Why We Chose It:
- Unique.
- Quiet.
- Large capacity.
Technical Specifications:
- Made of plastic.
- LED light.
- 8.4 x 6.6 x 6.6 inches.
A good essential oil diffuser can play a number of important roles in a home or business.
First and foremost, it helps to pump out a therapeutic oil into the atmosphere, providing any number of beneficial effects in the environment.
A good diffuser can also improve the smell in an area or even work to help set the atmosphere for a specific room. It is a perfect complement to bring your saunas, massages, and other home spa activities life. The only downside to the essential oil diffuser tends to be finding the right one for your life.
If you’re looking for a good oil diffuser, you have many options. Before you go shopping, though, it’s good to know a little bit about these devices. This means not only taking a look at an oil diffuser buying guide but looking through the curated list of some of the best essential oil diffusers on the market today. Once you have the information you need, getting the right oil diffuser will be as simple as clicking a button.
Top 14: Our Favorite Essential Oil Diffusers
URPOWER 400mL
A solid pick as the absolute best oil diffuser on the market, this uniquely-shaped diffuser is a great example of how form and function can come together to make something better. While it’s probably most attractive for those who really care about aesthetics, this diffuser is so much more. Looking beyond the design proves that not only is this a solid diffuser but that it is also the type of diffuser from which many others can take a few pointers. If you’re looking for the best, you’ve already found it here.
It’s hard not to harp on the design of the diffuser, mostly because it’s so different than what’s on the market. It’s a lovely vase design that fits in well in places like a yoga studio, but it wouldn’t look out of place even in an office. Beyond that, though, it actually has some impressive technical specs. The diffuser can keep working for up to twelve hours, putting out a great deal of oil during that time. It is also very easy to control, which makes it great for those who need to adjust the unit frequently. In short, it’s got exactly what most people want from a diffuser without requiring them to be experts in using the device.
Like the average ultrasonic diffuser, this model does need to be cleaned often. Be wary, as failure to clean it will cause oil to build up and ultimately render the unit inoperable. If you are able to perform basic maintenance, though, you’ll have a great experience with this diffuser.
ASAKUKI Premium
Premium can be a funny term when used in marketing. While you’d hope that premium means that a diffuser is the best of the best, the truth is that the term usually means that an oil diffuser just costs more. Fortunately, this diffuser from ASAKUKI doesn’t include a higher price tag with its premium label. What it does do, though, is pack a fair number of great features in an oil diffuser. If you are looking for a great ultrasonic model that will get an appropriate amount of oil into the air, this is a good place to start.
Perhaps the best feature on this diffuser is how it atomizes the oil. It doesn’t just diffuse in one mode – it’s got a handful that you can try out, letting you determine exactly how much oil you want to use. This oil diffuser also functions very well as a night light, with a host of different LED colors. Thankfully, all of this is accompanied by a fairly large (500mL) tank and an emergency switch that allows you to leave the unit running without having to fear what might happen if it runs out of water. The premium label really seems earned for this diffuser.
The unit’s biggest problem is that it can be a little loud. This isn’t always an issue, but it’s the kind of thing you generally go to an ultrasonic oil unit to avoid. Other than this issue, though, there aren’t many problems with this diffuser. Definitely consider it as a premium oil delivery system.
Aromis Orbis Nox Merus
Simplicity can be either a blessing or a curse when it comes to an essential oil product. On one hand, it’s always nice to have the best technology. On the other, it’s nice to have something that just works. This diffuser really stands out as an essential oil diffuser that does away with most of the bells and whistles to concentrate on simplicity. While it might not have all the features of some of the other diffusers on the market, this unit does nonetheless perform quite impressively.
One of the main selling points of this diffuser from Aromis is that it doesn’t put anything between the user and the oil. There is no heating element here, nor does the unit use water. By misting out pure oil, users will get the most therapeutic effects from the chosen oil as well as the most concentrated odors. This makes the product particularly useful for those who don’t want their oil diluted, as well as those who are looking to spread the smell of the oil over a large area. This oil diffuser also looks great, both as a conversation piece and as a piece of technology.
