Diffusers allow you to enjoy essential oils aromatically, to breathe them in. So, if you want to use essential oils, you will want to get a diffuser.

Here is a overview of the world of diffusers.

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There are different types of diffusers:

Nebulizers – waterless, cold air, wide range, quiet humming sound, basically blows oil particles into the air
Ultrasonic – uses water, cool mist, lower range, gentle water-trickle sound, basically uses a high vibration disk to create a column of mist
Evaporative – soundless or fan powered, uses absorbent material to hold the essential oil as it evaporates
Low-Heat Diffusers – warm, basically warm evaporative diffuser

Nebulizer Diffusers

Typically with nebulizers, you just screw your oil bottle (after you remove the cap and nozzle) into the diffuser. No water needed.

How it works: These diffusers work like perfume atomizers: they blow a jet of air across a small tube, which creates a vacuum that pulls liquid from a tube. The nebulizer basically blows the oil away into the air in a fine mist.

Because the nebulizer puts the whole oil into the air in tiny droplets, this method of diffusion is often considered the best type for therapeutic use.

These diffusers run at a higher sound level, so they may not be ideal for a quiet room. Also if you do not put them on a timer, they can quickly put a large amount of oil into the air in a short time. This may overrun your olfactory system. Best to use the built-in settings that allow you to control the flow of air and how much oil is being diffused and conserve your oils.

This is the best system for therapeutic use.

Ultrasonic / Humidifying Diffusers

Typically, ultrasonic or humidifying diffusers require you to put some water in a well where you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil or blend of oil.

Ultrasonic diffusers create a fine mist by causing a small disc under the surface to vibrate very fast. The vibrations break the essential oils into tiny particles dispersing the oil in a fine mist.

The process seems to blow a visible column of mist out of the machine at the same time creating a gentle sound of trickling water. No heat is used in the process, so the mist generated is very cool. These diffusers rely on the air currents in the room to disperse, and they generally cover smaller spaces compared to nebulizers. These diffusers are popular due to the price, the value, and the ease of use.

Evaporative Diffusers

Evaporative diffusers merely release essential oils into the air by evaporation. The simplest form of evaporative diffuser is an open bottle of essential oil. You can also try adding a few drops of oil to a tissue or your palm and breathe it in. Most of these diffusers have a pad or some other absorbent material where you can place your essential oil. Some evaporative diffusers are powered by fan, others take the form of necklaces, inhalers, or just about anything. Even your Christmas tree ornaments can become essential oil diffusers.

Low-Heat Diffusers

Low heat diffusers work much like evaporative diffusers, but rather than blowing air through the pad oil absorbent material, they apply low heat to speed up the evaporative process. The best heat diffusers use a low level of heat to aid in evaporation.

High heat, although it can produce stronger aromas, the high level of heat actually alters the chemical constituent of the oils. So even though you have a great aroma, you lose the therapeutic benefit. However like evaporative diffusers, these are very quiet.

AVOID oil burners. These destroy the chemical makeup of the essential oil and hence the therapeutic benefit.

Other Diffuser Variations

You can get variations on any of these diffusers for different applications such as car diffusers, etc.

Don’t forget the simplest form of diffuser is simply opening a bottle of essential oil and breathing it in. Also applying your essential oil to a diffusing necklace will bring your diffuser along with you throughout the day.

Looking for somewhere to buy diffuser necklaces?

Look no longer. Diffusing Mama’s is what you want.

Click here for a link to the Diffusing Mama’s website (disclaimer: I get a bit of a kickback for referring you through this link… and she uses that to buy makeup and other girly things).