I’ve posted before about why I don’t use scented candles and what I use instead, and one of my favorite alternatives is an essential oil diffuser, but a lot of people have asked me what type of diffuser I use or which ones I recommend.
I’m not an aromatherapy expert, but I have tried many different types of diffusers and I would like to share the pros and cons of the diffusers we have tried, which will help you find the best quality aroma diffuser for your family.
Not all diffusers are created equal and some work much better than others. I wish I had read a review like this before deciding which one to buy and I hope my experience has been helpful to you.
Benefits of Diffusing Essential Oils
So what exactly does it mean to diffuse essential oils, and why do we diffuse them? Electric diffusers use a variety of methods to disperse essential oils containing water droplets into the air as a fine intermittent or continuous mist. There are also passive diffusers, such as reed diffusers and other waterless diffusers.
Diffusers are much more than a natural alternative to plug-ins and air fresheners. Each essential oil has powerful chemical properties that come from its parent plant. These chemicals bind to olfactory receptors (how we sense smell) and affect the limbic system. These nerves in the brain control hunger, emotions, anger, sleep, and more, so it makes sense that diffusing oils can actually have a positive effect.
there is Number of studies Diffusing essential oils is said to have the following benefits, depending on the type of oil:
- Reduces stress
- Improves mental clarity
- Elevate your mood
- Has a calming and sedative effect (great before bedtime)
- Purifying the Air
Essential oils are not just for use as air fresheners in the home, and care should be taken when using essential oils in the home and around children.
best essential oil diffuser
There are several types of essential oil diffusers available, which is one of the reasons why choosing the right one can feel a bit overwhelming. Here are some types to consider.
- Heat Diffuser
- Evaporative Diffuser
- Nebulizer Diffuser
- Ultrasonic/Humidifying Diffuser
In addition to my research, I tried out each type of diffuser and learned what I liked and disliked about each one.
1. Heat diffuser
Heat diffusers (as the name suggests) use heat to turn water with drops of essential oil into gas that diffuses into the air. They can be electric or use the heat from a candle or flame.
I have not found a heat diffuser that works as well as the worst nebulizers and ultrasonic diffusers I have tried, so I have nothing to recommend about this type of diffuser. Heat affects the beneficial properties of essential oils, so I definitely do not recommend this method as a way to diffuse oils in general.
They can also be dangerous in homes with curious children or pets who may knock them over. Heat diffusers (especially those that use candles) do not have an automatic shut-off feature, so they are not safe to use unattended or while sleeping.
2. Evaporative diffuser
These diffusers use fans to increase airflow over a pad or lining that is saturated with essential oils. As the liquid evaporates, the scent (and its properties) is transported into the air.
Another type of evaporative diffuser is diffuser pendant jewelry. In theory, the essential oils naturally evaporate and penetrate the air and skin. I don’t find this type of diffuser to be as effective as the other two.
Reed diffusers work in a similar way and can be placed at your desk or nearby to give off a subtle scent while you work, but are not suitable for larger rooms or areas.
3. Nebulizing Diffuser
Nebulizing diffusers are considered to be the most powerful type of diffuser, and for good reason. Nebulizing diffusers don’t require water or heat to release essential oils into the air. Nebulizing diffusers work by using an atomizer to create microscopic air particles of essential oil, which are then sprayed into the air.
In case you didn’t know, nebulizing diffusers are my favorite diffusers because if someone gets sick, they release essential oils into the air almost continuously, filling an entire room with the scent over a few square feet.
Here is my experience with this type of diffuser:
Strong Points:
- Simply attach it directly to your essential oil bottle, flip the switch and it works.
- No water or setup required
- High concentration of essential oils released into the air. Perfect for large areas such as living rooms.
- Timers control run and pause times, giving you control over run times and options other than continuous use.
- There is no lighting so it can be used at night as we want to avoid night lighting.
