If you're forever wondering if your home smells nice, then I am right behind you. Honestly, home fragrance is something that worries me daily — especially since I live with a pet. Well, worry no more because an essential oil diffuser is the best way to safely scent your home using just two ingredients — some drops of your favorite essential oil and some water. In fact, some machines don't even require the latter. Either way, they are all totally convenient and actually quite cute, if you weren't already aware. Oh, and don't even get us started about the ASMR goals... the visual impact of steam coming out and the soft sound of trickling water is a total lullaby if you struggle to sleep, too.
Designed to look good and be easy to use, some essential oil diffusers can do even more than that. Some models have an integrated light so that you can use them to add a subtle glow to a space. Others come with a remote so that you can control them from your sofa or bed, and the best part is that they are super eco-friendly. You only need to use a couple of drops of essential oils each time you use your diffuser, meaning the only waste you'll be left with is a small (usually glass) bottle once every six months or so.
Quick Menu:
1. Essential oil diffuser reviews
2. FAQs
3. What to consider
4. Review process
Unlike scented candles which are lovely but require a flame, and reed diffusers that you basically use once and toss when empty, an essential oil diffuser is an investment buy that you'll use to scent your home for years to come. With this in mind, let us introduce you to a stylish yet safe way to scent your space.
I'm Annie, the fragrance expert here at Real Homes, which means that I've tested my fair share of home fragrances, including candles, reed diffusers, and essential oil diffusers — I use the portable Neom Wellbeing Pod Mini to scent my bathroom. Out of the seven diffusers in this guide, six have been tried, tested, and recommended by a Real Homes team member, so you get all the juicy deets and honest thoughts. As for the last pick, well, the customer ratings speak volumes.
The best essential oil diffusers
This Neom diffuser takes essential oil diffusion to a whole new level and honestly, it’s so much more than a basic diffuser. If you’re looking to mist a larger space this large-sized pod is a perfect size. You can use it for up to 12 hours, and it's ideal for bedrooms and living rooms in particular.
In review
Our reviewer Beth found that this diffuser works like a dream for aiding sleep. And, controlling the mist intensity and light brightness is easy, thanks to the pod coming with a handy remote control and a range of settings. You can auto-set the pod to run for one hour, two hours, three hours, or four hours, or you can simply turn it on and allow it to power down after 12 hours or when it runs out of water — whichever comes first. If you want to use the pod to aid relaxation, it features a helpful Breathing Mode that guides you through deep breathing exercises using light signals. Prior to a yoga session, she personally found this really helpful for calming her breathing and relaxing her mind. "I really love the simplicity and neutrality of the ceramic cover design (and the way the pod’s design seems to work in any space, from the office to the bedroom — and anywhere in between), and the fact that it’s paired with a sustainably-sourced upcycled wooden base," says Beth.
Good to know
It's a sizeable device, and it might overtake a small nightstand or coffee table. The price is on the higher end, but if you're into wellness and fragrance it's worth the investment. You could also opt for the smaller Neom Wellbeing Pod, which is $100. The brand advises only using Neom essential oils with the diffuser, which you can buy from Amazon.
Real Homes rating: 5 out of 5 stars
I love the Neom Wellbeing Pod and think it's definitely the best fuss-free essential oil diffuser out there. It doesn't work with water, instead, you just insert your favorite Neom essential oil bottle into the diffuser and it does the magic for you. It uses cold fusion rather than water to get those essential oils diffusing.
In review
It's pretty lightweight and easy to move around your home thanks to the fact it's cordless. I have it in black and I use it predominantly in my small and windowless bathroom. It's super easy to use, with touch buttons that intensify the fragrance and switch on the device. You can choose from three different intensity settings based on your room size. When it comes to maintenance, I just give it a wipe-down every now and then, and I'm done. Simple yet so efficient. Guests always say my bathroom smells nice and are often surprised when I tell them it's all because of this compact device.
Good to know
It has around 50 hours of charge in it, and its cord is USB-compatible. It's only recommended for use with Neom essential oils, but it will take you a long time to get through a bottle. It comes in two colors, including a cute pink. It doesn't have the option to set a timer, so you'll have to manually switch it off. After 50 hours, it turns off on its own.
Real Homes rating: 5 out of 5 stars
The team at Real Homes is pretty much obsessed with everything at The White Company, and its essential oil diffuser is no exception. It seriously transformed our writer Eve's sleep routine. This is because, like other diffusers, it makes a beautifully soothing waterfall-style sound when switched on.
