The best electric diffusers to achieve spa-like bliss at home
If filling your living space with beautiful, spa-worthy scents brings you an inordinate amount of joy, but you’re getting through your scented candle collection at an alarming rate, may we suggest investing in one of our best electric diffusers?
These clever gadgets pump out a continuous mist of essential oils, filling your home with soothing, restorative or invigorating fragrances, while adding moisture to the air.
Our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute trialled a range of diffusers from leading brands including The White Company and Neom, to help you upgrade your relaxation game and achieve a spa-like zen at home.
Read on for the full reviews, but here are our winners at a glance:
What are the benefits of electric diffusers?
Mood-boosting
Aside from making your home smell incredible, the best electric diffusers also allow you to reap the therapeutic benefits of aromatherapy.
“Aromatherapy essential oils can have a profound impact on our mood,” says Jo Kellett, aromatherapy essential oil expert at Tisserand. “When inhaled using a diffuser, they travel directly to a part of our brain called the limbic system, which is responsible for interpreting emotional responses, storing memories and regulating hormones.”
“Just by smelling the oils, you experience an emotional change that can help with your stress levels and overall mental wellbeing,” she adds.
Low maintenance
Unlike candles, you don’t have to worry about leaving an open flame unattended and there’s no pesky wick to trim. “A diffuser is great because you can put it on, then just go about your daily tasks,” points out Kellett.
Cheap to run
After the initial investment, electric diffusers are cheap to run. They won’t guzzle energy – like kettles or dishwashers – with a low average power rating of 12W.
If you’re on a mission to tackle your energy consumption, opt for a model with a timer and an automatic shut-off button so it’s not puffing out clouds of soothing oil all night long.
Switching off at the plug and taking it out of the socket when you’ve finished using your diffuser can also help with energy efficiency.
Versatility
Many diffusers, such as our Neom runner-up, double up as mood lamps and have LED lights that can help enhance the ambience of your space. If you’re keeping yours in the bedroom, it can also work as a night light for reading.
What’s more, you can change the scents as often as you like, depending on your mood and the season.
Can I use a diffuser around my pets?
It’s generally safe to use essential oils in a diffuser if you have pets at home, but Kellet advises exercising caution, saying it's important to keep your diffuser and essential oils out of reach of your furry friends.
Cat owners should be especially careful. “Cats have very sensitive livers and can’t tolerate essential oils easily,” she says.
“If you’re diffusing in a house with cats, make sure you’re only doing so for short periods and that the room you are diffusing in is well ventilated.”
She adds an important reminder that essential oils should never be applied to animals without advice from a qualified aromatherapist or veterinary specialist.
What are the best essential oils to use in a diffuser?
Whether you’re looking to de-stress, relax or focus when you’re working from home, there are hundreds of essential oils to choose from to suit your individual needs. Here, Kellet shares some of her favourites.
Neroli (citrus aurantium amara): Neroli oil is distilled from the blossom of the orange tree and is known for its stress-reducing, anxiety-easing qualities.
Peppermint (mentha pipertia): Peppermint oil, with its cooling, clearing aroma is useful for relieving headaches and can also help with mental clarity.
French marjoram (origanum marjorana): This soothing oil is thought to help you get a peaceful night’s rest. Kellet recommends adding a few drops to your diffuser 30 minutes before bed and closing the door so the aroma can flood the room. Just remember to set a timer or turn it off before lights out.
Frankincense (boswellia carterii): This oil is said to help calm breathing, soothe anxious thoughts and bring a sense of calm to stressful situations. Pop a few drops into your diffuser when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
When shopping for essential oils, it’s important to source genuine, high-quality products that are safe for human consumption and for diffusing indoors. Look for words such as ‘pure’ and ‘organic’ on the label and steer clear of oils that contain synthetic chemicals and pesticides.
Neom, Tisserand and Miaroma are brands known for their high-quality oils.
How we test diffusers
To find the best electric diffusers on the market, our Good Housekeeping Institute panel tested a range of devices. Each one was sent to at least five people who used them regularly over a three-week period before reporting back on their experience.
The diffusers were judged on a range of factors, including the practicality of their design, how easy they were to set up, use and clean, and crucially, their mood-boosting qualities.
Back at the GHI, our experts looked at energy efficiency and sustainability claims. Only the top performing products made our final line-up. Here are the electric diffusers they believe are worth investing in.
