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Smell the zen. Be the zen. Aromatic Diffusers
If you’re a child of the 1990s, nothing transports you back to the glory days of your tweens like a whiff of strawberry-flavored, sparkle-treated Lipsmackers lip balm. That’s explainable, according to a 2013 study conducted by the University of Dresden Medical School, which found that greater brain activity is associated with smell stimuli than with visual stimuli. Clinical case studies have also linked smells to strong positive emotions and even mental health.
An intentionally scented home, then, is more than smell for smell’s sake—it affects your well being, as well as triggers memories and intense emotions. While candles and reed diffusers are always a worthy scent experience, sometimes you want something stronger. Enter the essential-oil diffuser.
In recent years, the essential-oil diffuser market has exploded on the olfactory scene. Every interiors brand, it seems, has jumped on the bandwagon—from Pottery Barn to West Elm to, yes, even Athena Calderone. Whether you live for an at-home spa vibe or cling to seasonal scents in your kitchen as much as you do the decor, we’ve rounded up the best essential-oil diffusers you can find online right now. We’ve taken into account design, permeation reach, water capacity, longevity, light ambiance, noise level, ease of use, and cleanability. It’s time to make your home the most scent-imental space of all time.
You’d be forgiven if you mistook this attractive stone diffuser for a vase. The sleek ultrasonic version, which comes in matte ceramic, has multiple settings and an automatic turn-off option and four-hour and eight-hour settings.
Dimensions: 3.4" W x 7" H | Material: Matte ceramic
One Vitruvi reviewer says: "Very cute and works really well. I really love the texture and the warm light is definitely a plus!"
No water, no problem. This convenient diffuser, which has three run options, can be used without water or heat. Simply insert an essential-oil bottle into the diffuser and push 'start.' With three run options, this baby is basically at your bidding.
Dimensions: 5.8" W x 8" H | Material: Resin and plastic
It’s the newest diffuser on the market—and we’re here for it. The Saje Aroma Wave diffuser is the trendiest globby specimen we’ve seen since Gaetano Pesce’s UP 5 chair. It's heat-free and purportedly whisper-quiet, transforming any room into a spa-like aromatherapy-happy mood lifter.
Dimensions: 4.5" W x 9" H | Material: Cement
One Saje reviewer says: "It has great coverage throughout my home and lasts a long time. I love the look of it too. Very stylish!"
A favorite among ELLE DECOR staffers, this portable, chargeable, ultrasonic diffuser features an automatic shut-off—plus its sleek matte finish is sexy as hell.
Dimensions: 2.75" W x 6" H | Material: Metal
One Voluspa reviewer says: "A little pricey, but great for a mild scent diffuser in an office setting."
We’re surprised this chic, low-profile diffuser is sold on Amazon. With 70% of ratings being five stars, it’s easy to see why customers were fans. It boasts a run-time of 20 hours, doubles as a humidifier, and has a detachable water tank that is easy to clean. Yes, please.
Dimensions: 9.8" W x 6.3" H x 9.8" D | Material: BPA-free plastic
One Levoair reviewer says: "Absolutely love the look of this and that it is a top fill and easy to clean. At the recommendation of another reviewer I found and purchased the little humidifier fish to keep it fresh and it seriously has lasted all week of almost constant use. The mist is great and it is near silent."
Boasting 45,500 raving 4.8-star reviews, the Pura 4 smart fragrance diffuser is leaving these free-standing diffusers in the dust. Its innovative smart features allow users to adjust the fragrance intensity, and set schedules and timers on the app. With what the brand is calling “adaptive diffusion,” the device also creates a consistent scent experience based on the temperature in your home. The device lasts up to 120 hours. Clicking “add to cart” now.
Dimensions: 9.8" W x 6.3" H x 9.8" D | Material: BPA-free plastic
One Pura reviewer says: "Love the fresh, clean scents! My daughter introduced me to this product. Was in her home for a visit and asked her what smelled so good. She showed me her diffuser, scents, and how she programmed it from her phone. I’m addicted and love it. We have them in our home, car, and even in our nightly rental."
