The Ultimate Guide to Buying A Scent Diffuser

Many of us have been spending more time than usual at home and are continuing to navigate living our lives as fully as we can from within the same six walls. While we may be physically restricted from traveling or venturing out to new or familiar locations, there’s something to be said about the power of scent in completely transforming your home environment.

Of all the human senses, our sense of smell is by far the strongest. Smell plays a crucial role in shaping our behavior, recollection of memories, and mood. So why not start exploring with scent in the place where you’re spending the most amount of time? Your home should be a place of comfort - somewhere that offers you peace of mind, and the freedom to relax and wind down from the day’s events. Whether you’re new to diffusing or have loved the world of scent for a long time, here are our tips and tricks for finding - and buying - the best scent diffuser for you.

How do scent diffusers work?

Several types of diffusing technologies exist. Particularly if you’re new to diffusing, it’s important to compare the scent diffusers available to you, while also keeping in mind the end goal you want to achieve. Depending on your preferences and very personal needs, one type of diffuser may resonate more strongly with you than another. There are three main types:

Ultrasonic scent diffusers use water and electronic frequencies to break up oils into tiny microparticles, which then create a calming mist.

• Pros: These diffusers are generally less expensive. Through the use of water, ultrasonic diffusers diffuse scent and also slightly humidify the air. As they do not use an air pump, they tend to be fairly quiet.
• Cons: Opportunities for customization are far and few, meaning there is little manual control over the intensity of the scent, as well as scheduling or timing. These diffusers generally use plastic inside that must be cleaned regularly to avoid mold and corrosion. Using water to diffuse the oil dilutes it and results in a much smaller coverage area for the scent.

Heat scent diffusers use heat to trigger the evaporation of oils into the air.

• Pros: Energy-efficient in the way it disperses scent throughout a space, thereby elevating the ambiance of any space and setting.
• Cons: Different types of heat diffusers - electric heat diffusers, candle heat diffusers, lamp rings - use varying degrees of heat to jumpstart the evaporation process. In the process, high levels of heat alter and degrade the therapeutic or aromatic properties of the oil that’s being burnt.

Nebulizing scent diffusers (sometimes called cold air diffusers) don’t require water or heat. Compared to other products, nebulizing diffusers break down oils by way of force - similar to the way one might spritz perfume or cologne on themselves.

• Pros: A popular option for aromatherapy as it releases oil in its purest form without the use of water. This type of diffuser enables greater customization, including the manual control of scent intensity, hours of operation, as well as requiring less maintenance. A nebulizing diffuser can also connect to an HVAC system and cover any size of space no matter how large without reducing the desired intensity.
• Cons: Sensitive to the quality of the oil being diffused, meaning heavier or cheaper oils may clog the nebulizing core if not cleaned thoroughly every few months. This type of diffuser can also be more costly compared to other diffuser options.

At AromaTech, we believe that if you have the means to do so, investing in a nebulizing scent diffuser is the most worthwhile. In addition to diffusing oils in their purest state - and preserving the intensity of the scent - these types of diffusers are typically more customizable and require less maintenance throughout the diffuser’s lifecycle.

How do I decide which diffuser to buy?

Diffusers are packaged with different features and technologies, and therefore, come in at different price points. Before you make your purchase, make sure to give some thought to your personal budget, as well as your needs. Be sure to consider the following before making your purchase:

How much physical space you want to cover

Different diffusers will be capable of dispersing essential oil particles within varying radiuses. Where a bedroom or home office setting would be best served by a small room scent diffuser, like the AroMini BT (which covers spaces between 100 to 1,000 square feet), a larger, more open space - like a hotel lobby, casino floor, or convention center - would benefit from the Air Stream Duo (which has the capacity to cover roughly 3,000 to 15,000 square feet).

How much maintenance the diffuser will require

The time and effort required to upkeep a diffuser is another important factor. Where an ultrasonic scent diffuser requires more frequent cleaning to remain safe and functional, a nebulizing scent diffuser only needs a deep clean every few months or so.

What type of oils the diffuser uses

Diffuser technologies, and the process by which they break down essential oils, will also influence the concentration of the oil being used - and therefore, the intensity of its aroma. For instance, diffusers that use water will not be as strong as those that don’t - like a nebulizing scent diffuser, which relies only on oil in its purest form.

How customizable the diffuser is

Additional product specs to keep in mind when comparing scent diffusers include things like reservoir capacity - the amount of water the diffuser can hold in order to operate continuously. As well, factor in the longevity of a diffuser’s run time, and the range of its mist settings.

What features should I look for in a scent diffuser?

If this is an investment piece for you, then look to your diffuser as an extension of your smart home. Look for models that have Bluetooth capability and mobile apps (like our AroMini BT) that let you control your diffuser remotely, and have automated timers that let you schedule your scent.

Buying your first scent diffuser, or upgrading to a new one, should be an exciting experience, and one that can elevate your existing home ritual. Nevertheless, we also understand it can be overwhelming, purely because of the many options available to you. The upside is that the range of choice means that with enough thoughtful research and careful consideration, there is very likely a home scent diffuser out there that will work best for you. Now that you have a bit more guidance on how to identify the best product for you, explore our complete catalog of scent diffusers for your home, office, or car.