I’ve posted before about why we don’t use scented candles and what we use instead. One of my favorite alternatives is essential oil diffusers, and many people asked what type of diffuser I use and recommend.
I’m not an aromatherapy expert, but I have tried many types of diffusers. I wanted to share the pros and cons of the ones we tried. This can help you find a high-quality aroma diffuser that is well suited for your own 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 will help you.
Benefits of diffusing essential oils
So what exactly does diffusing essential oils mean, and why should you do it? Electric diffusers use various methods to disperse essential oil containing water droplets through the air in a fine, intermittent or continuous mist. There are also passive diffusers, such as reed diffusers and other waterless diffusers.
However, diffusers are not just a natural alternative to plug-ins and air fresheners. Each essential oil has powerful chemical properties from the parent plant. These chemicals bind to our olfactory receptors (how we smell) and affect our limbic system. These nerves in our brains control our hunger, emotions, anger, sleep and more, so it makes sense that diffusing oils can have a real effect.
There are some studies (plus a lot of anecdotal evidence) that diffusing essential oils can provide the following benefits, depending on the type of oil:
- Reduces stress
- Improves mental clarity
- Improves mood
- Calms and has a soothing effect (useful before going to sleep)
- Purifies the air
Essential oils are so much more than home perfumes. We have to be careful how we use them in our home and with our children.
Best diffusers for essential oils
There are a few different types of essential oil diffusers, which is one reason why narrowing down the choices to the right can feel a bit overwhelming. Here are some of the different types:
- Heat spreaders
- Evaporative diffusers
- Nebulizer diffusers
- Ultrasonic/humidifying diffusers
In addition to researching them, I have tried every type of diffuser and have learned what I like and don’t like with each type.
1. Heat spreader
A heat diffuser (what it sounds like) uses heat to convert water with a few drops of essential oil into a gas that disperses into the air. These can be electric or use the heat of a candle/flame.
I haven’t found a heat diffuser that worked nearly as well as even the worst nebulizer or ultrasonic diffuser I’ve tried. So I can’t make any recommendations about these types of diffusers. Because heat affects the beneficial properties of essential oils, I definitely do not recommend this method for diffusing oils in general.
They can also be dangerous to use at home with curious children or pets who might knock them over. Heat diffusers (especially those that use a candle) do not have an automatic shut-off so are not safe to use unattended or while sleeping.
2. Evaporative diffusers
These diffusers use a fan to increase airflow over an essential oil-infused cushion or liner. As the liquid evaporates, the scent (and its properties) are released into the air.
Another type of evaporative diffuser is diffuser pendant jewelry. The theory is that the essential oil will evaporate naturally and permeate the air and skin. I don’t find this type of diffuser nearly as effective as the other two.
Reed diffusers work in the same way and can emit a subtle scent if you work at a desk or have it next to you. They are not good for large rooms or spaces.
3. Nebulizer diffusers
Mist diffusers are often considered the most powerful type of diffusers, and for good reason. They do not require water or heat to release the essential oil into the air. Nebulizing diffusers work by using an atomizer to create fine, airborne particles of essential oils and blowing them into the air.
If you don’t know, mist diffusers are my favorite type of diffuser. When someone becomes ill, they can keep an almost continuous stream of essential oils in the air, filling a large room of many square feet.
Here is my experience with this type of diffuser:
Pros:
- Can be attached directly to the essential oil bottle and can be turned on at the touch of a button
- No water or setup required
- Strong concentration of essential oils released into the air. Ideal for large spaces such as the living room.
- Timers regulate the running time and rest time. This allows you to control how long it works and provides an option other than continuous use.
- No light so they can be used at night as we avoid night lighting
Cons:
- The noise level is louder than ultrasonic diffusers
- Uses oils faster than ultrasonic or other diffusers because they attach directly to the diffuser
- More expensive than most ultrasonic diffusers (although not by much)
We use: This advanced aromatherapy essential oil diffuser from Amazon. I have now saved up and ordered a few because they work so well. Even if you vape it for just 15 minutes, it will leave a lasting essential oil scent for hours.
4. Ultrasonic diffusers
Ultrasonic diffusers work in the same way as nebulizing diffusers by creating a fine mist. The difference is that ultrasonic diffusers use water and essential oils to create an ultrasonic cool mist of water/oil that is released into the air. They release moisture into the air, but not as much as a real humidifier. In winter it can be useful to have it right next to you, but for a stronger humidifying effect you need a real humidifier.
Ultrasonic diffusers also don’t release as strong a concentration of essential oils because they also use water.
Many ultrasonic diffusers have different light settings and you can choose from different colored LED lights. This is not a feature I use, especially at night (here’s why). Some allow you to turn off the lights, but that is not always the case.
You can now find numerous cheap ultrasonic diffuser kits, even in major stores, online and in pharmacies. Many of these can work well, but come with bottles of cheap “essential oils” that are really just fragrance oils. If they sell precious oils like sandalwood, jasmine, and rose for just a few dollars a bottle, that’s a good way to tell that they aren’t actually essential oils.
Pros:
- Less expensive than mist diffusers
- Helps to slightly humidify the air (beneficial in cold months)
- Lots of options to choose from
- Do not use heat
- The water tank has a large capacity
Cons:
- Needs water to work
- Needs to be cleaned occasionally
- Some have lights that cannot be turned off
- Not as effective as mist diffusers
What we use: Different types of ultrasonic diffusers and I have found that some work better than others. These were our favorites:
- The Noor Litemist Aromatherapy Diffuser – This simple cone-shaped design diffuses for several hours and has an option to turn the light on or off for nighttime use. (Please don’t use LED color-changing lights at night… here’s why!)
- The Allay Litemist Diffuser – Very similar and slightly cheaper than the Noor Litemist. It seems there is no way to turn off the light, making it unusable (for us) at night.
- Portable Car Diffuser – I tried smaller models but got tired of having to fill their small water reservoirs! This one does take up a cup holder, but I like the intermittent/constant operation and the sleek design. It also comes with Plant Therapy’s Travel Essential Oil Blend, has a USB charger, and can run on battery power.
Other ways to freshen the indoor air
Essential oils are a great way to freshen the indoor air with natural scents, but they are certainly not the only way! We keep our indoor air clean naturally with:
- Houseplants to filter the air – A NASA study found that plants were effective at filtering VOCs and other toxins from indoor air.
- Salt lamps, beeswax candles and charcoal bags – Three simple ways to clean indoor air without the need for a diffuser or essential oils. They do not emit a natural scent like oils, but they can remove harmful substances from the air.
- Air filters. With the number of toxins in the indoor air, air filters are a necessary and useful step. Here I explain why we love ours (we have several). Be careful not to run an essential oil diffuser right next to a turned on air filter. The air filter only filters the essential oils from the air.
In short: choosing the best diffuser for essential oils
Essential oils may seem like mix-and-match perfumes, but in reality they are powerful essences of plants with medicinal effects. Using a diffuser is a big step, but everyone should do their homework. If you have a family, be sure to diffuse only child-safe essential oil blends and take breaks by using a model with intermittent mist settings.
If you have pets in your home, it is important to spread safely around them as well. Birds are very sensitive to the volatile oils and most experts say they should not be diffused around them at all. You can read more about how to safely spread around pets (and when to avoid it) here.
This article has been medically reviewed by Madiha Saeed, MD, a certified general practitioner. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you speak with your doctor.
Have you ever used a diffuser? What did you like or dislike about it? Share below!
