Best essential oil diffusers 2024: Jump Menu
1. The list in brief ↴
2. Best everyday: The White Company Ceramic
3. Best luxury: Bamford Strato
4. Best for small rooms: Vitruvi Stone
5. Best for large rooms: Alo Aura
6. Best for pet homes: Aroma360 Wireless Pro
7. Best wireless: AromaTech Aromini BT
8. Best LED: Asakuki Portable
9. Best budget: InnoGear Aromatherapy 100ml
10. Best basic: InnoGear Aromatherapy 400ml
11. How to choose
12. How we test
Every home has a signature scent. Four months ago, I took mine into my own hands. Armed with the best essential oil diffusers on the market, I placed one in each room of my home and have been testing them ever since.
Before I was a product tester, I trained as a Master Perfumer for a luxury perfume and candle company, so I have a lot of experience with home scents. I normally use my picks of the best candles and reed diffusers to scent my space, but I wanted to turn my expertise to essential oil diffusers. They are lower maintenance, tidier, and more consistent. They put out gorgeous scent without you having to lift a finger. You don't need to keep a close eye on them and no there's tedious maintenance like trimming a wick or rotating the reeds. If you're a busy person, essential oil diffusers could be the solution you need to fragrance every room in your home.
Plenty of people make essential oil diffusers, but only a few are worth the investment. I tested lots of models which didn't make this list. Those which did are exceptional: they subtly diffuse scent into every room. Whether you're looking for bold, room-filling fragrances or more delicate diffusers, I've found the only options worth considering.
The quick list
Here are the top notes for these essential oil diffusers. I'll give you more detail about them further down.
The best everyday
This clever hydration diffuser releases fresh aromas for two, eight, or sixteen hours. The classic design is subtle, and the scents are too.
The best luxury
Crafted from ceramic and recycled plastic, the Strato is super subtle and ultra-luxurious. It works for up to twelve hours and comes with a low-level LED light — but it's expensive.
The best for small rooms
This sleek and stylish diffuser doesn't quite have the power for large rooms, but that makes it perfect for small spaces. The porcelain shell and neutral colorways are stunning. The price tag is a little less appealing.
The best for large rooms
This humidifier-diffuser combo can change the atmosphere in your driest rooms. It's quiet and efficient, but quite a lot of maintenance (and large too).
The best for pet homes
Cordless and remote controlled, this subtle tower diffuses distinct scent into any room. It's easy to use and effective across a range of strengths, but might be a bit too strong for some.
The best wireless
Using cold-air diffusion, the Aromini diffuses fragrance without water, alcohol, heat, or any wires. It easily covers up to 1,000 sq ft of room, but it comes with a hefty price tag .
Read more below
The best portable
The Asakuki cuts the cord on plug-ins, offering 100 ml of subtle, quiet freshness. It's ceramic coated and extremely beautiful, but lacks a little power. It's also expensive for its size.
The best LED
With a range LED colors and excellent pricepoint InnoGear offers value without much compromise. The colors make great night lights, but might be a little gaudy for some.
The best basic
If you don't mind about automatic timers and motion sensors, get the InnoGear. You get exactly what you pay for, but with a few extra essential oils thrown in for good measure.
The best essential oil diffusers we recommend in 2024
You can trust Homes & Gardens. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing the latest products, helping you choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
The best everyday essential oil diffuser
Buy it if
✅ You want an automatic diffuser: this has reliable pre-sets
✅ You'll use this 24/7: it has a night and day mode
✅ You use pure essential oils: this is water-free
Don't buy it if:
❌ You're not good with cleaning: this is tricky to keep looking fresh
❌ You're short on plugs: this occupies a socket
❌ You want color options: this is only in white
The bottom line
🔎 The White Company Motion Sensor: once this is plugged in, it has a day and night mode, diffusing to suit your movements. It's a little limited position-wise though.
The White Company's Ceramic Textured Diffuser is low maintenance. Once you've added 20 drops of essential oil and some water into the diffuser you can leave it for at least six weeks (or until the water level runs low), whilst it diffuses subtle scent into your home.
