read until the end of this guide to learn not only which products are the best but also about the different types of essential oil diffusers.
Best Essential Oil Diffusers (2024 Update)
URPOWER 2nd Version Essential Oil Diffuser
Years ago, if you wanted an essential oil diffuser, you were likely to buy one from the company where you purchase essential oils. It was a pricey investment. But now third-party brands have surpassed the originals with higher-quality diffusers that have better features. And URPOWER has been one of the top picks for a while.
The URPOWER second generation essential oil diffuser generates mist for up to six hours. It’s powerful enough for small bedrooms, offices, or hotel rooms. And it’s very quiet while operating so it won’t disturb your sleep.
URPOWER reminds buyers to avoid using corrosive oils like those with citrus scents. But you can use regular tap water in the 100ml reservoir; there is no need for distilled. And when the water runs out, the device shuts off automatically.
There are two settings to control the mist function. You can set it to work continuously or intermittently. The built-in light is also programmable. You can set it to one of seven different colors and control the brightness, which allows it to serve as a nightlight. Or you can run the diffuser without the light.
As URPOWER points out, their diffuser doesn’t heat the essential oil, so the oil doesn’t lose its holistic properties. It also conserves oil because you only need to use to 2 to 3 drops each time you fill the reservoir.
Organic Aromas Nebulizing Pure Essential Oil Aromatherapy Diffuser
You won’t need water for the Organic Aromas Diffuser. Just add several drops of your favorite essential oil to the glass reservoir. Then the diffuser sends out a concentrated stream of fragrance that covers a larger room.
Inside the base of the diffuser is an air pump that intermittently atomizes the oils. It runs for two minutes then pauses for one minute, for up to two hours at a time with only ten drops. While it’s operating, you can also enjoy LED rainbow lighting if you wish.
The Organics Aroma is made by hand with recycled materials including glass and plantation hardwood. They recommend that you clean the diffuser’s reservoir with rubbing alcohol once a week then let it dry. And they offer a one-year warranty for free parts and service which is nice.
URPOWER Real Bamboo Essential Oil Diffuser
URPOWER went Zen with their Real Bamboo Diffuser. Although only the exterior casing is bamboo, it’s a pleasing change from the typical plastic shell. And of course, the interior water tank is made of food-grade BPA-free plastic that won’t leach toxins.
The 160ml tank ensures that diffuser can run up to eight hours in interval mist mode. Or you can set it to continuous mode and enjoy three hours of cool mist. When the water runs out, the device shuts down automatically.
The top of the diffuser has a small strip for the color-changing mood light. But you can operate it unlit if you desire.
Aromis Wood and Glass Aromatherapy Diffuser – Solum Lux Merus
The Aromis diffuser atomizes essential oils without water and without heating them. It’s powerful enough to treat up to 900 square feet, or you can adjust the settings to run it in a small room, too. The timer function allows you to set it to run for 10 minutes on, then 10 minutes off, with automatic shutdown after four hours.
The base of the diffuser is made of pine and the reservoir of hand-blown glass. There are no metal parts that can corrode and no plastic that leaches unwanted toxins. It’s manufactured in Taiwan but has service and support based in America. And the company offers a one-year warranty that covers parts and labor or sends a replacement.
URPOWER Essential Oil Diffuser 130ml Wood Grain Ultrasonic Aromatherapy Oil Diffuser
To continue with the offerings from URPOWER, we have their 130ml version that’s encased in a wood grain shell. This decorative diffuser covers rooms up to 215 ft.² in size.
Other than its appearance, there isn’t much new about this model. Like so many others in its class, it runs 3 to 4 hours in continuous mode or up to six hours in an intermittent mode where it turns on and off every 30 seconds. There is a color-changing mood light, too.
UPOWER offers a one-year warranty with a 90-day money-back guarantee.
VicTsing 300ml Cool Mist Humidifier Ultrasonic Aroma Essential Oil Diffuser
The advantage of the VicTsing Cool Mist Humidifier and Diffuser is its 300mL reservoir. It holds enough water for 10 hours of continuous output. Since it operates almost silently, and you can set its mood light to dim or off, this is the perfect choice for a bedroom.
If you don’t wish to run the diffuser for 10 hours, you can set it for shorter lengths of time, from 1 to 3 to 6 hours. And it’s not necessary to add essential oil for it to operate. You can simply use it as a cool mist humidifier.
VicTsing says that their device functions well in a space up to 82 ft.² in size. And when the water runs out, it will shut down automatically. It comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee and a 12-month warranty. If the diffuser is defective, the manufacturer pays for shipping.
ArtNaturals Aromatherapy Essential Oil and Diffuser Gift Set
ArtNaturals makes it straightforward to start using a diffuser for aromatherapy. They sell this gift set that comes with essential oils as well as an ultrasonic diffuser. It includes sweet orange, tea tree, rosemary, peppermint, lemongrass, lavender, frankincense, and eucalyptus.
