Aroma diffuser – the big overview

Welcome to On this page I would like to introduce you to the subject of aroma diffusers and show you the advantages of such. On this page you will find explanations, background information and practical tips as well as purchase recommendations. Our aim is to gather all the information about the aroma diffuser or humidifier on this page. Ideally you leave our site without even having any questions. If this does not work, you can write us a message and we will try to clarify also the last open question about diffuser for you.

What is an aroma diffuser?

An aroma diffuser is an advanced version of a diffuser. So let’s first look at what a diffuser is. A diffuser is an electrical device that can disperse and distribute liquids in the air. Because the atomized liquid looks like mist, diffusers are also called mist or nebulizers.

AromadiffuserAn aroma diffuser is a diffuser that, in addition to water, can also atomize flavors / oils, thus distributing a fragrant mist in the surrounding air. However, aroma diffusers not only serve to spread a fragrant scent in the room, but also to increase the humidity in the room. This ensures a higher level of well-being especially in winter, when the air inside apartments and offices is particularly dry due to heaters. Aroma Diffusers are also sold under the names Aromatherapy Diffuser, Air Freshener, Ultrasonic Diffuser or Aroma Mist.

In addition to liquid aromas, aromatic oils and essential oils, which can be atomized in an air freshener, many aroma diffusers also offer a lighting function and some diffusers even an audio function. Both light and sound are intended to enhance the relaxing effect of the diffuser and, in addition to the sense of smell, also address the sense of sight and hearing.


What is the difference between aroma diffuser and humidifier?

Both in the case of aroma diffusers and modern humidifiers, it is usually the case that water is atomized by means of ultrasound. This water then exits the device as mist. Both devices increase the humidity in the room and increase the well-being, especially in the cold season.

Same technology but different applications …

Humidifiers are rather larger in size and hold several liters of water in their tank. They increase the humidity in the room and also improve the quality of the air, as the water vapor removes dust particles from the air and protects them from whirling up. More moisture and less dust particles (also known as suspended matter) are a treat for the eyes, skin and especially the respiratory tract.

Aroma diffusers, or nebulizers, are primarily used to distribute essential oils in the room air. They are much smaller and, above all, more decorative than their big brothers. Many models are equipped with pleasant lighting and some even with an audio function. Like humidifiers, they should enhance well-being, but in a different way. Diffusers have a lower moistening power than humidifiers, but essential oils, which can be used very sparingly here, promote relaxation, rest and stress reduction.

Our aroma diffuser recommendations

The following illustration shows three current recommendations from us. If you are not sure yet which of the right aroma diffusers you and your needs are, just let yourself be inspired by our selection or just read on. We are and sure: we find the right diffuser for you!

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Are aroma diffusers harmful?

An aroma diffuser belongs to the ultrasonic nebulizers, thereby mechanical vibrations are transferred to the liquid. The device is filled with water and in addition a few drops of essential oil are added. The application is very easy. But how healthy is that?

If some rules are observed, the application is generally harmless.

It is important to pay attention to adequate hygiene. The water in the device must not be left standing for too long, because germs and bacteria are formed quickly. The water does not necessarily have to be sterile or lime-free, but this does contribute to the life of the device. (See also: Which water for the aroma diffuser?)

Even with the essential oils, there is a lot to consider. The dose must be strictly adhered to. Especially in infants or people with lung diseases, the application is rather contraindicated. In a pharmacy there is enough competent advice. It also makes sense to restrict the use to a certain time, some odors are not consciously perceived.

The Aroma Diffuser should be in the right place, because the fog causes condensation and therefore you have to keep enough distance to electrical appliances. Depending on the oil, the effect can be soothing or stimulating. The olfactory perception stimulates different stimuli in the limbic system, with which the brain links different emotions and memories. (Best read the best section on aromatherapy.)

