Its a neat system in theory because it requires no cleaning beyond an occasional wipe-down. This diffuser is strongcapable of dispersing enough scent to fill a whole apartment.
The Urpower 2nd Gen 300ml Aroma Essential Oil Diffuser is a simple white plastic cylinder in a field crowded with funny shapes and (very) faux wood. They both have afaux-wood base, which some people will find a little tacky. The maintenance instructions for our top pick recommend using a little fragrance-free dish soap (our top pick for dish soap fits the bill). As noted above, in Who should get this, there are also anecdotal reports of essential oils negatively affecting the breathing of asthmatics and non-asthmatics alike. It has an option to run in intervals, 10 minutes on and 20 minutes off, for 24 hours. In addition, it comes only in white, whereas the Vitruvi is available in various earthy colors. Plus, its pretty quiet. The peppermint scent is stimulating and invigorating, making it the perfect essential oil for feeling focused and alert, explains Greenwhich is why she recommends the Public Goods Peppermint Essential Oil.
The plastic is a bit shinier, too. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. However, we dont think these features are worth the price for most people. To get it really clean, Essential Oil Haven suggests running it in a well-ventilated space for a few minutes with water and a few drops of white vinegar every so often. The unattractive design also doesnt seem as easy to break as the glass nebulizers we tested. The buttons beep when you press them, and you have to hold down the mist button for a second before the stream of mist begins. Koyama did note that some people are allergic to components found in essential oils, and that overexposure to essential oils may create sensitivity to them in people who previously were not negatively affected.
Other than that, its simply a much cheaper way to get the Vitruvi look, albeit with a faux-wood base; it typically costs just a third of what the Vitruvi sells for. This compact model is the most attractive diffuser we recommend, but its smaller tank doesnt last as long and its stream of mist isnt as powerful as our picks. Dont apply any directly to an animals skin, and avoid using an active diffuser in the same room as your pets.
Koyama also noted that much higher concentrations are used in the established practice of smell training, which may help to restore a sense of smell to people who have lost it (including some COVID-19 survivors). We had the following problem with nearly every ultrasonic diffuser we looked at: Since the device has just two buttons, you dont get a simple on/off switch for the mist or for the lights; you have to cycle through every option to shut off either function. We have picks of both types of oil diffuser, but the majority of our picks are ultrasonic, and the features you typically see on ultrasonic models guided our selection criteria. Unlike with candles or more passive scent dispensers like Glade PlugIns, you can vary the scent just by choosing a different oil. No studies explicitly look at the effect of using an essential oil diffuser on symptoms of asthma, write experts on the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunologys website. The Kumi Stone Diffuser, and the Vivitest diffuser below, are clones of the Vitruvi Stone Diffusertheyre such dead ringers in appearance, functions, and materials that its clear they come off the same assembly line, or at least their component parts do. 
Plus, at the time of testing, Fakespot gave the Amazon reviews a Band since then it has risen to an A, uncommon among diffusers. Next to the competition, however, it offers a weak stream: This diffuser takes a while to disperse oil, and sometimes its hard to see the mist at all, which makes it less visually interesting. We eliminated dozens of diffusers that didnt meet our criteria and eliminated a few more (with glowing Amazon reviews) after running the URL through Fakespot, crossing off any with a Fakespot rating below a C. This left us with 13 diffusers to try firsthand in our first round of testing. In contrast, our pick for the best humidifier puts at least its full tank's volume of one gallon (3,785 mL) of water in the air over the same amount of time. The latest fashion news, beauty coverage, celebrity style, fashion week updates, culture reviews, and videos on Vogue.com. Otherwise, Alos Cleanse & Detox is powered by tea tree oil to purify and promote deep healing. It has nine lighting settings: seven individual colors, a color-changing option, and an unlit bedtime mode. 
And the diffusion well, a larger diatomite puck that sits inside the machine and delivers up to three weeks worth of continuous aroma, can work only with 5 mL bottles, as the common -ounce (10 mL) bottles are too tall and prevent the cover from reattaching to the machine. Both light up in seven colors, have a timer similar to our picks, and are easy to wipe out between uses. The 300 mL tank is three times the size of those in most other diffusers at the same price, allowing this model to continually produce mist for seven hoursover twice as long as many competitors with smaller tanks. First, the nebulizer showed a much greater increase in particulate levels in the air than the diffusers. The Vivitest has nine light settingsseven colors, plus color-changing mode, and off.
