Aromatherapy is sometimes soothing, sometimes invigorating, and always enhances your environment and mood. If you search for an all-natural diffuser method, wood is likely a prime material on your list. We've researched diffuser types to find the best options for a woody aesthetic and eco-friendly choice.
Check out any of these wooden oil diffusers:
- UONE Aromatherapy Nebulizer
- Bamboo Ultrasonic Diffuser by TOUZUTY
- Everlasting Comfort Dark Wood Diffuser
- AirOmis Aromatherapy Diffuser
- Wood Block Diffusers by Smargot
- Inno Gear Diffuser
Now that you know six of the best wood oil diffusers, let's delve into how to choose a diffuser. What qualities give the best aromatherapeutic results? Please keep reading as we describe each of these diffusers and discuss how much oil to use and some alternative, homemade options, too.
Best Wood Oil Diffusers
Essential oil diffusers come in various designs and sizes and feature distribution modes, timers, and lighting for your ideal oil emission and ambient mood. Let's take a look at some of the best diffusers on the market --we'll then delve into what to consider when choosing the right diffuser for your home.
UONE Aromatherapy Nebulizer
Efficiently diffuse healing scents using UONE's all-natural, solid wood base with a glass top. Not only will these luxurious materials add aesthetic appeal to any room, but the waterless nebulizer provides rich, pure oil diffusion. Touch button control to operate, automatic shut-off, with timer and LED features to allow you to personalize your environment. Choose from seven light colors to set the mood.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
Bamboo Diffuser by TOUTUZY
This highly-rated diffuser has an all-natural bamboo exterior with a non-skid base and ABS, 200mL water basin. Choose your mist setting, intermittent or continuous, and pair with your choice of seven light colors to set the mood in the room. You'll be able to relax, and not to worry, this diffuser features automatic shut-off.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
Everlasting Comfort Dark Wood Diffuser
Luxurious dark wood finish will soothe any room using ultrasonic diffusion with significant output from 400 mL capacity. It runs for a maximum of 13 hours on high or low diffusion with various timer settings to adjust for your schedule. Choose from seven light colors to add a bit of ambiance while you bask in aromatherapy.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
AirOmis Aromatherapy Diffuser
This eco-friendly nebulizing diffuser made from wood and glass emits aromas silently and efficiently. A built-in timer feature enables intermittent diffusion every 10 minutes, up to four hours, so you can go about your routine with an uninterrupted scent.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
Wood Block Diffuser by Smargot
Minimalist wood bock diffusers, with unique floral design, allow you to naturally emit essential oils via evaporation throughout your home or even in your vehicle. Simply douse with a few drops of oil and set atop your dresser or coffee table. Use the built-in magnetic clip, affixed to the back, to clip onto a curtain or vent.
Click here to see this two-pack on Amazon.
Inno Gear Diffuser
Despite its natural wood-grain appearance, this diffuser is made from BPA-free polypropylene with a mock exterior finish. However, if a quality diffuser and wooden appearance check the boxes for your search, Inno Gear is an excellent choice. This ultrasonic diffuser is equipped with an automatic shut-off so it will not run dry. Take advantage of multifunctions as a vaporizer or humidifier. Various modes allow you to set the ideal scent distribution or moisture level for your home --using timers to accommodate your lifestyle.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
What Should I Look For When Buying A Diffuser?
Diffusion Types
- Ultrasonic - uses drops of oil displaced into the water and emitted via an ultrasonic plate or electronic vibrations; these double as humidifiers by breaking down water into vapor. These types emit less scent because the oil is diluted.
- Heat - uses heat to initiate a chemical reaction to release essential oils' scents via water vapor; safe and cool to the touch, these diffusers use the least efficient method that requires large amounts of oil for desired strength.
- Nebulizing - strongest scent obtained from using non-diluted oils (no water!), by instead using forced hot air to vaporize the pure oil and release it as mist.
- Evaporation - a material (reed, wood, terra cotta, or cotton) absorbs the pure oil, then rapidly dispels the scent via evaporating into circulating air.
