Is A Candle Or Diffuser Better For A Room?

The home fragrance market has exploded in recent years. According to Grand View Research, the global home fragrance market size was valued at USD $7.13 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.0% from 2022 to 2030.

Within the home fragrance market, candles and diffusers are two of the most popular products that consumers purchase to scent their homes. In fact, candles account for 35% of home fragrance product launches, while diffusers make up just over 6%, according to research published in Moëllhausen Magazine.

Both candles and diffusers have their pros and cons when it comes to scenting living spaces. This article will compare the two, looking at performance, cost, aesthetics, and more to help consumers decide which is better for their needs.

How They Work

Candles release fragrance through a simple process. As the candle burns, the heat of the flame melts the wax. This melted wax pools around the wick and acts as fuel to draw the flame up through the wick. As the wax pool gets hotter, the fragrance oils in the candle also warm up and evaporate into the air. The evaporation process continuously releases fragrance from the candle as long as the wax pool stays melted (Homesick, 2022).

Diffusers work a bit differently to disperse fragrance. There are two main types of diffusers – electric and reed. Electric diffusers use the process of nebulization to turn essential oils into a fine mist. A small atomizer vibrates ultrasonically at a high frequency to break up the essential oils and water into microparticles. A fan then blows out this fragrant mist to scent the surrounding air (Real Homes, 2023). Reed diffusers rely on simple diffusion as the reeds draw up the fragrant oil and allow it to evaporate passively into the air.

Fragrance Options

Candles and diffusers both offer a wide range of fragrance options, though the specific scents available may vary between the two. For candles, some popular fragrance types include floral, fruity, baked goods, spice, and seasonal/holiday scents. Most candle brands offer between 10-40 unique fragrances. Diffusers typically use essential oils, which also come in a diverse array of scents like citrus, mint, pine, and herbs. Brands usually offer 5-15 singular oil scents or pre-made diffuser blends. Both allow combining scents, blending multiple fragrance oils in one candle or mixing essential oils for custom diffuser blends.

When choosing fragrances, keep in mind that not all essential oils are safe to diffuse, while candle fragrances are designed specifically for burning. Look for 100% pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils and always check that both candle and diffuser scents are free of harmful chemicals. Additionally, be aware that some individuals may be sensitive to strong scents from candles and diffusers.

For candles, fragrance load typically ranges from 6-18% though 10-12% is common, requiring testing to find the ideal concentration for each fragrance oil. Use a fragrance calculator to determine how many drops or ounces to add per candle. With diffusers, follow instructions but start with ~5 drops of essential oil per 100mL of water, adjusting as needed. Overall, both candles and diffusers allow personalized fragrance experiences through wide scent options.

Intensity of Scent

When comparing the intensity of scent between candles and diffusers, there are a few key factors to consider.

Candles tend to provide a stronger scent throw than diffusers. This is because when a candle burns, it releases fragrance into the air more rapidly as the hot wax pool evaporates. With a diffuser, the fragrance oils are passively emitted through the reeds or wicks over time. This results in a lighter, more gradual scent dispersal (source: https://karlwinters.com/scented-candles-reed-diffusers-smart-diffusers-which-works-best/).

The intensity of a candle’s scent also depends on the size of the room and air flow. In smaller spaces, the fragrance can be quite strong, while in larger rooms candles may struggle to fill the entire space. Diffusers generally provide a lighter scent but can be effective for larger areas (source: https://petitsrituels.com/en-us/blogs/petits-rituels-blog/reed-diffusers-versus-candles).

In summary, candles release a more powerful and immediate scent, while diffusers provide a lighter, more gradual fragrance over time.

Health Considerations

When comparing candles and diffusers, it’s important to consider potential health impacts. According to research from the Guardian, candles, diffusers and air fresheners can emit chemicals that may be harmful. Candles produce smoke and soot which can irritate lungs, aggravate asthma, and trigger allergy symptoms in some individuals. The soot particles can also contain cancer-causing chemicals like benzene and toluene. Diffusers with essential oils release compounds like limonene and alpha-pinene into the air, which can also cause issues for some people prone to allergies or asthma. When diffusing oils, it’s important to use only high quality, pure oils and to diffuse in well-ventilated spaces. Both candles and diffusers should be used in moderation to minimize health risks. Those with asthma, allergies or chemical sensitivities may want to avoid highly scented candles and diffusers altogether. Unscented candles or diffusing natural scents like lemon or eucalyptus may be safer options.