As you might expect from an oil diffuser that doesn’t use water, this diffuser goes through oil quickly. That means that it ultimately costs more to operate, especially if you choose to use an expensive oil. If you can deal with the high price of operation, though, you’ll find a fantastic diffuser here.
VicTsing Mini
Sometimes good things come in small packages. This is certainly these case with this oil diffuser from VicTsing, which can fit in the palm of your hand. Despite its small size, though, this is actually a fairly full-featured diffuser. Not only does it work well for getting oil into the air, but it also does a fantastic job of working as a nightlight. Whether you’re looking to light up a child’s room at night or you are looking to have an oil diffuser that you can take on this go, this diffuser will work for you.
This essential oil diffuser’s selling points are really focused around two features. The first, and perhaps most important, is its nightlight aspect. It has fourteen different color settings (seven colors and two brightness settings for each), helping it to work very well as both an interesting decorative piece and as a nightlight. It’s also incredibly portable – it really can fit in the palm of your hand while still being stable enough to work well when you plug it in somewhere else. It’s probably not the most technically exciting oil diffuser on the market, but it gets the job done.
The main drawback of this oil diffuser is, unfortunately, the size. Since it’s so small, it has a tiny water reservoir and has to be refilled often. On the plus side, though, it does help users from going through oil too quickly. If you’re looking for something that is small and easy to use, this may be the diffuser for you.
VicTsing Ultrasonic
This excellent oil diffuser can be thought of as the portable version of VicTsing’s diffuser writ large. With a very similar design aesthetic, this takes some of the best parts of the portable diffuser and expands them into a much more useful size. While it loses some of its utility for those who need a diffuser on the go, this unit also has a host of its own benefits. If you’re looking for a good-looking, well-functioning oil diffuser this might be a very good place to start. Even when you take away portability, you’re left with an excellent piece of engineering.
Like any good ultrasonic diffuser, this unit helps to put oil out into the air with a minimum amount of noise. It’s quiet enough to be run in an office or even a child’s room without any fear of bothering others. It’s also got a fairly large reservoir, large enough to keep working for about ten hours. Fortunately, this unit is also equipped with an automatic shut-off sensor that will stop the unit as soon as the reservoir is full. This means that you can enjoy your essential oil without having to worry about checking the tank repeatedly. It’s a small feature, but it’s one that ought to be in every diffuser.
The only downside here is in a manufacturing defect. From time to time, you’ll get a diffuser that doesn’t quite function as long as it should. Luckily, this is a problem that the company’s customer service department tends to fix quickly. If you want a good diffuser, the flaws here really aren’t enough to trump the features.
URPOWER 2nd Version
It’s already been established that URPOWER makes a great diffuser. The second version of its diffuser seeks to build on what made the first version work so well, adding a few enhanced features and increasing the power of the diffuser. While this unit might not be the best thing that URPOWER has ever put out, it’s still a fantastic piece of technology. This is a great diffuser in general, hurt only by its comparison to other products made by the company. When everything works right with the new features, though, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything better.
If there’s a single word to describe this version of URPOWER’s diffuser, it’s more. It puts out more mist, has more colors, and seeks to include more features. It has the auto shut-off feature, the multiple colors of glowing lights, and even the multiple settings that people have come to expect from their diffusers. It’s incredibly quiet and will fit in well no matter what the setting. In terms of sheer usability, it’s hard not to call it the best oil diffuser out there. While you may not find yourself using all the features, you will certainly appreciate the options.
The flaws on this unit are minor, but they keep it from perfection. It needs a fair bit of cleaning and you have to use filtered water. It does seem to go through oil a little faster than the other unit, but only by a bit. These aren’t big problems, but they are the difference between being the best and simply being very good.
Pilgrim Sofia
The Pilgrim Collection’s Sofia is all about minimalism. It’s a diffuser that only uses oil, not water. There are not a host of special extra features here, but rather a dedication to providing a solid experience. It’s certainly different from the average diffuser that’s trying to do more and more with each iteration, and that’s definitely a point in this diffuser’s favor. If you’re looking for something that’s just going to work without requiring you to figure out extra steps, this is the best place to start.
