How do diffusers work?
The first item to check off your to-do list before deciding on an aromatherapy diffuser is to understand exactly what it is.
Aroma diffusers make it possible for you to reap all the benefits of aromatherapy through inhalation in a safe and convenient manner. They work by dispersing essential oils into the air around them as a fine mist. You inhale the mist, absorbing the oils via your nose and sending the scent particles directly to your brain, where all their goodness kicks in.
But the best aromatherapy diffusers do more than just perfume the air around us. Not only can a diffuser help you to sleep better, reduce your stress levels and boost your concentration and focus, but they also add a certain je ne sais quoi to your interior decor!
Different types of essential oil diffusers
As with most things, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to the design, model and price point of your diffuser. There are several features you’ll need to consider but let’s outline the different kinds of diffusers you get first.
Car diffusers
Taking your scents with you on the road just makes sense! Car diffusers are typically clip-on air vent gadgets that make your vehicle smell great.
With the right calming essential oils in your car diffuser, you can reduce the frustration of a traffic jam, mitigate the stress of your daily commute, mentally prepare you for your day or evening ahead or help you unwind afterward. If you spend a lot of time on the road, a car diffuser may be exactly what you need.
Get your car diffuser working by putting a drop or two of essential oil into the gadget. They’re usually equipped with a porous material of some kind, an absorbent pad or a wooden lid that first absorbs the oil and then emits it gradually into the air.
Reed diffusers
Reed diffusers have become popular functional home decor items in the last few years. These diffusers are made up of a bottle or jar that you can add carrier oil and essential oil to, and rattan sticks or reeds then soak up the liquid and diffuse it into the room.
These diffusers are not very long-lasting and they may give off an incredibly strong scent at first. They do work well in high-traffic areas or bathrooms but they often end up getting put outside for a bit when they become too pungent.
If you need an intense fragrance fast and don't want a long-term investment, a reed diffuser is potentially a good choice.
Cool air atomisers
Cool air atomising essential oil diffusers break down the essentials into minuscule particles without affecting their ability to benefit you. This type of diffuser uses air pumps which release cool air through the atomiser into the essential oils. The oils then get dispersed into the air around the diffuser without their chemical composition being changed in any way.
This may be the best essential oil diffuser for you if you want to fragrance a particularly large area such as your office or for a special event like a date, wedding, party, graduation or reception. Keep in mind that these diffusers are not designed with aesthetics in mind and certainly don’t count as functional decor. They tend to look like mini air conditioners and are not something you’d want on display. They’re often more expensive, noisy and are intended for commercial rather than day-to-day use.
Heat diffusers
Heat diffusers have largely fallen out of favour with people looking to enjoy the many advantages essential oils offer our health and well-being. This is because they work by heating the oils until they evaporate. This process alters the chemistry of the oil, possibly compromising its health benefits.
A candle diffuser is a type of heat diffuser. They are often stylish, and it can be very calming to watch the flame, especially in dim light.
However, if you want to use essential oils to better your life and improve your well-being, they’re not the optimal choice. You also need to be aware of the danger the heating process poses if you’ve got pets or small children in your environment or you yourself are particularly clumsy! Hot oil is incredibly dangerous and can do lasting damage, not just to pets and people but to your floor and furniture too. In addition, candle diffusers pose a fire hazard and cannot be used overnight or left unattended.
Ventilating diffusers
Once again, it’s all in the name with ventilating aromatherapy diffusers: they use tiny fans to disperse particles of essential oils into the surrounding environment. They’re on the cheaper side and don’t affect the chemical composition of oils but they’re not good in large spaces. This is the best essential oil diffuser for you if you want to scent a small room and don’t mind if the mist disperses quite quickly.
Because the oil particles they diffuse are larger, they don’t stay in the air for very long. The oils are also not as readily absorbed by our bodies because of this, so be prepared to compromise on the health benefits essential oils offer and settle for mainly the scent. In our opinion, this is not a good use of your hard-earned money.
