One of the most effective ways to get the benefits from your essential oils is to buy a good diffuser. I will be covering ultrasonic and nebulizing diffusers here.
While there are some fundamental differences between the two, which I will cover, neither type will alter the molecular composition of your essential oils making them an ideal way to fill your room with the soothing sweet aroma of your favorite oils.
Ultrasonic Diffusers
Ultrasonic Diffusers use electronic frequencies to create vibrations which vaporize water along with your essential oil and disperse it into the air without the need for heat. This leaves the composition of your essential oils unaltered and creates a cool fine mist that fills your room with the aroma of your essential oils.
Don’t confuse a diffuser with a humidifier. Humidifiers increase the moisture in the air and are often used in areas of low humidity or dry climates. They can also be useful for relieving cold or flu symptoms, however, they are unsuitable for diffusing essential oils.
With a diffuser, the output of moisture is less than a humidifier. The aroma it produces is usually only enough to fill a room, not your whole house.
How Do Ultrasonic Diffusers Work?
Ultrasonic Diffusers have a reservoir that you fill with either tap, filtered or distilled water depending on the instructions. Most, on average, hold about 100ml. You then add a few drops of your essential oil to the water, press a button and voila! – instant mist with the wonderful aroma of your essential oils.
You should make sure you clean the tank out regularly as a stagnant tank of residue water will develop bacteria and the next time you use your device, this bacteria will also be dispersed into the air along with the mist!
Why Choose an Ultrasonic Diffuser?
They are very easy to use and will give you a gentle, natural aroma that won’t overpower the whole house.
The 2019 Model Zen Breeze, Essential Oil Diffuser by Zen Breeze
The Zen Breeze, Essential Oil Diffuser is a good choice if you a looking for an ultrasonic diffuser.
I chose this one because it’s super stylish and quite small at 4.75 x 6.6″ across so it will fit nicely onto a bedside table. It features 14 different color LED light settings which you can choose between, leave on the color-changing mode, or you can turn the lights off if you prefer.
It’s very simple to use: You add water using the measuring cup provided, and a few drops (try 3 -4 at first) of your essential oil, press the mist button and let the beautiful natural scent fill your senses.
You can set it to run for 1, 3 or 6 hours, or you can just set it to “on” and it will run until it runs out of water, at which point it will cleverly shut itself off automatically.
The Verdict
The only downsides, and to me, they aren’t really downsides but it should be noted that
- The instruction manual hasn’t been translated very well, it’s still better English than any second language I could speak and it is readable, just not very clear. This has no bearing on the quality of the diffuser, though.
- The beautiful wood you see in the photo is only a wood effect, not real wood, it is actually made from plastic.
- Once you have filled the unit with water and your oil/oils, don’t attempt to move it, as it will spill very easily.
- It’s quiet but not silent. I actually find it quite soothing but it may put those off who need total silence to sleep.
- The lid, which just sits on top of the base, can sometimes be a little tricky to lift off.
View the Zen Breeze Essential Oil Diffuser, here.
Nebulizing Diffusers
Nebulizers use only pure essential oils. Since you do not add any water to these devices, they create a powerful aroma that is usually emitted at intervals preventing them from becoming too overpowering. They will use a lot of essential oil relatively quickly.
How Do Nebulizing Diffusers Work?
Nebulizing Diffusers have two small glass tubes inside them. Basically, when you turn the device on, an air current is forced through one of the small tubes, creating a suction that causes the essential oils in the bottom of the glass chamber to rise up through a separate feeding tube.
A stream of pressurized air then hits the essential oil and causes it to atomize into microscopic particles that fill the glass chamber and disperse into the air.
You generally add around 20 -25 drops of your essential oil directly into the reservoir at bottom of the diffuser and then switch the device on.
Not all essential oils are suitable for Nebulizing Diffusers, Sandalwood, for example, has a thick viscosity and so would need to be blended with a thinner oil – you cannot use a pre-diluted oil or carrier oil to do this.
The 2019 Raindrop 2.0 Nebulizing Essential Oil Diffuser For Aromatherapy By Organic Aromas
This Raindrop 2.0 Nebulizing Essential Oil Diffuser is quality-made from real, solid plantation hardwood and hand-blown pyrex glass. It will fill your home with the wonderful aroma of pure essential oils up to 800 sq ft. But don’t worry if you think this would be a little too overpowering – you can limit the amount of essential oil emitted with a handy volume control button.
It measures approximately 7-10″ x 4-6 ” wide and has a durable, energy-efficient electric pump that is whisper quiet, but not silent.
This diffuser also features rainbow-carousel LED lighting that can be turned off if you prefer. It operates for 2 mins “On,” 1 min “Off,” for 2-hours then conveniently shuts itself off. The scent that it emits after shut-down, should last around one hour.
How to care for your Nebulizing Essential Oil Diffuser
Organic Aromas suggest you keep a small bottle of rubbing alcohol so that you can regularly give your glass reservoir a clean.
If you don’t regularly do this, residue oil will harden and build up, clogging the tubes and preventing the pump from working properly. They provide you with pipettes for regular cleaning.
To clean the device once a week, or if you want to change oils and don’t want any of the previous essential oil to remain, add some plain rubbing alcohol to the reservoir using the dropper provided and turn on the diffuser for 5 – 10 minutes to diffuse the alcohol.
When the diffuser is dry the process is complete. Once a month you should give your diffuser a deep clean. Organic Aromas suggest you soak your glass in boiling hot water, with a tiny amount of dishwashing soap for about 30 minutes to remove any remaining residue. Full instructions are provided to guide you through this process, though.
The Verdict
On the plus side, the Raindrop 2.0 Nebulizing Essential Oil Diffuser comes complete with a one-year free parts and service warranty.
If you live in an area of high humidity and don’t want to add more moisture to your room, a nebulizing diffuser would be your best choice.
The device is made from ‘Plantation Hardwood’ or ‘Rubberwood,’ as it is sometimes known. It is eco-friendly in that it comes from plantation trees that have already served their useful purpose.
Some downsides are, that the aroma may be too intense for some when the scent is first emitted, but the fact that this model has a volume button will certainly help.
Being made from glass, the device is quite fragile. You will have to be careful when handling it. If you knock it, it may break.
However, if you do, all is not lost, fortunately, you can buy a Glass Cap Replacement for your Organic Aromas Essential Oil Diffuser.
Because nebulizing diffusers are more difficult to clean than ultrasonic diffusers, more maintenance time is required to look after them.
Organic Aromas are obviously very proud of their Nebulizing Essential Oil Diffuser and have taken steps to ensure a good relationship with their customers. They have taken the time to answer more of Amazon customer’s questions than most companies do. I have to say I am greatly impressed, and for this, they get a full 5 stars from me!
To view the Raindrop 2.0 Nebulizing Essential Oil Diffuser, Click here.
Glass Cap Replacements for Organic Aromas Essential Oil Diffusers are available, Click here.
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