Whether you opt for the two, eight, or sixteen hour settings, the diffuser reliably releases delicate fragrance levels into the room. Most people recommend adding 20 drops to your water reservoir. but I found that to be a) too powerful and b) wasteful — if you buy good quality essential oils, you shouldn't need more than seven drops.
This is all dependent on how much essential oil you add to your water level, of course, but most people recommend 20 drops. but I found that to be a) too powerful and b) wasteful — if you buy good quality essential oils, you shouldn't need more than seven drops.
As a smaller, water-based diffuser, I found that this worked best in my bedroom and entryway. The bathroom doesn't have suitable plugs and my kitchen and lounge are a little too big for the diffuser to produce anything notable. A few drops of lavender or eucalyptus oil is all you need for a beautifully scented sleep haven.
The biggest limitation of The White Company's diffuser is that you're limited in where you can place this: it has to always be near a outlet. There's always a battle for outlets in my house, so adding this into the mix became a little frustrating.
It's also worth noting that, whilst the textured ceramic looks beautiful, it's a little trickier to clean. Paired with a water reservoir that needs to be regularly refreshed, and anyone who isn't a thorough cleaner might end up with a slightly grubby looking diffuser.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Aesthetics | Looks beautiful | ★★★★★ |
| Scent strength | Delicate and consistent | ★★★★★ |
| Value | You get your money's worth | ★★★★★ |
The best luxury essential oil diffuser
Buy it if
✅ You want atmosphere: this has a low-level LED
✅ You'll move this around: it's wireless
✅ You use pure essential oils: this is water-free
Don't buy it if:
❌ You have large rooms: this is better in cozy spaces
❌ Your use non-pure oils: this is better with essentials
❌ You want color options: this is very simple
The bottom line
🔎 Bamford Strato: waterless and wireless, this can be moved through your home with ease. It's simple, clean, and impossible to fault.
Bamford's compact and portable atomiser is perfect for modern homes. The clean and simple aesthetics will blend seamlessly into any interior. Not only does it look beautiful, it's crafted from ceramic and recycled plastic, so you know it's doing beautiful things for the planet, too.
The diffuser uses waterless technology and pure essential oils to release a pure, clean scent into your home. I kept mine away from the wall, just in case of any oil marks, but there weren't any.
I ran mine for ten minutes whenever I felt the room needed a refresh. That was more than enough for my high-ceiling, medium-sized apartment to smell like a spa throughout. Bamford says not to run it for any longer than twenty minutes at a time anyway; it's not needed.
There are three interval settings, each offering distinct strength and diffusion speeds. When you want a stronger scent, you can opt for the highest power option, but I found this a little overwhelming, even with delicate floral and citrus oils. If you're in a low-lit room, the Strato has a soft LED light. It's not bright and garish like other models, perfect for the evenings.
The only issue I have with the Strato is that slotting and lining-up the diffuser oil into the perfect position can take a little bit of work. Thankfully, you won't need to do this often. It's also worth noting that this is more expensive than other models.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Aesthetics | Simple, classic style | ★★★★★ |
| Scent strength | Really consistent | ★★★★★ |
| Value | Expensive, but worth it | ★★★★★ |
The best essential oil diffuser for small homes
Buy it if
✅ You have small rooms: this is petite and subtle
✅ You want a design piece: this looks beautiful
✅ You use LEDs: this has a 'soft glow' option
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want a low-maintenance option: the water reservoir needs refilling
❌ Your rooms are all big: this diffuses subtle scent
❌ You're on a budget: this is expensive
The bottom line
🔎 Vitruvi Stone Diffuser: perfect for smaller rooms and subtle scenting, the Vitruvi's matte, ceramic finish is a style piece. However, it's not strong enough for big rooms or pet smells.
