Reed diffusers are a convenient alternative to candles and electric air fresheners. They offer lasting fragrance and a touch of home decor. With so many styles and scents, picking the right one can be tricky. This Old House Team researched the best reed diffusers on Amazon to bring you our top five picks for scent and design.
Best Mint Scent
NEST Fragrances Reed Diffuser
This reed diffuser can freshen up a living space with a designer-like touch and a lemon and mint scent. The attractive packaging makes it a suitable gift for a loved one, and the vegan oil that’s made in the United States without animal testing positions it as a premium option that’s worth the price.
Key Features
- Lemon and mint scent
- 5.9 fluid ounces
- Eight reeds
- 90 days of lasting power
What People Are Saying About The NEST Fragrances Reed Diffuser
Many customers were pleased with the scent of this reed diffuser, stating that the lemon and mint tones mixed together nicely. However, while satisfied with the scent and potency, many customers found this product to be overly expensive.
Best Fruity Scent
Cocod’or Signature Reed Diffuser
Subtle enough not to overpower small rooms but strong enough to be noticeable in larger living spaces, this reed diffuser offers a cherry-like fragrance. The essential oil formula is made without didecyldimethylammonium chloride, toluene, xylene, and other chemicals that many brands use.
Key Features
- Black cherry scent
- 6.7 fluid ounces
- Five reeds
What People Are Saying About The Cocod’or Signature Reed Diffuser
Users of this reed diffuser appreciated the generous 6.7-ounce size and the potent black cherry fragrance. They reported that their family members, friends, and roommates also liked the scent. Negatively, some users thought that it smelled more like a perfume than a subtle diffuser.
Most Decorative
CULTURE & NATURE Reed Diffuser
Complete with a giftable box and three fake flowers, this diffuser is decorative and elegant. The white flowers offer a contrast to the black reed sticks, and the cotton fragrance is enough to refresh your home without being overpowering.
Key Features
- Clean cotton scent
- 6.7 fluid ounces
- Five reeds
What People Are Saying About The CULTURE & NATURE Reed Diffuser
The large capacity and elegant look of this reed diffuser were highlights in many positive customer reviews. Conversely, other users were unsatisfied with how long the diffuser lasted, stating that it stopped producing a noticeable odor after only one month of use.
Best Ocean Scent
Urban Naturals Reed Diffuser Set
This reed diffuser is advertised to last multiple months, which is impressive given its relatively small size. Although the packaging isn’t as attractive as those for other reed diffusers, the bottle looks nice on a windowsill, bookshelf, coffee table, or other surface. There’s also a selection of tiny seashells sitting at the bottom of the bottle.
Key Features
- Ocean mist and sea salt scent
- 3.75 fluid ounces
- Eight reeds
- Three to four months of lasting power
What People Are Saying About The Urban Naturals Reed Diffuser Set
Happy customers enjoyed the scent of this reed diffuser set. Many found the smell to be relaxing, reminding them of the beach. Some customers complained about how little time the fragrance lasted. Other unhappy users said that the oil seemed to be corrosive, stripping paint off of their furniture.
Best Masculine Scent
P.F. Candle Co. Reed Diffuser
With a moderate scent, this rattan reed diffuser fills a medium-size space with a teakwood and tobacco scent that isn’t too potent. We like the amber-tinted, apothecary-style bottle, which is a nice departure from other reed diffusers that take on the styling of a cologne or perfume bottle.
Key Features
- Teakwood and tobacco scent
- 3.5 fluid ounces
- Six reeds
- Three to four months of lasting power
What People Are Saying About The P.F. Candle Co. Reed Diffuser
Those in search of a musky, earthy, or more masculine odor praised this reed diffuser. They added that although the scent was subtle, it produced a nice background odor that didn’t overpower their senses. Conversely, other customers found the tobacco qualities of the oil to be too faint.
Buyer’s Guide
Reed diffusers are an easy and affordable way to give your home a subtle scent. Although your desired fragrance is a primary consideration, there are other factors you should think about to make the most informed purchase possible. Find the best reed diffuser for your needs with the help of our buyer’s guide below.
Scent
The most important consideration is what smell you want your reed diffuser to produce. From deep, earthy, and musky scents to fruity, subtle, and neutral odors, there’s an option out there for everyone.
Room Size
A larger room requires a larger or more potent reed diffuser to evenly distribute a fragrance throughout the space. Reed diffusers with a capacity of five ounces or less are usually ideal for smaller rooms, such as bathrooms and laundry rooms. Consider using a bigger diffuser or two smaller ones for bedrooms, living rooms, and kitchens.
Style
Most reed diffusers are fairly stylish, doubling as a decoration. Simple bottles are better suited for the corner of a room, while more ornate diffusers can be a centerpiece on a table. Once you find a scent you like, think about how the diffuser will look in your home.
Reed Material
Most reeds are made with rattan or bamboo. Generally, rattan reeds absorb and diffuse oils faster than their bamboo counterparts. If you’re sensitive to smells, consider a diffuser with bamboo reeds.
Refilling
Many reed diffusers come with enough oil to last for a few months. When the oil runs out or is no longer releasing a fragrance, you can refill the bottle with more oil. We also recommend replacing the reeds at this time.
Ethical Considerations
The main ethical consideration is whether the oil that comes with your reed diffuser has been tested on animals. If you’re a pet lover, make sure your reed diffuser is labeled as cruelty-free.
Reed Diffuser Tips and Tricks
Reed diffusers are easy to use—in most cases, you simply pour the scented oil into the holder and place the reeds inside. However, to get the most out of your diffuser, read our tips below.
- Place a coaster, a saucer, or another small item directly under your reed diffuser. This keeps the oil from potentially staining your counter or table.
- To temporarily increase the potency of your reed diffuser, flip the reeds, leaving the previously soaked side in the air.
- Keep your reed diffuser away from direct sunlight and other sources of heat. Harsh heat can accelerate the evaporation of the essential oils.
- Place your reed diffuser near an entrance, hallway, foyer, or doorway to give guests a whiff as they walk in.
- Polyester reeds are available as an alternative to traditional reeds. Although they aren’t as eco-friendly, they’re highly effective at absorbing and diffusing oils.
- To adjust the intensity of the fragrance, simply add or remove sticks from the diffuser.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many reeds should I place in a reed diffuser?
There’s no minimum or maximum number of reeds you can place inside of your diffuser. However, most standard-sized diffusers work well with five to eight reeds. Larger diffusers may take 15 or more reeds.
Can I reuse reeds once they’re soaked in oil?
Once a reed stick soaks up essential oils, it can’t absorb any more, whether it’s the same fragrance or a different one. While there’s nothing wrong with reusing old reeds, the scent they give off will likely be underwhelming.
What is carrier oil?
Carrier oils are typically non-scented oils that are designed to make highly concentrated and fragrant essential oils last longer. Fractionated coconut oil is a common carrier oil that’s used to dilute essential oils and increase their lifespan. Although carrier oils aren’t necessary, they’re useful for decreasing the potency of essential oils.
How long do reed diffusers typically last?
Most reed diffusers last between two and four months. While essential oils are somewhat expensive, reeds are inexpensive, so you can replace them once they’re soaked in oil to use the rest of the oil at the bottom of the bottle.
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