The best essential oil diffusers of 2023

Oct 30, 2023

Looking for the best essential oil diffuser for your home? We’ve got you covered. Read on for the best options to fill your home with your favorite scents.

Get diffusing out of the box with this fully-equipped aromatherapy kit.

This quiet and cost-effective diffuser is a compact pick for any space.

This pick suits any space with its sleek design and large aromatherapy coverage area.

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Essential oil diffusers are, well, essential for self-care. While they moisturize the air and add humidity to dry environments, helping with chapped lips and dry sinuses, they also allow us to engage in aromatherapy.

Aromatherapy is an ancient practice that promotes wellness and relaxation through aromas. In fact, studies show inhaling essential oils can help with sleep, and research has also shown that lavender essential oils, in particular, can have relaxing effects on the nervous system.

They’re super easy to use: you just fill the reservoir with water, add a few drops of your favorite essential oils, and set the timer. Some diffusers come with soothing ambient lighting, doubling as a nightlight. They come in various sizes, models, and designs, at various price points. We did our research so you can find the best essential oil diffuser for your needs.

We looked at several factors when considering what to look for in the best essential oil diffusers. We looked at operation time so that you’d have options for how long you used your diffuser. If you use your diffuser at bedtime, for example, you’d want a diffuser that can run for at least 8 hours.

We also looked at vapor output and coverage area. If you are using your diffuser in a larger space, like an office, you’ll want a diffuser that has a more generous vapor output so you can enjoy your essential oils to the fullest extent.

The design was a factor, as well, since your diffuser will be doubling as a home decor item. The noise level was also a concern: we didn’t want to offer any diffusers that would disturb you while you’re trying to relax!

Before you begin shopping for an essential oil diffuser, we wanted to educate you on the different types of diffusers so you can make the most informed decision!

With so many on the market, it can be overwhelming to decide on a diffuser. Here’s what to look for:

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Why it made the cut: This is the best overall essential oil diffuser, which not only has a generous vapor output, but it also comes with 10 essential oils at a reasonable price point.

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This BPA-free, wood grain design ultrasonic essential oil diffuser has it all, with 10 essential oils thrown in for good measure. Who doesn’t love convenience? Plus, these oils are sourced from the highest quality plants all around the world and are filled in 10 ml amber jars to prevent spoiling.

The Essence Diffuser offers lots of settings, features, and capabilities. It has a 400 ml capacity which can be used in several different sized rooms, with 4 timer settings for added versatility. It also has 7 ambient light modes with two intensity settings for 14 different light combinations. It shuts off automatically for safety and comes at a competitive price point.

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Why it made the cut: The second generation Urpower diffuser offers several key features for a budget-friendly price.

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Adding features without adding dollars, the second generation model for the Urpower essential oil diffuser is an absolute steal. This model produces more mist than the previous version, so you get even more humidity and essential oil smell throughout your space.

With 100 ml of reservoir space, this is a smaller model but offers plenty of power for up to 6 hours of misting. It features two adjustable mist settings: continuous and intermittent (30 seconds on and 30 seconds off) with a whisper-quiet operation that won’t annoy you. The auto-shut off feature protects the diffuser from burning when waterless, and is made from high quality plastic that is durable and long-lasting.

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Why it made the cut: With 700 ml of reservoir space, this premium essential oil diffuser is perfect for large spaces.

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This 700 ml diffuser offers a whopping 20+ hours of operation, with a strong vibration frequency that creates for thicker mist and denser humidifying. It features 2 levels of ultrasonic misting: continuous or timed: 1 hour, 3 hours, or 6 hours. Go ahead and hit continuous use without fear, since there’s an auto shut-off feature for added peace of mind.

This essential oil diffuser weighs a little less than 5 oz, making it super lightweight for such a powerful product. One of the cooler features is the 7 different LED Colors, that you can use with or without the diffuser. Use this diffuser in a living room, office space, or a larger bedroom! Be sure not to overfill over the MAX line – it can cause leaking!

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Why it made the cut: This gorgeous design is sober, cool, and modern, offering chic decor with strong humidifying power.

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If decor is as important to you as humidity, the gorgeous, sleek, and minimalist design from Vitruvi offers that modern take you’re looking for. Because it’s so refined and neutral, it can easily complement a variety of home decor styles.

It features two run times: continuous 4 hours and intermittent 8 hours and is crafted out of the highest quality porcelain with a matte ceramic finish. While those materials mean more weight than their plastic alternatives, it also makes for better eye candy.

There’s also an optional LED light to double as a nightlight.

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Why it made the cut: This whisper-quiet diffuser is so soothing, you won’t notice it working as you drift off to sleep.

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No more waking up with a dry nose and throat! If you need help window down before bed, a soothing essential oil diffuser can offer you relaxation and comfort. Perfect for your bedside table or nightstand, this ultrasonic BPA-free diffuser turns your favorite essential oils into a dreamy cool mist.

The 4 oz water tank will last you 8-10 hours (a full night’s sleep) so you can enjoy fragrant air all night long. It’ll shut off automatically when the water runs low!

The PureSpa Deluxe essential oil diffuser features a simple, single-button control for both misting and lighting. Tap once to turn the mist on, twice for mist and light, and third to turn the whole thing off.

While any diffuser can reduce odor and boost the humidity of your space, there are a few key factors that you should keep in mind when making your final selection.

Room size

As some diffusers are equipped with a larger tank, run time and coverage area, it’s good to choose one that suits your room of choice. We recommend measuring the square footage of your space and comparing it to the coverage area on the product descriptions. Generally, diffusers with larger tanks can cover greater areas.

Method of use

Are you planning on using your diffuser while working from home, or do you want to experience aromatherapy while you sleep? The way in which you use your diffuser can determine which type you could get. While a compact pick with a short run time is well-suited for day-to-day use, a larger capacity diffuser can have an extended run time and not lose steam as you sleep. If you do plan on using a diffuser while you rest, you’ll also want to look for one that runs with minimal noise.

Yes! Just make sure they don’t have any fillers, additives, or perfumes as they can impede your diffuser’s ability to disperse the oils or clog up your machine. Be sure not to use any other oils besides essential oils, though, like cooking oils – these will clog up your diffuser and won’t offer you that lovely aroma therapeutic effect.

While you can use tap water, if you want to be very safe – distilled or purified water would be the best bet to prevent clogging.

A few drops should suffice. You can always add more, but once you’ve added too much – your room will stink! Some people also report getting headaches if the oil smell is too strong. Start slow and add more if you think you need it.

There’s no need to make a trip to the spa when you can have a custom aromatherapy session right from home. You can create essential oil blends tailored to you, improve sleep quality and introduce a relaxing scent to any room. Our favorite is the Pure Daily Care Ultimate Aromatherapy Diffuser because it comes with 10 essential oils while still being affordably priced.