Aromatic Essential Oil Diffuser
Score: 96/100
It was hard to find fault with our winning ESPA design, which numerous testers said was the best diffuser they’d ever tried. “I was so impressed by its performance,” said one happy panellist, while another added: “It feels like being in a top-end spa.”
They praised the “classy ceramic design” and found it intuitive to set up and use – simply fill it up with water, add a few drops of your chosen scent (all the ESPA options are gorgeous, FYI) and relax. Cleaning the device is also fuss-free.
It emits a fine mist from the spout at the top and it also has a light mode, which casts a warm, gentle glow over your room – testers said it worked well as a nightlight and helped them de-stress after a hectic day.
If you want to use it overnight to help lull you into a deep slumber, you can rest easy because it will switch off automatically when the water level is running low. It’s also extremely quiet, so it won’t keep you up or get in the way of your R&R efforts.
Electronic Diffuser
Score: 94/100
As one of the leading lifestyle and homeware brands on the high street, The White Company’s products come with high expectations. Fortunately, its electronic diffuser didn’t disappoint. It was an instant hit with our panel, who praised the design – they thought the ceramic and light wood finish was supremely elegant and said it slotted in perfectly with their interiors.
Good looks aside, the diffuser scored highly for ease of use. You simply take off the ceramic shell, fill the water tank to the clearly marked max line, add your scent of choice, and you’re good to go. There’s a range of timer settings to give you flexibility and the device itself is very quiet, so it won’t disturb you whether you’re working or relaxing in bed.
Our testers found the scent throw impressive, with many saying it filled up their rooms in mere moments. “It creates a gorgeous aroma,” said one, with another telling us: “I found it really calming; it’s helping me sleep.”
Wellbeing Pod Diffuser
Score: 94/100
This stylish Neom device is all about supporting your wellbeing. As well as four automatic timer settings and a dimmable night light to create a cosy ambience, it boasts a breathing mode, which slowly brightens for seven seconds as you inhale then dims for 11 as you exhale – a useful tool to help you de-stress before dozing off.
Our testers were impressed by how quickly their chosen scent filled a room and rated its staying power. It was simple to set up and clean and its sleek design earned extra brownie points.
Offering both style and functionality in spades, this luxe diffuser is a self-care dream. “The incredible aromas made me feel like I was in a high-end spa,” said one satisfied tester. Thanks to the sophisticated packaging and array of starter packs on offer, it would make a gorgeous gift, too. The touch controls were a tad hit and miss, but that was our only niggle.
Electric Aroma Diffuser
Score: 93/100
If you’re tempted by our Neom or White Company runners-up but can’t justify the spend, this ceramic design from Oliver Bonas looks just as chic and comes with a range of timer settings and light options. Our testers liked how quickly it infused even larger spaces with heavenly scents and enjoyed flitting between the six colourful light modes depending on their mood.
Unlike some diffusers which vibrate loudly when pumping out oil, the motor was ultra quiet and didn’t get in the way of their relaxation. Stellar performance aside, the ridged ceramic shell adds a stylish touch to any mantlepiece. Choose from three colours: grey, sage or natural. “It’s a beautiful addition to my home,” gushed one tester, while another said they’d recommend it to all their friends and family.
Portable Rechargeable Electronic Diffuser
Score: 91/100
As the name suggests, this battery-operated design is compact and portable, so you can move it around the house easily, move it outdoors and even take it with you on the go. There are no ugly, trailing wires ruining your decor either. “I absolutely loved this product,” commented one panel member, while another said: “It looks good, it’s easy to use and works beautifully.” What more could you want?
Though the shell is made from plastic for practicality, testers raved about the “classy design”, saying it looked just like a ceramic diffuser. It’s also really simple to use thanks to the handy instructions and funnel to help with pouring the oil. There are four timer settings to choose from, a white light option and it comes with a USB lead for speedy charging.
The scent throw was spot on (it wasn’t too overpowering or too subtle) but keep in mind that the diffuser is a little noisy. Still, everyone said they would continue using it and happily recommend it to others.
£55.00 at thewhitecompany.com/uk
Motion Sensor Plug In Electronic Diffuser
Score: 90/100
Not your average diffuser, this clever plug-in device from The White Company scored top marks for portability and ease of use. It will save you precious surface space, you can move it from room to room and you don’t need to faff around topping up the water tank each time – just fill the bottle with your favourite fragrance, pop in a filter stick and it’s ready to go.