Aroma diffuser for allergies and dry air

Durchatmen - AromatherapieHeating air can dry out the airways and even increase allergies and other ailments. In case of airway disease, an ultrasonic nebuliser can help. He is applicable in the long term. The sterile water prevents germs from multiplying in the air. It creates a fine mist with the help of vibrations. The drop size of the fog is crucial here. Ideally, it is between 2 to 4 μm. Most smaller devices are not designed to significantly affect humidity – this is more likely to be a humidifier. However, in addition to the invigorating fragrance, the aroma diffusers also exude a pleasant atmosphere and warm light, which can also have a beneficial effect on the body and mind.

The sprayed scents of these more decorative devices can not heal physical ailments. In case of pain and illness, you should always visit a doctor who determines the appropriate form of therapy. However, the aroma diffusers are definitely relaxing and good for general wellbeing. When buying the oils, consumers should, in addition to their own preferences, make sure that they are one hundred percent natural products. Better yet, use oils specially developed for aroma diffusers. More can be found in our aroma oil guide further down on this page.

Aromatherapy – what is it?

Although we have just said that an aroma diffuser is not a medical device and can not replace the doctor’s visit to pain and illness, aroma diffusers have something to do with the health care. Because healing with fragrances, also called aromatherapy, is an ancient discipline of medicine. For more than 7000 years (5000 BC), the soothing and sometimes curative use of essential oils and essences has been known.

aromatherapie - indien, ägyptenAromatherapy originated in ancient Indian scriptures, which is in common with Ayurvedic medicine. Even among the Egyptians are already 3000 v. Chr. Chr. Written records documented dealing with aromatherapy. The aim of this form of therapy is alleviation of discomfort and illnesses through the use of essential oils which are nowadays, among other things, also in aroma diffusers nebulized and can be “consumed”. The basis of this therapy is the assumption that via the limbic system as well as the olfactory organs and the olfactory center mood and feelings and thereby the general well-being can be influenced.

In our health system, aromatherapy is classified as part of herbal medicine (phytotherapy) and thus falls into the category of alternative medicine. However, in times when naturopaths and alternative, biological treatment methods are experiencing an upswing, aromatherapy is becoming increasingly important.

How does an aroma diffuser work?

An aroma diffuser is a device that turns water into vapor or mist. The aroma or scent comes mostly from essential oils. These are mixed in the water. There are small appliances that use a candle or lamp as a heat source and so-called ultrasonic nebulizers. Most electric aroma diffusers are ultrasonic nebulizers. In this case, electrical vibrations are converted into mechanical vibrations by means of the piezoelectric effect. These mechanical vibrations set the water in the aroma diffuser in motion so that this smallest water droplet, the fog, generates. Since no heat is used with this technique, ultrasonic nebulizers are also referred to as cold nebulizers.

The latter are also used in medicine. They produce an ideal humidity. There are different types and sizes of aroma diffusers. The principle is always the same. The water evaporates and the molecules in the oil are released. The term aroma therapy describes the positive effect on the mind and the health of humans. Thanks to the aroma diffuser, the room climate is enhanced with the help of the stimulating fragrances and the humidity released by the water vapor improves the humidity.

Which are the most popular aroma diffusers?

In addition to our tips that you should consider when buying an aroma diffuser, it is always interesting to look beyond the proverbial plate edge. For this reason (and because we have been asked for recommendations several times) we regularly look at which products are particularly popular with other buyers. The following list shows a daily updated list of aroma diffusers bestsellers.
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The bestselling ranking is a combination of number of sales, reviews and customer satisfaction. The list above shows the currently 5 best flavor diffusers.

How to use

How to clean an Aroma Diffuser?

If problems occur with an aroma diffuser, this often does not depend on a defect, but only cleaning is necessary.

Cleaning an aroma diffuser is fairly simple and usually does not take much time. In addition, a cleaning is rarely due. So that the aroma diffuser always works reliably, a cleaning should be carried out approximately every four to eight weeks. Apart from that, the aroma diffuser should be cleaned with the following problems: First, it should be distinguished whether no more steam flows out of the aroma diffuser, or whether little steam is released.

