Turning on an aroma diffuser at the end of the day is a great way to create a relaxing environment. It's a soothing ritual that can bring a bit of peace into the home at a time when we need it the most.
What is an aromatherapy diffuser?
You might have used an oil burner with a candle in the past to make your room smell nice and to feel the benefits of essential oils, but this is the next step.
Aromatherapy diffusers work with ultrasonic systems to turn the water into a fine mist and spread the scent of essential oils around the room.
Why aromatherapy diffusers are perfect for Valentine's Day
Love is in the air, especially when you're using essential oils around your home. That's why for this Valentine's Day (Monday 14 February 2022), we're expressing our affections with an aromatherapy diffuser.
Hear us out, there's nothing more romantic than going to the spa. But why travel when you can recreate this experience somewhere a little more intimate?
Use the aromatherapy diffuser to set the mood and enjoy your home spa together.
The best aromatherapy diffusers tried and tested
Best aromatherapy diffuser overall
www.oliverbonas.com
This aroma diffuser is, simply put, beautiful. The mood lighting is subtle and relaxing, and makes lovely patterns thanks to the ceramic holder. However, it’s not the easiest to control; you have to press one side of the ceramic case down, and it’s a bit tricky to master.
There is only the option to have the mist on, or off, no intermittent; the light can rotate between colours, or choose just one, or turn the light off for just the mist.
Best aromatherapy diffuser for a soothing space
www.homedics.co.uk
Another diffuser that could pass as an ornament rather than a functioning mister. It’s really easy to control, as it has a remote, to control the mist, colour, and also the music. It’s sturdy and easy to use, simple to refill, and attractive.
There are two mist options; continuous, which will run for six hours; or intermittent (30 seconds on, 30 seconds off) that will run for 12 hours. The light can rotate between colours, or stick with just one colour, or just have the mist with no light; you can have high or low brightness, too. There are several relaxing musical tracks to listen too, easily skipping between songs with the remote control.
Best remote controlled aromatherapy diffuser
www.homedics.co.uk
An expensive choice, this diffuser really makes your room feel like a spa lounge. It’s made from pure white ceramic, and pale wood, looking graceful in the corner of your living room or bedroom.
Another controlled by remote, meaning it’s easy to use, and you can run it for about 10 hours continuously. Due to the cost, this is one that you will have to love the look of to invest in, as you can get the same benefits from a diffuser half the price.
Best aromatherapy diffuser for simplicity
A small and simple diffuser, with one button for the light (on or off) and one button for mist. No complicated controls here. It’s small, light, and easy to use - ideal for at home as an unobtrusive diffuser, or even a great option if you’re travelling and want to take a piece of relaxation with you.
You can choose continuous mist, or 30 seconds on, 30 seconds off. This is a straightforward and reliable diffuser, not necessarily the best-looking on test, but it does the job well. The only negative is the loud beep when turning it on or off.
Recommended
A stunning diffuser, that doesn’t look like a diffuser – you could be fooled into thinking it’s just a fancy lamp (John Lewis do sell very similar lamps!).
You can cycle through seven colours or keep it on just one; and choose continuous or intermittent mist.
We like this as it looks so great, and even if you don't use it as a diffuser, it's still stunning to look at.
Best easy-to-use aromatherapy diffuser
The diffuser looks great and is super easy to use. Simply fill the tank up with 200ml water, add in your favourite oil (we used Tisserand's Sleep Better Diffuser Oil) and you’re good to go. It has three light settings and a range of cool, relaxing colours, as well as two, four and eight hour running times.
It’s easy to control with the simple 'mist' and 'light' buttons on the front, although as it’s so lightweight, it does need to be held when you do this or you might end up pushing it off the surface. If it runs out of water, it automatically shuts off and the plastic components are made from BPA-free plastic.
www.thewhitecompany.com
What's especially great about this diffuser is that it's sleek and modern ceramic design will fit seamlessly with most home decors, doubling down as a decoration or vase, whereas other products may stand out.
The settings are also pretty intuitive, so it's easy to control, you can choose between having it on for one, two or three hours. It also has a pretty handy and relaxing light feature which helps to set a soothing ambiance. Please note though that while this light setting is great, you should never fall asleep with the item still in use.
The only downside is you will need a small jug to fill it as you shouldn't take the item to a tap, and unfortunately it doesn't come with one.
Which essential oils should you use?
Choosing an essential oil to use in your new aroma diffuser really depends on your mood. Here are some of the most popular essential oils:
Lavender: Calming, relaxing
Peppermint: Uplifting, invigorating
Eucalyptus: Clarifying (often used if you have a cold or blocked nose)
Tea Tree: Cleansing
Grapefruit: Uplifting, refreshing
Sweet Orange: Balancing, freshening
Patchouli: Grounding, relaxing
Bergamot: Energising, purifying
Lemongrass: Cleansing, uplifting
What to read next:
Sophie Knight is Editor of WhatsTheBest and also Contributing Editor of Mother&Baby, Closer, Heat, Yours and Empire websites.
Subscribe to the What’s The Best Newsletter to keep up to date with more of the latest reviews and recommendations from Isabel and the rest of the What’s The Best team.