Choose between the ‘motion’ mode, which diffuses fresh oil when it registers movement day or night, and the ‘scent’ mode, which regularly releases aroma throughout the day. Panellists confirmed it was “highly effective” and were amazed by how simple it was to set up and use.
Look to one of our other options if R&R is the name of the game, but if you simply want something that will make your home smell amazing 24/7, call off the search. Granted, it’s on the pricey side for a plug-in but you only need to change the oil every six to eight weeks.
Aroma Spa Diffuser
Score: 88/100
We’re huge fans of Tisserand’s essential oils, fragrances and pillow mists, so it’s hardly surprising we loved the brand’s diffuser, too. It comes in at under £45, yet it’s still brimming with impressive features.
The petite, elegant design – which proved popular with testers – mists essential oils around the room in 30-second bursts or continuously, depending on your preference. It also offers a range of soothing light settings to help lull you into a state of relaxation. “I like using it as a lamp in the evenings,” said one panel member, while another commented: “The light has smooth transitions between colours, which was nice when unwinding in the evenings.”
It was a doddle to set up and intuitive to use, with no fiddly settings or awkward buttons, and we liked that it automatically shuts down when it’s out of water. We found the lid was a little stiff, but that’s hardly a dealbreaker. Overall, excellent value for money.
Aroma Diffuser
Score: 88/100
Our testers loved the design of this tall, slim Muji model, which looks more like a pillar candle than an electronic device. It offers four automatic timer settings between 30 minutes and three hours and two light modes for setting the mood, whether you’re bedding down for the night, entertaining or working away at your desk.
Panellists found it a cinch to operate from the get-go thanks to the clear instructions and said it delivered the perfect amount of scent in seconds every time.
Blending seamlessly with any interior style, this is a great pick for those who prefer an understated look. One tester said they’d prefer the mist to be dispersed more gently as they found it a touch distracting, but that comes down to personal preference.
Sleep Aroma Diffuser
Score: 83/100
Need some help unwinding before bed? Consider this beautiful Japanese-inspired diffuser, which is designed to be switched on just before you drift off. For 10 minutes, it pumps out a snooze-inducing blend of lavender and sandalwood essential oils to help soothe the mind and prepare you for a restful night. It also emits a peaceful glow to help turn your bedroom into a tranquil haven, and if you scan the QR code on the box, you can follow a guided meditation. Unlike most of the diffusers on our list, this one doesn’t require water, using a cartridge instead.
Testers couldn’t get enough of the “delicate and heavenly” scent, saying it filled their bedrooms within moments. They also loved how easy it was to use (you simply click the fragrance pod into place and use the single control button to switch it on) and said it was whisper-quiet – just what you want before bed.
It only comes with one fragrance, which means you can’t switch up the scents and the USB cable is on the short side, but those were the only gripes. Overall, this is a reliable and aesthetically pleasing device, which deserves a spot on your nightstand.
Teardrop Aroma Essential Oil Mist Diffuser
Score: 78/100
You don’t have to spend over the odds on a diffuser with innovative features, as this Salter gem proves. The dinky device won’t take up heaps of space on your windowsill or bedside table – ideal for those who are short on space – but it still packs a punch.
Our panel rated it for scent throw and longevity, with one tester saying, “I was so impressed with how long it went on for.” They also liked the colour-changing LED lights, which are perfect for creating a cosy, comforting ambience in the evening.
The build isn’t as premium as some of the pricier products in our top five and the base and lid don’t clip together, so you risk water spillages (particularly if you have children or pets), but that wouldn’t stop us from using it again. For under £20, it’s hard to complain.
Final verdict on electric diffusers
The best electric diffuser for design, ease of use and scent throw is our winning ESPA Essential Oil Diffuser.
If you're after something to help you relax and unwind, the Rituals Sleep Aroma Diffuser is an excellent buy, and for those on a tight budget, the Salter diffuser for under £25 will do the job.
Why you can trust the Good Housekeeping Institute
Kim Hawley is the health and wellness tester for the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she oversees testing for a range of wellness products, including electric diffusers. She is a level 4 qualified personal trainer, has a nutrition qualification and has worked in leading health clubs across the UK.
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, our experts test thousands of products every year to find the very best on the market, from suitcases and bedding to hair dryers and weighted blankets. We put each and every product through rigorous testing, both in real-world and lab conditions to provide unbiased reviews you can trust.
You Might Also Like
