If like me you are obsessed with making sure your space smells nice, whether that's a bedroom or a studio apartment, then I am your go-to gal. I've tested a bunch of the best-rated reed diffusers from the likes of Nest New York, Rituals, and even P.F. Candle Co. to bring you my favorites. At this time of year, I tend to go for warmer, woody, vanilla, or musky scents. When the end of February and the start of March roll around, I will switch to fresh fragrances to welcome the new season.
In my eyes, home fragrance is arguably one of the most important things to consider when redecorating or making a space feel like home. And a reed diffuser is favored by most over a candle because they do their job with hardly any effort required. Plus, some reed diffusers can be refilled so that you only need to buy the vessel once, making them better for the environment. A reed diffuser can also make the perfect addition to a table — coffee, accent, end, or console. That's a triple win.
Here are 10 options that make for a perfect treat yourself buy or Galentine's Day gift idea for your bestie.
Introducing the 10 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.
Editor's choice reed diffuser
Size: 3.5 fl. oz.
Scent: Woody
Refillable: No
+ Not too overpowering
+ Amber glass bottle
+ Low-maintenance
- Not for warmer months
Our editor-in-chief is obsessed with this reed diffuser. In fact, she says it hits the nail on the head for her. "I am not a floral person and prefer more musky masculine scents. Its scent isn't too overpowering (which is another pet peeve of mine) but it's subtle and earthy." It'll be sure to give your apartment a cozy feel.
The best warm reed diffuser
Size: 5 fl. oz.
Scent: Woody
Refillable? No
+ Great for fall
- Not for smaller spaces
- Only for cold weather
I am obsessed with this woody fragrance from The White Company. So much so that it makes a recurring appearance in my apartment every single year. It makes your home smell like you have a fireplace, and no matter how large your room is, its scent will reach every corner. It will forever be my favorite reed diffuser for the colder months, and I love it for my living room or bedroom. You can also recycle its glass vessel after use.
The best year-round scent
Size: 1.6 oz./7.7 oz.
Scent: Oriental
Refill available? Yes
+ Year-round fragrance
+ Luxury pick
+ For entryways
+ Unique fragrance
- Vessel not recyclable
I've been obsessed with this Rituals reed diffuser for almost a year now, and its strong oriental notes of rice milk and cherry blossom always wow me. There's no need to flip your reeds regularly as the diffuser will stretch its aroma from one side of your room to the other. The smallest size lasted me way longer than the recommended five weeks. The fragrance sits inside a luxurious white ribbed container that looks lovely on display.
The best luxury diffuser
Size: 5.9 fl. oz.
Scent: Woody
Refill available? No
+ Bottle stopper
+ Recyclable vessel
+ Eco packaging
- Heavy fragrance
I can vouch for the fact this woody and smoky fragrance disguises odors. It offers a pleasantly mysterious and cologne-like scent and fills the air with exotic notes of labdanum, patchouli, cedarwood, charred birchwood, and a hint of black truffle. It's also cruelty-free and alcohol-free.
The best warm diffuser
Size: 5.07 fl. oz.
Scent: Warm
Refillable? No
+ Bottle stopper
+ Eco packaging
+ Recyclable vessel
- No refill
- Expensive
I currently have this diffuser sitting in my entryway and its serious and luxurious fragrance always impresses my guests. It's a little warm, a little fresh, and a little woody. It came with a bottle stopper and it sits in a subtle green glass vessel that's recyclable. In fact, the brand's ethos is sustainability.
The best floral diffuser
Size: 3.38 oz.
Scent: Sweet, floral
Refill available? No
+ Cruelty-free and vegan
+ Great for an entryway
+ For spring & summer
- No refill
- Vessel not recyclable
If you love a sweet fragrance then I can recommend this incredible long-lasting diffuser that has a gorgeous floral yet slightly sweet aroma, fueled by rhubarb, sour juniper berry, and fresh muddled rosemary. It's housed in an elegant black glass vessel with black silk reeds you'll rarely need to flip.
The best fruity diffuser
Size: 7.85 oz.
Scent: Fruity
Refill available? Yes
+ Powerful
+ Great for bedrooms
+ Uplifting for summer
- Not recyclable
- Not for winter/fall
As approved by one of our writers, this diffuser is long-lasting, sweet, and refreshing without being overwhelming. It's scented with everything you love to eat in the summer, including mango, tangerine, passion fruit, and pomegranate. Its aroma manages to reach each corner of a room, and we think that its minimal bottle lends itself to the fragrance.
The best fresh reed diffuser
Size: 5.9 oz.
Scent: Floral/fresh
Refill available? No
+ Bottle stopper
+ Cruelty-free
+ For summer & spring
+ Recyclable packaging
- Not refillable
Impressively scented to be floral and fresh, this is one of my favorite candles that also happens to come as a reed diffuser. This blend of rosewater, geranium, and salted amber is perfect for enjoying in an entryway or a bedroom. Its striped frosted glass bottle screams luxury, too.
The best for bedrooms
Size: 3.38 oz.