Despite the similarities among models, there are two distinctly different types of diffusers overall: Ultrasonic diffusers and nebulizers.
The InnoGear 500ml Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser is one of the largest out there, and seems to mimic the design of the large Muji diffuser. But theres little scientific evidence to back those claims up. We recommend diffusers here only for their ambience, and an essential oil diffuser should never be a replacement for medical care. It comes at a great price, but were skeptical about the positive customer reviews since at the time of testingFakespot gave them a D grade. It has an option for intermittent diffusing as well as a timera combination that we didnt see on any other ultrasonic diffuser. Another Vitruvi Stone Diffuser clone, the Vivitest Ceramic Diffuser adds a few bells and whistles. If youre switching oils between uses, wipe out the diffuser with a damp cloth.
The Vivitest has more setting options but retains the aesthetic and performance of the Kumi and Vitruvi. 40 Wardrobe Essentials and Staples That Should Be in Your Closet in 2022, Were Dreaming of Warm Days Ahead With These 39 Best Swimsuits, The Ultimate Guide to Shopping Spring Trends in 2022, Vogues Ultimate Guide to the Best Jeans for Women, Sign up for Vogues shopping newsletter The Get to receive the insiders guide to what to shop and how to wear it. The stream of mist is stronger than that of most other small, stylish diffusers, though not as strong as our top picks, and the Vitruvi only runs continuously for three hours on a single fill.
If youd prefer a diffuser that looks a little nicer and dont need to diffuse scent in a large space, we like the Vitruvi Stone Diffuser. While researching this guide, I saw blog post after blog postoften on sites that had the word wellness in their nameabout what essential oils can do for your health. If you have small children, a diffuser comes with additional considerations. Then, there is Neoms Focus The Mind blend powered by a stimulating trio of pine, cedarwood, and eucalyptus, which can improve clarity and concentration. Unlike many nebulizers, the Aroma-Ace comes with two atomizers, so you can switch oils without having to clean the system. Our pick: Urpower 2nd Gen 300ml Aroma Essential Oil Diffuser, Runner-up: Asakuki 500ml Essential Oil Diffuser or UrPower 500ml Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser, Also great: Organic Aromas Raindrop 2.0 Nebulizing Essential Oil Diffuser, how to diffuse oils if you have furry family members, Raindrop 2.0 Nebulizing Essential Oil Diffuser, 100 mL version of the Urpower Essential Oil Diffuser, Now Solutions Real Bamboo Ultrasonic Oil Diffuser, InnoGear 200 mL Wood Grain Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser, InnoGear Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser, InnoGear 500ml Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser, Welledia Pleasant Essential Oil Glass Nebulizing Diffuser with Bamboo Base and Color LEDs, Lavender Oil Might Help You Sleep, but Be Careful Which Essential Oils You Buy, Wirecutters 100 Most Popular Picks of 2021, Wirecutters 100 Most Popular Picks in October 2021. A small ring around the bottom can light up, for some subtle mood-setting. For an update in 2018, we tested four additional diffusers, this time prioritizing diffusers that look nice. To wit, ylang ylang by itself has a heavy, almost medicinal sweetness that many say they dont like. Essential oils are a natural, holistic way to address so many of the wellness issues that stem from the stress in our lives, Gillerman says, adding that their benefits range from improving sleep and easing tension to providing a boost of energy during a midday slump. We observed the diffusers running side by side to visually compare the size and height of the streams of mist, the key factors in how well they ought to distribute oils. For example: Dont pay attention to claims from natural-health proponents that diffusing essential oils can help you breathe easier. And ingesting citrus and cinnamon oil can cause painful irritation, said Nena Bowman, the managing director of the Tennessee Poison Center. It lights up in seven colors and has LED lights that are a bit more subtle than our top pick, and its just as quiet. In our tests it was also louder than anything else we looked at by far, emitting a grinding, buzzing sound as it dispersed oilit sounded kind of like a refrigerator with a worn-out compressor. Other options, she notes, include applying an essential oil topically to cocoon yourself in the aroma (for example, peppermint dotted on the temples can help to alleviate headaches); placing a few drops of a relaxing blend in a bath; or scenting an entire space with the help of an essential oil diffuser. We think either could work at anyones home as long as theyre okay with the bigger footprintand with a larger tank and longer runtime, a 500 mL diffuser could be particularly well-suited to a business (like, say, a yoga studio) where it could run all day on a low setting. In our tests, the touch-sensitive button to turn the light on and off was too easy to press by mistake when we turned the device on, and sometimes it took a couple of taps to turn off.
