What Is the Best Diffuser for Essential Oils?

The global essential oil market is expected to reach nearly $12 billion by 2022. Do you have your own stockpile of oils at home?

Whether you prefer calming oils to help you wind down, citrus scents to wake you up in the morning, or a little of both, there's no denying their power and potential.

However, in your quest to source the purest and most potent essential oil blends, have you considered how well your diffuser is working? Not all are created equal, so we're sharing the features to look for as you browse!

Types of Essential Oil Diffusers

oil diffuser on the table

The health and wellness market is filled with different types of diffusers, each designed to meet a unique need. While it's nice to have a variety, this can make shopping for a new one a little challenging. Let's break down the most common types to know. 

Nebulizing Diffusers

Unlike the others on this list, nebulizing diffusers do not use any heat or water. Rather, they atomize essential oils using a system of specially-designed tubes. This enables the scent's chemical composition to remain intact, even as it's delivered into the air as a fine mist.

These diffusers diffuse all of your oil at once, whereas others offer a slower release that occurs through stages. While this can deliver an array of therapeutic benefits, it's important to note that this model also requires more oil than other diffusers, as the oil isn't blended with any other substance. As such, these are often found at a higher price point and aren't as convenient for everyday use.

Ultrasonic Diffusers

If you're used to filling up a vessel, adding a few drops of your favorite oils, and plugging your diffuser into the wall, you're likely using an ultrasonic essential oil diffuser.

As the oil mixes with the water, the machine's electronic frequencies turn it into a fine mist that sprays evenly into the air. Those frequencies are created by a tiny ceramic disc positioned under the surface of the water. As it vibrates, the disc causes the oil to break into microparticles that are small enough to travel upward and out of the machine. 

As these machines only use a small amount of oil, they are designed to help your home collection stretch longer. In addition, they work absent of any heat, which makes them a safer option if you have pets or small children in the house.

One caveat to keep in mind, however, is that they can slightly increase the humidity levels in your room. If you already live in a humid climate, you may want to consider a diffuser that doesn't add more water into the air. 

Looking for an eye-catching example? Check out our high-output Wood Essential Oil Diffuser. With only a few drops, you can fill your entire room with your chosen aroma for up to 13 hours, thanks to its 400mL tank! Designed in the shape of a flower vase, it's a gorgeous addition to any room and blends seamlessly with your decor. For this reason and many others, it's consistently one of our best sellers in the shop!

Heat Diffusers

As their name implies, heat diffusers use a heating element to break the essential oil up into microparticles and help it evaporate into the air. These machines are usually available at an economical price point and run at near-silent volumes. However, while they can be efficient, they are not always consistent.

For instance, some heat diffusers require you to drop the oils into a vessel of water, while others don't use water at all. Then, you'll find that some will heat the oil to a very high temperature while others will stick to lower temperatures. In this regard, lower temperatures are preferred, as they are less likely to alter the chemical composition of the oil.

In addition, heat diffusers that become too warm can change the oil at its molecular level. In turn, this can lessen the therapeutic benefits that it provides and can even alter its aroma.

Evaporative Diffusers

If you need to quickly spread the scent of oils throughout a room, a wind-blown evaporative diffuser can do the trick. These machines use direct airflow to encourage oil droplets to dissipate in the air. This means if you have company over and you need to make the environment feel as cozy and welcoming as possible, you can do so in just a few seconds.

To set up the operation, you'll simply add a few drops of oil onto a special type of filter or pad. Then, the fan will blow directly into that surface, causing the oil to quickly evaporate.

As it does, it mixes with the air around it and the fan blows that air into the room. While this approach can be effective, it does disperse the oil in segments. Due to their molecular weight, the lighter components of the oil will evaporate first and the heavier oils will evaporate toward the end. 

Splitting up the oil's components in this way can take away from its therapeutic effects just slightly, but if you're only seeking aromatic benefits, this model is suitable. 

Choosing a Diffuser For Your Essential Oil Blends

oil diffuser on massage table

Ultimately, the type of diffuser you choose is up to you. The best one for your home will depend on a variety of factors including your lifestyle, the members of your household, how long you plan to run the diffuser, and why you're using essential oil blends in the first place.

For the best of all worlds, we recommend an ultrasonic humidifier. This model maintains the integrity of your oil and doesn't diminish its chemical constituents or therapeutic effects. For more products designed to turn your home into the oasis it was meant to be, feel free to shop all of our collections online. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our team. 

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