Cost Comparison

When looking at the costs of candles versus diffusers, there are a few factors to consider. According to EffYouMoney, an oil diffuser costs around $0.0352 per hour to run, while a scented candle costs around $0.10 per hour to burn. This means that candles are about 35% more expensive to use than diffusers. The size and quality of the candle also impacts the cost. As noted by CandleScience, higher quality candles with premium waxes, fragrances and containers will cost more. The typical price for an 8oz candle ranges from $10-$30. Diffuser oils can also vary in price, but are often cheaper per use than an equivalent candle.

When looking at long-term use, diffusers tend to be more economical. The upfront cost of a diffuser unit may be more expensive than buying a candle, but the recurring cost of oils is less than continually buying new candles. Diffusers also tend to last for years, while candles burn out quickly. So for continuous home scenting over many months or years, a diffuser is likely to be the cheaper option overall.

Ease of Use

Overall, diffusers tend to offer greater ease of use and require less maintenance than candles. Diffusers simply need to be plugged in, filled with water and essential oils, and turned on. The oils diffuse into the air automatically with no need to monitor a flame or relight constantly like candles. Many modern diffusers include timers, auto shut-off, and multiple mist settings for convenience. Diffuser cartridges also tend to last for weeks or months before needing a refill, while candles need to be relit every few hours as the flame goes out.

With candles, you must keep a close eye to avoid potential fire hazards. The wick needs to be trimmed regularly to maximize scent throw and prevent smoking. Candles also produce wax residue which requires cleaning up containers. Diffusers don’t create residue or require any cleaning besides refilling water and oils occasionally. Overall, diffusers provide a hands-off, mess-free experience that makes it simple to scent any space.

According to https://homesick.com/blogs/news/reed-diffuser-vs-candle-everything-you-need-to-know, “Reed diffusers require minimal maintenance. Plus, they provide an ‘always-on’ fragrance experience that is perfect for bathrooms, bedrooms and more.” Diffusers are designed to scent a space continuously with little effort compared to the maintenance candles require.

Aesthetics

Both candles and diffusers can provide pleasing scents, but they differ in their decorative value and visual appeal. Candles come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, colors and containers that allow them to serve as decorative accents as well as functional fragrance sources. From elegant taper candles to colorful pillar candles in glass holders, candles can complement any style. According to Four Interior Design Trends We’re Loving, natural materials like wood and stone are popular candle vessel trends that add organic and earthy elements to a space.

Diffusers often have a more sleek, minimalist look. While some feature decorative details, many are designed to blend seamlessly into the background. The reservoir and wicks are hidden, leaving only the outer housing visible. This allows diffusers to emit fragrance without being visual focal points. So for those wanting an unobtrusive aromatic, a diffuser may be preferable over the more conspicuous candle option. However, there are ornate diffuser styles that can serve as decor, and simpler candle designs for a lower profile look. Ultimately both can be excellent choices to fragrance and beautify an interior space.

Safety

Both candles and reed diffusers come with some safety concerns that should be considered. There is always a fire risk associated with having an open flame in your home, as candles can be easily knocked over by kids or pets, or forgotten about. According to the Candle-lite Company’s safety guidelines, you should never leave a burning candle unattended and should keep them out of reach of children and pets.

There are also potential toxicity risks from inhaling the compounds released into the air when candles or reed diffusers are used. Research suggests that using candles in moderation is generally safe, but there are concerns about potential effects from long-term inhalation of scent chemicals, especially for vulnerable groups like children and pets (1). Reed diffusers rely on synthetic fragrance oils that can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which may negatively impact indoor air quality.

It’s a good idea to ensure proper ventilation when using any scented products, only use high-quality candles/oils, and avoid excessive or continuous usage. Consulting your doctor is advised if you have respiratory issues like asthma. Overall, candles and diffusers come with minimal risks when used properly, but being aware of basic fire and toxicity precautions can help maximize safety.

(1) https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/09/well/scented-candles-health.html

Conclusion

In summary, both candles and diffusers have their pros and cons when it comes to scenting a room. Some key pros of candles are that they provide a stronger, more customizable scent and work well for creating an ambient mood. However, diffusers have benefits like being safer, more efficient, and distributing scent more evenly throughout a space. Diffusers may be the better choice for people concerned about health or fire risks. Candles can provide a more intense, targeted fragrance experience. Ultimately it comes down to personal preference and the specific needs of your space. Consider the intensity of scent you desire, safety, cost, and ease of use when deciding between candles or diffusers to scent your environment.