The Sofia doesn’t use water, so you’ll be working only with oil here. It is also heat-free, so you’ll never need to worry about causing a fire. It does have multiple mist settings, which is nice, but the actual activation of the unit is still simple. One of the best features included is the fact that it has two oil reservoirs. This makes it very easy to switch out oils and clean the other reservoir even while the unit is running. This is a feature that really needs to be present in more diffusers, so it’s nice to see it in the Sofia.
The downsides here are typical to what you’ll find in any other water-free unit. It uses a great deal of oil, so be prepared to pay for many refills. It’s also a bit more expensive than an ultrasonic or heat-based unit, which is still par for the course. Still, this is one of the best water-free diffusers you are likely to find.
Hathaspace Marble
You don’t necessarily need something fancy when you’re looking at a diffuser. Yes, some of the best diffusers have a host of special features and are designed to look like works of art. Most buyers, however, don’t need all of those bells and whistles. What’s really necessary is a diffuser that works well, uses a reasonable amount of oil, and that can provide a solid experience. That’s where a device like the Hathaspace Marble comes in, simply doing its job without over-complicating things. Don’t mistake simple for being lesser, though – this is still one of the best diffusers you’ll find.
The simple design of this unit actually works in favor of the diffuser. What you’ve got is basically a large ultrasonic diffuser with a large reservoir and little more. The sole complicating feature is the ability to determine how long the diffuser will keep working, but even that is as easy as accessing a slider on the front of the unit. It uses oil at a reasonable pace and it won’t stand out, making it a great diffuser to bring with you almost anywhere. It’s definitely a candidate for the best ultrasonic diffuser out there, even if it doesn’t have some of the features that are now expected in one of these units.
The downsides, as you might expect, are related to the lack of extra features. There’s no night light, a lack of multiple misting modes, and you can’t do anything with this mister other than put out oil mist. That’s not a problem, though, if you’re just looking for a good device that actually works.
URPOWER 130mL
It’s not always necessary to have a huge diffuser. Sometimes you just want to be able to pack up the device and your essential oil collection, secure in the knowledge that you can get the oils out into whatever atmosphere in which you happen to be. URPOWER makes a few excellent larger diffusers, this may well be the best small diffuser they make. The compact size doesn’t make it any less efficient, and it’s still as useful as you’d hope when buying from a company that makes great diffusers.
This little mister actually checks a lot of important boxes. First and foremost, it’s incredibly useful – with multiple mist modes, it will help you create exactly the sort of atmosphere you need. It also has a great light mode, which makes it a good choice for childrens’ rooms or for therapeutic settings. It’s also very energy efficient, which helps to ensure that you’ll be able to be as environmentally-friendly as you like while still getting the most out of your diffuser. Despite its compact nature, it’s also an attractive piece of design work – something you don’t always see with the average essential oil device.
The downsides here are fairly obvious. It’s got a small reservoir, so you will have to refill the unit more often. It also has a water-free mode, which means that you will go through more oil. Even with those minor drawbacks, you’ll still get access to a great unit that will help you to create the perfect atmosphere.
InnoGear 200mL
It’s always interesting to see a diffuser labeled as the second version of a product. While some might think that it means there was a problem with the original unit, it often means that the company has found a good way to refine a design. If you’re looking to get something that’s already been through its first iteration and that has largely perfected the process, you can do a lot worse than looking for the upgraded version of an older diffuser. That’s certainly the case with this unit from InnoGear, which really does improve on what has come before.
The first thing that you’ll notice about this diffuser is that it is compact. This has no bearing on how well it outputs oil, though – the unit actually has a pair of misting modes that allow you to choose between strong and weak mists. You’ll also notice that the wood-grain design fits in well in most spaces, something that’s helped by the fact that the device is actually very quiet. If you don’t want it to fade into the background, though, you can always turn on the unit’s lights and get a soothing glow.
The mister does seem to get weaker the longer it runs, regardless of how much water is in the reservoir. This is only an issue for those who will leave the unit running for hours at a time, though, and even at its weakest it still has a good output of oil mist. This second iteration of the product really is better than the first, and it’s more than worth a look.
