One of the biggest compliments I receive regularly as a longtime lover of all things beauty and fashion happens to be that my space always smells good. My secret to maintaining a delightfully fragranced home can be traced back to a single multipurpose item that makes an appearance in almost every room I find myself in—reed diffusers. In addition to being a convenient and long-lasting way to infuse a room with my favorite fragrances (I’m a sucker for all things floral), they often serve as an eye-catching piece of home décor thanks to their beautifully designed vessels and reed sticks. For the fragrance lovers out there who aren’t big fans of candles, this is an option you should seriously consider adding to your space.
To find out which reed diffusers deserve attention, I tapped a number of Who What Wear beauty and fashion editors for the 10 products they’ll always return to once their favorite reed diffusers have run their course, which can take months or even years in some cases. Keep scrolling to discover which ones we use to keep our spaces smelling amazing year-round. There’s something here for everyone, whether you’re on the hunt for something extra luxe, affordable, or a particular fragrance profile.
Reed diffusers are popular home fragrance products that allow aroma to continuously diffuse into the air throughout an entire area in an elegant, flameless way. Like any fragrance, be sure you don’t have any sensitivities to the ingredients before using them. One major tip for anyone looking to add a reed diffuser to their space is to first determine where it would best be placed. Some popular locations for reed diffusers are foyers and entryways, kitchens, offices, bedrooms, and bathrooms.
The larger the space you’d like to use a reed diffuser, the more fragranced oil a reed diffuser should hold. Airflow also plays a significant role in how a scent moves throughout a space, so if your reed diffuser will be in a room with consistent airflow, you’ll want to go larger. If a room has heavy foot traffic, ensure the surface your reed diffuser will be placed on is flat and away from the risk of knocks.
Reed diffusers come in a variety of shapes and sizes and have three main components: fragrance oil crafted from a mixture of essential oils, reed sticks (which are traditionally made from natural rattan reeds) to soak up and disperse the scent, and a vessel to hold the oil and reeds in place. As with anything, having a general understanding of how to use your reed diffuser can help you get the most out of it. To set up your diffuser, place a few paper towels or a reed diffuser tray to catch any spills. To begin, gently remove the seal on the oil jar or vessel, paying particular attention to its level.
Next, place the reed sticks in the vessel so that one end is submerged in the fragrance oil while the other end is exposed to the air. Each reed has small pores that allow the fragrance oil to be absorbed and travel to the top half of the stick. For a fresh burst of fragrance, the sticks should be rotated every one to two weeks. This helps prevent the reeds from getting clogged! To do this, simply take the reeds out and put the dry end into the vessel.
Once the fragrance oil has reached the part of the reed that’s outside of the bottle, it will evaporate and release scent molecules into the air for a constant, fresh scent ideal for anywhere you’d like to maintain a delightful fragrance with little-to-no effort.
Key notes: Bulgarian roses, black currant leaves, black currant buds, ambergris, moss. Designed to perfume large spaces, the Diptyque Baies Fragranced Reed Diffuser faithfully diffuses the brand’s signature scent. Housed in a faceted oval glass vessel in the emblematic shape of the maison that creates a prismatic effect in which the rattan reeds appear multiplied, this diffuser is effortlessly elegant. “The Diptyque Home Diffusers are a wonderful home-fragrance option ideal for large spaces with a continuous scent that fills the room, Baies has an uplifting floral scent, a combination of Bulgarian rose and black currant. The diffusers make a beautiful home accent piece, and I also love that refills are available for the product. I would highly recommend.” — Nordstrom customer
Key notes: santal, French bourbon vanilla, oud. Fellow beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock has quickly become enamored with Voluspa’s Santal Vanille Home Diffuser. Combining vanilla, exotic oud, and warm sandalwood, this fragrant diffuser oil is hand-poured into a chic embossed glass vessel. Think maximum fragrance with minimal effort. “I love this unique take on a classic vanilla scent. This scent is very sophisticated, subtle, and still warm and cozy at the same time. The fragrance throw is perfect for a smaller space like a bedroom or bathroom. This diffuser is elegantly designed, smells great, and adds to the look and feel of a room. Perfectly done.” — Sephora customer
Key notes: Namibian myrrh, lavender, warm almond, vanilla. If a captivating sweetness and warmth is what you’re after, look no further than this limited-edition reed diffuser by Jo Malone. Its unique fragrance combines the golden sap of the Namibian myrrh tree harvested in the desert with smooth tonka bean and lush vanilla for a powerful but not overwhelming fragrance that will complement whatever space it’s placed in. “I was unsure about purchasing this item having read the reviews saying this diffuser isn’t very strong, but I would have to completely disagree! I have this in my entrance hall, and it can be smelled before even entering the apartment! This along with Velvet Rose & Oud are the strongest diffusers—absolutely love!” — Saks Fifth Avenue customer