The Urpower produces a strong stream of mist, lasts longer between refills, looks better, costs less, and has a smaller footprint than similar competitors. Blends of two to five essential oils are more powerful than a single oil, Gillerman says, explaining that the oils work in tandem to better target specific health and wellness issues.
Its also just pleasant to look at. Heres what you need to know.
If you want a stronger aroma and are willing to accept a more difficult cleaning process, we like the Organic Aromas Raindrop 2.0 Nebulizing Essential Oil Diffuser. It doesnt draw attention to itself, and its easy to wipe out with a damp cloth between uses, especially compared to units with a second, decorative lid.
The Raindrop 2.0 disperses oil for two minutes and then turns off for one minute; while some other nebulizers offer the option to customize the length of their puffs, we didnt find that necessary, since we could still adjust their strength. In late fall 2020, we looked at how essential-oil diffusers (and a nebulizer) affect indoor air quality. This diffuser has an option for intermittent diffusing, which our pick lacks; on this setting it can run for seven hours. And in addition to the 100 mL model, its available in a 250 mL version, which would likely produce enough scent to fill a large room. However, a model at this size also takes up more space.
But all that noted, if you dont have a specifical allergy, Koyama said, for most people I dont think it will cause a problem.. It has a porcelain shell and comes in white, black, and blush. The indicator light is weaker than that of our top pick, a plus if youll be running the diffuser while you sleep. Tim spoke with Sachiko Koyama, an olfactory biologist at Indiana University and co-author of a comprehensive review of the ways essential oils impacts on the body are affected by the mode of delivery (by inhalation, topically, or by ingestion). New York City dermatologist Michele Green, M.D., advises people to patch test an essential oil first to ensure it wont irritate the skin or cause an allergic reaction if you plan to apply it topically to the face. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.
Unlike all the other diffusers we tested, these models have an option to produce a weaker stream of mist for up to 16 hours, making these the only diffusers we recommend that can run continuously all day.
If you were to run (and refill) an oil diffuser continuously, it would distribute around 1,000 mL of water over 24 hours. Other handy features arent unique or essential but set the Urpower apart anywaytheres a 3-option shutoff timer, lights that can cycle through seven colors, and LED indicator lights that arent too bright or annoying.
Or, if youre looking to recreate that just-left-the-spa spirit, Alos Breathe & Spa blend can be rubbed on palms or mixed into a bath for an invigorating energy boost. But in practice, we found the production of aroma very weak. One other thing to note about types: The word ultrasonic applies to some humidifiers as well, but oil diffusers are not humidifierseven though diffuser manufacturers sometimes advertise them as such. Of all the diffusers we considered, the Diffuser World Aroma-Ace, a nebulizer, is the most industrial-looking: no wood (real or fake), no colorful lights. The InnoGear 200 mL Wood Grain Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser has most of the same problems as the Anjou diffuser, including a large footprint and buttons that beep. I found this annoying at first, but it wasnt an issue after I knew the trick. Its well-established that fine particles of soot, smoke, and dust have negative health impacts when inhaled, but what about fine droplets of essential oils? On the Urpower 300ml, this design is particularly annoying for the light, since you have so many options.
These 100 useful things were the most-purchased Wirecutter picks in October 2021. The Muji Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser from the popular Japanese retailer Muji costs more than the competition yet doesnt offer any clear benefits. The Kumi is the more minimalist of the two, with just three light settingshigh, low, and offin a single, pretty champagne color.
