Aromatherapy has been used for more than 6000 years to improve health and well-being, but over the last few years, it has become far more mainstream. People everywhere are now using essential oil diffusers in their homes to reap the benefits of the scents of natural essential oils.
Primarily, diffusers are used to relieve stress, promote relaxation and freshen the air naturally. If you're looking to add one to your home, you have a wide range of options to choose from. To help make it easier for you to select one, I did some research and testing and came up with this list of the best essential oil diffusers that are currently available for you to buy online.
Benefits of Essential Oil Diffusers
There are a number of benefits to using diffusers:
- Can help you to relax and unwind with soothing scents
- Enliven your mind and fight fatigue with energizing scents
- Freshen the air without chemicals
- Mask foul odors
- Set a pleasant mood in a living space
- Possibly address medical conditions when used according to the instructions of an experienced aromatherapist
- May kill germs in the air when used with antimicrobial essential oils
- Could potentially improve your sleep by helping you relax before bed
Differences Between Humidifiers and Diffusers
Humidifiers and diffusers both give off mist and most of the ones on the market today use similar ultrasonic technology to produce the vapor that they emit, but they are not the same type of air care appliance.
A diffuser is filled with water and essential oil and is used specifically to fragrance the air, while a humidifier is usually only filled with water and is meant to moisturize the air. Because of this, humidifiers usually give off larger amounts of mist than essential oil diffusers. They need to be more powerful to deliver their humidification benefits and are usually louder and larger as a result. Normally, humidifiers are used to address symptoms of a dry throat or dry nasal passages.
It's important to note that some humidifiers do double as essential oil diffusers. With these models, you can add a few drops of essential oil to the water to moisturize and scent the air. If you need the benefits of a humidifier and want a diffuser for your home, you might want to choose one of these models
The Top 5 Best Essential Oil Diffusers
Now, in no particular order, here are my picks for the best essential oil diffusers that are currently available for your home.
1. Allure Aromatics Aromatherapy Diffuser
Key Benefits:
- Timer: You can set the timer on the Allure Aromatics Aromatherapy Diffuser and have it run continuously for a set period of time before shutting itself off. This is handy if you want to use aromatherapy to help you fall asleep at night or if you want to leave it running when you go to work or leave the room.
- Adjustable Colored LED Lights: The Allure Aromatics Aromatherapy Diffuser can shine white or in four different LED colors. While other aromatherapy diffusers also offer this type of illumination, this model is unique because the brightness of the lights can be adjusted through two settings to set the perfect mood.
- Travel Size: Measuring only 5.9 inches by 5.5 inches by 4.1 inches in size, the Allure Aromatics Aromatherapy Diffuser is incredibly compact, so it will fit virtually anywhere. It weighs only 9.1 ounces, allowing you to pack it in a suitcase and take it with you on a trip.
I purchased this diffuser and received it earlier this week. I currently have a YL diffuser but I'm not one of those snobby YL people, ha. Even so, I was cynical that a diffuser, at half the cost, could work as well. Let me tell you, I get twice the mist out of this diffuser than I ever got out of my overly priced YL one. I loved it so much that I've ordered a second one as a gift and plan to order a third as my budget allows. I would HIGHLY recommend new and old diffuser lovers to give this one a try. You won't regret it.
Amazon.com
Drawbacks of The Allure Aromatics Aromatherapy Diffuser:
The Allure Aromatics Aromatherapy Diffuser has a lot of great features, but one thing I did notice about it was that it does not have a very wide coverage area. If you're using it for aromatherapy beside the bed or on the coffee table in front of the sofa, the unit will work perfectly, and it can freshen the air in a small bedroom or in the area right around the toilet; however, you cannot use this essential oil diffuser to freshen the air in a very large room.
The reason for its small coverage area is its small size. In other words, this essential oil diffuser is designed more with portability than maximum performance in mind.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, I would strong recommend the Allure Aromatics Aromatherapy Diffuser to someone who is looking for a diffuser that they can use for aromatherapy in different rooms with ease and take them with when they're traveling. Its compact proportions make it more portable than other models on the market, making it one of the best essential oil diffusers to choose when a small size and lightweight build matters.
2. VicTsing Natural Wood Grain Cool Mist Aroma Diffuser
Key Benefits:
- Large Capacity: The VicTsing Natural Wood Grain Cool Mist Aroma Diffuser has a large tank that allows it to run continuously for up to 10 hours, longer than the maximum run time of many other similarly sized diffusers.
- Automatic Shutoff: When the tank is empty, the VicTsing Natural Wood Grain Cool Mist Aroma Diffuser turns off to prevent accidents and fires. This safety features make it great for use when you're out of the house or asleep.
- Stylish Design: The VicTsing Natural Wood Grain Cool Mist Aroma Diffuser has a very unique modern design and looks more like a decorative vase than a diffuser. Its faux wood finish reflects the current rustic chic design trend, and the unit has subtle LED lighting that glows in seven different colors.
This is a lovely diffuser! I was worried that it would look cheap, but it doesn't at all. The multiple led light options are great! It is very quiet and the mist is better than I expected! Excellent product.. Highly recommend!
Amazon.com
Drawbacks of The VicTsing Natural Wood Grain Cool Mist Aroma Diffuser:
From a design standpoint, the VicTsing Natural Wood Grain Cool Mist Aroma Diffuser is well-made, and it's very pleasing to the eye, but there are some reports of it not lasting for a very long time. This would be one of the best essential oil diffusers to choose if you're looking for something that is inexpensive and that you will only use for occasional aromatherapy rather than one for everyday air freshening and treatments.
