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18 best essential oil diffusers that will leave your home smelling fresh

From being energising to stress-relieving, there are many benefits to having essential oil diffusers in your home

Helen Wilson-Beevers,Olivia Perl
Tuesday 03 September 2024 10:11 BST
We tested a wide range of reed and electric oil diffusers to suit every budget
We tested a wide range of reed and electric oil diffusers to suit every budget (The Independent)
Our Top Picks

When it comes to home fragrances, essential oil diffusers are great for introducing scent into living areas, without the hassle of keeping an eye on burning candles. Whether you’re looking for an aroma to create an uplifting or relaxing vibe in your home, essential oil diffusers come in reed or electronic forms, complete with perfumed oils that can be released constantly or in time-controlled bursts.

Some diffusers are aromatherapy-focused, while others have perfume-style scents. Generally speaking, reed diffusers last for up to four months before the oil runs out, while electronic diffusers are long-term options that you can keep refilling with the scents of your choice.

Reed diffusers are cheaper and electrical diffusers are more of an investment buy, often looking like an interior accessory when in situ. Whether you’d like to add scent to a home office, bathroom, bedroom or any other living space, an essential oil diffuser is a quick and easy flame-free option.

They can provide a spa-like ambience for unwinding, an uplifting fragrance if you’re entertaining guests and a pleasing scent for those of us with pets.

From well-known brands to budget options, we’ve put the best oil diffusers through their paces, to bring you a list of the ones that will make your home smell amazing.

How we tested

We put myriad oil diffusers to the test, and our home has never smelt so good
We put myriad oil diffusers to the test, and our home has never smelt so good (Helen Wilson-Beevers)

We spent several weeks testing a selection of reed and electronic oil diffusers. During this time, we looked at scent strength, fragrance notes, longevity, and packaging. Keep reading for our full verdict on the best oil diffusers to suit all price points.

The best oil diffusers for 2024 are:

  • Best overall – Aromatherapy Associates atomiser connect: £185, Aromatherapyassociates.com
  • Best budget buy – White Collection Indian island reed diffuser: £6, Boots.com
  • Best for a cult classic scent – Molton Brown re-charge black pepper aroma reeds diffuser, 150ml: £48, Amazon.co.uk
  • Best for spa vibes – Champneys calm reed diffuser, 100ml: £18, Champneys.com
  • Best electronic oil diffuser starter kit – ESPA aromatherapy essential oil diffuser starter kit, positivity: £95, Lookfantastic.com

Aromatherapy Associates atomiser connect

Aromatherapy Associates atomiser connect
  • Best: Overall
  • Type of diffuser: Electric
  • Scent: Sold separately
  • Why we love it
    • Easy to use
    • Aesthetically pleasing
  • Take note
    • Expensive

This stylish, white ceramic diffuser is an updated version of the original Aromatherapy Associates atomiser. The waterless, heat-free diffuser works by emitting scent from two bottles of essential oil, which are placed into the holder.

It’s wireless and comes with a charging cable, diffuser bottles for its two fragrance pods, and useful accessories, such as 15 spare diffusion head tubes and a diffuser bottle opener.

The essential oil diffuser bottles need to be purchased separately, and you can choose between a variety of scents, including the rose and forest therapy options we tested.

As there’s space for a pair of fragrance bottles, you can either switch between scents or use two at once. There are different timer options too, including 30-minute, one-hour, and three-hour. While you can control these features via buttons on the diffuser, there is also a free app for remotely selecting which pod to use, scent intensity, as well as switching on the diffuser’s calming yellow light. The app’s pre-set function is especially handy, too.

Extremely easy to use, this is a brilliant diffuser, providing pleasing scents that travel throughout a room. We use it for a quick scent refresh ahead of visitors arriving; to create a calming atmosphere on busy days, and as a flame-free alternative to lighting a candle. While this is an investment buy, it’s one for long-term use and has certainly elevated our home fragrance setup.

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White Collection Indian island reed diffuser

Best diffusers White Collection Indian island
  • Best: Budget buy
  • Type of diffuser: Reed
  • Scent: Amber, vanilla and coconut
  • Why we love it
    • Scent isn’t overpowering

This affordable reed diffuser is presented in a glass bottle, which has a simple design but mirrors more-expensive brands. We used this diffuser most in the bathroom. The subtle scent is a creamy, sweet, and slightly warm aroma, with notes of amber, vanilla and coconut. While the scent can be well detected up close, we appreciated how gentle the fragrance is when placed in a room, offering a fresh background aroma without being overpowering. The fragrance oil lasts a while, too, as we’ve been using it for several weeks and it’s still half full.

Although this diffuser is currently unavailable online, more stock is due soon and you may also be able to find it in stores.

