Best diffuser to fragrance your home in 2023

Jan 19, 2024

Diffusing essential oils in your home reduces stress and anxiety - but which diffuser is the best?

It’s believed the first scent diffusers were used by the ancient Greeks, who found that reeds dipped in essential oils would diffuse their scent throughout their homes and temples. Today, the best diffusers still use essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus and rose, which are commonly used in scented candles for their calming or uplifting properties.

There are several types, including fan diffusers and ultrasonic diffusers, which you can read about in the FAQ section at the bottom of this feature, but for this guide I’m going to focus on the three most popular kinds.

Reed diffusers use natural reeds (often rattan or bamboo) sitting in a well of fragrance which works its way up and evaporates at the top, dispersing fragrance into the air. Electric diffusers have heating elements to warm a blend of oil and water which then evaporates into the room. Nebulising diffusers use high pressure to force a stream of air through essential oil to create a mist.

I’ve tried and tested 15 of this year’s best diffusers and you can read my full reviews below, followed by some advice from a fragrance expert on how to use them. But if you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick look at my top five:

“A good diffuser should have a wide scent throw – the ability to effectively disperse the fragrance across the room evenly, making sure it isn’t concentrated in one area,” explains Hayley Forster, fragrance consultant and member of the British Society of Perfumers.

Hayley says diffusers should also look good, last a long time between refills and allow you to control the intensity and frequency of the scent release. With electric diffusers, noise levels and safety are also important. “The right diffuser for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences,” she says. “I personally like the White Company and Oliver Bonas diffusers, since they’re very stylish.”

I’ve spent months testing these diffusers, rating each for value for money, the quality of the fragrance and the space it covered, length of time between refills, ease of upkeep and, on electric diffusers, timer settings and noise level. I tested them in my bedroom, where I was looking for relaxing scents, and my kitchen and bathroom where I was looking for neutralising scents. I chose the brands based on both personal experience and following advice of BSP member Hayley Forster.

Here is what I found, starting with my favourite. If you’re keen to improve the air quality at home, by the way, you might want to read our guide to the best air purifiers next.

£70, The White Company

Best electric diffuser overall, 10/10

We like: it couldn’t be easier to use

Electric diffusers tend to be an investment to buy, but are cheap to run thereafter. All it takes is water and a few drops of essential oil and you’re away.

This electronic diffuser by The White Company has somewhat of a cult following thanks to its simple ceramic design which could be mistaken for a vase when not in use. It couldn’t be simpler to use. Simply remove the ceramic top to reveal the water tank, which needs filling up to the max line along with a few drops of your choice of essential oil.

I’m loving The White Company’s Fresh Grapefruit Fragrance Oil (£7) at the moment, which cuts through the smell of muddy dogs and cat litter with ease. The diffuser is whisper-quiet, meaning I’m not disturbed if I have it on while working or sleeping and it diffuses at a rate that means I only need to refill the water every few days.

Even a couple of drops of oil into the water creates a lovely aroma in the room I’m scenting - just be sure to really only add a few drops. The diffuser works so well that I find I get a headache if I use too much fragrance oil. Different fragrances from The White Company have slightly different strengths, so it’s worth playing around with the potency you prefer.

£45, Oliver Bonas

Best value diffuser, 10/10

We like: the colour settings set this diffuser apart

The Oliver Bonas diffuser is a favourite among friends and family who can’t quite justify the outlay of £70 on The White Company diffuser above, but still want the flexibility of timer settings inside a good-looking ceramic ornament.

The Oliver Bonas diffuser comes in a choice of three colours, sage, grey or blue, but I particularly love this sage colour which just goes with everything. The added bonus is the addition of coloured lights at the base, perfect for creating ambience in the evenings, or even as a dim night light. You can choose between six hues.

It’s got excellent longevity and scent throw, which is why I’ve made it our best value for money choice.

£68, Selfridges

Best reed diffuser, 10/10

We like: the warming scent which fills a house

I had to try Jo Malone’s cult classic Pomegranate Noir. It’s a spicy but fruity fragrance combining red fruits, Casablanca lily and smoky wood. While it’s balanced enough to suit all year round, it’s such a warming scent that I can’t help but think it would be the perfect accompaniment to cosy autumn nights under a blanket.

This Jo Malone diffuser is subtle enough to sit in small rooms but you can still smell it as soon as you open the front door. I’ve gotten so used to the familiar mellow scent that I have a feeling I’ll be buying a replacement when my current one runs out.

£23, Stoneglow

Best budget reed diffuser, 10/10

We like: this diffuser is small but mighty, easily filling a whole room

For £23 and only 120ml of liquid, you’d be forgiven for assuming Stoneglow diffusers might struggle to compete with the big perfume houses on this list. In fact, Stoneglow’s diffusers have some of the best scent throw of any I have tested.

I tried the Sea Salt and Oakmoss for this review. It’s a beautifully neutral fragrance, toeing the line between fresh and musky. I’ve received stoneglow diffusers as gifts in the past and always been impressed by the brand. If you prefer a neutral scent over anything floral, you’ll love this.