Final Thoughts:
I would definitely recommend the VicTsing Natural Wood Grain Cool Mist Aroma Diffuser for someone who is looking for an essential oil diffuser with a stylish rustic look that will be used more often as a decoration and occasionally as a diffuser.
3. VicTsing Black Wood Grain Essential Oil Diffuser Humidifier
Key Benefits:
- Flexible Timer: While many diffusers have a timer function, this diffuser is unique in that you can set the timer for 1, 3 or 6 hours rather than for just one set period of time.
- Auto Shutoff: Like the other unit from VicTsing on this list of the best essential oil diffusers, the VicTsing Black Wood Grain Essential Oil Diffuser Humidifier has an automatic shutoff safety feature that cuts the power when the tank is empty.
- Matches Anything: The black finish of the VicTsing Black Wood Grain Essential Oil Diffuser Humidifier will easily coordinate with any color palette, giving you the freedom to use the aroma diffuser in any room of the home.
Probably the best product I've purchased in awhile. I have heard a lot about diffuser humidifiers and I have always wanted to try one. This model is perfect for my needs. It is not real wood but the finish looks like real wood. I decided to get dark wood to match my bedroom. Great look.
Amazon.com
Drawbacks of The VicTsing Black Wood Grain Essential Oil Diffuser Humidifier:
The biggest drawback of the VicTsing Black Wood Grain Essential Oil Diffuser Humidifier could easily be a selling point for others--its size. This essential oil diffuser is larger than some other models, but its larger size means it's able to hold a larger tank. As a result, you can use this diffuser on high for 6 hours and fill a large area with scent or on low for 10 hours for more subtle fragrance diffusing. It may be too large to take with you on the go, though.
Final Thoughts:
For those most interested in high fragrance output and flexible settings, the VicTsing Black Wood Grain Essential Oil Diffuser Humidifier would definitely be one of the best essential oil diffusers to choose. I strongly recommend it for its performance, and its stylish design complete with adjustable soft LED lighting.
4. InnoGear Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser
Key Benefits:
- Intermittent Functionality: You can set the InnoGear Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser to run for 10 minutes and then rest for 20 minutes. As a result, you can easily detect the scent that it emits but it doesn't ever overwhelm the senses.
- Doubles as a Nightlight: A clear shade with seven different rainbow-colored LED lighting modes allows the InnoGear Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser to work as a nightlight, not just as a diffuser. The colors can shine steadily or flash on and off.
- Very Quiet: Running at just 35 decibels, the InnoGear Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser is much quieter than other models, so it won't disrupt your sleep.
Absolutely love this! I use it every day! I rarely use the lights but they are kind of cool occasionally. I have the "Top 6" aromatherapy oils kit that I use with this and its great they smell wonderful and are not too invasive. If you fill the chamber it last for about 5 hours I would say. I usually turn it on right before I am going to sleep.
Amazon.com
Drawbacks of The InnoGear Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser:
The biggest drawback to the InnoGear Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser is that it has a shorter run-time than some other diffusers due to its smaller 100-milliliter tank. On a full tank, the unit can scent the air for 3 hours continuously or for 6 hours intermittently. That's plenty of time for it to help you to relax and fall asleep but it's worth noting that it will not run for as long as larger units with 200 or 300-milliliter tanks.
Final Thoughts:
In my opinion, the InnoGear Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser is one of the best essential oil diffusers for the bedroom because it is so quiet, can scent the air intermittently and can work as a nightlight. It's great for the master bedroom or for a child's room.
5. TaoTronics Wood Grain Aroma Diffuser
Key Benefits:
- Easy to Fill: You won't find a diffuser that is easier to fill than the TaoTronics Wood Grain Aroma Diffuser. The top comes off completely, and you simply fill up the bottom bowl with water and add your essential oils. Operating it is also easy, as there are only two buttons to push.
- Three Timer Settings: With the TaoTronics Wood Grain Aroma Diffuser, you can set the essential oil diffuser to run for 1, 3 or 6 hours at a time before turning itself off. This way, you can use it while you're falling asleep or to freshen the air for just a set period of time.
- Works as a Nightlight: Like the InnoGear diffuser, this aroma diffuser has a glowing shade that shines in seven different colors to work as a nightlight or mood light.
Great product. My favorite function is he ability to change the density of the steam. I also love that it has a timer given that I forget to turn things off. It diffuses the oils throughout the entire room. My boyfriend and I suffered from sinus infections last week and it was a big help to us.
Amazon.com
Drawbacks of The TaoTronics Wood Grain Aroma Diffuser:
The biggest drawback to the TaoTronics Wood Grain Aroma Diffuser is its cost, as it is more expensive than some other essential oil diffusers; however, there are no reports of the model breaking after just a few uses, indicating that it is better made than most others on the market. Considering all of the features included, the diffuser still offers value for the money..
Final Thoughts:
Powerful, stylish and simple to use, the TaoTronics 300 mL Wood Grain Aroma Diffuser is one I'd strongly recommend for aromatherapy or air freshening.
The Best Essential Oil Diffusers Option
While any of the five models included on this list of the best essential oil diffusers will allow you to enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy and air freshening at home, my favorite is the TaoTronics Wood Grain Aroma Diffuser, and I'm not the only one that thinks so! The essential oil diffuser has hundreds of five star reviews, attesting to its quality, reliable performance and ease of use.