This essential oil diffuser is so beautiful that it's easy to forget that it's functional, too. The images online only go a short way towards showing off just how stunning the matte ceramic finish of the Vitruvi stone diffuser is. You can opt for the suede, teracotta, or white colorway. My personal favorite is teracotta, but they all look equally luxurious. Even the packaging is beautiful, so if you need a good option for gifting, this premium product is the one to choose.
The Vitruvi, unlike lots of diffusers on this list, uses a reservoir and water to scent your space. The smaller reservoir sits in a sealed part of the diffuser, which helps to prevent any leaks or spillage when moving the Vitruvi around. Vitruvi recommends adding 20 drops of essential oil to the reservoir, but do so with caution. I buy high-quality essential oils and only needed to use about 11. If you opt for a lighter, citrus fragrance, you might need more. It's something to experiment with.
There are plenty of other well-considered features, including a four and eight hour timer and LED light. The timer settings are reliable, but subtle. You'll have to add more essential oil if you have pets, for example, because the fragrance isn't diffused very frequently. You also have to control these setting using buttons at the back of the diffuser. These are close to the power cord and a little tricky to reach. Most other expensive models have remote controls, so, if this is a dealbreaker, look at AromaTech and Aroma 360's diffusers.
Another consideration to take into account is that this is a water-based diffuser. By nature, it is higher maintenance, as the reservoir could be a breeding ground for microbes if not properly cleaned. When running water through the diffuser, the Vitruvi makes a dripping noise. Whilst some people found this quite calming, others complained that it was off-putting. It's also worth noting that the matte, textured ceramic exterior collects fluff and can be tricky to get thoroughly clean.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Aesthetics | Premium finish | ★★★★★ |
| Scent strength | A little light in places | ★★★★ |
| Value | Expensive | ★★★★ |
The best essential oil diffuser for large homes
Buy it if
✅ You need humidity: this is a water diffuser
✅ You have big rooms: this is strong
✅ You need longevity: this works for 22 hours with auto shut-off
Don't buy it if:
❌ You're bad with maintenance: the water need refilling
❌ You don't need humidity: this will be overkill
❌ You need silence: this makes a bit of noise
The bottom line
🔎 Alo Aura Diffuser: scenting your room, whilst filling it with a cool mist, the Aura is perfect for yogi spaces. It's higher maintenance, but worth it for some.
The trend for essential oil diffusers has mostly moved away from heat and water, but Alo has stuck with a classic design. Offering a diffuser-humidifier combo, the Aura promises to 'transform your space, mind, body, and spirit with cool mist'. I have to admit it: when I had this in my lounge, it felt like a yoga studio.
Normally, I don't like the sound of water-based diffusers releasing scent. However, when it came from the Aura's (antimicrobial) water tank, there was something quite calming about the gentle spray sound. I found myself experimenting with essential oils, testing peppermint and sage, cultivating an invigorating atmosphere in my home. It might have been subconscious, but I felt like the air in my room was more clearer and nicer to breath.
The mist runs for 22 hours with an automatic shut off. This means that it'll keep going throughout the night. If you're a light sleeper, that calming noise that I quite liked will bug you to no end. It's also worth stating the obvious: this uses water, so you need to keep it topped up. Aside from that, the running is easy. I added 30 drops of essential oil and could increase or decrease that ratio depending on how much scent I wanted. That's more than most other diffusers, but this didn't struggle to scent rooms with ceilings 8 feet high. I tested it out in a large room, which our family dog spends a lot of time in. Using a sandalwood, oud, and rose blend, I out-scented our dog. It was remarkable.
Unlike many modern diffusers, this needs to stay plugged in. It's also quite bulky, so finding a space where it can be hidden and near a plug can prove tricky for some households.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Aesthetics | A little functional | ★★★ |
| Scent strength | Good for large rooms | ★★★★ |
| Value | Reasonably priced | ★★★★★ |
The best essential oil diffuser for homes with pets
Buy it if
✅ You have big rooms: this can diffuse a lot of fragrance
✅ You'll move this around: it's cord-free
✅ You have small children: this is safe for children and pets
Don't buy it if:
❌ You like to buy your own oils: this is only compatible with Aroma360 scents
❌ Your rooms are all small: this might be too powerful
❌ You're on a budget: this is expensive
The bottom line
🔎 Aroma360 Wireless Pro: this sleek and stylish tower is available in a range of colors. It's really powerful — some might say too powerful — so perfect for large homes.
