Our Favorite Essential Oil Diffusers for Safe Aromatherapy

When you need to relax (and for your child to tone it down about 20 notches), an essential oil diffuser can help. Set a calm mood, cheer everyone up, or ease the symptoms of a cough with aromatherapy. Discover our favorite essential oil diffusers and learn how to use this tool safely in your home.

What Is a High Quality Diffuser?

A high quality diffuser safely carries the scent of essential oils throughout a space. Ultrasonic diffusers mix essential oils with water, adding humidity to the air along with the scent. Other diffusers use heat or a fan to evaporate essential oils into the air. Nebulizing diffusers, including cold air diffusers, create a fine mist that spreads the oil throughout the room.

Which Oil Diffuser Is Best?

What are the advantages of each? Ultrasonic diffusers are safe and heat-free.  However, similar to humidifiers, you'll need to clean them regularly to avoid mold or bacteria growth.

Evaporative diffusers that use heat may be a fire hazard or create a risk of burning. However, those that use a fan don't create this risk. Today, fans may be very quiet as well. Evaporative diffusers also require regular cleaning, but don't need as much maintenance as ultrasonic diffusers.

Nebulizing diffusers don't require heat or water to operate. They're simple, easy to clean, and hassle-free. That said, many nebulizing diffusers require special bottles of essential oils. In most cases, you must buy the essential oils from the same company where you got the diffuser.

The best diffuser for essential oils depends on your needs. For families with young children, choosing an option that doesn't use heat is ideal, as a heating element may cause burns. In any case, parents should keep diffusers and essential oils out of the reach of little ones.

The Best Diffusers for Essential Oils

Check out our favorite essential oil diffusers and their characteristics:

1. Best Overall Diffuser for Essential Oils: Vitruvi Stone Ceramic Diffuser - $123

Enjoy the scent of a diffuser with the added benefit of subtle humidifying effect with the Stone Ceramic Diffuser. Featuring an attractive design, we love the soft warm light setting that doubles as a night-light or calming evening light. Choose from the time settings offering 4-hour continuous or 8-hour intermittent options.

The Vitruvi is ideal for small and large rooms, boasting a scent coverage of 600 square feet. Cleaning the diffuser is easy and can be done with white vinegar.

Features:

• Ultrasonic Diffuser
• Light feature
• Choose from 7 colors

2. Best Nebulizing Diffuser: Aroma 360 Wireless Pro - $299.95

Simple and sleek, the Aroma 360 Wireless Pro diffuser can go with you wherever you'd like. Place it in the middle of a room or on a side table without searching for outlets. This diffuser only requires essential oils. You'll need to purchase Pro-Pod fragrance oil bottles to use with the diffuser, so you can't use other oils brands.

Features:

• Cold air diffusion
• Choose from 8 colors and designs
• Functions wire-free
• Up to 12 hours of use without charging

3. Popular Nebulizing Diffuser: Hotel Collection Studio Pro Scent Diffuser - $299.95

This attractive diffuser is popular thanks to its simple design and high-end scents. You can control the amount of essential oil by adjusting the intensity.

Unfortunately, you can only run the diffuser using Pro-Pod oils. In other words, you can't use it with other essential oil blends. Another possible downside is that the unit does make some noise when dispensing mist.

Features:

Cold air diffusion

Choose from 3 colors

4. Best Diffuser for Meditation: Neom Wellbeing Pod - $100

Small, yet effective, the Neom diffuses your favorite scents using a small amount of water. Adjust the timer and intensity to your preference. Plus, the Wellbeing Pod features several lighting settings, including a breathing mode you can use during breathing meditations. Alternatively, use the light as a nightlight or soft evening glow.

Features:

• Ultrasonic Diffuser
• Light feature
• Up to 7 hours of continuous use

5. Simplest Ultrasonic Diffuser: Saje Aroma Om - $106

Pour a little water into your diffuser, add the essential oil of your choice, and enjoy! Aromatherapy is easy with the Aroma Om. The ceramic cover features an attractive shape ending in a spout. The diffuser is small, yet is ideal for a 500 square foot space.

Features:

• Ultrasonic Diffuser
• Light feature
• Choose from 2 colors
• Up to 10 hours of run time

6. Best Budget Ultrasonic Diffuser: Asakuki Rock White Wood Essential Oil Diffuser - $35.99

This budget-friendly diffuser offers all the perks at a low price. Despite its small size, the Asakuki has a longer runtime than many other models. Whisper quiet, the Rock White Wood model also includes a light feature. Cycle between seven colors or select one for a constant glow.

Additionally, you can choose the run time and intensity of the diffuser. Use the remote control or press buttons on the device.