In review
Eve loves how uncomplicated this diffuser is to use. It has just one button for setting the time increment, and there are three different options to choose from — two hours, eight hours, and 16 hours — which you can cycle through by pressing this button. She has that the diffuser sits on her nightstand, so two hours is just the right length of time for her to drift off. The diffuser is a snowy white with a herringbone patterned ceramic cover and it's pretty weighty, coming in a little over 2 pounds, which she says adds to its premium feel and look. Her favorite oil to use with this diffuser is The White Company’s spa fragrance oil.
Good to know
Refilling it is a total breeze. The cover slips off and you can directly fill the base with water and your fave oil. The wire is a good length, too, with plenty of slack to reach the extension cable underneath Eve's bed. Because the cover is ceramic, be gentle when you clean it so it doesn't break or scratch. All it needs is a light scrub with a damp cloth dipped in soapy water.
Real Homes rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Oliver Bonas' essential oil diffuser comes in a range of patterns and colors, and right now it's sold in a lovely pink floral design for spring. So, if you want a cheap yet chic essential oil diffuser that's anything but boring, meet your match.
In review
Our reviewer Beth loves this diffuser and owns the olive green color. It has four mist options, combined with a wide selection of light color settings, and a handy timer with 30-minute, one-hour, two-hour, or three-hour increment options. And if, for any reason, it happens to run out of water before the selected time period is completed, the device powers down. Being slightly more compact, Beth wasn’t sure what to expect in terms of steam power and how far the scent of the oil would travel — but she was pleasantly surprised. Just a few drops of essential oil always seem to fill her entire house.
Good to know
It has a small light that signifies when it's switched on. You can change the color of this light to suit your mood. It doesn't come with a remote, so it can only be controlled by its onboard buttons.
Real Homes rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
If you're looking for something small yet stylish, then this Amazon option is our editor-in-chief's favorite essential oil diffuser. Although it isn't cordless, it is super lightweight and still relatively portable. Melissa loves moving it between her living room and bedroom and sometimes, she'll turn it on throughout the day and set it near her workspace to help her chill or concentrate.
In review
Our reviewer Melissa claims that the best thing about this diffuser is that it makes a room smell nice within minutes of plugging it in and it looks good while doing it. She says the ceramic design feels sturdy and gives it a really cool overall aesthetic. Its fancy stone texture is much nicer than the plastic options out there. It has two buttons and is really simple to use. One of the buttons controls the thin stream of water vapor that’s released and the other controls the light. Melissa says she loves putting the light and steam stream on together, to help her relax after a long day. The ultimate combo.
Good to know
The top lifts off and the wires completely unplug, so it’s easy to gently wash out the base where water is held. Despite it being made of ceramic, it’s really lightweight and the surface is simple to wipe clean, too. It's pretty easy to knock over, so avoid placing it somewhere this could easily happen. Its shortest timer setting is four hours, but you can switch it off manually if that's too long.
Real Homes rating: 4 out of 5 stars
If you're looking to gift an essential oil diffuser to a new homeowner or someone who has recently moved out, then this is the one they will love. It's so elegant and easy to use with just two buttons, and its simple look means it will fit pretty much anywhere in your home. It's also the perfect size for an apartment as it's not too overwhelming when placed on a nightstand or an occasional table.
In review
Our reviewer Christina mostly uses this essential oil diffuser in her living room, to infuse it with a light-perfumed scent. It releases just the right amount of vapor that isn't overpowering. At nighttime, she likes to move it to her bedroom to enjoy the warm white light setting which can be set to bright or dimmed. It's not bright enough to replace her bedside lamp, but it does give a gentle glow to the room. The faint trickle is like a soothing lullaby that aids her sleep — and she doesn't need to worry about falling asleep too soon as it has an auto-shut-off feature. She will always use five drops of essential oils with it and prefers to have it running constantly (rather than in 30-second bursts) for the full aromatherapeutic effect. Her favorite ESPA oil to use it with is the Energising Aromatherapy Oil — it's what you'd imagine the set of Bridgerton to smell like. It's made with a blend of rosemary, lavender, and Litsea Cubeba Fruit (which has a sweet lemon scent).
Good to know
It only has one timer setting which lasts for four hours. Considering its high price tag, it can't be controlled by a remote, only the two buttons on the machine. Cleaning the plastic water tank and lid is a little fiddly, but not enough to you off using it. It's super lightweight which wasn't expected, so just consider that because it's a little easy to knock over because of this.