If you want the Raindrop 2.0 to run longer, you have to reset it, but two hours should be long enough to scent a room and have the fragrance last a bit. He placed the diffusers and the nebulizer on his bedside table (a typical location for these things), with the particle counter a few feet away on the headboard.
Though they are slightly different shapes, the InnoGear Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser is functionally identical to our former runner-up pick, the 120 mL Urpower. The company that makes our top pick even confirmed that some of the manufacturers get their diffuser parts from the same place. Nebulizers, which diffuse concentrated oil by blowing compressed air through it to turn it to mist, produce a stronger smell, and they are less popular perhaps because they usually cost more and can make more noise. After a quick visit to a Muji store to see these in person, we dismissed them.
We like that the Now Solutions Real Bamboo Ultrasonic Oil Diffuser is made of real wood. While other nebulizers can run until you shut them off, we found them to be noisier and more expensive. (In fact, the bases of the two diffusers are nearly identical.) The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast.
There are two main takeaways from our findings. You can find diffusers made of much more attractive materials. Youll be hard pressed to find any diffuser thats more than a few bucks less expensive, and you could easily spend three or even five times the price on a unit thats not as effective. Between the smaller size, the elegant appearance, and the annoyance of the two lids, we think this diffuser could be a good fit if you dont expect to use it on a daily basis and would prefer something attractive that you could display on a shelf or mantel as a functional complement to your decor. The same goes for the Urpower. At 100 mL, the tank is one-third the size of our top picks, and youll have to refill it more often if youd like it to run continuously for more than a few hours. If our top pick is sold out or youd like a slightly bigger tank, we recommend the Asakuki 500ml Essential Oil Diffuser (or the nearly identical Urpower 500ml Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser). Its pricier than our top pick and harder than ultrasonic models to clean, but unbeatable at filling a room (or a few) with scent. The Aroma-Ace does have one of the best timers: You can adjust the amount of time it sprays oil as well as the amount of time it rests (between a few seconds and 20 minutes). The Raindrop runs for two hours, dispersing oil intermittently, and an automatic shutoff helps avoid overdoing the smell. Our favorite diffuser is also one of the most affordable. And if you have small kids, pets, or respiratory problems, there are reasons to consider skipping a diffuser.
The Urpower 2nd Gen 300ml Aroma Essential Oil Diffuser is a simple white plastic cylinder in a field crowded with funny shapes and (very) faux wood. They both have afaux-wood base, which some people will find a little tacky. The maintenance instructions for our top pick recommend using a little fragrance-free dish soap (our top pick for dish soap fits the bill). As noted above, in Who should get this, there are also anecdotal reports of essential oils negatively affecting the breathing of asthmatics and non-asthmatics alike. It has an option to run in intervals, 10 minutes on and 20 minutes off, for 24 hours. In addition, it comes only in white, whereas the Vitruvi is available in various earthy colors. Plus, its pretty quiet. The peppermint scent is stimulating and invigorating, making it the perfect essential oil for feeling focused and alert, explains Greenwhich is why she recommends the Public Goods Peppermint Essential Oil.
The plastic is a bit shinier, too. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. However, we dont think these features are worth the price for most people. To get it really clean, Essential Oil Haven suggests running it in a well-ventilated space for a few minutes with water and a few drops of white vinegar every so often. The unattractive design also doesnt seem as easy to break as the glass nebulizers we tested. The buttons beep when you press them, and you have to hold down the mist button for a second before the stream of mist begins. Koyama did note that some people are allergic to components found in essential oils, and that overexposure to essential oils may create sensitivity to them in people who previously were not negatively affected.
Other than that, its simply a much cheaper way to get the Vitruvi look, albeit with a faux-wood base; it typically costs just a third of what the Vitruvi sells for. This compact model is the most attractive diffuser we recommend, but its smaller tank doesnt last as long and its stream of mist isnt as powerful as our picks. Dont apply any directly to an animals skin, and avoid using an active diffuser in the same room as your pets.
