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There's nothing like walking into a room and being greeted by a lovely fresh aroma. Whether it's a citrusy lemon that'll wake us right up, or a lavender scent with chamomile notes to help us relax - having the best aromatherapy diffusers is a necessity. To help you find the perfect scent for your home, we've created a list of our best reed diffusers and we've based our ranking on their longevity, scent and aesthetic.
It’s surprising how creating an ambience in a room via aroma is forgotten about in favour of the other senses, usually visual or aural (with music).
Best reed diffusers of 2024 at a glance:
• Best reed diffuser: Yankee Candle Reed Diffuser - View on Amazon
• Best subtle reed diffuser: Yankee Candle Reed Diffuser - View on Candles Direct
• Best hand-poured reed diffuser: James and Co No.11 Lime Diffuser Set - View on Amazon
• Best decorative reed diffuser: Cocod'or Floral Bouquet Reed Diffuser - View on Amazon
However, a pleasant-smelling room, helped along with the best reed diffusers, is good for concentration, mood and mental health. It’s one of those things that’s almost imperceptible but makes a real difference to well-being. Other options are the best wax melts.
We've researched and tested the best reed diffusers that are perfect for creating a long-lasting, consistent smell. They are safe to leave and forget about (as long as they’re out of reach of children and pets) and should last for around two to three months.
Best reed diffusers of 2024
All prices are correct at the time of writing. Prices, stock and deals are subject to change without notice.
Best reed diffuser
Yankee's bright, natural and intoxicating Fresh Cut Roses reed diffuser is simply perfect for quickly freshening the room with its delightful scent. Expect this fantastic aroma to fill your home for around 10 weeks, we're sure you'll have it on repeat order before long.
Pros
- Subtle, inviting aroma
- Pleasing wooden design
- Affordable with refillable reeds
Cons
- Scent doesn't last very long compared to other diffusers
| Size: | 120ml |
| Scent: | Fresh cut roses |
| Longevity: | Up to 10 weeks |
| Refillable: | Yes |
Best subtle reed diffuser
Yet another reed diffuser from Yankee Candle, Midnight Jasmine has a wonderfully subtle aroma which quickly fills the room, but is not overpowering in the slightest.
Not a knockout scent in terms of potency, for those who love a touch of freshness in their home will adore the Midnight Jasmine reed diffuser.
Pros
- Gorgeous subtle fragrance
- Delightful Yankee candle design
- Refillable for even more fragrance
Cons
- Doesn't last as long as other reed diffusers
| Size: | 120ml |
| Scent: | Midnight Jasmine |
| Longevity: | Up to 10 weeks |
| Refillable: | Yes |
- Customer review: "Bought this as a gift for my mother. She loves the smell of Jasmine, her favourite flower! Yankee always smell great, her whole room is filled with this lovely scent constantly."
Best hand-poured reed diffuser
Delightfully fresh and inviting, James & Co's No.11 Lime reed diffuser has a sensational blend of lime, basil and mandarin aromas, along with subtle hints of bergamot.
Beautifully bottled by hand, the James & Co No. 11 Lime reed diffuser uplifts cosy lounges with a luxurious citrus scent, which will last for 6-8 weeks, so you've got plenty of time to enjoy the freshness.
Pros
- The oil is enriched with cotton blossom and a soft touch of linen
- The whole range is carefully hand-poured and packed locally in Dorset
Cons
- Not a strong scent
| Size: | 100ml |
| Scent: | Lime, basil, thyme, lemon, bergamot, mandarin, moss |
| Longevity: | Up to 8 weeks |
| Refillable: | Yes |
Best decorative reed diffuser
Longing for the smell of fresh flowers in your home? Cocod'or scents are long-lasting and include real dried flowers to provide a quaint-looking diffuser with the ultimate floral aroma, just in time for spring. There are also a ton of different scents to choose from if you aren't a fan of floral.
Pros
- Long-lasting scents
- Gorgeously designed
- Made using real dried flowers
Cons
- Small size
| Size: | 50ml |
| Scent: | French lavender, sweet and fruity notes |
| Longevity: | 60 days |
| Refillable: | Yes |
- Customer review: "The floral scent I chose is absolutely amazing."
Best reed diffuser for intensity control
Crafted with notes of jasmine, bergamot, vanilla and lavender, this diffuser will provide a natural yet luxurious fragrance that is sure to freshen up any room. The stylish vessel will complement any decor, and the scent is the perfect combination of strong but not overpowering. Simply divine.
Pros
- It's made with notes of jasmine, bergamot, vanilla, and lavender.
- The stylish and compact glass jar
Cons
- No refill options
| Size: | 100ml |
| Scent: | Bergamot, Vanilla, Lavender and Jasmine Reed Oil |
| Longevity: | 50 days |
| Refillable: | No |
- Customer review: "The scent is very pleasant and strong but not overpowering. I bought 2 at the time for different rooms, entrance hall and upstairs hallway."
Best de-stress reed diffuser
www.lookfantastic.com
Perfect for winding down after a long and arduous day, NEOM's luxury de-stress reed diffuser has an uplifting and relaxing scent of jasmine, French lavender and Brazillian rosewood to soothe your nerves within moments. Lasting for 6-8 weeks, with refills available, NEOM's de-stress reed diffuser is the perfect gift for those who love fresh aromas in their home.
