Essential oil diffusers are devices that disperse essential oils into the atmosphere so they can be absorbed. A nebulizing diffuser does not need heat or water but uses an air pump instead to atomize the essential oils. Heat can affect the chemical composition of the oils and when water is used, oils are diluted. By using a nebulizing oil diffuser you will be able to enjoy 100% of the benefits of your essential oils.
Nebulizers consist of three basic components – the base, the nebulizer and a pump. The pump is the source of compressed air, needed for the nebulizing process. They are made of a number of different materials such as metal, wood, plastic, aluminum, ceramic, porcelain and glass.
Nebulizer | Sq Ft Coverage | Best for... |
800 | Simplicity | |
800 | Minimalist, modern design | |
1,000 | Nanotechnology, coverage | |
800 | Touch sensor | |
900 | Classic design |
How Does a Nebulizer Work?
When the nebulizer is turned on, the air pump blows a stream of air across the tube of the nozzle, creating a vacuum. The high velocity stream of pressured air breaks down the oils and the atomized particles are pumped into small tubes and pulled to the surface because of the vacuum. They are then-propelled out as a fine mist into the air.
These particles are very fine so they remain in the air for a long time and they don’t affect the moisture levels in a room. A quality nebulizer has a tiny nozzle with minute holes for spraying the oil. The glass part of the nebulizer includes the nozzle, and is where the essential oil goes. It’s important to have a glass nebulizer because essential oils are combustible to a certain extent and other material may be flammable.
What to Consider When Choosing a Nebulizing Diffuser
Here are some of the major factors to bear in mind before making a choice:
- Timer – a timer allows you control over how much mist is dispersed.
- Capacity – most nebulizers run for approximately 4 hours before they need to be refilled but the best ones will run for about 10 hours.
- Automatic shut-off – this is important because it increases its lifespan and reduces power consumption.
- LED lights – some circulate through a range of colors and offer the option of staying on one color. Others offer only one color.
- Easy to use and clean.
- Materials used.
- Noise level.
- Manufacturer’s warranty.
Reading reviews can also play a part in giving you an idea of what other people have experienced when using certain units.
Choosing the Best Nebulizing Essential Oil Diffuser
To fully realize the benefits of pure organic essential oils, using one of the best nebulizing diffusers is essential. Here are some of the top ones on the market today:
Nebulizer | Sq Ft Coverage | Best for... |
800 | Simplicity | |
800 | Minimalist, modern design | |
1,000 | Nanotechnology, coverage | |
800 | Touch sensor | |
900 | Classic design |
Elegance 2.0 Nebulizing Essential Oil Diffuser
The Elegance 2.0 Nebulizing Essential Oil Diffuser by Organic Aromas features a dark wood base and a glass top. It is good quality, has a beautiful design and a built-in timer. One of its best features is that it has a touch sensor that is easily swiped with a finger to turn on the LED light.
In ideal conditions, it covers up to 800 square feet and consumes a low amount of power due to its 1-minute or 2-minute on-off cycles. It is whisper quiet and has an automatic shut-off. The manufacturer’s advice cleaning the glass reservoir by giving it a quick rise with isopropyl rubbing alcohol once a week and customers report that this works very well. A one-year free parts and service warranty is offered.
Sofia Waterless Nebulizing Essential Oil Diffuser
The Sofia Waterless Nebulizing Essential Oil Diffuser is part of the Pilgrim Collection. This diffuser is with its sleek, minimalist design is made of oak wood and handmade ceramic. Two glass reservoirs are included with your purchase so you can change essential oils without having to worry about cleaning.
You are able to adjust the mist level and functions on a cycle of 2 minutes on and 1 minute off and it has a surface capacity of 800 square feet. It shuts off automatically after 2 hours of use.
The LED light can be switched on with one click, clicked twice to use on meditation mode or turned off with a third click. The light is a light yellow and is great for meditating. The manual comes with detailed instructions that need to be followed carefully. The unit has a one-year warranty and a 30-day money back guarantee.
Professional Essential Oil Diffuser by Herba Terra
The Professional Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser by Herba Terra uses nanotechnology. It’s strongly built from aluminum with corrosion-resistant parts. The nanotechnology allows it to break down oils into very light, tiny nano particles that are efficiently distributed into the atmosphere and inhaled, rather than heavier particles which drift down quickly onto furniture and floors.
This unit may be expensive to purchase but it uses only 1ml of essential oil an hour, covering up to 1,000 square feet. Many other diffusers use much more oil to cover much less area. It will work continuously for eight hours a day and up to 2,080 hours a year without clogging. The air pump offers 8,000 hours of life which is way superior to other pumps.
The unit has a remote control with three settings – the first allows you to increase or decrease the amount of oil used, the second is for interval diffusing and the third one for continuous diffusing. It is convenient and safe to use with automatic shut-off and very quiet operation. It can be cleaned by running it for about 15-30 minutes with about a half ounce of alcohol inside. This is a powerful little high-tech device that is also user-friendly.
