We researched diffusers from several brands to find the best for a variety of personal preferences, paying close attention to ease of use, area covered, noise level, and more—with price points that cover the thrifty to the extravagant. Our top pick is the versatile Whole Foods Tai Chi Diffuser. Here are our choices for the best oil diffusers. But the Tai Chi earns our overall pick because it does everything well: It’s stylish, affordable, easy to operate, and has a rainbow of optional mood lighting. The diffuser also has a 60-inch USB cord, so you can take your diffuser pretty much anywhere you can take your USB-compatible computer or portable charger. We like that the Tai Chi has an intermittent setting, which we consider a diffuser’s most important feature, so the aroma doesn’t overwhelm you. Don’t let the fill capacity of less than a half cup scare you off. When you pour in the water the first time, the maximum line will seem very low. But fight your urge to overpour—the diffuser keeps providing an aromatic experience for hours, whether you choose a continuous stream or mist or operate the machine at intermittent mode. Other perks include seven color options that provide a relaxing but not overpowering glow, should you decide to use it in your bedroom or as mood lighting. Also, the lid is easy to remove and replace with one hand, unlike some models that require twisting and wrenching. Similar to its less-costly Vetruvi Stone cousin, the Move is made to scent a space about 500 square feet, about the size of a two-car garage; that’s the kind of coverage you don’t get from most devices of similar size. Because it’s portable, you can use the diffuser beyond your home. The cylindrical shape makes it ideal to carry in a vehicle’s beverage holder. Price at time of publish: $179 With most diffusers, you have to avoid tipping over the body while there’s still water in it, because getting the motor wet can ruin the device. With portable diffusers, that can be difficult to remember when you’re on the go, as tipping is a natural thing to do when you try to store the USB plug. Price at time of publish: $36 While the diffuser wouldn’t be classified as portable, it is lightweight and easy to move around; we’ve transported it from bedroom to bathroom in lieu of candles or air freshener when we have guests. For less than $20, you get a choice of colored lights, exterior design (plain, faux wood grain, or “white grey”), and confidence that the machine holds up despite typical household chaos. Price at time of publish: $24 The ASAKUKI’s white plastic exterior isn’t a showpiece, but you can opt for various faux wood grain bases; the white option is the most low-key if a more traditional wood grain doesn’t match your decor. On the downside, this lacks a USB cord, but if loads of light options are your thing, go big for your home. Price at time of publish: $37 When choosing a ceramic diffuser, you also have to consider that most ceramic covers are decorative and hide plastic, funnel-shaped covers inside that route the mist through holes at the tops of the diffusers. (We eliminated any diffusers where the ceramic and plastic covers didn’t align correctly.) Being able to examine your diffuser in person before you commit is helpful in ferreting out these design flaws, such as plastic covers inelegantly poking through the ceramic spout. One attribute that puts the Opalhouse ahead of its competitors is the slick finish on the exterior. Some ceramic diffusers are easily scratched by fingernails, which is not ideal, since you have to handle the covers every time you want to refill the diffuser. Finally, the Opalhouse has a surprisingly large capacity (300 ml) for its size, and optional colored lights that look lovely through the cutouts. Price at time of publish: $30 The black plastic speckled cover is an appealing design that would pair well with gold, retro, or modern furnishings. At times, it looks like a galaxy or an homage to the Hollywood Walk of Fame (which is also made of terrazzo, and a fun fact to pass along if any guests admire your diffuser). Speaking of guests, someone could easily mistake it for a pencil sharpener, because unless it’s turned on and misting, there’s nothing about it that screams, “Diffuser!” There’s one button, the outer cover slips on and off easily, and the only thing you really need to worry about is making sure the hole in the interior plastic lid aligns with the spout in the base. Price at time of publish: $15
Capacity and Time
Ultrasonic models require a mixture of water and essential oils, which allows them to run longer—approximately 30 to 60 minutes at a time. Since nebulizing models use only essential oil, they should be run for shorter periods (about 10 minutes at a time).
Cleaning
Both types of models benefit from regular cleaning, but ultrasonic essential oil diffusers are harder to clean, since they use both water and essential oils. Water makes the machine more susceptible to mold, and tap water can leave calcium deposits inside the machine
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Laurie Mansfield Reiter, a journalist with years of experience in researching, testing and recommending home and garden products. In preparation for this article, Laurie consulted Lynnette Crouse, a certified aromatherapist for Nature’s Gift, a woman-owned aromatherapy company in Madison, Tennessee, and Rae Ann Kingsley, a pediatric nurse practitioner who specializes in pain management at Children’s Mercy Kansas City Hospital. To find the best options for oil diffusers, Laurie, who has personally used essential oil diffusers in her home since 2018, evaluated hundreds of products from online retailers, discount stores, boutiques, home furnishings stores, pharmacies and big-box stores. However, essential oils are complex, concentrated plant extracts that contain “hundreds of different chemical compounds that work differently in the human body,” according to Rae Ann Kingsley, a pediatric nurse practitioner who specializes in pain management at Children’s Mercy Kansas City Hospital. They are not regulated by the FDA, should never replace standard medical care, and shouldn’t be used around children younger than 6 years old.
