10 Best Essential Oil Diffusers UK 2021

For those after a quick look, here is our Top 5:

1. Asakuki - Essential Oil Diffuser for £26.34
2. Cavir - Ultrasonic Aromatherapy Fragrant Oil Vaporizer for £26.99
   
3. InnoGear - Ultrasonic Humidifier for £19.99
   
4. Tomnew - Cool Mist Aroma Diffuser for £26.99
5. XCXP - Aromatherapy Humidifier for £21.66

For a more in-depth look at the comprehensive top 10 selection, make sure to read on to learn more about the different types of diffusers available and understand how our ranking was determined.

1. Pick a Diffuser Depending on Your Room Size
   
2. Consider the Atmosphere You Want - Relaxing Glow or Energetic Multicolored Effects
3. Look at Timer Settings to Determine Run Time
   
4. Ensure Safety with Diffusers Made from the Best Polypropylene (PP) Materials
   

In short, an oil diffuser is a device that disperses essential oils into the air for wellness and atmospheric purposes. Different oils create different effects – for example, lavender helps with relaxation and supports sleep. In this buying guide, we'll be focusing on the most common variety, ultrasonic diffusers.

Once you dilute your oil of choice with water and add it to an ultrasonic device, it emits vibrations that break up the oil molecules into smaller particles, which in turn create a mist. This also means they act as humidifiers, adding moisture to the air which can be beneficial for clearing pollutants and improving your skin during the cold and dry seasons. 

Ultrasonic diffusers are efficient, great value and include extra functions such as an ambient light that doubles as a lamp and a safety waterless auto-off function. Perfect for helping you achieve peace and calm in your home!

For an even calmer atmosphere, check out these Himalayan salt lamps that have air purifying, allergy soothing, and mood boosting capabilities.

Start your search with the capacity of the reservoir, which you can determine by both the size and the shape of the diffuser. Pear- or teardrop-shaped devices often have the roomiest reservoirs of 300-400ml (which will be necessary to provide fragrance to larger spaces), whereas cylindrical shapes will usually fall in the region of 100-200ml. In general, a larger capacity lasts longer between refills and emits more mist. 

But these aren't the only factors – it's also a largely stylistic choice, depending on personal taste and how well each will suit your space. For example, a larger diffuser works well if you're after a focal showpiece, whilst a more compact diffuser can be a delicate and subtle addition to a bedroom or smaller room.

Essential oil diffusers have come a long way in terms of style, and it's now possible to find ones with several different colours of LED lights, and often with brightening and dimming options, too. This gives you the choice between a single tone of light or several changing colours that produce a rainbow effect, which can help set a more energetic mood.

Whilst it's fantastic to have such intricate options available, multicoloured lights aren't for everyone – some of you may favour a warm, natural glow that suits your furniture and living space without demanding too much attention. Luckily there is something for everyone, and, of course, in our top 10 recommendations!

Want more fancy lighting options for your room? Check out our top picks for fairy lights!

Most diffusers come with timers, which simply determine how long you want them to stay on for before shutting off. On the whole, smaller devices will work for 30 to 180 minutes, whilst others can diffuse your oils all the way up to 6 hours. This can vary from brand to brand, so is worth taking note of. 

The safest diffusers out there have a low voltage current, an auto-off function for when the water runs out, and are made with the best polypropylene (PP) materials, which have a high heat resistance and act as a barrier to moisture. You can also look for BPA-free products, which are both non-toxic and environmentally-friendly.

There are many diffusers on the market made with the same ultra-high grade, safe, and eco-friendly materials that baby bottles are made from. This is not only a desirable choice if the diffuser will be used in a family home, but for those who want a safe option that can be used long term.

Looking for Eco-friendly gift options? These sustainable gifts will do the trick!

This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.

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Written and researched by Melanie McPhail