Scent: Floral
Refill available: Yes
+ 100% natural
+ Year-round fragrance
+ Therapeutic
- Subtle in large spaces
- Vessel not recyclable
Subtle enough for your bedroom, I love using this reed diffuser to help lull me to sleep. It's scented with lavender and balanced with jasmine and rosewood. Not only for bedrooms, but this diffuser is perfect for any spot in your home if you prefer a low-key fragrance. I recommend placing it somewhere your guests can see its classic yet luxe-looking container.
The best citrus diffuser
Size: 3.38 oz.
Scent: Citrus
Refill available? Yes
+ 100% natural
+ Year-round fragrance
+ Therapeutic
- Subtle in large spaces
- Vessel not recyclable
A citrus-based fragrance I can't get enough of, this Neom diffuser offers a welcoming and uplifting boost that's scented with neroli, mimosa, and lemon essential oils. The perfect balance of refreshing and not too powerful, it works best in smaller spaces, and I found that it's perfect for kitchens and bathrooms.
Real Homes review process
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.
What is the best reed diffuser?
There's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to the best reed diffuser, simply because everyone has different scent preferences. The time of year will make a difference, too, as some fragrances are deemed more suitable for use in colder seasons while other scents are more fitting for spring and summer.
If you are searching for a great all-around pick, then the Rituals The Ritual of Sakura Reed Diffuser (opens in new tab) 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!
How to use a reed diffuser
Reed diffusers are easy and safe to use to scent your home. All you need to do is take your reed diffuser out of its packaging and remove its cork or unscrew its lid. In some cases, you might have to pour the liquid into the vessel. Add half of the reeds to the fragrance oil and place it in the center of your room. Add reeds as necessary, depending on how strong you would like the scent to be. The more reeds you add, the faster you'll use up the fragrance oil but the stronger the scent will be.
You'll want to flip your reeds every now and then for a fragrance boost. Time-wise, this completely depends on the reed diffuser — some need their reeds flipped every few days, others only once a week.
5 things to think about 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 anymore.
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 a room spray, too.
Are reed diffusers safe for pets?
Love a reed diffuser, but heard about the potentially toxic effects on your pet? It's not just scaremongering: animals have a much stronger sense of smell than us and can be overwhelmed by strong scents. Diffusers can be particularly bad for dogs if they contain certain oils. Moreover, if they are exposed to strong perfume over long periods of time, it can make them ill by damaging their livers. I have a dog at home and when using a reed diffuser I am always sure to crack open a window. Here are some more tips to follow to help protect your four-legged friend:
1. Limit the use of your reed diffuser to parts of the house your pet doesn't spend much time in, for example, your home office or bathroom. If your pet sleeps in your room (guilty) then don't keep a reed diffuser in there overnight.
2. If you do want to use a reed diffuser in your living room, then keep this space well-ventilated and allow your pet access to the outdoors. Think carefully before flipping the reeds and whether it really needs a scent boost. Consider putting the diffuser away into a cupboard or cabinet for the night.
3. Some natural fragrances are safe for pets, notably the oils of rose, jasmine, and lavender (we mean only to inhale, of course, never to ingest). Look out for natural and organic reed diffusers that use these calm florals, and avoid anything citrus or pine fragranced.
As far as safety is concerned otherwise, reed diffusers are a better bet than candles that you might accidentally leave burning unattended.
How to preserve a reed diffuser for later
If you've bought a reed diffuser to be used at a certain time of the year, then there's a way that you can preserve the fragrance for next year if you haven't used it up.
I often do this with our reed diffusers so that I can switch up the scent of our home every few months. All you need is some plastic wrap (preferably recyclable to be kinder to the environment).
It's worth us noting that this only works with reed diffusers that have collars. Here's what to do to preserve your reed diffuser:
1. Remove your reeds and dispose of them.
2. Cut off a generous amount of plastic wrap to cover the hole of the reed diffuser that the reeds usually sit inside.
3. Screw off the reed diffuser's collar and cover the hole with saran wrap.
4. Screw back on the collar and make sure that the cling film is tightly attached.
5. Store somewhere dark, cool, and out of the way.
You'll need to buy new reeds when you next want to use your diffuser, but this is a great way to prevent waste and make the most of the scent.
Where to buy a reed diffuser?
Still searching for the perfect reed diffuser to gift or use in your own home? Click through below and browse more buys online from our favorite brands.
- Amazon reed diffusers (opens in new tab)
- Bed Bath & Beyond reed diffusers (opens in new tab)
- Diptyque reed diffusers (opens in new tab)
- Homesick reed diffusers (opens in new tab)
- Kohl's reed diffusers (opens in new tab)
- LAFCO reed diffusers (opens in new tab)
- Nest New York reed diffusers (opens in new tab)
- Nordstrom reed diffusers (opens in new tab)
- P.F. Candle Co. reed diffusers (opens in new tab)
- Sephora reed diffusers (opens in new tab)
- Space NK reed diffusers (opens in new tab)
- Target reed diffusers (opens in new tab)
- Voluspa reed diffusers (opens in new tab)
Otherwise, 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.