Koyama also noted that much higher concentrations are used in the established practice of smell training, which may help to restore a sense of smell to people who have lost it (including some COVID-19 survivors). We had the following problem with nearly every ultrasonic diffuser we looked at: Since the device has just two buttons, you dont get a simple on/off switch for the mist or for the lights; you have to cycle through every option to shut off either function. We have picks of both types of oil diffuser, but the majority of our picks are ultrasonic, and the features you typically see on ultrasonic models guided our selection criteria. Unlike with candles or more passive scent dispensers like Glade PlugIns, you can vary the scent just by choosing a different oil. No studies explicitly look at the effect of using an essential oil diffuser on symptoms of asthma, write experts on the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunologys website. The Kumi Stone Diffuser, and the Vivitest diffuser below, are clones of the Vitruvi Stone Diffusertheyre such dead ringers in appearance, functions, and materials that its clear they come off the same assembly line, or at least their component parts do. Plus, at the time of testing, Fakespot gave the Amazon reviews a Band since then it has risen to an A, uncommon among diffusers. Next to the competition, however, it offers a weak stream: This diffuser takes a while to disperse oil, and sometimes its hard to see the mist at all, which makes it less visually interesting. We eliminated dozens of diffusers that didnt meet our criteria and eliminated a few more (with glowing Amazon reviews) after running the URL through Fakespot, crossing off any with a Fakespot rating below a C. This left us with 13 diffusers to try firsthand in our first round of testing. In contrast, our pick for the best humidifier puts at least its full tank's volume of one gallon (3,785 mL) of water in the air over the same amount of time. The latest fashion news, beauty coverage, celebrity style, fashion week updates, culture reviews, and videos on Vogue.com. Otherwise, Alos Cleanse & Detox is powered by tea tree oil to purify and promote deep healing. It has nine lighting settings: seven individual colors, a color-changing option, and an unlit bedtime mode. And the diffusion well, a larger diatomite puck that sits inside the machine and delivers up to three weeks worth of continuous aroma, can work only with 5 mL bottles, as the common -ounce (10 mL) bottles are too tall and prevent the cover from reattaching to the machine. Both light up in seven colors, have a timer similar to our picks, and are easy to wipe out between uses. The 300 mL tank is three times the size of those in most other diffusers at the same price, allowing this model to continually produce mist for seven hoursover twice as long as many competitors with smaller tanks. First, the nebulizer showed a much greater increase in particulate levels in the air than the diffusers. The Vivitest has nine light settingsseven colors, plus color-changing mode, and off. Despite the similarities among models, there are two distinctly different types of diffusers overall: Ultrasonic diffusers and nebulizers.
The InnoGear 500ml Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser is one of the largest out there, and seems to mimic the design of the large Muji diffuser. But theres little scientific evidence to back those claims up. We recommend diffusers here only for their ambience, and an essential oil diffuser should never be a replacement for medical care. It comes at a great price, but were skeptical about the positive customer reviews since at the time of testingFakespot gave them a D grade. It has an option for intermittent diffusing as well as a timera combination that we didnt see on any other ultrasonic diffuser. Another Vitruvi Stone Diffuser clone, the Vivitest Ceramic Diffuser adds a few bells and whistles. If youre switching oils between uses, wipe out the diffuser with a damp cloth.
The Vivitest has more setting options but retains the aesthetic and performance of the Kumi and Vitruvi. 40 Wardrobe Essentials and Staples That Should Be in Your Closet in 2022, Were Dreaming of Warm Days Ahead With These 39 Best Swimsuits, The Ultimate Guide to Shopping Spring Trends in 2022, Vogues Ultimate Guide to the Best Jeans for Women, Sign up for Vogues shopping newsletter The Get to receive the insiders guide to what to shop and how to wear it. The stream of mist is stronger than that of most other small, stylish diffusers, though not as strong as our top picks, and the Vitruvi only runs continuously for three hours on a single fill.
