The 20 Best Essential Oil Diffusers Benefit Not Just Your Home, but Your Health, Too!

If you've been thinking about purchasing an essential oil diffuser, the first thing to know is not only do they infuse your home with pleasant scents, diffusers are beneficial to your physical and mental health as well.

So when it comes to choosing which product to buy, it all comes down to whether you're more interested in an aromatherapy diffuser, a fragrance diffuser, a nebulizing diffuser or even a humidifier-diffuser combo. There are a ton of options, but a select few are worth the cost, including the Young Living Ultrasonic Diffuser, Vitruvi Stone Diffuser and the Urpower Essential Oil Diffuser. While some diffusers need to be plugged in, some brands offer cordless or battery-operated options so you can place the device anywhere in your home.

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Room diffusers offer fragrant mists plus health benefits as aromas ease everything from anxiety to chronic pain and cramping. They help improve respiratory health and heal skin conditions, and also relieve congestion, promote healthy sleep patterns and boost your mood.

What is an Essential Oil Diffuser?

Essential oil diffusers improve your home and health, and allow you to focus on self-care. Simply put, an aromatherapy diffuser is a device that breaks down essential oils—the structural materials and phytochemicals in plants—into smaller molecules and disperses them into the air for calming effects.

Certain essential oils offer different benefits: lavender supports sleep, tea tree is antimicrobial, eucalyptus and peppermint soothe headaches and congestion, and frankincense helps with inflammation. The diffuser's job is to evenly disperse the particles of these essential oils at a comfortable concentration that's pleasant to smell and easy enough to breathe in.

What's the Different Between a Diffuser and a Humidifier?

Unlike a diffuser, a humidifier releases water vapor into the air and is used if you want to up the moisture level in your home. A humidifier is generally good for sinus health or allergy conditions in those dry months as moist air can help loosen mucus, calm irritated airways and ease dry eyes.

A humidifier with essential oils is doubly beneficial during peak sick season—December to April or so—as the moist air can soothe pain from illness and the oils can improve sleep and air quality.

A few brands offer 2-in-1 humidifier-diffuser devices, some of which you'll see listed below.

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The 20 Best Essential Oil Diffusers

1. Saje Aroma Rise Cascade Diffuser, $98 on Saje Natural Wellness

This limited edition ceramic diffuser from Saje is not only great at refreshing the air in your home, but it's beautiful to look at. Drop essential oil blends into the Aroma Rise's basin and breathe deeply. It mists for up to three hours continuously and six hours intermittently, and shuts off automatically so you don't have to worry. Saje Aroma Rise Cascade Diffuser, $98 on Saje Natural Wellness

2. Paddywax Electronic Oil Diffuser, $72 at Paddywax

The Paddywax Electronic Oil Diffuser provides a spa-like experience in any room of your home. Fill the ceramic diffuser with water and a few drops of the essential oil of your choice and enjoy a scent experience. Plus, you can choose between continuous or intermittent misting, and high and low diffusion, to enhance or decrease the fragrance. Paddywax Electronic Oil Diffuser, $72 at Paddywax

3. Young Living Essential Oils Aria Ultrasonic Diffuser, $323 on Amazon

On the pricier side, the Young Living Aria diffuser provides a relaxing ambiance with soft LED lights, built-in sounds and a nice overall look. It features a solid American maple base and glass dome that directs essential oil vapor into the air. Unlike most diffusers, the Aria features built-in speakers, so you have the option of listening to the device's sounds or connecting your phone to choose your own music. Although there's no intermittent mode with this diffuser, it does offer a runtime selection of up to 12 hours with a remote. And, bonus, Young Living's ultrasonic diffusers also function as atomizers and humidifiers. Young Living Essential Oils Aria Ultrasonic Diffuser, $323 on Amazon

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4. Supernova Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser, $69.95 at Wayfair

This plug-in diffuser has a nice look and features seven changing LED lights. It can run for seven hours continuously and up to 14 hours intermittently, and shuts off automatically when the water tank is empty. Put a few drops of essential oil blends in with the water and enjoy. Supernova Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser, $69.95 at Wayfair

5. Vitruvi Stone Diffuser, $123 on Goop

A fan favorite, the Vitruvi Stone Diffuser infuses the air with essential oil scents and benefits while looking tres chic. It’s worry-free with longevity and safety off-switches, and adds a bit of flair to your home decor. Note: it does have a Type A electrical plug. Vitruvi Stone Dfifuser, $123 on Goop

6. URPOWER 2nd Generation Aroma Essential Oil Diffuser, $29.99 on Amazon

It's one of the more affordable diffusers on the market, and the URPOWER works better than pricier competitors. With a simple design, it's easy to keep clean and effectively mists essential oils scents for up to seven hours continuously. It also lights up in seven LED colors, offers a four-mist timer function and the aromatherapy diffuser will increase some moisture in the room like a humidifier. URPOWER 2nd Generation Aroma Essential Oil Diffuser, $29.99 on Amazon

7. Canopy Diffuser Starter Set, $90 at Violet Grey

The Canopy Diffuser uses two ceramic accessories to provide a customized, clean aroma experience. No mist, no water—this diffuser uses an Aroma Puck and Diffusion Well to infuse the air with essential oil or fragrance oil. The oil is absorbed into the ceramic and a fan naturally evaporates the scent into the air. Due to this clean diffusion technique, there is no bacteria and no mold growth—just wellness at the forefront. Canopy also offers a clean humidifier, which, like the diffuser, is subscription based. Canopy Diffuser Starter Set, $90 at Violet Grey

