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The Best Essential Oil Diffusers for Serenity and Anxiety Relief

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By Old House Journal Review Team
Last updated: 2 Mar 2023

In case of a particularly overwhelming day or just to revitalize your chambers a bit, essential oil diffusers go a long way. While most folks use these devices simply because they prefer to have fragrant scents wafting through their rooms, essential oil diffusers can also be used for aromatherapy to enhance physical and mental well-being. In fact, certain scents and fragrances can conjure up long-lost memories, which help people reclaim their pasts and even aid in treating illnesses such as depression and anxiety. So, a high-quality and durable essential oil diffuser is hard to come by, especially if you’re new to the fragrance department and don’t know where to start. This is where our team comes in. After a thorough analysis and close surveying, we’ve compiled a list of the best essential oil diffusers in 2023 to guide you toward a worthwhile purchase. In this guide, we’ll explore some of our top picks in detail, examining their pros, cons, and what makes them the perfect assets for your home.

Best Overall
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InnoGear Essential Oil Diffuser
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Runner Up
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Hohm Essential Oil Diffuser
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Honorable Mention
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Asakuki Premium Essential Oil Diffuser
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Also Consider
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Equsupro Essential Oil Diffuser
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Buying Guide for the Best Essential Oil Diffusers

What Are the Different Types of Essential Oil Diffusers?

Nebulizers

Unlike regular diffusers that utilize the tanks’ water and heat to function, nebulizers transform the essential oils provided into minute particles. Not only are these the most powerful diffusers to date concerning the oil concentration that they provide,  but they are also significantly fast in their scent dispersal operation. This is an especially useful feature to have if you’re looking to cover a substantial area within a short period of time. The stronger scent is mainly a result of the lack of water dilution, which is common practice among other diffuser models. It’s important to keep in mind that these diffuser types usually cost significantly more than their counterparts. They are also more likely to break due to their fragile structure and may also use up the essential oils far quicker than the other models.

Ultrasonic

Ultrasonic diffusers are mostly water-based and require you to dilute a few drops of your favorite essential oil into a large pool of water to create a fragrant solution. The built-in ultrasonic plates then break down this combination into a pleasant mist through a process involving small and continuous vibrations. Ultrasonic diffusers also provide the dual function of operating as humidifiers primarily due to their water-dependent natures. Since these models employ ultrasonic vibrations instead of heat, they are generally considered safer and less compromising on the quality of your essential oil. These vaporizers also offer the perk of automatically switching on and off for optimal scent dispersal and maximum safety.

Heat-based

These diffusers primarily rely on a core heat source to diffuse and disperse the scent into the atmosphere. The most common heat source for these diffuser models is primarily wax candles; however, other methods such as electric heaters are also utilized. Although these versions are relatively inexpensive compared to the other diffuser models, the heat from these devices may have a severe negative impact on the oils’ quality, and you may end up losing most of their vital benefits. This is one of the main reasons heat diffusers are not as readily available in the market as other diffuser species.

Things To Consider Before Choosing an Essential Oil Diffuser

Area

One of the key factors to consider before investing in an essential oil dIffuser is the expanse and size of your designated room. How large is the room? Is it a studio space or a small bedroom? These are all critical questions to ask yourself before making the next move. Once you’ve got the answer in mind, you can continue by selecting a diffuser appropriate for that particular space. A larger area such as a living room mat requires a more spacious water tank to hold a goodly amount of fragrance. In case you’ve already purchased a small-scale diffuser, you can bump up the scent intensity by simply adding a few extra drops of essential oil into the water to create a more concentrated concoction.

Style

Most people select their diffusers to fit a certain home aesthetic. Whether or not you’re particular about your home accessories and adornments, a modish and elegant-looking diffuser is sure to be a worthwhile addition to your modern interior.

