Before we dive into the best reed diffusers, here’s a not-so-fun fact. According to the National Fire Protection Association, there are approximately 20 candle-related home fires every single day in the United States alone. So, if the potential fire hazard of an open flame deters you from lighting a scented candle, we suggest a reed diffuser. It’ll freshen your space with long-lasting fragrances without needing heat.
Our Top Picks
- Best Long-Lasting: Nest New York Wild Mint & Eucalyptus Reed Diffuser, $115
- Most Iconic: Capri Blue Volcano Signature Reed Diffuser, $40
- Best Splurge: Diptyque Baies Reed Diffuser Set, $210
- Best Woody: Maison Margiela Replica By the Fireplace Diffuser, $95
- Moodiest Scent: Jo Malone London Lime Basil & Mandarin Scent Surround Diffuser, $110
- Most Crowd-Pleasing: Voluspa Santal Vanille Reed Diffuser, $30
- Best Rejuvenating: Lake & Skye 11 Reed Diffuser, $67
In case you’re not familiar, these gorgeous diffusers are much more than your usual home decor. Usually, they consist of a glass bottle that’s filled with a fragrance oil blend (commonly essential oil-based) that disperses into the air through its accompanying reed sticks. In a sense, they’re kind of like cordless, heatless versions of your average essential oil diffuser. And like your favorite scent diffusers, there are practically endless aromatic concoctions to choose from — but, our editors may have found the top picks on the market.
Whether you’re on the hunt for spa-worthy, Allure Best of Beauty-winning favorites for your bathroom or warm, Amalfi Coast-inspired blends that are staples in our staffers’ home offices, these fragrant reed diffusers will surely become your favorite air fresheners ever. Below, take a peek — and maybe a whiff, too — of the very best, high-quality reed diffusers for a subtle boost of aromatherapy in your home.
Best Long-Lasting Diffuser: Nest New York Wild Mint & Eucalyptus Reed Diffuser
If you’re searching for a tried-and-true, Allure-approved fragrance reed diffuser, look no further than Nest New York’s Wild Mint & Eucalyptus Reed Diffuser. This Allure Best of Beauty winner’s glass vessel is gorgeous, but it won our highest accolade for its invigorating yet subtle notes of mint, eucalyptus, basil, and ginger. It’s a perfect addition to your bathroom and one that Allure’s deputy digital director, Kara McGrath, can’t get enough of it. “The scent is strong enough to fill a room, but not so overpowering that I get a headache — and they last about half a year before you have to refill them,” she says.
Most Inviting Scent: Acqua Di Parma Home Insieme Diffuser
Allure’s manager of special projects Talia Gutierrez says the ultra-luxe Acqua Di Parma Home Insieme Diffuser has become a staple in her living room. This warm, fruity scent comes with rattan reeds that fill the air with notes of neroli, lemon, amber, and musk. As if this home fragrance wasn’t impressive enough, it has a lifespan of 10 to 12 weeks.
Best Woody Scent: Maison Margiela Fragrances Replica By The Fireplace Diffuser
Maison Margiela’s Replica By the Fireplace Diffuser lets off the woody, smoky scent you’ve been aching for in your WFH hideout. Poking through the crackling embers of this fireplace fragrance are notes of orange flower and vanilla that contrast beautifully with the scent’s base. It earned Best of Beauty status for its instantly recognizable, vibe-transforming quality in 2023.
Best Floral Scent: Acqua Di Parma Home Insieme Diffuser
When associate director of social media Kassidy Silva is in the mood for a true floral fragrance for her home, she opens up the Floral Street Wonderland Bloom Reed Diffuser. This blend will make your home smell like a field of peonies that’s been spiked with sweet cotton candy and a touch of guava.
Most Iconic: Capri Blue Volcano Signature Reed Diffuser
You may not know it by name, but Capri Blue’s Volcano Signature Reed Diffuser is one of the most iconic home fragrances out there. “If you want your home to smell like an Anthropologie, this is the diffuser to grab,” says Silva. It’s a name-stay in most swanky boutiques for its aromatically pleasing notes of citrusy lemon, orange, and a dash of sugar for sweetness.