In the former case, it is probably necessary to clean the Piezo plate (atomizes the water with essential oils) as it may have lime or oil deposited there. This is possible with a cotton swab and vinegar (for lime) or pure alcohol.

A second possibility that could lead to equipment failure is that dust has accumulated in the air vents. In this case, they need to be cleaned.

If the aroma diffuser exudes little steam, the water level may be too high. As a result, the piezo plate can not atomize all the water. If the amount of water is right, you can try the vinegar or alcohol method.

Which water belongs in an Aroma Diffuser?

Basically, it is not necessary to fill the Aroma Diffuser with distilled or decalcified water. It is enough normal tap water. However, in order to avoid residues in general and to protect the device, distilled or decalcified water can be used. If you do not want to buy distilled water, you can also take filtered water from a filter can. If in doubt, a look in the instructions for use reveals which water the manufacturer recommends for his product.

Aroma-Diffuser befüllenIdeally, after each use, clean the water tank of the diffuser with a cloth anyway. Since in some regions the tap water can be very calcareous, the container should be decalcified regularly with white deposits. Here is sufficient commercial decalcifier, as it is also used for coffee machines and kettles. A vinegar-soaked cotton swab can also help clear interstices of lime; Rinse well at the end and keep dry.

To clear the diffuser of residues of essential oils, a dash of vinegar essence is recommended. It is switched on outdoors 3-5 minutes, then rinsed with clear water and dried again.

The Aroma Diffuser may generally only be filled with cold water. It must not be filled with hot water. A diffuser does not boil the water, it atomizes it by means of ultrasound. Too hot water can damage the material of the device. After each use leftover water is discarded. It is best to let the device dry briefly and wipe the water tank with a dry cloth. This prevents bacteria or fungi from multiplying in calcium deposits.

Which oil is right for aroma diffusers?

In addition to cleaning and using the right water, choosing the right aroma diffuser oil plays an important role. Here are some things to keep in mind in order to have fun with and with the Aroma Diffuser for as long as possible. The most important points around the topic of aroma diffuser oil have been summarized in the next step of our guidebook.

The small aroma oil advisor

In this part of our guidebook we want to deal with the theme oil. Here we discuss what essential oils are, how they work, which oils are suitable for aroma diffusers, and what you need to know about the quality of aroma oils. If you are just looking for a referral, scroll straight to the end of this section. There we have listed a few of our recommendations.

What are essential oils?

aroma oilsLet’s look at the question in a sober and professional way: Essential oils (rarely “essential oils”) are volatile and often highly flammable (substance) mixtures, which are made of various organic substances such as esters, ketones, alcohols, etc., which are soluble in each other Terpenes exist. In a nutshell: Essential oils are mixtures of volatile substances – meaning they evaporate quite quickly and are often flammable.

The recovery of essential oils can be done in two ways. Either artificially (this is also known as synthetic oils) or extraction from natural sources such as plants or parts of plants. In naturally derived essential oils, various processes such as steam distillation or the extraction of plants are used for extraction. But how do the oils get into the plants?

Plants often produce essential oils in their leaves and then store them in the plant tissue. The plants primarily pursue two goals with the oils: on the one hand, they are intended to repel pests, and on the other hand, they are intended to attract insects (for pollination, for example).

What effect do essential oils have?

As we noted in the aromatherapy section, essential oils are also used in medicine. This is due to the different effects that essential oils have on the human body. For example, essential oils are not only used in fragrance and aromatherapy but are also part of various medications. The different oils in turn have different effects on the body.