If you look closely at the diffuser, you’ll see that it looks similar to many others on the market. It has typical specifications like three timer settings and seven-color mood light. You can set it to run continuously until the reservoir is empty, which takes about 6 to 8 hours. Or you can limit it to function for one or three hours. It’s powerful enough to distribute the mist in large rooms.
ArtNaturals offers a money-back satisfaction guarantee as well as a 12-month warranty.
InnoGear Upgraded 150ml Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser
InnoGear has also recently upgraded their original design. Their small portable diffuser now has 150 mL capacity that operates up to 11 hours in intermittent mode. It also mists continuously up to nine hours. When the water runs out, the diffuser shuts down to prevent fires.
The mood light changes color for a hypnotic effect, or you can set it to just one color and control the brightness.
The main advantage of a small diffuser like this one is that you can enjoy it in a bedroom, bathroom, or office without affecting the rest of your home.
InnoGear Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser
InnoGears natural wood grain oil diffuser is an amazing product to have at your home or office. This oil diffuser can hold up to 200 ml of water. With regards to the mist output, you can control its time’s settings and create a serene ambiance in your surroundings.
Innogears oil diffuser has 7 color control settings. You can either keep one color or change it whenever you feel like. It has the latest ultrasonic technology that diffuses mist and aromas in the nearby surroundings. You can add drops of your favorite aromatic oils and enjoy the spa aromatherapy environment sitting at your home.
URPOWER Essential Oil Diffuser, 400ml Wood Grain Aromatherapy Diffuser
Let’s move on now to very large capacity diffusers. With a 400 mL reservoir, this one from URPOWER mists continuously up to 15 hours. And it’s suitable for rooms up to 225 ft.² in size.
You can also adjust the settings so that the diffuser operates for one hour, three hours, or six hours continuously. And you can adjust the output for light or heavy mist.
Just like most of the other diffusers from the same manufacturer, you can also control the LED light. The dimmable light cycles through various colors if you wish. Or you can set it to just one color or turn it off completely. Finally, the pretty shell is available in either dark or light wood grain patterns.
URPOWER Square Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser Humidifier, 700ml Large Capacity
URPOWER’s large square diffuser holds 700 mL of water. This capacity allows it to operate over 20 hours in low mist mode, or over 10 hours in high mist mode. Other than the extended operation time, the diffuser has all the typical functions of other models from the same manufacturer.
Sierra Modern Home Smart Wifi Essential Oil Aromatherapy Diffuser – Alexa & Google Home Compatible – 400ml Dark Wood Grain
Up to this point in the review, you’ve seen different kinds of diffusers that all have one trait in common. Each one requires that the user be present to start its operation. But this model from Sierra Modern Home is as hands-off as current technology allows. Once you’ve connected it to your home Wi-Fi network and filled the reservoir with water and oil, you can walk away. There’s no need to program it on the spot.
The Sierra Modern Home essential oil diffuser is compatible with Alexa from Amazon and Google Home. That means you can control it with your voice. You can also schedule its operation with an app on your phone or tablet. The app allows you to control the intensity of the mist and the light color, too.
With a 400mL tank, the diffuser mists up to 12 hours continuously. And you can vary its intensity from light to heavy concentration.
There are two other advantages to this particular diffuser. One is that you can try it and get 100% percent of your money refunded if you don’t love it. Plus, it comes with a one-year warranty.
ArtNaturals White Noise Sound Machine & Essential Oil Diffuser, 300ml Tank
ArtNaturals sells this intelligent combination of essential oil diffuser and white noise sound machine that’s perfect for getting a good night’s rest. Once you filled the 300mL reservoir, the diffuser runs silently all night long. It also glows with soft colored light if you desire. And it’s powerful enough for large rooms.
If you need to drown out the sound of traffic or the neighbors, choose one of the six soothing preprogrammed sounds, like gentle rain, Caribbean surf, or just plain white noise. Once the reservoir is empty, the diffuser powers down for safety.
Aroma Outfitters Essential Oil Diffuser – 3D Glass 230ml Galaxy Premium Ultrasonic
After you spend while shopping for diffusers, they all begin to look alike. But that’s not true of this one from Aroma Outfitters. The stunning spherical shape is reminiscent of a snow globe. And the interior lights are both hypnotic and enchanting.
The 230mL water tank lasts up to eight hours. If you try it, and you don’t love it, return it for a full refund. It also comes with a one-year warranty.
doTERRA Petal Diffuser
The Petal Diffuser from doTERRA costs two or three times more than many of the other brands in our review. But it still has a dedicated fanbase because it’s quite powerful and comes from the famed manufacturer of essential oils.
The mist from the Pedal Diffuser fills a room up to 330ft.² in size. It also has programmable settings so that it runs for one, two, or four hours at a time, or continuously for six hours or more. Plus, it has an optional LED light.
doTERRA Aroma Lite Diffuser
The Aroma Lite from doTERRA is a portable miniature diffuser. It’s advertised as the perfect travel companion. It runs up to eight hours and comes with an optional night light.