If youd prefer a diffuser that looks a little nicer and dont need to diffuse scent in a large space, we like the Vitruvi Stone Diffuser. While researching this guide, I saw blog post after blog postoften on sites that had the word wellness in their nameabout what essential oils can do for your health. If you have small children, a diffuser comes with additional considerations. Then, there is Neoms Focus The Mind blend powered by a stimulating trio of pine, cedarwood, and eucalyptus, which can improve clarity and concentration. Unlike many nebulizers, the Aroma-Ace comes with two atomizers, so you can switch oils without having to clean the system. Our pick: Urpower 2nd Gen 300ml Aroma Essential Oil Diffuser, Runner-up: Asakuki 500ml Essential Oil Diffuser or UrPower 500ml Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser, Also great: Organic Aromas Raindrop 2.0 Nebulizing Essential Oil Diffuser, how to diffuse oils if you have furry family members, Raindrop 2.0 Nebulizing Essential Oil Diffuser, 100 mL version of the Urpower Essential Oil Diffuser, Now Solutions Real Bamboo Ultrasonic Oil Diffuser, InnoGear 200 mL Wood Grain Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser, InnoGear Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser, InnoGear 500ml Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser, Welledia Pleasant Essential Oil Glass Nebulizing Diffuser with Bamboo Base and Color LEDs, Lavender Oil Might Help You Sleep, but Be Careful Which Essential Oils You Buy, Wirecutters 100 Most Popular Picks of 2021, Wirecutters 100 Most Popular Picks in October 2021. A small ring around the bottom can light up, for some subtle mood-setting. For an update in 2018, we tested four additional diffusers, this time prioritizing diffusers that look nice. To wit, ylang ylang by itself has a heavy, almost medicinal sweetness that many say they dont like. Essential oils are a natural, holistic way to address so many of the wellness issues that stem from the stress in our lives, Gillerman says, adding that their benefits range from improving sleep and easing tension to providing a boost of energy during a midday slump. We observed the diffusers running side by side to visually compare the size and height of the streams of mist, the key factors in how well they ought to distribute oils. For example: Dont pay attention to claims from natural-health proponents that diffusing essential oils can help you breathe easier. And ingesting citrus and cinnamon oil can cause painful irritation, said Nena Bowman, the managing director of the Tennessee Poison Center. It lights up in seven colors and has LED lights that are a bit more subtle than our top pick, and its just as quiet. In our tests it was also louder than anything else we looked at by far, emitting a grinding, buzzing sound as it dispersed oilit sounded kind of like a refrigerator with a worn-out compressor. Other options, she notes, include applying an essential oil topically to cocoon yourself in the aroma (for example, peppermint dotted on the temples can help to alleviate headaches); placing a few drops of a relaxing blend in a bath; or scenting an entire space with the help of an essential oil diffuser. We think either could work at anyones home as long as theyre okay with the bigger footprintand with a larger tank and longer runtime, a 500 mL diffuser could be particularly well-suited to a business (like, say, a yoga studio) where it could run all day on a low setting. In our tests, the touch-sensitive button to turn the light on and off was too easy to press by mistake when we turned the device on, and sometimes it took a couple of taps to turn off.
The Urpower produces a strong stream of mist, lasts longer between refills, looks better, costs less, and has a smaller footprint than similar competitors. Blends of two to five essential oils are more powerful than a single oil, Gillerman says, explaining that the oils work in tandem to better target specific health and wellness issues.
Its also just pleasant to look at. Heres what you need to know.
If you want a stronger aroma and are willing to accept a more difficult cleaning process, we like the Organic Aromas Raindrop 2.0 Nebulizing Essential Oil Diffuser. It doesnt draw attention to itself, and its easy to wipe out with a damp cloth between uses, especially compared to units with a second, decorative lid.
The Raindrop 2.0 disperses oil for two minutes and then turns off for one minute; while some other nebulizers offer the option to customize the length of their puffs, we didnt find that necessary, since we could still adjust their strength. In late fall 2020, we looked at how essential-oil diffusers (and a nebulizer) affect indoor air quality. This diffuser has an option for intermittent diffusing, which our pick lacks; on this setting it can run for seven hours. And in addition to the 100 mL model, its available in a 250 mL version, which would likely produce enough scent to fill a large room. However, a model at this size also takes up more space.
But all that noted, if you dont have a specifical allergy, Koyama said, for most people I dont think it will cause a problem.. It has a porcelain shell and comes in white, black, and blush. The indicator light is weaker than that of our top pick, a plus if youll be running the diffuser while you sleep. Tim spoke with Sachiko Koyama, an olfactory biologist at Indiana University and co-author of a comprehensive review of the ways essential oils impacts on the body are affected by the mode of delivery (by inhalation, topically, or by ingestion). New York City dermatologist Michele Green, M.D., advises people to patch test an essential oil first to ensure it wont irritate the skin or cause an allergic reaction if you plan to apply it topically to the face. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.