Key notes: rose de mai, smoky oud, patchouli, black leather. My hopeless-romantic tendencies even extend to the fragrances I’m attracted to. One of my favorites, Nest’s Rose Noir & Oud Reed Diffuser is a sultry floral fragrance that smells like the unparalleled mystery and excitement that comes with only the best first-date experiences. It also features an alcohol-free formula that releases fragrance slowly and evenly into the air for approximately 90 days. “An unforgettable fragrance that brightens up any room! I purchased two and then decided I wanted an additional one which I purchased and [placed] in all my bathrooms. Would highly recommend! This fragrance reminds me of love and romance and makes me feel beautiful every morning!” — Neiman Marcus customer
Key notes: green tea, ripe fig, Sicilian bergamot, patchouli, musk, cedarwood. Have you ever wondered what a fashion editor uses for a home fragrance? Take notes from our very own Anna LaPlaca, whose first pick for a welcoming entryway or guest-bathroom reed diffuser features robust notes of black tea, earthy patchouli, cedarwood, and ambergris. Altogether complex and enchanting, Edition’s Reed Diffuser Set features high-quality, sleek black reeds to arrange in a chic glazed vessel. “The Edition Reed Diffuser was originally a gift. The last one lasted three years. Gradually faded but still smelled great in a small area. I had to have another one. The fragrance is amazing and so long-lasting. My entire house smells great.” — Amazon customer
Key notes: satsuma citrus, lily of the valley, sugared black currant, prosecco, champagne. Vibrant, fresh, and ravishing, Antica Farmacista’s Prosecco Home Ambiance Perfume perfectly balances its top notes of sparkling satsuma citrus with subtle floral notes of muguet, juicy apricot, lively nectarine, and sweet vanilla. What’s more, the charming, classic design of the reed diffuser vessel is inspired by antique apothecary bottles. “I love this scent and love how long the diffusers last! I was given a bottle about four years ago as a gift and have been using it ever since. The smell is light and fresh. I use it in my bedroom and go through about two a year—I restock every Anniversary Sale to get a great price!” — Nordstrom customer
Key notes: white neroli, powdery mimosa, lemon, woods. Have you ever smelled happiness? Neom’s Happiness Reed Diffuser is exactly what I’d imagine a bright, sunny day to smell like with a luxurious scented oil that mixes white neroli, lemon, and mimosa. Part of Neom’s Scent to Make You Happy collection, the diffuser arrives in a minimalistic glass container with an array of black reeds. “The Neom Happiness Diffuser is a wonderful addition to any home. The diffuser is easy to use, and the scent lasts for a long time. It’s perfect for creating a relaxing and calming environment, and the packaging is really beautiful. Overall, I highly recommend the Neom Happiness Diffuser to anyone who wants to create a peaceful atmosphere in their home.” — Space NK customer
Key notes: cedarwood, moss, pink pepper, spicy cardamom, fir balsam. If you know me, then you know fall is, by far, my favorite time of year. Maison Margiela’s Replica Autumn Vibes brings the warmth of the season year-round with a gorgeous spicy fragrance comprised of woods, moss, pink pepper, and spicy cardamom. Its crisp, woody scent is contained in the brand’s signature white bottle also inspired by classic apothecary jars. Trust me when I say this one brings out the fall lover in all of us. “This diffuser really does smell like the perfect fall! It’s a nice warm scent that’s a little spicy and a little earthy. I was also surprised by the throw of the diffuser. I put it in a 150 sq ft room, and it had no problem filling the space. Well worth the price and will certainly buy again. I love Maison Margiela’s perfumes, so I can’t wait to try my other favorite scents as diffusers.” — Nordstrom customer
Key notes: bergamot, grapefruit, oak wood, patchouli, amber, leather, moss, vanilla. According to the brand, this unique fragrance is inspired by “a hotel of Havana under the fixed sun of the Revolution.” Our editor in chief, Kat Collings, loves to use Trudon’s luxurious leather- and tobacco-scented diffuser by French heritage brand Trudon in the living room of her West Hollywood home. Along with black reeds, the set features a stunning Trudon-green fluted container adorned with a gold emblem. “Love Trudon’s bottles—they are so beautiful and luxe. This scent is really difficult to describe, but it is awesome! It is a complex, musky scent that is subtle yet catches your attention and is not overpowering at all.” — Bloomingdale’s customer
Key notes: coconut, lavender, cashmere. Here’s an affordable option that McLintock would definitely use to fill the bedroom with a comforting fragrance for days on end. The Casaluna set comes with a set of reed sticks and a frosted-glass jar that looks gorgeous in any setting. “This smells lovely! I don’t know what it is about it, but it’s just incredible. I would buy this in a perfume if I could, and I’m gonna be on the [lookout] for the room spray with this scent. The diffuser itself is nice and good quality, and the packaging was secure. The smell fills my room, and it’s exactly what I needed.” — Target customer