Real Homes rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Rated as Amazon's best essential oil diffuser, if you want something cheap but effective that you'll probably hide in a corner, this is it. Priced at $15.99, it's received over 55,800 five-star ratings and shoppers have given it 4.4 out of five stars. If you want to eliminate odors or simply feel a little more relaxed without spending a fortune, then this diffuser is a great place to start.
What reviewers say
The essential oil diffuser has seven different colors that it shifts through to set any mood, and it has four timer settings. Most reviewers rave about how easy it is to use, how compact it is for smaller spaces, and what great value it is for money. It looks basic but the features make up for the simple design.
Good to know
It will automatically shut off when the water runs out for safety purposes, similar to other essential oil diffusers. It also doubles as a night light or reading lamp, glowing in different colors. It has two modes so that it can work intermittently or continuously.
FAQs
What is an ultrasonic essential oil diffuser?
An ultrasonic essential oil diffuser is just like the ones in this guide (except number 2). Ultrasonic types of essential oil diffusers use water to diffuse the fragrance. Some essential oil diffusers can work without water, and these are not ultrasonic.
Which is the best essential oil diffuser?
We really rate the Neom Wellbeing Pod Luxe which is perfect for scenting large rooms, or for flooding scent throughout your entire home. It has a stylish ceramic exterior and sits on a sustainable wooden base, plus it comes with a remote so you can control it from your sofa. It has four timer settings and a large water tank so it can diffuse for up to 12 hours.
You can buy this Neom diffuser from Amazon.
Do I need to maintain my essential oil diffuser?
The short answer is yes, but you don't need to do a lot. Always make sure its water tank is empty and dry when it's not being used. Familiarize yourself with how to clean an essential oil diffuser, so you can extend its life.
Where to buy an essential oil difffuser?
Still searching for the perfect essential oil diffuser to flood your home with scent and style? Here's where to shop for more essential oil diffusers for your home.
- Amazon essential oil diffusers
- Bed Bath & Beyond essential oil diffusers
- Lowe's essential oil diffusers
- Nordstrom essential oil diffusers
- Walmart essential oil diffusers
4 things to consider when buying an essential oil diffuser
1. Design
A far cry from plug-in air fresheners which can be bulky, plasticky, and unsightly, these standalone diffusers are all designed with aesthetics as well as functionality in mind. Expect curvy shapes and premium materials, which make them look pretty no matter where you place your diffuser.
2. Size
This will all depend on where your new essential oil diffuser will live, but essentially, the bigger the room, the larger the diffuser needs to be (because it will have a bigger water tank).
3. Time on
Consider the number of hours the machine will run for before turning off. If this number is low, you'll need to keep refilling the water tank, which can be annoying. Don't forget that because they use water vapor, you'll want to avoid using them in any damp rooms as they will make this problem worse.
4. What's it made from?
Last but not least, you might want to think about the diffuser's material for aesthetic reasons. Whether you want plastic, wood, or ceramic is down to you. Several of the plastic options out there are BPA-free, too.
How we test essential oil diffusers
The job of testing essential oil diffusers was shared around the team. This is because we all have different sizes of apartments, some of us share ours with pets, and others have different design preferences. All of these essential oil diffusers have been tested for over a month, some for up to five years. When testing them, we consider:
- Design — how does it look? Is the cord long enough? Is it easy to keep clean?
- Ease of use — does it have lots of confusing settings? Is it easy to empty?
- Features — does it have a built-in light? Can you set it on a timer? Does it switch off automatically? How many modes does it have?
Meet our essential oil diffuser reviewers below:
Melissa bought the iHeoco Stone Diffuser from Amazon in 2018, and it's still going strong. She loves it mostly because it's stylish, and claims that's a big factor behind her choice. It would bug her if it was an eyesore and she had to look at it running all day.
Beth treated herself to the Neom Wellbeing Pod Luxe (she also has the regular size one) and she absolutely loves it for scenting her larger rooms. As well as that, after hearing her obsess about her other essential oil diffusers, her friends surprised her with the Oliver Bonas Velma Essential Oil Electric Aroma Diffuser.
Eve reviewed The White Company's Textured Ceramic Electronic Diffuser and she's officially obsessed. She lives in an older house which can get a bit stuffy, so she noted specifically that this diffuser does a fab job of freshening up the air, which is lovely to wake up to. She actually said that going to bed now feels like a luxurious experience.
Recent updates to this guide
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.
May 2023 — Checked all products were still in stock, and our verdict still stands. We added the ESPA diffuser and information on ultrasonic essential oil diffusers.