There's no escaping it, the Aroma360 Wireless Pro is expensive. However, if you have pets and you've saved up the money to treat your home, I think it's worth it.
The matte, brushed steel finish of the Wireless Pro looks and feels premium. If you can remember to keep the base station plugged in for a few hours, you'll be able to maximise on the wireless diffusion centre. This means the Wireless Pro can sit anywhere in your home.
It's a smart piece of technology that would look particularly at home in modern interiors. I tested one in black and enjoyed placing it in different rooms. It's quiet, remote controlled, safe to have around children and dogs. I very quickly forgot it was there, or at least I would have if the scent it produced wasn't so strong.
I first tested the 'low' setting, which didn't do much. You'll need to have this running on medium or high, which, within a few bursts will be too much for your room. In some ways, this is brilliant. You don't need to use much essential oil to have a properly scented room. In other ways, this is frustrating. My rooms were too fragrant if I left this running for even an hour.
After seeing that this was perhaps the strongest diffuser I tested, I thought I would really put it on trial. We have a large family dog, who, much as I love her, smells. I put this in the lounge with her and after a day, her scent was almost completely masked with the sandalwood blend I had chosen. She didn't like the tower (I think the mist was a bit scary for her), but it made the room smell lovely.
Before buying this, it's worth noting that the Wireless Pro is only compatible with Aroma360's ProPod bottles, so you need to buy from the brand. They have an extensive range of good, quality oils, but this does feel a little limiting.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Aesthetics | Looks beautiful | ★★★★★ |
| Scent strength | Strong (almost overwhelming) | ★★★★★ |
| Value | Very expensive | ★★ |
The best wireless essential oil diffuser
Buy it if
✅ You are short on space: this is small
✅ You have pets: this is strong
✅ You'll move this around: it's bluetooth controlled
Don't buy it if:
❌ You're sensitive to smells: this is strong
❌ You'll use this in a studio: it makes some noise
❌ You'll forget to charge it: this can run out of battery
The bottom line
🔎 AromaTech Aromini: mini but mighty, this doesn't to diffusion by halves. It's ultra-strong, super-small, and will burn through your essential oils.
The AroMini is adorable. Expensive, but adorable. I tested this in my urban apartment and it was one of the best luxury options available. The diffuser comes in black, gold, rose gold, or stainless steel brushed finishes. Whether you place it on the mantle, on a bookshelf, or in the corner, it stands in a subtle state-of-the-art way. I like it a lot.
The Bluetooth remote and connectivity meant I could control this from any position in the room. This ended up being quite useful, because the AroMini was constant knocked over when it was on the floor. It's quite vulnerable and unstable, so put it high up and out of danger.
Even though this is small, it didn't struggle to scent the house. I started on the 'low' setting, which might as well not exist. After days of it running on low, I switched to medium and could instantly smell the essential oils. It's quite the jump between stages. The medium setting is more like strong and the strong setting is even stronger (too much for most people). Even on 'medium' the AroMini will burn through a 10ml essential oil bottle in 24 hours. Luckily, there's a 120 ml slot, which saves you doing a daily re-fill.
It's worth noting that AromaTech has some excellent essential oils. This is important, because the AroMini is exclusively compatible with them. You can't buy your own, which is a shame, especially if you like to get creative with your fragrances.