  1.  £6 from Boots.com
Prices may vary
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Neom real luxury pod luxe starter pack

Best diffusers Neom real luxury pod luxe starter pack
  • Best: For scent throw
  • Type of diffuser: Electric
  • Scent: Lavender, jasmine and Brazilian rosewood
  • Why we love it
    • Stylish design
    • Remote controlled
  • Take note
    • Expensive

Neom’s made quite a splash in the world of home fragrance since its launch nearly 20 years ago, producing beautiful three-wick candles and essential oils that focus on de-stressing, calming and mood-boosting. The jewel in the crown of its products is the real luxury pod – an electric oil diffuser that distributes whichever essential oil you choose around your room.

It has a unique design that fits in seamlessly with loads of interior styles, plus, it has a breathing mode light, which you can use for guided breathing. With celeb fans such as Millie Mackintosh, we love the remote-controlled element, which means you can stay in charge of the luxury pod hands-free. It gets top marks from us.

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Molton Brown re-charge black pepper aroma reeds diffuser

best reed diffuser oil diffuser
  • Best: For a cult classic scent
  • Type of diffuser: Reed
  • Scent: Madagascan black pepper, ginger and vetiver
  • Why we love it
    • Recognisable scent
    • Can see how much you have left
    • Long-lasting

If you’re looking for a reed diffuser with a recognisable scent, Molton Brown’s re-charge black pepper number features a cult classic fragrance. The glass holder is transparent, so, our tester could see how much liquid had been used, and, after a month’s testing, the liquid level was reduced by only a small amount. We think the reed diffuser is a slightly softer version of the black pepper shower gel and other bath and body buys in the same scent, with the black pepper, ginger and vetiver offering a gently intoxicating aroma.

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Neal’s Yard Remedies esta aroma diffuser

best reed diffuser oil diffuser
  • Best: Eco oil diffuser
  • Type of diffuser: Electric
  • Scent: Sold separately
  • Why we love it
    • Sustainably sourced
    • Good price
  • Take note
    • Needs constant wiping to avoid damage

If eco-credentials are high up on your list of priorities, let us introduce you to the Neal’s Yard Remedies esta aroma diffuser. Made from sustainably sourced bamboo cut by hand, it mists essential oil around the room every 30 seconds. Take care with citrussy essential oils (lemon, lime, mandarin, neroli, etc), because if it’s not rinsed and wiped dry each time these are used (which we must admit is a bit of a pain) they can cause damage, which could impact how well the oil diffuser works.

This one isn’t as aesthetically pleasing as some of the others we tested, but it’s relatively affordable and has a soft light perfect for the evening.

Although this product is currently out of stock, you can sign up (via the brand’s website) to be notified by email when it’s available again.

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Sanctuary Spa signature collection luxury reed diffuser

best reed diffuser oil diffuser
  • Best: For the bathroom
  • Type of diffuser: Reed
  • Scent: Jasmine, grapefruit and vanilla
  • Why we love it
    • Looks great
    • Great for bathrooms and kitchens

If an electric diffuser that costs a fair chunk of money isn’t for you, perhaps your oils are better distributed in a reed diffuser. Sanctuary Spa’s signature collection reed diffuser is on the more affordable side, but you’d never guess it by the way it looks. Coming in a versatile white vase with a subtle ‘S’ on the front, the dark brown reeds suck up the oil inside and disperse the signature jasmine, grapefruit and vanilla scent.

This is perfect for bathrooms and kitchens in particular, because it’s small and mighty, with a fresh fragrance.

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Grace Cole fragrant diffuser

Grace Cole.jpg
  • Best: Reed diffuser
  • Type of diffuser: Reed
  • Scent: Vanilla and peony
  • Why we love it
    • Great choice of scents
    • Blended by perfumers
    • Long-lasting

Another reed diffuser, this one is slightly more luxe than Sanctuary Spa’s. It comes in six varying fragrances, ranging from nectarine blossom and grapefruit to vanilla blush and peony. You know they’ll be good because the scents are blended by perfumers.

The vanilla blush and peony scent is soft – noticeable enough to catch your attention as you enter the room but not overwhelming. The floral notes of jasmine and peony paired with the sweetness of vanilla create a creamy, calming fragrance that lasts and lasts.

Promising to last for up to 12 weeks, the glass diffusers are handmade in England and look stylish and elegant atop the mantlepiece. Other big ticks include these diffusers being vegan, against animal testing and free from parabens.