URPOWER 2nd Gen 300mL
URPOWER’s 2nd Gen 300 ML Diffuser takes a lot of notes from the other 2nd Gen version, simply increasing the size of the reservoir in order to make the experience a bit different. This is actually a big change, even if it only looks like a minor upgrade. After all, bigger reservoirs tend to mean less refilling, less standing up, and ultimately more enjoying of the oil in the mist. It’s a change that goes a long way to improve the 2nd Generation of this product, even if it doesn’t require a huge shift in how it works.
The good news is that most of what you probably loved in the other 2nd Gen model still applies here. It still lives up to the standards set by URPOWER, with a great oil mist and enough extras that you’ll never regret buying the product. You will still get good lights, a high degree of safety, and a user-friendly experience that will allow even a new buyer a chance to really embrace essential oils. All of this is added to the bigger reservoir, which will simply allow you to enjoy your diffuser a bit more than you would with a smaller model.
Unfortunately, the similarity between this version and the other 2nd Gen model extends to the weaknesses. You’re still going to go through more oil than you’d like and you certainly will have to clean this unit fairly often. If you can deal with this minor issue, though, you’ll get access to one of the best diffusers out there.
InnoGear 2nd Version
Another version of InnoGear’s excellent 2nd Version mister, this diffuser eschews any kind of aesthetic tricks in order to make an oil mister that is perfect for kids. It’s a simple, basic design that is meant to put out more oil mist and to keep kids happy at night – something that can absolutely make any parent’s life easier. What’s nice is while this is clearly a very simple diffuser, it’s still go everything you need to ensure a good experience. InnoGear has made a real winner here.
This unit really does feel like it’s meant to function as much as a nightlight as it is to function as a diffuser. It cycles through a variety of different colors, though you can just as easily pick a favorite and leave it there. The unit does put out a good amount of oil mist, though, and is simple enough to use that you’ll never find yourself trying to figure out what you’re supposed to do. Combined with a reasonably large reservoir, this is a good unit to help a child get to sleep at night – or for an adult who needs comfort during the day.
The downside is that this is really just a unit for kids. The lack of aesthetic appeal means that you’re not going to want to bring this one out to the office. That’s not a bad thing, though, especially if you just want a mister at home. This is a great diffuser even if you don’t have kids, as long as you are fine with the idea of your diffuser looking like a very functional product.
URPOWER Real Bamboo
There’s a certain intersection between tech and aesthetics that are becoming very popular these days. If you look at items like smart speakers, you’ll notice that while they are very functional, they’re also meant to blend into the decor. This is certainly the case with the Real Bamboo unit by URPOWER, which leverages the company’s great diffuser technology into a shell that’s a little more understated than their average diffuser. It’s a good look to be sure, but the best part is that it still has all the functions necessary to give you a great essential oil experience.
This diffuser looks more like a wooden smart speaker than anything else. Tall and slender, it houses a reasonably sized reservoir and a strong misting unit. It has two different working modes, one of which makes mist until the water runs out and one that puffs out mist intermittently. The former is great for making sure that your atmosphere has the proper amount of oils in it at all time, while the latter is actually a great oil saver. There is also a waterless shut-off mode, which ensures that you won’t waste energy by keeping your mister running when it isn’t working.
The downsides here are similar to the other units by this company. It needs to be cleaned frequently for proper use and really does need filtered water. These are very minor issues with this type of diffuser, though, and they certainly shouldn’t turn you away from a great device.
Art Naturals
It’s often assumed that anyone buying a diffuser already has his or her own essential oil collection. Unfortunately, many who are in the market for this kind of product don’t even know where to start with oils. If you are looking for a diffuser that will hold your hand when it comes to getting your first set of oils, this may be the best one on the market.
It’s really nice to see a diffuser like this on the market. The fact that it ships with an oil collection is more than a bonus – it’s a good way to get people into using diffusers without requiring them to go out and buy more products. Once you get past the oil set, though, you’ll still see a good diffuser that works well. It doesn’t have extra features but rather counts on users needing a simple experience. This means simply being able to turn the unit on and watching it go, something that might be a good fit for those who don’t want to interact with a diffuser too often.
