I’ve written before about my love of home fragrance—no matter where I’ve lived (and no matter how small and poky the apartment!), I’ve always relied upon candles and fragrance diffusers to make my space feel truly like home. You really can’t underestimate the power of scent to turn your house or flat into a welcoming and relaxing space as soon as you open the front door.
While candles may be the obvious suspects, reed fragrance diffusers and electric fragrance diffusers are just as good options, and ones I certainly relied upon when renting. Plus, if pets, children, or general forgetfulness make lighting candles a risky option in your home, fragrance diffusers offer a much safer experience—they don’t require constant minding and they fill your rooms with fragrance 24/7.
When it comes to scent, of course, there are a world of options—whether you’re looking to scent your space with warm, cosy, comforting vibes in the winter or bright, fresh, uplifting ones in the summer, you won’t be limited in your choices. In addition, the best fragrance diffusers don’t just smell amazing, they also look chic and stylish, so you’ll actually want to set them on your coffee table or sideboard instead of hiding them away.
Below are the best fragrance diffusers I’ve tried—all perfect for creating ambience at home, or for giving as presents (because the best gifts always smell good).
Inspired by the ancient Bregenzerwald tradition of welcoming guests with incense, this scent is warm and relaxing. Notes of orange, lemon, ylang ylang, nutmeg, and lavender will fit right in in any room.
We rate Jo Loves for its candles and perfumes, and the brand’s fragrance diffusers are every bit as good. Available in the same scents you already know and love, these diffusers are potent, long-lasting, and look super chic. This particular scent is fresh, floral, and uplifting.
If you love cosy scents then this diffuser will fit right in in your home. it features woody, warming sandalwood with touches of pink pepper and olibanum.
An alternative to single-use reed diffusers, NEOM’s wellbeing pod is designed to be used with the brand’s essential oil blends. It dispenses a fine mist of vapour into the air to subtly stimulate your senses. What’s more, the pod can be used as a night light, and features a ‘breathing mode’, perfect for accompanying meditation.
As much a beautiful piece of home decor as it is a functional way to scent your space, this diffuser really is something special. Fans of rich, spicy scents will love this blend of bergamot, orange, rose, ylang ylang, and patchouli.
This diffuser packs a punch of aromatherapy thanks to its fresh pine scent. It’s crisp, clean, and invigorating but still warm and cosy—ideal for using during the winter months.
With powerful notes of rose, leather, oud, and patchouli this is the kind of diffuser that fills your entire house with fragrance. If you’re in the market for a diffuser that won’t need replacing in two weeks time, your money would be well spent here.
This one is ideal for scenting a bedroom or bathroom. A calming mix of bergamot, jasmine, rose, and amber will fill your room.
In addition to the Wellbeing Pod, NEOM has a full range of refillable reed diffusers. Real Luxury is a blissful blend of lavender, sandalwood, and jasmine which will last for months.
I’d be remiss not to include a pick from Beauty Pie, one of my go-to brands for affordable home fragrance offerings. Try Bahia de Miel, a comforting blend of basil, liquorice milk, fir, guaiac wood, honey, and vanilla musk.
Perhaps the next best thing to a roaring open fire in your home, you’ll be pleased to know that Maison Margiela’s iconic By The Fireplace scent has been translated into home fragrance. Woody and smoky, this diffuser will fill your home with wintery nots of chestnut, pink pepper, and cloves.
Promising fragrance for up to three months, this sleek, stylist vessel contains a soft and sweet oil blend of rice milk and cherry blossom. Perfect for standing in an entrance hall or porch, it brings a clean and calming energy to your space.
For spa vibes in the comfort of your own home, this diffuser is the perfect addition to your bathroom shelf or windowsill. Eucalyptus, peppermint, and rosemary are uplifting and (as its name suggests) energising.
Next Up: These 19 Candles Will Make Your Home Feel (and Smell) So Luxurious
