Diffusers can cost anywhere from $3 to over $1100. The price range varies depending on the type of diffuser. Nebulizing diffusers are the most expensive, while evaporative and reed diffusers are the cheapest. Ultrasonic and electrical heat diffusers fall in the mid-range. A diffuser will cost around $0.0018 per hour to run, or about 15 to 20 cents per month.
The global diffusers market is currently valued at more than 1.6 billion dollars and only continues to grow. So when it comes to buying and using a diffuser, it’s important to talk about both the type and cost of the diffuser.
This guide talks about the different types of diffusers and their associated costs. It includes the most popular and reliable manufacturers, comparing the costs of their products, and providing an illustrated chart of the cheapest and most expensive diffusers in different categories.
Types Of Diffusers
Essential oils are fragrant plant extracts traditionally believed to have healing and relaxing effects. Although aromatherapy using oils has been practiced for centuries, it’s only become mainstream in the past few years. This led to the invention of a diffuser, the machine that dispenses essential oil into the room.
Diffusers break oil molecules into finer particles before dissipating them in the atmosphere. It sprays the solution periodically (or continually), ensuring the room always smells good.
There are four main types of diffusers, based on how they disperse essential oils:
1. Nebulizing Diffuser
Nebulizing diffusers use pressurized air steam to break essential oils into a fine mist before distributing it into the room.
This is one of the most expensive categories of diffusers. Since no water is used, this diffuser doesn’t dilute the oil, and all of it is dispersed into the air. It also defuses the oil more quickly in comparison to other diffusers.
2. Ultrasonic Diffuser
Ultrasonic diffusers have a water tank in which a few drops of essential oil are added. The unit has a disc that vibrates at an ultrasonic frequency, which converts the water and oil into mist. This aromatic mist is then propelled into the room.
Ultrasonic models do not require a lot of oil, as they use water.
3. Heat Essential Oil Diffuser
Heat diffusers have a heating element that vaporizes essential oils. They may or may not use a water-oil mixture.
Although cost-effective and silent, heating oils can alter their chemical properties, reducing their benefits. The change in chemical makeup might even make some oils harmful.
4. Evaporative Oil Diffuser
Evaporative oil diffusers use a scent pad or tissue that has essential oil absorbed in it. A fan draws air inside the unit, which evaporates the oil from the scent pad, and spreads it through the room. These diffusers are often considered ‘noisy’ because of the fan, and are not always suitable for bedrooms.
Another type of evaporative diffuser is the reed diffuser. Wooden sticks called reeds are left fully dipped into a jar of essential oil. Reeds soak up the scent, which is then diffused naturally by the circulating air in the room.
Through this method, the lighter oil components are diffused first, while the heavier parts evaporate later.
Cost Of Diffusers
Now that we know the various types of diffusers let’s look at their buying and running costs.
Buying Cost
It’s obvious from the graph, but nebulizing diffusers are the most expensive overall – although not without good reason, the fact they are waterless makes them an easy to use and easy to clean diffuser that doesn’t dilute the fragrance.
Ultrasonic are the next most expensive, and are the most common. They are available in both cool and warm mist.
Heating and evaporative diffusers are by far, the cheapest diffusers available. Although, many find the fragrance they disperse to be fairly weak.
To give you a better idea on how much diffusers cost, we have compiled the cheapest and most expensive model of each type of diffuser from across the web. This way you can see what the different cost levels can get you, for the diffuser type that you like.
| Diffuser Type | Cheapest Model | Expensive Model |
| Nebulizing Diffuser | Utama Spice Danau Satu Essential Oil Diffuser for $70 | AromaTech AromaPro Essential Oil Diffuser With Santal Aroma Oil for $1100 |
| Ultrasonic Diffuser | Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser 300 ml Wood Grain for $3 | WENMENG Ultrasonic waterless diffuser for $332 |
| Heating Diffuser | Car Aroma Diffuser for $10 | Bora Bora Gentle Heat Diffuser for $35 |
| Evaporative Oil Diffuser | HOSSAIN Reed Diffuser Sticks for $5 (can be used with any jar of essential oil) | AromaAllure Portable Mini Oil Diffuser for $24 |
Apart from the initial outlay, there’s also the ongoing costs of running and maintaining the diffuser.