InnoGear USB Car Essential Oil Diffuser Air Refresher Ultrasonic Aromatherapy Diffusers with 7 Colorful LED lights for Office Travel Home Vehicle
InnoGear’s Car Diffuser solves the problem of stinky vehicles. If you don’t smoke, but you own a car that once belonged to a smoker, you’re probably guilty of abusing air fresheners. Instead, try this portable diffuser that fits right inside your cup holder. It comes with a USB cable that you can plug into a car charger or power bank.
The diffuser runs up to six hours in intermittent mode or three hours in continuous mode. You can also enjoy the seven-color mood light, or turn that off to avoid distractions.
InnoGear offers a 45-day money-back satisfaction guarantee along with a 12-month warranty.
InnoGear Real Wood Essential Oil Diffuser Ultrasonic Aromatherapy Diffuser
InnoGear also released this attractive diffuser with a real wood outer shell. The 160mL reservoir inside is made of BPA-free plastic. While their specifications don’t state the diffuser can operate in continuous mode, we estimate more than 10 hours based on the amount of water it holds.
There are four programs, from one and two-hour mist timers to intermittent mode or full-on continuous mode. When the water runs out, the diffuser shuts down. But refilling the tank is easy since InnoGear includes a measuring cup in the box.
The mood light has various functions as well. One press of the button starts it cycling through all seven colors. Another press fixes the current color in place. And the third press turns the light off completely.
Guide to choosing the best essential oil diffuser
You can narrow down the competition by first deciding which type of diffuser you prefer. Let’s explore the two main kinds.
Ultrasonic Diffusers
Ultrasonic diffusers require water and very little essential oil to operate. They create a cool scented mist that humidifies the air. The humidity can be very beneficial if you live in a dry environment, or if you’re battling a respiratory infection. On the other hand, you may not want to add more moisture to the air if your home is already damp.
As a rule, ultrasonic diffusers operate very quietly. And they tend to be much less expensive than nebulizing diffusers both in their initial cost and with regards to how much oil they use. You’ll only need to use 3 to 5 drops of essential oil for every 100mL of water. Plus, ultrasonic diffusers tend to be more powerful to cover a larger area.
Nebulizing Diffusers
Nebulizing diffusers release concentrated essential oil into the air. They run quietly and do not require water or heat to atomize the oil. Most models offer intermittent operation because even brief diffusion times strongly fragrance the air. On the downside, you will use up oil faster as you will often add 8 to 10 drops at a time.
Reasons for choosing a specific kind of diffuser
When you shop for diffuser, make it easy on yourself by keeping your purpose in mind. For example, are you hoping to improve the quality of your sleep by enjoying a soothing aroma at night? Then you’ll probably want a diffuser that’s powerful enough to fill your bedroom with fragrance for at least eight hours.
On the other hand, if you want to create a welcoming environment in your living room, try a diffuser that operates intermittently to maintain a fresh scent throughout the day.
Before deciding on your purchase, consider these factors:
- The size of the room where you plan to use the diffuser
- The amount of time you would like the diffuser to operate
- Whether you want to add humidity to the air
- Or if you prefer a stronger, concentrated aroma without cool mist
After you’ve decided where and for how long you want to diffuse essential oil, then you can look at secondary features that also have an impact on your satisfaction.
For example, many ultrasonic diffusers come with an LED light. This feature can be pleasant or distracting. Although you might be enthusiastic about the idea of a nightlight, it might be wiser to choose a diffuser with a light you can turn off if needed.
Next, you’ll need to clean and maintain your diffuser in the future. Think about the shape of the reservoir and whether it will be easy for you to fill and wash.
Finally, you might decide to purchase more than one diffuser. Some are very inexpensive. But it’s not a bad idea to look for ones that offer a satisfaction guarantee as well as a warranty.
The benefits of aromatherapy
Americans have been discovering the benefits of aromatherapy since the 1980s, but the ancient Egyptians and Greeks understood its power thousands of years ago. Modern science has investigated some of its claims and confirmed that it works.
For example, patients with depression were treated with citrus scents. The treatment improved their hormone levels and immune system, and thereby their mood, better than antidepressants. Other studies support the use of aromatherapy for pain and stress relief, too.
Lavender can help you get a good night’s sleep. And peppermint can alleviate nausea and help you stay alert. Here are more reasons to diffuse essential oils:
- Purify the air during cold and flu season with tea tree or lemon
- Ease breathing and clear airways with eucalyptus or Douglas fir
- Combine bergamot, grapefruit, and orange for a cheerful atmosphere
- Cool down on a hot summer day and keep biting insects at bay with spearmint, peppermint, lemongrass, and citronella
- Focus on your work with peppermint, cinnamon, and rosemary
- Mix lavender, wild orange, and chamomile to wind down for bed
- Relieve a headache with thyme, rosemary, marjoram, lavender, and peppermint
- Fall asleep faster with cedarwood and lavender
Long-time users of aromatherapy depend on their diffusers to help them improve their mood, rest better at night, fight allergies and colds and create a welcoming environment in their homes.
Conclusion
Discover the power of aromatherapy when you use one of the best essential oil diffusers to fill your home, car, and office with therapeutic fragrances. There are several styles of diffusers that suit any need.
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