Pros
- Gorgeous de-stressing scent
- Wonderful design
- Perfect for a subtle fragrance
Cons
- Perhaps too subtle for some
| Size: | 100ml |
| Scent: | Jasmine, French lavender, Brazillian rosewood |
| Longevity: | 6-8 weeks |
| Refillable: | Yes |
- Customer review: " This smells amazing. Great scent not too overpowering. Just right. "
Best spicy-scented reed diffuser
www.portmeirion.co.uk
Looking for a spicy diffuser? This Wax Lyrical offering includes scents of cardamom and thyme alongside a base of amber and musk.
What's The Best Editor Sophie Knight says: "Not only does this smell wonderful, but it looks great too. The ceramic pot looks great and I'll happily refill this when the fragrance finishes."
Pros
- It has a spicy scent with notes of cardamom and thyme
- Beautiful pot
- Very long-lasting
Cons
- Some may not enjoy scent
| Size: | 200ml |
| Scent: | pink pepper, cardamom, thyme, patchouli, lily, pomegranate, amber, musk |
| Longevity: | Not specified |
| Refillable: | Yes |
Best long-lasting reed diffuser
www.johnlewis.com
Crafted with lily of the valley, rose and geranium with hints of ginger, pink peppercorn and elemi - this diffuser not only smells beautiful but looks the part too. Including dried flowers to make the most aesthetically pleasing diffuser that we could find. This would certainly make a gorgeous gift.
Pros
- It's crafted with lily of the valley, rose, and geranium with hints of ginger, pink peppercorn, and elemi
- Includes dried flowers
Cons
- Not a strong scent
| Size: | 200ml |
| Scent: | Pink pepper flowers |
| Longevity: | 16 weeks |
| Refillable: | Yes |
- Customer review: "This diffuser is by far the best diffuser I’ve ever owned. It looks beautiful and adds to any home decor scheme."
Best marine scent reed diffuser
candlesdirect.com
An entirely unique and uplifting aroma, the St. Eval Sea Salt reed diffuser's nature-inspired scent combines light floral notes and seaside smells to create a powerful, yet subtle freshness that most will find more than inviting.
Designed with a simply beautiful apothecary bottle and all-natural reeds, this sea salt reed diffuser looks wonderful in any corner of your home, and lasts up to three months without the need for a refill.
Pros
- Unique, strong and refreshing smell
- Gorgeous apothecary bottle design
- Incredibly long-lasting
Cons
- Marine scent isn't for everyone
| Size: | 150ml |
| Scent: | Fresh marine scents, salty accords, floral notes |
| Longevity: | Up to three months |
| Refillable: | Yes |
- Customer review: "I love this smell, for the first time I saw it at my friend's house, and it smelled wonderful, fresh, I decided that I had to have it. the whole house smells amazing"
Best budget diffuser
www.habitat.co.uk
Delightfully affordable and perfect for those who desire floral scents for their home, the Habitat fig leaf and amber reed diffuser brightens the room with its expertly procured aroma.
Habitat's dark frosted glass remover is a handsome ornament for any home, and blends in well with furniture.
Pros
- Fantastic flowery aroma
- Subtle and relaxing
- Excellent price
Cons
- No refillable option
| Size: | 150ml |
| Scent: | Fig leaf, amber, jasmine, violet |
| Longevity: | Not specified |
| Refillable: | No |
- Customer review: "Excellent value and fragrance is beautiful."
The best reed diffusers of 2024: buyer's guide
What is a reed diffuser?
A reed diffuser is a simple yet effective way to fill your room with delightful fragrances. It works by soaking the reed sticks in the fragrant oil, which then travels up the reeds and naturally disperses into the air. It's a safe and long-lasting method of scenting your space.
How long does a reed diffuser last?
Typically, a reed diffuser can last between two to three months. However, this can vary depending on the brand, the size of the bottle, and how many reeds you use.
How can I make my reed diffuser last longer?
To extend the life of your reed diffuser, keep it away from windows and radiators, as the heat can cause the oil to evaporate faster. Also, flipping the reeds every other day or once a week can help maintain a fresher, stronger fragrance.
FAQs: your questions answered
Location
To get the most out of your reed diffuser place it in a hallway or a room entrance. The airflow created will help circulate the aroma so the scent will reach you every time you enter and leave the room. Make sure it is out of reach of children and pets and don’t place it near windows or radiators, as the heat will evaporate the fragrance oil.
Getting the most from the fragrance
To get a stronger fragrance you should add all the reeds into the jar and flip them over more frequently. The more reeds you use, the more channels the fragrance can release through. By flipping your reeds every other day or once a week, the oil will lift up again giving you a fresher, fuller fragrance. However, if you prefer a more gentle fragrance you can use fewer reeds.
Oil change
When you need to refill your oil it’s a good idea to completely wash out the jar and dry it before filling it back up again. Also, when you change the oil you should add new reeds if you can – especially if you are changing the fragrance.
Haydn Williams is a self-confessed fragrance addict. He consults for a number of brands, as well as running his own website on the subject. Follow his olfactory adventures on Instagram.
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