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Diptique un air de Diptyque electric diffuser

Diptique un air de Diptyque electric diffuser.jpg
  • Best: Oil diffuser for looks
  • Diffuser type: Electric
  • Scent: Sold separately
  • Why we love it
    • Well-known luxury brand
    • Beautiful design
  • Take note
    • Slightly confusing instructions
    • Expensive

Diptyque is a luxury brand famous for its stunning perfumes – we’re looking at you, philosykos – so, we weren’t surprised in the slightest when this electric diffuser arrived and it was just as stunning. A white outer shell frames the black and gold interior – we don’t think we’ve ever seen an electric diffuser quite as beautiful.

Although, we must say, we found the setup a little confusing, even with the instructions. However, once we managed to get the diffuser working, it pumped the gorgeous scent around our living room, immediately elevating the space and giving it a luxury feel.

It’s expensive but it looks and smells amazing, even if it did take a bit of brain power to get it going.

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Yankee Candle reed diffuser, clean cotton, 120ml

best reed diffuser oil diffuser
  • Best: For a fresh linen scent
  • Type of diffuser: Reed
  • Scent: Bergamot, leafy greens, rose, and cedar
  • Why we love it
    • Effective spread of fragrance
    • Long-lasting

What’s different about this reed diffuser is the wooden top section, which brings a natural, rustic look to the holder and matches the reeds, too. Scent notes include bergamot, leafy greens, rose, and cedar, adding a fresh linen fragrance to a room. We found the diffuser effectively spreads fragrance throughout an area, and we could smell the crisp notes even when not sitting nearby. Five weeks in, half of the liquid had been used up, so, we’d say it’ll offer around 10 weeks of fragrance.

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Miller Harris figue diffuser

best reed diffuser oil diffuser
  • Best: Recyclable diffuser
  • Type of diffuser: Reed
  • Scent: Fig
  • Why we love it
    • Minimalist
    • Completely recyclable
    • Successfully battles pet smells

This diffuser features a purple glass bottle and contrasting black reeds. The holder has writing on one side and is plain on the other, should you prefer a minimalist aesthetic. As well as the glass holder, all packaging is also completely recyclable, as it arrives without any cellophane. Our tester noted the fig scent is a heady combination of earthy, creamy, woody and rich tones, and that’s a pleasing multi-faceted blend to be met with when walking into a space.

Our tester has pets and found the diffuser successfully stopped the smell of damp dog spreading throughout the house after a rainy walk. They particularly liked the apothecary bottle-style shape of the holder, too.

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Paul Smith early bird diffuser

best reed diffuser oil diffuser
  • Best: Stylish reed diffuser
  • Type of diffuser: Reed
  • Scent: Iris, suede and patchouli
  • Why we love it
    • Colourful and stylish
    • Can be repurposed afterwards
    • Refreshing

There’s no denying this colourful blue and green glass reed diffuser looks stylish, and our tester loves the look of the tall holder in situ on a shelf. It can also be repurposed after use, as a designer interior accessory to hold flowers, or other household bits and bobs. Our tester found the scent to be refreshing and invigorating, with iris, suede and patchouli included in its blend. You do need to be careful not to knock over the diffuser, because the green lid just rests on top, but we didn’t mind at all, because of how beautiful its design is and the noticeably luxe fragrance.

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Champneys calm reed diffuser

best reed diffuser oil diffuser
  • Best: For spa vibes
  • Type of diffuser: Reed
  • Scent: Geranium, cedar wood and eucalyptus
  • Why we love it
    • Spa-style aroma
    • Calming

This diffuser has a brown glass holder with gold detailing and wooden reeds, and its perfume oil has a spa-style aroma. The essential oil scent features geranium, cedar wood and eucalyptus, and our tester noticed it has a pine scent much like a forest, offset against sweet, floral notes. As such, the blend does smell calming, offering the fragrance escapism of a spa treatment room – so, we’ve been keeping it in our bedroom for some unwinding relaxation.

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Soapsmith Whitechapel scented reed diffuser

Soapsmith Whitechapel scented reed diffuser
  • Best: For a clean scent
  • Type of diffuser: Reed
  • Scent: Violet and lilac
  • Why we love it
    • Chic holder
    • Appealing aroma

Presented in a dark glass bottle with just a subtle logo, this minimalist reed diffuser is a chic addition to any space. Our tester has a dog, and found the clean scent really helped with counteracting any fusty pet scents. Fragrance notes include violet and lilac, with the scent offering an appealing fresh aroma that isn’t too sweet. The diffuser has been in situ for four months, and we still have some of the fragrance oil left but, when it’s used up, the bottle would make a nice decorative piece, too. A limited-edition buy, we think this reasonably priced, stylish diffuser is well worth snapping up while stock lasts.