£152, Selfridges

Best reed diffuser for large rooms, 10/10

We like: it comes in a beautiful glass jar which can be reused as a wildflower vase

Opening this Diptyque diffuser is an experience in itself. It arrives in a limited edition box illustrated by the artist Erik Winkowski with cacti, the sun, stars and moon, oranges, palm trees and more emblems of summer. Inside is a ribbed glass jar, rattan reeds, a 200ml bottle of citronelle fragrance and a tiny funnel.

The scent is a combination of lemongrass, verbena, neroli and orange blossom which is heavily citrus-based with a touch of floral. The oval jar is specially designed to create a prismatic effect, meaning the reeds appear multiplied and the liquid catches the light. In a summer when the weather hasn’t quite lived up to expectations, this Diptyque fragrance has kept me uplifted. As a bonus, the citronelle scent acts as a deterrent to mosquitos and other unwanted creepy crawlies.

£33, Pott Candles

Best sustainable reed diffuser, 10/10

We like: the ceramic pot doubles as an ornament

I love Pott’s ceramic candles so I knew I had to try one of their ceramic diffusers, and it didn’t disappoint. I actually tried the new azure pott with the spring rain fragrance but it’s currently sold out. Instead you’ll have to buy the diffuser pot and choose your fragrance from a choice of scents including jasmine, fig, lavender and orangery.

You can also purchase a monthly subscription (£27), where you either choose your favourite scent, or pick the discovery option to receive a different scent each month. I love the customisable element of Pott Candles, with the ability to choose the colour of the ceramic jar and your own scent. Each pot is handmade meaning they’re all slightly different.

£50, John Lewis

Best smelling reed diffuser, 10/10

We like: the fact that Scandinavisk deliberately uses words us Brits can’t pronounce adds to the mystique

Ever since visiting Iceland last year I’ve become obsessed with the scandi way of life. You may have heard of the Danish word ‘hygge’ which means cosy, comfortable and content - it depicts a much slower pace than living in London. Scandivanisk encapsulates this feeling with its diffusers.

I tried the ØY scent diffuser, which is the Norwegian word for island. The scent is crabapple, dog rose, water moss and green leaves. It’s a very clean scent which reminds me of the beach on a cold day.

£55, Neom

Best cordless diffuser, 9/10

We like: it fits in a car drinks holder

Electric diffusers are great, but they can only be placed in certain areas of the house, by a plug. That’s not the case with Neom’s Wellbeing Pod Mini, which uses slightly different technology.

The Neom Wellbeing Pod Mini is a nebulising diffuser meaning it doesn’t require water. Instead of using heat and moisture, it uses pressurised air to release tiny particles at a time. This one is rechargeable via a provided USB lead, but lasts for around 50 hours on its own.

I love that I can grab it and use it in any room of the house and even my car. I’m currently enjoying it at my desk while it releases Neom’s Focus the Mind Essential Oil Blend into the air. It releases scent at 60 second intervals or so, depending on the intensity setting. Just be aware that it is slightly noisy in use.

£78, Selfridges

Best diffuser to give as a present, 9/10

We like: the simple yellow jar which brightens up any corner

Acqua di Parma is all about Italian elegance and simplicity. This is reflected in the simple yellow bottles in which the diffusers are presented, with minimal branding. I tried the Grazie fragrance, which is the Italian word for thank you.

The scent notes are bergamot, rose, ylang-ylang and salt which create a delicate, intriguing, feminine fragrance. The scent throw isn’t as strong as others I’ve tried, instead it adds a subtle aroma to the room. This is definitely one for summer.

£42, Floral Street

Best floral smelling diffuser, 9/10

We like: the sweet-smelling, floral scent

I think there’s a lot to be said about an unabashedly feminine, floral fragrance in a world converting to unisex, musky scents. Floral Street’s Wonderland Bloom evokes armfuls of freshly picked peonies, one of my favourite flowers, splashed with a hint of lemon, guava and cotton candy.

It’s a heavenly scent that makes me think of British gardens in full bloom at the beginning of summer. Perfect for keeping that scent of peonies alive, long after they’re out of season. Plus, the colour pink is really having a moment.

£48, John Lewis

Best diffuser that lasts a long time, 9/10

We like: the balance between citrus and musk

Molton Brown diffusers exude timeless elegance with their simple glass jars and ebony reeds. I tried the Orange and Bergamot scent which is made up of orange, neroli and musk.

Its citrus tang is fresh without being too sharp, balanced out by a gentle musk, making it a great scent for all year round. This diffuser lasts for months and the glass jar can be endlessly refilled.

£32, Boots

Best calming diffuser, 8/10

We like: the simple combination of scent notes

If you’ve ever stepped foot inside a Soho House and wondered what the scent was, I’ll put you out of your misery. It’s the Cowshed Calming scent. For those who haven’t visited, the scent is a blend of eucalyptus and lavender, two essential oils with relaxing associations.