Size   

Another aspect of being mindful of is the diffusers’ size. Suppose you plan to carry your diffuser with you to yoga sessions or in case you aim to travel with your device. In that case, you’ll want to pick a lightweight and portable design that is compact enough to fit into your carry-on or your handy tote bag for optimal travel compatibility. On the other hand, a sedentary diffuser should also be appropriate for its surroundings and not be too large to engulf any passerby.

What Are the Benefits of Using Essential Oil Diffusers?

Aromatherapy is a tried and tested practice that has been proven to show immense benefits, including better sleep, peace of mind, and anxiety relief, to name a few. Diffusers can also be used as facial steamers to rejuvenate and add moisture back into the skin on winter days when it’s a tad bit too dry and chilly. In addition to this, the type of essential oil you use in the diffuse also greatly impacts the outcome. For example, chamomile is widely used for its healing and immunity-boosting properties. At the same time, the lavender essential oil is known to induce restfulness and boost sleep quality.

How To Maintain an Essential Oil Diffuser

Whether you use a small quantity or a large amount of essential oil in your diffuser, there will almost always be some oil leftover that will require cleaning. You’ll want to consider the ease of cleaning and caring for your diffuser upfront to avoid ending up in compromised circumstances. For proper sanitization, make sure to review the manufacturers’ guidelines before purifying the machine thoroughly. It is generally recommended to wipe down the vaporizers every couple of days to avoid excess oil accumulation. Using 100% essential oils is also key in ensuring the fragrance is unpolluted and your diffuser performs optimally.

Comparing the Best Essential Oil Diffusers of 2023

1

InnoGear Essential Oil Diffuser

– Best Overall
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InnoGears Aromatherapy Diffuser is a superior quality option for anyone looking to adopt a portable and compact device optimal for both traveling and being used as a desk or tabletop accessory. With this essential oil diffuser, you’ll be able to operate two different misting settings for round-the-clock convenience. These include an intermittent misting option that keeps the diffuser on for an extensive six to eight hours, with short breaks every 30 seconds. This is just enough time for a good night’s sleep and is ideal for those long working hours when you need something to keep you grounded. The other option entails an intensive 3 to 4 hour diffusing session that will keep delivering fragrance until the water runs out. Some additional elements include an auto shut-off feature for stress-free sleep, as well as eight color choices to pick from to create the perfect atmosphere.

Pros
  • Contains 2 handy mist diffusing settings
  • Offers 8 relaxing color options to create the perfect mood and atmosphere 
  • Includes an empty auto shut off feature
Cons
  • The bright lights may interfere with sleep quality
2

Hohm Essential Oil Diffuser

– Runner Up
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The Hohm Vessel Essential Oil Diffuser is the ultimate portable essential oil atomizer. With a sleek, curved aluminum alloy design and up to 450 square foot coverage, it’s perfect for scenting any space! Whether you’re in the comfort of your own home, on the go in your car, or in a hotel room, the vessel diffuser will turn any space into a soothing retreat.

This product allows you to experience your favorite essential oils in their purest form – without having to worry about mess or fuss. It’s completely waterless and works quickly to fill any room with natural, subtle fragrances. Not only does it make your environment smell great, but it also helps with relaxation and focus. It’s portable and rechargeable, allowing you to take it wherever you need to go – so whatever environment you’re in, you can always enjoy the benefits of pure essential oils. With this diffuser, you can elevate your home with a scent experience like no other!

Pros
  • No need to add water 
  • Runs for up to four hours at a time 
  • Stunning design
Cons
  • Not for larger rooms
3

Asakuki Premium Essential Oil Diffuser

– Honorable Mention
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This premium-grade essential oil diffuser is full of perks and bonuses. The mister adopts a 5-in-1 aromatherapy technology that includes a spacious 500ml water tank for longer and more relaxing sessions, along with seven LED colors and a mechanical shut-off feature. Asakukis’ diffuser will also hook you up with 4 different timer options to choose from according to your needs for the best therapeutic experience. Moreover, this fragrant oil vaporizer also lets you control the mist density to suit your planned activity better; the mist itself provides 25-30 meters squared of vertical space coverage for a wide-spread fragrance flow. By purchasing this ultrasonic humidifier, you’ll get a 100% BPA-free material that is both safe and eco-friendly for the environment.

