Essential oil diffusers are a great way to create a soothing environment. They work by dispersing your essential oil of choice into the air to be inhaled. Most essential oils release a pleasant fragrance into the air when diffused and some also purifying the air by killing the bacteria and fungus in it. Each oil has different benefits so users can customize their experience based on their needs.
There are many different kinds of diffusers out there so we’ve made it easier for you by listing our favourites below and evaluating them on water capacity, area coverage, settings and lighting.
For background information, see our comparison table and buying advice.
Best essential oil diffusers
- Best overall – VicTsing Essential Oil Diffuser
- Best aesthetic (designed in Canada) – Vitruvi Stone Diffuser
- Best for large rooms – ASAKUKI Premium Essential Oil Diffuser
- Quietest – Equsupro Essential Oil Diffuser
- Best for sleeping – Ellia Gather Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser
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Best essential oil diffuser comparison
| VicTsing | Vitruvi | ASAKUKI | Equsupro | Ellia | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Overall | Aesthetic & Canadian | Large Rooms | Quiet | Sleeping |
| Coverage (sq ft) | 323 | 538 | 450 | 200 | 125 |
| Water capacity | 300 ml | 90 ml | 1500 ml | 100 ml | 200 ml |
| Run time | 6-8 hours | 3-7 hours | 10-20 hours | 3.5-7 hours | 10-20 hours |
| Timer | 1H, 3H, 6H, continuous | 3H, 7H | No timer | 3.5H, 7H | 10H, 20H |
| Auto shut-off | 5 seconds after water finishes | Yes, when water finishes | Yes, when water finishes | Yes, when water finishes | Yes, when water finishes |
| Total reviews | 21,648 | 915 | 559 | 4,718 | 569 |
| Aggregate rating | 4.5 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.3 |
Best overall – VicTsing Essential Oil Diffuser
- Water capacity: 300 ml
- Run time: 6-8 hours
- Timer: 1H, 3H, 6H, continuous
- Auto shut-off: 5 seconds after water finishes
Pros
- Long run time because of large water capacity
- Doubles as a humidifier
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Water can easily spill
- Beeps when it auto shuts off which can disturb sleep
Design
It has a sleek onion shape that is available in three different wood colours. It is actually made from plastic and has a scratch-proof laminate exterior.
The diffuser itself is fairly large in size but because of its design, it acts as a decorative piece in most settings. The top part comes off easily and water can unfortunately spill as a result however because the cover comes off easily, it does make cleaning the device a breeze.
Mist settings
There are two mist settings you can choose from: standard and strong. If the diffuser runs on the stronger setting continuously, the water tank depletes at a faster rate.
The stronger mist setting is also significantly louder and sounds similar to a laptop’s cooling fan. The scented mist comes out from the spout at the top. If you don’t add any essential oils to the water, it releases fragrance-free cool mist and acts as a humidifier.
Area coverage
The coverage range for this diffuser is between 270 to 323 square feet. This means that it will work better in normal sized rooms. If in a bigger room, the strong mist setting will need to be used.
Lighting
The diffuser lights up from the thin band that goes around the center and through the spout at the top as opposed to the entire device lighting up making it more subtle. There are seven different colour options that can be chosen or you can have it cycle between the colours automatically. This can also double as a night light for children.
Best aesthetic – Vitruvi Stone Diffuser (designed in Canada)
- Water capacity: 90 ml
- Run time: 3-7 hours
- Timer: 3H, 7H
- Auto shut-off: Yes, when water finishes
Pros
- Sleek design
- Canadian brand
- Covers large rooms despite small water tank
- Easy to clean
Cons
- High price point
- Small water tank requires frequent refills
Design
This is a hand-crafted ceramic diffuser made from high quality porcelain. The water tank is made from BPA-free plastic. It comes in five different colours and doubles as a small piece of decor in your home.
It can also be used as a small mist humidifier if no scent is mixed in with the water but since it isn’t primarily designed to be a humidifier, it doesn’t have as much strength as a quality humidifier should.
Mist settings
When the diffuser is set on the 3 hour timer, the mist is released at a consistent strong rate of one ounce per hour. When it is on the seven hour timer, the intermittent setting kicks in which means the mist is released 30 seconds on, 30 seconds off with a less intense output of 0.4 ounces per hour. In either case if the device runs to the end of the timer, the water tank will be depleted.