It doesn’t have the most impressive scent throw, but I enjoyed keeping it on my bedside table while testing so I could take in the scent as I fell asleep.

£36, Aery Living

Best diffuser for summer, 8/10

We like: the attractive bright orange jar

Independent company Aery Living is fast becoming a household name, now they are sold by the likes of John Lewis. This diffuser comes in a matte finished glass jar with a wooden stopper and 100 per cent rattan reeds.

The scent itself is a blend of essential oils designed to make you happy: neroli blossom, jasmine and sandalwood. This isn’t a particularly intense scent, so it’s probably best suited to smaller rooms or bathrooms, but it adds a gentle freshness wherever it goes.

£15, The White Company

Best car scent diffuser, 8/10

We like: it successfully neutralises pet smells

Here we have quite a unique concept: fragrance sticks designed to clip to the air vent in your car. The body of the stick is made from aluminium while the insert is polyethylene, a type of plastic that holds scent particularly well.

To use it, you just add a few drops of fragrance oil to the insert. The pack comes with two replacement inserts.

As someone who regularly bundles two labradors in the back of my car for walks, I can attest to the fact that the wet dog smell never completely goes away. These scent sticks mean that at least the front of my car now smells fragrant.

Be aware that you’ll need straight air vents to attach these to. A friend with a Mini Countryman found that out the wrong way.

£45.90, Rituals

Best scent diffuser for sleep, 8/10

We like: comparatively low price for an electric diffuser

Rituals’ Sleep Aroma Diffuser is designed to be switched on just before bed. For 10 minutes, it releases a cloud of lavender and sandalwood, which are sleep-promoting fragrances, to encourage tranquillity.

This is a nebulising diffuser, taking a cartridge inside the base rather than water. I sometimes work in my bedroom, so a reed diffuser designed for sleep is no good during the day. I like that you only have to smell this one just before nodding off. It’s also silent, meaning I’m not distracted as I fall asleep. The only downside is that it only works with the specific Rituals cartridges.

Fragrance expert Hayley Forster talks us through the different types of diffusers:

Reed Diffusers use rattan, bamboo or paper reeds placed into a bottle containing scented oil. The reeds soak up the oil and disperse the scent into the air. Reed diffusers require no electricity or heat, making them a safe and easy-to-use option. However, they may not be as effective in larger spaces.

Electric or Fan Diffusers use the movement of air from a fan to disperse the essential oils. A pad soaked in oil is placed in the fan’s path so the air blows the scent out. These work well in larger spaces, but the scent can be less concentrated than with other types.

Ultrasonic Diffusers use water and ultrasonic waves to disperse essential oils into the room. The oil is added to water and the ultrasonic vibrations break the oil into tiny particles which are then dispersed as a mist. This type of diffuser also adds a bit of humidity to the air, which can be beneficial in drier climates or months.

Heat Diffusers use heat, usually from a candle or electricity, to gently heat the essential oil to promote evaporation. However, they can alter the chemical composition of the oils, and the scent doesn’t last as long because heat tends to make oils evaporate faster.

Nebulising Diffusers use an atomiser to create fine, airborne particles of essential oils that are then blown into the air. They are often considered the most powerful type of diffusers because they create a strong and long-lasting scent that can quickly fill a room.

Ceramic Diffusers simply require you to drop scented oil onto a ceramic piece, from where it slowly evaporates into the air. They are silent and don’t require electricity, but they don’t spread the scent as far or as intensely as some other types.

There are some 400 essential oils extracted from plants all over the world. Popular oils used in aromatherapy today include chamomile, lavender, rosemary and tea tree. “Aromatherapy and essential oils are often used to reduce stress and anxiety, and to bring about relaxation,” says Farrah Idris, lead massage therapist at St Joseph’s Hospice and complementary therapies tutor at City Lit London.

Farrah recommends opting for the best you can afford. “Make sure they’re proper oils and that you know what you’re buying,” she advises. She cites G Baldwin & Co, Neal’s Yard, Oshadhi, Tisserand, Aromatherapy Associates and Neom as go-to brands for high quality oils.

As for Hayley Forster, she recommends lavender for relaxing, peppermint for focus, citrus scents for uplifting, eucalyptus for decongesting, tea tree for purifying the air, rosemary to help with headaches and fatigue, sandalwood for meditation, chamomile for calming, ylang ylang for reducing stress and frankincense to promote a positive mood.

“Be careful using them around your pets, especially if they have had breathing difficulties in the past,” advises Hayley. She says you should always store oils out of reach of pets, as some can be harmful or toxic to pets if ingested, inhaled, or come in contact with their skin.

Hayley also advises the particular oils to avoid for cats and dogs. She says, “For cats, oils such as cinnamon, tea tree, thyme, oregano, clove, pine, citrus, or eucalyptus oils, can be especially toxic. For dogs, oils like tea tree, cinnamon, citrus, pine, wintergreen, and ylang ylang have been reported to cause issues.”