The simplicity of this unit is a double-edged sword, though. The lack of extra features can get a little frustrating when you see what else is on the market. There’s also the fact that the diffuser itself is hard to open, making it a bad fit for anyone with arthritis. If you are looking for a solid starter that won’t let you down, though, this might be the diffuser for you.
Buying Guide: Finding Your Perfect Essential Oil Diffuser
It’s always a good idea to know a bit more about a product before you make a purchase. If you are looking for the best oil diffuser, you need to know a bit about what makes an oil diffuser tick. This buying guide will provide you with all the basics that you need to know about the types of diffuser, as well as a few key elements that will keep you from wasting your oil. From the technology behind the diffuser to the basic selling points, these are the features that are most important to the average oil diffuser buyer.
Type of Technology
There are four basic types of oil diffuser, each of which interacts with the oil in a slightly different way. The technological differences between each diffuser might not seem all that important, but each has its own pros and cons. Picking the best diffuser does mean taking a look at what makes it tick, even if those elements don’t seem terribly important. At the very least, you’ll get a good idea of what drawbacks you should expect from the diffuser as well as which types of diffuser to which you should compare your current ideal models.
The simplest type of oil diffuser is the evaporative diffuser. This type of diffuser doesn’t use any type of heat, but rather blows air across a pad that’s been soaked or treated with an essential oil. These diffusers are very simple and don’t have any moving parts, which helps them to last for a fairly long time. Unfortunately, the pads have to be changed out fairly often and they don’t tend to diffuse the oil into the air regularly. They’re a very basic solution and great for those who love simplicity, but they are a very low-tech solution.
The next step up in terms of sophistication is the heat diffuser. This type of diffuser is a bit like a wax warmer, heating up the oil and diffusing it into the air. Quick, efficient, and good for large spaces, it’s also probably the diffuser that is most prone to problems. Since it uses an electric heating element, it’s very possible to start a fire with type of unit. The oil can also lose some of its therapeutic properties when being heated, so you might not get quite the experience you want out of this one. If you’re looking for something to quickly cover a large space, though, you can’t beat this type of diffuser.
The ultrasonic diffuser is a high-tech solution that disperses oil quickly, quietly, and efficiently. While it’s certainly high-tech and quiet, this type of diffuser also has a very limited range of effect. The ultrasonic diffuser also gets dirty quickly and has to be cleaned out regularly, making it one of the highest-maintenance models. If you’re looking for cool technology and the ability to use your diffuser without much noise, though, you won’t find anything better.
Finally, there’s the nebulizing diffuser. Perhaps the most powerful diffuser model on the market today, this type of diffuser takes oil directly from the bottle and puts it into the air. If you’re looking for the strongest possible concentration of oil from a diffuser and you want to cover the largest possible area, this is the diffuser for you. Unfortunately, this type of diffuser also tends to be very expensive and goes through oil incredibly quickly. The other major downside to this type of diffuser is that it tends to be very loud – it’s just not a good fit for an office or for a therapeutic setting, even if it does work very well.
How Long it Runs
It’s also a very good idea to take a look at how long the oil diffuser runs. A diffuser can run between an hour and most of a day, and the length of time it runs will play a huge role in how often you have to refill the unit, how often you’ll have to turn the unit on and off, and ultimately the atmosphere in the area in which the diffuser runs. While it might seem like the best answer here would be to find a diffuser that runs as long as possible, the truth is that the average user will not need a diffuser that runs towards the top end of the scale. Not only will this tend to be a waste of oil, but it also tends to be a genuine waste of energy.
Take some time to take a realistic look at how often you’re likely to use the diffuser. If you want the scent of oil just in the morning before you go to work, for example, something that will only work for an hour or so will be enough. If you’re trying to bring the aroma to an office building, though, you’ll want something that can run for your entire shift. It’s important to remember that every diffuser has a slightly different degree of intensity, so running your diffuser for only a few hours might give you more than enough oil for an entire day. Take the time to look at individual units and try to buy something that will help you to hit at least your minimum timeframe.
