Collection: Aroma Diffusers & Humidifiers

Diffusers and humidifiers both put moisture into the air, but for different reasons — a diffuser disperses essential oils for scent, while an air humidifier raises humidity in a dry room. Many ultrasonic units do both. The important practical points are keeping them clean and knowing that essential oils are not safe around all pets. Think about whether you want scent or humidity, the room size, and who and what shares the space.

Diffuser or humidifier?

They overlap but serve different purposes:

• Ultrasonic diffuser: a small tank dispersing water and a few drops of essential oil as a fine mist, mainly for scent. Usually covers one room.
• Cool mist humidifier: a larger tank raising the moisture level of dry indoor air, which can help with dry skin, throat and nasal passages in winter or in air-conditioned rooms.

Choose a diffuser for scent in a room, or a humidifier if dry air is the actual problem you're solving.

Are essential oils safe around pets?

This matters and is often overlooked. A number of essential oils are toxic to cats, dogs and birds, and cats are particularly vulnerable because they lack certain liver enzymes that process these compounds. Birds have very sensitive respiratory systems and can react badly to airborne particles in general. Diffused oils settle on fur and are then groomed off and ingested. If you have pets, check with your vet before diffusing anything, keep diffusers out of rooms pets can't leave, and make sure animals can always move away from the area. If a pet shows drooling, vomiting, wobbliness or breathing difficulty, stop and contact a vet.

How do you keep a diffuser or humidifier clean?

Standing water in a warm tank grows bacteria and mould, and a dirty unit then disperses that into the air you're breathing — which is the main risk with these devices. Empty the tank after each use rather than leaving water sitting, and let it dry. Clean it regularly following the manufacturer's instructions, paying attention to the ultrasonic plate and any crevices. Use fresh water each time, and distilled or filtered water if your area has hard water, since minerals leave white dust and scale. Don't over-humidify either, as too much indoor moisture encourages mould growth on walls and furnishings.

Common questions

Are essential oil diffusers safe for pets?
Many essential oils are toxic to cats, dogs and birds, and cats are especially vulnerable. Check with your vet first, keep diffusers out of rooms pets can't leave, and stop if a pet seems unwell.

What's the difference between a diffuser and a humidifier?
A diffuser disperses essential oils for scent in one room; a humidifier has a larger tank and raises the moisture level of dry air. Some ultrasonic units do both.

How often should I clean a humidifier?
Empty and dry it after each use, and clean it regularly per the instructions. Standing water grows bacteria and mould, which the unit then disperses into the air.

Should I use tap water in a diffuser?
Distilled or filtered water is better in hard water areas, since minerals in tap water leave white dust and scale on the unit and surrounding surfaces.

Can I pay for a diffuser with Afterpay?
Yes. You can split it with Afterpay, Zip, Klarna or PayPal Pay in 4. Our aroma diffusers and humidifiers start from $18, which is four fortnightly payments of $4.50.

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A $18 aroma diffuser splits into four fortnightly payments of $4.5 with Afterpay, and Zip, Klarna and PayPal Pay in 4 do the same. Every order ships from our Australian warehouse, dispatched within 1–2 business days, with a 12-month warranty and 30 days to return it. We're a family-run Australian store, going since 2016, rated 4.66 out of 5 across 5,363 reviews.