I’ve posted before about why we don’t use scented candles and what we use instead. One of my favorite methods is essential oil diffusers, and many people have asked what type of diffuser I use and recommend.
I’m not an aromatherapy expert, but I’ve tried many different 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 will work well for your family.
Not all diffusers are created equal and some work better than others. I wish I had read a review like this before deciding which ones to buy and I hope my information will be helpful to you.
Benefits of Diffusing Essential Oils
So what does it mean to split essential oils, and why should you do it? Electric diffusers use a variety of methods to disperse essential oil containing water droplets into the air in a slow or continuous mist. There are also passive diffusers, such as reed diffusers and other waterless diffusers.
Diffusers are not just natural replacements for plug-ins and air conditioners. Each essential oil contains powerful chemicals from its parent plant. These chemicals bind to our olfactory receptors (the way we smell) and affect our limbic system. These nerves in our brain control our hunger, mood, anger, sleep, and more, so it makes sense that spreading fat can have a real impact.
There are many studies (and a lot of anecdotal evidence) that diffusing essential oils can produce the following benefits, depending on the type of oil:
- Reduce stress
- It improves mental clarity
- It raises the mood
- Calms and has a calming effect (useful before bed)
- It cleans the air
Essential oils are so much more than home fragrances. We need to be careful how we use them in our homes and our children.
The Best Essential Oil Diffusers
There are several different types of essential oil diffusers which is one reason why narrowing down to the right one can feel overwhelming. Here are some of the different types:
- Heat diffusers
- Evaporative diffusers
- Nebulizer diffuser
- Ultrasonic/humidifying diffusers
In addition to researching them, I’ve tried each type of diffuser and learned what I like and don’t like about each one.
1. Heat Diffuser
A heat diffuser (as it sounds) uses heat to turn water with a few drops of essential oil into a gas that disperses in the air. These can be electric or use candle/flame heat.
I haven’t found a heat diffuser that worked nearly as well as the worst nebulizer or ultrasonic diffuser I’ve tried. So I can’t make recommendations about these types of diffusers. Since heat affects the beneficial properties of essential oils, I do not recommend this method of diffusing oils in general.
It can also be dangerous to use in a household with curious children or pets who may knock them over. Heating devices (especially those that use a candle) do not automatically shut off so they are not safe to use unattended or while you are asleep.
2. Evaporative Diffusers
These diffusers use a fan to increase airflow over an essential oil-infused pad or liner. As the liquid evaporates, the odor (and its properties) goes into the air.
Another type of evaporative diffuser is the pendant diffuser. The theory is that essential oils will naturally evaporate and absorb into the air and skin. I don’t find this type of diffuser nearly as effective as the other two.
Reed diffusers work in a similar way and can provide a subtle scent if you work at a desk or have them around. They are not suitable for large rooms or spaces.
3. Nebulizing Diffuser
Nebulizing diffusers are often considered the most powerful type of diffuser and for good reason. They don’t need water or heat to get essential oils from the air. Nebulizing diffusers work by using an atomizer to create fine, airborne particles of essential oils and spray them into the air.
If you can’t tell, nebulizing diffusers are my favorite type of diffuser. If anyone is sick they can keep essential oils in the air and they can fill a large room of many square meters.
Here is my experience with this type of diffuser:
Good:
- It attaches directly to the essential oil bottle and can be opened with the flip of a switch
- No water or setup required
- A strong concentration of essential oils is released into the air. Ideal for large spaces such as the living room.
- Counters control working time and rest time. It allows you to control how long it runs and provides an option without continuous use.
- There is no light so they can be used at night as we avoid night lights
Disadvantages:
- The noise level is higher than ultrasonic separators
- Uses oil much faster than ultrasonic or other diffusers as it attaches directly to the diffuser
- More expensive than most ultrasonic diffusers (although not by much)
We use: This Advanced Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser from Amazon. Now I stocked up and ordered a few of them because they work so well. Even just diffusing for 15 minutes will leave an essential oil scent for hours.
4. Ultrasonic Diffusers
Ultrasonic diffusers work in the same way as a nebulizing diffuser by creating a fine mist. The difference is that ultrasonic diffusers use water and essential oils to create a gentle ultrasonic mist of water/oil that is released into the air. They remove moisture from the air but not as real moisture. It can be useful in winter if you have one around, but for a strong moisturizing effect you may need a real humidifier.
Ultrasonic diffusers also do not release solid essential oils as they do with water.
Most 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 of them you can turn off the light, but not always.
You can find tons of inexpensive ultrasonic diffuser sets now even at big box stores, online, and pharmacies. Many of these can work well but come in bottles of cheap “essential oils” that are just fragrance oils. When they sell precious oils like sandalwood, jasmine, and rose for just a few dollars a bottle that’s a good way to say they’re not really essential oils.
Good:
- It is less expensive than a nebulizing diffuser
- It helps calm the breath some more (helpful in the colder months)
- Lots of options to choose from
- Do not use heat
- The water tank has a large capacity
Disadvantages:
- You need water to function
- It must be cleaned from time to time
- Some have lights that cannot be turned off
- It does not work as a nebulizing diffuser
What we use: There are several different types of ultrasonic diffusers and I have found that some work better than others. These were our favorites:
- Noor Litemist Aromatherapy Diffuser – This simple cone-shaped design diffuses for several hours and has the option to turn the light on or off for nighttime use. (Please don’t use any LED lights that change color at night… here it is!)
- Allay Litemist Diffuser – Very similar and slightly cheaper than Noor Litemist. There seems to be no way to turn off the light which makes it unusable at night (for us).
- Portable Car Diffuser – I tried the smaller models but got tired of repeatedly filling their small water tanks! This one takes a placeholder but I like the on/off control and the smooth design. It comes with Plant Therapy’s Travel Essential Oil Blend, has a USB charger, and never runs out of battery power.
Other Ways to Refresh Indoor Air
Essential oils are a great way to freshen up the indoor air with natural fragrances but they are certainly not the only way! We keep our indoor air naturally clean by:
- Air filter houseplants – A NASA study found that plants are effective at filtering out VOCs and other indoor air toxins.
- Salt Lamps, Beeswax Candles, and Charcoal Bags – Three easy ways to clean indoor air without needing a diffuser or essential oil. They don’t provide natural odors like oils do, but they can remove harmful compounds from the air.
- Air filters. With the number of toxic substances in indoor air, air filters are a necessary and beneficial step. I explain why we like ours (we have a few) here. You’ll want to make sure you’re not using an essential oil diffuser near an open air filter. An air filter will filter essential oils from the air.
Below: Choosing the Best Essential Oil Diffuser
Essential oils may seem like mixed and matched perfumes, but in reality, they are powerful substances from plants that have therapeutic effects. Using a diffuser is a great step, but everyone should do their homework. If you have a family, be sure to only diffuse essential oil blends that are safe for children and take breaks by using a model with a vibrating mist setting.
If you have pets at home it is important that you spray safely around them as well. Birds are very sensitive to volatile oils and many experts say not to spread them around them at all. You can learn more about how to spray safely around pets (and when to avoid them) here.
This article has been peer-reviewed Madiha Saeed, MD, a board certified family physician. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend you talk to your doctor.
Have you ever used a diffuser? What did you like or dislike about it? Share below!
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