Unlike all the other diffusers we tested, these models have an option to produce a weaker stream of mist for up to 16 hours, making these the only diffusers we recommend that can run continuously all day.
If you were to run (and refill) an oil diffuser continuously, it would distribute around 1,000 mL of water over 24 hours. Other handy features arent unique or essential but set the Urpower apart anywaytheres a 3-option shutoff timer, lights that can cycle through seven colors, and LED indicator lights that arent too bright or annoying.
Or, if youre looking to recreate that just-left-the-spa spirit, Alos Breathe & Spa blend can be rubbed on palms or mixed into a bath for an invigorating energy boost. But in practice, we found the production of aroma very weak. One other thing to note about types: The word ultrasonic applies to some humidifiers as well, but oil diffusers are not humidifierseven though diffuser manufacturers sometimes advertise them as such. Of all the diffusers we considered, the Diffuser World Aroma-Ace, a nebulizer, is the most industrial-looking: no wood (real or fake), no colorful lights. The InnoGear 200 mL Wood Grain Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser has most of the same problems as the Anjou diffuser, including a large footprint and buttons that beep. I found this annoying at first, but it wasnt an issue after I knew the trick. Its well-established that fine particles of soot, smoke, and dust have negative health impacts when inhaled, but what about fine droplets of essential oils? On the Urpower 300ml, this design is particularly annoying for the light, since you have so many options.
These 100 useful things were the most-purchased Wirecutter picks in October 2021. The Muji Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser from the popular Japanese retailer Muji costs more than the competition yet doesnt offer any clear benefits. The Kumi is the more minimalist of the two, with just three light settingshigh, low, and offin a single, pretty champagne color.
If you want the Raindrop 2.0 to run longer, you have to reset it, but two hours should be long enough to scent a room and have the fragrance last a bit. He placed the diffusers and the nebulizer on his bedside table (a typical location for these things), with the particle counter a few feet away on the headboard.
Though they are slightly different shapes, the InnoGear Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser is functionally identical to our former runner-up pick, the 120 mL Urpower. The company that makes our top pick even confirmed that some of the manufacturers get their diffuser parts from the same place. Nebulizers, which diffuse concentrated oil by blowing compressed air through it to turn it to mist, produce a stronger smell, and they are less popular perhaps because they usually cost more and can make more noise. After a quick visit to a Muji store to see these in person, we dismissed them.
We like that the Now Solutions Real Bamboo Ultrasonic Oil Diffuser is made of real wood. While other nebulizers can run until you shut them off, we found them to be noisier and more expensive. (In fact, the bases of the two diffusers are nearly identical.) The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast.
There are two main takeaways from our findings. You can find diffusers made of much more attractive materials. Youll be hard pressed to find any diffuser thats more than a few bucks less expensive, and you could easily spend three or even five times the price on a unit thats not as effective. Between the smaller size, the elegant appearance, and the annoyance of the two lids, we think this diffuser could be a good fit if you dont expect to use it on a daily basis and would prefer something attractive that you could display on a shelf or mantel as a functional complement to your decor. The same goes for the Urpower. At 100 mL, the tank is one-third the size of our top picks, and youll have to refill it more often if youd like it to run continuously for more than a few hours. If our top pick is sold out or youd like a slightly bigger tank, we recommend the Asakuki 500ml Essential Oil Diffuser (or the nearly identical Urpower 500ml Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser). Its pricier than our top pick and harder than ultrasonic models to clean, but unbeatable at filling a room (or a few) with scent. The Aroma-Ace does have one of the best timers: You can adjust the amount of time it sprays oil as well as the amount of time it rests (between a few seconds and 20 minutes). The Raindrop runs for two hours, dispersing oil intermittently, and an automatic shutoff helps avoid overdoing the smell. Our favorite diffuser is also one of the most affordable. And if you have small kids, pets, or respiratory problems, there are reasons to consider skipping a diffuser.