15 of the best reed diffusers — including highly-rated picks still in stock this Cyber Monday

These are the best reed diffuser scents to buy, plus highly-rated vessel-stick sets that shoppers love

Three reed diffusers on a blue marble background
(Image credit: Future)
Best reed diffusers: Quick Menu

Want to know why I invest in the best reed diffusers? Well, I'm a firm believer that the way your apartment/home/dorm smells is just as important as how it looks. Hence why I am obsessed with home fragrance — I'm Real Homes' resident expert, after all. 

In my eyes, a reed diffuser is one of the safest ways to scent your home. Plus, it's easy! You don't have to worry about a flickering flame getting out of control, black marks on your walls, or about where you're going to put your reed diffuser either. I've tested out a bunch of reed diffusers, so I know what to look for when shopping for them. 

From the likes of Nest New York, Rituals, and even Archipelago Botanicals, here are the home fragrances to scent your home with this fall and beyond. Now's one of the best times of year to grab a diffuser, as Cyber Monday home deals are officially here. So, I've also rounded up discounts that are live on diffusers we love, as well as on ones that are highly-rated by shoppers.

Cyber Monday reed diffuser deals

Want to make your place nice-smelling ASAP? These deals on reed diffusers that we love and that shoppers love are already live.

1. Nest New York Himalayan Salt & Rosewater Reed Diffuser | Was $60

1. Nest New York Himalayan Salt & Rosewater Reed Diffuser | Was $60 Now $55.83 (save $4.17) at Amazon

This floral diffuser is reminiscent of spring and summer days, with its blend of rosewater, geranium, and salted amber. The elegant packaging is also a serious winner and will make any small space look luxe. This was cheaper on Black Friday and has been seen even lower in June 2022 at $35.70.

2. Cocorrína Reed Diffuser Set | Was $19.99

2. Cocorrína Reed Diffuser Set | Was $19.99 Now $15.99 (save $4) at Amazon 

Bring a touch of winter into your home with this rich diffuser that has notes of vanilla, cedar, and licorice. Shoppers say that the scent is strong but not overpowering, and that the baby’s breath detailing and marble-style vessel are also very stylish. This could make a great Christmas gift, as it looks more expensive than it is with the Cyber Monday discount.

3. Neom Real Luxury Reed Diffuser | Was $43.20

3. Neom Real Luxury Reed Diffuser | Was $43.20 Now $32.20 (save $11.30) at Amazon

If you like having a subtle fragrance in your room rather than an overwhelming one, this Neom diffuser is perfectly balanced. It works well in the bedroom thanks to this, as well as its lavender and jasmine notes which will help you de-stress. It’s also versatile enough to have in your home year-round. 

4. Nest New York Wild Mint & Eucalyptus Reed Diffuser | Was $60

4. Nest New York Wild Mint & Eucalyptus Reed Diffuser | Was $60 Now $55.49 (save $4.51) at Amazon

For those of you who love using scents to freshen up your space, this NEST diffuser is a stylish choice. The fragrance works brilliantly in my bathroom, banishing odors while adding a touch of luxe to the space. It’s also Amazon’s overall pick for NEST reed diffusers, thanks to plenty of high ratings.

The best reed diffusers to buy for your home in 2023

Why you can trust Real Homes Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Ready to get started? I've sectioned this out by our top three overall, seasonal scents (currently fall fragrances), the best scents, and the best per room. 

Our top three reed diffusers

The best reed diffusers for winter

The best reed diffusers for fall

The best reed diffusers by scent

The best reed diffusers by room

What to consider when choosing a reed diffuser

1. Is it refillable?
With candles, once they’re gone, they’re gone. Not so with reed diffusers, which can be topped up with new fragrance oil when it runs out. Just make sure that when you buy a diffuser refill you discard your old reeds and buy new ones as they’ll be saturated with all the scent they’ve soaked up from the first round of oil and won’t soak up any more. 