Pros
  • An energy-efficient diffuser model
  • Includes 7 different colors with adjustable brightness settings
  • The eco-friendly material retains the benefits of essential oils
Cons
  • Not entirely successful at silent operation 
4

Equsupro Essential Oil Diffuser

– Also Consider
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This essential oil vaporizer is not only extremely compact and portable in design for effortless storage and travel compatibility but also an ideal addition to your home, office, nursery, and much more. The device includes 7 cyclable colors that you can alternate to create the perfect atmosphere and mood. This ultrasonic aromatherapy diffuser adopts ultrasound technology to eliminate any disturbing sounds that may cause unnecessary interference and distraction, along with being extremely child-friendly. The humidifier is designed to automatically shut off after its set time to promote safety and remove stress. Equsupros essential oil diffuser embraces a unique contemporary patterned design that makes itself known through 7 LED colored lights for an exemplary environment.

Pros
  • Engages a safe and user-friendly automatic switch-off feature
  • Employs 7 cyclable colors
  • The elegant and unique design promotes a contemporary look
Cons
  • Must be plugged into an outlet
5

Urpower 2nd Version Essential Oil Diffuser

– Contender
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If you want your home to smell fresh and evenly but also don’t want to spend a fortune on a diffuser, then this mist dispenser is an ideal pick for you. Urpowers’ 2nd Edition Oil Diffuser has been updated with several key features, including more mist production for improved humidifying strength. This fragrance diffuser is made of a hard-wearing PP (polypropylene) material that significantly enhances the machine’s durability and delivers a solid 6 hours of operation before calling quits. Urpowers diffuser is programmed with an auto shut off feature and 7 changing colors, including a nightlight instilled into the lamp, making it ideal for sleeping. The hallmark of this scent diffuser is the notably nominal price point that makes its way into almost every budget, along with being the perfect house-warming gift.

Pros
  • Employs a whisper-quiet operation for minimum interference
  • Incorporates red and green lights for easy mode recognition
  • Available at a nominal and budget-friendly price point
Cons
  • Does not dispense a strong scent in large areas
6

Diffuserlove 2 Pack Essential Oil Diffuser

– Also Great Option
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Diffuserloves’ 2 Pack Set includes a pair of essential oil diffusers with a capacity of 200ml each. These diffusers embrace a high-quality PP build that maintains composure and sturdiness with the different types of essential oil used. Additionally, you’ll also obtain a waterless auto shut-off feature for quiet and peaceful nights, as well as seven soothing nightlight colors to promote a pleasant and more harmonious environment. This fragrance diffuser duo incorporates optimal scent dispersal and humidifying properties that instantly lift your mood and add moisture to your skin by purifying and hydrating the surrounding air.

Pros
  • The combo package provides optimal value for money 
  • Includes a noiseless auto turn-off feature for improved sleep quality
  • sterilizes the air by removing excess dirt
Cons
  • The small tanks provide limited water capacities

People Also Asked

Q: Which essential oil is best for soothing anxiety?

A: Frankincense is believed to lower anxiety levels and bring about a state of calm and tranquility.

Q: How do evaporative diffusers work?

A: Evaporative diffusers utilize the help of a fan to disperse and diffuse the fragrance into the atmosphere.

Q: How do I clean a nebulizer?

A: It is recommended to wipe down the device with rubbing alcohol once every week and to occasionally wash it with detergent and a bit of warm water for optimal sanitization.

Home Accessories Living Room
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By Old House Journal Review Team
The Old House Journal Review Team’s product reviews and in-depth guides are here to help you restore, repair, update, and decorate your home. The content is created by The Old House Journal Review Team. The Old House Journal editorial staff is not involved. Old House Journal is reader-supported: When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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