You'll be pleased to know that this uses cold-air diffusion technology, rather than water or heat. In theory, this means that it can sit up against walls and furniture without doing any damage. I kept mine at a precautionary distance and didn't notice any discoloration on the walls. Keep it on rotation though. After time, it will mark. I would also steer clear of the bedroom: this claims to be silent, but I can hear every time it diffuses. The sound is like a high pitched whistle. It doesn't matter to me, but if you're trying to create a calming sleep space, you'll need a different model.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Aesthetics | Modern and minimalistic | ★★★★★ |
| Scent strength | Strong | ★★★★★ |
| Value | Very expensive | ★★ |
The best LED essential oil diffuser
Buy it if
✅ You want LEDs: this has 7 color options
✅ You want a portable diffuser: this is cordless
✅ You want simplicity: it's easy to control
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want a premium machine: this feels cheap
❌ You don't want to use water: this has a reservoir
❌ You're short on essential oils: this burns through them
The bottom line
🔎 Asakuki Portable: the small and stylish design makes this perfect for bedrooms and bathrooms. It's higher maintenance than most models and uses a lot of essential oils.
The Asakuki makes big promises: it's an easy to use, LED, portable diffuser. It's true, the Asakuki is incredibly straightforward. Once plugged in, all you have to do is add water to the reservoir, as well as a few drops of essential oil, and it will start scenting your room. The LED options cover seven vibrant colors, which are perfect if you want your diffuser to 'pop' in your room. A note for monochrome homes: this selection can look a little gaudy.
The overall design is neat and versatile, and I could imagine it looking good in a range of interiors. If you can't imagine it in your home, check out the colorways: you can choose anything an all-white design to a dark brown one.
When working, this is completely silent: a first for the water-based diffusers I tested. The power and timer were easy to adjust, too. I found that this generally uses more water than average. I had mine on the low setting and needed to re-fill it almost every day. This meant that I used up a lot of essential oils and my room smelt stronger than I would have liked.
Whilst it is portable, you'll need to keep the Asakuki near an outlet. Homes without lots of sockets will quickly find this frustrating, as it significantly limits where you place your diffuser. If you want it on a bookshelf, it's hard to keep power cords out of the way. If you want it on the mantle, there will be a trail danging off.
I'd also caution that, whilst this looks lovely, it does feel a little cheap. The top doesn't close with a satisfying click and can be difficult to line up with the control buttons. Water-based diffusers are great for humidity in rooms, but the reservoirs are high maintenance. This one often gets condensation around it, so can drip and create mess when re-filling.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Aesthetics | Subtle and premium | ★★★★★ |
| Scent strength | A little light | ★★★★ |
| Value | Quite expenisve | ★★★★ |
The best budget essential oil diffuser
Buy it if
✅ You have small rooms: this is small
✅ You want humidity: this has a humidify setting
✅ You use LEDs: this has seven color options
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want a low-maintenance option: the water reservoir needs refilling
❌ You want luxury: this feels cheap
❌ You want subtlety: this is bright and bold
The bottom line
🔎 InnoGear Essential Oil Diffuser: big on aesthetics and small on price, the InnoGear is a brilliant option for beginners. The 7 LED settings are fun, but a little tacky.
InnoGear specialise in affordable, essential oil diffusers. I've tried a number of different models from their range and, I have to say, they're all brilliant basics. Whilst you'll find other brands making LED diffusers, you won't find many with the same color options as InnoGear's. This offers 7 different light options and a range of base hues. Whilst this might not suit a Skandi-interior, it's perfect for adding a pop of color into bright rooms. Some people even use theirs as a night light.
This is generous for a $20 diffuser. I got second and third opinions on how premium it looked and everyone agreed that it looks like it should cost more than $20, but not quite as premium as the Bamford diffuser, for example.
It sits subtly in any room. As quite a small diffuser, I'd recommend it for bedrooms and offices, rather than lounges and bathrooms. Note: this needs to be plugged in, so wherever you put it, you will need to be near a socket.