Best Rejuvenating Scent: Lake & Skye 11 11 Reed Diffuser
Your living room may be missing the breezy bay windows of your dreams or the airy, vaulted ceilings of a gorgeously renovated lake house (one day), but you can manifest some of that magic with Lake & Skye’s 11 11 Reed Diffuser. Another 2023 Best of Beauty Winner, this diffuser is the epitome of ethereal, with a mélange of white ambers and musk to add a crisp openness to any space.
Best Splurge: Diptyque Baies Reed Diffuser Set
Yes, Diptyque’s Baies Reed Diffuser Set may be the priciest option on this list, but boy is it worth every penny. As you can expect from Baies, a French word that literally translates to “berries,” it’s infused with the delectably fruity note of blackberries, but you’ll also notice a hint of floral rose.
Best Herby Scent: P.F. Candle Co. Ojai Lavender Reed Diffuser
The floral, herbaceous scent of lavender is at the top of the P.F. Candle Co.’s Ojai Lavender Reed Diffuser scent profile, but there’s more to this fragrance than this relaxing note. It’s also spiked with hints of invigorating tangerine and mint for awakening your olfactory senses.
Most Transportive: Tocca Florence Profumo d’Ambiente
Sarah Han, Allure’s commerce editor, says there’s something about Tocca’s Florence Profumo d’Ambiente that aromatically transports her back to strolls in the gardens of Paris, thanks to its notes of bergamot and gardenia. “Florence is one of the very first scents I ever took a liking to, which is unsurprising since I adore Paris, the city that inspired this fragrance,” she says. “This diffuser is the perfect way to make my cozy little room smell like the Tuileries Garden.”
Moodiest Scent: Jo Malone London Lime Basil & Mandarin Scent Surround Diffuser
If you’re anything like Allure commerce writer Jennifer Hussein, you probably have a fragrant love affair with basil — which is why she’ll wax poetic about Jo Malone London’s Lime Basil & Mandarin Scent Surround Diffuser any chance she can get. “This scent is nearly as intoxicating as the drink it reminds me of, a glorious gin and tonic,” she says. Along with basil, this herbaceous yet fruity fragrance is also spiked with thyme to counterbalance the citrusy scent of lime.
Best Uplifting Scent: Brooklinen Good Intentions Reed Diffuser
Lift your spirits with the Brooklinen Good Intentions Reed Diffuser. This uplifting mix of citrusy bergamot, warm cedarwood, and invigorating eucalyptus is bound to put anyone and everyone in a good mood.
Most Crowd-Pleasing Scent: Voluspa Santal Vanille Reed Diffuser
If there was one scent that dominated just about everyone’s fragrance collection last year, it’s santal. There are hundreds of santal-infused scents to choose from, but when it comes to our homes, we’re cracking open Voluspa’s Santal Vanille Reed Diffuser. This scent features a warm, spicy note paired with sweet vanilla and woody oud for a scent-ual experience unlike any other.
Warmest Scent: The White Company Fireside Diffuser
It’s a little too chilly to hang out beside a bonfire, but The White Company’s Fireside Diffuser is bringing all of the fiery fun indoors and without an actual flame. This smokey scent has notes of smoked birchwood that are paired with warm amber for a cozy, delightful fragrance to fill your home with.
Best Beachy Scent: Carthusia Mediterraneo Home Diffuser
Feeling inspired to take a trip to Italy after binge-watching The White Lotus? Well, according to former beauty and wellness editor Taylore Glynn, Carthusia’s Mediterraneo Home Diffuser will mentally transport you there. “This potent liquid smells like an expensive Italian getaway, bottled,” she says. “The Capri-based brand offers dozens of home fragrances, but this warm, lemon- and green tea-scented option brings me right back to a weekend strolling under the Caprese sun eating gelato.”