Choose by what you want most. For scent with a soft mist and mood lighting, get an ultrasonic aroma diffuser: you add water and a few drops of essential oil (from $18 at Buyrouth). For steady scent with no electricity, no flame and no refilling of water, get a reed diffuser (from $11). To add moisture to dry air, you need a humidifier with a bigger tank: Buyrouth's 500 mL diffuser doubles as one, and there is a portable USB humidifier for a desk or bedside ($12).

How each one works

• Ultrasonic aroma diffuser: a small plate vibrates and turns water and oil into a cool mist. Tanks are usually 100–200 mL and run for a few hours, and most switch off automatically when the water runs out. Many add LED or "flame" lighting.
• Humidifier: the same mist principle, but built to add moisture to a room, so it has a larger tank or a longer run time. Some diffusers do both jobs.
• Reed diffuser: fragrance oil climbs up rattan reeds and scents the air around the bottle all day. Turn the reeds over now and then to refresh the scent.
• Oil burner: a tea light warms oil or wax in a ceramic bowl. It uses an open flame, so never leave it burning unattended.

Quick comparison

• Scent strength: diffusers and burners give a stronger burst you can switch on and off; reed diffusers give a gentle, constant scent.
• Power: diffusers and humidifiers need a socket or USB; reed diffusers need nothing, which helps during power cuts.
• Upkeep: diffusers need fresh water and a regular rinse; reed diffusers only need a refill when the oil runs low.
• Light: most diffusers double as a night light; reed diffusers are pure decor.

Aroma diffusers

• Modern Minimal Mist Aroma Diffuser ($18): a 120 mL tank, one-touch control and warm, colour-cycle or fixed-colour light.
• Volcano Fire Flame Aroma Diffuser ($22): a 130 mL tank for about 6 hours, a flame effect in 7 colours and automatic shut-off. Black or white.
• Dynamic Cloud Spring Mist Aroma Diffuser #DQ-715 ($22): a 200 mL tank, 10–30 mL of mist per hour, USB-C powered.
• Multi Fire Flame Aroma Diffuser ($29): a seven-colour flame and 1, 3 or 6-hour timers.
• Fireplace Simulation Flame Diffuser #DQ-717 ($33): a mini fireplace with a 150 mL tank.
• Nordic Flame Aroma Diffuser ($39): a 150 mL tank, red or blue flame modes and automatic shut-off.
• Nordic Ceramic Essential Oil Aroma Diffuser ($45): a ceramic body, a 100 mL tank and colour-changing LEDs.

Humidifiers and 2-in-1 models

• Essential Oil Aromatherapy Diffuser ($22): the largest tank here at 500 mL, up to 10 hours of mist, two mist levels, timer and remote. The supplier rates it for rooms of 10–40 m². Use it with water only as a humidifier, or add oil.
• Flame Diffuser Humidifier ($21): a fireplace-style flame effect, top filling and a water sensor that stops it when the tank is empty.
• Portable USB Humidifier ($12): a 270 mL tank, continuous or intermittent mist, a night light and automatic shut-off after 4 or 6 hours.

Reed diffusers and refills

• Airtistiq Oil Reed Diffuser (from $11): 50 mL or 120 mL, in Ocean, Lavender, Amber or Sandalwood Bergamot.
• 120 mL Oil Reed Diffuser ($12): Lavender, Gardenia, Jasmine or Freesia, with 14.5 cm reeds.
• Airtistiq 100 mL Air Lab Reed Diffuser #RD032 ($13): five scents, from Lemon to Sea Salt Caramel.
• CUTI 200 mL Oil Reed Diffuser ($15): a black glass bottle, in scents such as White Tea and Gardenia.
• Airtistiq 220 mL Botanical Reed Diffuser ($19): real botanicals in clear oil, in Mossy Path or Rose Drizzle.
• Airtistiq 500 mL Reed Diffuser Oil Refill ($16): tops up any reed diffuser. The supplier says one bottle lasts up to 3–6 months.

Oils and burners

For electric diffusers, add a few drops of essential oil to the water: the listings suggest 2–3 drops for the Flame Diffuser Humidifier and 3–5 for the Volcano. 10 mL pure essential oils start at $3. If you prefer a candle, the wood and ceramic oil burner ($12) has an 80 mL bowl for oil or wax melts.

Buying from Buyrouth

Standard delivery across Lebanon costs $5 and takes 2–5 working days, free on orders of $75 or more. Fast delivery costs $8: 24 hours within Beirut, 72 hours outside. Pay cash on delivery or by card, or pick up in Sin El Fil between 9 am and 4 pm.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use an aroma diffuser as a humidifier?

A small diffuser adds only a little moisture. For humidifying, choose the 500 mL Essential Oil Aromatherapy Diffuser, which runs for up to 10 hours, and use it with water only if you don't want scent.

How many drops of essential oil should I add?

Follow the listing for your model: 2–3 drops for the Flame Diffuser Humidifier and 3–5 drops for the Volcano diffuser. Start low and add more if the scent is too light.

Which option works without electricity?

A reed diffuser. It needs no power, water or flame, so it keeps scenting the room through power cuts.

Should I use tap water in a diffuser?

Some listings recommend purified water: the Flame Diffuser Humidifier says to pour purified water into the tank. Empty and rinse the tank regularly whatever water you use.