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8. Kumi Stone Diffuser, $59.99 on Amazon

This sleek diffuser from Kumi functions like most: fill the water tank and add your favorite essential oil to moisturize and deodorize any room. The aromatherapy diffuser has two settings; it can consistently diffuse essential oil for up to 1 oz. per hour or you can set it to be intermittent at 0.40 oz. an hour. Kumi Stone Diffuser, $59.99 on Amazon

9. MUJI Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser, $114.59 on Amazon

MUJI's large, plug-in diffuser uses ultrasonic waves to effectively diffuse and disperse a fragrant mist around any room. It's recommended for room sizes 200 to 250 square feet, has two adjustable LED light levels and four different sets of timers. Just fill the reservoir, put a few drops of essential oil in the water, replace the top of the diffuser and turn it on. MUJI Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser, $114.59 on Amazon

10. InnoGear Essential Oil Diffuser, $15.99 on Amazon

The InnoGear diffuser offers intermittent mist (six to eight hours) and continuous mist (three to four hours), and shuts off automatically when water runs out. The diffuser also has eight soothing light colors, switching from dim to bright, to create an even calmer atmosphere for meditation or for use as a night light. And at $15.99, it's an affordable, effective choice. InnoGear Essential Oil Diffuser, $15.99 on Amazon

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11. EQUSUPRO Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser, $25.99 on Amazon

The EQUSUPRO diffuser is pretty to look at and effective at getting that essential oil mist into the air. The ceramic, floral decorated device is compact and portable, easy to fill and functions as a diffuser, cool mist humidifier and night light. It's also whisper-quiet and shuts off automatically when the water tank is empty. EQUSUPRO Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser, $25.99 on Amazon

12. Exqline Aroma Essential Oil Diffuser, $39.99 on Amazon

This large room diffuser from Exqline supports overnight operation with a full tank of water—up to 10 to 20 hours of working time! It also has a light feature and quietly mists the room with the potent scents of essential oils due to no-heat use. Exqline Aroma Essential Oil Diffuser, $39.99 on Amazon

13. Cowshed Electric Diffuser, $120 on Cowshed

Cowshed's Electric Diffuser not only humidifies the air but releases the scent of whatever fragrance oil you choose to diffuse at the touch of a button. It has a warm, calming light and a beautiful shape—a nice and useful item of decor for your home. Cowshed Electric Diffuser, $120 on Cowshed

14. Organic Aromas Raindrop 2.0 Nebulizing Diffuser, $99 on Amazon

This nebulizing diffuser releases a pure and concentrated fragrance across a large area in a very short period of time. It uses only essential oil—no water—so the scent is not diluted and mold does not grow. Plus, the diffuser is plastic- and heat-free so as to not leech toxic chemicals or change the therapeutic properties of your oils. Mood lighting can be turned off and on. Organic Aromas Raindrop 2.0 Nebulizing Diffuser, $99 on Amazon

15. Alo Aura Diffuser, $98 at Nordstrom

Scent and humidify your largest rooms (up to 700 square feet for up to 22 hours!) with this Alo diffuser-humidifier combo.​ It's quiet, has an auto shut-off with timer options and an antimicrobial water tank. Just lift the lid, put in 30 drops of your favorite essential oils and plug in the device to enjoy a spa-like and zen vibe. Alo Aura Diffuser, $98 at Nordstrom

16. GuruNanda Halo Diffuser, $77.99 at GuruNanda

This two-in-one humidifier from GuruNanda and essential oil diffuser is great for both large and small spaces, runs quietly, and utilizes ultrasonic wave technology to circulate moisturized air for up to 22 hours at a time. Easy to use and clean, you can pair it with natural essential oils to enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy, including restful sleep, clear skin, cell regeneration and healthy weight. GuruNanda Halo Diffuser, $77.99 at GuruNanda

17. ASAKUKI Essential Oil Diffuser, $25.99 on Amazon

The ASAKUKI Essential Oil Diffuser has a great price point and is equally as effective as the more expensive devices on this list. Although it takes up more space than your average diffuser, it has a strong stream of mist, requires fewer refills thanks to a 500 ml tank and can run for up to 16 hours. Plus, it has a remote control and seven LED light options. ASAKUKI Essential Oil Diffuser, $25.99 on Amazon

18. PureSpa Deluxe Aroma Diffuser, $39.99 at Lowe's

PureSpa's ultrasonic diffuser converts fragrant essential oils into cool mist, creating a relaxing ambiance in any room. The 120 ml water tank reduces the need for constant refills and the lights offer a calming vibe. It can run for 10 hours straight and has an automatic shut-off. PureSpa Deluxe Aroma Diffuser, $39.99 at Lowe's

19. Campo Ceramic Ultrasonic Diffuser, $108 at Nordstrom

One of the sleeker options, the Campo ultrasonic diffuser is made of black ceramic and adds design and calm to any space. Simply place drops in the water basin, turn on and let essential oil mist fill any space—no heating or burning required. Campo Ceramic Ultrasonic Diffuser, $108 at Nordstrom

20. Bloomy Lotus Bamboo Nebulizer, $115 at Neiman Marcus

Refined and compact, the Bloomy Lotus Bamboo Nebulizer permeates any space with the fragrances of essential oils without using water or heat. This innovative diffuser features a built-in nebulizer that releases a burst of undiluted mist, designed to bring an immediate sense of relaxation. Although it's small, it offers coverage of up to 860 square feet, and has customized settings for mist output and runtime (1hr, 2hrs, 5hrs). Tiny but mighty! Bloomy Lotus Bamboo Nebulizer, $115 at Neiman Marcus

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