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Ancienne Ambiance Adriatica fig reed diffuser

Best diffusers Ancienne Ambiance Adriatica fig reed diffuser
  • Best: For a woody scent
  • Type of diffuser: Reed
  • Scent: Fig tree and fig fruit
  • Why we love it
    • Luxurious scent

This fig reed diffuser has a woody scent with a slight sweetness, and it filled our room with luxurious fragrance. Featuring eight reeds made of natural rattan, the fragrance oil in ours has lasted just over four months, and we’ve flipped the reeds weekly for optimum scent. We liked the square-edged glass bottle with apothecary-style neck, which is recyclable (as is all the packaging). We rotated the diffuser around the house, and found it added aroma to rooms of all sizes, including spacious living areas.

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ESPA aromatherapy essential oil diffuser starter kit, positivity

ESPA aromatherapy essential oil diffuser starter kit, positivity
  • Best: Starter kit
  • Type of diffuser: Electric
  • Scent: Jasmine, gardenia and rose geranium
  • Why we love it
    • Calming light settings

An electric oil diffuser that uses water to operate, this model has an external ceramic cover that is placed over a tank and electrical base with buttons. The diffuser emits a fragrance mist from the spout-style top, with the ‘positivity’ scent we chose offering fresh, uplifting, floral notes of jasmine, gardenia and rose geranium. It’s simple to use – just add a few drops of the scent to the water and off you go. There are diffuser mist and light power buttons, so you can choose between the two or use both at once. The overall effect is a calming home-fragrance experience.

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Cowshed relax calming diffuser

Best diffusers Cowshed relax calming diffuser
  • Best: Refillable reed diffuser
  • Type of diffuser: Reed
  • Scent: Lavender and eucalyptus
  • Why we love it
    • Refill options available

A reed diffuser ideal for unwinding at bedtime, this product’s scent combines a relaxing essential oil blend of lavender and eucalyptus. The wide, circular bottle has five black reed diffusers, which emit enough of the gently calming fragrance so that it can be smelt throughout a room.

There’s a spa-like feel to the aroma, and the fragrance oil should last about 10 weeks before running out. It’s worth noting the fragrance oil is made without preservatives and only uses natural essential oils.

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Acqua di Parma buongiorno reed diffuser

Best diffusers Acqua di Parma buongiorno reed diffuser
  • Best: For a sophisticated fragrance
  • Type of diffuser: Reed
  • Scent: Grass, linen and moss with woody notes
  • Why we love it
    • Luxurious
  • Take note
    • Pricey

This reed diffuser has luxe Acqua di Parma branding and is presented in signature sunny yellow packaging. The ‘buongiorno’ scent features fresh, crisp notes of grass, linen and moss, with a woody depth.

The fancy-looking diffuser was a welcome addition to our living room, adding elegance to our interiors, and we’ve found the fragrance lingers, too. The fragranced oil reminded us of a decadent cologne, and, while a splurge buy, this diffuser is a real treat for any living space.

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Aldi hotel collection no.1 lime, basil and mandarin reed diffuser, 100ml

best reed diffuser oil diffuser
  • Best: Supermarket diffuser
  • Type of diffuser: Reed
  • Scent: Lime, basil and mandarin
  • Why we love it
    • Super cheap
    • Smells more expensive than it is

When it comes to finding budget home fragrance buys that look and smell more expensive than they are, Aldi’s hotel collection range is the place to browse. This lime, basil and mandarin fragrance is an affordable alternative for the Jo Malone scent with the same name. We noted that the brightening citrus scent detected is also underpinned by sweet, herbal tones. Our tester has been finding this reed diffuser fills the room with a lingering, summery scent, which has impressive staying power for less than £3.50.

  1.  £3 from Aldi.co.uk
Prices may vary
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Oil diffusers FAQs

What are the different types of oil diffuser?

The two main types you will have to consider when looking for the perfect diffuser are reed and electric. Reed diffusers use wooden sticks, often rattan or bamboo, that soak up the scent until it evaporates at the tip and dispurses into the air naturally. Whereas electric diffusers are, well, electric. They feature heating elements that, when combined with a blend of water and your chosen essential oil, evaporate into the air and create a lovely aroma. Electric diffusers tend to be on the pricier side, whereas reed options are usually much more affordable, depending on the brand.

The verdict: Oil diffusers

Our best diffuser overall is Aromatherapy Associates atomiser connect, for being easy to use, aesthetically pleasing and offering a luxurious scent. Meanwhile, the Cowshed relax calming diffuser is an option for unwinding before bed, and Acqua di Parma’s buongiorno reed diffuser serves up a sophisticated cologne-style scent. Finally, if you’re looking for an electronic diffuser starter kit, ESPA aromatherapy essential oil diffuser starter kit has both fragrance mist and soothing light options.

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