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If you’re new to the benefits of aromatherapy, you might need some help picking out the best scented oil diffuser. With oil diffusing becoming increasingly popular, there are lots of different types of oil diffusers to choose from; whether you prefer the rustic aesthetic of a wooden oil diffuser, or a diffuser that can run for up to 8 hours, a lack of choice certainly isn’t a problem.

In this article, we’re going to take a look at some of our favorite scented oil diffusers; why we love them, and how you can use them to promote your emotional wellness and physical wellbeing. 

So, what’s the best scented oil diffuser, 2022 edition? Let’s take a look.

What is a scented oil diffuser?

A scented oil diffuser is a little machine that you can use to mist the air in your home with the pleasant aromas of essential oils. Typically, an oil diffuser will function via an ultrasonic technology, which uses a mix of water and essential oils and spritz them into the air, either constantly or at intermittent intervals. 

What are the benefits of using a scented oil diffuser?

Not only do scented oil diffusers look pretty in your home or bedroom, they’re also great for your health and wellbeing. By using an oil diffuser in your home, you’ll enjoy access to the following benefits:

• Cleaner, healthier air. Did you know that diffusing certain essential oils can improve the quality of the air in your home? As many essential oils are antibacterial and antimicrobial, they’re able to inhibit the spread of airborne bacteria. If you’re living with family or living communally (such as in university halls,. diffusing essential oils during the winter season can help prevent your entire household from coming down with the cold.
• Better sleep. Lavender and chamomile are both known to improve sleep quality; diffusing these oils using a scented diffuser can improve your sleep quality, while the soothing aromas can help you nod off faster after a busy day. 
• Reduced anxiety and stress. We all live busy, hectic lives at the moment - it can often be difficult to unwind and switch off our thoughts after a long day. If you find that you’re suffering with mild to moderate anxiety symptoms, diffusing essential oils has been proven to improve symptoms and promote calm. Certain essential oils can also regulate mood and reduce levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) in the body, making it the perfect option for those who find themselves easily worked up.

How to pick an oil diffuser

When deciding to take the plunge and by your first ever scented oil diffuser, you’re going to want to keep in the mind the following questions:

Size

As your oil diffuser will need to be out in the open (in order to be able to disperse the oil mist in an efficient way) you'll need to take the size of the oil diffuser into account before making your purchase. You can purchase oil diffusers with smaller water tanks and more compact appearances if you're worried about it being too cumbersome.

Aesthetic and design

If you have a particular home aesthetic or a set colour combination in your home or bedroom, you might want to consider buying an oil diffuser that matches your home decor. If you have unique colours or home decor, you can always buy a colour-neutral diffuser, such as a wooden diffuser, white diffuser, or a black diffuser. 

Ultrasonic vs. nebulising diffuser

When picking out an oil diffuser, you’ll need to select either an ultrasonic oil diffuser or a nebulising oil diffuser. In general, ultrasonic diffusers are easier to use and much better for beginners; ultrasonic diffusers use a mix of water and essential oils, so you can easily dilute your aromatherapy blend if you ever go overboard on certain essential oils (and in particular, their odours.)

Time intervals

Before purchasing an oil diffuser, it’s good to know how and why you’re going to be using it. Will it be used to simply scent your home when you’re in it, or are you hoping to access some of the many benefits associated with inhaling aromatic oils? 

Answering these questions will better help you choose what kind of time intervals you’re looking for; for example, those using an oil diffuser for improved sleep might prefer a diffuser that releases scents intermittently, rather than a machine that turns all night.

What is the best scented oil diffuser 2022?

So, with all that criteria kept in mind, what kind of oil diffuser is best? And what’s the best model on the market in 2022? Here are our two top picks; one for beginners, and one for seasoned aromatherapy veterans. 

Best for beginners: Smellacloud® original Close 2 nature 2.0 Diffuser 

Fabricated BPA-free and sporting a rustic, wooden aesthetic, this oil diffuser is perfect for an aromatherapy beginner. Given its size, it’s easy to slide this oil diffuser into almost any room. Many of our customers prefer using this diffuser in their bedroom, as it’s compact enough to not take up too much space, while also letting you mist oils for up to 8 hours intermittently. 

Best for aromatherapy experts: Serenity Diffuser Smellacloud original 

We all know that we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but what if we judge it positively? This oil diffuser has all the aesthetic power of a fancy ornament or table centrepiece; pop it in your living room and enjoy the compliments from passing guests and flatmates!

With a large 500 ml capacity, this oil diffuser also doubles up as a handy humidifier. You can also choose between three misting times for each aromatherapy session: 2 hours, 4 hours, or 8 hours (although the 8 hours option involves intermittent misting). 

FAQs

How long should I leave an oil diffuser on for?

The length of time you leave your oil diffuser running is going to depend on what you’re using it for. Don’t forget that leaving the machine running will eventually mean that your essential oil mix will run out.