I switched to these electric diffusers and my home now always smells luxurious – they're easy to control and much more potent than reed diffusers

I have long suffered with an extremely sensitive nose, meaning any unpleasant smells really bother me. That’s why I have loved and used reed diffusers for years. In 2025 however, I’ve made the switch to electric diffusers and I’m never going back.

They went to the top of my Christmas wish list and I was very lucky to be gifted two different ones. They have both been in constant daily use ever since, including the waterless portable Neom diffuser.

It's one of the main ways I make my house smell nice and I highly recommend switching to electric diffusers for the ease, control and potency they bring.

Why I now prefer electric diffusers to reed diffusers

1. Electric diffusers are more potent

With reed diffusers, the potency of the smell waxes and wanes depending on whether you have switched around the reeds. It’s one of those easy and quick ways to make a home smell nice options you set up and forget about, so overlooking the turning is an easy home fragrance mistake to make.

Professional cleaner Karina Toner, of Spekless, says, ‘Electric diffusers effectively disperse essential oils to maintain a fresh-smelling home, unlike passive methods like reed diffusers. They work well in high-traffic areas like living rooms, kitchens to neutralize cooking smells, and bedrooms for a relaxing atmosphere. Some models even have built-in timers and intermittent settings to control intensity throughout the day.’

When deciding whether you should go for a waterless electric oil diffuser, Fragrance expert and CEO of High On Love, Angela Mustone explains, 'Water-based diffusers that use ultrasonic technology are popular because they add humidity to the air while diffusing fragrance, making them great for dry climates.

'Waterless diffusers, on the other hand, use pure essential oils without dilution, so the scent is stronger and more concentrated. If you like a more subtle fragrance that blends into your space, go for water-based. If you want a powerful scent kick, waterless might be your best bet.'

Karina adds, ‘Reed diffusers provide a subtle, continuous scent without requiring electricity. However, they can lose effectiveness over time, and scent intensity isn’t adjustable. Electric diffusers allow for fragrance customization with different oils, intensity settings, and timed diffusion. While they require power, they offer greater control over scent strength and duration.’

I couldn't agree more. The other electric diffuser I was gifted and now use every day in my living room is The White Company's textured diffuser, available for purchase in the USA on Selfridges.

2. Electric diffusers are easier to control

With my electric diffusers, I can set them to run intermittently throughout the day, such as my waterless Neom diffuser which is portable and so easy to use. Our content editor Chiana Dickson also finds this same portable diffuser perfect for her entryway.

Or, I can set my timer-controlled water-based electric diffuser. I have the White Company's textured diffuser, available in the USA on Selfridges, which has a constant, 2 hour, or 8-hour timer.

Angela adds, 'Electric diffusers offer more control. You can turn them on and off, adjust intensity, and switch up scents easily. It really comes down to preference: if you like a background scent that’s always there, go for a reed diffuser. If you want more control, an electric diffuser is the way to go.'

Karina points out the pros and cons of maintaining waterless vs water-based electric diffusers. She explains, ‘Waterless diffusers don’t require cleaning but can use up oils faster. Meanwhile, water-based diffusers dilute oils for a gentler scent and add humidity to the air, making them ideal for dry climates. However, they need regular cleaning to prevent mold buildup.’

I can attest to the latter. I have to take my The White Company electric diffuser apart and remove what can only be described as pink mold, which is a build up of bacteria commonly found in humid or wet parts of the home. It doesn't take long though, and I take five minutes out of my day, once a month, to clean it. This doesn't amount to a lot of energy or time, and reduces the risk of mold building up in my diffuser.

A crevice scrubbing brush, available on Amazon is perfect for the job.

Fragrance expert Angela adds, 'Electric diffusers are a great way to keep your home smelling fresh without the overpowering scent of synthetic air fresheners. They let you control how much fragrance is released and for how long, which is perfect if you want a subtle, steady scent rather than an instant burst that fades quickly. Plus, they work well in larger spaces where reed diffusers might not reach every corner.'

3. Electric diffusers are easy to customize

With a reed diffuser, unless you decant the entire oil base, pour in a new one, and add new reeds to avoid mixing of smells, you’re stuck with the smell you initially picked out and paid for.

With my Neom one, I can switch out bottles of essential oils, press one button and it’s off on a new fragrance journey. With my water diffuser, I can pour out the water, switch to refresh, then add a new cup or two of water and 5-10 drops of my preferred scent and the device is ready to go. It also adds moisture to the air so when any of us are sick, I can use a soothing essential oil to gently fragrance and humidify the air in a specific room as needed.

4. Electric diffusers are more cost effective in the long haul

As even the best reed diffusers are not as potent as electric diffusers, you might find yourself turning those reeds more often, using up more oil than you’d like. My favorite one smelled divine, but needed turning every few days to be detectable in my small living room, which is about 250 square feet.

Now my electric diffuser is potent, and after eight solid weeks of daily use, I am yet to have to buy a replacement 10 ml bottle of essential oil. My favorite is a 100% pure geranium essential oil from Amazon, but Neom's own Luxury Essentil Oil Blend is my go to during the day as it makes my small home office smell like a spa.

Karina concurs, adding, ‘Electric diffusers can be more cost-effective in the long run because they use concentrated oils efficiently, especially models with intermittent mist settings. They also offer flexibility – users can mix essential oils to create custom scents, unlike reed diffusers, which come pre-mixed and cannot be adjusted once set up.’

What to shop

If like me you love making your home smell luxurious, I tried out an easy bathroom scenting hack with essential oils that made mine smell like a spa. Layering your home fragrance will also bolster the scent profile of your house. Whatever your favored aromas or method of delivery, make sure to pick non-toxic candles if that's preferred, in order to protect the health of your household.