I tested the two misting modes: there's an intermittent setting which dispenses evert thirty seconds, or a continuous mode which works for up to four hours (or until the water runs out). Neither of these are subtle, just like the LED lights. They're great if you want a strong scent in your room, but they work quickly and intensely. I started with ten drops of essential oil in the 100ml reservoir, but I'd recommend cutting back to just one or two drops. You don't need any more: it will waste your essential oils and over-fragrance your room.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Aesthetics | Too bright for some | ★★★★ |
| Scent strength | A little inconsistent | ★★★ |
| Value | Great value | ★★★★★ |
The best basic essential oil diffuser
Buy it if
✅ You have big rooms: this is strong
✅ This is your first diffuser: it comes with all the components you need
✅ You want humidity: this is water-based
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want a low-maintenance option: the water reservoir needs refilling
❌ Your rooms are small: this is powerful
❌ You have a modern interior: the wooden finish is rustic
The bottom line
🔎 InnoGear Aromatherapy 400ml: the perfect investment for beginners, this covers the basics, but isn't a premium model. It might not last you long.
This is the beginner's toolkit for essential oil diffusers. The 400ml wood-style diffuser comes with a set of ten essential oils. This means you can start diffusing immediately.
Normally, when a brand adds essential oils into a package, I'm skeptical. Whilst these weren't the most premium the market has to offer, they were good. They scented my room, which has 8ft ceilings, really well. In fact, I hadn't even set the diffuser running and the room started smelling beautiful. I used all four timer settings (continuous, one hour, three hours, and six hours). Continuous is really overwhelming. It's far too strong. I'd recommend using ten drops of essential oil in the 400ml reservoir and running the diffuser for just the hour. That will give any room plenty of scent. If you choose the 'weak' mode, you might as well not use the diffuser. It's largely pointless. The strong setting, as I've mentioned takes things much further.
The wood finish is suited to more rustic aesthetics. As with InnoGear's other diffuser, it feels more premium than it actually is, which is great if you're shopping on a budget.
This is a plug-in, water-based diffuser. Some people like the idea of extra humidity in a room, but others find water reservoirs higher-maintenance. This collects condensation, which can get a little messy when re-filling comes around. Being limited to plug sockets also makes it difficult to place the InnoGear in your home. You'll need to find a position where you can conceal the wire if you want a really polished look.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Aesthetics | Wood finish isn't for everyone | ★★★ |
| Scent strength | Slightly inconsistent | ★★★★ |
| Value | Great bundle deal | ★★★★★ |
How we tested these essential oil diffusers
At Homes & Gardens we take our tests seriously. That's why I make sure to test every product before we recommend them to you. I took these diffusers into my home and ran them through a series of tests to help them decide which are the best essential oil diffusers on the market.
I make notes on the scent, time how long it lasts, and measure how far the scent throws across the room. I also assess more than just performance: if a product is nicely packaged or difficult to clean, I'll make sure to let you know about it. Similarly, if there are special features, I'll test them out to see if they're genuinely good or gimmicks. If you'd like to find our more, you can visit our dedicated page for how we test.
How to choose the best essential oil diffuser for you
Essential oil diffusers come in all shapes and sizes, but these suit different homes perfectly. These are they key features to consider:
Type
There are a few different types of essential oil diffusers, but these are the main ones to know about. Nebulizing, ultrasonic, heat, and evaporative. Nebulizing diffusers use pressurized air to make the essential oils into a fine mist; ultrasonic diffusers use ultrasonic waves to disperse oil into the air; heat diffusers, use, rather obviously heat; and evaporative diffusers use water. Each method has pros and cons, which depend on your needs as to which is best.
Size
The smallest essential oil diffuser I would buy is 100ml or one with a 15ml slot for pure essential oil. These will more than cover enough space for a small room. There are essential oil diffusers available for up to 500ml, which are great if you won't move them and have a large space to scent, but much bigger and they'll become inconvenient.
Cost
You can pick up a decent diffuser for $20, but these will feel a little cheap. The ones in this buying guide go up above $200, which are great if they cater specifically to your needs (Bluetooth, wireless, remote controlled, voice sensitive), but they might be overkill for some.
Features
Diffusers offer lots of niche features, so it's important to know what you want. Some have LED lights, motion sensitive features, night modes, and timers. When and how you'll use your diffuser will affect which features you prioritize (and are willing to pay for).
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