Essential oils of e.g. Eucalyptus or menthol have an expectorant effect on inflammation of (upper) respiratory tract and bronchitis. Fennel and anise oils, on the other hand, have a diminishing effect on gastrointestinal spasms, and essential oils of sage and chamomile in turn fight inflammation in the mouth and throat. (Important: Essential oils are often irritating to the skin in undiluted form and are usually only used with great dilution.) Please always read the instructions for use and dosage instructions!)

In addition to the medical application by naturopaths and therapists, essential oils are also used for self-treatment by fragrance lamps, aroma diffusers, bath products, etc. However, it should be noted that the boundaries between effective healing and pure wellness use are fluid. (As already noted, a doctor should always be consulted for serious complaints!)

Effects on the human body

medical aroma oilEssential oils and their active ingredients can enter the human bloodstream in various ways. Either by contact with the skin or by the inhalation of the vapors – as is the case with the use of essential oils in aroma diffusers. Another option is oral ingestion such as when swallowing medicines. Here, part of the active ingredients on the oral mucous membranes and another part of the active ingredients via the gastrointestinal tract is added.

When using essential oils, these influence the entire human organism. Fragrance information is transmitted to the brain via the sensory cells in the nose, taste can be sensed via the tongue and mucous membranes and, after entering the bloodstream, the oils can have an effect on hormone production, the autonomic nervous system and anti-inflammatory effects.

Advice for allergy sufferers

As already mentioned, essential oils in their undiluted form are often irritating to the skin, so that they should normally only be used diluted. It can also lead to allergic reactions and intolerances to essential oils. Also, asthmatic seizures are possible when individuals are sensitive to certain substances (such as menthol). Therefore, with known allergies, the list of ingredients of the oil should always be checked first before the oil is used. Further, in case of uncertainty, first work with a greater dilution of the oil, in order to mitigate any side effects.

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Which oil works in which manner?

Different oils have different effects. Although the use of aromatic oils does not replace medical treatment, various oils are said to have a beneficial or curative effect on various ailments. A small overview of suitable oils and their effects are listed below.


Suffering / complaint Suitable oils
Anxiety Benzoin, Lavender, Marjoram, Melissa, Rose, Tea Tree Oil, Frankincense, Ylang Ylang, Cedar
Depression Amyris, bergamot, geranium, chamomile, lavender, patchouli, sandalwood, ylang-ylang
Headache Ginger, lavender, marjoram, lemon balm, mint, thyme
Fatigue cajeput
Back pain Pine, lavender, marjoram, rosemary, thyme, juniper

Quality characteristics of oils

In order to better assess the quality of an essential oil, there are a few points that can be considered. The following list shows how you can assess the quality of an aroma oil.

Authenticity / varietal purity: Does the oil contain only the oil of one parent plant or was it stretched or diluted with other oils or substances?

Genuineness: Genuine oils are natural and untreated. If the manufacturer or the label of the aroma diffuser oil has this feature, this speaks for the oil. Is the aroma oil free of synthetic additives? A look at the ingredients gives information.

Origin: Are country of origin and type of extraction indicated? Is it understandable where the oil came from and how it was extracted?

Shelf life: Does the packaging contain an indication of the durability of the oil?

Name of the parent plant: Is the name (ideally Latin) of the parent plant listed? A missing designation indicates lack of interest of the manufacturer in the product.

Legal declarations: Does the packaging or the leaflet contain information according to the Ordinance on Hazardous Substances and / or information on allergenic ingredients according to the Cosmetics Regulation.

Dosing of the aroma oils for aroma diffusers

Aroma-Diffuser DosierungAlso with the dosage of the oils there are a few things to consider. When using Aroma Oil for the first time, you should not put more than 2-3 drops in the Aroma Diffuser. After switching on the diffuser you should leave the room and enter again after 10-15 minutes. This makes it easier to smell how much the oil affects the room fragrance. If you stay in the room from the beginning, your nose is not that sensitive. If the room smells too strong, take a little less oil next time. Otherwise a little more. From the second use, of course, you can stay in the room right from the start.

