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One thing that will always serve us well is a calm state of mind. Whether you prefer to get there through meditation, yoga, or indulging in a good book, it is absolutely vital to practice mindfulness on a routine basis. But one way to achieve a little peace without needing to carve out additional time is inhaling healing scents through aromatherapy.
Whether a particular smell triggers happy memories or soothes your nerves, aromatherapy is a popular approach to relaxation—and the best way to reap the anxiety-reducing benefits of essential oils is through inhalation, says clinical aromatherapist and nursing instructor Dawn Langley-Brady, RN.
Our Top Picks:
Essential oil diffusers are a convenient method to release the scent of your favorite oils, and many of them also serve as beautiful decorative pieces. There’s a huge variety of diffusers available now, which run the gamut from low-maintenance to innovative electric versions to smart and Alexa-compatible.
Classic reed diffusers are a good standby, especially because they don’t require any effort—just leave them in their vessel and they'll remain fragrant for months. Consider ultrasonic types, which blend water and essential oils together to dispense a fine mist, as a hybrid between humidifier and diffuser. On the other hand, nebulizing models function with oil alone and deliver a stronger aroma, making them ideal for larger rooms. The latter two diffusers often feature timer and auto shut-off capabilities, while tech-friendly options allow you to control everything with a tap or swipe from your phone.
With that said, here are some of our picks for the best essential oil diffusers to create your own sensory experience—there’s something for every preference and aesthetic.
Refresh your air with 100 percent natural essential oils with this aesthetic diffuser, a modern ceramic design that doubles as room decor. You'll feel calmer just looking at this beauty.
If you're going for a more minimalist look, then this ceramic diffuser is for you. Allow the essential oils to be misted into your bedroom, kitchen, or living room and instantly feel yourself de-stress.
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Choose between Palo Santo Linen, Sea Salt Eucalyptus, and Lavendar Cashmere, and allow the space to be filled with your preferred scent. Best option for anyone looking for a non-tech diffuser.
Muji has an array of essential oils you can choose to fill your diffuser with. A customer favorite, this simple yet gorgeous machine brings instant calm into your home.
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Not only does this diffuser spew aromatic goodness into the room, but you can change the color and mood as well. It combines visual and scent tech for optimal calmness.
Jo Malone scents are widely loved for a reason: They simply smell extraordinarily! The fragrance of this diffuser captures the essence of fall with the elegant freshness of ripe English pears wrapped in a bouquet of white freesias.
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This diffuser comes with a unique tree-inspired top. While this particular scent of seawater foam sounds most appealing, you will find they have a wide array of other scents to choose from.
This diffuser is designed to both scent and humidify even your largest room—up to 700 square feet—for up to 22 hours. Quiet and efficient, the Alo Aura diffuser has a built-in timer, giving you maximum control of the soothing fragrance throughout your home.
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Apotheke knows all things calm and peaceful. When you get your hands on one of these diffusers, you'll know you've got the best of the best.
Favored for its clean, elegant shape, this porcelain diffuser will make your home smell and look lovely. Choose from a variety of calm and natural colors.
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With a large water tank and four timer settings, this popular hybrid diffuser and humidifier won't require your constant attention. And according to the near-perfect 5 star rating, you really can't go wrong with this option.
With over 70K ratings on Amazon, this phone-size model is appreciated for being easy to use—just fill it up with water and essential oil before plugging it in and choosing your mist setting. It even turns off automatically when it runs out of water.
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Plug in the Pura smart fragrance device, which can perfume up to 1,000 square feet, and control the "scent schedule" from your phone. This set comes with the bestselling bamboo and grapefruit scents from Nest.
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Water is filtered and evaporated as a vapor rather than a mist in this humidifier. Boasting up to 36 hours of running time, it also features anti-mold technology and an "aroma puck" that disperses scent in your home.
Leave this pretty glass bottle in the powder room and your guests will be greeted by warm wafts of gardenia and tuberose.
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Complement your surroundings with a refined wood grain pattern. This quiet diffuser runs for up to 10 hours and also offers LED lighting options.
Start your day with this aromatherapy alarm clock, which not only features Bluetooth speakers and USB outlets but also dispenses your choice of the included lavender or citrus essential oils.
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This modern-looking pod does double duty as a humidifier, and it also features a low-energy night light. A perfect evening option for winding down at night.
Hand-cut wood reeds deliver a mix of bergamot and jasmine-scented fragrance and essential oils.
Paula Lee
Freelance Fashion Editor
Paula Lee is a freelance Fashion Editor. Off duty, she can be found day-tripping around the tri-state area, hanging around farm animals, or browsing the library stacks.