What Oil Smells Best In Diffuser?
Essential oils have seen a surge in popularity in recent years as more people discover their benefits and uses, including in aromatherapy diffusers. According to Grand View Research, the global aromatherapy diffusers market was estimated at $1.66 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 8.1% from 2022 to 2030. With so many essential oils to choose from, it can be challenging to know which ones smell the best in your diffuser.
The purpose of this article is to help readers determine which essential oils have the best scents for diffusing, based on popular categories like floral, citrus, minty, spicy, and earthy. We’ll cover the most popular and pleasant smelling oils in each category. This will allow you to choose the best smelling oils to suit your unique preferences and needs, whether you want a sweet floral scent, an uplifting citrus aroma, or something else.
With so many factors impacting how we each experience scent, there is no definitive “best” essential oil. However, by understanding the scents in different oil categories, you’ll be equipped to select your new favorite to enjoy in your diffuser.
Most Popular Essential Oils for Diffusers
There are several essential oils that consistently rank among the most popular choices for diffusing. These oils not only smell great on their own, but also blend well with other scents. Some of the most popular essential oils for diffusers include:
Lavender – With its floral, herbaceous aroma, lavender is one of the most versatile and widely used essential oils. It has calming and relaxing properties. Lavender blends well with many other oils and is a great choice for beginners. (Source)
Lemon – Known for its fresh, bright, citrusy scent, lemon oil can energize and uplift. It has cleansing properties and mixes nicely with lavender and peppermint. Lemon oil can help purify the air. (Source)
Peppermint – With its minty aroma, peppermint oil can improve focus and concentration. It has an invigorating quality and may boost energy levels. Peppermint mixes well with citrus oils like lemon for a refreshed feeling. (Source)
Eucalyptus – Eucalyptus has a woody, earthy scent that can help clear nasal passages. It has a cool, calming effect when diffused. Eucalyptus blends nicely with lavender and lemon. It may help ease breathing. (Source)
Tea tree – With its slightly medicinal aroma, tea tree oil is known for its cleansing properties. It can help purify the air when diffused. Tea tree blends well with lavender and lemon. (Source)
Orange – Orange oil has a sweet, bright, citrusy scent that can uplift mood. It can be energizing and help reduce stress when diffused. Orange blends nicely with cinnamon and clove. (Source)
Frankincense – Frankincense has an earthy, woodsy aroma. It can help promote relaxation and sleep when diffused at bedtime. Frankincense combines nicely with lavender and bergamot. (Source)
Lemongrass – With its bright, grassy-citrus scent, lemongrass oil can help boost energy. It has cleansing properties and blends well with peppermint and lavender. Lemongrass may help purify the air. (Source)
Factors That Impact Scent
The scent experience when diffusing essential oils can vary greatly depending on several key factors:
Oil quality – High quality, pure essential oils will have a stronger, more consistent aroma than oils that are diluted or synthetically made. Reputable brands that use proper extraction methods tend to produce better smelling oils.
Diffuser style – The diffusion method impacts scent dispersion. Ultrasonic diffusers that vaporize oils into a fine mist tend to disperse scent faster than models that rely on heat or fan evaporation. Diffuser coverage area should align with room size.
Room size and ventilation – Diffuser scent will be more concentrated and pronounced in a smaller enclosed room versus a large open concept area. Windows, doors, HVAC systems that enable airflow will dilute aroma rapidity.
According to research from Du, B. (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ina.12919), essential oil diffusers can negatively impact indoor air quality through volatile organic compound emissions. Proper ventilation is key.
Best Smelling Floral Oils
Some of the most popular and soothing essential oils come from flowers. Floral oils like lavender, geranium, jasmine, rose, and ylang ylang not only smell fantastic, but also provide aromatherapy benefits like reducing stress and promoting calm.
Lavender is one of the most versatile and commonly used floral oils. It has a fresh, herbaceous, sweet floral scent that is widely appealing. Lavender oil can help relieve anxiety and tension, improve sleep, and soothe headaches when used in a diffuser.1
Geranium oil has a sweet, floral aroma with hints of citrus. It is known for lifting mood, easing stress, and promoting emotional wellbeing. Geranium is excellent for diffusion as it helps purify and freshen indoor air.2
Jasmine oil has an exotic, rich floral scent that soothes the senses. It is uplifting and confidence boosting. Jasmine makes a wonderful addition to diffuser blends, but use sparingly as it is potent. It pairs nicely with citrus and mint oils.3
Rose oil, made from rose petals, has an elegant, sweet floral aroma. It helps stimulate happiness and passion. Rose oil can be quite expensive, so it is often blended with a carrier oil when used in a diffuser.
Ylang ylang oil has a floral, slightly spicy fragrance. It acts as a mood booster and stress reducer. Ylang ylang blends well with citrus, wood, and spice oils for diffusion.
Best Smelling Citrus Oils
Citrus essential oils like lemon, grapefruit, bergamot, orange, and lime have fresh, bright scents that can energize and uplift. Here are some of the most popular and best smelling citrus oils for diffusers:
Lemon essential oil has a light, crisp scent that smells clean and refreshing. It’s known for its clarifying and cleansing properties. Lemon oil can brighten any blend and help create an energizing aroma.1
Grapefruit essential oil has an invigorating citrus aroma that is both fruity and floral. It smells fresh and tangy, and can help create a stimulating scent for the diffuser.
Bergamot essential oil has a wonderfully complex citrus scent that is both fruity and spicy. It has an uplifting aroma that can help improve mood and energy.
Orange essential oil smells sweet, fresh, and fruity – like the peels of a ripe orange. It has a joyful citrus scent that can brighten any blend.