2. Think about scents you normally like
If you don’t know what you like, choosing a fragrance can be the hardest part of shopping for a diffuser, but looking for individual scent families is a good place to start. Florals are fairly self-explanatory, though some of them might get a bad rap for being too strong. For a more unexpected home fragrance, consider something from the woody or spicy families, or on the other end of the spectrum, a fresher, "greener" scent.

3. Check its size
I've listed the size of each reed diffuser above. The larger the diffuser, the longer it will last. And don't forget that the more reeds in the fragrance, the quicker it will empty. Plus, the more often you flip the reeds the quicker the fragrance will need to be refilled or replaced, too. It's worth bearing this in mind when looking at the price of a reed diffuser — when will you next need to pay to refill or replace it?

4. Consider its design
Make a point to buy a reed diffuser that will fit in with your home decor, because it will have to be placed in the center of a room. Also, be sure to check if its vessel is recyclable after use and if not, then you might want to ensure refills are available so you won't have to throw away the whole vessel.

5. Does it come as a candle or a room spray too?
If you like your home to smell the same throughout, then be sure to check whether the reed diffuser you have picked comes as a candle, a wax melt, or an air-freshening room spray, too.

How we test reed diffusers

The best reed diffusers as reviewed by Annie in her bedroom on her chest of drawers with plant beside them


(Image credit: Future/Annie Collyer)
Home fragrance expert
Annie Collyer illustration
Home fragrance expert
Annie Collyer

That's right: I've (Annie) tested the majority of these reed diffusers at home. I have been testing home fragrances for years now in my spacious two-bedroom apartment that, as you can imagine, smells like a total dream. While using the reed diffusers above, I always move them from room to room, and I like to use them until they are half empty before making my mind up. My favorite ever reed diffuser for year-round use has to be Rituals' The Ritual of Sakura.

Otherwise, a couple of reed diffusers in this guide have been recommended by other members of the Real Homes team.

FAQs

Should I wait until Cyber Monday to buy a reed diffuser?

If you're looking to buy a high-end reed diffuser such as a NEOM one or a  Nest NY one, you might want to wait until Cyber Monday, as these are often discounted on sites such as Amazon. We have already added early discounts to this page and will continue to update it as more come in. We check all discounts through Google Shopping's price insights and Camelcamelcamel to ensure that you're getting the best deal possible.

What is the best reed diffuser?

If you are searching for a great all-around pick, then the Rituals The Ritual of Sakura Reed Diffuser is my favorite option. It's powerful and works in pretty much any room — though it is way too luxurious to leave in a bathroom or kitchen. You can also buy refills, so you only have to buy the vessel once!

Buy this reed diffuser from Amazon or direct from Rituals.

What's the best reed diffuser for covering pet odors?

Pet odors can be really strong, so the best reed diffuser for removing them will be any ones with rich scents. We recommend Neom Organics Happiness, as the zesty scent is perfect for refreshing any room. 

Buy this reed diffuser from Amazon.

How much should I spend on a reed diffuser?

How much you should spend on a reed diffuser depends on your budget. Lower budget diffusers can start at as little as $5, medium budget diffusers can start at $20, and high-end diffusers can start at $50.

What is a luxury reed diffuser?

A luxury reed diffuser is a reed diffuser that upscale hotels and restaurants use in order to make a small space smell nice. For example, Cowshed reed diffusers like this Cowshed winter reed diffuser are used in Soho House, and the scents chosen are inspired by locations.

How do reed diffusers work?

Reed diffusers work in a really straightforward way. The reeds absorb the scented oil from the vessel and then release that into the air. This then gives off a subtle but consistent scent into the space.

What is the point of a reed diffuser?

Reed diffusers continuously add scent to a room, without any maintenance whatsoever (apart from occasionally flipping them). Simply unpack your diffuser, place the reeds in it, and you can instantly smell the difference.

Do you pour all the oil in a reed diffuser?

You don't need to pour all the oil in a reed diffuser. Instead, fill it to about two-thirds or three-quarters full. This allows for proper absorption by the reeds. Adding too much oil can oversaturate the reeds, leading to a strong smell that may be overpowering.

Are thicker diffuser reeds better?