In addition, you should write down each time you opened a bottle of oil / broken, as this affects the remaining shelf life. A third and last tip are breaks. Give yourself and your nose a break now and then. After 30-45 minutes, your nose can no longer perceive the fragrance properly. So do not use continuous operation and take a break from time to time.

Buy Aroma Diffuser – Buying Guide

In the last part of our guidebook we deal with what to look for when buying aroma diffusers. If you observe the following rules and tips, you will find the perfect aroma diffuser for you – we are sure of that. This part of the guidebook is divided into three parts: Part 1 deals with the quality characteristics of aroma diffusers, Part 2 deals with consumables and spare parts and the third part deals with the purchase of essential aroma oils.

Quality features of aroma diffusers

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The following features you should consider when buying an aroma diffuser, in order to get afterwards an ideal product without disappointment. The points relate both to the scope of functions and quality features.

Usability: Is the device easy to use? If there are more than 5 buttons, something goes wrong. To operate the diffuser should be 2-3 switches for on / off, light and sound function sufficient. Furthermore, you should make sure that the product comes with a user manual and safety instructions.

Quality and design: Granted – this point is, if one orders on the Internet, something difficult to estimate. In the store you can inspect and touch the product. On the Internet, you should look at the bill of material (is wood used, is there any material quality information?) And, if possible, read customer reviews.

Volume / noise level: How loud is the device? Does the manufacturer give information about the operating volume? Are there customer reviews regarding the volume? Nothing is more annoying than a device which should provide for relaxation, but bothers by a constant hum.

Power consumption: If several devices are to be used or the device is in continuous operation (which we advise against), then power consumption can also play a role. Although the consumption of an aroma diffuser is rather low compared to a computer or a light bulb, it is worthwhile to compare different models.

Safety measures: Since an aroma diffuser works with water and electricity, care should be taken to ensure that the device is tested and complies with current safety standards. If the device has a test seal such as CE or better still TÜV. Does the device have a separate switch? Are there any other safety instructions for the device?

Price-performance: In the end you should of course buy the diffuser that you like the most – but it may make sense to check the price / performance ratio. In fact, all aroma diffusers work the same – the price difference comes in large part only through design, materials and brand names. For example, if an aroma diffuser costs twice as much as any other device, you should ask if the device is really worth the price.

Accessories and spare parts: Normally, there are no special spare parts for aroma diffusers, but only consumables such as oil and water. Nevertheless, a few manufacturers rely on manufacturers own products, which cost a lot more. So before you buy you should check if the diffuser can be operated with third party oils.


As already indicated, there are no consumables or spare parts in the area of the aroma diffuser except the aroma oils and water. The water, on the other hand, does not have to be bought extra, so in practice the essential aroma oils are the only consumables that need to be purchased. But where does one buy the best flavor oil for the diffuser and which are the most popular flavor oils?

Where to buy aroma oil?

In principle, as with almost all things, shopping is possible online or offline. Offline, ie local, aroma oils can be found in almost all drugstores such as DM, Müller or Rossmann. If you are looking for something really good, you will not find it here, but you should first look for local fragrance, oil and herbal shops on the internet or in the business directory.

There are a number of online shops selling flavor oils. From the drugstore, over expensive oil factories to marketplaces like Amazon and eBay, all offer aroma-diffuser-suitable oils. If you’re not sure which oil to buy, scroll up again to read our small oil guide. Alternatively you will find another decision aid in the next paragraph.

What are the most popular flavors?

Again and again we are asked, “What are the most popular aroma oils, which essential oils are used the most?” The simplest answer to this is the following list, which we update regularly. It shows the most popular flavor oils on Amazon, based on their sales rank.

So the list shows the flavor oils most commonly sold on Amazon.

Aroma Diffuser Review

If you’ve read this far and are still unsure which flavor diffuser you should buy, then check out the video report below. This presents different models and explains you once again the advantages and disadvantages of different aroma diffusers.