With only a few drops of essential oils required to permeate a room, this stylish textured ceramic diffuser would be an elegant addition to any home. It comes with three time settings (two hours, eight hours, or 16 hours) and automatically shuts off at the end of each time set—or when the water is low.
Dimensions: 6.3" W x 4.3" H | Material: Ceramic and plastic
One The White Company reviewer says: "Lovely product! Looks wonderful in my home—a very elegant design. The diffuser is very easy to use and comes with the choice of three different timed settings. Overall, I’d definitely recommend this diffuser!"
Forget the kids, the organic silhouette of this chic mid-century-style diffuser—available at Pottery Barn Kids—is for you. This chic decorative piece would be a fitting addition to your bedroom nightstand, work desk, or kitchen countertop. It has a built-in LED nightlight and has an impressive five-your run time. Adults need naps too, right?
Dimensions: 4.5" W x 8" H | Material: polycarbonate
We chose this orb-shaped essential-oil diffuser on Etsy as our top wood diffuser pick because it checked all the boxes in categories including design, noise, ease of use, features, and performance. Its easy twist-on lid makes for a seamless refill experience. Reviewers are raving about its light touch buttons and impressively silent hum. Cue the deep exhale.
Dimensions: 5" W x 5" H | Material: Wood
One Etsy reviewer says: "Oh how we love this item! I bought essential oils at the same time so I couldn't write a review till I had them both! OMGoodness! The vapor fills this huge bedroom. I have to get two or three more for the baths and living rooms. Thank you!"
We simply couldn’t resist including this artistic thinkpiece in the roundup. Each item is a handpicked lava rock, suspended on an anodized aluminum base that is designed to diffuse essential oil. This one gets points for creativity, if not a true example of bringing the outside in. Bonus: You’ll always have an interesting talking point in your back pocket for the most awkward of conversation lulls when hosting.
Dimensions: N/A | Material: rock and aluminum
One Etsy reviewer says: "This is a beautiful object. Feels like it came from outerspace. I leave it at my desk and it diffuses the scent nicely. Not too strong, not too subtle."
Barring the obvious question of aesthetics, the first consideration one must make is scent “throw” or reach. Some diffusers are designed to fill a large room, while others simply meet the needs of one desk area (your desk mate might want to get their own). Secondly, longevity comes into account. Diffusers go as long as their water capacity allows, and most offer various time settings, turning off on their own after that allotted time. Other features to take into account include light ambiance, noise level, ease of use, and how easy it is to clean.
The diffuser market spans a variety of price points and quality levels, ranging from $15 to $200 with an average price of about $60. While the pricier options generally meant the products were higher quality, we would advise buyers to consider the nature of this item. Whether it's gold-lined or plastic, it's bound to collect mold. And while routine maintenance can help, it will likely need to be replaced every two to three years, depending on how often you use it. For that reason, we didn't feel that the performance of the priciest diffusers justified such price points (most of the items on our list are thus in the lower price range). Obviously, if you're willing to pay for an item's chic design, that's a cost consideration one can make.
For more than three decades, ELLE DECOR has covered style makers, trendsetting interiors, and must-have home furnishings. With a focus on the latest design trends and ideas about how to incorporate them into improving your own space, we’re your go-to resource for elevating and beautifying your home. Our team of editors and interior design pros research and review every new article we publish to ensure you have the most up-to-date, expert-approved information.
Rachel Silva, the Assistant Digital Editor at ELLE DECOR, covers design, architecture, trends, and anything to do with haute couture. She has previously written for Time, The Wall Street Journal, and Citywire.
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Diffuser Bottle 50ml Rachel Silva, the Assistant Digital Editor at ELLE DECOR, covers design, architecture, trends, and anything to do with haute couture. She has previously written for Time, The Wall Street Journal, and Citywire.