Best reed diffusers – 12 fragrances for all budgets and seasons

We've tried and tested a bunch of the best reed diffusers, and here's our verdict

Best reed diffusers bleu graphic with white Rituals vessel and box
(Image credit: Future)

In search of a fancy new reed diffuser to ensure your home looks the part and smells the part? The team at Ideal Home have been hard at work testing some of the best reed diffusers around so that you have peace of mind when buying online. Whether it's for your own home or to gift to a friend, we've tried some of the most luxurious fragrances and given our true verdict on them below. We've also extensively tested our best home fragrance guide too if you want to shop for a matching diffuser and candle set. 

From Neom to The White Company and even a team favourite from Aldi, these are the best fragrances for your home this summer. We've ranked them based on our opinion whilst also considering each reed diffuser's size and fragrance, its look and its power. Plus, we've checked whether refills are available. For spring and summer, we suggest opting for something fresh or floral. For winter and autumn, we say to go for woody and spicy fragrances. Otherwise, citrus and oriental scents are great for year-round use.

We've rounded up our top 10 fragrances of the season below in diffuser form so that you can have access to one of the best ways to fragrance your home.

The best reed diffusers

How we tested these reed diffusers

Reed diffusers in testing on Annie's bedside table beside vase of pampas grass

(Image credit: Future)

Yep, the Ideal Home team have tested every reed diffuser you can find in this guide for up to two weeks, trying them out at home in order to get a picture of their value for money, longevity and all-important scent. We're also always in the process of testing the newest releases and fan favourites so that we can keep this guide up to date.

We're always conscious of the eco-friendly element too, as we know how important sustainability is to shoppers, as well as value for money.

Read our page for more information on how we test products at Ideal Home, and keep scrolling to find out more about our expert testers.

Molly Cleary
Molly Cleary

Molly is the Ecommerce Editor for Ideal Home, with the fortunate job of testing all of our home fragrance guides, as well as appliances spanning cleaning and cooking. 

She has tested a range of reed diffusers in her two-bed flat in London, popping a diffuser in each room to see how they can change a space. She has one large open plan living space, as well as a (sadly) windowless bathroom, both perfect spaces for testing the reach of a reed diffuser.

Annie Collyer
Annie Collyer

Annie is now the Head of Ecommerce at Ideal Home's sister title, Real Homes. She was previously the Deputy Ecommerce Editor for Ideal Home, and our in-house fragrance expert. 

She has tested a range of home fragrances for us (that's candles and reed diffusers) inside her specious 2-bed London flat over the past few years. She lives with two pets, so she's always on the lookout for pet-friendly diffusers too.

FAQs

What should I look for in a reed diffuser?

Home fragrance can be a tricky thing to get right, especially if you're looking for a way to rejuvenate lots of different rooms. Rachel Bough, Head of Buying at The Fragrance Shop is an expert in how to scent your home and thinks that the right materials go a long way when it comes to diffusers.

'Choose reed diffusers where the reed is made from rattan, other materials can absorb the fragrance oil rather than dispersing it across the room.', says Rachel, and make sure to 'choose reed diffusers that come in bottles with narrow necks, the fragrance oil can evaporate through the top of those with wide bottle openings rather than through the reeds.' 

Using diffusers with different notes across your home is one of our top tips to make your home smell excellent and can also make a huge difference to your mood. Small but impactful tips include opting for fresh smells in your bathroom, and avoiding anything too severe in your bedroom so as not to disturb your sleep. 


What are the pros and cons of buying a reed diffuser?

Reed diffusers are popular for a reason, as they can add so much to a room without needing much input from you. Rachel Bough, fragrance expert and Head of Buying at The Fragrance Shop, thinks the same, adding, 'A reed diffuser is very low-maintenance - all you need is that bottle and the reeds to create the fragrant scent you want transported around the room'. 

She adds that 'They continuously work and simply diffuse the oil that’s in their container until it runs out. Typically, it takes a few months for the fragrance in the bottle to run out completely, meaning they can also be long-lasting. Buying one for yourself means that you can personalise your home scent to what you like and need in each room.' 

As far as drawbacks go, Rachel adds that 'as a reed diffuser is a constant scent, you can't switch it off compared to an electric diffuser. If you're out of town or out for the day, that scent may go unappreciated and if it's a bold fragrance it can be quite overpowering after a long time of the house being unused. However, when you do get back, it's lovely being welcomed by a gorgeous home scent.'

Where should you not put a reed diffuser?

For reasons of safety and in order to preserve your scent, there are a few places on the no-go list when it comes to finding a home for your new diffuser. Rachel Bough, fragrance expert and Head of Buying at The Fragrance Shop, advises against putting your diffuser 'near radiators or other sources of heat. Heat can cause the oil in the diffuser to evaporate quicker, meaning that you’ll end up replacing the oil, or buying a new reed diffuser faster than necessary.'

To ensure that you're getting the most from your diffuser, Rachel also recommends avoiding 'external doors or open windows.' She adds that 'Putting a reed diffuser near an open door or window will only result in you losing the scent and wasting oil. If you place reed diffusers in a room where doors or windows are regularly open, place the diffuser on the opposite side of the room to get the best output'.

Sunny spots can also spell trouble for the life span of your diffuser, as 'this will cause the oil in the diffuser to evaporate', according to Rachel. 'It might look nice sitting on your windowsill, basking in the sunlight, but you’ll only end up having to replace your reed diffuser faster.'

So, where's the best spot for a diffuser? 'Near fans or air conditioners, as this will help to spread the fragrance throughout the room. Place them also in high traffic areas such as hallways as this helps to circulate the scent without the aid of a fan. It’s also a welcome treat whenever anyone enters a room.'


Annie Collyer
Deputy Ecommerce Editor

Annie is Ideal Home's Deputy Ecommerce Editor. With four years of eCommerce experience under her belt, you can find her shopping words of wisdom on Real Homes, Gardeningetc, Livingetc, Homes & Gardens and Woman & Home. When she's not planning ahead or curating deals for Amazon Prime Day or Black Friday, you can find Annie testing a range of products in her South London home, from reed diffusers to candles, BBQs, mattresses and even a few vacuum cleaners. 

With contributions from