Essential oil diffuser: which one to choose?

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Choosing your essential oil diffuser is not easy. The criteria are numerous: diffusion technology, size, price, surface area to be diffused, light effect or not, nomadic or not, design, timer, etc. That's why we've designed the guide below, so you can choose your diffuser accurately and quickly!

This article was updated on 03/10/2023

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3 major broadcast technologies

Broadcast technology is the first choice to make. If you don't want to be disappointed, put this criterion before the visual aspect of the Discover Aloe

How much should you pay for a diffuser?

The answer is not easy to give! Indeed, 2 very important factors will significantly impact the price: the diffusion technology and the materials used. But here are some orders of magnitude.

For a nebulizer, count between 45 and €92.00. Below, distrust (techno is complex, hard to produce good quality cheaper), above, you are buying an art object, not distribution (that said, why not...).
For a mister, count between 40 and €69.00. Watch out for the low prices on misters! The simplicity of technology has enabled the marketing of 10 misters, some of which are clearly designed to last 1 month.
For a broadcaster in mild heat, between 20 and €34.50.

What surface area does my diffuser cover?

Although the following indications are approximate and depend on the diffusers and ceiling height, they give you an idea of the technology to choose depending on the size of your room.

To simply diffuse an olfactory atmosphere

For a 100 m² room: nebulization diffusers
For a 50 m² room: misting diffusers
For a 20 m² room: gentle heat diffusers
For a room of less than 10 m²: ventilation diffusers

To diffuse with an effective therapeutic effect

For a 50 m² room: nebulization diffuser
For a 20 m² room: misting diffuser
For a 10 m² room: gentle heat diffuser
For a room of less than 10 m²: diffuser by ventilation

How can you be sure of the quality of a diffuser?

Diffusers have enjoyed recent success, and are quite easy to manufacture. All production is therefore done in China, and on the web as in stores, the best rub shoulders the worst. Nothing will replace the trust you can have in a particular seller, but if none are so lucky, here are some criteria that can help "feel" the quality of a diffuser.

Of course, the price is a decisive element. Beware of cheap misters. Vigilance on Amazon in particular, which highlights low prices without worrying about the longevity of the products.
Unfortunately, origin cannot be a criterion since all of the diffusers are produced in China.
We advise you to favor aromatherapy brands already renowned for their essential oils: they will be careful not to endanger their brand image for an aromatic diffuser...
Vigilance also regarding streamers with too many features (bluetooth, several essential oils, alarm clock, etc.): making a diffuser that diffuses well for a good price is already quite a challenge and manufacturers who try to do everything often neglect the diffusion itself.
Spare parts available for sale ? This is a good test of the seller's experience in the products he sells: if he sells spare parts (glassware, nozzles, blotters, remote controls), it is because he knows his products and the returns well. customers linked to the product. It’s a safe bet that products that are too fragile have already been exfiltrated from the range.
And of course if you are on the internet, the opinions of other customers.

Pebbles, sprays, incense burners: good idea for diffusing?

Scent diffusers with stems: meh

Different types of rods exist, but rattan rods are the most used. They are to be immersed in a vase previously filled with a mixture of essential oils, then turned once a week. Controlling the intensity of the diffusion is done by removing or adding stems to the vase. The level of diffusion intensity is equivalent to pebbles, there is no projection of essential oil molecules into the atmosphere and therefore no real diffusion. This is once again a background odor or room fragrance.

Perfume burners: no!

Perfume burners diffuse an ambient scent thanks to a candle which heats a perfume extract placed in a dish above the candle. These do not work with essential oils but with perfume extracts. Indeed, using essential oils with this type of diffuser could risk denaturing their molecules because they would be heated to more than 40°C, maximum temperature to which essential oils can be heated safely. There is no therapeutic aim here, only an olfactory aim...

Essential oil sprays: yes

The sprays allow you to diffuse a room fragrance. It is recommended to spray its interior 5 to 6 times to perfume the air. When spraying, a significant amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released into the room. These compounds bring together a large number of substances which can be natural (of biogenic origin) or anthropogenic, that is to say of human origin. The best known are ethanol, acetone and even benzene and are very volatile, spreading easily in the atmosphere. This method of distribution is therefore not 100% natural. This idea is confirmed by the gas and alcohol added to allow the spray to work and by the large number of essential oils present in these sprays, which demonstrates that they are not pure essential oils.

Diffusion rollers and passive diffusers: no

The diffusion pebbles are porous, which allows essential oils to be absorbed and their scent to diffuse naturally. Often made of 100% natural materials, they are intended for use in small places (drawers, storage boxes, cupboards, cars, etc.). It is recommended to pour 5 to 10 drops onto the pebble to feel the scent of the essential oils. This type of diffusion is less effective than a classic diffuser because there is no projection of essential oils into the atmosphere. With this type of product, there is only an effect coming from the volatile particles of essential oils, which will disperse the odor in the room. In terms of the intensity of the smell, it is equivalent to pouring a few drops onto a tissue or an open bottle of essential oil on a desk, for example. So, why buy a roller or a passive diffuser?