Cons:
- Noise level is louder than ultrasonic diffusers
- It attaches directly to your diffuser and uses up oil faster than ultrasonic or other diffusers.
- More expensive than most ultrasonic diffusers (but not by much)
We are using: This advanced aromatherapy essential oil diffuser From Amazon. They work so well I saved up and bought a couple. Even if you only diffuse for 15 minutes the essential oil scent lasts for hours.
4. Ultrasonic diffuser
Ultrasonic diffusers produce a fine mist just like misting diffusers. The difference is that Ultrasonic Diffuser It uses water and essential oils to create an ultrasonic cold mist of water/oil that is then released into the air. It releases moisture into the air, but not as much as a real humidifier. It’s great to have nearby in the winter, but you’ll need a real humidifier to get a more powerful humidifying effect.
Ultrasonic diffusers also use water, so the essential oils are not as concentrated.
Many ultrasonic diffusers have different light settings and allow you to choose from different colored LED lights, which is not a feature I use, especially at night (here’s why.) Some allow you to turn the light off, but this isn’t always the case.
There are now many inexpensive ultrasonic diffuser sets available at big box stores, online, and even at pharmacies. Many of these come with bottles of cheap “essential oils” that, while functionally fine, are really just fragrance oils. If you see precious oils like sandalwood, jasmine, or rose being sold for a few dollars a bottle, you can be sure they’re not actually essential oils.
Strong Points:
- Less expensive than nebulizing diffusers
- It helps to humidify the air to some extent (effective in cold weather)
- Many options to choose from
- No heat
- The water tank has a large capacity
Cons:
- Requires water to operate
- Needs to be cleaned from time to time
- Some have lights that can’t be turned off.
- Not as effective as nebulizing diffusers
What we use: There are several types of ultrasonic diffusers, and we’ve found that some are more effective than others. Here are our favorites:
- Noor Litemist Aromatherapy Diffuser – This simple cone-shaped design diffuses light for several hours and has the option to turn the light on or off for nighttime use (but don’t use LED color-changing lights at night…here’s why!).
- Arai Light Mist Diffuser – Very similar to the Noor Litemist, only slightly cheaper. There doesn’t seem to be a way to turn the light off, so it can’t be used at night (for us).
- Portable Car Diffuser – I’ve tried smaller models, but it was a pain to keep refilling the tiny tank. This model takes up a cup holder, but I like the intermittent/continuous control and sleek design. It also comes with Plant Therapy’s travel essential oil blends, a USB charger, and can run on battery power.
Other ways to purify indoor air
Essential oils are a great way to freshen your indoor air with natural scents, but they’re not the only way. Here are some ways we keep our indoor air naturally clean:
- Indoor plants that purify the air – A NASA study found that plants are effective at removing VOCs and other toxins from indoor air.
- Salt lamps, beeswax candles, charcoal bags – 3 easy ways to purify your indoor air without using a diffuser or essential oils. They won’t have the natural scent of oils, but they can remove harmful compounds from the air.
- air filter. Indoor air is full of toxins, so an air purifier is both necessary and beneficial. Here are some reasons why we love our air purifiers (we have several): Avoid running an essential oil diffuser right next to an air purifier running. Air purifiers only filter essential oils from the air.
Conclusion: Choosing the Best Essential Oil Diffuser
While essential oils may seem like perfumed concoctions, they are actually powerful essences extracted from plants with medicinal properties. Using a diffuser is a great step, but each person should do their research beforehand. If you have a family, make sure to only diffuse child-safe essential oil blends and use a model with an intermittent mist setting so you can take breaks.
If you have pets in your home, it’s important to diffuse safely around them. Birds are very sensitive to volatile oils, so most experts say not to diffuse around them. Learn more about how to diffuse safely around pets (and when to avoid it) here.
This article has been medically reviewed Madiha Sayed, MDa board-certified family physician. As always, this is not individual medical advice, so we encourage you to consult with your doctor.
Have you ever used a diffuser? What did you like and dislike about it? Share below.