It’s also a good idea to note that how long a diffuser run is usually related to the unit’s water capacity, not any timers that you might set. Figuring out how long the diffuser runs is more likely to help you figure out how often you’ll have to refill the unit, not how long you can count on the unit running before it turns off. Finding a diffuser with a timer can be great, though, as it allows you to conserve oil and takes a bit of pressure off of you to remember to turn it off.
Oil Use
An essential oil isn’t necessarily that expensive, though the best types of oil can be costly if you have to keep buying them again and again. It’s usually for the best if you’re able to find an oil diffuser that uses a minimum amount of oil, though doing so isn’t always as easy as you might imagine. You can typically break down oil use by whether a unit uses water or simply uses the oil – if it only uses the former, the unit is likely to go through less oil. If it does the former, though, you might be able to get away with refilling the unit less often – though your costs might be a bit higher in general.
Oil use is almost always the lowest in a diffuser that uses water. Since most of the lower-priced diffusers on the market fall into this category, those who are looking to stick to a budget probably want to concentrate on that category. While you can certainly find a high-end diffuser that uses water as well, you’re still going to end up spending less on your essential oil collection if you choose a diffuser that allows you to mix water with an essential oil. The only downside here, though, is that you’ll get a less concentrated dose of oil misted into the air.
There are some higher-end diffusers that use only oil, and they’ll certainly put more oil into the air quickly. This type of diffuser doesn’t need to be refilled often, but when it does it requires the use of quite a bit of oil. This sort of diffuser tends to be more expensive in general and tends to be confined to the higher end of the market, but it can give you a more ‘pure’ experience with your essential oil kit – even if you might have to buy oil more often.
Construction
Construction is an element of an oil diffuser that tends to get overlooked. A good diffuser might seem like it just needs to sit in one place, but many diffuser owners do tend to move their equipment from room to room. While the average person probably won’t need an oil diffuser that is built to the standards of military ruggedness, it’s a good idea to look at how well your diffuser is made before you make a purchase. Fortunately, you can tell a bit about the quality of construction based on the material of which the diffuser is made.
Your oil diffuser will probably be either plastic, ceramic, or metal. A plastic diffuser is usually cheap and hard to break if dropped, though you’ll often find problems with any moving parts or with the reservoir for the oil. A ceramic diffuser can be more expensive and look better, but it’s much easier to break if you’re moving the diffuser from one room to the other. The few metal diffuser models out there are virtually unbreakable, but they’re rare and they tend to be more prone to wiring problems and oil reservoir leaks.
It’s also a good idea to look at any electrical components quickly. If it seems like your cord is prone to fraying, it probably won’t last very long. Once the cord goes on an oil diffuser, it’s probably best to look for something new. This isn’t a problem that you’ll be able to fix, so make sure that your diffuser has a solid electrical connection.
Extra Features
It’s always a good idea to see if your oil diffuser has any kind of special features. Is it likely that one of these extras will qualify any given diffuser as the best of the best? Probably not, but it can make it a little better than another diffuser that’s next to it on the shelf. Finding something that can do a little more than diffusing oil isn’t hard, so take some time to see which extra features really matter to you.
One of the most common diffuser features is a light. It doesn’t have anything to do with the oil, but it does function well as a nightlight. This can be a great feature for those who want to use a diffuser for young children who still need a bit of extra light, but it can be annoying for adults who need darkness to sleep. If you can find a diffuser that will allow you to turn off the light without interfering with the diffusion process, this won’t matter as much.
There are also dozens of other little features that might or might not be on a diffuser. Some might have timers, while others might do something special with oil. Electronic read-outs, timers, alarms, and other features can be nice – but they’re ultimately not all that necessary. If you’re looking for a good oil diffuser and you can’t decide on which to buy, picking one with a few extra bells and whistles might make things easier.
Conclusions
No matter what you are looking for in a diffuser, you’ll find it here. Whether you are looking for something that uses minimal amounts of oil, something that can work in a large space, or just a nice-smelling nightlight, you’ll get what you need from this group. These products all hit the high notes when it comes to oil diffusion, with different features helping each to appeal to a different part of the market. While these are only ten diffusers, the truth is that almost every consumer will find a suitable oil diffusion device on this list. Once you’re aware of which features you find the most important, you’ll be able to identify which of these oil diffusion devices will work best for you.
