The 7 Best Essential Oil Diffusers of 2023

Sep 27, 2023

Shoppers credit these diffusers for their new relaxed state

Rebecca Norris is a full-time freelance writer living in the Washington, D.C. metro area who has worked in beauty editorial for a decade. She joined the Byrdie team as a nail expert in 2019 and contributes to several lifestyle publications. She is a graduate of George Mason University, where she earned a B.A. in Media: Production, Consumption, and Critique, along with a minor in Electronic Journalism.

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Amazon / Saje / Aera

Whether you’ve had a good or bad day, essential oils will level up your mood (or mellow it out). According to recent research, aromatherapy can help reduce hypertension, stress, depression and anxiety, and boost sleep. In other words, if you don’t yet own an essential oil diffuser, you may want to add one to your cart (and maybe keep a few on hand for gifting).

Before you go buying any old machine, though, consider this: We’ve scoured the web for the highest-rated essential oil diffusers and spoken with aromatherapy experts to determine what truly makes a worthwhile purchase. When looking for a high-quality essential oil diffuser, Aroma360 aromachologist Ashley Sarnicola says to look for these features: efficient scent coverage and control, cold air diffusion, and a residue-free design. In doing so, you’ll be able to secure a device that’s simple to use and tailor to your daily life.

Ahead, uncover the best essential oil diffusers, according to experts and previously stressed shoppers.

Amazon

Someone who wants a highly customizable diffuser experience.

Someone who prefers more device color options.

The Pure Daily Care Ultimate Aromatherapy Diffuser & Essential Oil Set has over 46,000 5-star reviews on Amazon. The wood grain-printed plastic device has a unique shape equipped with seven ambient light modes, each with two intensities. In addition to tailoring the diffuser's color, users can program it to diffuse essential oils in continuous, one-, three-, or six-hour intervals. What’s more, you can choose between strong and weak mist output, so you can ultimately customize the scent in your space. Best of all, unlike most diffusers on the market, the Pure Daily Care Ultimate Aromatherapy Diffuser comes with 10 10 mL jars of essential oils, including lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree, orange, peppermint, lemongrass, jasmine, nutmeg, clove, and spearmint oils. With that many essential oils on hand, you might even consider adding essential oils to your beauty routine.

One reviewer says she bought this diffuser for her "perpetually stressed out best friend" and noted that it's been "a gift from the heavens," while another reviewer says they "absolutely love it" and getting multiple extras for gift-giving. On top of that, it's 57% off right now, so it's definitely worth adding a few to your cart.

Price at time of publish: $29.95 (orig. $69.95)

Colors: One | Included Oils: 10 | Additional Features: 14 light modes and four timer settings

Amazon

Anyone who wants to be able to take essential oils with them wherever they go.

This travel option is best suited for car rides and needs to be re-filled with water frequently, which users may find annoying if using in a hotel or home-share.

If you find that you absolutely love your full-sized essential oil diffuser and are hoping to buy one that can be brought on the go, including in your car, the Soicare Car Diffuser is a great option. With over 900 5-star reviews on Amazon, the micro diffuser, sold in three colors, is designed to put off a steady mist and fit comfortably in a standard car cup holder. It’s crafted with a spill-proof seal as well, so even if it tips over during a sharp turn, it won’t spill water and essential oils all over your console. A

s far as size goes, it’s about the size and weight of an iPhone, and like a smartphone, it’s equipped with a USB charger, so it’s compatible with most modern cars or those with lighter adapters. Shoppers say it's "perfect for a small space" and "a great little diffuser for the price." Last but not least, it’s equipped with an ambiance ring, so users can choose between seven colors to add a bit more personality to their on-the-go diffuser.

Price at time of publish: $18

Colors: Three | Included Oils: None | Additional Features: Car cup holder compatible, cord wrap organizer, and auto shut-off

Amazon

Anyone looking to control their diffuser without having to get up.

If you don't have much space for a diffuser, you might find this one to be too large.

The Asakuki Premium Essential Oil Diffuser is notably less expensive than the Aera but still offers a semi-hands-free operation thanks to a convenient remote that lets users turn it on and off, tailor the mist strength and intervals, and adjust the ambient light. The diffuser has three timers (60, 120, and 180 minutes), though it can also be set to a steady "on" mode. It’s sold in three colors, all of which can be customized with seven ambient lighting modes and four timer modes. If you’re willing to spend a bit more, you can snag a bundle that includes the device, as well as six essential oils, or even the updated app-controlled device that lets users customize the colors even further, as well as set schedules.

Price at time of publish: $36

Colors: Three | Included Oils: None | Additional Features: Remote controlled, seven LED light color modes, four timer modes

Amazon

Anyone looking to control their diffuser via phone.

If you're looking for a more affordable essential oil diffuser, check out some of the other options on our list

The Aera Diffuser is one-of-a-kind in that it’s an essential oil diffuser controlled entirely by a smartphone app. It’s compatible with both Android and iOS, as well as Alexa, and is designed to adequately mist medium to large-sized rooms. The brand has seven aromatherapy essential oil blends, including Deep Relax (chamomile, vetiver, and sandalwood) and Support Breathe (eucalyptus, tea tree, and pine essential oils). In addition to the essential oil blends, Aera also has a variety of home fragrances, including a partnership with The Laundress. That’s part of what really sets this device apart: It’s multi-use. Scent logistics aside, the device can be programmed to run on customized schedules with two-, four-, and eight-hour sessions, as well as scent strength settings ranging from one to 10. But that’s not all. The Aera Diffuser is also one of the only diffusers on the market that directly claims not to contain harmful VOCs, which can be potentially harmful for humans and pets. In that way, it’s a diffuser that you can have full faith in. No wonder over 2,300 shoppers have awarded it a 5-star rating.

Price at time of publish: $199

Colors: One | Included Oils: None | Additional Features: Hypoallergenic technology, app-controlled, three run-time timers, Alexa compatible

Amazon

Someone looking for diffusers to use throughout their home.

Someone looking to fill a large room with scent.

Whether you’re hoping to fill your hallways, bedrooms, or bathrooms with essential oil scents, the Aera Mini Diffuser is a fantastic option. With hundreds of 5-star reviews, the bite-sized, wall plug-in diffuser is designed to adequately mist small to medium-sized rooms with fade-proof fragrance. It’s compatible with Android and iOS, as well as Alexa, just like its big sister. Unlike that full-sized Aera Diffuser, though, the Mini only has adjustable scent settings ranging from one to five (as opposed to one to 10), and it can only be used with the Aera Mini Fragrances, though there are plenty of essential oil blends to choose from.

Price at time of publish: $95

Colors: One | Included Oils: None | Additional Features: App-controlled, three run-time timers, Alexa compatible

Saje

Someone looking to effectively diffuse a large room.

Someone hoping not to have to shop separately for essential oils.

Holistic health practitioner and aromatherapist Julie Clark, who is the founder of Province Apothecary, says that the Saje Natural Wellness Aroma Om Deluxe diffuser, which is adored by hundreds of shoppers, is a great option for anyone looking to fill a large room with the aroma and health benefits of essential oils. The diffuser, which comes in gray and white, is designed to effectively mist medium to large-sized rooms up to 700 square feet for hours on end. With a run time between 11 and 22 hours, you can guarantee that your space will smell divine with this diffuser. That said, if such a long run time deters you, know that you can program it to operate on one-, three-, and six-hour intervals, too.

Price at time of publish: $152

Colors: Two | Included Oils: None | Additional Features: Three timer settings

Amazon

Anyone looking for a design-forward diffuser.

If you don't want to buy oils separately, then this isn't the right choice for you

The Vitruvi Stone Essential Oil Diffuser is another of Clark’s top picks, thanks to its high-end silhouette that’s sold in 12 colors and looks more like a decor item than an essential oil diffuser. The stone diffuser, which is actually made with a ceramic cover, touts four- and eight-hour run times and can effectively fill a room of up to 500 square feet. The manually-operated diffuser also features an ambient lighting mode that makes a ring around the bottom of it glow like a candle, which beautifully illuminates its surrounding area. Once the diffusing time is up, it automatically shuts off. It also shuts off if it detects that the water is too low, so you never have to worry about it going dry.

Price at time of publish: $123

Colors: 12 | Included Oils: None | Additional Features: Two timers and a 500 sq. ft. diffusing capacity

The first thing you'll need to consider when choosing an essential oil diffuser is how you plan to use it. If you're looking for a device that works in smaller spaces, consider opting for a diffuser that plugs directly into an outlet, like the Aera Mini. Plug-in diffusers are especially helpful in bathrooms with limited counter space. If you're planning on leaving your diffuser out on the table, then look for a device that goes well with your decor. The Vitruvi Stone Diffuser looks more like a piece of decor than a diffuser, which makes it a great option for living rooms and bedrooms.

When picking out an essential oil diffuser, you'll also want to consider which scents you're looking for. Some of the best diffusers on our list come with a few oils, but for some devices, you'll need to buy the oils separately, so it's important to factor that cost into your purchase decision. If you already have a favorite brand of oils, then make sure that oil is compatible with your diffuser and won't cause any clogs in the device down the road.

Some of our favorite diffusers come with handy features, like automatic timers and color-changing lights. Think about what functions will be most useful when you're making your decision because, often, more fancy features can translate to a higher-priced device. The Aera Diffuser connects to your smartphone and can connect to Alexa, but also costs more than the other diffusers we've tried. But, if that feature would be useful for your needs, then consider making the investment.

With so many essential oil diffusers on the market, Clark says that it really comes down to the one that you’re most attracted to, as well as one that’s easy to clean. Since many essential oil diffusers use water, it’s important that they’re easy to clean so as to prevent bacteria buildup and potential mold growth.

If you’re at all worried about the latter, Sarnicola says that you can avoid it by opting for a cold-air diffuser. (Of note: While they’re potentially more hygienic, of all the popular diffusers that we researched, none of the most highly-rated devices touted cold-air technology.)

Essential oil diffusers are safe to use in moderation. “I think diffusing essential oils are a way better alternative to synthetic scents in the home from air fresheners and candles,” Clark says. “I like to use them if I am feeling sick or congested or to help me go to sleep.”

When shopping for an essential oil diffuser, it’s important to look for those that use non-toxic additives in their oils so as to avoid VOCs (volatile organic compounds). “I have a young toddler and I believe fewer essential oils are better for kids (they don't need a diffuser going daily),” Clark says.

It’s also important to only use essential oils that are safely extracted. She recommends those that are therapeutic-grade, hypoallergenic, IFRA compliant, and meet the highest safety standards in the industry, like those from Aroma360.

All essential oils are strong due to how concentrated they are, Clark says. “The strongest would be cinnamon or clove, next might be some wood ones like black spruce or cedar, and then some flowers like geranium can be pretty strong,” she adds. It’s due to their strong scents that essential oil diffusers feature strength settings that allow users to tailor the mist to their liking.

Rebecca Norris has worked in beauty and wellness journalism for over eight years. For this story, she spoke with an aromatherapist and an aromachologist to uncover what makes a safe and effective essential oil diffuser. She then kept their tips in mind while taking a deep dive into the many, many essential oils on the market. Throughout her research, she found that the seven diffusers above stood far apart from the rest. While researching, we spoke with aromachologist Ashley Sarnicola of Aroma360 and aromatherapist Julie Clark of Province Apothecary.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31851445/