The thickness of reed diffuser reeds can affect the throw of the fragrance. Thicker reeds can absorb and release more fragrance, which can provide a stronger smell. However, the effectiveness of this can depend on the shape and size of the room.

Where should you not put a reed diffuser?

Make sure not to put a reed diffuser next to a heat source such as a radiator or a heater, as this can cause the oil to evaporate quicker than normal.

What are the disadvantages of a reed diffuser?

The disadvantages of reed diffusers can include them being not as potent as fragrance options like candles. They also need to be flipped regularly and the oil stains can stain surfaces if not handled carefully.

Are reed diffusers better than plug-ins?

Reed diffusers don't require electricity to run, whereas plug-in fragrances require electricity in order to provide a continuous fragrance in the air. Therefore, in terms of energy efficiency, reed diffusers are better.

How long is the lifespan of a reed diffuser?

The lifespan of a reed diffuser varies based on factors such as the size of the bottle and the amount of oil used. Normally, an average reed diffuser can last anywhere from several weeks to a few months. However, factors like room temperature, ventilation, and the number of reeds can influence how quickly the oil evaporates.  

How often does a reed diffuser need to be changed?

How often a reed diffuser needs to be changed does depend on the brand and size of the diffuser you buy. However, six months is the average time to change them. Before you re-buy, be sure to check if your reed diffuser has a refill option, as this is a more sustainable route due to only needing to buy the vessel once.

Can you buy refills for reed diffusers?

You can buy refills for reed diffusers, but this will depend on the brand and what they offer. If your reed diffuser doesn't have a refill option, can also buy refills for a different reed diffuser and place it in your vessel, for a sustainable refill option.

What room of the house should I put a reed diffuser in?

Reed diffusers work well in rooms that you want to keep scented nicely and often have bad odors that need removing, such as the kitchen or the bathroom. We like using reed diffusers in all rooms of the house though, switching between fragrances to set a different tone in each space.

Should I flip reeds in a reed diffuser?

Flipping reeds in a reed diffuser is important to do if you want a strong fragrance in your home. You can do this every week to revitalize the scent in a room.

How many reeds should I put in my diffuser?

How many reeds you should put in your diffuser depends on the size of your room and how strong you want the scent to be. The more reeds you put in, the more powerful the scent will be. Six is a good amount for all rooms, but eight would be better for those with larger spaces.

How can I make my reed diffuser last longer?

If you want your reed diffuser to last longer, don't flip your reeds as frequently. Once a month will still work well, and if you live in a smaller space, you won't need to flip them at all. You can also put a stopper in the reed diffuser if you're happy with the strength of the scent in the room.

If you haven't kept the stopper from your reed diffuser, you could use one from a shop-bought set instead, such as from these Feel Fragrance Glass Diffuser Jars on Amazon.


If you're into DIY, then see our guide on how to make a reed diffuser to create your very own concoction with essential oils. Or if mist is more your thing, consider one of our best essential oil diffusers for an aromatherapeutic experience.

Where to buy reed diffusers

Still searching for the perfect reed diffuser to gift or use in your own home? Click through below and browse more buys online from some Real Homes favorite brands.

Annie Collyer
Head Ecommerce Editor

Hi! I'm Annie, and I'm the Head Ecommerce Editor at Real Homes. I've been part of the Real Homes team since 2018, when I joined as Deals Editor. Along with covering major sales events — from Black Friday to Amazon Prime Day — I review home must-haves so that you can buy with peace of mind. Mostly focusing on home fragrance and sleep, as well as a few vacuum cleaners, I've tested pretty much every item you can think of that you need in your home. I live on the outskirts of the city in a two-bed apartment with my husband and my pug, Doug. So I am always searching for compact alternatives and ways to save floor space. What about when I am not typing away? Well, you'll find me enjoying an iced coffee (no matter the season) and trying out the latest brunch spots the city has to offer, or booking my next holiday. Where else can you find my words? Livingetc, Homes & Gardens, Ideal Home, Gardeningetc, and Woman & Home.

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