The 3 Best Essential Oil Diffusers (and One to Avoid)

I first discovered about Pura from a buddy whose home at all times smelled like a high-end boutique beneath each circumstance. Cooking challenge, water leak … it doesn’t matter what was occurring in her home on the time, I solely ever smelled berries. I’ve two cats and a multi-sports-playing tween—I knew I wanted this. Now, about 14 months into my Pura journey, I’ve some ideas.

Whereas most of my time has been with the now discontinued Pura 3, I’ve additionally since used the Pura 4 and new large-room Pura Plus, all of which have twin bays for 2 of Pura’s proprietary oil cartridges. The Pura 3 and 4 each plug into an outlet and may solely be managed by way of the accompanying app (or Alexa or Google House). That is handy for setting schedules and timers, switching fragrances, and altering the colour of the non-compulsory night-light, however there have additionally been quite a few events the place I’ve wished to cease or begin or change a schedule however have been unable to as a result of I forgot my password or the diffuser couldn’t hook up with Wi-Fi. Within the second, it was infuriating. Mercifully, the stand-alone, cylindrical Pura Plus has guide management buttons on the entrance. The smaller Pura 4 actually is greatest for enclosed areas, like a protracted entryway or a bed room (notice that each solely work with 2.4-Ghz Wi-Fi). When you have excessive ceilings or any type of open flooring plan, you’ll get higher outcomes from the Pura Plus. Simply notice that, in contrast to the silent Pura 4, the Plus emits an audible whooshing sound that’s really fairly loud—32 decibels, as loud as a fan on low.

One other disappointing characteristic is the extraordinarily various high quality amongst cartridge manufacturers. I’ve skilled undetectable scents, chip stickers that arrive indifferent or register the flawed perfume (the diffusers robotically scan the chips to indicate the fragrances within the app), and vial tops so caught on they required pliers. On condition that the cartridges run $11 to $17 for 0.33 ounces, I’m of the opinion this shouldn’t be taking place. That mentioned, Pura is thought for its clear, upscale oils which can be protected for pets and households, and on this it delivers. There’s an intensive number of seasonal and year-round cartridges from firms like Nest, Anthropologie, and Capri Blue, and I’ve cherished all however possibly one of many dozen or so I’ve tried. Due to the small measurement and worth of the cartridges, Pura may not be the only option if you wish to odor diffuser all day, every single day, as you’ll find yourself spending a small fortune. Nonetheless, when you love distinctive luxurious scents and solely want them sometimes and/or on demand, Pura is the way in which to go. —Kat Merck

TypeNebulizerAdditional FeaturesSmart options, night-lightOil TypeProprietaryRemote?No