Ultrasonic diffusers
Ultrasonic diffusers are undoubtedly the future of home scenting. These aromatherapy diffusers use water and essential oils. They’re powered by electricity that sends ultrasonic vibrations across a ceramic plate (or other similar material) to break the oils and water down into a fine mist of tiny diluted particles. This mist is then emitted from the diffuser and into the surrounding space.
Ultrasonic diffusers also act as humidifiers - this means they don’t dry the air out but actually add moisture. They have many amazing extra features, including being available in a range of stylish shapes, they may feature timers, and they automatically shut down at preset intervals or when out of liquid. They’ve been designed to not only fragrance your home but to beautify it too. They give you the most control when it comes to distributing the aroma of essential oils throughout whatever space you’re going to be spending time in.
Important aromatherapy diffuser features to consider
If you decide to go with the most popular choice which is an ultrasonic essential oil diffuser, keep the following features in mind before you purchase yours:
Automatic shut-off
A good diffuser should automatically shut down after the water and oil mixture in it runs out. This will stop it from running dry and makes it safe.
Cleaning and maintenance
Choose an ultrasonic aromatherapy diffuser that isn’t too high-maintenance and needs only minimal cleaning every now and then.
Design
Find a diffuser that complements the space you’re going to use it in. Minimalist designs in neutral colours work best.
Size
Make sure that your ultrasonic diffuser is as big or as small as you want it to be.
Timer
Some diffusers can run for hours on end and others can do this while also giving you the option to have them diffuse in shorter periods of time in more intense bursts. When you have a Timer feature, the choice is yours in how strong you want the aroma to be and how long you want it to run for.
Why you should use an essential oil diffuser
Harnessing the power of aromatherapy is becoming a trending field. Not only are people noticing how essential oils affect them but scientific research is backing up anecdotal evidence.
Now that you know how to choose an aromatherapy diffuser, it can’t hurt to get excited about what using it offers you!
- The antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral aspects of essential oils can help protect you, your family, your home and/or office from contamination.
- The beauty of a diffuser’s design will help you to create an environment that is as aesthetically pleasing as it is good for your overall well-being.
- Certain oils act as insect repellents while simultaneously fragrancing the air. Your diffuser can thus keep your space bug-free without you having to resort to toxic chemicals to keep those critters out.
- You can move your diffuser around, putting it in the bathroom with an energising essential oil in the morning and in the bedroom with a soothing one at night.
- You may find your stress levels plummeting as you integrate essential oils into your life by using your new diffuser.
- You may find yourself more productive, focused or relaxed depending on how and where you use it.
- You can choose oils to suit your mood or change your mood by choosing the right oils.
- You will feel closer to nature as you bring the outdoors indoors with you to benefit and rejuvenate your body, mind and soul.
Why Volant Aroma diffusers are the perfect choice
If the fact that Volant won Vogue’s ‘Scent Innovator of the Year 2022’ doesn’t move you, how about a guarantee that each diffuser is unique and handmade from the highest-quality porcelain? Volant fuses Scandinavian design principles with state-of-the art-technology to deliver a diffuser that is both elegant and effective.
With ultrasonic waves at 2.2 million vibrations per second, you’ll be able to scent up to 40 square metres of your home - while doubling up as beautiful decor. It’s no wonder over 100 000 homes worldwide have specially selected this world-class option.
Aromatherapy is where it’s at
Whether you want to recreate your favourite spa’s ambience at home, get ready for the day in a more energetic fashion or try natural solutions for better sleep, knowing how to choose an aromatherapy diffuser is the first step to a more healthy lifestyle overall.
Volant’s stylish Scandinavian-inspired handmade porcelain ultrasonic diffusers are the perfect choice for making your home or office smell amazing, benefit you and improve your life overall. Not only are they an elegant addition to your decor, but they’re also extremely effective too.
All you need to do is plug one in, add the oils that enhance your life and enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy in a safe, natural and satisfying way.