Power Consumption And Electricity Bill
Typically, diffusers require 12W of power and 0.5A to operate. These power ratings listed by the manufacturer are the maximum energy an electrical appliance consumes, and at this level, a diffuser will cost approx $0.0018 per hour.
However, diffusers generally don’t run at max power.
Most diffusers come with LED lights that add to the visual appeal. Turning on these lights can add about 0.1W to actual power consumption.
Another factor that can influence your electricity bills is the condition of your diffuser. If the unit is dirty or clogged, the inflow or outflow of air is obstructed.
Likewise, if any system component (like an ultrasonic disc or heating element) is acting up, the diffuser will work harder to disperse the oil. This can cause the it to overheat, which adds to the electricity bill.
Note that, even when diffusers are turned off, they continue to draw electrical power if plugged in.
If kept well-maintained, a diffuser does not cost more than 15 to 20 cents a month to run.
Set Up Cost
Diffusers are not complicated electrical appliances; you don’t need a professional to set them up (implying zero cost). Most diffusers are wired, and you just need to plug them into a power outlet to use.
In comparison, wireless diffusers come with batteries that must be charged before use. The charging and runtime of these diffusers vary for different models.
Maintenance Cost
Lastly, let’s talk about the maintenance cost. As we now know, diffusers are not complex and are usually easy to maintain. Regular and thorough cleaning is enough to keep your diffuser up and running for a long time.
And cleaning is free (except for the cost in time of course!)
Diffusers are placed in open areas, exposed to air containing dust, germs, and VOCs. They accumulate in the unit, forming clogs. During diffusion, some of the oil is also left behind as residue. This is collected over time and creates a hard deposit can be corrosive.
Mineral scales are also an issue in diffusers that use water. Hard water is rich in minerals and salt; if you add hard water (or even tap water) to the tank, minerals form hardened clogs (scales) as the water is used up.
Some diffusers (especially evaporative models) use filters to remove dust and debris from the incoming air. The filter pores have a specific capacity beyond which they cannot trap contaminants. These pollutants escape the filter and accumulate in the system if the filter is not cleaned.
These deposits not only damage the diffuser components, but they interfere with it and stop it form working properly. This may also cause the device to overheat frequently. To prevent these issues, cleaning the diffuser every few days is vital.
Repair Cost
If your diffuser isn’t working, the diffusion is slower than usual, or it frequently overheats, cleaning it thoroughly to remove any blockages, refilling the water tank, and restarting the unit will resolve most issues.
In case of any internal component breakages, the diffuser wiring becoming damaged due to electrical issues (like a short circuit), or the battery stops working, you’lll need to call a technician to help with it.
The repair cost depends on the problem. This cost will obviously be reduced if your device has a warranty.
We recommend consulting the customer service of your diffuser’s brand to get professional help. Although depending on your type of diffuser, it may be cheaper to simply purchase a replacement diffuser.
Buying Guide For Diffusers
Before buying a diffuser, here are the factors you should take into account:
Type Of Diffuser
The first thing you need to decide is the type of diffuser. Here’s a comparison of the pros and cons of each of the four types.
Pros
- Dissipates almost all the oil.
- Highly efficient and diffuses oil faster than other types.
- Waterless.
Cons
- Requires a lot of essential oil.
- Can be loud.
- Most expensive type.
Pros
- It can humidify the room (slightly).
- It does not consume a lot of oil.
- Ideal for large rooms.
Cons
- Not a good choice for humid areas.
- Loud.
- Dilutes the oil, diminishing the effects of aromatherapy.
Pros
- Silent.
- Cost-effective.
Cons
- Heat might change the chemical properties of the essential oils.
- Models with water tanks dilute the oil.
Pros
- Inexpensive.
- Does not dilute the oil.
Cons
- Heavy components are dispensed later.
- Ideal for only small rooms.
- Loud.
Cost-Effectiveness
The second factor you need to consider is the cost of the diffuser. Before deciding on a model, compare its features with other diffusers of the same price range, and choose the best of them.