Nebulizing Diffuser with Touch Sensor by Organic Aromas
The Nebulizing Diffuser with Touch Sensor by Organic Aromas is great for meditation rooms, while bathing, or for professional uses like practicing yoga. It boasts a unique design that is mesmerizing and relaxing. This nebulizer is whisper quiet as it operates. A gentle LED light illuminates this nebulizer and a power switch that operates with the swipe of a finger allows you to control it with ease.
This concentrated diffusion method will fill roughly 800 square feet of your home with the pleasant aroma of your favorite essential oil. This nebulizer works in a unique cycle of two minutes off, one minute off for two hours. After this, the nebulizer will shut off. This is the result of extensive research that determined this is the best method of delivery to produce the optimal concentration throughout your home.
Nebulizing Diffuser with Touch Sensor by Organic Aromas
The Aromis Wood and Glass Diffuser is a very classic looking diffuser spreads the essential oil in a nebulizer fashion, using only air pressure. It is constructed of wood and glass so that no plastics come into contact with your essential oils. It’s relatively powerful, covering up to 900 square feet of indoor space, which is quite a lot and probably more than most people require.
Other features include a timer function that allows it to operate for ten minutes on and ten minutes off. It also has an auto shut off function that will disable the diffuser after 4 hours of use, saving precious essential oil if you happen to forget about it.
What Are the Health Benefits of an Essential Oil Nebulizer?
There is a lot to be said to the health benefits of incorporating essential oils in your life. A great alternative to many mainstream medications, essential oils can do everything from help kickstart your brain to combating insomnia. It has even been found that some essential oils have natural anti-depressant, anti-anxiety and even anti-inflammatory properties in them making their healing effects nearly endless.
These miracle workers have many benefits but using them through a nebulizer has three key benefits:
1) Stress Reduction and Relaxation
Using essential oils is an excellent, affordable and natural way to relax when you are at home. Stress is the source of many health problems that range from a weakened immune system, chronic aches and pain, and heart disease. Using essential oils with an oil nebulizer is a safe and natural way to create a pleasant, relaxing environment in your home.
2) Cleaning the Air
This is a great way to not just mask your air, but clean it as well. When using an essential oil nebulizer you can eliminate fungi, odors, bacteria, and viruses in your home. Essential oils have been shown to have the profound effect of targeting and eliminating surface and airborne fungi, bacteria, and viruses. This can be extremely helpful for anyone who has mold allergies or a family trying to combat the flu.
3) Clearing your Sinuses and Airways
Using essential oils in your nebulizer is also an excellent way to open up your airway and clear your sinuses. Using strong scented essential oils with a nebulizer is particularly helpful with seasonal allergies or general congestion. Inhaling the pleasant and refreshing scents of pine, peppermint, eucalyptus, and tea tree oil is sure to clear your nasal passages in no time.
How Does it Differ from Other Essential Oil Dispersion Methods?
An ultrasonic diffuser uses water to propel the essential oils into the air. This water combines with your essential oil to deliver a fragrant light mist into the air. This often carries an added benefit of being able to be used as a humidifier as well. This diffusion method operates using a significant amount of water and thus reduces the potency and effective radius of this diffuser.
Candle diffusers have become one of the most popular diffusion methods of essential oils in recent years. The most prominent downside of using a candle diffuser is that you run the risk of causing a fire due to the open flame. It is also important to note that when burning essential oils you drastically reduce the health properties of the oil. While this is an effective and affordable way of filling your home with an attractive scent, it is not ideal when hoping to obtain the health benefits of essential oils.
Why a Nebulizer Is So Effective
The biggest benefit of using a nebulizer is that it runs using a concentration of essential oil rather than a diluted solution of oil and water. This maximizes your health benefits and also reduces the runtime of the product. A larger square footage will fill with your chosen scent in much less time when using this concentrated method.
A nebulizer is the only diffusion method that works without the use of heat This allows them to deliver the most pure and effective substance.
While nebulizers typically run more expensive for both initial cost as well as use more essential oils and thus long term costs are higher, the benefits are so great it is well worth the cost. Nebulizers only use pure oils which deliver the maximum effectiveness when it comes to serving as an antiviral, anti-fungal, or antibacterial agent. That also makes the oils stronger for reducing nasal and airway congestion, along with shutting down air and surface bacteria, viruses, and allergens.
Final Thoughts
When incorporating the natural health benefits of essential oils into your everyday life, the use of a nebulizer is among the safest and most effective ways of doing so. Many mainstream air fresheners have harmful chemicals that produce the scent. These chemicals aren’t healthy to inhale, especially for prolonged periods of time.
Nebulizing essential oil diffusers offer you 100% of the great benefits of your essential oils. The designs of some of these units are quite beautiful and will blend with your décor. The materials used make them sturdy and safe.
It’s very easy to learn how to use a nebulizer and to clean it – simply follow the step-by-step instructions in the instruction manuals provided with the units. Many of them are very user-friendly and convenient to use.
Have you ever tried using a nebulizer to distribute your essential oil? Let us know how you liked it in the comment section below.