Essential oil diffusers are common in homes around the country. Their increased popularity may leave you to wonder… how do they work, exactly? What is the difference between the various types of diffusers? Which one will be best for me?
Simply put, essential oil diffusers enhance an environment by spreading the fragrance of essential oils throughout the air. This form of aerial diffusion is one way to incorporate aromatherapy into your life.
There are different types of diffusers – some of which use heat, others don’t. All different types of diffusers have their own use and application. We’ll get into that in a little bit.
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In general though, essential oil diffusers serve both the aesthetic and therapeutic purposes of essential oils treatment.
Benefits of Using Essential Oil Diffusers
Using an essential oil diffuser in your home has many health benefits. It can support your physical and mental well-being, improve indoor air quality, and create a relaxing and calming environment in your home.
Diffusing can:
- Purify and disinfect the air from all forms of germs, pathogens and bacteria
- Set the mood and impact for aromatherapy
- Spread the fragrance of essential oils throughout your home
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Act as a focus of energy and concentration of positive health aura
How do Essential Oil Diffusers Work?
I’ve had this Tan Diamond Diffuser from Edens Garden for something around 4 years… it still works like a charm! It’s both stylish and functional.
Find it here
Essential oil diffusers work by distributing essential oils throughout the air. They fill your room with aromatherapy fragrances.
When you use an essential oil diffuser, all the little particles of oil evaporate into your surroundings.
Researches¹ have shown that the scents of essential oils stimulate our brain. The various aromas create a high sense of wellness, physical well-being and psychological health.
4 Types of Diffusers
Essential oil diffusers are produced with as much science as well as art put into them.
Different types of diffusers work in different ways, but the basic process is the same. The diffuser breaks down the essential oil into tiny particles, which are then dispersed into the air.
There are four main classifications.
1. Nebulizing Diffusers
These types of essential oil diffusers work similar to your basic perfume atomizers. Often recognized as the best form of oil diffuser, nebulizing diffusers place the essential oil into the space of the environment in the form of droplets.
Nebulizers work without water. You only fill essential oils into the reservoir, and they emit a highly concentrated fragrance.
Pieces of a Nebulizing Diffuser
Make sure that you use your nebulizer with a timer setting, which will automatically turn it off when empty. This helps you not to over-scent your space or use too much of your precious essential oils.
Nebulizing diffusers are all plug-in operated units.
2. Ultrasonic Diffusers
Ultrasonic (humidifying) essential oil diffusers have water tanks with a max line that you fill up and then, add your essential oils.
Inside the unit, there is a disk instrument that emits a vibration, which causes the spread of essential oil microparticles into the air.
This type of oil diffuser creates a cold mist, which is very suitable for therapeutic uses. The oils aren’t exposed to heat, which means it keeps the essential oil’s healing properties intact.
This diffuser’s colors are bright and beautiful so it works perfect as a night light.
It is probably the most popular type of essential oil diffuser today. If nobody says differently, you probably have an ultrasonic diffuser.
Ultrasonic diffusers use electricity or batteries, depending on the model. Battery-operated (portable) diffusers are usually a bit smaller in size. Other ultrasonic models that are best for large spaces can hold up to 1,000 mL of water.
3. Heat Diffusers
It is not recommended to use a candle burner for aromatherapy. Essential oil properties are altered significantly when heat is applied.
Heat diffusers are units such as candle burners or Tea light oil diffusers. These are mostly made of ceramic or ceramic glass. They cause the essential oils to evaporate quickly and may not be able to maximize the potential of the essential oils being used for aromatherapy. However, this type of heat diffuser makes it a little bit more economical as well as more silent to use essential oils, compared to essential oil diffusers using electric charge, such as the ultrasonic devices.
One important note about essential oil diffusers is that, in general, they are exceedingly better than the traditional use of candles for essential oil diffusion. Candles tend to drown the fragrance of essential oils with their own wick-based scent. Thus, it defeats the spread of the health benefits of essential oils.
4. Passive Diffusers
The Lotus Passive Diffuser from Plant Therapy
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Passive (evaporative) oil diffusers basically use only the air around us to disperse the essential oils. They use no heat and no water to disperse essential oils.
This kind of diffuser consists of natural materials that absorb the essential oils, and distribute the aroma into the space over time. They are a very economical way to diffuse essential oils, and also suitable for places where no electricity is available.
Reed diffusers or lava stone diffusers are also passive diffusers.
Which Diffuser is Right for You?
When shopping for an essential oil diffuser, consider the following:
- Size/Capacity: How large is the space you’re hoping to use your diffuser in? Is it a bedroom, bathroom, or large yoga space? Consider how big your space is and choose a diffuser with a suitable capacity.
- Noise Level: How important is quiet operation of the diffuser to you? Will you be diffusing at night time? Choose a diffuser that is quiet enough to meet your needs.
- Ease of Use: How user-friendly are the buttons on the diffuser? Do lights and mist options function separately? Also choose a model that is easy to clean!
- Price: Consider your budget and choose a diffuser that fits within your price range.
- Style/Design: Are natural materials important to you? Do you have color preferences to match your home decor? There are plenty of options available to find a diffuser that you also like the look of.
Recommended Essential Oil Diffusers
| Model | Price | Best Feature | Rating | |
 |
Nebulizing Essential Oil Diffuser (Nebulizing Diffuser) |
$62.00* / waterless | It is made of a glass topper and a light beech wood base – together creating a sleek, soothing design. | [usr 5.0] See Full Review |
 |
Pure Spa Ultrasonic Essential Oil Diffuser (Ultrasonic Diffuser) |
$20.00* / 100 mL | Great starter model at a small price. Easy to order on Amazon. | [usr 5.0] See Full Review |
 |
Plant Therapy Lotus Diffuser (Passive Diffuser) |
$14.99* | Inexpensive and cute! Love the look of this little diffuser to match any modern home decor. | [usr 5.0] Find it Here |
* Prices as on Amazon.com at the time of writing and subject to change without notice. Please check Amazon.com for most current pricing information.
If you prefer a lower price range for your first diffuser purchase, please view our selection of best diffusers under $40.
What is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is an alternative treatment which uses traditional ways of healing ailments using essential oils. They are not perfumes. They are part of the alternative medicine category, but are becoming more and more relevant in homes across the country today.
The use of essential oils themselves goes back in time of the ancient civilizations of China, Egypt and Rome. Various essential oils have been used medicinally at various periods in history. If you’d like to read more about essential oils and what they are, please head over to “What are essential oils?”.
In addition, essential oils are widely used for beauty and body treatments.
Final Thoughts
An essential oil diffuser is simple to use and can be put in the bedroom, living room or in any living environment where you want to relax. Diffusers offer many different health benefits in an incredibly low price. You can also find brand new and slightly used diffusers on internet marketplaces.
Essential oils can be toxic if taken orally and shouldn’t be swallowed. They are very potent and they must be diluted in a lotion or carrier oil before you can safely use them on the skin. Diffusers offer a fantastic middle ground, as only water is required to mix in with the essential oils.
There are a number of essential oils readily available on the market. Please see the following recommended brands:
- Plant Therapy Essential Oils
- Rocky Mountain Essential Oils
- REVIVE Essential Oils
- Edens Garden Essential Oils
References
¹ A pilot study on essential oil aroma stimulation in sleeping brain: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33441798/
Aromatherapy on Wikipedia