Room Size
It is essential to compare the coverage that the diffuser provides to your room size. A diffuser should be able to dispense a high density of essential oil evenly in the room.
The coverage and related details should be provided on the packaging of each product.
Type Of Essential Oil
One of the most critical yet often ignored factors is the type of essential oil you intend to use in the diffuser. Oils vary in their viscosities, and the thicker ones can be more difficult to diffuse for some models.
You should also check the chemical properties of each oil, as some might not be compatible with all diffusers. For example, citrus oils have acidic elements and can corrode components like the metallic ultrasonic disc.
Go through the user manual (if available) to check any specific instructions for the oils or blends that you can and cannot use.
Additional Features
Additional features like LED, night lights, connectivity options, fan speed (for evaporative diffusers), and other versatile controls should be considered. These days, even at the lowest of prices, there are diffusers that allow you to have a personalized experience through various adjustable easy-to-navigate controls, and you don’t need to compromise on comfort.
Design
The next thing you should look at is the design of the appliance. Diffusers are generally placed in an open, visible area, so they should have an excellent design and color that blends with the room.
Reviews
These days we have online reviews posted for all products. Make sure to go through the ratings and customer feedback on the company website as well as other platforms to make an informed decision.
Best Diffusers To Buy
Here are the top three diffusers you can invest in:
Homedics Aroma Diffuser
First, we have the Homedics Aroma Diffuser. This is an ultrasonic diffuser, which means that in addition to diffusing fragrances, it can also humidify the room.
The reservoir can store up to 130 ml of water, which provides six hours of continuous runtime. Whereas when used intermittently, it can run for 12 hours. The ultrasonic mist can spread wide, making this device a suitable fit for small and mid-sized rooms.
It comes with LED lights, which enhance the visuals of the room, especially in the dark. They are not very bright and can function as a night light. Once you switch the diffuser on, the LED switches automatically to different calming colors that promote relaxation and help with a good night’s sleep.
When it comes to design, Homedics Aroma Diffuser has a sleek, symmetrical shape that blends in with all kinds of decor. It is also small, lightweight, and compact, and you can conveniently carry it around and even adjust it inside small luggage bags.
One of the best things is that the package comes with two packets of essential oil (orange and eucalyptus) which you can blend for a comforting aroma.
InnoGear Ultrasonic Essential Oil Diffuser
InnoGear Essential Oil Diffuser has a huge customer base, thanks to its wonderful features and beautiful design. This is a palm-sized diffuser that can be placed in any small corner for long-lasting fragrance.
It disperses a stream of cool mist, and in a continuous mode, it can keep diffusing for about three to four hours or until the water runs out. Whereas, when set at an intermittent mode, it pauses every 30 seconds and lasts for six to eight hours.
Once it runs out of water, it automatically shuts off to save energy. The LED lights can switch between seven pretty colors and can go from dim to bright, allowing you to have a relaxing environment of your liking.
All-in-all, if you’re looking for a diffuser for mid-sized rooms, the InnoGear Ultrasonic Essential Oil Diffuser is definitely worth considering.
Pure Enrichment PureSpa Portable Car Diffuser
Pure Enrichment is one of the most trusted brands for domestic appliances, and their PureSpa Portable Car Diffuser is the only mobile diffuser on our list.
It is an ultrasonic diffuser with a 50 ml water tank that not only ensures a fresh smell in your space but also improves the humidity levels for a comfortable environment. The ultrasonic technology creates a fine mist, dispersing the microparticles of essential oil and water evenly into the vehicle.
This 50 ml tank has a four-hour runtime. What’s more is that once the water is fully consumed, the diffuser automatically shuts off to conserve energy.
It’s sleek, small and compact design perfectly fits in the car cup holders. Since it is lightweight and portable, you can carry it around to use anywhere, be it a room, dorm, or small office space.
It comes with LEDs that can illuminate in eight different soothing colors. Users can decide if they want to alternate between each color or stick with one solid light. If you wish, you can also use the diffuser without turning on the light.
Since this is a wireless device, it comes with a USB cable that you can plug in anywhere to charge the diffuser quickly. The package comes with a 5-year warranty, and along with the excellent customer service of the brand, this ensures that you are investing in the right thing.