our picks
This diffuser produces a powerful mist that lasts for hours between refills. However, you have to cycle through all light options to turn it off.
The Urpower 2nd Generation 300ml Aroma Essential Oil Diffuser is a simple white plastic cylinder in a dense field of interesting shapes and faux wood. This is one of the least expensive diffusers we’ve reviewed, but it still performs better than models that cost 4-5 times more.
A medium tank provides water for approximately 7 hours. To make the scent last longer, you need to add oil in between. The machine lights up in 7 colors (2 brightnesses each), but you have to cycle through all these options to turn off the light. It has a timer function and a non-dazzling LED indicator light, making it easy to keep clean.
runner-up
With a large 500mL tank, this diffuser won’t require frequent refilling. However, it requires more space than our top pick.
If our top pick is sold out or you need a larger tank, we recommend the larger version of our top pick, the Urpower 500ml Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser. It produces the same powerful, rich mist as its smaller counterpart.
This 500 mL diffuser is nearly twice the tank size of our top picks and features a low-power mode that requires less refilling and can run for up to 16 hours. However, a diffuser of this size requires more space. Like our top picks, it comes with a faux wood base or all white. It also lights up in seven colors, has a timer similar to the one we chose, and is easy to clean between uses.
Prices for this larger version are often lower than those for our top picks, but some colors are often only sold through third-party sellers on Amazon rather than Urpower itself. (Generally, we prefer not to link to third-party sellers. However, we purchased from this seller and had no problems.)
This is also great
This compact model is the most attractive diffuser we recommend, but because it has a smaller tank, it won’t last as long as the one we chose, and the mist won’t be as powerful. It’s also much more expensive.
If you’re looking for a diffuser that doesn’t need to spread scent over a large space and has a clean look, the Vitruvi Stone Diffuser is the way to go. With a ceramic shell available in several neutral colors, this stylish diffuser emits a moderately strong mist and is easy to use.
This is one of the few diffusers we’ve tested with a truly subtle indicator light (located on the back of the unit), which is great if you’re using it while sleeping. However, the tank is small at 70 mL, so you’ll need to refill it frequently, and the two-layered lid makes cleaning and refilling a little more difficult than the top model and runner-up. It’s also quite expensive, at around $100.
This is also great
If strong odors are a priority, use a nebulizer. This model is more expensive and harder to clean than our top ultrasonic picks, but it’s unbeatable when it comes to filling a room (or several) with scent.
If you want a device that does the best job of distributing scents across a large space or multiple rooms, and you don’t mind spending more money, the Organic Aromas Raindrop 2.0 Nebulizing Essential Oil Diffuser is the perfect choice for pure oils. A nebulizer that atomizes. (In contrast, our ultrasonic picks dilute the oil with water.)
Unlike other products, this diffuser’s colored lights are more subtle and don’t always produce a visible stream of mist. Instead, it produces subtle intermittent spritzes every minute or so. Compared to other similar models, which usually make loud grinding or buzzing noises, nebulizers are cheaper, more aesthetically pleasing, and much quieter.
Raindrop 2.0 runs for 2 hours and has an auto-shutoff feature to prevent you from sniffing too much. Like all nebulizers, cleaning can be a pain.