Area coverage
It can cover rooms of up to 538 square feet, which is a pretty big size and is surprising considering not only is the Vitruvi diffuser small in size but it has an even smaller water tank. This is likely due to its ultrasonic technology that uses 2.5 million vibrations every second to convert the water and oil into mist.
Lighting
The light on the diffuser goes around in a thin strip at the bottom portion of the device and works like a basic soft white nightlight. The light can be turned on with or without turning the mist on since it has a completely separate button which is a nice option.
Best for large rooms – ASAKUKI Essential Oil Diffuser Humidifier
Pros
- Extremely long run time
- Visible water level window
- Ultra quiet
- Covers large areas
Cons
- Refilling water can easily result in spills
- Needs to be cleaned frequently
Design
This is a large box shaped diffuser with a big water tank made with BPA-free plastic. It is not extremely aesthetically pleasing but more so designed to be a practical household device. It also works as a standard humidifier ideal for dryer months. The opening at the top from where the mist comes out of has a 360° rotation capability allowing users to control the mist direction.
Mist settings
The large knob on the bottom of the device controls the strength of the mist. There are six different strengths available and can be set based on the size of the room or personal preferences. If the mist is at its maximum strength, significantly more mist is released but as a result, the water also finishes faster. The strongest mist setting emits a soft sound of only 35 decibels.
Area coverage
This diffuser is built to cover larger areas in your home or work. It is ideal for spaces that are 300 to 450 square feet in size. This is roughly the size of a large living room or a small classroom. It is versatile in that it can also work just as easily in smaller spaces. The spray releases 100-250 ml of mist an hour.
Lighting
The LED button next to the dial controls the lights. There are seven different colours available in both bright and dim mode. The light can also be completely turned off for sensitive sleepers who prefer to sleep in complete darkness.
Quietest – Equsupro Ultrasonic Cool Mist Essential Oil Diffuser
- Water capacity: 100 ml
- Run time: 3.5-7 hours
- Timer: 3.5H, 7H
- Auto shut-off: Yes, when water finishes
Pros
- Quiet, less than 30 decibels
- Affordable
- Alternative design options
- Easy to use
Cons
- Small water tank requires frequent refills
- Not very sturdy
Design
This small sized diffuser is just over 6 inches tall and comes in a variety of silhouette designs like the forest pictured above as well as three other options. The water tank and base are made from BPA-free plastic while the cover is made from metal.
It is designed with whisper quiet ultrasonic technology so it doesn’t disturb users who choose to sleep with it on. It also works as a cool mist humidifier.
Mist settings
There are two different mist modes available, continuous and intermittent. Continuous runs up to three and a half hours without stopping while the intermittent options runs 30 seconds on, 30 seconds off for seven hours. The mist strength on both these modes is the same.
Area coverage
It covers a 200 square foot room which is roughly the size of a driveway or an average sized bedroom. That said, it is unlikely that as a mist humidifier it will still continue to cover that much square footage. Humidifiers are typically larger devices as they are designed to regulate the moisture in the air and need more water to do so.
Lighting
There are seven different soothing colour options for the LED lights. They can be put on a rotating loop or can be fixed on a single colour to act as a nightlight. They can also be completely turned off. There is also an option to dim or brighten a specific colour.
Best for sleeping – Ellia Gather Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser
- Water capacity: 200 ml
- Run time: 10-20 hours
- Timer: 10H, 20H
- Auto shut-off: Yes, when water finishes
Pros
- Luxurious and aesthetically pleasing
- Can play ambient sounds to aid with sleeping
- Comes with a remote control and two complimentary oils
Cons
- High price point
- No control buttons on the device so misplacing remote is not an option
Design
This luxurious diffuser made with ceramic and wood is designed to mimic a candle because of the soothing effect they bring. It has a basket weave design that looks classy with bedroom furniture.
It comes with a remote control through which the device is switched on and off making it easier for users to control it from afar. It is created to assist with sleeping and comes with a library of ambient sounds to accompany the lights and the mist as you sleep.
Mist settings
The diffuser uses ultrasonic, high-frequency technology to convert the water and essential oil into a fine mist that is dispersed into the air evenly. The strength of this mist cannot be controlled as there is only a standard strength.
However, there is an option on the remote for continuous mist which can run up to ten hours or intermittent mist which runs 30 seconds on, 30 seconds off for up to 20 hours.