Room Size
Larger rooms will take longer to diffuse evenly than smaller rooms. Account for room size when determining the basin capacity for water-type diffusers because the bigger the area, the longer the diffuser may need to run. Also, consider the strength of your preferred scent, as larger rooms potentially utilize more oil for stronger effects. The diffuser's mist settings, such as heavy versus light, can influence how readily a room is scented as well.
Operating Time
This is a significant factor in both the strength of your scent and the area covered. As we've just noted, you should consider room size to determine the diffuser's capacity. If you prefer stronger scents, you might need a diffuser that runs for a long duration (upwards of 6-hours) or provides a heavy mist setting.
Easy to Use, Easy to Clean
Always follow the manufacturer's guidelines when filling and cleaning your diffuser. Wide-lid water basins make for ease of adding water, oil and cleaning the diffuser. Many models have tops or lids that separate from bottoms or basins. Evaporating diffusers tend to have narrow brimmed tops shaped like a vase, so they may be the most difficult to clean.
Additional Features
If you want all the bells and whistles on a diffuser, you can find them! Auto start and stop features are handy for your device's safety to prevent water-type diffusers from running dry. Timers enable you to set the diffuser to your schedule; whether setting up for a yoga routine, planning to come home to a freshly scented home or wanting a bit of soothing scent to lull yourself to sleep --set the timer for worry-free distribution. Diffusers with LED lights not only set the mood in the room but can double as stylish nightlights.
How Many Drops of Oil Should I Put in My Diffuser?
The number of drops added depends on diffuser size, duration, and mist density. A general rule of thumb is to add three to five drops of oil per 100 mL of water, the total number of drops whether using one oil or several types. You might err on more drops for a larger, well-ventilated room and fewer drops for a smaller room.
You'll want to find the right balance to release aroma in your room because too much oil can cause:
- dizziness
- watery, itchy eyes
- skin irritation
- nausea and/or vomiting
- headaches
- trigger asthma or allergies
If you experience any of these issues while using a diffuser, turn off the appliance and leave the room. Ensure the area is well ventilated before your return so the oil can dissipate. Empty and clean the diffuser; try again using less oil. For the best experience, choose organic oils and sample the scents before purchasing to ensure none initially irritate you.
Does Wood Absorb Essential Oils?
Wood absorbs essential oils just as it does nourishing oils such as teak or linseed oil. You can even consider a solid wood diffuser for an an-natural evaporation method for your aromatherapy.
Click to see this cypress wood diffuser on Amazon.
Knowing this, you should be aware that oil spilled onto wood furniture can penetrate the surface to stain or leave a lingering scent. Be careful not to set the oil bottle directly on wooden surfaces; rather, use a towel or tray beneath while filling your diffuser. Try to clean any spills as soon as possible by:
- blotting with a paper or cloth towel, and
- sprinkling with baking soda to absorb the oil residue; then wipe or brush clean with a cloth or vacuum.
Are Diffusers Bad For Pets?
Diffusers are just as beneficial for pets as for people. However, some pets are more sensitive to oils. Keep a close eye on pets while diffusing for any signs of discomfort as pets can have similar reactions, as mentioned above, to too strongly scented oils. If you notice your pet acting irritated, remove them from the room and stop the diffuser. Ensure the room is well-ventilated to air out the lingering oil vapor before your pet returns.
How Can I Use Oils Without A Diffuser?
You have so many options when it comes to diffusing oil, many of which can be found already in your home!
- Wooden clothespin - add a few drops of oil and clip discreetly, onto blinds, over a vent, or onto the backside of furniture; the scented clothespin will diffuse via evaporation.
- Twigs - for an all-natural, reed-like diffuser that you can make from your backyard, grab your favorite vase and position small sticks or twigs inside, add a few drops of oil for the twigs to absorb. You've fashioned a woodsy evaporating diffuser.
- Wood cubes - if you have old, wooden toy blocks or even scrap pieces of wood from a craft, position them into a broad-rimmed bowl and douse with a few drops of oil to evaporate the scent throughout your home.
- Wooden or terra cotta ornament or magnet - use a decorative feature to evaporate aromatic oils; simply brush with a light coating of oil and re-hang to diffuse the scent throughout the room.
Final Thoughts
You are well on your way to adding an aesthetically pleasing, natural wood oil diffuser to your home. If you're in search of other ways to keep your home smelling fresh, check out our related articles: