The 9 Best Aromatherapy Diffusers And Humidifiers For 2022

Nov 28, 2023

Life

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Admittedly, I'm a bit obsessed with anything that smells good and makes my space feel like a zen yoga studio. I spend more-than-acceptable amounts when my favorite brand of candles has their bi-annual sale, and I've been known to set off the smoke detector with incense. That being said, my one true vice is essential oils and the machines that adequately dispense them. If you're in the market for the best aromatherapy diffusers and humidifiers, you've come to the right place.

First thing's first: Humidifiers versus diffusers — is there a difference, and if so, what is it? The simplest way to explain it is that almost all diffusers are humidifiers, but not all humidifiers are diffusers. In other words, some machines (humidifiers) release moisture into the air, but their internal mechanisms can't handle the addition of essential oils. The best aromatherapy diffusers, on the other hand, can. Most also use water as their main vehicle for dispersing oils into the air, thus also hydrating your space in the process.

As a result, your home smells awesome, your air is easier to breathe in, your skin is happier, and your mood might even brighten a little bit. If you're loving the sound of all that, it's probably time to find a solid diffuser that suits your lifestyle. Here are nine of the best available right now.

If you're in the market for your first diffuser and want something that's equal parts stylish, practical, and an incredible value, opt for the Pure Daily Care ultimate aromatherapy set. It has all the most popular features, like seven LED color options and three pre-set timer functions — but it also comes with 10 free therapeutic-grade essential oils to get you started. It's made entirely from BPA-free materials with a classy wood-grain finish, and the ultrasonic mist is cool, quiet, and works alongside a 400-milliliter capacity. When it runs out, it'll turn off automatically for your safety.

Glowing Review: "This is by far the BEST deal you will get for a diffuser! It looks sleek, blows out a good bit of mist, and you get essential oils included with it. It's very easy to use.”

With over 92,000 reviews and a 4.5-star rating, the InnoGear essential oil diffuser is easily the most popular unit on Amazon. It's also one of the most affordable. According to reviewers, it "puts out a strong, thick mist [that] lasts a whole day," all thanks to its whisper-quiet ultrasonic operation. It also has seven different colors of LED mood lights that you can opt to filter through or set on one in particular. On continuous mist mode, it'll last you up to nine hours on one refill, and on intermittent mode, you'll have fresh, hydrated air for up to 11. The best part? It's $15.

Glowing Review: "I love this diffuser. It's super quiet and does exactly what it's supposed to do. My kids love the color changing, but I appreciate that it can be shut off easily. If I turn it on in the morning, it'll typically run all day long, up until I go to bed. It doesn't take up a lot of space and looks nice on the counter. I would absolutely recommend it. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality for the price.”

Diffusers are trending right now. So are Himalayan salt lamps. Combine them into one genius unit, and you've got the ultimate relaxation duo. The PureGlow Crystal has a 160-milliliter water tank filled with real, hand-crafted Himalayan salt crystals. The diffuser releases your favorite essential oils into the air in the form of a cool mist, while the salt rocks create negative ions that purify your space of allergens, pollutants, and bacteria. There's even a built-in light with five levels of brightness, and all the touch-activated features can be used separately or together depending on your needs.

Glowing Review: "I am a diffuser addict! I also LOVE my PINK Himalayan salt lamps! All of our used bedrooms (4 in total) have both a diffuser and a salt lamp!! But I love that this PureGlow Cryatal Salt Lamp & Diffuser is both in one! What a space saver not to mention how beautiful and unique looking this is!”

If you’re looking for a serious humidifier with a large-capacity tank (one that can tackle big areas, but still works alongside essential oils), consider this LEVOIT humidifier, which outputs both warm and cold mist. “This humidifier has been a game-changer for me during those super cold months when my skin normally gets dry and itchy!” wrote Danielle Kraese, BDG Commerce Editor. “I love that it's got a sleek, modern design that blends right in with the rest of my bedroom decor, and the interface is easy to use (plus, the remote is so convenient). On top of that, the essential oil diffuser is amazing when I'm feeling congested or sick." It features a 6-liter capacity for up to 60 hours of continuous use.

Glowing Review: “This humidifier is great! Having the ability to use cold or warm mist makes it appropriate for many situations. With the warm mist you can add your favorite (or medicinal) essential oil. The sleep function means I can fall asleep with it on and not have lingering worries about appropriate usage. Also the ability to turn the display lights off makes it wonderful to use in the bedroom.”

Looking for a diffuser to help you sleep at night? This one from ArtNaturals belongs on your bedside table. In addition to its cool mist humidifier with essential oil capabilities, it also has a built-in alarm clock, LED night light, and Bluetooth speaker. That way, you can lull yourself to sleep with lavender, a gentle glow, and your favorite playlist, and wake up on time and on the right side of the bed.

Glowing Review: "It looks amazing! The diffuser is strong, it's quiet, and can be put on a timer. I love the light feature. The digital clock isn't too bright. Bluetooth speaker is also amazing, the sound is clear, and will still play if I'm down the hall in another room.”

Don't wait until you get home to unwind a little. If you spend most of your time working or commuting, the Syntus portable diffuser can turn your car or desk into an oasis. Not only does it have a spill-resistant and compact design that easily fits in cup holders and tight spaces, but it's totally powered via USB. That means you can plug it into your laptop or car charger to hydrate the air and get the benefits of aromatherapy wherever you happen to be. It even has two misting modes and seven color-changing light options.

Glowing Review: "Works great. I bought this for my car and it fits perfectly in a cup holder. It's a small water container but it'll last you a week of commuting on the 30 second mode.”

For those in the market for a quality diffuser that doubles as a sleek and elegant statement piece, there's the Pilgrim Teo diffuser. It's one of the best luxury options on the market because it has a handmade ceramic cover alongside an FSC-certified beech wood base. The ambient LED light has a pulsing meditation mode, while the ultrasonic diffuser is whisper-quiet with three automatic timers. Finally, the 120-milliliter water tank humidifies spaces up to 250 square feet.

Glowing Review: "So what sets the Pilgrim Teo Aroma apart from the many other less expensive diffusers out there? Quality, AROMA (this is huge btw) and function! [...] my house smells amazing!!! Thank you Pilgrim for a fine product!”

For the candle lover in your life — and maybe that's you — there's the EQUSUPRO essential oil diffuser. Its warm light, color-changing LEDs, and intricate metal encasing make it look almost like a candle, but it's actually a safe and convenient way to add essential oils and hydration to your space. The 100-milliliter tank can run for a few hours, and it’s earned over 13,000 reviews with an overall rating of 4.5 stars. If you don’t love the tree cut-out, it also comes in butterfly, deer, and oil designs.

Glowing Review: "I love the changing colors and how you can keep it stable on one color. It diffuses the essential oils very well. I can smell it throughout 3 rooms. Very happy with the lovely pattern as well.”

Its space-savvy footprint, sleek design, and USB plug make the BBSKIN USB diffuser the best pick for your work desk. Still, despite its size, its 80-milliliter tank hydrates your air and its strong cool-mist output works well alongside your favorite essential oils. When the tank runs dry, it automatically shuts off, and since you can power it with a laptop or battery bank, it’s one of the most portable options around. It even has a seven-color LED light and a BPA-free construction.

Glowing Review: “This is a great diffuser for travel, or for those without a lot of space. It's small, but produces a good amount of scent/water. [...] I plan to use this while traveling, it fits easily in my suitcase.”

This article was originally published on July 29, 2018