Area coverage
It can comfortably cover an average sized room of about 125 square feet which is slightly larger than a small room. The company claims that the strength of the mist heavily depends on the essential oil being used and how strong of a scent it has.
Lighting
The light button on the remote, once pressed, runs through a cycle of five different colours. To stop on a preferred colour, the same button must be pressed again. The light is like a gentle and peaceful glow that radiates from the holes in the weave design.
What to consider when looking for an essential oil diffuser
Output & coverage
Choose a diffuser that is able to disperse scent to cover the space you’re intending for it to be in. It should produce pure and clean scents that can last for at least five hours and remain consistent throughout their cycle without tailing off.
Water tank capacity
Water tank capacity ranges from 100 ml to over a liter but the average reservoir holds around 300 ml. You may want a larger water tank if you don’t want to be bothered to refill the water often or if you need your diffuser to run for a long time in a large space.
Timer & automatic shut off
Having a timer is an important feature as it helps you time intervals so that the room doesn’t become overly saturated. It also lets you schedule in advance to turn it off overnight and overall helps you limit the time it runs allowing you to use it longer without refilling the tank.
An automatic shut off feature is a big save for the one time you forget to switch your diffuser off and leave the house or get busy, it can easily overheat and break. This feature makes it a whole lot safer to use as it turns off on its own immediately as the water runs out.
Lights
It is great when diffusers can double for nightlights. It makes the device more functional. However, it is important that there is also an option to turn off the light entirely since using a nightlight is a personal preference. The lights can also act as soothing aesthetics to set up a relaxing ambiance.
Sound
Regardless of where you place the diffuser, you don’t want it to be a loud and noisy device. If you are placing it in your bedroom for overnight use then it is even more important that it is soft in sound. There are even ambient sound features that stimulate relaxation available in certain high-tech and typically luxe diffusers.
Design
There are a lot of different types of designs and materials that diffusers are made of. Pick one that fits into your room design seamlessly and doesn’t look out of place. While aesthetics aren’t always the primary consideration behind a purchase, they are still definitely nice to have.
How to use a diffuser properly?
After users fill up the diffuser’s water tank and mix in 2-3 drops of an essential oil of their choice into the water, it simply has to be switched on. Almost immediately, mist will begin to come out from the opening and the oil and its fragrance will naturally vaporize throughout the space. Users should remain nearby to inhale the vapor and reap its benefits.
It should be noted that the diffuser shouldn’t be placed too high up because the scent will be lost in the rising air. Before you begin, set the timer and mists to suit your preferences as there are typically several options.
What are the benefits of an essential oil diffuser?
There are many benefits to using a diffuser ranging from aesthetics to aromatherapy. Smells are one of the strongest senses we possess and the vapor from the essential oil spreads these scents. Different fragrances naturally offer different benefits.
Studies show that in certain situations there is a benefit to using these oils as it can alleviate conditions like anxiety, depression, nausea, and insomnia to bring relaxation and stress relief to the user. Some people even claim that the scented mist helps them breathe better when they have a cold or congestion and they even fix any dry skin since it adds moisture into the air.
Are essential oils safe for pets?
This is a tricky question because what can be harmful to one may not be to another. That said, there are a few general rules to keep in mind. Essential oils are dangerous for birds and should be completely avoided if you have one at home. They should also never be applied directly to cats because they are likely to build up in a cat’s liver since cats don’t have the enzyme needed to break down the oil which can lead to poisoning.
Diffusers, however, aren’t as intense as directly applying the concentrated oils and certain oils are less dangerous than others. For more information regarding specific essential oils and their risks, you can check out the list made by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
How to clean an essential oil diffuser?
Ideally, diffusers should be cleaned out every few days so oils don’t build up and mold doesn’t grow in the water. If you are ever switching up your oils, it is also best to do a quick clean so the previous scent doesn’t linger.
It should be noted that each diffuser is slightly different and users should pay specific attention to the manufacturer’s instructions. Generally however, you should always start off by unplugging your device and then clean out the water tank with a little bit of dishwashing detergent.
After that, you should clean any leftover oil on the ultrasonic plate (the mechanism that breaks down the oils) by wiping it using a cotton pad with some rubbing alcohol. After these few simple steps, you should be all set to reassemble and start using it again!
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Over to you
We hope this information helps you make your decision. We would love to hear about your experience so far and what prompted you to invest in a diffuser. If you’ve been using one for a while, let us know how your life has improved. Leave a comment below!