Lime essential oil has an intense, sharp citrus fragrance. It smells bright and fresh, with slightly floral undertones. Lime oil helps provide an exotic and energizing citrus aroma.
When blended together, citrus oils create a lively, uplifting fragrance. Try combining lemon, grapefruit, and lime for a tropical aroma. Or mix bergamot and orange for a more sophisticated blend.
Best Smelling Minty Oils
Some of the most popular and best smelling essential oils for diffusers fall into the minty category. The sharp, invigorating scents of mint oils can provide an energizing and uplifting aroma.
Peppermint is one of the most widely used minty essential oils. With its strong menthol scent, peppermint oil provides a cooling sensation and helps improve focus and concentration (1). Peppermint oil has also been shown to reduce stress and boost energy levels.
Another excellent option is spearmint essential oil. Spearmint has a sweeter, more delicate aroma than peppermint. It offers relaxing qualities while also stimulating the mind (2). Spearmint oil can help open up sinuses and relieve headaches as well.
Eucalyptus essential oil rounds out the top minty oils for diffusers. Eucalyptus has a woody, earthy scent that promotes feelings of relaxation. Studies show eucalyptus oil can relieve coughs and congestion, while also reducing stress and tension (3).
Minty oils like peppermint, spearmint, and eucalyptus provide an extra burst of crisp freshness. They are great to diffuse when you need an energizing lift or to clear your head.
(1) https://www.sourcevital.com/collections/mint-scented-essential-oils
(2) https://www.vedaoils.com/blogs/essentialoils/minty-essential-oils
(3) https://www.nowfoods.com/products/essential-oils/aromatherapy/mint-scented-oils
Best Smelling Spicy Oils
For a warm, cozy scent, you can’t beat diffusing spicy essential oils. Some of the most popular spicy oils for diffusers are cinnamon, clove, cardamom, and ginger.
Cinnamon essential oil has a sweet yet spicy aroma that’s perfect for the fall and winter. It’s known for its warming properties and ability to promote feelings of comfort. Some research suggests cinnamon oil can also support respiratory health. See more at: https://www.nowfoods.com/products/essential-oils/aromatherapy/spicy-scented-oils
Clove essential oil has a strong, pungent scent that smells vaguely of the holiday spice. It has a woody yet warming aroma that blends well with citrus and herb oils. Clove oil can help cleanse the air of unwanted odors and provide antioxidant support. Find spicy clove oil blends at: https://www.radhabeauty.com/blogs/radha-blog/a-guide-to-woodsy-earthy-and-spicy-essential-oils
Cardamom oil features sweet, spicy notes that provide a unique fragrance. It is said to promote clear breathing and soothe away tension. Cardamom combines nicely with eucalyptus and bergamot. Check out more spicy essential oils at: https://www.sourcevital.com/collections/spicy-essential-oils
Ginger essential oil has a warm, sharp aroma that energizes. The invigorating scent promotes vitality and comfort. Ginger blends well with citrus and floral oils. Diffusing ginger oil can uplift mood and provide antioxidant support.
Best Smelling Earthy Oils
Some of the best smelling earthy essential oils for diffusers include:
Sandalwood – Known for its rich, sweet, woody aroma, sandalwood oil is very relaxing and calming. It can help reduce stress and anxiety. Sandalwood blends well with lavender, bergamot, and myrrh (VedaOils).
Patchouli – Patchouli has an easily recognizable rich, musky, earthy scent. It promotes feelings of calmness and security. It combines well with lavender, bergamot, cedarwood, clary sage, geranium, and frankincense (RadhaBeauty).
Vetiver – Known as the “Oil of Tranquility,” vetiver has a sweet, earthy, woody scent. It helps relieve stress, anxiety, panic attacks, depression and nervous tension. It blends well with cedarwood, patchouli, ylang ylang, and lavender (VedaOils).
Clary Sage – Clary sage has an earthy, woody scent that is also described as musky and herbaceous. It has calming, soothing properties that help relieve depression and anxiety. It combines well with cedarwood, sandalwood patchouli, and frankincense (RadhaBeauty).
Blends for Great Diffuser Scents
There are many essential oil blends that can create wonderful aromas in your diffuser. Here are some recommended recipes for different scent categories:
Floral Blends
Floral essential oils like lavender, geranium, and ylang ylang have sweet, delicate fragrances. Try mixing 2-3 drops of each:
Citrus Blends
Citrus oils like lemon, grapefruit, and bergamot have fresh, uplifting scents. Combine 2-3 drops of:
- Wild Orange + Lemon + Lime (Source)
- Grapefruit + Bergamot + Tangerine
Minty Blends
Minty oils like peppermint and spearmint have refreshing, cooling aromas. Mix 2-4 drops of:
- Peppermint + Spearmint + Eucalyptus
- Peppermint + Lavender + Rosemary (Source)
Choosing the Best Oil for You
When selecting an essential oil for your diffuser, consider your personal scent preferences and the health benefits you hope to achieve. Some key factors to consider include:
Scent Preferences: Essential oils have a wide variety of scents from floral to minty to earthy. Think about which scent profiles appeal most to you. Citrus oils like lemon, grapefruit and orange tend to have uplifting and energizing aromas. Floral oils like lavender and geranium can be calming and soothing. Woody oils like cedarwood and sandalwood have a grounding effect.
Health Benefits: Many essential oils are touted for certain health-promoting properties. For example, eucalyptus is thought to help clear sinuses, lavender may aid sleep and relaxation, and tea tree has anti-microbial effects. Consider your health goals and look for an oil that aligns with your needs.
Take some time to experiment with different oil options. Blending a few complementary scents can allow you to create a custom diffuser aroma. Pay attention to how each oil makes you feel when diffused. With so many options, you’ll likely find the perfect oil or blend that suits your individual preferences.