Features:

• Ultrasonic Diffuser
• Light feature includes 7 colors
• Up to 16 hours of run time

7. Most Affordable Nebulizing Diffuser: Aura House - $99

The most affordable cold air diffuser, Aura House offers an excellent option for smaller budgets. Choose from four intensity levels. Note that you'll have to purchase Aura House scents and essential oils for the unit to function.

Features:

• Cold air diffusion
• Choose from 2 colors

8. Best Glass Diffuser: Soicare Ella Aromatherapy Diffuser - $76

Made of natural materials including glass and bamboo, the Soicare model also contains a small amount of high quality plastic. Add water and a few drops of essential oil and the Soicare is ready to run. The diffuser offers several timing options as well as intensity levels.

Also, choose the light intensity. Try it as a night light or use it as a reading lamp.

Features:

• Ultrasonic Diffuser
• Light feature includes 7 colors
• Up to 16 hours of run time

9. Best Evaporative Diffuser: Canopy Aroma Diffuser - $65

This aromatherapy essential oil diffuser uses a fan to evaporate the oil. Do you like to change up your scents? Then try the puck, which allows you to add drops of essential oil. You can change the puck whenever you'd like or add a new scent to it.

Or, diffuse your favorite scent for up to two weeks with the well option. Pour the entire bottle into the well and enjoy a long-lasting pleasant aroma. The Canopy can fill a small room of up to 400 feet with your favorite scent.

Features:

• Evaporation diffuser
• Two diffusion options
• No water or mist

10. Most Affordable Diffuser Overall: Urpower Aroma Essential Oil Diffuser - $24.99

Easy to use and functional, the Urpower provides great value. Choose from various models, all of which produce up to 7 different colors of light. Keep in mind that as the Urpower is a smaller model, it's best for small rooms.

Features:

• Ultrasonic diffuser
• Affordable
• Light feature includes 7 colors
• Up to 7 hours of run time

Are Essential Oils Safe for Children?

Some essential oils are safe and beneficial for children. If you have a baby or children at home, it's important to choose essential oils carefully. While some essential oils are perfectly safe, others cause dangerous side effects.

Doctors say that applying essential oils to your baby's skin can cause a rash. Also, diffusing oil may create trouble for your baby's developing lungs. Some experts recommend that you wait to use essential oils until your baby is 3 months old, while others suggest waiting until your child is 3 years old.

That said, essential oils such as lavender, chamomile, citrus, and peppermint offer benefits. When used safely, you can help boost your child's mood, alleviate nausea, and more.

Essential Oils to Avoid Using with Young Children

Some essential oils are dangerous for young children. They include:

• Peppermint - May increase risk of seizure in children younger than 2.5 years old
• Eucalyptus - May be dangerous for children 2 years and younger
• Sage - May be dangerous for infants
• Wintergreen - May be dangerous for infants
• Hyssop - May be dangerous for infants

Also, keep essential oils out of the reach of children. These oils are highly concentrated and can irritate the skin or cause harm if swallowed.

When using aromatherapy with young children, keep in mind that less is more. After about 15 minutes of diffusing,  your nose may begin to ignore the scent. So, instead of adding more essential oils or increasing the intensity, let the smell dissipate. About 20 minutes is long enough to enjoy the benefits of the essential oil.

Best Essential Oils for Mental and Physical Health

After you've chosen the best oil diffuser for your home, which oils should you use? You can choose an essential oil blend simply for its pleasant scent. Or, try specific essential oils known for their medicinal properties.

When purchasing oils, experts recommend choosing pure oils that don't contain synthetic fragrances. Purchase from a reliable company and look for the name of the plant on the bottle, as well as the method of extraction.

Here are some essential oils to try and their benefits:

Essential Oils for Mood

Lemon may help boost your mood. Try it for yourself or your child in the mornings or after a nap and enjoy cheerful wakings.

Essential Oils for Calming

Many essential oils can offer a calming effect perfect for winding down before bedtime. Try lavender and chamomile.

Essential Oils for Anxiety

Many essential oils can help relieve anxiety. Just a few to try include mandarin, basil, lavender, and chamomile.

Essential Oils for Headaches

Peppermint in children over 30 months can help relieve headaches. If you or your little one has a headache, try diffusing peppermint for about 20 minutes for some relief.

Essential Oils as Bug Repellent

A natural bug repellent, essential oils can help when there are a lot of mosquitos around. Try diffusing citronella, eucalyptus, or lemongrass to chase the bugs away.

Essential Oils for Nausea

When you or your little one has a tummyache, try diffusing soothing scents. Ginger, peppermint, and mandarin are a few recommended essential oils. Do remember that peppermint is only safe for children 30 months and older.

Sources:

1. Web MD

2. Healthline

3. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

4. Hopkin's Medicine